Busy at Home

Today's fog view produced this vivid sunset:

I am so happy you came to visit today and I hope it is edifying!! I've very encouraged when you listen and leave your thoughts in a comment here.

I ordered some paper teacups with handles from the web and 

was so pleased with them. They worked well. Acquire these by doing a web search for paper teacups with handles . These are sometimes listed as party supplies. 

I sent my visitors off with a tray ala Lady Harriot in her carriage. Affectionate devotees of Wives and Daughters will remember that scene of someone serving her a refreshment on a tray through the window of her carriage. I got a kick out of reenacting that scene with hot tea, using these paper cups:

I shared from my recent Eric Sloane book the origin of the dollar sign.

I also did a brief review of a girls activity book. There is a boys book like this you can order, and there are several publishers with different covers.

I always suggest that older women read and do the activities in these books, because they benefit greatly  from doing the things they were not given the opportunity to do when they were growing up. Also, its very edifying and restoring to do everything you want your own children to do. 

You could get a scrapbook or journal book and paste in all the handicrafts shown in this book. I am planning to do this, myself.

I made this video for my laid-up, shut-in friends who are recovering from illness and not getting around much.  If you are one of them, this is a good time to get re-acquainted with the video version of Wives and Daughters. You can watch it free on Dailymotion.com 

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Check around Dailymotion for other channels that have the complete video series and try to watch them in order. 

You can also order a dvd set for yourself online.

Please enjoy being home while you listen:

 

       

 For Edgar Guest poetry books GO HERE

I read these poems by Edgar Guest, which you may also find printed online.

At The Door

The Real Successes

When Mother Cooked With Wood

The Home Builders

I tried this fitness move for arm fitness.

Here is a very good physician I have been listening to, regarding easy steps to better health.

Dignity in Dress and Speech, and Other Things at Home

Greetings Dear Friends,

We are having very fine fog today. 

Thank you for coming today. I spoke at length on the video about dignity in speech and clothing at home, and read poetry. I left out most of the things I listed to say, which gives me a chance to do another video.

I have combined herbs to make a feel better tea,

and selected food without an ingredient list:

I tried this coffee and highly recommend it. 

These teas I sampled during the last month:

I wonder if I should even bother to say it rains all the time here:

I read the following, which was attributed to a Confederate soldier. It has been in church bulletins over the years:

I asked God for strenth

That I might achieve;

I was made weak

That I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health

That I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity

That I might do better things.

I asked for riches

That I might be happy;

I was given poverty

That I might be wise.

I asked for power

That I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness

That I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things

That I might enjoy life;

I was given life

That I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for,

Bust everything that I hoped for;

Almost, despite myself, my unspoken prayers

were answered.

I am among all men, most richly blessed.

 

The Edgar Guest poems I read were:

Good Enough

My Goals

Just Folks

Who is Your Boss

A List of his poetry can be found HERE

The lady I like to watch who does a lot of homestead type things, has a good video on 

HERBS HERE.  

Enjoy my PINTEREST collection of fantastic things I'll never acquire (and don't have to clean!)

I hope you can get a few things done around the house while you listen:

My word today is HINGED , as opposed to UN-HINGED and here are the words:

H - Happiness

I -  Innovation, Inspiration

N - Noble

G - Gratitude

E -  Elegant, Excellence

D -  Delight

Thank you for all you do for me!

Encouraging Female Politicians to Dress With the Dignity of Their Offices 

I encourage all conservative female politicians in the Congress and in public eye to show less bare skin and wear more business attire designed with dignity and, with less attraction to things besides their cognitive abilities.

 Why is it that the Democrat women tend to dress more conservatively in  modest suits befitting the solemnity of the office, while conservative women are more flamboyant and immodest? 

I implore you all to be a better example and influence in your appearance. Conservatives claim to be more in line with religious values and it would seem to follow that they are more conservative in appearance. 

We would be all in an uproar if the men showed up in Congress in sleeveless clothes not buttoned to their necks, or short pants. The men know how to properly cover themselves. 

Women in politics have the money to do better in their attire. Of course I pray our president’s wife and female family members will also consider this. It is not necessary to be stuck in the 1960’s cultural revolution with the mini this and mini that and the barest essentials. There are good clothes still available that are appropriate for our times.

 Ladies when you consider buying a dress, make sure to buy the WHOLE dress, not one with all the holes in it or missing parts. 

This sounds incredible to people who have grown up trying to look sexy instead of serious, but serious can be attractive. A clever designer who could tap into this field of female dignity and respect could be at the head of a great movement. MAGA and modest too.

Merry, Merry Days at Home

I am late with your Merry Christmas greeting but thank you to all who sent me a card and email greetings. I hope to be back here soon with a home living/keepers at home video message.

The picture comes from Pinterest. It looks like AI art but such a nice nook arrangement. It could be replicated with chairs and furniture coverings in front of a window, as the picture shows. 

At the end of a day, there is one last color display here before the darkness. 

Thank you for being here. I appreciate the comments, because they give me good subjects to speak about. 

Lydia Ruth

Blessings Today

Hello and welcome. I have another video but not yet uploaded. In the meantime I hope you are having a blessed holiday with your family or if you are alone, I hope you are enjoying the season  in your own quiet way. 

