Vintage Homemaking Advice

Dear Friends, 

I would like to share with you a little prayer that my elderly neighbor had hanging up in her kitchen. It goes perfectly with the dish towels that I just found at the antique store (for less than what Walmart charges!).  I hope you enjoy it~

MONDAY: WASHDAY

Help me, my God, to wash away all my selfishness and vanity, 
that I may serve Thee with perfect humility through the week ahead.

TUESDAY: IRONING DAY

Dear Lord, help me to iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have
accumulated through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

WEDNESDAY: MENDING DAY

O God, help me to mend my ways so that I will not set a bad example for others.

THURSDAY: CLEANING DAY

Lord Jesus, help me to reach the dust of all the many faults I
have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart all these years.

FRIDAY: SHOPPING DAY

O God, give me the grace to be a wise and prudent shopper that I may purchase
 eternal happiness for myself and my family and all who are in need of Thy love.

 

SATURDAY: COOKING DAY

Help me, my Saviour, to brew up a huge kettle of brotherly love, 
and serve it with the clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

SUNDAY: THE LORD'S DAY

O God, since I have now prepared my house for Thee, please come into my
heart as my honoured Guest, so that I may spend the day in Thy presence.

Amen.

Love,

Marqueta

Miss Audrey Turns Sweet Sixteen

Dear Friends,

We had yet another birthday in our household! Audrey is now a lovely sixteen-year old. She brightens our days with her musical talents, playing the piano and harp and singing. She also makes wonderful birthday videos for each member of the family to make us feel very special.

I especially love this picture of her on her day, with a representation of the Savior in the corner. She has been seeking lately to become more Christ-like in all things, and we have had some wonderful heart-to-hearts that have shown me precious insights into her soul.

She has such a heart for babies and young children, and loves making them happy when happy when they're sad.

 Happy, happy birthday, dear Audrey, and may all your wishes come true!

Love,

Marqueta

A Trip to Kauffman Memorial Garden

  Dear Friends,

We recently went on a family excursion (it actually wasn't raining that day!) to Kauffman Memorial Gardens, in Kansas City. It's such a beautiful place and makes me think of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Would you like to come along with us?

 

There is a beautiful conservatory with palms and orchids, and a lazy cat.

 

Tasha brought her sketchbook along to record the wonders around her.

 

This cheeky little elf just enjoyed running here, there, and everywhere!

 

. . . Until he fell down.

 

Someday we'll have our own picket fence with pink roses on it!

Thank you for coming along with us. I hope you were inspired, as well!

Love,

Marqueta

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"Sometimes since I've been in the garden I've looked up through the trees at the sky and I have had a strange feeling of being happy as if something was pushing and drawing in my chest and making me breathe fast. Magic is always pushing and drawing and making things out of nothing. Everything is made out of magic, leaves and trees, flowers and birds, badgers and foxes and squirrels and people. So it must be all around us. In this garden - in all the places.” 

― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

A Very Merry Birthday

Dear friends, 

We recently celebrated the double birthday of the oldest and youngest of the girls. We are excited for Rebecca turning five, but we're not so sure we like the idea of AnnaMarie being a legal adult this year! Why can't they all stay little?

How good to see them grow and flourish in their own stages of life!

May all their wishes come true!

Love,

Marqueta

 

"Happy Birthday Happy Birthday just for you.
Happy Birthday and may all your good dreams come true.
When you blow out the candles, one light stays aglow.
That's the sunshine of your smile where ere you go."

 

(From an old radio programme)