Curtain Options

Out here in a more private and country setting, window coverings are not necessary for privacy. However, many of us prefer curtains and shades to protect the inside from harsh sunlight  or to cover the evening darkness with something more colorful. We, none of us, enjoy looking at black windows and curtains provide a soft shield and a bright spot.

The wired pearl tie-backs are actually a garland from Hobby Lobby found in the wedding department for just a few dollars when they are half price.  These can be used as decor in other ways, as well. 

This is my new dining room curtain and you would be pleasantly surprised at all the options we have for curtains. There was an era where the drapery hardware was so complicated that none of it would accommodate a simple hand sewn rod-pocket curtain.

I removed all the 1960's hardware and put up something more simple on which to place curtain rings and soft fabric.

My windows are 130 inches wide so it is quite expensive to even make the curtains myself. When the home sewn ones needed replaced, I found an easy answer at a grocery store called Grocery Outlet. You might have something like that in your town.

These were cloth shower curtains with a windowpane texture, as you can see. I used the plastic liner that came with the curtains in one of our bathrooms, and was happy to have the curtain rings that were included in the package,  on a pretty rod that I got at Walmart. 

The curtains look so professional that you would not know they were shower curtains, and since I needed a quantity of them, the price was just right: $7 each, and I needed 4.. They hang with folds that look like professional drapery. 

I like the idea of inexpensive curtains because  it is more economical to change the style or color.

Please click to enlarge, and then again, to see the waffle-weave texture. I'm enjoying seeing these cheerful curtains as I walk through a room.

Creating Separate Spaces in Open Floor Plans

There was an interesting question I have been thinking about, concerning the problem of open-floor plans.  Or, sometimes a room is too long and needs to be divided.  Here are some ideas about sectioning off rooms without walls.

One lady took her book shelves, which were rather tall, and placed them between the kitchen and the living room., with the backs toward the kitchen, so that they looked like a wall. She placed a narrow table there on the kitchen side, to serve as a type of buffet table. I was impressed with it, but it was back in the day when it wasn't a custom to take a picture, so all you have to use is my description here. 

Others have found these folding screens from Hobby Lobby useful for their purposes:

Several things you will need to be aware of when using room dividers like these.

 They will need something to stabilize the screen, as it is easily knocked over unless it has some heavy potted plants at the base on both sides (real or artificial), or you can use an attractive chair on each side, or perhaps a narrow table for writing, or books or some other decorative display.

I received several requests about this book which is depicted in this picture from Pinterest. It turns out that I have this book and will review it for you on a video.  It is called, "Tea With Jane Austen" and is available at Thriftbooks. I like using Thriftbooks because they sometimes have free postage and after a number of book purchases, will let you choose a free book.

Things are getting more orderly around here and I'm collecting some thoughts for the time that I will sit still and chat with you on video while you go about your daily routine.

Thank you for your love. Thank you for your comments!! Thank you for your sweet donations, and especially for your prayers.

Future Radio Broadcast

Hello Ladies,

It has been so far a very dreary winter, and quite uncomfortable for many people, but I bought some primroses to brighten the porch.

  I think the primroses are your perfect bouquet, and can be used indoors on your tables or kitchen. They have about 12 blossoms on each plant, and what a delight because you can set them outside in summer, and extend the joy.

These cost only $1.50 each--is that not a wonderful bargain for such a burst of freshness and color? You can put them in a pretty plant container or a bowl, without taking them out of the container they are in.

 I hope to broadcast a radio program soon, on various subjects, to hear while you go about your daily work.

Please remember these videos are intended to hear, not watch. Most people are very busy and can't watch videos, so these radio broadcasts are perfect for the homemaker, and are about homemaking, which are helpful to hear while you work.

I couldn't resist showing you this canvas picture at Hobby Lobby, because it is so typical prairie/farm land and buildings.  

As a girl brought up on and by the ocean, with a seafaring father (I even worked on his fishing vessel when I was a teenager), it has taken me a very long time to appreciate the beauty of this land, which is so different than the coast, but now I am finally smitten by every picture I see of a barn!

Regrettably, I left the picture in the Hobby Lobby, waiting til a 50 % off sale. Mr. S. scolds me when I do that, because he says it costs more, when you live at a distance from the Hobby Lobby, to go back again to get the thing you wanted.

I also think I will paint something someday, but I'm in a great upheaval at home, dealing with deep cleaning and "the archives."

I hope to be here on video soon!!

I love you all and thank you for your comments and any donations. I especially thank you for your prayers.

Lydia

Church Bulletin Snippets

Hello Ladies,

Many churches have church bulletins online now, but we still have the printed ones. Here are some of the poems and snippets from recent church bulletins:

Count your blessings, not your crosses.

Count your gains, not your losses. 

Count your joys, not your woes.

Count your friends, not your foes.

Count your courage, not your fears.

Count your laughter, not your tears.

Count your health, not your wealth.

Count on God, not yourself.

The best vitamin for a Christian is B1.

The Lord's church: Under same management for over 2000 years. 

Soul food served here.

Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people,

A heart that forgives the worst,

A mind that forgets the bad, and

A soul that never loses faith in God.

