Old Fashioned Motherhood - My Book

Old fashioned advice for Mothers:

In 2014, I was busy helping take care of some of my grandbabies. They were such a precious joy to have here. As I cuddled the littlest baby in my rocking chair, I was reminded of how it used to be, in the old days, when I took care of my own children.   I wanted to write out some of those memories and share some advice on motherhood in an old-fashioned Christian home. The book was originally published in May of 2014.  

I have just finished updating this book and a new edition is now ready. Here are the details:

- I have added a charming feature to this one. It contains the most darling paintings that I found in a lullaby book from the 1800's. I have scattered them throughout the book.  You cannot help but smile as you read through the brief chapters and see the paintings.

A look inside the book, "Old Fashioned Motherhood."

- The text of this book is the same as the original edition. But the format has been updated and made easier to read.

- The book contains nostalgic advice on motherhood including encouragement in setting up a home, taking care of the new baby, helpful ideas for stories and playtime, helping create a peaceful home, the care of babies, toddlers, and young children, finances (with practical advice for living on one income), a Godly heritage, and much more.

- I have also added a bonus article to bring encouragement to weary mothers. 

"Old Fashioned Motherhood" is a small book but packed with encouragement and help for the old time Christian home. It will help bring a gentleness and a sense of peace to your home. 

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

by Mrs. White

61 pages, paperback.

ISBN: 978-0-692274-73-6

I hope you find the book helpful!

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Encouragement and Manners - Waiting for the Door to Be Opened.

Through good times and bad - Keeping the Family Homestead.

Practical ideas for a happy home - Peaceful Living by Rules.

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

An Old-Fashioned Christmas

Piano in the parlour at the Calvin Coolidge Homestead. Photo was taken on my recent visit to Plymouth Notch, Vermont.

I remember having a piano in my childhood home. None of we children ever had lessons but my mother knew how to play. She kept assorted songbooks inside the storage area of the bench. I loved taking out the Christmas books and trying to play them.

One of my weekly chores was to dust the living room. I took special care of the piano. It always seemed like home to have that piano in the house. It was especially nice at Christmas time. My mother rarely played, but with our urging, we convinced her to play just a few Christmas songs for us. I can still remember us all standing around her, as she sat on the bench. Mother played while Dad and the children sang the songs.

Winters were cold by the ocean at our Massachusetts home. We lived in a beach cottage on an acre of land. The home belonged to our grandparents and was passed down to our mother. We all lived with grandmother and grandfather until they went home to be with the Lord. It was a humble place kept nice by mother's housekeeping and father's maintenance work.

As the Christmas season is coming soon, I have begun to reflect on an old-fashioned Christmas. There was not much money in my childhood home. We wore sweaters indoors and mother was very hesitant and careful when she turned up the heat. We had an 8 -track tape player with a little rack full of Christmas songs. We loved to hear these old classics as we did our chores and puttered around the house.

In those days I don't recall elaborate decorations on the houses. You would not see colored lights on the outside of the house. There was nothing on the yards except snow. The only thing one could see while walking by the houses, in our neighborhood, was a lit-up Christmas tree in each living room window. It was humble, charming, and modest. As I think of it now, the simplicity was lovely and refreshing.

Indoors, we had a tree in the corner of the living room. The only other decoration to announce the season was a nativity scene placed carefully on top of the piano (or on an end table by the couch).

None of us realized there was a lack of money. In those days, it was not common to buy gifts for friends or for those at work. We worked hard, saved, and sacrificed to get a gift for Mother and Dad. We could not even imagine coming up with funds to buy presents for those outside the family. I don't think it even entered our minds. We were just so happy to have enough for the family.

When seeing neighbors or friends, A "Merry Christmas" was cheerfully wished to all and then we all went to our own beloved homes. I think family life was more intact in those days, in the general culture, when Mother was often at home and the relatives lived nearby in established neighborhoods. We all worked hard at school and with jobs so that being home meant everything. It was a place to rest and feel safe. It was even more so at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I want to mention that the day after Thanksgiving was a family day. We enjoyed a vacation and just stayed home. In those days, Black Friday had not even been invented yet! There was not much emphasis on shopping or spending money. This was in the days before easy credit and credit cards.

