Creating a Pleasant Atmosphere at Home

In the early afternoon, I start making preparations for the comfort of my husband and teenagers. I lay out refreshments on the kitchen counter. These are neatly arranged treats and vary by - day, depending on whether or not I baked, or found a sale at the market. Often, there will be a bakery coffee cake, some cookies, fresh bread and fruit. There may even be some cake or brownies. I usually have 2 or 3 different choices waiting for my hungry family to enjoy.

Next, I tidy up the parlour table. This is just our dining room table, since we don't have an eat-in kitchen. On this table, I lay out a box of Checkers,  and a pack of playing cards. At any time, my teenagers can walk by and say, "Hey, who wants to play a game?" Some days, I put out  Yahtzee   or Boggle. I need to get a new game of Scrabble. That would provide a nice variety.

These mere acts of housekeeping are often what people only do when they are expecting guests to visit. However, it is something we can do for our families on a daily basis.

Once I set up the games and the refreshments, I will put on some classical music while I do some cleaning. Then I head off to read before it is time to start making dinner.

blessings
Mrs. White

 From the Archives - 

My Mother's Example - Housekeeping All Day.  

Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace. 

 Unwanted Advice for the Family - Quieting Myself for the Good of Others.

 

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How a Housewife Passes the Time

We've all read scores of stories about homemakers who had "work baskets." These contained knitting and mending projects, or some kind of embroidery. Women would carry these with them when visiting friends. They would also keep them in the parlour for when they had a break from housekeeping. They would work with their hands to be productive while they passed the time.

One of my favorite things to do is read. I have scholarly books, fun books, and instructive books. I also have some  Charlie Brown Comics,  which make me smile.  One in particular, PEANUTS TREASURY, was published in 1968, and contains comics from the 50's and 60's. There are two charming comics in there that are adorable, because they provide for us a glimpse to the past.  Young Sally (Charlie's sister) is worried about going to school for the first time. She bolts up in bed and says something like, "When I  grow up, I want to be a housewife . . . Why should I have to go to Kindergarten?"  In another comic, she talks about how she has no interest in learning new math, because she has no need for that as a future housewife.  While a future housewife should certainly go to school and learn math and other skills, I loved how innocent Sally was about it all.  I also love the way girls were encouraged, at that time, to aspire to be housewives.

I have to find another good book to enjoy today. I will place it on the little table beside my chair in the parlour. I usually sit over there, near the window, and drink my tea.  I will read when I finish my kitchen duties. The house is generally quiet at this time of day.  Reading makes for a pleasant way to start the day.

Later, as it gets colder, here in Vermont, I will find a hand-sewing project to work on while I sit by the fire.  I have no idea what I will make. It will probably be a small quilt. It doesn't really matter. The fun is in the sewing and being available to talk and  laugh with the family while I work. It is a restful, peaceful routine for the winter.

blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -
 

The importance of The Vision of Home.

Make it look like The Maid was Here.

Come here, my precious ones, back to the security of your-  Childhood Home as the Nursery.

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A Lancaster County Christmas - Review

Book - A Lancaster County Christmas  by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publisher - Revell

Hardcover, 198 pages




This story is a clash of two worlds. An "English' (non-Amish) couple end up stranded at an Amish home, at Christmas time. They have their worldly problems, but are exposed to a simple Amish life. On the other hand, The Amish family is dealing with their own trials. It is interesting to see how they interact with one another.

I enjoyed the description of daily Amish life, but found the story line a bit stressful for me. I was hoping to read a peaceful Christmas story, but it was more like real life - with troubles and trials! (smiles)  There was also a lot of information about owls that didn't interest me.  The owls were something that fascinated the young Amish boy in the family.

Overall, it is well written, interesting and entertaining.

*Disclosure - I received a copy of this book for review purposes.*

The Skilled Housewife

Keeping house is more than just doing dishes, or ironing clothes. It is more than fixing supper or washing floors. Being a housewife is a skilled profession. In the old days, girls took home economics courses in school. Some even went to college to study the science of homemaking.  It is a beautiful thing to see a lovely, cared for home, even if there are humble surroundings.

