Reading From Wives and Daughters, and Other Books

Good Day, Wonderful Ladies at Home!

Today on Homemaking Radio I read from the book published in 1900 by Margaret Elizabeth Sangster. The version I have has been made into a work-study book with places to write. You might be able to get a reprint of the original at Thriftbooks or other book sellers online. This version has turned the chapters into lessons with places to write observations and answer questions at the end of each chapter. 

Winsome Womanhood by Margaret Sangster, published 1900

I also read from a site about the letter writing of Jane Austen's times, HERE.

One of my grandchildren has drawn landscaping pictures for me, to improve

one of the areas near The Manse. I am already trying to work on it.

This is that area now. I have great plans for its improvement.

I read from Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

published from 1864-66.

Please enjoy being home while you listen to the broadcast today:

Listen While You Enjoy Your Home

Hello Dear Ones,

I'm getting ready to go outside to walk down this pasture.

Today in the broadcast I talked briefly about the artist, Edmund Blair Leighton. Here are a few of his paintings:

Painting: Seclusion, by Edmund Blair Leighton

Waiting, by Edmund Blair Leighton

When you view his paintings, which you can find on Pinterest and other places, you might see some lovely structures in the backgrounds. Besides painting (art) he had also studied architecture.

In the broadcast I talked about the dress I wore:

Gooseberry Patch has a collection of old church supper recipes which I enjoyed reading.

Teatime Magazine 

 

Please enjoy your time at home while you listen today:

The Sermon We Show

Thank you for your visit. It gives me the motivation I need to keep “homeschooling” you.

Today I talked about the sermon we show, and a few other things.

Here are the two poems I read:

“You are writing a Gospel,

A chapter each day,

By deeds that you do,

By words that you say.

Men read what you write,

Whether faithless or true;

Say, what is the Gospel

According to you?”

― Paul Gilbert

"I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day."

 

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 is a better pupil, more willing than the ear;

Fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear,

And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,

For to see a good put in action is what everybody needs.

I can soon learn how to do it if you will let me see it done;

I can watch your hand in action, but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true,

But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do.

For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give,

But there is 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 stands 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 noted 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 everyone is clear.

Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

-- Edgar A. Guest

One of the children went into business as soon as he arrived.

I have been keeping things placid at home. No trauma, no drama and no sudden changes.

One of the paintings I live in.

I read about Jane Austen's politics,

showed how to write a little book for a child,

and read about Mr. Gibson's response to Molly's outburst:

"We shall not speak of it for now. We both will say things we will regret."

 

Please enjoy doing things around the home or resting, while you listen today:

             

We Will Talk Soon

I hope you are all doing well. I have been busy with everyone, and stopping occasionally to make notes of things to talk about in my next broadcast to you all. 

I created a day camp with outdoor furniture so we could take tea and be in the shade.

We have found these little wild apples while on a walk, just as people have done long ago.

Someone got the idea to make natural scents for the home, and presenting a sniff test. 

Did you know I am living in a painting? I see a number of these scenes printed on canvas in the shops, but here it is.

I’ll be glad when you next come to visit and we can talk. I have learned several things since I last saw you.

Lydia 

 

Hospitality to Your Own People

I hope you are all doing as well as can be expected under your current circumstances.

I have been cleaning up around The Manse, 

...which includes having tea.

Today on the broadcast I wore the dress I made from this 1984 Laura Ashley pattern, and talked about a new magazine which will eventually be available to you online. I read from several books and gave you about an hour's worth of conversation to listen to while you get some things done at home.

Hope to Be With You Soon

Your visits here are appreciated more than you know. I try to talk about things that will reinforce home living and give homemakers confidence and enthusiasm for all the home really is. 

I am so looking forward to talking to you  again soon. It has been very busy at The Manse and hard to find a quiet spot but it will be forthcoming.

It looks like I am back to avocado green, a color I thought I never wanted in my home again. The 1970’s was so inundated with it, from walls to carpet and appliances, and often there were no other choices. But now after pairing some of the furnishings with white, it is more tolerable. 

So Glad You’re Here. Miss Lillian wasted no time sewing a dress with cotton fabric and trim I bought at Hobby Lobby. She sews without patterns by using squares and circles of fabric. The blue hat is from Mail order company: Mountain Warehouse in England. 

The children have created a florist shop using the wilds  and my jar and vase collection .

I have given my porch ruins a fresh look by painting the furniture mint green.

When I return with a broadcast, these are the things I want to present:

Reading a Homemade Magazine 

Creating Useful Habits Even When You are Alone

Guest Ideas

How to make beeswax perfume 

Mr. Gibson’s announcement to his daughter

Weather: dew point 

Nature Walk

I hope you are all doing well. 

I have been with the younger children on a leisurely morning nature walk. 

We collected leaves, tree cones, small stones shaped like houses and hearts, and wild apples.  We would have walked further but stopped far too long to sample the juicy blackberries. 

 I will try to visit with you soon.

Overcoming the Doubters

 

In today's broadcast I discussed a few things that might help to overcome things that plant doubt in your ability and success as a homemaker. I encourage you to  draw your own conclusions by  observing this kind of thing many times.

This is from the pattern I bought last year and is still available in stores and online

Usually I attach sleeves cut from other patterns but the pattern sleeve here works well. 

This is the pattern I used here:

If you are going to use this pattern, you can always leave out one set of tucks if the dress is too snug, or sew them more narrow, depending on what you need.

The new Victoria is centered on historical Scotland and includes some recipes that some of us tried and found to be delicious. If I had only one resource and was expected to use it to homeschool you, I could get all I needed from this issue.

Please enjoy your work, your walk or your rest while you listen to this episode .

 

Thank you, Readers, Listeners, Commenters and Subscribers, for your visits. They are a great motivation for me. 

I hope in the next broadcast to address a couple of questions I never get around to. I haven’t forgotten those of you who have emailed me with those sticky subjects. 

Just to get in some needed calmness I have hand stitched a decorative cushion. I hope to tell tell you “how to”.

I have not spoken to you for 6 days and I always regret that I don’t get here more often. I am also trying to save my vital vocal chords so that I can speak more clearly. I hope to broadcast after I get ready for the day, so maybe you will see it soon. 

One of my sons lives in Texas on a farm with his family and he sent me these photos. In some ways it looks much the same as here in Oregon.

Young at Home

Greetings kind listeners.

We are hearing harvest all around us here.

On my list this week was to do two things I wanted to do, even though not at all necessary. One of them was to make a decorative cushion. This one is easy and you can do it too. All you need is a swath of cloth of some kind, and it doesn't even have to be new fabric. It can be square or you can cut it round. Then, put some kind of filler or stuffing in the middle, draw up all the sides and secure it with an elastic band and pull out the ends of the cloth into a ruffle. I used aqua fleece fabric because it does not shred, but any old piece of clothing that you are going to discard would suffice. 

I have been to Hobby Lobby and of course I love to look at the printed manufactured wall art there. I was noticing how many of them looked like this, which is a scene from my window, and also I didn't want to forget to say one of the reasons I enjoy walking around in that store is that the merchandise is "never a discouraging word."  

Around the Manse today...

 ...a fresh look for an old porch chair..

...a dress I made for one of my descendants, from Shabby Fabrics cotton print.

For those who like to sew, I'll try some day to do a picture tutorial of how to sew in the piping on the neckline.

I didn’t get “before” pictures but here’s the “after” of the floor.

Today I addressed the young ladies about the way being young helps you in your vital years.

Please enjoy the broadcast while you work, rest, walk, or sleep.