This Christmas season will be similar to the ones of my childhood. There is not any spare money available. We need a Kerosene delivery this week to keep the house warm. We have a medical trip coming up soon. The cost of food is rising and we just received notice that our annual house insurance bill has skyrocketed. I have a few little gifts safely tucked away for some of the grandchildren that I managed to buy earlier in the year. I have been thinking how nice it would be to have one little gift, beautifully wrapped, in the living room for my husband and me. This would help make Christmas special for us. (I wonder if this is just a passing thought of selfishness?) We have spent many years without gifts because the children and grandchildren come first. We only buy little, inexpensive things for the family (perhaps for $4 or $10 each). Even then, it is a struggle. I am always so grateful to be able to do this. On what I consider good years; I am able to get my husband a new package of socks or a warm winter shirt as a surprise gift. He is happy and thankful and never asks for anything. We are used to living a life of humble means with great faith in God.

Despite what sounds like a hardship, we feel content and blessed. We have a home to live in. We are always here to welcome the children and grandchildren home. We have learned to be creative and inventive, making the most of life without much money. This is why an old-fashioned Christmas can be so special. We can read from the book of Luke, enjoy homemade Christmas cookies, and bring cheer and happiness to the family from hearts full of love and kindness.

May you be greatly blessed this Thanksgiving and Christmas season and always!

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Peaceful old time Living - Quiet Duties of Home.  

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

Taking Care of the Family - A Covered Bridge and Graceful Living in Rural Vermont. 

- 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

Treasure in the House

Miniature Bible on our table. 

The grandchildren were expected for an early dinner. I went about setting the table for them.  I was looking for just the right thing to make it special.  I remembered the miniature (KJV) Bibles I have for babies and preschoolers. I found one and carefully tucked it beside a candle centerpiece. It spoke volumes of what was on my heart. This little book was the secret of my joy and rest and peace as I go about the Master's work here in the home.

At dinner, one of the younger grandsons noticed the book with eagerness.  He asked, "Is that a little Bible?" He was delighted.  It is cherished in his home as well.  

Years ago, Bibles would commonly contain several pages elaborately decorated with the intention of recording the family genealogy.  If someone would ask grandfather when a grandchild had been born, he would get the Family Bible and find the answer.  In the old days, this was often considered proof of the date of one's birth or to confirm the relation of members of the family.

It is a blessing and a joy to have a Bible to read.  One of the greatest memories, for old time families, is the remembrance of hearing Mother and Dad reading from the Bible to their children.

LOC: Abraham Lincoln Reading the Bible to his son, 1865.

Children who grow up in a home where the Bible is loved, cherished, and frequently read, have a wonderful fondness for home and family.  When they grow up, they tend to keep this precious habit of gleaning spiritual nourishment every day of their lives.  This used to be so common in previous generations. 

Young Men's Christian Association flyer, 1919. 

In our modern culture, where constant advertising promotes materialism and excessive forms of secular recreation, it is sometimes difficult to keep one's spiritual bearings.  We can counter this by keeping the Bible prominent in the home.  It should not be dusty for lack of use. It must be the most loved and respected book, more valuable than piles of gold. It is the treasure of the house. 

As I look back over the years as a wife, mother, and grandmother, life was not easy. Yet I feel so grateful and blessed.  We may have been poor, but we always had a Bible in the house.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -


Always Remember this - The House Comes First.

The Beauty of an Ordinary, Simple Life - Standard of Living.

A Blessing in Making an Effort - Peaceful Homemaking.

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

An Old-Fashioned Devotional Book:

"Inspired by the life, writings, and journals  of John Wesley (1700's), Mrs. White has created  a 90 - day Bible study challenge. ."

Early Morning Revival Challenge

Paperback, 116 pages. 

Making Home a Refuge

LOC: Sitting by the fireplace around 1925.

On a recent trip, I stopped at one of the historic 1800's homestead museums, here in Vermont. This was on our way home from a doctor visit.  I am trying to find inspiration and encouragement in homemaking.  I want to keep learning and keep making an effort to make our home a pleasant place to be.  I do this in the midst of whatever else is happening around me. It happens in any leisure moments or while waiting for important things. 

