A Homestead of Modest Means

A Tea Rose at our property in Vermont.

 

There is much to do at the old home-place.  We gathered the last of the season's strawberries yesterday. The blueberry bushes have finished producing fruit. A little rose bush that was planted in early spring has finally given us a beautiful flower.  The grounds have been carefully mowed and the weeds, throughout the property, have been removed. Inside, I vacuumed and washed floors. I baked and did dishes. The floors have been swept and the beds have been made.  We have enjoyed the company of extended family for quiet visits and happy talks.  Housekeeping is a wonderful occupation.

I did some errands yesterday. As I walked through the markets, I looked at all the inviting products. I saw melons, fresh apples, assorted vegetables, and many wonderful things that were not on my shopping list. I thought how lovely it would be to gather ingredients for a fresh salad.  And even though none of those things made it into my cart, because I only have a small amount of money, I enjoyed looking at everything.  

There is a great cost to housekeeping. Even when the expenses are as low as possible, we must still pay for utilities, insurance, and the cost of the house. It is important to be creative in finding ways to make do and to make things last. This will keep our expenses down.

We find joy in our surroundings. A neat home with homemade touches will bring a sense of rest to the heart.  When the pantry supplies run low and there is little money to fill up the shelves with good food, we may get discouraged. But hard times happen and we have to just wait, to look ahead, knowing things will get better. To cheer ourselves along, we use pretty dishes to serve humble meals.  We brighten our mood with the serving of tea in beautiful tea cups.  

We must remain calm when we don't have much money.  Our purpose in life is not to build up the store, but to build up the home.  This takes time, education in the domestic arts, and a great deal of faith. I have been thinking of ways to bring costs down, here at home, over the next couple of years.   The more we are able to do on our own, the less we will need to rely on the supermarket. 

This is a beautiful time of year in New England. The leaves on the trees are changing. Soon the landscape will nearly take one's breath away because of the stunning display of beauty. Yet this is also a hard time since so many of us have paid our annual property taxes. The cost of food is rising again. Our utility costs have gone up.  At times like this it is helpful to remember how hard things have been, financially, for the previous generations.  Our great-grandmothers have remained at their post, building up the family, caring for the home, and being creative with very little resources. Their example is a shining light of inspiration!  There is a sense of gratefulness to know that a home of modest means can still be a place of peace and beauty.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

A Precious Lesson! - All of God's Children Have Shoes.

What it Takes - Old Fashioned Duty of a Homemaker.

Encouragement in Duty - Make an Effort.

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

  For Encouragement in Christian Homemaking, order Mrs. White's book,

 "Homemaking for Happiness: Wonderful Days at Home."

You will find essays, articles, and diary entries about life in a Christian home.

Entries are arranged by season, and include:  "Keeping a Frugal Kitchen;" "Missing the Lilacs;" "An Evening Walk in the Garden;" "At Grandmother's House;" and "Chores for Grandchildren."

You will also find a few photographs showing a little of the local landscape.

Paperback, 228 pages. 

 

The Light in a Messy House

LOC: A farmhouse kitchen in Massachusetts, 1925.

Coffee is spilled on the counter and lower cabinets. Towels are on the floor. Personal belongings are all over the dining room chairs.  Scattered toys create a walking hazard. Through this daily mess Mother walks about putting it all to rights. She wipes up the spills as they happen. She cleans the crumbs, neatens the toys, and directs helpers to tidy the rooms. She is the light of cheerfulness who creates happiness and order in a messy home. She is the skilled laborer working in God's fields.

I have been told there are thousand year old vineyards which have been taken care of throughout the generations by skilled workers who are diligent. A preacher once visited one and noticed there was a forest all around the property, but the vineyard was well kept and noticeably different. He said you could see, from a great distance, that the vineyard was separate from the woods. There was a distinct line. You saw beauty in the well kept ground, and you saw wildness in the untamed forest. 

This vineyard can also be like our homes. We are the diligent gardeners who clear the weeds, prune the vines, gather the fruit, and keep up the distinct line that separates our homes from the world.

The weeds and the vines and the pruning are all the things we do when we clean and bake and care for the family. Each day we do this with great skill and love. It eventually becomes a natural habit to the point that we often don't notice all the things we are doing in a day. We bring order and loveliness to our home vineyards. We bring the light of godliness and holiness to our little cottages.

Each time we clean a messy house, each moment we pick up and tend the home, it is a reminder of the world and all the damage sin is constantly causing. We are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. If the salt and the light are taken out of the home, we will see a piling up mess, which shows neglect. That distinction of the old vineyard and the forest will become marred and tangled up together to the point that the forest will take over the vineyard. We will not let that happen to our homes. 

We housewives are the light of our homes. We spread happiness and sunshine through our cheerfulness and willing work. It is just like we are the lights in this dark, corrupt world. 

The next time you feel like you are cleaning the same messes over and over again, doing the same things over and over again, day after day; month after month; year after year; generation after generation, just remember that it is similar to how we, as God's people, shine a light of holiness amidst the constant mess of a sinful world. You are like the vineyard keeper and are desperately needed to keep that distinction clear. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

*This post can also be found in Mrs. White's book, "Old Fashioned Motherhood."

From the Archives -

A Video of our Home - Tour of our 1850's House. 

Old Fashioned Advice for taking are of the family - - A Comforting Sick Room.

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. -

 

Mrs. White's special book for homemakers: 

 

"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking." 

 

Paperback, 200 pages. 

 

Homemaking Help with a Video

Picture of Mrs. White's video about folding a fitted sheet.

