Your Style Statement

I didn't read the book (Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design), but reading reviews about it made me think it would be fun to come up with my own style statement. From what I've heard, the book helps you come up with your own two-word style-statement, among other things. It may be a very silly, good, or useless book. But I liked the idea of defining your stlye. So after leaving it in the back of my mind for a month or so, I came up with Nostalgic Utilitarian. (Although some might argue I have no style!)

For me this means I like things that have meaning and a purpose. Like the little jars that make me think of a 30's kitchen. And I fill with spices to use every day. I don't like to have too many things just sitting around being decorative. I love depression-style antiques that are in good shape for everyday use! Like my sweet measuring spoons. (Thanks, Mom!

What's your style statement? Try to think of two words that best describe your style and leave your answer with a little explanation in the comments box.

Sometimes it's nice to have new things...

I have been eyeing this blouse since long-sleeved shirts came in last year. Today I found it on clearance for $3!

It's time to plant seeds again! Here are my finds this week. Next week I hope to get a watering can or some dirt!

I'm also taking down all my pink to decorate in green and yellow...but I think all I have are yellow things!

The lovely dishcloths my grandmother knitted for me.

The dish towels I embroidered for my hope chest.

Notebook

Click for a close-up.

Here is a valentine for my readers (all 10 of you!)
If you are interested, I am working on making some of my organizational notebook pages available to click and print. Feel free to cut and paste them into Word on your own computer if you want to tweak them. I am also adding links to printouts that I found online.

My notebook is where I organize my home life. I use a binder with a clear front and make a new collage to slip in from time to time. Inside, the dividers are labeled:
1. Calendar (just Publisher-created monthly calendar pages with holes punched.)
2. God (Daily Lectionary, prayer requests to remember)
3. Nest (housework)
4. Meals
5. Christmas
6. Dreaming (for doodles and writing out thoughts)

Have fun!

Bathmat

I watched this video on how to make a bathmat and thought I'd share. I love to find ways to save money or do things yourself. I'm not sure how I would care for the rug, though. I guess hand wash--I sure wouldn't make a white one!http://ecologue.com/ShowVideo/Eco-Bath-Rug

For a more old-fashioned look, you could take your old towels, cut them into strips, and make a braided bathmat. That might look more old fashioned.

Yesterday I began reading about Montessori again, because I would like to do Montessori-style homeschooling for preschool when we have a little one of our own. I don't completely accept Montessori theory, but the emphasis on beauty, order, reality, and peacefulness appeals to me. I also like the idea of having a child's activities on shelves organized, and taking seriously what children do. It seems to me that the sooner a child learns to wash a dish and cut his own fruit, the better! Also, I have never liked to have a lot of plastic around. In the kitchen it all hides in one drawer! I would much rather have things that look neat and are made from natural materials. Especially clay and wood.

As I was reading I decided to make my house more Montessori-friendly now! If I never had a bouquet on my own table....why would I put one on a child's? So I looked up the lesson on washing dishes and set to work. But this time my eyes were opened! I saw disorder everywhere. I ended up organizing the pantry, the fridge, going through my library and getting rid of the low-quality reading material, and making the kitchen beautiful! Or at least easy on the eyes...

P.S. The second photo was taken at our favorite vacation spot- Shelter Cove, CA.

Too inspired to blog!

Embrace the enthusiasm! Go visit Warm Pie Happy Home!!

Finally!

Sixteen months after buying our 1955 foreclosure, I have painted my kitchen, dining room, and one bedroom!!!!! 10,000 nail holes and the irritating blue--all gone. Ah, the lovely, crisp, continuous white!

...and now to pick up all the junk that has accumulated.

Rules for Washing Dishes

Here is another quote from A Treatise on Domestic Economy (1845). Just thought it was interesting.

Rules for Washing Dishes:

1. Scrape the dishes, putting away any food which may remain on them, and which it may be proper to save for future use. Put grease into the grease-pot, and whatever else may be on the plates, into the slop-pail. Save tea-leaves, for sweeping. Set all the dishes, when scraped, in regular piles; the smallest at the top.