On this visit I saw the grounds of the property. There was a kitchen garden, an orchard, barns, sheds, and a lovely home. I thought about all the work that went into running this home and managing the care of the laundry, the meals, the cleaning, and the welcoming of guests and family. Many of these old properties are surrounded by trees and hedges providing the home with a place of tranquility and rest. 

The landscaping was charming with graveled walkways along the grassy areas. I walked around the property slowly with much thought.

Mrs. White at one of the historic homesteads, here in Vermont.

This home was built around the same time as my own house, in the 1850's.  At the time of my visit, the museum was closed for the season. I was given permission to walk the grounds, however, and someday hope to return when they are open so I can see inside the house. (Whenever this happens, I will share all about it with you here.)

Back at home, I am so grateful for the privilege of having a place to live. Even though our house is humble, old, in great need of paint and repairs, it is a blessing! 

I try to keep a quiet atmosphere. This does not refer to noise, but to a sense of peace. We do our best, as homemakers, to create a meaningful culture around us. This comforts the family and gives them a sense of routine and a love for that which is good. 

 Some things that are common here are the hearing of sermons, the gentle playing of hymns in the background, and the happy sound of chatter. 

Bible time is a much-loved aspect of the routine. It happens mostly at sporadic times. Participants include whoever is at home at present.  This includes the reading of a passage of Scripture, the singing of hymns, and a time of prayer.  Bible time happens informally (at sporadic times) and formally (in the evening).  There are times when some of our grandchildren are visiting through the dinner hour and the sun is setting. The children are present when it is time for our evening Bible time.  We love when this happens as the children get to participate in our beloved family worship. There are other times when grown children happen to stop by for a visit at just the right time. We enjoy a rest from all that is going on in the world as we gratefully read the Bible and pray together.

Other aspects of home life include sewing, mending, washing dishes, sweeping floors and doing laundry. Whoever happens to be here, joins right in to help with the blessing of work. 

We enjoy bringing happiness to others as we serve in the home.  The other day, some of the grandchildren were here for a visit.  I called the two oldest ones into the kitchen. We were preparing an afternoon treat. Grand-girl set the table with plates, napkins, and silverware.  Grandson cut strawberries and served them on the plates. I carefully sliced small pieces of homemade cake for everyone.  When the table was ready, Grand-girl rang the dinner bell to call the rest of the children.  They came running, as they wondered what was happening.  As soon as they saw the delightful cake and fresh fruit at their seats, they brightened with smiles and happiness.  Then I handed a spoon and a container of Cool Whip to Grand-girl. The children had never seen it before and didn't know what it was! It is a rare treat in our house. I reminded her of the duties of a hostess, spreading good manners while serving. She walked around the table asking each "guest" if they would like some Cool Whip. Each responded with a "yes, please," as she dished out a portion beside their cake.  Then we paused for a prayer of thanksgiving before we began to eat.  A lovely time was had by all.

This is how we create a beautiful culture in our homes - by chores, service, and the love and care of the family. We work hard at being peacemakers, forgiving, extending mercy, and cultivating a gracious heart.  This great and noble work of homemaking is essential to passing on the joy and peace of family life. Today, and always, shut out the troubles of the outside world. Then let us keep making home a bright and cheerful place to be. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Old Time Living - A Louisa May Alcott Winter. 

Financial Struggles - A New England Winter on a Small Income. 

A Mother's Greatest Use of Time - A Humble Parlour as a School of Theology.

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

Every home can be a homeschool!

Find confidence and courage in teaching your own children at home with Mrs. White's book,

Seeking a Thrifty and Simple Life.

112 pages, paperback.

Pretty Homemaking

Dinner Bell and pretty dishes at Mrs. White's table.

It was announced that some of my grandchildren would be coming over after church. I would make the lunch.  As I formulated in my mind what the menu would be, I started thinking about how much I wanted the table to look pretty.  I wanted the children to feel special that extra care would be taken to serve the meal in a nice way.  I set out napkins and then started a little baking.

I noticed we had bananas that needed to be used quickly. I found a banana muffin recipe but thought I would bake it in a cake pan.  I used a bundt pan and simply cooked it longer than the recipe called for.  A standard cooking time for bundt cakes is about 36 minutes.  It turned out perfectly. I set this aside to cool.

