Comforted by my Homemaking Tools

I have this old ironing board that I have used for many years. It is wobbly and the cover is faded and worn. I did some ironing yesterday. I set it up in front of the television and watched "The Waltons" while I ironed pillowcases and fabric for sewing projects. I took breaks from ironing to wash bedsheets and make beds. I did dishes, made lunch and enjoyed a very special homemaking day.

I love the scent of a hot iron, and the feel of warm clothes. It reminds me of the comfort of home. When it was time to put the ironing board away, I thought of how it would be nice to get a new one. But then realized I needed to keep this old one. It has been well-used, all these years, and is an important part of my life. Why would I replace it with something modern and cold and foreign? I need to be surrounded by the familiar. I need to look at my homemaking tools and remember they have been used year- after- year and that I've done well.

One thing that is difficult about using a computer is that it is very hard to keep house while surfing the Internet or checking emails, or writing.   But when I watch television or listen to the radio, I can iron and sew and walk about the house doing projects. I can dust and polish and visit with my family. I can interact with those around me and accomplish things that give me great joy.

I mostly try to use the computer in the very early hours before sunrise. Then I spend the rest of my day focusing on the joy of the home arts - familiar things - surrounded by my family - and ironing and sewing and doing dishes.    Even the mere act of sweeping the floor provides a good feeling.  I love to see the vacuum cleaner and the broom and my dustpan, over in the corner. I see the furniture polish under the kitchen shelf, and my sewing basket on the hutch,  and I know these special tools are part of my daily life.   It is a rich and full life.  And I am ever-grateful.

blessings
Mrs. White

Leading your Teens to the Lord - Mother's Silent Influence in the Home.

Precious Old Country Song -  About When Mama Dies.

Ideas and Encouragement - How The Old Time Mothers Survived Poverty.



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Then Sings My Soul Book 3 - Review

Book - Then Sings My Soul Book 3: The Story of Our Songs: Drawing Strength from the Great Hymns of Our Faith

Author - Robert J. Morgan

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Pages - 290

This is such a lovely book! The artistic quality is charming - including a peaceful cover, vintage-style pages, and it is packed with stories and songs and inspiration!


Robert describes the history of music in worship. He explains the beauty of singing the psalms, the stories behind old hymns and their writers, and describes the emergence of new songs by new generations. He really brought to light for me how important the writers of worship song and hymns are to our lives!

Personally I own several hymn books and read and sing from them often. But Robert's book gives me a history behind the music.  He talks about:

- Biblical Hymns
- Ancient Hymns
- Medieval Hymns
- German Hymns
- English Hymns
- Gospel Songs and American Hymns
- Contemporary Praise and Worship Music.

He clearly shows that, through the years, the music has weaved a story of our faith. He traces time- periods and events, like in Martin Luther's day (and his song "A Mighty Fortress is our God"), about what was going on when a song came from that era. 

Here are a couple of examples:

" 'Bringing in the Sheaves' was composed by the 'Singing Evangelist,' Knowles Shaw, who was later to perish in a train wreck in Texas."(page 51)

" Civilla Durfee Martin, an evangelist's wife, wrote "His Eye is On The Sparrow" after she and her husband stayed with an infirmed couple in New York, who told her that the secret of their optimism was remembering that 'His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.' "  (page 51)

You'll also find several of the hymns, with notes, so you can play and sing them yourself.  The stories and descriptions in this book are fascinating and would make an excellent devotional book for family reading time.

*Disclosure - I received this book for review purposes.*

To find out more about my commercial breaks, please see my disclosure page.

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As Dedicated as a Career Mom

I watched a movie last night about a career Mom.  She was so busy, focused on both her job and her family.  Each aspect of her life was constantly clashing and something was always going wrong. I was exhausted just watching!

But it got me wondering. What if housewives put that same dedication into their homes and families that career moms do? What if we had lists of chores and meal planning and schedules for managing the children. It would be kind of like having an English governess and a capable housekeeper, except it is Mother doing all these things, with every bit of focus and love she has!

I think I will do this today. It is still early and everyone is sleeping. My goal today is to make home a lovely, well managed place.

I will start by getting dressed up in something simple but classic, along with a pretty apron and a pearl necklace.  Then I will start on the morning chores and begin some baking. I will write up today's menu (something I rarely do), so everyone will know what they can expect from my kitchen.

Then I will do the homeschooling, the errands, and more housework. I will also enjoy my precious family and thank God I am home!!

blessings
Mrs. White

Such a Sweet part of History - Radio Homemakers.

Make Home a Comforting Place - The Light in the Window.

Worthy to be Called a Homemaker - Old Fashioned Home Economics.


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Daydreaming about Housekeeping

There are times when we will just sit and plan all the things we need to do in a day. We might make long lists of chores, and baking projects. We might even get some of those things accomplished.

But have you ever daydreamed about housework? This is something I do most mornings. (smiles) I will sit in my chair near the hearth and think about how nice my house will look after I do the work. Most of the time, I actually put those daydreams into action and get results.

Other times, if I am weak or ill, I just walk away from what has to get done, and I keep daydreaming, and smiling. I know what my house will look like, or what I want it to look like, and that makes me happy. That gets me through those days when everything seems to pile up and all one can do is laugh!

So today, if you feel like you are surrounded by flooding water in your kitchen, with cups floating down the stairs, just smile and daydream about better housekeeping days!

blessings
Mrs. White

Don't let this happen to you! - A Dangerous Mood for a Housewife.

A Little Story to Encourage you - A Mother's Legacy.

For those Miracles - Chalkboard Prayers.


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Not Happily Married

I just did it. . . I removed the word "happily" from my profile description.  Does this mean I am not happy? Of course not! I am delighted and grateful to have Mr. White for my husband. We have been married for almost a quarter of a century. But for me to say I am "happily married" implies that we live in a fairy tale world.  Those words may very well discourage someone else. Why? Because marriage is not really about happiness.

Mr. White and I have stood together and faced suffering, trials, tears, discouragement and tragedy. We have been pruned and given up more and more of 'self' for the good of our family.  How can this be called "happy?"

Marriage is more about commitment and creating a lifelong family unit.  It is being together through all of life's difficulties.

Yet there is a somber joy. .  a contentment. . . a feeling of unbelievable gratefulness and humbleness in a long marriage. We are co-laborers in our home and life.

So for me to say we are "happily married" is superficial. It doesn't share the truth of the matter. And that is that we are gratefully married and have tremendous love and respect for each other. We do this through tears and laughter. 

The marriage story, the secret of a good marriage, is the sadness in one's eyes from the pain of life, but the deep reverence the couple has for each other.   Perhaps to say we are "luckily married" or that we are "blessed to be married" is more accurate. 

But the greatest description of all, is the comfort of knowing we will stand side-by-side, through every hardship, through every joy, and despite any pain. . . .  for as long as we both shall live.

Blessings
Mrs. White

The Emptying Nest - Are You Still Tricking Your Wife?

The Wife's Job at Home - Doing My Part.

You can Have - A Beautiful Clean House in Just 30 Days!



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