The Last Witness of an Era

Library of Congress: Immigrant Family at Ellis Island.

 

 

The culture around us is changing rapidly. Each generation becomes less and less recognizable to the last. There is a craving for the newest and the latest idea. Often Mothers are tempted to walk away from the old path and blend-in with the world around them.

We need mothers who will be a living example of the old ways. We need mothers with courage and discipline to stand strong in these times.

In my son's Karate class, the teacher will run to each student and try to knock him over. The student must always be on guard. He must stand tall and fixed. He must be unbending to resist the attack. This is the kind of strength we mothers need. The attack is the seduction of a worldly culture- seeking materialism, partying, endless fun, and ungodly living. Mothers must be seeking to glorify God, rather than self. In this, we must walk the old paths and be the light to the world around us.

Have you ever met an older person who lived through World War II? Or have you met someone who lived through the great-depression? They are the last of the witnesses of those difficult times. They have seen many things. They have experienced many things. We learn from them. We watch how they live now, and hear them speak. . . and we get a glimpse into the reality of history.  This is part of seeking the old paths.

This current era is changing rapidly. The music, the food, technology, family life, and social expectations are almost unrecognizable to previous generations. In order to keep godly culture alive, we must not conform to society around us. We must seek strength to be a witness of the era in which we now live. This is impossible to do alone. We need God's help.

"Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will."
- Jonathan Edwards, 1703-1758


Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Learning from Grandpa - Holiness from the Garage.

I am Just a Regular Mom.

A Precious day of Happy Homemaking.

 

 

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For old time encouragement in living simply on a limited income, order Mrs. White's book:

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

This slim, 77 page, paperback book is available for sale through Amazon.

Creating a Cozy Home

Milk can and roses near our Front Porch, here in Vermont.

My biggest goal this year is to get rid of everything I don't use or need. I want my home to feel like a relaxing place to be. I have thousands of books in my home library and am in the process of donating many of them to our local library. I also have 20 years worth of school books and curriculum I am ready to part with. Do I want to sell them? No. I would rather just donate them all at once.

I have closets full of clothes and shoes I don't need. I want to eliminate and simplify this all down to the basic necessities and then add in some charming pretty items.

I would love to have our parlour painted a pretty country blue. I want fresh flowers in vases. I want polished windows and furniture. I want pretty plants and beautiful paintings on the walls. This will be our welcome room. I remember reading this old book recently. A gentleman came to the door of a small country estate. A servant opened the door. She invited him in, saying "Come in, the parlour was just cleaned." In other words, it was ready for guests. In our house, the parlour is the living room. It is the first room a guest sees when they enter our home.

All this work of creating a cozy home is how I get ready for a wonderful spring! I will have an enormous head start before spring cleaning time arrives. My house will have only the basics and the treasures. All else will be donated and removed from our estate. This will help eliminate wasted time in searching for things, or all the extra cleaning, and help me enjoy the coming seasons.

I have every intention of sewing this spring, and hanging clothes on the line. I plan to spend much of my time outdoors creating a lovely garden, even though I know nothing about landscaping! But the fun. . .  and the delight . . .  in working outdoors and making this place beautiful in my own humble, simple way will give me great joy!

What are your plans for creating a cozy home?

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

A Servant's Heart in Domestic Occupations.

The peaceful beauty of Rising while it is yet Night.

Can you be, As Cheerful as Ever?

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Every home can be a homeschool!

Find confidence and courage in teaching your own children at home with Mrs. White's book,

Seeking a Thrifty and Simple Life.

112 pages, paperback.

The Basics of Home Life

What are the basics of home life?

1. Simple furniture.
2. Basic food, lovingly prepared and served.
3. Time spent reading to the Children in an unhurried fashion.
4. Clean and neat clothes for the family.
5. A Tidy, uncluttered Home (the ideal we must strive for). 
6. Laughter and conversation.
7. Love.
8. A Warm welcome for all who enter.

Thoughts from Benjamin Franklin to encourage you in your housekeeping:


"If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality.

Let us, then, be up and doing, and doing to the purpose. Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy; and he that riseth late must not rest all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at the night, while laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.

