Evenings at Home without Television

An Old Fashioned Television at Mrs. White's House.

We have Amish neighbors in the next town.  They moved here from Pennsylvania a few years ago.  Shortly after they arrived, I had a lovely visit with the Grandmother at their bakery stand.  They had spent their first winter living in the barn on their new property.  A house was being built by the family.  I saw sweet little children running on the farm having a wonderful time.  They looked so precious and happy.  Sometime later, a beautiful house was all ready for them to live in. 

Have you ever wondered what the Amish do with their free time compared to the rest of us?  I imagine it is just the way it was for us in the old days before there was such thing as a television set.

Work and chores were done by the family members.  Everyone helped, from the little ones to the elderly.  The toddlers followed the older ones around and delighted them with their efforts. It is a blessing to have a little baby with you when you do the sweeping and the laundry.  Babies and toddlers are like little darlings to keep you company as you work.  One cannot help but smile, even when we have to say,  "Little one, what are you getting into now?"   Those are the happy moments when we do our work at a slow and steady pace, making time for mistakes and distractions. We find joy in the effort.

In the evenings, children are never bored.  They make up their own games, color, draw pictures, tell stories, and read.  Mother and Dad sit on the couch and read books. Often mother will be mending socks as she sits comfortably near the children. On some nights she might say to her young daughter, "Go get that pretty rose fabric and we will start making your new dress."   The boys may be at the table playing chess or getting things ready for homemade popcorn. When the clock chimes out the time, Dad notices it is late.  "It's time to get ready for bed," he announces.  One of the boys gets out the family Bible and hands it to his father while they all sit nearby to listen.  Scripture is read and a hymn sung. Then a prayer of protection and thanksgiving is humbly given.  The children go off to sleep with happy thoughts and grateful hearts.

As the years go on and twilight comes, Mother and Dad are alone. The children are all grown with families of their own.  There is less work to do. There is a sense of quiet about the rooms.  But the memories of a precious family fill their thoughts.  The parents keep doing the same routine of sitting on the couch reading by the fire.  Mother does some sewing while Father reads.  When it is time for family worship, they pray and thank the Lord for the honor of having raised children. They are content and happy with an old fashioned way of life. 

Lately, in my own home, I am having more quiet evenings. I do not want to watch DVDs or television. I want to mend in the living room and enjoy living like they did in the old days. I want to "play house" and bake by lamplight. I want to set the rooms to right and make everything look pretty. I want to do little projects for recreation instead of being entertained by programs.  I want a rested heart by just being home in the quiet of the evening with grateful thoughts.  

An evening at home without television can be a wonderful break from the outside world.  

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

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

Old Time Frugality - Keeping the Family Homestead. 

Come for a Visit - Home Tour of our 1850's House.

 

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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