An Old Fashioned Hearted Homemaker ~ Snippets

A homemaker with an old fashioned heart walks through her day with tender smiles, warm feelings and a dainty step as she nourishes her family, accomplishes her tasks and beautifies her home. It is not a loud, jump-up-and-down-happy that she feels...

It is a gentle joy that sustains her.

"You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
~ Psalm 16:11

(Note: I'll be sharing some little "snippets" here and there from some of my more special Instagram posts that I feel some of you may enjoy that aren't on it...)

Milk Glass, Thrift Shop Talk and the Great Depression Homemakers ~ Snippets

One item I like to collect when I find them within my price range (the dollar and under zone) is lovely and pearly white milk glass from the 1930's.

(Pictured are my latest finds.)

Not only is it beautiful and useful, it is also a remembrance of our depression-era ancestors who struggled and survived in the hardest of circumstances.

They are a lasting tribute to our great-grandmothers.

They are a glorious example of resourcefulness and strength. 

They are a beautiful reminder in these unprecedented times that when calamity strikes...

the home becomes its own industrious economy to survive and thrive.

We grow more, patch more, stretch more, reuse more, recycle more, reduce more, preserve more, conserve more, mend and make do more, and more importantly, we pray more...

We Homemakers make MORE of a difference. 

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” 

~ Proverbs 31:10

🤍🤍🤍

Do you have anything you enjoy collecting that symbolizes something special?

(Note: I'll be sharing some little "snippets" here and there from some of my more special Instagram posts that I feel some of you may enjoy that aren't on it...)

Don't Waste One Drop - Make Mini Essential Oil Sprays

"Being frugal does not mean being cheap!

It means being economical and avoiding waste."

~ Catherine Pulsifer

Essential oils can be very expensive! And if you are like me, you want to squeeze out every last drop! With just one little accessory, you can prolong and enhance your essential oil experience. You can utilize those last few drops! Did you know they sell small sprayer tops (affiliate link) that fit your essential oil bottles? I recently found this myself and am loving the possibilities!

Once your bottle of oil is near its end, there is always a few stubborn drops that remain (that are very difficult to remove!). Simply add about a teaspoon of "base" liquid to your practically empty bottle (this acts as a preservative and helps disperse the oils). You can use witch-hazel, vinegar, vodka, hydrogen peroxide or alcohol depending on your specific needs. It does help if you have a small essential oil funnel. Fill the remaining of the bottle with water. 

Screw on the mini spray top (this is an affiliate link) and give your bottle a nice shake (just snip to size the bottom of the sprayer to make the tube the right size for your bottle). Now you have a sweet little spray that can be used for so many things depending on the medicinal properties of the essential oil bottle you used!

These can be a:

• Travel perfume

• Room spray

• Linen spray

• Boo-boo spray

• Body Spray

• Hand Sanitizer for Purse

• Facial Freshening Mist

• Bathroom deodorizing spray (place a small bowl of these out in different aromas for fun)

To give some ideas for the more commonly used oils --

• Thieves/On Guard Blend (use alcohol for the base) -- Use as an air purifier room spray, sanitizing spray for knobs and handles.

• Lavender (use 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract as base) -- Use as a pillow spray, body spray, perfume spray, calming room spray, linen spray (if using as a linen spray or pillow spray I would use the "clear" vanilla to avoid staining)

• Citrus Essential Oils (use vinegar or alcohol for the base ) -- Use as a deodorizing room spray, kitchen countertop spray, mild hand sanitizer.

• Tea Tree/Melaleuca (use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar or witch-hazel for the base) -- Use as first aid (boo-boo) spray for bug bites, sunburn, athletes foot, fungus, minor cuts and scrapes. Could be used as a mild hand sanitizer and countertop cleaning spray.

• Peppermint (use alcohol for the base) -- refreshing room spray, cleansing spray for cold/flu season.

• Floral Essential Oils (use witch hazel as the base) -- Use as a face mist to freshen up dry skin or use as a fragrant body spray.

• Favorite Scented Essential Oils (use witch-hazel or 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract as the base)  -- Use as a room spray, body mist and/or car freshener spray.

Can you think of other ideas for useful sprays?

Happy homemaking! 🤎

Baking Peanut Butter Chocolate S'more Cookies ~ Happy Homemaking Scenes

"As you go forth into the world to begin the prodigious work of life, it is my greatest wish that you find success and happiness in creating your own home.

 

I have no doubt in your ability to accomplish this. For in all of you, I find that the great lesson I have striven to impart to you, is well learned -- 

the most exquisite pleasure in life, is giving pleasure to others. As the good Lord taught us, the finest quality of greatness is service."

~ Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping -

Timeless Wisdom and Practical Advice by Miriam Lukken (affiliate link)

rolling...

melting...

creating...

serving.

There is so much going on in the world that can distract us from our home. And when we are distracted from our duties, we are (sadly) helping to contribute to the problems that cause us grief in the first place. For it is my belief that if there were more true homes, there would be less sorrow in the world. It all begins in the home... or lack of a home. But I digress...

Baking is one such way to serve in a simple sense which brings comfort to the home. It feels safe when something good comes from the oven. Home feels cozy and secure when something smells amazing. Our homes are mini-bakeries and who doesn't love to walk into one!

These "Peanut Butter Chocolate S'more" cookies look nothing like Sally's but they are still beautiful to our household. When something isn't perfect, I call them rustic and suddenly they are perfect! 

It is also enjoyable to put your own creative spin on recipes. My special versions included using graham cracker crumbs as sprinkles and using white chocolate for half of my cookies. What would you do with yours?

(This very fun recipe can be found here.)

Homemakers are artists. Homemakers are comfort-givers. Homemakers are servers. Homemakers are ultimately... love.

"Beloved, let us love one another,

for love is from God,

and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God."

~ 1 John 4:7