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| Library of Congress: A snowy afternoon in Vermont, 1940 |
We have had a great deal of snow over the last week. We are now being told that freezing temperatures are coming at the end of the week. The wind chill is expected to be 30 to 45 degrees below zero. This means we absolutely cannot leave our home. It is far too dangerous to be outdoors in such conditions.
In preparation for this, we did our grocery shopping. We have food, water, and necessities. We are grateful for a wood stove to keep us warm. As we quietly wait out this storm, I will think about "The Long Winter," by Laura Ingalls Wilder. They were low on supplies and had to find ways to keep warm. Blizzards kept them indoors. They had to pass the time, with only the noise of winter storms. They needed to find ways to be cheerful in order to keep up their spirits. They were certainly grateful when the skies were clear and provisions were able to reach them.
Freezing temperatures are common during the month of February here in our rural Vermont village. We change our plans based on the weather. If my grandchildren were planning a visit and the temperature drops too low, we all just stay at home. Visits only happen on warmer days. To stay cheerful, we keep busy with projects, read, organize, cook, and enjoy the beauty of the scenery from the windows. We get a good rest on days when we have no choice but to stay inside.
We must be content, knowing that the Lord is taking care of us. We are safe and peaceful during this confinement. Every day is a blessing.
There is a slight change in this post from what is normal here. I changed the font size to a larger one. My vision is not what it used to be and I am having trouble seeing the smaller print. I am wondering if this larger size is acceptable to all of you? If not, I can always change it back to normal after I finish the typing.
I hope you are all well and enjoying a cozy winter at home.
Blessings
Mrs. White
From the Archives -
The Beauty of an Ordinary, Simple Life - Standard of Living.
A Blessing in Making an Effort - Peaceful Homemaking.
Quiet Days of Homemaking - Keeping an Old Farm Journal.
- 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."
In this book, 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, 307 pages.
45 comments:
Dear Mrs White. The larger font is just fine!
I so appreciate your posts. They exhibit the beauty of simplicity and they honor our Savior.
May you and your family be abundantly blessed.
Surely, our gracious and faithful Father will supply all of your needs in each season.
~Judy
I like the larger font! Thank you for this post. On cold days with a young, very energetic, and all boy toddler it can be so hard to keep a cheerful attitude as there’s no going outside to distract him! A good reminder :)
Dear Mrs. White,
I think the bigger type font works out well. It is very easy to read.
Thank you for the reminders and comforting words during the cold winter months.
God bless!
A lovely post as always and I find that the larger size makes it easier to read ! Thank you so much for your lovely blog, it is much appreciated here in the UK where temperatures are considerably warmer than where you are in Vermont !
Your note about the font size made me laugh because I had to zoom in to read the entry itself, from my phone at least! I vote that you do what works best for you. Stay warm!
Thank you for the lovely post. I often feel confined in the winter too, and I agree that although it's a struggle, it's also a wonderful blessing. I like the larger text size better. Thank you!
Thank you for the larger font. I am finding that even with reading glasses, I sometimes find it hard to read some print. I appreciate it.
Take care this Winter, enjoy those indoor days.
Best Wishes~
I like the larger size font. My eyes aren't so good either. I was diagnosed with macular degeneration in both eyes, so large size print is good! I can certainly sympathize with cold temperatures as I live in northern Minnesota. We have plenty of days where the temps can be minus 30 or 40 for air temperatures, not factoring in the wind chill. Tomorrow our night time will be minus 24.
I also prepare by stocking up on necessities. A full pantry is a must up here. Right now I am doing embroidery projects (while I can still see good enough!). In the evenings husband and I like to play Scrabble and drink hot tea. I catch up on Bible readings, and do small cleaning projects. Winter can be a beautiful time of the year. We enjoy seeing all the animal life here in the woods, too.
Stay warm, Mrs White! Spring is only a month and a half away!
The larger font is great!!!!! Thank you.