I started a batch of homemade vegetable soup.  It only requires carrots, potatoes, a bit of olive oil, some diced garlic, and water. *  This didn't take very long to cook. As I went about the work of setting the table with pretty bowls and spoons, I stopped to stir the soup.

Soon the children arrived all dressed up in their best clothes. They looked darling!  The soup was served.  It was comforting after coming in from the cold autumn air. Their mother made sandwiches as the second course.  They enjoyed nice glasses of milk before going into the other rooms to play.

It was time for dessert. One of the children rang the dinner bell that we keep on our hutch. This calls everyone to the table. They always smile when this happens. I brought the banana cake to the table, along with a stack of plates. Each child eagerly watched as pieces were cut and placed on dessert plates and passed around.  They enjoyed it very much.  We had a lovely visit!

There was still a little bit of cake left this morning. I set the table and made myself a little morning refreshment.  I had hot peppermint tea and banana cake on my prettiest dishes. A candle and a pretty bell added a bit of beauty to the table.

I will do a little cleaning this morning and set up a new sewing project.  I turned on a CD of gentle Christmas songs played by an orchestra. It is lovely and soothing!  It will be a pretty day of homemaking!

Blessings

Mrs. White

* This recipe is in my cookbook, Serving in the Kitchen.

From the Archives 

The Old Days - The Comfort of a House Coat. 

Simple Way of Homemaking - The Four Little Tasks of Home.

Content at Home - Days Without Spending Money. 

 

- 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

The Light in a Messy House

LOC: A farmhouse kitchen in Massachusetts, 1925.

Coffee is spilled on the counter and lower cabinets. Towels are on the floor. Personal belongings are all over the dining room chairs.  Scattered toys create a walking hazard. Through this daily mess Mother walks about putting it all to rights. She wipes up the spills as they happen. She cleans the crumbs, neatens the toys, and directs helpers to tidy the rooms. She is the light of cheerfulness who creates happiness and order in a messy home. She is the skilled laborer working in God's fields.

I have been told there are thousand year old vineyards which have been taken care of throughout the generations by skilled workers who are diligent. A preacher once visited one and noticed there was a forest all around the property, but the vineyard was well kept and noticeably different. He said you could see, from a great distance, that the vineyard was separate from the woods. There was a distinct line. You saw beauty in the well kept ground, and you saw wildness in the untamed forest. 

This vineyard can also be like our homes. We are the diligent gardeners who clear the weeds, prune the vines, gather the fruit, and keep up the distinct line that separates our homes from the world.

The weeds and the vines and the pruning are all the things we do when we clean and bake and care for the family. Each day we do this with great skill and love. It eventually becomes a natural habit to the point that we often don't notice all the things we are doing in a day. We bring order and loveliness to our home vineyards. We bring the light of godliness and holiness to our little cottages.

Each time we clean a messy house, each moment we pick up and tend the home, it is a reminder of the world and all the damage sin is constantly causing. We are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. If the salt and the light are taken out of the home, we will see a piling up mess, which shows neglect. That distinction of the old vineyard and the forest will become marred and tangled up together to the point that the forest will take over the vineyard. We will not let that happen to our homes. 

We housewives are the light of our homes. We spread happiness and sunshine through our cheerfulness and willing work. It is just like we are the lights in this dark, corrupt world. 

The next time you feel like you are cleaning the same messes over and over again, doing the same things over and over again, day after day; month after month; year after year; generation after generation, just remember that it is similar to how we, as God's people, shine a light of holiness amidst the constant mess of a sinful world. You are like the vineyard keeper and are desperately needed to keep that distinction clear. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

*This post can also be found in Mrs. White's book:

 "Old Fashioned Motherhood."

From the Archives -

A Video of our Home - Tour of our 1850's House. 

Old Fashioned Advice for taking are of the family - - A Comforting Sick Room.

Ration Books from 1942 and helpful advice - Adapting to the High Cost of Living.

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

 

Taking Care of the Family

A farm near Mrs. White's home in Vermont.

I had my plans all ready for the week.  There was to be a spring concert at school featuring four of my grandchildren.  I have not missed a single one of their events since the oldest started kindergarten. It is such a joy to see them and be there for them. The night before the event, a special medical appointment came through for my son.  I quickly phoned my daughter to let her know that I would not be able to attend the concert. She understood.  The children would understand. Normally I would have been disappointed but because of the circumstances, it was a blessing to have the patient get his appointment. The doctor later told us she was fitting in "critical patients" on this day.  We were grateful to be one of them. 