My decorations are sparse this year but I hope to have pictures on the next post . 

I suspect that everyone over a certain age is awake by 4 a.m., so I admit I have photographed some fascinating night scenes, such as this one:

We are being as quiet and settled as possible and are home alone this year, but with plenty of interests, and always trying to keep up with necessary tasks. 

I hope to be speaking with you again soon. Thank you for your enthusiasm and your love.

Lydia Ruth

 

We got the miniature battery operated houses at the dollar store this year and found them so lightweight— no chords or trouble to change the bulbs. 

You probably wonder about that retro washtub in the corner. I use it to store things. 

I plan to finish the interior of the dollhouse and show you. 

The local grocery store had these stretch covers for furniture and it protects Grandma’s old chair. 

(Video) Girls at Home 4

We are still fogged-in and enjoying being more confined and getting some unfinished things completed. I've had this sewing project here for a few days and looking forward to completing it. 

I also enjoyed an old issue of Victoria magazine, with the theme:

"The Pure Joy of Being Home".

Poetry reading from this episode:

The Younger Generation

by Edgar A. Guest

1881-1959

This younger generation seems

To mock at all our preaching;

To want to build its house of dreams

Without our wiser teaching.

It looks at us with cool disdain

And scorns the hints we're giving.

We've lived, of course, but all in vain;

What do WE know of living?

We are the kill-joys of the place

Who cry: "Beware of strangers.

Sin lurks behind the smiling face.

The streets are full of dangers."

So, poor old fogies that we are,

We sit with fingers drumming,

The pale, despairing Pa and Ma

Who dread what next is coming,

Ah, well! one time at counsel wise

WE sneered in youth's elation;

WE scorned the old who would advise

To seek our own salvation.

So why should we grow sorely vexed,

Or trouble seek to borrow?

THEY'LL be the kill-joys of the next

Glad age which starts tomorrow.

The good advice they're heading not

THEY'LL soon be giving,

And hear THEIR children wonder what

THEY know of life and living!

I do plan on moving on to another subject series and I hope in the meantime there is something in this broadcast for you to absorb, no matter what your family situation. This is addressed to girls in the home, encouraging them to be home-based.

(Video) Girls Please Stay Home 3

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for coming and thank you for your prayers and the wonderful comments.

Today's words to look up: 

Serenity

Tranquility

We do love our fog, as you see here.

Looking through this 1989 edition of Victoria. 

On the broadcast today I read aloud about Cyrus the Great, who was noted in scripture.

I listed in previous posts and in this video the following things for young women to include in their lives at home:

-feminine dress

-homemaking

-hospitality

-tea time

-letter writing

-leisure: art, literature, hand-work, music, reading, writing, walking, nature activities 

This message is for daughters at home and the parents will benefit also. I have a 4th one in this series but not got it loaded up and posted. I have to attend to a birthday and get the kitchen back in working order ☺️

(Video) Girls at Home 1

Hello Ladies, and welcome to The Manse.

This is part 1 of a discussion about being home-based. Bring your girls alongside as you tend to your home, and enjoy the broadcast together. Pause it for intermittent discussions.

I read from Eric Sloane's Weather Book about

the way weather can affect a person's mood and health.

A corner of The Manse:

All is dark and mysterious in this current season:

Thank you for visiting and I hope you can get some things done at home while you listen:

(Video) Girls Please Stay Home 2

This is part two on the subject of staying home. Titus 2:5 says "workers at home".  Workers, in this verse, means "managers," and "home" is the location.

I shared tea. This brand had hyssop in it. 

I read 1 Timothy 5:14 from 

the Greek here

I read the following poem:

Sermons We See by Edgar Guest

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;  I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.  The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,  Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;  And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,  For to see good put in action is what everybody needs. I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;  I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.  And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,  But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;  For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,  But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live. When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.  When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind  Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me  To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.  And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today  Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way. One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;  One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.  Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,  For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.  Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,  I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

It looks like this outside:

Please enjoy home while you listen:

(Video) Talking and Reading While You Do Some Things in Your Home

Hello Gracious Ladies at Home,

I hope all is well with you in your present circumstances.

We are having interesting weather with  subdued colors.

The Queen Ann's Lace has a soft, powdery scent.

This week's interest is how to cook Hobo stew and cornbread. One does not need to go far from home to do this, as it is just as enjoyable in the kitchen.

I also enjoy Lucy's 5 minute chair excercise routine.

Please enjoy being home while you listen today.

Nice art decal on this Stechcol pedestal tea/coffee cup found in discount stores.

What I wore at home:

For this look I paired an old black skirt I got at the Walmart ( 30 years ago— yes there were some very durable items then) with a current Walmart  black mohair/cotton cropped cardigan.

I’ll wear this if I have go anywhere. 

I will have the apron on to protect the garment during tasks in and out of the house. Someone made it for me. Apparently at the Walmart and the Hobby Lobby there are plain thick cotton aprons and iron-on embroidery patterns for aprons featuring each day of the week. This one says “ clean day.” I’d love to have the whole series. 

 I got this green rayon cable knit top recently from Walmart for $5 and sometime I’ll try to do a tutorial on how to sew v-necks that are too low— easily with needle and double thread.