Home Entertainment without Movies or Television

Lately, I have gotten into some bad habits. I forgot what it was like to just enjoy home without distractions.   I forgot how to pass the time at home in a pleasant way. This coming week, I am hoping for a more quiet, simplified life.  I have a plan. It will last for 7 days.  I will not watch television. . . not even DVDs. I am even willing to stay away from classic favorites like The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie.

I want to read more.  I want to hand-sew, and bake, and spend more time enjoying kitchen work, and my household duties.  I wonder if this bit of time I didn't realize I was missing out on, will enable me to delight in washing windows,  iron more, and enjoy decorating and organizing on a regular basis.

Unexpected guests are more welcome when I am not involved in a program, even something as pleasant as You Can't Take it With You, Starring Jimmy Stewart.  I think this constant access to a "home theater" (television) where I can see "plays" (movies) and programs any time I want has made it less special.  I am hoping that this 7 day fast from television will help me set a new routine of watching one thing a week. . . one thing that is carefully selected. . . something that will be enjoyed and appreciated much more than what has been too accessible.

This week, I hope to do the following things:

1. Sweep my front porch every morning (in the beautiful summer air).
2. Hang clothes on the line before breakfast.
3. Read my Bible more, and read calming, inspiring literature more.
4. Bake and cook more often.
5. Mend and Sew for relaxation, while visiting in the parlour (my living room).
6. Enjoy hours of homemaking - such as decorating, organizing, polishing and shining things up.
7. Write old fashioned letters to cheer and surprise the recipients.

Dear Readers, I would love to hear your thoughts:

- If you were to take this week off from common home entertainments, what would you do?

- If you don't watch television or movies, what does your family do throughout the day?

Blessings
Mrs. White

Tweet

Home Economics - Why The High Cost of Food?

Class and Style in Homemaking - When Mother is the Maid.

Don't Change - Even When the Children are Growing up - Sitting Alone at the Kitchen Table.



An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.  I would also love to have you connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

Mother's Rest

Small children must have naps, and a bedtime.  They need a routine that helps protect their health, nerves, and well-being.  We take excellent care of our little ones, but spoil ourselves with too much indulgence.  In this modern world, we Mothers are sleeping less than ever. We are so occupied with a great many distractions.  This is taking away our ability to have sufficient rest.

When I was a child, we had never heard of VCRs or DVD players.  If we watched the one television set that was in our home (other than the small, portable for when someone was ill), we turned it off at a certain hour.  Our parents went to bed at the same time each night.  We children had our own bedtimes as well.

In Grandmother's day, the electricity was only used minimally. No one would dream of using the lights, or other items, late into the night unless there was some kind of emergency.  The radio (if the family had one) was shut off at a certain time.  Families would read together, visit, Knit, play the piano, or play games.   It used to be that when the streetlights came on, it was time to wind down the day. Families had dinner, clean up, and a short break in the living room. Bedtime soon followed.

Lately, I have been so guilty of not getting enough rest.  I am staying up far too late because there is so much to occupy my time and thoughts.  This is making me less productive!  This is taking away some peaceful joy.   Sufficient sleep is a necessity, and we mothers must have a routine, just like the children.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives:

A Living History - Homemaking Links the Generations.

Make it Look Like - The Maid Was Here.

Morning Preparations of the Heart - Getting Ready to Face the Family.


Order My Books:


For Home-keeping Inspiration, - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 

A 90 Day Bible Study, inspired by John Wesley, -  "Early Morning Revival Challenge" 






An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email. 

When Television Was Special

A Television set used to be a beloved piece of furniture. It was neatly dusted and polished. Some Mothers kept a white crocheted doily on the top, with a nice plant or some flowers. This was a lovely addition to the living room.

In the old days, families would gather around the radio to hear a nice evening program, after the chores were finished. There were a few programs that the children enjoyed, and others that the whole family wanted to hear. . . . In later years, this also happened with a TV set.

My Father worked hard at his job, and around the house. He had a large garage with a wood stove and a workshop. He was in charge of our garden and all maintenance for the cars and house. He also kept things tidy indoors, always cleaning up after himself. We children respected him and his need for rest. So when he wanted to watch a program, we children would sit on the floor, or couch, nearby and watch it with him. We saw many old westerns on Saturday afternoons. 

 On a weekly basis, we watched Lawrence Welk. We were always so excited when that program came on. We all enjoyed it so much!

We would have popcorn, or chips and just be together on those happy nights, watching television with Mother and Dad. 



In those days, there was no such thing as a VCR or DVD player. We had never even heard of such a thing. If we missed a special movie . . .well. . .that was that.   We could only hope it would come on again next year.

