My homemaking series continues today as we take another deep-dive into the Little House on the Prairie book series with my Farmer Boy observations.
In today's video, I'm sharing the second half of my observations on Farmer Boy. This book is full of homemaking inspiration as the Wilders had a very full and fulfilling family life.
You can see my Little House observations here and Part one of my Farmer Boy observations here.
🍂 Lesson 11 They weren’t afraid of using technology when it suited them.
On p.164, it says, Mother didn’t card her own wool anymore, since there was a machine… But she dyed it. The Wilders were definitely open to new technologies and using them to improve their homemaking. I have had new technologies that I've resisted in my own homemaking, that have changed my life for the better once I finally decided to give them a try. Have you ever resisted technology to improve your homemaking?
🍂 Lesson 12 They made their own household necessities.
While they did enjoy new technologies, they also made many of their own household essentials from scratch such as soap and candles... They took a deep satisfaction from these domestic arts.
🍂 Lesson 13 The children were taught to enjoy homemaking.
Almanzo actually looked forward to the work on the farm… even more than school (p. 166). The atmosphere of home was so inviting, he didn't want to leave. This stems from the children being taught to enjoy homemaking, so much so that they preferred it over other activities.
🍂 Lesson 14 They all banded together to help in a crisis.
This tip didn't make it into my video. I believe I skipped it on accident when I was filming. On page 169, in the chapter called, Cold Snap, the entire family banded together in a crisis and got out of bed on a very frosty evening to help save the crops. The entire family came together to help in a crisis and put their own personal comfort on the back-burner to do so.
🍂 Lesson 15 They worked hard and played hard.
On page 199, in the chapter, Summertime, Almanzo's father quotes the famous phrase, All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy. The Wilders enjoyed playing hard, but only after they worked hard. Also, note that their "fun" also involved chores (berrying).
🍂 Lesson 16 They didn’t waste anything.
On page 199, Mother “scraped every bit of buttermilk”. She didn't waste anything. This tip convicted me and made me realize that I am apt to waste food, by not scraping every last bit. I will work to change that.
🍂 Lesson 17 They were proud of her home and of keeping it nice.
Mother is described as being proud of her home and in keeping it nice (p.224). Even though the term, "house proud" has negative connotations, most of us are a bit proud of our homes and naturally want to keep them looking nice. I think this is a good thing. It's this pride that keeps us on top of things.
🍂 Lesson 18 The kids knew when they needed to HUSTLE.
When the Wilder children are left alone on the homestead, they goof off just like any other children would do... but when they realize their parents are returning shortly, they HUSTLE and truly go beyond by working all day and into the late evening to get their tasks done.
🍂 Lesson 19 Suppertime was a cheerful time for bonding.
On page 147, suppertime was described as "not as cheerful as usual", which indicates that suppertime usually was a cheerful time. The book describes several of their meals with great detail and the reader gets the impression that the family truly bonded over these excellent dinners.
🍂 Lesson 20 Children were given big responsibilities and their abilities weren’t underestimated.
This was really eye-opening for me. The Wilder children were given big responsibilities and their abilities were not underestimated. Modern-day parents sometimes underestimate what their children are capable of, especially with homemaking. No matter how small the child is, they can develop an appreciation for looking after the home.
🍂 Bonus Observation: Even Almanzo's mother (homemaker extraordinaire) got flustered right before company came over. Ha!
In the chapter, Christmas, “Mother was everywhere, talking all the time”. It was very comforting and humorous for me to read about Mrs. Wilder running around after the children and displaying pre-company stress that so many of us deal with. It reminded me of one of my favorite comedy skits on YouTube from Trey Kennedy, Company is Coming.
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My Grandma never wasted anything either. She would make soup from leftovers and banana bread with bananas that were about to go bad. Grandpa would always say, "that's still good" if he caught me throwing some food away. They lived through the Depression and learned to save, reuse, recycle and upcycle things, too. It makes me sick how wasteful people are now. Single use containers really bother me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for watching, Mary!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Farmer Boy when I thought I wouldn’t and considered it an interruption in Laura’s story. One of the take always and a curiosity was when the family experienced an early snow and Father called it “poor man’s fertilizer” and plowed the snow into the fields.
ReplyDeleteBecause there was no explanation about it, I am still wondering what the snow contained to be considered fertilizer. Hmmm
Barb in Tucson
After watching the first video you made on the Lessons from “Farmer Boy” I was inspired to read this book again. I never appreciated this book as I found it an interruption of Laura Ingalls stories. But reading it on its own I have to say this book is a gem.
ReplyDeleteAnd a big thank you to you for directing me to it and all the lessons. My favourite lesson was #1 “Homemaking Traditions anchored their week.” It has motivated me to start some new weekly traditions in my home.