Snowed In - with Videos

Our driveway (Early yesterday morning). 

We are cozy and safe indoors while a snowstorm has been raging outside. There are high winds and freezing temperatures. This makes me all the more grateful to the Lord for a home which provides safety and shelter to my family.  

Despite the storms, I cannot stop looking out the window at the beauty of nature all around us.    

We are surrounded by high snowbanks! (Another view of our driveway.)

A few days ago, between frequent snowstorms, we went to the back grounds of the property to see the river. We were able to get two videos to share with you. (These videos are on my separate YouTube channel just for scenery.)

The first video (part 1) takes you along a cleared pathway as we walk towards the river. Then we stop and just enjoy the view for a few minutes.

Walking to our River in Winter Vermont (Part 1)

The second video (part 2) is a close up of the rushing river surround by the snow. It is a peaceful winter scene.

Our River in Winter Vermont Scenery (Part 2)

(If you are wondering about my original channel with the cleaning and homemaking videos, it is still there. I have been planning to get a new video ready about hand-sewing. I hope to have it ready in the coming months. Be sure to subscribe!)

My original channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@oldfashionedhomemaking

 I hope to write again soon. In the meantime, I will be reading books and sipping on tea while looking out the window.

A view of our front grounds in the midst of the storm.

Spring will be here soon. 

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

My Mother's Example - Housekeeping All Day.

Several Generations in one House - Keeping the Family Homestead.

Ideas for a Restful Home life - Peace be Upon This House.

 

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

 

Mrs. White's special book for homemakers: 

 

"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking." 

 

Paperback, 200 pages. 

Frugal Winter Days

A snowstorm at our property in Vermont. 

I have been biding my time, waiting out the cold winter months.  We are doing our best to limit all spending and keeping our costs as low as possible. The cost of heat and food is high. We need to be careful with our resources, especially during the cold season here in Vermont.

It has been lovely to walk the grounds of our property. We have cleared a pathway that leads to our river. This borders the back of our land and is beautiful in all seasons. 

Sunlight shimmers on the river, at our property. 

The scenery all around us provides free entertainment and is wonderful to watch.  On a recent trip to the doctor, we stopped at one of the lakes, near our home.  I stepped out of the car and took a quick walk to get some pictures. The lake is thick with ice and is covered with snow.  Suddenly, some snowmobilers appeared and graciously waved to me.  More came up behind them. They were having a great time, enjoying this form of winter recreation.   I watched as they drove by me, directly onto the lake and across the way to their ice shacks.

One of the snowmobilers on the lake near our home. 

I am in awe of the beauty of the season. I am grateful for the peacefulness and quiet days of winter in rural Vermont.  

It has snowed nearly every day this month.  There have also been many sicknesses throughout the schools and at the homes of our extended families.  One of my girls called last week to say they were all sick. I offered to get her supplies at the market. Did she need Powerade, popsicles, or Jello?  She recited a short list for me so I could get what was needed.  When there are so many sicknesses in the community, I wear an old-fashioned pair of Lady's gloves. (They protect me from germs.) I bought these in 2020 during the pandemic. They are charming and comfortable and can be worn in all seasons.  They remind me of the old days when a lady would not leave home without her gloves and a pretty hat.

My pretty white gloves. 

While I was in the store, I noticed all the beautiful flowers on display for the upcoming Valentine's Day.  I could not help stopping to admire them, thinking how pretty they would look on our table. However, if my husband is with me in the store, I do not want him to see me looking at the flowers because we do not have money for such luxuries.  I do not want him to offer to buy them for me when our budget is so limited, and cash is needed for much more important necessities. I will look at pretty things for sale, but I will not buy them.

 I left the grocery supplies on the doorstep of my daughter's home and was happy she had what she needed. They were soon better and all was well. Then another major snowstorm came while most of the children were at school.  My daughter called as soon as the storm abated to ask me for help. Could she bring me the baby for a few hours so she could attend to some needs at the school? Would I be at home? I quickly consented, saying, "Yes, I am here. I will always be here." I was so thankful to be able to help. 