Work while it is called today; for you know not how much you may be hindered tomorrow.

One today is worth two tomorrows; and never leave till tomorrow what you can do today.

It is true there is much to be done, and perhaps you are weak handed; but stick to it steadily, and you will see great effects."

May you have a productive and joyous day at home!

Blessings
Mrs. White

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Delicate Beauty of Homemaking

I have been watching old episodes of Little House on the Prairie today and thinking about a quiet life at home. Ma Ingalls would sit by the fire at night, in her rocking chair, and do the mending. She would look up and smile at her family as they talked or played nearby. During the day, she was busy baking bread, cleaning or tending to her flowers, or garden, around the front property.

Home was quiet. It was a pleasant place to be. We need more Ma Ingalls who are sweet and meek and gentle but who will work hard at home. I know we mothers get very tired at times, but we must do our home duties. We need to work hard to make home a precious place. We need to find pretty things and create and decorate.

Regardless of the trials and tribulations we endure, we can make the meals; We can cook and bake and clean and present security in our routines. Trials and sorrows will pass, but Mother's cheerful labors will inspire us all.  Homemakers are the light of the home. They are the creators of delicate culture. Their gentle, loving influence reaches far and wide.

blessings
Mrs. White


From the Archives - 

One of those days - Housekeeping despite lack of Motivation.

We need this all year round - Mothers with Christmas Courage.

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The Home Must be Occupied

Library of Congress: Family in Provincetown, Massachusetts, 1942.

 

In today's busy world, families are away from home more and more. Even stay-at-home Mothers are doing an enormous amount of traveling, doing errands, and going out on a daily basis. There is something missing at home.

There has to be a way to cut back on outside activities and cultivate a home.  We need to spend more time on the home arts - cooking, baking, cleaning, hospitality. We need to make Home the Base of our lives. That base must have a strong foundation. We need to spend a lot of time there to keep it sturdy and secure.

I realize older children have jobs or events they attend. I understand they often need transportation. But something has to be changed in order for Mother to occupy the home.

There is a saying, "Keep the home fires burning." Someone had to be at home to keep the place warm. They kept up with the cleaning and baking and laundry. Someone was there on a regular basis and that someone was Mother.

I want to see my children come and go out in the world. I want them to look forward to coming home, finding me there, and telling me all about their adventures. I want to help nourish them and make them comfortable and warm and happy. I need to be here in order for that to happen.

Somehow, some way, in order to have the old fashioned family survive, Mother must occupy the home. To occupy is to reside. It is to be there. It is to keep busy on projects related to the home. Mother is the shining light of the family.

May her smiling presence at home be the greatest gift to the family.

blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

What Many of us Crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

Finding Genuine Happiness at Home - Peace be Upon This House.  

Careful thrift in the Home - Reducing Expenses.

 

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Mrs. White's detailed explanation of keeping a financial journal and budget:

 

For old time encouragement in living simply on a limited income, order Mrs. White's book:

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

77 pages, paperback.

 

 

 

 

Domestic Occupations

LOC: Sitting by the fireplace around 1925.

My Mother could set up a home anywhere. She would just start setting up a kitchen and living room. Then she would set up the bedrooms. She can do this, seemingly, out of nothing. She has a tremendous love for homemaking and cleaning. I believe this has a lot to do with the basic foundation of housewifery.

There are daily tasks that must be accomplished. These are domestic occupations, and include:

1. Dishes.
2. Laundry.
3. Sweeping.
4. Washings counters, floors, sinks.
5. Dusting.
6. Making beds, putting away clothes.
7. Preparing Meals.
8. Setting up tables and chairs for the comfort of the family.

The heart of these occupations stems from a deep love of hospitality and wanting the family to be happy and comfortable. It is a servant's heart. If the housewife has the basic knowledge and heart for these tasks, she can make a beautiful home anywhere she lives.

blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Remembering The Old Days - The Blessing of Being a Half-Southern Mama.

It is all I want to be - Secretary to the Master.  

We all need this - Peace Be Upon This House.

 

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