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.