As we were driving along the interstate to get to the hospital, a rock hit my windshield and cracked it.  I knew it needed to be replaced as soon as possible.  We were safe to continue driving for the time being. I did not want to worry about the cost of repairs (our insurance is minimal). I knew that the Lord would always provide for our needs. He enables us to do His work and provides the way.  Then I remembered something Dr. Charles Stanley said in one of his sermons. He was describing how to respond when we face an unexpected situation. He would pray, with great respect, "What are you up to, Lord?"  I started to wonder if the Lord had this happen because someone at the glass repair shop needed someone to come in to encourage them. I thought how important it is to walk so close to the Lord that His love, comfort, goodness, and peace would shine through to those around us.  If I thought about it in this way, getting the windshield fixed would be just another work the Lord needed me to do. 

We received news that surgery * needed to be scheduled for next week.  We will head back to the hospital for this and make sure our patient gets wonderful care and rest. I will need to make a list of special food for the recovering patient. I hope I can find a few things to cheer him along as he goes through these hard days with his ongoing medical condition.  One of the things we definitely decided was to get paper plates to make things easier in the kitchen for a little while! 

I will do as much housework as I can, each day. I am behind on bread baking and hope I can get that started in just a few minutes.  I will be here for the children and grandchildren. I will make sure my husband is comfortable and rested as we both tend to the duties of home and family life.  And, when those unexpected moments come, which take us away from our ordinary routines, I will remember to pray for peace and strength and joy as I do the precious work of taking care of the family.

Blessings

Mrs. White

 

From the Archives -

Peaceful living From the Old Days - Sunday Driver. 

Old Time Manners - Waiting for the Door to Be Opened.  

Living on a Small Income - Standard of Living. 

 

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

 

Find Home-keeping Inspiration, in Mrs.White's book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking.  

 

Paperback, 274 pages.


 

 

Secretary of the House

An Inspiring Notepad on the end table.

A message was brought to me that required immediate attention.  A sudden medical appointment had been made.  The notice came after business hours and I needed to call the office the next day.  But I had already been obligated to attend to a family matter that would take the entire day.  My driving directions were all securely in place and plans had been made.  I realized I needed to write down the medical notes, put them in my purse to take with me, and, along with a pocket calendar, I needed to call the doctor sometime during a spare minute while away from home.

I searched for just the right notebook. It needed to be big enough for my notes, but small enough to fit in my purse. I opened my desk drawer and saw the perfect notepad. (See photograph above.)  It was a recent gift from a reader.  The painting on the front, along with the words, would comfort me and give me a sense of calm and beauty as I used it on the following day for my notes.  I was so thankful.

In the midst of family needs, appointments, events, errands, phone calls, filing papers, managing the bills, and all the things that go into a mother's day, I felt like I was the secretary of the house. What a responsibility and what an honor!  

How very grateful I am for little comforts that appear just when I need them the most.  And while I often feel overwhelmed with all the many things that I face in a day, I feel the most peace when I look up, stop to pray, and just reflect on the wonderful path the Lord leads me on.  I am thankful for the work He gives me. Yet, most of all, I am thankful that I learned many years ago, to simply trust the Lord and lean on His strength. I could never do it alone. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

 

From the Archives -

My Mother's Example - Housekeeping All Day.  

We Must Always Remember - The House Comes First. 

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

- 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

 

Minding my own Housekeeping Business

Spring has started to show at our property here in Vermont.

Taking care of a home is very much like running an entire business. When my Father used to live with us (along with Mother) for nearly 10 years (in their own section of this large 1800's house), he worked very hard here at home. Taking care of the grounds and house was like a full time job for him.

In winter, Dad used a snowblower and shovel on the walkways and driveway. He kept our cars cleaned off. He used sand and such to protect us as we walked on the ice outdoors. He kept us safe. These were daily chores for him throughout the winter months.  He also maintained the heat and kept the wood stove going.  He warmed up the car for Mother, tucked her in with a warm blanket (for extra comfort), and took her wherever she needed to go for errands, appointments, and to church. 