Most of our time was spent outside, or working, or at school. Television was special because most of the programs were wholesome and family centered. We would laugh and smile and be encouraged by genuine comedy in a time when vulgarity was unheard of. 

I remember snowy winter nights, sitting by a roaring fireplace and watching Charlie Brown.  This was a rare treat!  We children would have already spent time in the kitchen, sitting together at the table, eating supper that Mother made. Then we would have our share of the chores, doing dishes, sweeping, and cleaning the table. When that work was finished, we could sit and enjoy a nice entertaining program and just relax and be happy.

Today, there are so many choices on television - almost too many.  Sometimes I worry that television is such a magnet that we could watch all our time away. But the programs of this era can never compare to the sweet wholesome shows of yesteryear.

Blessings
Mrs. White

It Takes Courage - Mothers Who Will Not Accept Reality.

Remembering my Mother-in-Law - Classic Old Fashioned Housewife.

The Path to Holiness - Encouraged by A. W. Tozer.


Tweet


An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.  I would also love to have you connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

Make Life Look Fun

Keeping our days cheerful is no easy task. There is so much gloom and doom to overwhelm us. We often have to live with grumpy people, or be near those that frustrate and irritate. We see people making mistakes that hurt others, but somehow, we must keep our chin up and walk on.

Growing up, I had a very dear friend who was a great example of learning to move on when times got tough.  I remember the terrible circumstances she was always in. She would sit for a couple of minutes to brood, and then I'd see that charming smile, and she was up again! She always inspired me because she didn't let life get her down.

It would be so easy to indulge in our miseries. We would have every right. We could stay in dark, stormy moods or be depressed by the sorrow around us. And yes, at times we will do that. But to stay there for long is a waste of time. We need some cheerful distractions to help us transition to the happier moments.

I love the old movies most of all. Actors like Shirley Temple always made me laugh.  Yesterday I watched a few episodes of The Brady Bunch and Happy Days. I love that the Moms were home and that was the normal custom in those days. 

Cheerful Doris Day is another of my favorites. Her family movies, like Please Don't Eat the Daisies, are delightful.

When we don't have examples around us to keep us happy, we can always read Erma, The Family Circus, or watch classic television like Burns and Allen.  These kinds of distractions from our daily troubles will give us a little time of retreat and refreshment so that we can get back on the right foot.

There are certain stars and authors who make life look fun.  This is not to say they don't have any trouble, but they find a way to smile through most of it. And this kind of wholesome entertainment is something we truly need.

As for me,  I am off to read For Better or for Worse by Lynn Johnston, - gentle smiles -

Blessings,
Mrs. White

Make it Look Like - The Maid was Here.

For those Rough days, It's time for -  A Housewife's Pink Mood.

Keep up Religious Duties in - Sitting Alone at the Kitchen Table.


Tweet




An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.  I would also love to have you connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

Family Comfort in the Evening Hours

At the end of the day, the family gathers together for a meal and to share adventures. Sometimes the children will laugh and entertain the others. Or, there will be older teens who talk about their work day.

In old time humble homes, everyone would gather around a vintage radio and listen to the news or a program. Mother would knit or do some mending. Father might be smoking a pipe or doing a little whittling. The children might have jacks to play on the floor, or a few handmade toys. 

In other homes, someone would play the piano and all would gather round to sing. Or perhaps one could hear the sound of a banjo as the family sits on the porch playing some old country music and singing along.

In later years, with the invention of record players, the family could hear crooners like Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby.

Next, there were television sets where programs like Burns and Allen were broadcast.  Families would eat their dinner at the table and then settle down to enjoy a show together.

Families play board games, cards and checkers. This is a wonderful form of togetherness which calms and soothes the hearts of weary souls.

In these days, we have modern radios with Christian stations for sermons, music, talk and advertisements. These are also heard on car radios as we travel on errands or trips. We also have CD players to hear modern music that we enjoy.

Some kind of entertainment goes on each night in most homes. This comforts and cheers the family at the end of a long, hard day.

It is something we can strive to create - an atmosphere of happiness, and entertainment with our families.

We should look forward to the setting of the sun, as we toil on with our work, as the best part of the day - the night time for rest and reward for our daytime labors.

Isn't this just like our earthly life as the daytime, and eternal life (at death) - as our night-time?

Blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives:

Good propaganda in - Kitchen Sermons.

Just like the old days - Creating a 1950's - like Childhood.

Don't make the children do all the work - A Cheerful and Willing Housekeeper.



Order My Books:


For Home-keeping Inspiration, - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. 

A 90 Day Bible Study, inspired by John Wesley, -  "Early Morning Revival Challenge" 






An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.