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.