Miss Mason says, “if mothers could learn to do for themselves, what they do for their children . . .
we would have happier households. She recommends that mothers go out to play “. . .
take a day, or a half a day, out in the fields, or with a favorite book, or in a picture gallery …”
A little recreation could mean nothing more than sitting at a favorite window with a cup of tea, cloud-watching. Then a mother is not too hectic or exhausted to enjoy her husband’s company.
-Karen Andreola
“Honey, if I had prayed for something and it showed up without too much trouble, would you be okay with it?” I asked my husband one morning this week, while I stood in front of the cookstove. I scrambled up the 12 eggs and slid the hot cast iron frying pan over the stovetop. Pouring the eggs into the sizzling pan, I waited to see what he would say.
If any of you have read Created to be a Help Meet, you can understand when I say I am married to a Mr. Steady. He is my faithful, loving, quiet, unexcitable husband. He doesn’t take risks, he never rushes, he shuns stress and he would rather sit and stare at a fire at night instead of socializing at the latest church gathering.
My confused husband, but not surprised, placed his coffee mug down on the island in our kitchen and looked at me.
“Now what did you find,” he asked, only slightly amused, perhaps more concerned about what I was about to ask of him. [I have had him go on many trips to find certain “treasures” … iceboxes, rocking chairs, cookstoves, goats … he’s a good husband … I must admit.]
“Well, I prayed to God a silly prayer … if I could find a pink chair for the living room and have it delivered to your work and purchase it at a low price, then I’d accept it as a gift from God,” I declared, while stirring the eggs with my wooden spoon.
My husband of 16 years just sipped his coffee loudly and kept a straight face.
“Um, well, I found one. A pink wing back chair. Just like your blue one. And they said they would bring it to your work so you could bring it home. And it’s only $20!” I emphasized this last part, as I felt it was rather important. I know I should not be spending large sums of money on a [pink] chair.
Smiling, I added, “We can have matching chairs by the fire!”
Later that night, after working a long shift into the dark hours of the night, my husband graciously carried in my new-to-me pink wingback chair.
When I saw it, I squealed with delight. It’s perfect … just right for the parlour (as I like to call our “living room”) and fits just snuggly into a little reading corner. It matches his blue Daddy Man-of-the-House chair, but it only slightly smaller in size.
The chair, as simple as it may sound, is a beautiful blessing. I am so grateful for the last owners who volunteered to drive it into town to deliver it to my husband. And I am grateful for my husband bringing it home and paying for it. And I am thankful to God for allowing it to be so affordable!
I’m calling it my Mother Culture chair.
Indeed, it will be where I may sit for my afternoon tea and reading or quiet time, crocheting, thinking, sitting still or writing. Right now, for example, I’m sitting in my lovely new pink velvet chair … listening to the timeless ticking of my husband’s antique mantle clock (the one with no hands on it, because little fingers keep opening up the glass face and removing them), the soft glow of a candle lit on the table beside me, a warm cozy fire in the woodstove and a fresh pot of rosehip tea awaits … there is a book for reading and a few minutes to enjoy such bliss. It makes a for a peaceful setting.
From my new view, I see the parlour in a different light, as well. Yes, I see windows that need cleaning (I will get to that as soon as it is not freezing outside) , but I also see the snowy fields outside from a southern direction and the possibility of a wooden bird feeder hanging by the nearest window (a new view I have not taken time to notice in the past). From my little pink velvet chair, I would be able to watch the birds flutter to the bird feeder in the winter time. Perhaps it would be high enough that our cats would not be attracted, as well.
{I am also grateful for my sister’s gift of this new thrift-find teapot!
It is fun to have a variety. Thank you, Angela!}
Does it seem silly? Well, I am grateful for this little cozy respite, a spot to rest my tired feet after a long day … a tiny corner where I can gather my thoughts and energy for the last run of the day as the supper hour quickly approaches …
Now, in honor of my Mother Culture chair, I would like to offer up a lovely little giveaway. While I cannot send you a blessed velvet pink chair for you to rest in, I can send you a wonderful book that will refresh your soul.
I was pleased to read through this fantastic, old fashioned book, Introduction to Home Economics. I have been a long time reader of Mrs. White’s old-fashioned-blog and was delighted to read through one of her newest books.
Mrs. White, the authoress and blog writer, has kindly offered to donate one of her books to one reader. In her darling book, you will find down to earth encouragement on homemaking, old fashioned advice on parenting and tidbits on finding beauty in your every day chores. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading through this book, Introduction to Home Economics, and I know you will, as well.
If your heart is in your home – or if you are longing to be content in your surroundings of life– this delightful book will encourage you. Each entry in her book is just short enough to sip some tea and sit and read through the words in one sitting.
Please, just enter a comment in the comment form below and I will announce the winner on an upcoming blog post.
by Gigi
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