In the warmer months, he maintained the grounds with a ride-on mower. He kept the weeds under control. He was the one who began all the work of making our property look like a restful park where we could enjoy the beautiful landscape.  He gardened, painted, did household repairs, maintained the vehicles, and managed and procured a supply of wood for each upcoming winter.  

He did all this work on a daily basis from a heart of service. These chores were his own ideas. He was always productive and could do nothing less than make sure his surroundings were cared for and kept nice. His love for family and ability to provide for all of us warms my heart even to this very day.

Mother kept the house looking beautiful. Her daily example of housekeeping, running a kitchen, taking care of flower gardens, and welcoming visitors is admirable and instructive.  She was joyful and kind and dearly loved the family.

Mother and Father have been in Heaven for many years now.  I have always been in awe of their skill and wisdom in making a house a real home.  My husband and I have taken over the work of maintaining this house. We do not have nearly as much skill or wisdom as my parents did.  I often think of how mother kept house and am spurred on each day as I work about the rooms.  My husband remembers all the teachings of my father and has willingly taken over all this work with a grateful heart of service.

I will tell you the secret of how to do all this work with cheer and good will. It has to do with the focus of our mind.  In my parent's generation there was not a constant stream of news from the outside world.  Their focus, naturally, was on their own home and family. 

It has occurred to me recently, as the world has changed so much over these many years, that we are not only distracted by constant news, but by bad news and frightening news. This is stopping many of us in our tracks. It is drawing our thoughts away from our daily work of building up and caring for the home and family.

The secret of having the motivation and energy to keep house has to do with what we tune into. It is about where we focus our energy and thoughts.  It has everything to do with minding one's own business.  

We can do all this only if we do not fear.  We have a great source of protection if we trust our hearts and lives to the Lord.  We must remember that He watches over us every moment of our lives.  We can faithfully do the work at home as we spend our lives in prayer, reading Scripture, and attending church. These good works are the fruit, or the result, of staying close to the Lord.  This is the very example of my parents, and many others from their generation.

We mind our own business as we do the work we have been given by our Heavenly Father.  This reminds me of the words from a dear old hymn. It brings me comfort as I think about all the beautiful work of housekeeping:  "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

This is What many of us Crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

A Graceful Lesson in Manners and Faith - Waiting for the Door to be Opened. 

Old Time Frugality - How the Old Time Mothers Survived Poverty.

 

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

Mrs. White's detailed explanation of keeping a financial journal and budget:

 

For old time encouragement in living simply on a limited income, order Mrs. White's book:

"An Old Fashioned Budget: Humble Financial Management for the Christian Housewife"

77 pages, paperback.

 

 

 

 

How to Stop Buying Things that Clutter up the Home

A Bedroom at Mrs. White's House in Vermont.

It has become common to frequent yard sales and thrift stores as many look for bargains to bring home.  There are so many pretty and interesting things to find in such places. It seems like shopping in retail stores is very expensive.  When we have a small amount of money, we tend to venture out to places where the expense will be minimal.  However, is it a wise use of time and money to buy all these interesting things?

During my childhood years, my mother never went to a yard sale or a thrift store. I don't think they were in fashion at the time.  She did what many homemakers did in those days. She took care of what she had. She focused on a cleaning routine, working in the kitchen, and taking care of the family.  Money was carefully saved to spend during seasonal events such as Christmas, birthdays, Easter, and back-to-school shopping.  Her main goal was to make sure the house looked clean and neat and that we were well fed and taken care of.  She rarely went to the store unless it was for groceries.

In the old days, mother would mend and care for her belongings. She would notice a tear in a quilt and neatly sew it back up. She would repair curtains, sheets, and pillowcases. If she noticed a washcloth was starting to fray around the edges, she would cut the loose threads and then prepare a new hem to set in place.  She would mend the clothes and keep everything properly maintained with effort that did not cost any money. 

Mother may have wanted a pretty piece of furniture. Perhaps she dreamed about a little end table for the corner of a bedroom.  Someday, she hoped, she would find just the right piece to fill this little spot with something useful.  In the meantime, she was content with what she had.  This was much like the old story of mother wanting a new coat for Christmas but always using the saved money for something more important that always seemed to come along. 