Housewives need to learn the art of cooking, baking, sewing, mending, decorating, cleaning, thrift and so much more. They need to take pride in their work, putting forth their best effort.

The other night I was washing the dishes, while listening to  Crooners * on the radio.  I thought of how there are so many people who hate their jobs, and I was thankful that I loved mine. I love being here. I am grateful for the training I've had, and the experience I have in homemaking. I delight in setting an atmosphere of "home" for all who enter.

I took 3 years of home economics in school. I also studied for four years as a secretary, which taught me how to be a helper and assistant to my husband. It also taught me how to manage books and keep things organized and efficient.  I worked as a maid and spent much of my time taking care of children. All this happened before I turned 18 years old. I was taught how to keep house. I was trained in the art of homemaking and motherhood. For this I am eternally grateful.

Blessings
Mrs. White

* Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, etc.


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Mrs. White's special book for homemakers: "Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking." Paperback, 200 pages. 

Kitchen Sermons

The past few days, I have been listening to sermons while working in the kitchen. I love taking my time, polishing the counters and washing dishes and listening to an inspiring sermon.

Each day I have chosen one sermon to enjoy. I have heard Dr. John MacArthur talk about the economy; Dr. Harold Sightler describe the blessings of all the food fed to thousands just from one small lunch, in "What Are They Among So Many?" I had tears in my eyes as Dr. Clyde Box preached on "A Faithful Man, Who can Find?" A few of these ministers are southern, and will shout at times. It certainly startles me out of a spiritual sloth!

Sometimes the children will walk into the room while I am working. They want to talk, so I pause the sermon. I listen to the children and then turn the CD back on. The preaching echoes throughout the house. It is like propaganda in the home - good propaganda that nourishes the soul.

The endless daily chores in the kitchen are ideal times for listening to sermons. Knowing there is something special to listen to while I work makes me eager to do my duties.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Just an ordinary, Blue Collar- Working Class- Housewife.

A Calling -   The Romance of Home.

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An Old Fashioned House

I saw a picture of a lovely, old Victorian cottage. It was being sold in a nice area, here in Vermont. However, the price was so high, it made me sad. Why? Because it was packed with modern updates. There were stainless steel appliances, a "granite chef's kitchen," and "Quakermaid oak cabinets." But wait. . it gets worse. . . there is a "new Kohler bathroom." All these modern, high-end touches, make the price prohibitive for lower middle class families. If the house had just been left in its "old fashioned" state, with basic repairs, a little paint and some cleaning, it would have been absolutely charming! It would have been affordable to a low-income family, who would have been thrilled to own it.

People, in these days, forget that creativity and hard work are what make an inexpensive home lovely and valuable.

I remember watching a home- and- garden program. Viewers toured the home of an elderly woman who wanted to sell it. As the kitchen came into view, I saw the most beautiful cabinets I had ever seen! These were painted a sage color and the owner had stenciled delicate vines to make a subtle trim around the edges. There were tiny hints of pale colored flowers. It looked lovely! However, the realtor advised the owner to replace those cabinets, saying that buyers today want modern, neutral fixtures. While that is generally true, something is being lost in our culture, when old fashioned houses are being replaced with modern, elegant features which is only affordable to dual-income career couples and the upper class.

Mr. White and I have a 3 story colonial house. It is 150 years old. We had some visitors come by in our first year here. They were retired, wealthy relatives. They looked around and said it would cost us a fortune to update this place. They shook their heads and said we had a lot of work to do. I cannot comprehend that mind-set. Why would I modernize this charming old house? Why would I not cherish it as the "museum" that it is? I love my large drafty rooms and my large, old windows. I love the old chimney and the homemade "Yankee" * kitchen cabinets. The charm of this house is that it is affordable, lovely, and vintage. . .  This is truly an old fashioned house. I can only hope that there are still many more out there.

Blessings
Mrs. White

* The term "Yankee" implies New England ingenuity, by making do with what we have while using  little or no money.

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