An Account of a Good Life

Our table. 

 

Abigail Adams advised her family to keep copies of all the letters they wrote. This, along with journals, joined together to form a history of the family's life. It was common to write about one's life. I wonder if they were much more careful in their daily decisions knowing they would have to write it down?

There is a struggle in our modern day to do the right thing. We are faced with choices on a continual basis.  It seems as if the times are now very quick and things are moving so fast it is hard to make the right choices. This is because we don't have as much time to think. We are used to doing things on impulse or in a hurried manner. 

But what if we kept an account of our daily life in a journal?  What if we shared about our days and decisions? This might very well slow us down to think and to pray before we act.

We ought to live, not by impulse, not by what people tell us to do, or by what will make us happy. We ought to live by prayer.

There are moments when I am faced with a decision and I panic. The unexpected happens. I want to seek wise counsel. I want to call my husband, my daughter, or my sister. But there isn't anyone available in that moment.  Sometimes I don't know what to do. I don't want to let my family down or choose what is easiest for me. I need that extra reassurance, that nudge to do what is right and good and best. We cannot always trust our own judgment. It is tinged with self-interest (what I like, what I want, my opinion, my thoughts). I need to learn to stop, to pray, to overcome panic and not be led by my own way. I need to pray for peace and guidance for every decision I am faced with. 

Then I must learn that when I let someone down (oh how often we let our loved ones down!) I must expect a time of grieving in my heart. I may have said the wrong thing, did the wrong thing, or simply forgot to do what is right. It hurts the sensitive heart when we fail in this way. 

When we fail, it is a reminder of that old saying, "how else will you learn if you don't make mistakes?"  It is also true that we will be so very grateful to be forgiven. In a family, there are slights, irritations, annoyances, and moments of sadness. When we are in the habit of forgiving, bearing with each other's faults, and having a loving, patient heart, we will begin to understand not only the frailty of our souls, but the beauty of God's powerful love. 

Perhaps if we got into the habit of writing down our daily lives, we would slow down, focus on prayer, and seek God's path and ways more than our own. What a wonderful and good life that would be!

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Practical help for the home - Peaceful Living by Rules.

Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace.

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

 - 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.

A Simple Home Life

A garden walkway in New York, 1922. (LOC)

 

It is so nice to be at home. This is the place I can rest from all my worries. I do not have to dwell on the troubles of the world. It is a place where I can pray and seek guidance for the everyday decisions that are necessary. As I pray, I remember my own frailties and complete dependence on the Lord to provide. And even though there are often troubles, I know I can trust the Lord to take care of my family. 

Tending the home in a simple way is a welcome duty. I have been putting the house in order. There are folders and bins that need to be sorted. This week, I managed to eliminate much of these items which makes one's surroundings more pleasant. It is an ongoing task to organize and eliminate as we go about the work of homemaking. 

A few days ago, I made a batch of homemade pizza for the freezer. It is a great deal of work and takes much energy. But it will be nice to have this wholesome goodness available later in the week. 

Last night, we were needed for a few hours to help with some of the grandchildren at their house.   We chatted and visited and just delighted in their news and happy plans. We shared snacks and smiles. Then we did our Bible reading and prayer. Soon it was time to rest. The children had their bedtime routine and began to get ready for a quiet time of sleeping.  After they went to their rooms I read to the littlest ones. I read one chapter in their bedtime story-book. Then I tucked them in with a kiss and a hug. I was soon making a quick visit to the rest of the children's rooms. The older ones were sitting up in their beds reading books.  They smiled when they saw me. They knew I was doing the same routine for them their Mother always did each night. It was comforting and precious. Then I went off to the living room to read. Before long I glanced into the hallway and noticed all the lights were out. They were sleeping. All was well. All was quiet.

