Occupation - Keeping House

After a snowstorm in 1939, Vermont. (LOC)

 

I noticed an entry on the U.S. census from the year 1880. It was in Lowell, Massachusetts.  There were names of household members as well as some other details. In one particular home, the grandmother's occupation was "Keeping House." This same entry was repeated in other entries, in other households, throughout that street on the form.  

Entries for "Occupation" on the 1880 census. 

Other entries included "machinist" or working in the cotton or woolen mills. The listings noted whether someone was married or widowed. I noticed there were widowed women working as a music teacher or in the mills.  I loved reading how many generations were in each household. Often there was also a boarder in each house who had some type of employment as well.  

In one home there were three children (the youngest was five years old) whose occupation was "at school."  Their widowed mother was a music teacher and they all lived with the grandparents. There were three generations in that house. The grandmother in this household was from Vermont. They were the Pratt family. They also had a widowed boarder from Ireland (living with them) who worked in the cotton mill. It was fascinating to read.

An occupation of keeping house sounds wonderful to me.  I have been quietly occupied in the domestic duties of keeping my own house.  I have been busy cleaning, organizing, preparing meals, baking, sewing, and crocheting.

I am nearly finished making a hand-sewn doll quilt for one of my grandchildren. 

My doll quilt project. 

Our gardens and fruit trees have long been ignored the last several weeks since it is so cold here.  We had a great deal of snow the last couple of days.  This morning, I went outside to check on some of my tea roses that have not yet opened.

My tea rose plant in the snow. 

I was able to rescue 3 buds with their lush red and green leaves. I cut them from the vine and brought them into the front parlour. They will get warm by the fire of the wood pellet stove.

Tea Roses from our snowy front garden.

I hope the roses will warm up and open within the next several days. The leaves look pretty in the vase. It brightens and cheers the house!

I have a little project I am working on during my leisure hours. 

Mystery package.

The mystery package, in the above photograph, contains an antique book I recently came across. I am transcribing it into a new edition. It is a darling story about domestic life in the early 1900's. I am hoping it will be published soon. I will announce it as soon as it is ready. 

Soon I will be baking cinnamon cake and homemade bread. The sewing will be done by the fire, and I will enjoy some reading.  It will be a lovely and productive day at home.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

For detailed help in caring for the ill, from my Mother's example - A Comforting Sick Room.

Taking Care of a family of 4 generations in one house - Gracious Homemaking.

A Precious Lifetime of Duty at home at - The Mission House.  

 

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

Now Available from The Legacy of Home Press:

Old Fashioned Homemaking: Essays and Encouragement from a New England Housewife by Mrs. White

176 pages, paperback

ISBN: 978-1-956616-38-5

Old Time Kitchens

Supper table at the Helms family home in Alabama, 1939. LOC.

 

I was in the grocery store this afternoon. I saw many people buying large amounts of food. Some were quietly talking to other customers about their concerns about the state of events in our country.  The subject of food is on the minds of many.

The store is full of snacks, prepacked meals, frozen dinners, assorted produce, and so much more. As I walked down the aisle, I wondered what people would do if the stores were suddenly closed and all this food was not available for a short period of time. I had a moment of panic.  It reminded me of how very important it is to stock up and have sufficient groceries in one's own home to last the season, if possible, or at least enough for a few months.

This year I am not as prepared as I want to be. But I am remembering the old ways and trying to do all I can for the needs of my household. 

 In my childhood home, my mother always had a plate of bread on the table. There was always a bowl of fresh sliced cucumbers to go with supper.  We often had mashed potatoes and another vegetable with many of our meals.  The vegetables and the bread helped to fill us up.  To make a meal look more bountiful, it helps when there is a variety of food set out together.  I never heard my mother complain or worry about putting food on the table. She trusted the Lord to provide and then she knew how to do her part. 

We ate all our meals, together, at the kitchen table.  It was a large dining table with a drawer (underneath) to hold the silverware. We had silverware, napkins, and glasses of milk beside our plates.  It was always a well-balanced assortment of food. The routine of eating began with a prayer of thanksgiving from Dad. We would talk and visit and enjoy the food. Then we always left the table happy and grateful.

I remember visiting my aunt in the rural south. She had a big garden and always made delicious meals for us. These were economical and nutritious. Each morning, she made a batch of buttermilk biscuits to go with eggs and bacon. She would often send one of the children out to the garden to get some fresh produce to serve with our meals.  To me, nothing will ever taste as good as food made at home, with love and care.

Saving money and practicing the art of thrift has always been a wise way to live.  Homemakers used to make meals based on what was in the kitchen rather than whatever they wanted to choose from the store. They kept a supply of basic items in the pantry, such as flour, oats, sugar, and plenty of canned goods.  They would prepare food in advance so there would be good things to eat that would last for days. 