It is lovely to dream and to desire nice things, as long as we are wise with the money that comes into our household accounts.  Contentment means that we are happy with our lot and we remain productive as we take care of our possessions.  Our minds are at rest when we are not always seeking to acquire things.  Yet, when we do receive a special gift of a much desired item, we are more grateful that the average person. This is because we did not place a high value on the material item. We gave it up in our minds, realizing there are more important things in our lives than what we own. 

It used to be that window shopping at Christmas-time was a lovely time of recreation.  We would also look through the large Sears Catalog at all the many household items that were available. We would leaf through the pages and pretend we were shopping, but we didn't buy any of those things. They were non-essentials. We were practical minded when it came to the use of money.  It was also enjoyable to walk by the big stores and see a window display of a variety of gift options. Everything looked so pretty and pleasant. The colors and decorations were inviting.  We would smile as we took the time to look at all the merchandise. It is much like when we walk down the floral department of a store and just admire all the beautiful flowers.  We look but we do not buy. The fun is in the seeing. We enjoy all the pretty things around us, but we rarely part with our much needed money for such things.  Why would we bring home all these neat things just to clutter up our homes and lives?

The way to stop buying things we do not really need is to understand that we simply do not have room. If we want a rested mind and a peaceful heart, this cannot be obtained when we are surrounded and overwhelmed by things we have acquired.  We cannot dust and clean and maintain an abundance of belongings!  Bringing in more pretty things will only bring more work. 

To stop spending money is also a good way to be content with what one already has.  When we stop cluttering up the home, our time is more free. We can garden, take walks, do the cleaning and cooking, and have plenty of quality time to be with our families. Too much stuff makes too much work. 

When we can find happiness with less, we are able to live a simpler life.  This frees the mind. It gives us more time as we are led along a path of beautiful and graceful living.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

A Special Room for the children - Grandmother's Nursery.

"There is No Ambition" - Simplicity of Old Fashioned Homemaking.

 The Inspiring Example of D.L. Moody's mother - Poverty in the 1800's.

 

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

 

Learn How To Manage Money on a Small Income, with this helpful book:

- 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.

 

 

 

 

 

Old Fashioned Snow Storm

The front porch of Mrs. White's house on a snowy spring day.

 

 In the old days, before there were television sets, I can imagine that mothers knew very little about what was happening in the world.  There were certainly newspapers and radio messages, but the news was not constant.  Mother was focused on her family and the immediate needs of her household.

The biggest concern was for shelter, food, and clothing.  This was all provided by hard work, prayers, and the spiritual blessing of a beautiful Christian life.

In humble homes, where there is little money, one had to be very careful about their resources.   In our old New England village, there is a strong sense of Yankee Ingenuity, where we spend as little money as possible.  Snow storms and the winter chill, for long periods of time, make us understand the importance of stocking up, being prepared, and using money for necessities rather than for luxuries.  

There is a great deal of snow outside right now.  Schools are cancelled. There is little traffic on the roads.  There are white-out conditions making it difficult to drive.  We are cozy indoors and grateful that our wood pellet stove is working again.  It is a blessing to feel warm and safe.

 While we are enduring storms outside, we are also experiencing trials and stresses within the family.  Late in the afternoon, as I was feeling overcome with the many burdens I was feeling, I remembered how people often say, "Remember to breathe," as if we forget and hold our breath when under stress.  I realized what is just as important, if not more so, is to, "take time to pray."  In the midst of the greatest worry and oncoming tears, if I stop to remember to pray, I have found rest from my troubles and can recover a sense of joy through it all.  We must never forget, when facing difficulty, to simply stop in our tracks and just pray.

Yesterday we were doing some minor repairs on one of the back rooms. After I washed a lace curtain, I noticed there was a hole in the front.  I put it on the back of a kitchen chair to fix later.   Once I put aside my troubles and let go of my burdens, I settled down with my sewing box and quietly and gently mended the hole in the lace.  The simple act of doing this domestic work soothed my heart and made me realize that all is well despite how I was feeling.  Moods come and go and so do stresses. They will not last. When we remember to lean on the Lord, we are sheltered and safe. We are guided through every trouble.

Sometimes we have to remember that trials will often lead us (and our families) to something far better than we ever imagined. Everything will be okay. The Lord will always take care of His children.

