Part of our property, here in Vermont.   I went in the garden this morning to get some blueberries.  We have had a gentle rain throughout the night. It has cooled the air.  I looked through the leaves of the plants seeking whatever berries were ripe.  Then I put them in a little bag to bring indoors to wash them. I felt grateful for nourishing food I didn't have to buy at the store. This not only saves me money, it also brings me quiet moments of rest and peace as I do the work to gather the little harvest. These little chores of home life are comforting, especial ..read more

LOC: Home Canned Goods, Vermont, 1939. There has been a great change in the way homemakers manage their kitchens.  It used to be that they would grow much of their own food in the garden. They would preserve this food and store it in a pantry or root cellar.  As time has passed, many have forgotten these necessary skills.  The supermarkets carry ready-made meals, frozen and canned goods and all kinds of treats and snacks. Many rely on the local store for their daily food instead of looking to the pantry or what has been stored away for the family's nourishment. There h ..read more

Seasonal room for writing at Mrs. White's house. We have been enduring an unusual heatwave.  It used to feel like it was much cooler here in the mountains of Vermont in the summer months.  I am not prepared for such a long stretch of hot weather.  This has affected the type of things we are doing at home.  When some of the grandchildren are here for a visit, we stay in the cooler rooms, by the fan.  I am not baking as much. I am limiting kitchen work.  We need to stay cool and as comfortable as possible. One afternoon, as grandchildren were here, I set t ..read more

Journal notebook on Mrs. White's table. There are days when I don't feel like I have accomplished much at home.  I may be busy, doing too many errands, or just not feeling well. Since I have a basic schedule and routine for housework, things don't get too out of control.  In other words, the house stays decent and somewhat neat.   This reminds me of the example of my mother.  It was in her nature to do those little jobs that kept the home looking nice.  Even in her older years, as she walked with a cane, she made keeping house look like it didn't take mu ..read more

Gift Shop at the Lincoln Mansion in Vermont, from our travels a few years ago. Before the pandemic, we decided to stop at tourist sites and beautiful places on our errands and travels.   These brought moments of rest and joy as we went along the difficult roads of life. As we look at our surroundings in nature, homes, buildings, and museums, we get a rest and a time of refreshment. I shared some of this in our Tour of Vermont series. During our stops, we got a break, enjoying the experience without spending money. I want to start doing this again.  I would like to fin ..read more

Milk can and roses near the front porch at Mrs. White's House. We are getting ready to be shut in from the outside world and just keep house.   It is nearly July but we know winter and the cold weather will come very soon.  This is the time of year when we have to prepare.  We need to stock up on food.  We need fuel for the heat.  We need money for winter and for when hard times come.  Most of all, we need to prepare our hearts and minds to enjoy a quiet way of life here at our homestead in rural Vermont. Each week I head into town to buy supplies ..read more

An Old Fashioned Television at Mrs. White's House. We have Amish neighbors in the next town.  They moved here from Pennsylvania a few years ago.  Shortly after they arrived, I had a lovely visit with the Grandmother at their bakery stand.  They had spent their first winter living in the barn on their new property.  A house was being built by the family.  I saw sweet little children running on the farm having a wonderful time.  They looked so precious and happy.  Sometime later, a beautiful house was all ready for them to live in.  Have you ever ..read more

Outdoor swing at Mrs. White's House. If one is to be the light of the world, there must be a sense of joy and peace coming from the heart and mind.  We have the ability to create a haven in our homes. This is where we feel safe and at rest. Home is where one finds compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. It is the place where we serve one another in love.  But what happens when we leave this sanctuary? We need to put on the whole armour of God. I did not fully understand this until recently. It took on a whole new meaning for me this past week.  Sometimes we will sense a st ..read more

Lilacs from the garden at Mrs. White's house.  I have had to simplify things around here lately.  There is not enough time or energy to do my usual routine.   Yet, there will always be some basic work that must be done. This past week I needed to bake bread and a batch of homemade cookies.  It is better for me to have homemade food as much as possible than the expensive store-bought version. It is also healthier.  The effort of baking and cooking is very tiring, but I am always relieved and grateful when the work is done. I have been too tired to walk th ..read more

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 ..read more