Keeping Warm in New England

Sitting by the fire to conserve fuel oil, 1942. LOC.

 

I was called away from home, early one morning. One of the grandbabies was sick and his mother needed to do a necessary errand. I was happy to stay with the little one, cozy in his home, and take good care of him.  His mother returned in good time, and I was able to go back to the coziness of my own house. 

The weather here has been incredibly cold. There are freezing temperatures near zero and, at times, below zero.  This is uncommon for this time of year.  It does not usually get this cold until January or February. It makes one want to stay home and wait out the winter!

All this cold weather is increasing the cost of heating this place. We have a specific amount available for the season.  With the higher costs, I need to try to make the kerosene last longer.  We are trying to use our wood stove more often. But the fuel supply for this has come from fallen trees on our property, over the previous summer months. It is limited. I have been saving newspapers and scrap paper as a contribution to the warmth of the fireside. 

In my childhood home, here in New England, I remember my mother standing in the hallway. She would quietly adjust the thermostat on the wall to just a touch higher than it was to bring the heat up. She was never one to waste anything. She wanted us to be warm, but she expected us to dress in seasonal clothing, wearing sweaters and such to do our part. The oil had to be conserved so that it was affordable to maintain the household expenses. 

My father often had a fire in the fireplace, especially in the evenings and on weekends throughout the winter months.  It was so cozy and comforting to sit with the family and just talk or read by the warmth of the fire.

The light of home, shining through the window on a snowy night, is a welcoming sight. Inside there is the comfort of family prayer in the evenings. To gather together at day's end in the retreat of one's own home is such a blessing. A peaceful home with good food to eat and a warm hearth is so encouraging when coming in from the cold.  The evening prayers and Bible reading remind us of how very thankful we are for each and every day.

Blessings

Mrs. White

* Note: For those who are following our medical issues, there is an update:

https://thelegacyofhome.blogspot.com/p/help-with-our-medical-trips.html

From the Archives -

A Blessing - The Light in a Messy House.

Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace.

What many of us crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

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

 

For happiness and cheer in the kitchen:

Mrs. White's old fashioned cookbook focuses on serving meals and setting the table in a humble home.

"Serving in the Kitchen: Cookbook with Recipes, Advice, and Encouragement for the Christian Home"

152 pages, paperback

Thinking About Homemaking

Frugal Inspiration. 

 

It is snowing heavily in our New England village.  As I sit by the fireside, I can watch the falling snow out the front window. It is a restful sight of white, reminding one of quietness and peace.  

I am crocheting a little blanket for one of my grandchildren.  He is five years old.  He has been watching me work on this project for several weeks. He keeps asking me, "when will the blanket be ready?" Then he wants to know, "how big will it be?"  Yesterday, as he was here for a visit, I had him sit on the couch and covered him up with it so we could see if it was big enough yet.  "When I finish up this roll of yarn," I tell him, "it will be ready."   He is so happy and is enjoying watching my progress.

I have been reading a lot about old time homemaking. I have acquired a set of books, over many years, to produce a little library of frugal inspiration.  One of these volumes is a collection of remembrances from the old days. It is called, "The Old Time Art of Thrift," by Ken Tate (1997). He gathered up the stories of several people and compiled this wonderful edition, full of beautiful paintings.  We read about what life was like for families in the early 1900's.  Their way of life was about being productive, avoiding waste, and providing for the household. It was about "making do" and "making things last" while enjoying the family and daily living at the same time.

One of my favorite books was originally written shortly after the Civil War. This was a time of great hardship!  The book is called, "Aunt Jane's Hero" and was written by Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss.  We read about a newly established family and their dedication to living very modestly on a limited income. But there is something so rich in this story that feeds the soul. This family is completely dedicated to living for the Lord.  The wisdom and joy of such a life comes through to the reader in a beautiful way.  The wife's way of housekeeping and frugality is inspiring.

Reading these types of books brings a sense of courage to stand firm and stay the course of keeping house. To be a homemaker is such an important work! We need support and encouragement to take care of our homes and families in a way the world doesn't understand. 

