Friday, January 22, 2010

1930's Style Homemaking

Sunday Afternoon I








The past few days, I have been watching old episodes of The Waltons on DVD. I have enjoyed it so much. "Livie" (the Mom) and "Gramma" both work in the house all day. They take wonderful care of the family. They both wear practical dresses and aprons and have their hair up. They are representing the actions and lives of housewives in the 1930's.

I have been so inspired to just have a quiet house. Is it possible to shut off most of the lights and technology for just a few days? I want an old fashioned home. I want to have a lovely living room, neat and tidy. I want to enjoy polishing my furniture and sweeping my floors. I want to have a nice workbasket beside my chair so I can sit with the family while mending, sewing or crocheting.

I want to listen to a nice old fashioned radio program with everyone sitting all around me. I want my children to come to the table for a large, home cooked dinner. And then, I want to joyfully and lovingly clean up the mess afterwards while the children play on the front porch, so they don't get underfoot.

I want guests to show up and I will have tea and cake ready to serve them. I want to enjoy the old fashioned life in this current day and age.

I want to watch more of the Waltons and get my inspiration. Then I want to put it into action. Where is my peace? My peace cometh from the Lord, and the old paths. My peace cometh when I am in my place, the keeper at home.

Blessings
Mrs. White

25 comments:

Why Momma Loves the Maxi Dress said...

Amen to that. I was raised watching those amazing women.

Heidi Mitzelfeldt said...

My boys and I finished the whole series last month. I too would love to achieve this level of homemaking!

Anonymous said...

Amen! I long to be one of them too! I am often found in skirts and aprons already!

Anonymous said...

I love the waltons . I also have a new found love for the 30's . I just became the keeper of all my grandmothers corrspondences with her family members and friends . I began reading these last sept.
The letters begin in about 1916 and end in the mid 40's . Her age about 12 to her late 30's . I love the book pocketful of pinecones and then I found my gramma's letters and they are even better because it is real life ! She writes of the farm in sak. to the city and then her adventures after marriage living in the boreal forest. She was a real live one room school teacher as well . She was I can say in love with her life at that time . Afetr my grandfather passed away life changed very drasticlly . But life very good in the 30's for her.
I am thinking to write on my blog about following Grace ( her name ) to give people a taste .
Now I am going to have to check our listing to see if we get the waltons as well :-)

Ben and Crystin said...

Wow, i think so much like this and I've never even watched the Waltons. Thanks for sharing b/c it shows me that I'm not the only one who thinks this way and longs for a simpler, quieter, slower, more beautiful life. :)

Jennifer Perkins said...

This is a lovely vision of a sweet, godly home. :o) love, Jen

Anonymous said...

Those are good dreams that you have, and I share them too. I've been in homes where the television was blaring all day and the people had to raise their voices to shout at one another. How chaotic, and tragic!

The world's pace is so full of pressure and noise that we need to be extra vigilant to make our homes a haven of peace and quietness.

I'm going to the library later and I will see if they have The Walton's on DVD. What a great idea! Of course, I was around when the original series played on t.v. (smile).

By the way, thank you so much for kindly adding me to your sidebar!

Anonymous said...

Mrs. White-
I like the waltons, but my favorites are leave it to beaver and the little house on the prairie. You sound like you have a very lovely and peaceful home :) Hope you are doing well today!

-Sarah Lownsbery

Mel at Adventures of Mel said...

Oh, I love the Waltons. I get the same inspiration from watching Road to Avonlea. We have been making our way through all of the seasons, and I too wish for that old-fashioned homelife and peacefulness.:)

Madonna said...

I love the Waltons also. I grew up wanting a Walton kind of family where everyone took care of everyone else.

The Momma Chronicles said...

Oh how I long to move my family to the mountains and leave the city chaos behind. I am inspired by your post to shut down the computer, put my apron on, and go bless my family. Thank you so much!

Lisa Grace said...

Me, too! I am working on getting there, but that is so much of what I want, as well.

Mrs. Stam said...

I love this post! I too long for it, and oh a front porch sounds so lovely :-)

Thanks you so much for sharing these taught!

Amy said...

Oh my gosh! You must have read my mind for the past oh, 20 years! This too, has been my dream. Now my family is starting to implement these things. Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts!

katiesniche said...

I am so loving your blog. I just found it. I've been dreaming of days gone by. I think I'll start watching the Waltons again :) I need to get into wearing aprons and living the life I dream of. I think children will come around and enjoy having an old fashioned mom. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah said...

I want this too, but I don't know how!

Cassidy said...

My Grannie had a side bar in her home where she had more room for everyone to sit on Sunday lunches. All during the week though, she had different sweet breads, brownies, cookies, pies or anything you can think of on that side bar. When you came to Grannie's you had plenty to snack on and she'd gladly fix you anything in the world you wanted to eat. You could just sit right there in a barstool at the bar while she cooked and visited. I miss those days! I want to bring some of those traditions in our home. I want to start keeping something sweet on hand. We've just moved back and haven't really had any visitors other than family here and there once in a while. Still, the time will come when people stop by and I especially also want to do this for our family. Smiles, Cass

patty said...

After reading this post, I decided to stop dreaming about this sort of life and START LIVING THE LIFE I'VE DREAMED!

Anonymous said...

I love this post... feel like you have said everything I have thought

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

I watched the Waltons when the series first started, back in the early 1970's, when I was a teenager. At that time I enjoyed it from a teenager's perspective and identified with Mary Ellen and Erin.

I am still a fan of the Waltons, but it is interesting now that I am in my late fifties, I identify with Olivia and John. How different it is to watch the Waltons series from the perspective of a Mom (and now grandma). What a difference a few decades makes!

Anonymous said...

I really wants this kind of life as well. I love watching the Waltons on Hallmark. I need to work at creating an atmosphere of tranquility and rest . Thank you for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

I live in a house built in 1934. I have tried to decorate it in the way of its era. The 1934 life allowed no big TV, no speakers, in fact there is little room for the items we all seem to have now. I struggle to keep it comfortable, yet practical. But I do love it so.

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

I want the same things!
Only I need a little help cleaning up.

happyathome said...

I have all the DVDs of The Waltons. I would love to have clothing like they wore and it is on my " I would love to have" list. When I watch the DVDs they give me a sense of peace. Of an earlier time when life was not rush rush rush. I really felt "lost" when our children left home and our youngest son died (20) as I was home alone every day but now I am embracing the slower more peaceful ways again and each day do some handcraft/ baking etc. I have never felt like I have "belonged" here in this world. I am grateful to be able to make items for our grandchildren and receive and give love.

happyathome said...

I have said to family and friends that one can get by with their Summer clothing but how very important it is to have good warm clothing for Winter and to make that seasons clothing a priority