I realize it takes a lot of time and effort to work so hard. But this was very common in old time kitchens. The art of cooking, baking, and filling the table with nourishing and appetizing food is a wonderful work. It brings comfort to the family. 

 In these difficult times we are enduring, bringing back some of the old ways of housekeeping may very well provide a sense of rest and contentment. There is an adventure in finding creative ways to feed the family. We must not worry or fret as we go about our household chores. Remembering the promises of Scripture is essential. We are to seek the Lord and His righteousness and all will be well. The Lord will provide.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Advice for a Happy Home - Peaceful Living by Rules.

Reality and Wisdom - Retirement Planning for the Poor.

A Precious Lifetime of Duty at home at - The Mission House.  

Ideas to minimize stress - Peace be Upon this House. 

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

 Help For Homeschooling:

Seeking a Thrifty and Simple Life: Encouragement for Christian Homeschooling by Mrs. White

Paperback, 112 pages

As you read this book, I hope you get a sense that, no matter what is going on in the world, every home can be a homeschool. 

The Shabby House

A Kitchen in 1925. (LOC)

 

In our old 1800's house, there are many things that need attention. When I compare this place to what is seen on commercials and on television programs, it would seem that my house is not in very good condition.  A visitor might think we need new flooring and carpeting.  New paint in many of the rooms would certainly freshen things up. Many of the rooms would also look dreamy with new pieces of furniture. But all these changes would cost a great deal of money.  I could not even imagine spending money for such things when cash is needed for much more important items.

I recently looked at some pictures of my childhood home.  I grew up in the same house where my grandparents had raised their own children. The old wallpaper, furniture, and flooring, were old and worn. While we were living there, it just felt like home to me.  It was loved and cared for. We decorated and made things look nice with our cleaning and organizing.  We were happy in our humble home and considered it to be beautiful. Is it possible that just a few generations ago, people were less likely to spend money on fixing things up?

There is a motto of making do, making things last, or going without. This is a thrifty way of life that encourages us to take care of what we do have, while living within our means. It is certainly nice to have pretty things and to do repairs and maintenance as we are able. It is nice when we can get new curtains or blankets, bringing cheer and comfort to the family. These are lovely things to do when it is possible. But it must not be the entire focus of our spending. 

The other day I got out the ironing board and was ironing scraps of fabric for a home sewing project. I thought about the home arts and the comfort of old-fashioned, domestic life. I was grateful for my surroundings and the ability to be at home and to be here for my family. I felt thankful.

The money we do have must be prayed over and spent in a cautious way. The basic expenses of food, heat, car maintenance, and electricity cost a great deal. It requires budgeting and careful planning to make ends meet each month. 

 In just a few days, I will need to take our patient on one of our medical trips into the next state. It takes effort and sacrifice to come up with enough money to meet this need.  When there are medical trials and expenses, it really makes you think differently about modern ways of spending. The goal should be to always try to save for rainy days. 

This is why I cannot even fathom the idea of buying new things or upgrading our house. We do our best to live simply with few wants or needs. Our house may seem shabby to some, but it is a place for which I am so grateful to have. My surroundings, and all that we have, reminds me of a museum of graceful and humble living of quiet days at home, from many years ago. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

A Blessed Way of Life - Old Fashioned Duty of a Homemaker.

A Bit of History - Just a Housewife.

We Must Learn -  To Earn and Not to Spend.

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

Now Available from The Legacy of Home Press:

Old Fashioned Homemaking: Essays and Encouragement from a New England Housewife by Mrs. White

176 pages, paperback

ISBN: 978-1-956616-38-5

Homemade Living

Yarn ready for crocheting project, on our table, earlier this year. 

 

As I walked about the house, doing little projects and making things look neat, I noticed a kitchen towel had developed a little hole in the center.  I got out my sewing basket and settled in the chair to start sewing.  I was thankful to have a spool of matching thread. In the quiet of the afternoon, I threaded the needle and did some mending.  It did not take long before the towel was all fixed and back in its place.

I know there are socks that need to be fixed in this house.  Sometimes I wonder why I don't do them immediately after taking them out of the dryer.  I hope to remember to take the time to mend on my next laundry day. It is always a choice of what to do with one's time.  Repairing our clothing, towels, and linens is an important part of keeping house. It is also rewarding and a pleasant way to spend our time at home.

With the passing of summer, and the arrival of cold weather, I have been thinking about the upcoming holidays.  I have not been able to do very much to plan for Christmas gifts for some of the grandchildren. Since there is no money to spare, I thought I might make a few little things myself.  The little ones would love to have homemade, pretty gifts from Grandmother. It would also be so sweet to sit quietly, each day, and work on their gifts. 

I have some pretty scrap fabric and have been considering making a tiny doll quilt for one of the younger grand-girls. I am sure she would be delighted. I have a full-size pattern for this in my book, "Gracious House Keeping," but will adjust the size to plan out a much smaller version. 