Today will be another day of living simply in an ordinary way. We have our worries that sort of linger over us like a dark cloud, as seems to be common. But we are determined to find happiness in the gratefulness of our blessings.  There are two trips coming up that I have to go on with our patient.  The first one will happen in just a couple of days. Our car is in the repair shop with the dreaded news that there is a problem with the transmission.  I must not cringe with what feels like financial pressure for all these expenses. But I do have a tremendous need for restraint in the use of our limited funds.  Whatever the Lord wills I must accept. I want to be calm and gracious under these many trials.  I cannot possibly manage without leaning on my precious Lord. So, each day, and each moment, I will remember to find joy in just living a simple life at home. This will bring me a sense of peace knowing that all the details, behind the scenes, will work out for our good as I live out my days serving at home.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

A rested heart in - A Carefully Mended Life. 

Something we all need  - Peace Be Upon This House.

The example of my Parents - Minding my own Housekeeping Business.

 

  - 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.

The Value of Housework

Roses and Lilacs - 1890 painting (LOC).

 

I am often walking about the house looking for ways to make things look pleasant and lovely.   It is important to keep things organized, dusted, swept, and in order. But this can be difficult when there is little time and limited energy.  I have to take a lot of breaks in the midst of a great many little efforts, throughout the days and weeks, to keep this house looking nice and welcoming.

Sometimes I think about how nice it would be to buy some beautiful flowers for the table. I am always so happy to see a fresh bouquet of loveliness in a delicate vase.  I like to see it as I walk along, doing my work at home. It always makes me smile. When there isn't money for such luxuries, I try to set the table with a tablecloth. It is possible to keep things looking cheerful with candles, cloth napkins and such. On those days when flowers are available, I am always delighted to place them in the center of the parlour table. 

To cook nourishing food and to serve it with pretty things brings comfort and a bit of joy to the family. How restful and happy we can make the home when we do the housework with great care and contentment! 

In the old days, when keeping house was incredibly labor intensive, it was often necessary to hire outside help.  Some of the poorest families even needed to at least have one girl to help with the work. There is an excellent example of this in the 1800's book, "Aunt Jane's Hero" by Elizabeth Prentiss.  Another book that offers a detailed look at what it was like to hire domestic workers is the book "Born to Serve." This story was originally published in the year 1900.  When we look back to the old days to see how difficult housework used to be, it will inspire us with a sense of appreciation for the work we are doing today. 

A copy of our edition of the book, "Born to Serve." (Photo by Karen Andreola.) 

As we think about the wonderful gift of having homes and families to take care of, it is nice to read about housework. This will bring us some much-needed encouragement!

A few years ago, we republished the book, "Born to Serve," as part of a series of classic books through The Legacy of Home Press.  A lovely review has just been posted on Instagram. It is by Karen Andreola:

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A post shared by Karen Andreola (@motherculturelove)

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As you go about the work of keeping house this coming week, I hope you will find peace and rest in making things look lovely for your family.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

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

A Simple Life - How to Stop Buying Things that Clutter up the Home. 

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.

The Legacy of Home Press presents our special edition of -

"Aunt Jane's Hero" -  by Elizabeth Prentiss.

185 pages, paperback.

The Remembrance of Something Homemade

Pink rose fabric for my sewing project.

 

I am often compelled to make something homemade out of necessity. The price of ready-made food and a variety of new items costs more money than is prudent for us to spare.  My latest need, that has been on my mind, is a Bible cover for one of our house Bibles.  I searched through the drawers and bins and found a pretty piece of pink rose fabric with a black background. But as I unfolded it, this remnant of my domestic history, I was reminded of busy days of long ago.....

I used to make pretty dresses for my little girls out of floral calico. I would make doll quilts out of scraps. I made aprons and little cases for pillows. I would mend and sew, by hand, as I fed and clothed and cared for a house full of children. My daughters and I would hand-sew in the living room as we talked and laughed.  The girls learned to mend and make simple things.  It is a skill that came out of common necessity. When there is little money, we have to find ways to make the home beautiful by our creative efforts.  It was a peaceful form of recreation to sit and sew as we visited. 

