Vintage Homekeeping Advice

I have a collection of vintage lessons for homemakers, from a few sources. These are informative, encouraging and inspiring. Enjoy!

1. "Gentleness, not partial and temporary, but universal and regular, should pervade her conduct; for where such a spirit is habitually manifested, it not only delights her children, but makes her domestics attentive and respectful; her visitors are also pleased by it, and their happiness is increased." (a)

2. "Ladies could be spotted a block away, by the presence of gloves." (b)

3. "Early rising is one of the most essential qualities which enter into good Household Management, as it is not only the parent of health, but of innumerable other advantages. Indeed, when a mistress is an early riser, it is almost certain that her house will be orderly and well-managed." (a)

4. "Speaking one's mind is an extravagance, which has ruined many a person." (b)

5. "In conversation, trifling occurrences, such as small disappointments, petty annoyances, and other every-day incidents, should never be mentioned to your friends." (a)

6. "Bread-making can be cultivated to any extent as a fine art, and the various kinds of biscuits, tea-rusks, twists, and rolls, into which bread may be made, are much better worth a housekeeper's ambition than the getting-up of rich and expensive cake or confections." (c)

7. "Charity and benevolence are duties which a mistress owes to herself as well as to her fellow-creatures; and there is scarcely any income so small, but something may be spared from it, even if it be but the widow's mite." (a)


8. "The tea kettle is as much an English institution as aristocracy or the Prayer Book; and when one wants to know exactly how tea should be made, one has only to ask how a fine old English housekeeper makes it. The first article of her faith is that the water must not merely be hot, not merely have boiled a few moments since, but be actually boiling at the moment it touches the tea. . . Tea making belongs to the drawing room, and high-born ladies preside at 'the bubbling and loud-hissing urn,' and see that all due rites and solemnities are properly performed - that the cups are hot, and that the infused tea waits the exact time before the libations commence." (c)

9. "I know some houses in which sharp, angry tones resound from morning till night, and the influence is as contagious as measles and much more to be dreaded in a household. The children catch it and it lasts for life. An incurable disease. (b)

10. "The true economy of housekeeping is simply the art of gathering up all the fragments, so that nothing be lost.  I mean fragments of time, as well as materials. Nothing should be thrown away so long as it is possible to make any use of it, however trifling that use may be; and whatever be the size of a family, every member should be employed either in earning or saving money." (d)

(a) Mrs. Isabella Beeton, 1859
(b) "Keeping Hearth and Home in Old Massachusetts" compiled and edited by Carol Padgett
(c) Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1869
(d) The American Frugal Housewife, 1883

Blessings,
Mrs. White

 - 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

Preparing for Thanksgiving in Hard Times

Currier and Ives - Home to Thanksgiving, 1867.

We had another financial crisis hit us this month. It seems to always happen at this time of year. But I have faith that the Lord will provide for us. We lost another few hundred dollars of income. When the news came, I was stunned. I prayed and left it with God and then moved on. We will be okay.

Over the last few months, I have been following our supermarket's thanksgiving plan. If I spent $500 over the course of a month, I would get a $20 coupon to buy a turkey and other food. I didn't think I would be able to do it, but somehow I got up to $495. Then one night, my 17 year old son needed to buy himself something. I handed him my store card and waited in the car. When he came back, I realized what I'd done. I asked, "Did the store give you a coupon for $20?" He shook his head no. He wasn't sure. I told him, " When we get home, will you give me your receipt?" Sure, he'd do that.

But we both forgot! The next morning, he searched but realized he had thrown it in the trash. It was ruined. I ended up calling the supermarket and explaining the problem. I am grateful that they were able to give me a special coupon and all was going to be okay. But why all the trouble to get food? It is hard to seek and find ways to pay bills and feed the family. It takes so much extra work!

I've noticed that food prices have dropped drastically since last year. This is wonderful! I am going to stock up on canned goods this week, while they are still on sale. This will help us get through the rest of the month. I've been buying apple pies for us to eat now, because they are hearty and filling and only $1.99 at our local store's bakery.  It has been a special treat.

I plan to bake some cookies for Thanksgiving. I will also bake some pies. Do you remember the thanksgiving story? They spent most of that first year starving! That first thanksgiving was a feast and a time of joyful gathering together to THANK God for his blessings and provisions. This is what we will do this week.