I am often taking little breaks to read these kinds of books throughout the day. Then I get back to the mending, the sweeping, the dusting, and the baking, with a feeling of refreshment. It helps bring cheer and strength to do what I love to do here at home. 

I am going to have some tea and get back to my crocheting. Then I will putter about the house making things look lovely. I will keep up my spirits by focusing on that which is good and peaceful and cheerful.  It will be a precious day of homemaking.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Finding Rest in a Stressful world - Peace Be Upon This House. 

The joy of taking care of children! I hear their sweet noise as a blessing! - I Hear Angels Crying. 

You can Make it!  - How the Old Time Mothers Survived Poverty.

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

 Help for hard times at home - 

House Keeping in Hard Times: Essays and Encouragement from a Christian Housewife

 Paperback, 180 pages

 As you read the entries, you will get a sense of what it is like as a Christian housewife through the ups and downs of life.  Topics include motherhood, marriage, taking care of children, cleaning, living on a low income, saving money, and building up the family with faith as the foundation.

Frugal Christmas Season

A Christmas tree stand near our home in Vermont

 

There are sales in all the stores. Many people are shopping or making lists to begin their shopping. There are thoughts of gifts and special treats for giving to others. It is a beautiful time of year.

As I was driving home from errands the other day, I noticed a few Christmas-tree stands.  Many of the stores have a display outside and are offering live trees for sale. These outdoor shops look charming in the snowy landscape.  

It makes one smile to window-shop and to delight in all the decorative lights and merchandise that is available.  And even though I am not buying anything, I am content and at peace.  

The other morning, as I walked around our property, I came across one of my miniature rose plants in the snow.  There was one delicate rose still on the plant. I thought it looked so pretty and wanted to bring it indoors.  It now sits in a tiny pitcher on my kitchen table. It looks like a pretty dried flower and adds a sense of frugal elegance to the house.

A delicate rose from the front garden. 

We came across an old box, here in the house. It contained the nativity set that belonged to my parents (who lived with us here for many years).  When some of the grandchildren visited, they arranged all the pieces. I told them, "this belonged to your great-grandparents."  It has been handed down through the family and looks sweet and nostalgic. It is much better than anything we could have bought ourselves.  It is so special when things from previous generations are kept within the family. 

The great-grandparent's nativity set. 

The children stood in awe of the scene before them. I was so happy to see how sweetly they set it all up. 

Soon I hope to get some ingredients for winter baking.  I want to make cookies, fudge, cinnamon cake, and brownies. I also need to bake some bread. When I make these homemade treats myself, it saves a great deal of money.  I love to have something special for whenever the extended family comes for a visit. I want the grandchildren to always have something homemade to eat when they are here. 

The cost of living is so high. I must do my best to live on a very strict budget so all the bills can be paid. This leaves very little funds for treats or little gifts that bring a sense of cheer and joy to the family.  I want to be ever so careful so that there is a bit of money available for a few thoughtful gifts this Christmas. In order to do this, I like to read about the old ways of homemakers and how creative they were in their homemaking. I need that encouragement and inspiration. Somehow, they either made things for the family or came up with a small amount of cash to get little presents to delight the household.  It is a challenge in these difficult financial times! 

I have been encouraged by reading old hymns out of the hymn books. I am grateful for the privilege of prayer, which keeps worries away and fills me with a sense of serenity.  It reminds me not to rush or hurry or do things in a panic. When I look out the front windows at the snowy landscape, I feel so thankful for a cozy fire to keep us warm indoors. This Christmas season is such a peaceful time to keep house, to tend to the family, and to serve the dear Lord.  

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. -

Now Available from The Legacy of Home Press:

Old Fashioned Homemaking: Essays and Encouragement from a New England Housewife by Mrs. White

176 pages, paperback

ISBN: 978-1-956616-38-5

A Thanksgiving Morning Giveaway - Updated

Colonial ice cream company promotion, 1920. LOC

 

I got up early this morning to put the turkey in the oven. I always try to do it myself before anyone else wakes up. I want to surprise them. I want to say, "don't worry, it is already in the oven!" It is a challenge because I am not strong enough to handle the turkey alone.  Thankfully, someone always steps in just in time to help me. I can barely lift the turkey and have a great deal of trouble getting it ready and into the oven. So I am thankful for the help. 