We are living in difficult times. Despite winter storms, financial struggles, sickness, and hardships in the world, we must find ways to be content.  Living simply on a small income is an old-fashioned way of life.  Our days ought to be full of kindness and good deeds, with a love for home. 

 Frugal living and taking care of the family are daily endeavors, filling our time with good things. It is a joy to be found faithful in homemaking.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace. 

When 4 generations lived here together - Gracious Homemaking.

Remembering my Childhood - Manners Learned at the Finishing School.

 - To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

- It is an honor to be the bookkeeper for the house! - 

Find detailed instruction and inspiration in budgeting on a small income, along with a method for keeping a handwritten ledger, with lots of thrifty ideas, in Mrs. White's book:

 -An Old Fashioned Budget: Humble Financial Management for the Christian Housewife. 

 Paperback, 77 pages.

A Strict Budget

Selecting seeds for a Victory Garden, 1943. (LOC)

Many are facing financial challenges. Despite careful saving and spending, the expenses seem to increase each year.  They are grateful to have their bills paid and some groceries in the kitchen. Yet, many worry when there isn't any cash left over to get through the month.  

This is when we need to get creative. We need to know how to get by and to manage the kitchen and the home when there is little money available. We need to be cheered along and encouraged.

We are in this same situation as so many others are right now.  I have heard people mention the idea of a "no spend" month.  This sounds like a good discipline to avoid spending money unless absolutely necessary. 

Here are some ideas that may help:

Spare Change

 The older housewives used to put coins in a money jar and hide it away for a rainy day.  They would keep adding to this so that when a need arose, they could face the trial and have some cash to meet the expense. I believe most of us have some change put aside in case we need to put a little gas in the car, or buy milk, or bread.  It is comforting to know there are coins saved away to help get through the month.

Count the Days

When you are trying to get through the month, waiting for things to improve, it is a good idea to count how many days are left for the month. Currently, we have 25 days until the end of February. Sometimes, when we think about it in this way, it is less overwhelming to realize we only have to get through a certain amount of time before things get better.

Cut Back on Electricity

In my effort to save money I am reminded of how important it is to avoid the waste of electricity.   In the winter months the days are shorter. I need to get all my work and reading finished during daylight hours. It would be good to go to bed early. This will save the use of electricity, such as the use of television and lights.  In the old days, homes were lit by candles, lanterns, or gas lamps.  It made sense to get to bed early. 

Plan to Garden

Many of the seed companies have free catalogs available to send out to potential customers.  We can get our minds off today's troubles when we look through these catalogs and imagine starting a small garden as soon as spring arrives.  Do you remember Victory Gardens?  In the 1940's, families were encouraged to start gardens to help provide their households with food.  There is a lot of labor involved but the cost of seed is minimal. If you can do this, even on a small scale, you will spend less at the grocery store.

Stop Thinking About Money

Do you think about money every day?  Is buying something often on your mind?  Since we are bombarded with advertising, it is no surprise if you do.  It is better to keep busy with projects and activities around the house.  The older housewives spent more time cooking and cleaning than we do today because they did not have all of our modern conveniences.  They would also spend their time sewing clothes, mending quilts, and darning socks. They would bake bread and simmer stew on the stove while they were occupied with other household tasks. They were too busy to always think about money. 

Stop Worrying

I was tempted to worry today.  I paid most of our bills, including the cost of filling our kerosene tank for our heat.  After looking over what was left for the month, I was surprised to realize there isn't much left.  I had to remember that today, all is well. I am grateful for the privilege of prayer. I have a Heavenly Father who will take care of us. I must not worry. I must have faith and trust. This gives me a sense of peace and rest.

It takes a great deal of effort to live on a strict budget. It is an incredible accomplishment to manage on a small income.  The benefits of frugality, thrift, and prudence help bring about a better quality of life. 

Simple days of wanting less, while joyfully serving the Lord, is a wonderful way to live.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Peaceful living From the Old Days - Sunday Driver. 

