Vintage Homemaking
The Use of Linen Dish Cloths And Their Care
I like to think housewives of the past embroidered their dish towels with weekly activities as a way of reminding them what household tasks were to be done that day. Has a sort of romantic old fashioned appeal don’t you think?
Truly I’m not sure for the reasoning for the specific homemaking duties embroidered on dish [...]
Preparing the Thanksgiving Dinner ~1915
The preparation of the Thanksgiving- dinner should be begun the day before, so that all of the work will not fall to the
forenoon of the holiday.
The turkey or fowl that is to be used can be roasted in advance and set back in the oven the next morning’, it will heat
through in an hour [...]
Turn of the Century Meal Planning Advice
We’ve come discover that meal planning can save money, time and foster great family relationships here in the 21st century. The time is the very early 1920’s. Famous Home Economist Christine Frederick author of several homemaking books and magazine articles not to mention a homemaking correspondence course gives the following advice on meal planning …
“Many [...]
The Care Of Cupboards
There are three methods in general use of caring for cupboards. Some housewives prefer their cupboard shelves of bare wood, to be well scrubbed with soap and water at the periodical “turn-out.” Others cover all shelves with white American cloth, which only needs wiping over with a wet house-flannel; while still others prefer to dispense [...]
Hoosier Kitchen Cabinets
Housewives of the early 20th century worked in large open kitchens featuring large tables, cooking areas, and washing areas but precious little storage.
Hoosier Kitchen cabinets were popular during the early 20th century. Mostly because housewives of this time period did not have all the cupboard space so popular today and well yes hiring servants was [...]
Decorating Tips from the 1950’s – Slip Covers
It’s nice to have vintage magazines from the past. Sometimes (many times) you find gems in them that can work just as well today as they did yesterday.
In my 1953 Good Housekeeping Magazine there is an article for redecorating with slipcovers. Slip covers were just as budget savvy a choice for redecorating yesterday as they [...]
On Frugality and Economy
Buckey Cookery and Practical Housekeeping 1877
It is becoming fashionable in these pinching times to economize and housekeepers are finding it a pleasant pastime to search out and stop wastes in household expenses, and to exercise the thousand little economies which thoughtful and careful women understand so readily and practice with such grace. Somebody has said [...]
Victorian Care of Houseplants
The Care of House Plants is a matter of daily attention, and well
repays all labor expended upon it. The soil of house-plants should be
renewed every year as previously directed. In winter, they should be
kept as dry as they can be without wilting. Many house-plants are
injured by giving them too much water, when they have little [...]
The Garden in October
I know I’m posting this in late November but I still think it’s lovely advice you could apply next year.
Advice from Armour’s Monthly Cook Book, Volume 2, No. 12, October 1913 A Monthly Magazine of Household Interest
October is a fine time to plant every kind of “bulb, root and tuber,” also all deciduous plants and [...]
The Weekly Cares of Home – Vintage Weekly Home Chores
Forgive me for yet another post about the Vintage (mostly Victorian) woman’s weekly chores schedule.
This choice tidbit is found in Catherine and Harriet (Stowe) Beecher’s American Woman’s Home…
Monday, with some of the best housekeepers, is devoted to preparing for the labors of the week. Any extra cooking, the purchasing of articles to be used during [...]
