Home Entertainment without Movies or Television

Lately, I have gotten into some bad habits. I forgot what it was like to just enjoy home without distractions.   I forgot how to pass the time at home in a pleasant way. This coming week, I am hoping for a more quiet, simplified life.  I have a plan. It will last for 7 days.  I will not watch television. . . not even DVDs. I am even willing to stay away from classic favorites like The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie.

I want to read more.  I want to hand-sew, and bake, and spend more time enjoying kitchen work, and my household duties.  I wonder if this bit of time I didn't realize I was missing out on, will enable me to delight in washing windows,  iron more, and enjoy decorating and organizing on a regular basis.

Unexpected guests are more welcome when I am not involved in a program, even something as pleasant as You Can't Take it With You, Starring Jimmy Stewart.  I think this constant access to a "home theater" (television) where I can see "plays" (movies) and programs any time I want has made it less special.  I am hoping that this 7 day fast from television will help me set a new routine of watching one thing a week. . . one thing that is carefully selected. . . something that will be enjoyed and appreciated much more than what has been too accessible.

This week, I hope to do the following things:

1. Sweep my front porch every morning (in the beautiful summer air).
2. Hang clothes on the line before breakfast.
3. Read my Bible more, and read calming, inspiring literature more.
4. Bake and cook more often.
5. Mend and Sew for relaxation, while visiting in the parlour (my living room).
6. Enjoy hours of homemaking - such as decorating, organizing, polishing and shining things up.
7. Write old fashioned letters to cheer and surprise the recipients.

Dear Readers, I would love to hear your thoughts:

- If you were to take this week off from common home entertainments, what would you do?

- If you don't watch television or movies, what does your family do throughout the day?

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

Home Economics - Why The High Cost of Food?

Class and Style in Homemaking - When Mother is the Maid.

Don't Change - Even When the Children are Growing up - Sitting Alone at the Kitchen Table. 

 

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When Television Was Special

Television set in Mrs. White's Home.

A Television set used to be a beloved piece of furniture. It was neatly dusted and polished. Some Mothers kept a white crocheted doily on the top, with a nice plant or some flowers. This was a lovely addition to the living room.

In the old days, families would gather around the radio to hear a nice evening program, after the chores were finished. There were a few programs that the children enjoyed, and others that the whole family wanted to hear. . . . In later years, this also happened with a TV set.

My Father worked hard at his job, and around the house. He had a large garage with a wood stove and a workshop. He was in charge of our garden and all maintenance for the cars and house. He also kept things tidy indoors, always cleaning up after himself. We children respected him and his need for rest. So when he wanted to watch a program, we children would sit on the floor, or couch, nearby and watch it with him. We saw many old westerns on Saturday afternoons. 

 On a weekly basis, we watched Lawrence Welk. We were always so excited when that program came on. We all enjoyed it so much!

We would have popcorn, or chips and just be together on those happy nights, watching television with Mother and Dad. 



In those days, there was no such thing as a VCR or DVD player. We had never even heard of such a thing. If we missed a special movie . . .well. . .that was that.   We could only hope it would come on again next year.

Most of our time was spent outside, or working, or at school. Television was special because most of the programs were wholesome and family centered. We would laugh and smile and be encouraged by genuine comedy in a time when vulgarity was unheard of. 

I remember snowy winter nights, sitting by a roaring fireplace and watching Charlie Brown.  This was a rare treat!  We children would have already spent time in the kitchen, sitting together at the table, eating supper that Mother made. Then we would have our share of the chores, doing dishes, sweeping, and cleaning the table. When that work was finished, we could sit and enjoy a nice entertaining program and just relax and be happy.

Today, there are so many choices on television - almost too many.  Sometimes I worry that television is such a magnet that we could watch all our time away. But the programs of this era can never compare to the sweet wholesome shows of yesteryear.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

It Takes Mothers with Christmas Courage.

Remembering my Mother-in-Law - Classic Old Fashioned Housewife.

The Path to Holiness - Encouraged by A. W. Tozer.

 

 - 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.

1930's Style Homemaking

LOC: Mother with her child, at home in North Carolina, 1939.

 

I have been watching old episodes of The Waltons on DVD. I have enjoyed it so much. "Livie" (the Mom) and "Gramma" both work in the house all day. They take wonderful care of the family. They both wear practical dresses and aprons and have their hair up. They are representing the actions and lives of housewives in the 1930's.

I have been so inspired to just have a quiet house. Is it possible to shut off most of the lights and technology for just a few days? I want an old fashioned home. I want to have a lovely living room, neat and tidy. I want to enjoy polishing my furniture and sweeping my floors. I want to have a nice workbasket beside my chair so I can sit with the family while mending, sewing or crocheting.

I want to listen to a nice old fashioned radio program with everyone sitting all around me. I want my children to come to the table for a large, home cooked dinner. And then, I want to joyfully and lovingly clean up the mess afterwards while the children play on the front porch, so they don't get underfoot.

I want guests to show up and I will have tea and cake ready to serve them. I want to enjoy the old fashioned life in this current day and age.

I want to watch more of the Waltons and get my inspiration. Then I want to put it into action. Where is my peace? My peace cometh from the Lord, and the old paths. My peace cometh when I am in my place, the keeper at home.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -


We Must Learn  - To Earn and Not to Spend.

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

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

 

 

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