The chilly weather is making many of us want to enjoy more of the indoor work of homemaking. I am doing laundry this morning and a little organizing.  I noticed the leaves on the trees are starting to change color, here in Vermont. It is beautiful!

I was about to put fresh sheets on the bed in our guest room when I came up with an idea. I thought I would do a video about how to fold fitted sheets. In case others would find this helpful to watch, I posted the video on our YouTube channel. Here is the link for those who may be interested:

"How to Fold a Fitted Sheet (Homemaking Help) at "The Legacy of Home with Mrs. White" on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEIbCeuWbbc&t=23s

Usually when I start doing chores, such as folding laundry, changing sheets, or baking something, it inspires me to do more.  I will be sweeping the floors in just a little while.  Then I will straighten the parlour chairs and make things look lovely.

Keeping house is such a blessing. It is a quiet work, bringing beauty and goodness to those around us.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

The Old Time Families need this - Cash for Winter.

Making the best of what is available to cheer the family along - Homemade Birthday Dinner. 

Thrifty Wisdom from the Old Days - To Earn and Not to Spend.

 

- 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.

 

 

 

Frugal Homemaking

LOC: View from the Butler's pantry at a Base Commander's home, CA.

There is an art to managing a home and making things comfortable on a budget. We are often led to believe that we have to buy things all the time.  There is encouragement to redecorate and to replace older items in the house.  An abundance of beautiful furnishing and decor are always on sale, leading us to want more than we can afford.

The difference between need and want can be confusing.  For example, we have an old recliner that we inherited about 10 years ago from a family member. It has worn out so much that it is broken in a few places.  We want a new one, but that is not possible.  Instead of seeking out a replacement chair (thrift stores and free options are limited in our rural county) we will keep doing our best to make it last.  Another option for creative homemaking, in this case, is to find other furniture in the house that can be rearranged and made more comfortable.  We do the best we can with what is already on hand. (I realize that many would consider a decent chair a need, and I do agree, but when there are far more pressing financial needs, a decent chair becomes less important.)

An example of actual need comes in the category of heat for the coming winter.  Very soon it will get bitterly cold here in Vermont.  I am surprised that it has already gotten chilly here with many rainy, cool days.  We will need a kerosene delivery earlier this season than normal. The cost to heat our home is a need. This is why we don't buy a new chair and why we put off (and delay) other possible spending.

Another example of the needs of the household has to do with clothing. I have needed a new winter coat for years.  I have mended the lining a few times and made it last year after year. But it has gotten shabby and is no longer keeping me warm.   I have a small amount of money saved towards this necessary expense, but am taking my time trying to find just the right coat that will fit me and actually keep me warm this winter.  We also live in a rural area with limited stores available. This makes it more complicated to shop and find just what I need.  We are getting ready to go on one of our medical trips in the next state, in just a few days. I hope to look in the local shops there and find a suitable coat at a reasonable price. That would be such a blessing!

We homemakers do have to spend money. There are basic needs that are essential. But the difference between being frugal and being wasteful has to do with our level of contentment. I can walk into a shop and admire all the nice things without wanting to buy anything. I know I can go home and clean and organize and re-arrange things to brighten up our lives and make things pleasant with creativity and hard work.

 If we can remember to want less and to be at peace with what we do have, we will be more content.  Spending time taking care of our possessions and homes will keep us busy and active.  This will leave less energy for shopping and eventually we will lose interest in buying things. 

One of the nicest things about using a little money for basic needs is that we can pray to the dear Lord for guidance and help.  We depend on Him for everything and this creates a bond of closeness as we pray. We ask the Lord to open the way for affordable food, clothing, and shelter.  And we praise Him and thank Him for every single blessing, each and every day of our lives.

Blessings

Mrs. White

 From the Archives -

Encouragement - Poor and Pretty Living.

What it Means to Be - Just a Housewife.

Some Help - The Secret to a Clean House.

 - 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hymns for Revival - My New Book

Hymns for Revival: Our latest book.

The 3rd volume from our hymn book collection is now ready! (This completes the set of 3.) 

After I gathered together the final hymns and Scripture passages for this book, we went out into the Vermont countryside to find just the right pictures for each hymn in this book.

We went to a few of the lakes near our home.  Inside this 3rd volume of hymns, you will find black-and-white photographs of different scenes of water and mountain views as we took pictures while walking along the parks, walking paths, and byways.  

The book is a devotional. It contains 28 old time hymns including, "More About Jesus" and "Rock of Ages."  There are black-and-white pictures to go with each hymn, as well as a Scripture passage for meditation. The entire book is designed to bring peace and rest to weary hearts.

Here are some sample pages:

"More About Jesus" from inside the book.

"For the Beauty of the Earth" from inside the book.

 

"The Eastern Gate" (I will meet you in the morning) from inside the book.

 

It is good to have these kinds of books for the family to read and meditate upon. It is a blessing to keep the old time hymns in our memories and to share them with the next generation. What a joy to have the words of these precious songs in our thoughts!

 

The third volume (to complete the set) is ready to order here:

 

"Hymns for Revival: Devotional with 28 Old Time Hymns"

 

126 pages, paperback

ISBN: 978-1-956616-34-7

Thank you for your patience as we worked on getting these little books ready. I hope to return to regular blogging soon. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Thrift - Overcoming Hard Times with Grace.

Frugal Sewing - Making an Old Fashioned Bible Cover.

A Blessing to Be - Just a Housewife. (With a little history) 

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