I prefer the larger font, actually--my vision isn't what it used to be either. : ) We're in the Mid-Atlantic, and we'll be around zero when that cold front comes in--but we were shocked when we saw the temps coming to New England. Keep safe! We're praying for the Northeast.
Thank you for enlarging the print. My 73 year old eyes appreciate the larger font. Thank you, also, for another beautiful post. The Long Winter is a book I read every winter.
I do apprediate the larger font.
I don't know how to change my email address that is below. If you could change it mrs white, that would be very nice. It should read lynnreedcrowder@aol.com. Thank you.
The larger font is actually a little easier for me to read... so please keep it bigger and stay warm!
I like this font size, my vision is also not as good as it once was. I enjoy your blog.
Even though I wear glasses, I find the new font so much easier to read. Thank you for asking for our opinion on this.
I like this font. It is easier for me to read. Stay warm and safe with the weather there. We are having a mild winter here in central Virginia. But February can go either way!
Blessings to you,
Kathy
I like the new font... my vision isn't what it used to be either (smile)
Your posts always remind me to find contentment in the dailiness of living. Thank you for sharing your heart. We live in a fast-paced, troubled world which makes our homes a place refuge. I appreciate the larger font. PJ
Font size is much better! I enjoyed reading about how snug and ready you are for the colder temperatures. You'll have to let us know what projects you are working on! May God bless you!
I love reading your blogs! And love that the writing is bigger this time! My eye sight isn’t what it used to be either! Stay a safe from the cold!! It will be cold here this weekend too!
Beautiful post Mrs. White. I love the larger type!
I appreciate the print. Stay safe and warm. Greetings from Ohio!
Thank you so much for the larger font! It is a pleasure to read your blog. God bless!
Thank you for the larger print. I am in the same stage.
Your weather is amazing. What a beautiful time to cozy up, and celebrate a quietness of heart. The earth goes through a season of sleep that the Lord has created. All things have a season. And yours is during this time. I will be praying for you all.
We are in Colorado and have gotten over 3 feet of snow in a short time. Usually our snow comes in February and March. Our days are in the single digits in the morning and often up to 30 degrees when the sun is high.
Thank you for the post. Blessings, Mrs Peterson
I love the larger font. My eyesight is getting a bit worse the older I get, and I don't always have my eyeglasses handy when I am browsing on the computer.
As I am getting older also (68 this month) and need cataract surgery soon, I appreciate the larger font. I, too, have been staying in as we have a lot of snow and it is very cold. We are supposed to warm up by the weekend and melt some snow. I love winter and love staying in. I am donating and throwing, cleaning and re-organizing. It is the poerfect time to catch up with jobs put aside in the busy summer. Have a wonderful indoor time!
I am enjoying your blog. Your winters are much colder than ours but it is nice that you have a woodstove as a heat source. I like the larger font. It is much easier for me to read. I hope you stay safe, warm and cozy.
Greetings, I so understand about needing a larger font, it really is much nicer and easier on the eyes!
So glad you were both able to relax and stay warm and cozy during that arctic blast.
Thinking of you and I always enjoy your posts!
I have been trying to write more post to encourage myself and to keep my brain working! I truly have enjoyed this winter and being quiet yet doing easy projects at home.
Hugs, Roxy
hi,
I hope you are able to stay safe and warm as well as your family. I like the larger size print. It is much easier to read. Ann
I am very happy with the larger font as my eyes are struggling with the same issue. Thank you! The Long Winter is a book that never fails to amaze me with the extreme weather and the scarcity of provisions. The way that they managed always encourages me too. I hope that the severe weather does not hit you too soon or two hard. The little thing I sent via mail is on the way but will probably have to wait until you can get out to town again. Blessings, Cate.