Today, we are snowed in and safe.  I am not sure what is going on in the world because I don't follow the news. But I am told there will be a tremendous amount of people coming here to Vermont for the solar eclipse. I need to get to the store to stock up on food, supplies, and water before the crowds arrive. Even though I don't know much about world events or politics, I am as busy as I can possibly be just focusing on serving the needs of my family. I want to make sure we are all loved and cared for as we go through the many difficulties we face in daily life.

 It is a blessing to be an old time homemaker and just focus on keeping house and providing a great sense of love and security for the family.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

News of Mother's Work - Missionary Letters from Home.

Finding Rest - Peace be Upon this House.

The Example of My Mother - A Home Without Clutter.

 

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

 

Mrs. White's special book for homemakers:"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking."

Find stories of home life, with photographs of my home, in this encouraging book. 

 Paperback, 200 pages.

 

 

 

 

Keeping the Family Homestead

March snow at Mrs. White's property in Vermont.

We are in the middle of a storm. It has been snowing heavily all night and day.  We just went outside for a little walk.  It was lovely to slowly trudge through the deep snow and observe the beautiful scenery on the front grounds.  I brought my umbrella along for protection as I took several photographs around me.  

My husband walked along with me. I said to him, "Doesn't this remind you of the blizzard of '78?"  I was referring to a major snowstorm in our home state of Massachusetts many years ago. (We lived in a suburb, south of Boston.) It had grounded all of us and shut down so much of normal life.  There was no traffic on the streets.  No one could drive on the roads in that condition.  People used sleds as they walked to the corner grocery to buy supplies for the home.  The children spent days building snowmen, snow forts, and sledding down the hills.  It was incredible.  Spending time together, as families in the neighborhood, with fun and happiness, is the most striking memory I have during that storm.  

Family memories and life at home are precious.  I am grateful for this old 1850's house. We have lived here for 20 years now.  Shortly after we bought this house, Nana and Grandpa (my parents) moved in with us. They lived in a separate section of this house and had their own kitchen and living room.  They were here as our five children were growing up. They hosted our Thanksgiving dinners and watched as some of the older ones left the nest. They were here when one of our daughters, along with her family, began to raise her first 2 children in our house.  The residents of this household, for 2 years, had four generations all living together at one time. It was a wonderful blessing.

Nana and Grandpa (as the great-grandparents) lived with us for 9 years. They have since gone home to their Heavenly rest.  Perhaps, someday, in 10 or 15 years, my husband and I may very well be great-grandparents ourselves.  If  we are still here in this same house at that time, there will be 5 generations who have enjoyed our humble Estate. It would be lovely if we could continue this tradition and keep the house going for future generations.

The family has seen many ups and downs in life. We have endured hardship, health difficulties, and limited financial means.  The lessons we have all learned of a strong work ethic, the love of family, and our great faith in the Lord, are being passed down throughout the family as we live out our daily lives in this humble old house. 

Over the years we have had passing thoughts of finding a smaller home, thinking it might be warmer in winter or more economical. Yet, as we have looked, we have not found anything to compare to this old place.  With the rising cost of land and homes, even mobile homes, it is cheaper to live here, we have found, than any other place we have seen. We are thankful for this and happy to remain in the old house.

This is the place where family values and memories of the family are vivid. I still remember the children, in their younger years, walking up the stairs as they smiled and chattered about their projects.  Then, as the years went on, the grandchildren began holding the banister rail and toddling up those same stairs. I love being here for this.  

Now that many of the grandchildren are getting older, this house is so familiar to them. It is familiar to our own children whenever they come home to visit. They drive down the same old driveway and know they will see Mother in the kitchen getting ready to serve some special treat. They will see Dad in the recliner, resting from some chore he just finished. These were the same things Nana and Grandpa did when they lived here.  This gives us all a sense of stability.  This place will always feel like home.

I want to keep the old homestead. It is full of so many memories of the generations of our family.  I am grateful and blessed to be here.

Blessings 

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Mother inspires the Family - The Cultured Society of Home.

Wisdom from Colonial Days - To Earn and Not to Spend.

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

  

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

 

Mrs. White's special book for homemakers: 

 

"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking." 

 

Paperback, 200 pages.