Years ago, my mother and father hosted our Thanksgiving dinners here, where we all lived together.  We had three generations (then four generations for a short while) all living in this house.  That was a long time ago and there are many good memories of family, tradition, and the love of home.  

When I first started making the turkey myself, I would get advice from my mother.  After she passed away, I remembered what she taught me.  Year after year, I still remember what she said and am able to prepare the turkey each Thanksgiving. I am grateful.

I wanted to write this post much earlier this morning but have not had a chance until now. I am slowly setting the table and getting things ready in a way that reminds me of "playing house." I am just making things look nice at a slow and steady pace.

Preparing the table for Thanksgiving dinner.

There will be three of us for dinner today.  Those who cannot be present, will call on the telephone. It is such a blessing to see and hear from family on this special day.

The Giveaway

I would like to offer a giveaway. At the beginning of this year, I published a devotional book from the 1800's. It is called, "A Year of Blessings and a Blessed Year."  

This is one of our classic reprint books. To find out more about it, please see the details here. 

One winner will be randomly selected to receive a paperback copy of this book. 

To enter

All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me about your Thanksgiving. You might want to share a special memory or your dinner plans. Or, perhaps you want to tell us what you are especially thankful for this year.   Whatever you are able to share will be a blessing for us all to read!

One random winner we be selected on Monday, December 1st, 2025. (U.S.  Entries only.)   If I am unable to reach the winner within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected. Your entry is only valid if you include a way for me to contact you. 

Thank you for reading! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Updated on December 1, 2025. This contest is now closed. The winner is April! Thank you to all who entered! 

Blessings,

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Training Children - Nobody Wants to Clean a Messy House.

Frugal Wisdom - Why The High Cost of Food?

Family Life - The Secret to a Happy Home.
 

 

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

 

Comments are closed. Contest has ended. 

Our New Classic Book from 1911 is Ready

Our new paperback book.

 

The Legacy of Home presents our newest book as part of our Classic Book reprint collection.

On a recent trip, I stopped at an antique shop. To my delight, there was a first edition copy (from 1911) of one of my favorite books by Grace Livingston Hill. The price was drastically reduced making it affordable for my limited means. When we returned home, I quickly began typing away to transcribe the entire story into a paperback edition. The original book had beautiful drawings inside. I was able to include these in our current edition, making the book even more enjoyable to read.

Here is a description:

Sweet elderly Aunt Crete lives with her relatives. She meekly helps them with all their household cares. Her unselfish devotion is without appreciation.  An unexpected nephew arrives and whisks her off on vacation.  This charming story of common household labor and the vast difference between struggling and living in luxury are beautifully described. The moral lesson of love and treating others as you would like to be treated shines through. 

Features:

- 8 black-and-white illustrations from the original 1911 edition.

- A photograph of our first edition copy obtained from the antique shop.

- Foreword by Mrs. White

- It is fascinating to read about canning, cleaning, cooking, and sewing that was necessary work in every home in the early 1900's. 

- The lessons of thrift and prudence from Aunt Crete's gracious example are inspiring.

Available in both paperback and hardcover editions:

Aunt Crete's Emancipation: The Legacy of Home Press Classic Edition by Grace Livingston Hill

135 pages, paperback. 

ISBN: 978-1956616-41-5  (5 x 8)

135 pages, hardcover

ISBN: 978-1956616-42-2  

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did! Any help you can offer with getting the word out about our new book would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

God's precious care of our lives (Includes a story about Mrs. Charles Spurgeon) - All of God's Children Have Shoes.

Teaching Grandchildren - Tea Time - The Importance of Formal Ceremony at Home.

Beautiful Summer days at home (and living on a "Walton's Budget") - Old Time Homemaking. 

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