2. Put the nicest articles in the wash-dish, and wash them in hot suds, with the swab or nicest dish-cloth. Wipe all metal articles, as soon as they are washed.[Pg 319] Put all the rest into the rinsing-dish, which should be filled with hot water. When they are taken out, lay them to drain on the waiter. Then rinse the dish-cloth, and hang it up, wipe the articles washed, and put them in their places.

3. Pour in more hot water, wash the greasy dishes with the dish-cloth made for them; rinse them, and set them to drain. Wipe them, and set them away. Wash the knives and forks, being careful that the handles are never put in water; wipe them, and then lay them in a knife-dish, to be scoured.

4. Take a fresh supply of clean suds, in which, wash the milk-pans, buckets, and tins. Then rinse and hang up this dish-cloth, and take the other; with which, wash the roaster, gridiron, pots, and kettles. Then wash and rinse the dish-cloth, and hang it up. Empty the slop-bucket and scald it. Dry metal teapots and tins before the fire. Then put the fireplace in order, and sweep and dust the kitchen.

Some persons keep a deep and narrow vessel, in which to wash knives with a swab, so that a careless domestic cannot lay them in the water while washing them. This article can be carried into the eating-room, to receive the knives and forks, when they are taken from the table.

Setting a table in the 1800's

Rules for setting a Table:

1. Lay the rug square with the room, and also smooth and even; then set the table also square with the room, and see that the legs are in the right position to support the leaves.

2. Lay the tablecloth square with the table, right side up, smooth, and even.

3. Put on the teatray (for breakfast or tea) square with the table; set the cups and saucers at the front side of the teatray, and the sugar, slop-bowls, and cream-cup, at the back side. Lay the sugar-spoon or tongs on the sugar-bowl.

4. Lay the plates around the table, at equal intervals, and the knives and forks at regular distances, each in the same particular manner, with a cup-mat, or cup-plate, to each, and a napkin at the right side of each person.

5. If meat be used, set the caster and salt-cellars in the centre of the table; then lay mats for the dishes, and place the carving-knife and fork and steel by the master of the house. Set the butter on two plates, one on either side, with a butter-knife by each.

6. Set the tea or coffee-pot on a mat, at the right hand of the teatray, (if there be not room upon it.) Then place the chairs around the table, and call the family.

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/21829/21829-h/21829-h.htm#FIG_35

1893 Home Economics Final

This is an excerpt from THE EASIEST WAY IN HOUSEKEEPING AND COOKING BY HELEN CAMPBELL. Can you pass the final?

QUESTIONS FOR FINAL EXAMINATION AT END OF YEAR
1. How is soup-stock made?
2. How is white soup made?
3. What are purées?
4. How is clear soup made?
5. How is caramel made, and what are its uses?
6. How is meat jelly made and colored?
7. How is meat boiled, roasted, and broiled?
8. How can cold meat be used?
9. How is poultry roasted and broiled?
10. How are potatoes cooked?
11. How are dried leguminous vegetables cooked?
12. How is rice boiled dry?
13. How is macaroni boiled?
14. How are white and brown sauces made?
15. Give plain salad-dressing and mayonnaise.
16. How are beef tea and chicken broth made?
17. Give receipts for plain omelet and omelette soufflée.
18. How are bread, biscuit, and rolls made?
19. How is pie-crust made?
20. Rule for puff paste?
21. How should you furnish a kitchen?
22. What are the best kinds of cooking utensils?

I am afraid I have a lot to learn! To read the rest of the book go to http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15360/15360-h/15360-h.htm

New Curtains

I have new curtains! I haven't been able to get the picture on my computer, but I am excited about the change in my kitchen. I had white, uneven, skimpy curtains. Now I have neat, full, gathered, winter-plaid ones. So nice! And plaid is easy to make curtains with since it has straight lines to work from. Now for finishing the Amish quilt... and painting the kitchen... and-