The hand-sewn quilt I made, as described in "Gracious House Keeping."

This quilt project is very simple with just little squares sewn together by hand, and then adding a backing (without a cotton filling). The hardest part will be setting up the sizing and cutting out the squares.  

I would also love to do a little crocheting, but the cost of supplies is more than I can manage at this time. I will have to wait and see. 

I might also consider doing a little drawing or painting (in little homemade books) to send along to the little ones (who live a distance away), as thoughtful gifts to bring them cheer and happiness. I will have to save up some money to pay for the postage. I remember that, years ago, my mother used to buy holiday candy and mail it to her grandchildren who lived far away. She knew it made them happy. 

I want all my children and grandchildren, whether they live close by or at a distance, to feel loved and cared about, especially during the holidays. Some little thoughtful note or gift will be greatly appreciated.

I expect to make homemade sugar cookies and fudge when December arrives. This is an annual tradition, and I give these out to all the family.  These special treats are always much enjoyed.

There is a great deal of thought and creativity that goes into homemaking when there is very little money available.  It is a style of homemade living that brings a sense of warmth and gratefulness to the giver as well as to the receiver.  

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Old Time Manners - Waiting for the Door to Be Opened.  

The beautiful testimony of the Mother of D.L. Moody - Poverty in the 1800's.

Ration Books from 1942 and helpful advice - Adapting to the High Cost of Living.

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

Find cleaning inspiration and encouragement in Mrs. White's book, "Gracious House Keeping."

"Gracious House Keeping: Advice, Encouragement, and Cleaning Help for the Christian Housewife."

Complete with Encouragement and Work Charts to cheer you along in your homemaking!

115 pages, paperback.

 

A Life Dedicated to Good Works - The Amish Example

A Newly Settled Amish Farm in Vermont. 

 

I have noticed some new Amish families have moved to our area in the last several years.  Their quiet way of life is calming and inspiring.  From my observations of how they set up their new homes, here in rural Vermont, I see that they build their homes slowly, over time. (In the photograph above, you might be able to see that the siding on the house is unfinished.) I am assuming they do this as time and money are available. Some have been able to buy existing homes on farms. Others buy land and have to build their own house. In each case, it is instructive to see how they manage and set up housekeeping.

During necessary travels, over the last few weeks, I have noticed 2 Amish homes. In both cases, laundry was on the clothesline. Some of the children were seen in the yards, helping the family. One Amish lady was walking on the main road, with a grocery bag in her hand. She nodded to me, in a neighborly way, as I drove by. Everyone was busy and peaceful.

We can see how the Amish live from a distance.  At other times, some may hire them for construction work, or stop in to buy baked goods from their produce stands.  We are able to converse with them with a gratefulness for good neighbors.

For many years, I have enjoyed reading books by Rod and Staff publishers. These are Mennonites with a similar way of life.  To really understand about the daily activities of both the Amish and Mennonites is by reading their letters in "The Budget" newspaper.

A sample copy of "The Budget" newspaper. 

The newspaper is very large and contains letters from a variety of residents in places such as Alabama, California, Kansas, Maine, Iowa, Costa Rica, and even Ireland, along with many other locations. The letters are newsy about family, gardening, mission work, the helping they do with neighbors and relatives, as well as their normal daily life of hospitality.  These letters are eagerly read by readers who often know them personally and appreciate an update from life in their community. 

Another helpful resource for finding out about their daily life is a book I have had for several years, called, "A Day in the Life of the Amish."

A book about the Amish way of life, from their own writings.

More than 30 years ago, a publisher made arrangements with several Amish families who were willing to write a one-day diary and send it in to be compiled into a book. This was designed to help readers understand and appreciate the Amish way of life. The diaries remind me of the letters from "The Budget" but are much more detailed and interesting.  The book also includes pictures of farms, jars of preserves, and many other scenes of home life.  As I was re-reading their diaries, I thought of how busy they are.  We often see them slowly riding by in a horse and buggy. They are not in a hurry. Their life is slow-paced but practical and productive. They are doing good things and good works every day of their lives.

While we may think that the Amish live isolated lives, that is far from the truth. They have an amazing community and large families. They enjoy each other's company and celebrate birthdays and weddings. They work together, helping each other with harvesting, sewing, building, and even make it an event to gather together to help someone in need.

It is a common habit for them to read Scripture, sing hymns, pray, and attend church services. Faith and trust in God are the strong foundation for their way of life. In this constantly changing world, their example is like a lifeline of hope or a lighthouse of guidance. I am grateful to have them as neighbors.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

A Blessing - The Light in a Messy House.

Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace.

What many of us crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

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

 

For happiness and cheer in the kitchen:

Mrs. White's old fashioned cookbook focuses on serving meals and setting the table in a humble home.

"Serving in the Kitchen: Cookbook with Recipes, Advice, and Encouragement for the Christian Home"

152 pages, paperback