There will be plenty of leftovers so we will have food for a few days. It will be a precious time. Food is so important. When we have decent things to eat, and event treats, we feel less desperate - less depressed. I would rather spend money on food and warmth than anything else.

What are some of the ways you come up with food and money for thanksgiving dinner? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Despite difficulties, it is the Mother's Touch, that makes home a precious place



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

An Elegant Home Despite Poverty

Sometimes, my house seems beat-up and old. Well, it is old! It was built in 1850 for a lawyer who had a wife and 10 children. When we first bought this house, I went to the memorial museum of our small town and searched the history. I also bought some old books which were written by residents many years ago. I saw old pictures and enjoyed reading their history.

All around me I see wealth and beauty in classy, new homes. I see elegance and distinction. Then I look at my own estate and see the house needs a paint job and the porch steps are falling apart. I am reminded of my life as the old country wife who lives in poverty - like in the movie "The Dollmaker" starring Jane Fonda. Didn't that one just make you cry? Or what about the mother of Loretta Lynn in "Coal Miner's Daughter"? Those are the women I relate to - The hardworking mothers of humble means.

I was just looking at some photographs of my house. I see holes in my kitchen linoleum. But the floors are shiny and clean in the sunlight.  I see an old country kitchen, but it is pretty and tidy. I see walls in desperate need of a paint job - but there are children smiling and happy, playing cards or laughing, in the photographs.

I go about my day in an apron and dress. I clean and tidy and make this place a home. To me, it is a home of elegance. It is a precious place I love, and take pride in.  Even though my furniture is old and second-hand, it clearly speaks of an old fashioned, creative homemaker.

Blessings
Mrs. White

-Inspiring essay, relating to poverty, by Washington Irving, 1800's, - The Wife -



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

Find Home-keeping Inspiration, in Mrs. White's book,

 - For The Love of Christian Homemaking.  

Paperback, 274 pages.

Morning Devotions for the Family

Before the invention of television, video games, and radios, families had more time for religious duties. We often get caught up in doing good things. Yet, sometimes those good things are overindulged, instead of done in moderation.

One of the most important things we can do, with our families, is have a time of morning devotions. We can gather around the living room, or kitchen table. Everyone comes with a sense of awe and reverence - it is family devotion. The Bible is read by Dad. The Mother smiles warmly at her children. The little ones and teens sit quietly and listen closely. Then it is prayer time and the family is dismissed to the events of the day.

What a precious way to begin the morning.

Blessings
Mrs. White


Some quotes -


They are not merely to be taught out of some elementary book that they must love God, but you must show them God is loved. If they observe that no worship is paid to that God of whom they hear, the very best instruction will prove useless; but by means of Family Worship, these young plants will grow "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season: his leaf also shall not wither." - J.H. Merle D'Aubigne

Family Worship increases the spirit of reverence for God and His Word. Children copy their parents’ spirit and example. If parents begin the day by invoking God’s blessing, by consecrating the early hour to His service, they show their estimate of the value of worship. - Rev. M. Simpson

You must read the scriptures to your families, in a solemn manner, requiring their attendance on your reading, and their attention to it. - Matthew Henry

 - 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

Family Friendly Movie - Giveaway

Movie (DVD) - Homeless for the Holidays

Brought to you by - Bridgestone Multimedia Group

Family Approved - Winner of five dove awards!


Jack Baker is a husband and father of two children. He works 70 hours a week as a corporate executive. Things are going well until one day, through no fault of his own, he loses his job. His comfortable middle class life starts to crumble all around him.  In a difficult economy, he has trouble finding a new job. Eventually he finds work in a fast food restaurant. But it's not enough.  Bills are piling up. Just before Christmas, his house is foreclosed.

Things have to change in order to get this family back on track. They are drawn closer together through hardship. There are so many valuable lessons in this endearing movie. This is a wholesome story which offers a light tough of humor, drama and some tugging at the heartstrings. I loved it! I watched it twice. I even cried!

This charming movie was extremely well done. I am impressed, and highly recommend it!

How would you like a chance to win your own copy of Homeless For the Holidays?  I have one  available for a giveaway.  All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me your favorite Christmas tradition.


One random winner we be selected on Wednesday, November 10, 2010. (U.S.  Entries only.) If I am unable to reach the winner within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected. Your entry is only valid if you include a way for me to contact you. This product will ship directly from the company.

This contest is closed. The winner is Mel.

*Disclosure -  I received a copy of this movie for review purposes.*