Spring Housekeeping in Winter

Our parlour with a wood pellet stove. Photo taken some years ago.

I have not been feeling well for some time.  The winter has been long and harsh and has kept me a shut-in. I have ventured outdoors only a few times since last December.  The bitter winds, below zero temperatures, and blizzard - like snowstorms have been frequent.  I have remained cozy and occupied indoors.  It has been pleasant and lovely to keep busy with the winter home arts.  But as the days wore on, I started to feel sluggish, tired, and just not right.  Even my daily exercise program was not helping me feel better.

Yesterday it was a sunny, mild day.  The early afternoon temperature was around 30 degrees.  It almost felt like spring!  While we still have 10 foot snowbanks and plenty of snow all over our property, here in Vermont, the bright sunshine and quiet air was inviting. 

I decided to open windows. I wanted to air out the rooms. Our wood stove had just gone out.  It was the perfect time to act.  Fireplaces and stoves cannot run constantly.  We have to let them go out so the ashes can be cleaned out.  The rooms are often still warm, from the lingering heat, for quite some time.  Then, when a bit of a chill begins to enter, the fires are set to blazing, once again, for our comfort.

At this hour, there was a quiet brightness to the day.  There was no wind or chill. I started opening windows.  The fresh, winter air gently filled the house.  It crept in slowly with little notice.  I started to feel my health reviving!  The house was in desperate need of fresh, clean oxygen.   This was something I should have been doing on a more regular basis.

We cannot open windows on windy, bitter days.  We cannot air out the house during a blizzard.  But between storms, and on quiet cold days, we ought to open windows for short periods of time, in order to freshen up the house.  This affects our overall health.

I started to feel so well that I wanted to clean my son's room.  (He is in his 20's and works full time.)  He is the only one of our five children still living at home.  Before he left for the afternoon, I told him I would be airing out his room and doing a little work.  He thought that was good.  Soon I opened the windows and dusted window sills.  Then I thought I would wash his bedding and surprise him by doing some of his laundry.  Normally he does his own cleaning and laundry, but I wanted to do the work on this afternoon.

I came up with organizing ideas for his clothes, straightened the sofa he has in his large room, and organized papers and bookcases.  I removed empty boxes and packaging that were waiting by the stairs to be discarded.  While the beautiful winter air crept into his room, I turned on a little lamplight and made the room look homey.  I thought of every little thing I could do for his comfort.  The entire floor was thoroughly swept, trash was removed, the bed was made with fresh bedding, and pillows were tidied and made neat.  I did this all - here a little, and there a little, throughout the afternoon, as I needed many breaks.  I also took a great deal of time to stop and visit with my husband. He was telling me stories and making me laugh.  Then we would both go back to doing our own home projects. It was like taking little tea breaks with mister.  Somehow the room seemed to clean itself! 

A chill began to invade the house. It was time to shut all the windows.  The sunny spring-like day was replaced with the reality of winter.  My husband lit the fire on the stove and our warmth and comfort returned.

Late that evening, I heard my son return home from work.  I wanted to see his reaction to the work I had done.  I pointed out some of the things I did so he could find his belongings without any trouble.  He looked at the freshly made bed, the bright, clean, organized room and was so happy.  As I started to leave the room, he quietly said, "my sweet little mother."  He was grateful and happy to be home.

This is the beginning of spring cleaning.   It has been such a precious time of keeping house.

Blessings
Mrs.White

From the Archives -

Managing Money - The Housekeeper's Budget.

Always Remember  - The House Comes First.

Home Economics - Feeding the Family.

Find Home-keeping Inspiration, in Mrs.White's book -Mother's Book of Home Economics .  Paperback, 312 pages.










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