Dear Mrs White,
Oh how different our worlds are. Here in New Zealand parts of our country are suffering from extreme heavy rain and humidity (tropical conditions), but thankfully we haven't had heavy rain in my area. It is very humid though, which means most days I am staying indoors too. I'll venture out when it cools off a bit. And there's you inside because of freezing temperatures. I must say it does sound cozy with your wood fire. I'll be thinking of you and pray you keep well. Blessings ~ Linda
Hello Mrs White, here on the East Coast of Australia we have had a very hot day. I’m very glad you have wood heating because I really think that is the heat that really warms you through. The larger type is fine for me. I do enjoy seeing your name pop up in my inbox to tell me there is a post from you.I pray the bad weather passes quickly for you and you are not kept indoors for too long.
Blessings Gail🇦🇺
Thank you for changing the size of the font, I was struggling a little previously.
What incredibly snowy weather you have! here we have the beginning of Spring, with snowdrops and daffodils flowering.
I like the bigger font! My vision is also not what it used to be.
Good luck with the storm. Confinement can be so cozy if we do not get restless.
Michaela
Dear Mrs. White,. Thank you for your soothing and encouraging thoughts on being home during the harsh winter weather. Although our winters here in Finger Lakes region of upstate New York are not as harsh, we still have times of fierce storms. I follow the weather reports and try to plan accordingly, to have my groceries in the home, reschedule appointments outside the house or change plans, and be sure we have gas for the generator and snow blower. I don't mind it so much because I grew up in this climate, in a country home. We learned you may be disappointed when plans need to be changed, but there is a blessing to being safe inside the home. I loved playing board games with my siblings, making hot cocoa and baking. When it warmed enough outdoors, we went sledding on all that new snow out on our back hills! This is also the time of year when I can spend time as you said, with all the indoor organizing and cleaning that I can't get to in the busier months of the year. Also it's time for seed catalogs and vegetable garden planning, which makes me happy. Simmering soups and old times desserts like apple crisp and gingerbread make the home even cozier for the family. May God bless you this month during your time indoors, and keep you and your family safe during the upcoming cold weather this weekend. I love your writing for the encouragement you give me towards being a homemaker.
PRINT is fine. THANKS for sharing. BEAUTIFUL as usual.
Hello! The larger font is wonderful! And I hope you are staying warm and cozy in your lovely home during this long winter. Have a cozy afternoon, my friend.
It's a very pleasant font size for me! I increased mine some years ago, but never asked if it was good because it was good for me. ☺️ You are a nice person to ask.
This cold that is coming has me quaking a bit. It's been several years since we had cold that low. I am thinking what needs to be done in advance. I know that I will open my undersink cabinet doors hoping pipes will not freeze. It is wise indeed to remain home and not out and about.
Stay warm and cozy...
I really enjoy the larger font also, thank you for sharing, this post was so refreshing, calming and cozy to read, especially during cold winter days. Contentment is so important for our health and well being, thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Sue
The new font is great...You are the only person who can make confined in winter seem warm and cozy. Have a warm cup of cocoa, think of our blessings, pray and smile. Enjoy the beauty of the snow. Love to you friend
The font size is fine. Thank you for your gentle reminders to be content and trust in the Lord. I find your posts to be inspiring and soul-filling.
I appreciate the larger font as well. I think being kept at home is delightful, but know it is different for different characters. Glad to hear you are warm and well supplied. Blessings indeed.
Here in Texas, we typically have one snow/freezing rain storm that lasts a few days each year. That happened earlier this week, and now we are back to 60 degree weather. I find myself wishing the 20 degree weather would stay longer (even though I am not fond of the cold 😅), and force us to rest and stay inside. But those cozy few days were very much appreciated! Thank you for your posts, I always get excited to see a new one.
I love the larger font! So much easier to read. Keep warm, we have no idea about such cold weather here in New South Wales. The summer heat has abated at last and we are having a cool snap, though nothing like what you have. Blessings, from Jennie🖤🖤
Winter normally for me is a time to slow down and rest and do all those little home projects. Great reminder for me. The Little House books are among my very favorite books of all time. There are so many great lessons in there. Yes, to larger font always!
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