A New/Old Picture

Hello Ladies,

This is not the type or color of pictures I normally use in my home,  but it tugged at my heart due to the amount of old sheds and barns around here in the farm country.  I have it on the wall near the old cabinet that shares that same old wood and dark metal top. There is more to this old barn, as it has a story behind it, as most old structures do. This is about as old as our buildings get, out in the prairies.  It is available at Hobby Lobby, and when the pictures are all half price, this one is only $7.00.

Twelve Things You Can Do, Yourself

Hello Ladies,

Please subscribe to my blog, on the left, and you will be alerted when there are other things here besides videos.

I was inspired today but a lot of things I saw, and I want to share with you how you can do it yourself, beautifully, your own way, suitable for your life and your home.

1.  Your Own Notepad and Schedule/List/Appointment Book.

Make your own list pads using Dollar Tree items or cut up some paper and make a stack of your own.

2. Your own florals.

Using Dollar Tree floral bushes, try making your own bouquets to brighten the house, or find any fresh, free greenery outside to put in a vase or floral oasis.  I have a sage bush (the kind you use in cooking), and dusty miller, as well as other green things, that freshen the air inside the house when put in a dish. You do not need real vases because you can use tin cans and jars once they are emptied.

3. If you have bookshelves and quite a few books, line them up according to color to compliment the other furnishings in your house.

4. Leave your bathroom beautifully cleaned and arranged, as though you are a guest coming to a fancy hotel. It will give you a feeling of dignity every time you get ready in the morning.

5. Pause throughout the day to be thankful for some small privilege or for any blessing.

6. Dress the best you can that is appropriate for the home.   Wear pretty clothes, make your appearance beautiful, paying special attention to your hair and face. 

7. Call someone to wish them a blessed day and ask if there is anything they need prayer for, or anything within your ability to do for them.

8. Say "thank you" to anyone who serves you in the public, from the grocery store to those who let you go first or open doors for you.

(Ladies, I am looking to buy this pattern. It is 1990's or maybe 1980's McCalls 7956)

9. Plan your year's clothing on paper, sketching the things you want for various weather conditions, events, and daily things.

10. Pick up after yourself and put things away immediately.

The book pictured here is called "Tea With Jane Austen" by Pen Vogler. Check Thrift Books online for availability.

11. Make breakfast from natural ingredients, perhaps learning something new, and serve it on your best dishes. Drink from a tea cup.

12. Clean or sort through something you have been putting off, every day. Create something pretty.

 These things do not "solve" any deep problems, but they lighten the burdens a little when you are pressed with things.

Homemaking Radio: Household Tips, Avoiding Futile-ism

We Live by Love, Not by Rules; Appearance Improves Mood; Using Something Negative for Something Good

If for some reason you are not able to comment, please send an email and I will post it. The comments you make are slightly delayed because I have to post them myself from my dashboard.

Stair step basket from Wayfair

The Next Post

Hello Dear Ladies,

I know some of you are waiting for another Homemaker Radio episode, and I assure you--nothing else has been on my mind. I hope to put that post up very soon so that you will have something on Monday to work by.

You recall that lovely multi-colored bouquet, only $4.95 at our Super Walmart, which I showed previously.

It easily filled 5 small vases which lift up anyone who ventures into the small rooms of this cottage. I'm showing three of them here, and below, is a preview of the teacup I will be featuring on the next radio broadcast:

 These are my own pictures, and I hope to get time to add them to my Pinterest collection. The link to my Pinterest is on the left column here. 

 I hope to "see" you later on today so I won't say "have a lovely day." For those of you overseas, that's one of our more optimistic ways of saying "Goodbye."

Refinement, Don't Wait for the Culture to Change

Horrid weather here today but I'm trying to make it a little sunnier with this video for you.

Check out Roxy's new video here Living From Glory to Glory

 Carnations last a long time (at least a month). This is a bouquet from the Walmart and costs $4.95--good deal for the homemaker. It can be divided into smaller bunches and distributed in small containers, even teacups, for bright spots around the house.

Homemaking Radio: Appearance First, Providing Cleanliness and Comfort, Homemaking With Spiritual Values

Available at Homegoods and other discount stores:

Gracie Bone China from Coastline Imports.

In the Works: Homemaking Radio, Sewing, Moving Things Around

Greetings Homemakers and Future Homemakers,

After I get myself arranged ;-) I will  pour a cup of tea while I speak on a  new Homemaking Radio episode to listen while you do things around the house. I realize it is a weekend and most people will probably use this on Monday.

You may remember all that cranberry color I had in the living room a month ago.  I moved it to the lady's guest room: quilts, cushions, florals and tea things:

A lot of the pillows are hand made from 19---.  If you have heard previous videos you know the story.

My daughter made these for me from an old sweater.

I have always liked this April Cornell Dress and once tried it on in a shop, and it looked and felt great. However the price has been way over $100 and even on sale, the postage brings the price up.  It is sold at Victorian Trading Company. It is called Midnight Rose.

I like the idea of giving a dress a name. I love names, in fact, have sometimes named the rooms in my house.

At the end of the bolt of fabric at Walmart there is always a nice name such as "Carnation" or "China Blue" and "Blush."

I had this fabric by Waverly from Walmart, and a pattern that seems similar, so I might try to imitate it for just pennies:

 I would have to put a little plackett in the front to raise the neckline and also make some other adjustments. This is cotton.  The original dress is cotton and rayon. 

Thinking about it and actually getting the time to do it, are two different things, as you know.

It is always nice to have a dream, an idea, a hope, even if it never comes to fruition.