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A snowstorm at our property in Vermont. |
I have been biding my time, waiting out the cold winter months. We are doing our best to limit all spending and keeping our costs as low as possible. The cost of heat and food is high. We need to be careful with our resources, especially during the cold season here in Vermont.
It has been lovely to walk the grounds of our property. We have cleared a pathway that leads to our river. This borders the back of our land and is beautiful in all seasons.
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Sunlight shimmers on the river, at our property. |
The scenery all around us provides free entertainment and is wonderful to watch. On a recent trip to the doctor, we stopped at one of the lakes, near our home. I stepped out of the car and took a quick walk to get some pictures. The lake is thick with ice and is covered with snow. Suddenly, some snowmobilers appeared and graciously waved to me. More came up behind them. They were having a great time, enjoying this form of winter recreation. I watched as they drove by me, directly onto the lake and across the way to their ice shacks.
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One of the snowmobilers on the lake near our home. |
I am in awe of the beauty of the season. I am grateful for the peacefulness and quiet days of winter in rural Vermont.
It has snowed nearly every day this month. There have also been many sicknesses throughout the schools and at the homes of our extended families. One of my girls called last week to say they were all sick. I offered to get her supplies at the market. Did she need Powerade, popsicles, or Jello? She recited a short list for me so I could get what was needed. When there are so many sicknesses in the community, I wear an old-fashioned pair of Lady's gloves. (They protect me from germs.) I bought these in 2020 during the pandemic. They are charming and comfortable and can be worn in all seasons. They remind me of the old days when a lady would not leave home without her gloves and a pretty hat.
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My pretty white gloves. |
While I was in the store, I noticed all the beautiful flowers on display for the upcoming Valentine's Day. I could not help stopping to admire them, thinking how pretty they would look on our table. However, if my husband is with me in the store, I do not want him to see me looking at the flowers because we do not have money for such luxuries. I do not want him to offer to buy them for me when our budget is so limited, and cash is needed for much more important necessities. I will look at pretty things for sale, but I will not buy them.
I left the grocery supplies on the doorstep of my daughter's home and was happy she had what she needed. They were soon better and all was well. Then another major snowstorm came while most of the children were at school. My daughter called as soon as the storm abated to ask me for help. Could she bring me the baby for a few hours so she could attend to some needs at the school? Would I be at home? I quickly consented, saying, "Yes, I am here. I will always be here." I was so thankful to be able to help.
We are living in difficult times. Despite winter storms, financial struggles, sickness, and hardships in the world, we must find ways to be content. Living simply on a small income is an old-fashioned way of life. Our days ought to be full of kindness and good deeds, with a love for home.
Frugal living and taking care of the family are daily endeavors, filling our time with good things. It is a joy to be found faithful in homemaking.
Blessings
Mrs. White
From the Archives -
Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace.
When 4 generations lived here together - Gracious Homemaking.
Remembering my Childhood - Manners Learned at the Finishing School.
- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -
- It is an honor to be the bookkeeper for the house! -
Find detailed instruction and inspiration in budgeting on a small income, along with a method for keeping a handwritten ledger, with lots of thrifty ideas, in Mrs. White's book:
-An Old Fashioned Budget: Humble Financial Management for the Christian Housewife.
Paperback, 77 pages.
8 comments:
I love that you take joy in the simple pleasures and opportunities each day presents, Mrs. White. I so wish I lived closer to my dear daughter, her husband, and our grandchildren to be able to come to their aid as I used to be able to do. Isn't that what grandparents are for? I'm so glad they will be visiting us on their spring break in March. Blessings to you and yours, and stay warm!
Winter certainly looks beautiful in Vermont!
I also took supplies to my sick kids this past week. I love being able to bless them with some vitamin C supplies, even if I can't visit due to sickness.
Your post about winter living is so true! Our long cold winters here in northwestern Minnesota make for many months of frugal simple living. We had minus 28 air temperature this morning and tomorrow minus 30 is predicted. That's not wind chill, that's the real temperature. All year long I stock up on basics when they are on sale and buy what my budget will allow. Then in winter when we can't get out and shop I at least have a stocked pantry and freezer to choose from for meals. This weekend I will be starting seeds for some things in preparation for my garden this summer. During this winter I am finishing sewing and embroidery projects, and now I am crocheting a trim for some pillowcases I embroidered last year.
The Lord always provides for us, and we are thankful for what He gives to us. Being content with what a person has and what God provides makes for contented living no matter what happens or what the season is.
Winter living certainly takes more effort than usual, if only to find ways of keeping warm. You do have a lot of snow in Vermont. That is something we havent seen here this year. As I grow older I become more and more attached to a simple life at home, enjoying my garden, sewing and reading by the fire. Stay well dear Mrs White.
I too love real flowers in the winter time, I keep African violets so I will have blooming flowers all during the winter months to add an extra bit of happiness. I feed them with banana peels soaked in water, they love this natural fertilizer. Blessings to your days of tending your home and family.
Patty - you encourage me
Wearing the lovely gloves is a brilliant idea. Not only pretty, but functional as well. I've noticed before that royalty wears gloves when out in public and I suspected it was to protect themselves from germs a plenty. All the best to you and yours. ~d
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