These days, ready-made garments are more conveniently available. Many prefer store-bought aprons rather than ones that are made at home. Bible covers are easy to find and easy to obtain for a price. But I would rather make my own humble style of cover than spare the money for a new one. 

Today, as I ironed the pieces for my sewing project, I looked at the pretty fabric and remembered my children when they were little. I thought of all the things we did and learned at home as I homeschooled them. We cooked and baked and cleaned. We studied and read and did math lessons.  And as we did the mending and the sewing, on quiet afternoons, I felt a sense of contentment.  How very grateful I felt to be at home! 

Over the coming days, as I do the work of sewing a new Bible cover, I will remember the happy times at home and the simple days of an old-fashioned life with the family. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Always Remember this - The House Comes First.

The Beauty of an Ordinary, Simple Life - Standard of Living.

A Blessing in Making an Effort - Peaceful Homemaking.

How to Make - An Old Fashioned Bible Cover. 


- 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, in Mrs.White's book:

 -An Old Fashioned Budget: Humble Financial Management for the Christian Housewife.  Paperback, 77 pages.

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.  

A Frugal Home

Helms family supper in Alabama, 1939. (LOC)

 

There is a challenge when finances are slim. The goal is to live within the family income while maintaining the necessary budget.  I have often read the advice of experts describing how much money can be used for discretionary spending. They talk about how often one can afford vacations, or to go out to eat at restaurants. But what happens when the standard of living does not include such categories in the financial plan?  There are many who are living simply while constantly trying to save for a rainy day. The challenge to this way of life is when the cost of living keeps increasing while the expenses of managing a home become overwhelming.

We have noticed the increased cost of heating oil, car repairs, clothing, groceries, taxes, and the labor charges for household repairs.  While we do expect to pay for such things, there are times when the high bills can be sudden and alarming. This can cause us to panic.  Some may want to give up housekeeping and find a less costly way of life.  Others may decide to consider the options and find as many ideas as possible to cut expenses in order to keep the budget under control. It is certainly a challenge that will happen over and over again, throughout the months, seasons, and years. 

In our case, we have had a difficult year. A staggering property tax bill nearly made us flinch. High heating bills have been almost unbearable. While trying to save for these many rainy days, we repeatedly face an emptying pantry and limited funds to replenish the shelves with nourishing food.  Our latest difficulty is an estimate we received from our mechanic. The car needs a new set of snow tires and other work in order to make it safe for the coming winter. The price is fair and reasonable but hundreds of dollars more than what we can afford. When one is living a life without credit cards, it requires forethought and planning. Everything must be paid with cash. It is necessary (and normal) to be in the habit of saving month after month, as much as we possibly can, year after year. Throughout the seasons of financial rainstorms, the money is wiped out again and again. We rebuild over time and try to get the funds back in place before we are faced with another high expense of basic living. It is prudent to keep a cheerful attitude, to face the trial with grace, and then remember to pray for guidance and help to calmly meet the necessary bills.  

Times are often difficult, for whatever reason, and have been throughout the generations. It is important to have a frugal way of life. A household budget built on the idea of thrift and caution is much easier to manage than one based on whims without a plan. Yet when faced with common bills that are unbearably high, we have to remember to stop and pray.  We do not have to do any of this alone. There is our Heavenly Father who loves us dearly. He answers prayers and will make a way out of the rough waters of finances.  He is the captain of the ship. He knows where we are going and how we will get there. I must always remember to trust Him to manage it all. I am grateful to do my part, then trust Him to do the rest.  

Today, I will find joy in sweeping the floors, making the beds, and baking bread. I will prepare simple meals. I will do the mending, making things last. I will do homemade repairs to keep things nice and pleasant here at home. And I will quietly wait while praying to my Lord. All my worries and burdens are in His hands. Nothing is too big or difficult for Him to handle. How very precious it is to do His work and know that He has everything under control. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

My Mother's Example - Housekeeping All Day.  

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

Four Generations in the same house - In Pursuit of Christian Duty.

Help for Mothers - The Parenting Report. 

- 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.