Overcoming Worries and Troubles - Reviving the Prayer Journal.

Taking Care of the Family - A Comforting Sick Room.

  - To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Find cleaning inspiration and encouragement in Mrs. White's book, "Gracious House Keeping."

"Gracious House Keeping: Advice, Encouragement, and Cleaning Help for the Christian Housewife."

Complete with Encouragement and Work Charts to cheer you along in your homemaking!

115 pages, paperback.

Old Fashioned Motherhood - My Book

Old fashioned advice for Mothers:

In 2014, I was busy helping take care of some of my grandbabies. They were such a precious joy to have here. As I cuddled the littlest baby in my rocking chair, I was reminded of how it used to be, in the old days, when I took care of my own children.   I wanted to write out some of those memories and share some advice on motherhood in an old-fashioned Christian home. The book was originally published in May of 2014.  

I have just finished updating this book and a new edition is now ready. Here are the details:

- I have added a charming feature to this one. It contains the most darling paintings that I found in a lullaby book from the 1800's. I have scattered them throughout the book.  You cannot help but smile as you read through the brief chapters and see the paintings.

A look inside the book, "Old Fashioned Motherhood."

- The text of this book is the same as the original edition. But the format has been updated and made easier to read.

- The book contains nostalgic advice on motherhood including encouragement in setting up a home, taking care of the new baby, helpful ideas for stories and playtime, helping create a peaceful home, the care of babies, toddlers, and young children, finances (with practical advice for living on one income), a Godly heritage, and much more.

- I have also added a bonus article to bring encouragement to weary mothers. 

"Old Fashioned Motherhood" is a small book but packed with encouragement and help for the old time Christian home. It will help bring a gentleness and a sense of peace to your home. 

"Old Fashioned Motherhood: Baby and Child Care Advice from a New England Housewife" 

by Mrs. White

61 pages, paperback.

ISBN: 978-0-692274-73-6

I hope you find the book helpful!

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Encouragement and Manners - Waiting for the Door to Be Opened.

Through good times and bad - Keeping the Family Homestead.

Practical ideas for a happy home - Peaceful Living by Rules.

 - To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Living on His Income - My Book

Nearly 11 years ago, I wrote a book called "Living on His Income."  I had received many emails and comments with questions about being a housewife in today's difficult financial world. Was it possible to still be a housewife and live on one income in this modern day? This book was my way of helping to answer those who were seeking encouragement and guidance.  

Now, a decade later, teaching on the Christian home is essential, now more than ever.  The book is still greatly needed. We have just completed the work on an updated edition. 

Here are the new features:

 -  The text remains unchanged. (If you have the old edition, you will still see the same words in this new version of the book.)

-  The interior format has been updated and made easier to read.

-  I have added a couple of pictures, including one of my grandparents (with their baby) from the 1930's.

- There is a new cover which still retains a similar look from the original edition. 

What is the book about?

The first section shares 5 brief examples from 3 generations of housewives in my own family. This includes my grandmother (from the 1930's), mother-in-law (in the cover photo), my great-aunt, my mother, and my own experience.  You will read a brief history from my observation (as a witness) of what being a housewife was like and the changes that happened over the years.

The second section contains 9 short chapters with advice and encouragement. Chapters include:  Standard of Living, The Vision of Home, Homemade, Dependent on Him, The Next Generation, and more. 

The book includes a bonus article about faith and trust in the Lord, as well as my definition of a classic housewife. 

"Living on His Income" is a slim book with 64 pages. It is packed with encouragement and old-time advice that has worked for generations.

 You will be inspired to continue on as a cheerful housewife, knowing your work is just as important as the mission field. 

Living on His Income: Remembrances and Advice for the Christian Housewife by Mrs. White

64 pages, paperback.

ISBN: 978-0-692221-07-5

I hope you find this book encouraging and helpful!

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

We all need this - Peace Be Upon This House.

Practical Living - Retirement Planning for the Poor.

Some History - "Just a Housewife."

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -