My Mother's Chores

Kitchen at the boyhood home of Billy Graham, LOC.

In the early evening, as I was folding laundry, I was reminded of the work at home my mother used to do.  She would be in a pretty duster (or house robe) as she made the bed, folded towels, or swept the floor. She was always doing some act of domestic beauty as she cleaned and tidied throughout the house. She always looked sweet, pretty, and gentle as she worked. 

My mother cleaned in such a beautiful way. She was comfortable in her work when she was alone or when she was talking and visiting with her family. She was active and busy about the house washing an abandoned teacup she spotted on the table or polishing a counter. Whatever needed to be done, she was about the business of keeping house lovely.

She would rest, talk on the phone, get dressed up to go out on errands, and water the plants on the porch.  She was always interested in whatever interested you.  She had the kindest manners of anyone you would ever meet. She welcomed her family and guests and made homemaking look like the most natural and beautiful thing in the world.

Mother did her chores in such a way that it seemed like recreation to her.  It was just as if she was knitting, doing embroidery, painting a landscape, or playing the piano. It was an inspiration to spend so many years watching her way and then doing the same in my own home.  

In her life, she had many trials and endured much heartache. But she kept the home and her heart in such a calm fashion that everything was always well with her soul. Her Father in heaven was her anchor. 

Yesterday, as I peacefully worked about the house, I was trying not to worry about the troubles of extended family, or the concerns of our health and finances.  Life is more difficult to bear when you are one of the oldest in the family.  My parents are in heaven.  I can only find comfort in the dear Lord and in my husband. I pray for peace and trust. And this I receive as I center my thoughts on doing the old-time work of homemaking.  I want to continue this work, just as my mother so beautifully demonstrated all of her life.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

My Mother's Example - Housekeeping All Day.  

The Reality - Retirement Planning for the Poor.

What Many of Us Crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

A Blessing to Be - Just a Housewife. (With a little history)

Four Generations in the same house - In Pursuit of Christian Duty.

- 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.

Quiet Days at Home

Candle and Flowers at our Table. 

I have been staying home and resting for the past few days.  I walked the property to see all the sticks and debris from the winter that must be cleared up.  We hope to have the grandchildren come and help us one day soon.  It has been lovely outdoors with the sounds of the birds and the beauty of nature.  Then it snowed and the ground was all covered again in white.

I have been listening to Christmas music to bring an extra sense of cheer to our days.  I have a CD of an orchestra playing gentle songs for the kitchen. In my car I have a CD of Bing Crosby's Christmas songs.  It is old fashioned and charming.

I have been baking, cleaning, doing laundry, and just enjoying the quietness of home.  There are no worries of the world here to trouble me.  There are no business hours, stresses, or news to cause panic or fear. 

Each morning, just before breakfast, I walk about the rooms for exercise. While this is going on, I hold a book of devotions in my hands and read the daily passage. Then I read several hymns. They encourage me greatly. They bring me a sense of rest and peace.

A page from one of my hymn books. 

I am doing my best to think only about today.  I must not worry about tomorrow. I am weary and worn out.  Tomorrow I will be taking our patient to the hospital for treatment.  I will get as much rest as I can and then in the morning, there will be new strength given to face another day.  

I know Who holds tomorrow. And I know Who watches over me.  All will be well.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Practical help for the home - Peaceful Living by Rules.

The example of my Parents - Minding my own Housekeeping Business.

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

 - 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

A Daily Routine for House Cleaning

Our table with flowers. 

It is nice to have a routine for the daily tasks of homemaking. There are chores for the morning, some in the afternoon, and a few for evening.  These can all be done in a pleasant way, making things look lovely, at a cheerful pace.

It may sound ideal when we talk about doing pretty things for the home, especially when there may be noise, worries, and distractions all around us.  Yet, if we realize that there will not be a perfect time to do our chores, we might just be able to find joy in a steady pace as we do the common routines at appointed times, as we are able.  Some have limitations because of health or due to a house full of people.  In these cases, the daily work may be shared with others. Our goal is not perfection, but to maintain the work at regular times.

For more information about this type of house keeping, I have a new video ready: "Daily Routine for House Cleaning." For those who are interested in watching, here is a direct link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37-G7ccXyOw&list=PLdjNiA5yPfo46l2_O8L5taQscGSPbfgfX&index=10

I hope to write again soon! 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace.

A Blessing - The Light in a Messy House.

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.

The Slacker and the Messy House

Floral painting by Mark Stilleven Van Bloemen (1792-1844)

(Note: I originally wrote the following in July of 2019.)

Just before seven in the morning, on a hot summer day, I needed to wash the floors. I started out by cleaning the bathroom. Then I moved kitchen stools, little carpets, toy boxes, and the step-stool, out of the room so I could thoroughly sweep every corner. The last bit of work is to wash all the floors. This is part of my schedule of weekly work. It keeps the house looking pretty and neat. Then I go for a slow, little walk on my treadmill, and listen to a peaceful sermon. 

But every week, just before I start cleaning, nagging thoughts of a slacker enter my mind. I tell myself I am too tired. I say that perhaps I should just sweep and not bother with the washing afterwards? I suggest to myself that a short break would be nice. I practically talk myself out of doing the work until the moment I am finished. This happens every single time I have something difficult to do in the home. 

Late this morning, I had to make homemade pizza. I was tired and wanted to sit with a nice book instead. I thought frozen (processed, convenience) pizza, or something else, might be a better idea. Those nagging thoughts of a lazy housekeeper plague me throughout my chores. It is an amusing battle between prudent-and-pleasant-housewifery, and the-slacker-with-the-messy-house.

I decided I would compromise by making the pizza early in the day. It would be all ready and, in the refrigerator, ready to bake at the appointed dinner hour. This way, I could do the work but have much of the evening off to rest. I listened to beautiful hymns on my kitchen radio as I worked.

I have learned to do the hard work while doing pretty and pleasant things at the same time. I will either listen to something peaceful or I will do some happy adventure after the work is finished.

Sometimes I may just take a walk on the grounds to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Other times, I will sit in the parlour with a lovely book and some tea. I enjoy accomplishing all the hard work so much more when there is some pleasant reward. The house looks so pretty, and the homemade food is nicely made and served.

I cannot even imagine how messy my life and house would be if I listened to that nagging slacker-of-a-housewife, who is constantly invading my thoughts! It is a daily battle, where I am found smiling and laughing while I ignore that little voice which says, "You deserve a rest. You won't make it through the day if you keep this up!" I would much rather set up a workable plan, doing a few difficult things each day, to bring me great joy and happiness in a pretty home.

Blessings

Mrs. White

P. S. This post can be found in my book, "Homemaking for Happiness."

From the Archives -

Is this true? Only Rich People Have Clean Houses.

It doesn't have to cost much - Basic Cookery.

Peaceful, Old Fashioned Living - Retirement Planning for the Poor.

Mother inspires the Family - The Cultured Society of Home.

 

- 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.

A Tea Break with Video

Tea is served at our table. 

In the midst of domestic duties, phone calls, and taking care of the family, it is so nice to stop and have tea.  I recently did a brief video about this to encourage you to have a pretty time of rest. 

Here is the link to watch for those who are interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwoBXmtnjfU&list=PLdjNiA5yPfo46l2_O8L5taQscGSPbfgfX&index=13

I hope you have a wonderful week. I will write more soon.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Finding Happiness in - Poor and Pretty Living. 

A Gift of lovely dishes - A Temporary Sense of Wealth. 

A Blessing - The Quiet Kindness of a Titus 2 Mother.

Do You Have This? - Amazing Dedication (to Motherhood and Home).

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

Mrs. White's nostalgic book for Mothers:

"Old Fashioned Motherhood: Baby and Child Care Advice from a New England Housewife." 

62 pages, paperback.