Monday, September 06, 2010

"A Successful Housekeeper"

" 'I try to know as much as possible about every article of food and clothing that I buy, and to be sure that I am getting the very best value from Tom's money, but I don't know how to cook or sew or trim hats or embroider. I like friends and babies and outdoor exercise, but I'll confess that I don't like housework.'

'Well, Tom and the children seem to be perfectly contented and happy, and so do you. Therefore, you are a successful housekeeper.'"

--A Thousand Ways to Please a Husband: The Romance of Cookery and Housekeeping (1917), Louise Bennett Weaver

19 comments:

Rachel said...

This quote?

I love.

Thank you! (And how gracious of you, who are so talented in cooking and sewing and trimming hats [I'm guessing!] and embroidering, to post it!)

Lisa said...

I had the same thought as Rachel, above. Not your usual quote from these vintage housekeeping books! You do all those things well - I'm trying like the dickens to - this makes me feel a little bit better. :)

Lisateresa

New England Girl said...

Five posts in six days!

Not to put any pressure on you but does this mean you're back? :-)

Polly said...

Now *that* is a great quote for a mother of small children in particular. And a good reminder--as long as the folks in my house are happy, I'm successful.

and I too love friends and babies and outdoor exercise!

Mrs. White said...

This is lovely and encouraging!

blessings,
Mrs. White

Kathryn said...

I love your quotes. This one especially!

Hana - Marmota said...

This is amazing. And it gives me hope. (I probably am going to be the housekeeper that can cook and sew and trim hats, but I'm so not going to be a housekeeper that can keep her house shining clean. That way.)

Carolyn said...

I adore this book and actually am reading it right now!!

Serendipity.

Kate said...

I have this book, too as well as A Thousand Ways To Please a Family! Love them!

Lisa said...

Yeah, you are back....ordered a few books you quoted and made a few scrap quilts on the diagonal....I enjoyed the archives while you were gone, one month per day until they were all read....blessings!

gina said...

I'm so glad you are posting again! Thanks for such beautiful insights into home life...

Tami said...

Love that. Ideally, how you make people (especially your loved ones) feel on the inside is what really matters. Nice to see your posts again.

Beloved's Redheaded Bride said...

A very sweet quote!
I wish I had found it first! ;)

I am so thankful that you are posting! Your blog always gives me encouragement to find the beauty in my every day enviroment.

Thanks Anna for your quiet testimony!
It blesses many of us.

Karla A. said...

Just happened to check on here today....it MADE my day that you're back!!!!

Carolyne said...

This wonderful *old* book was given to me by my Great Auntie for my wedding thirty five years ago. It will always remain my favourite of my cookbook collection.

In her dedication to me she writes (1975) "this was the first of my cookbooks 58 years ago" (1917).

I believe that began my love of really 'reading' cookbooks, for pleasure as much as for the recipes.

I'm so glad to read your posts once again.
Happy September!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this quote and post...thank you for it! ~Kristen

Anonymous said...

What a relief.

Anonymous said...

Such a great book! Sally

Anonymous said...

Don't you just love that book!!! So many household hints and recipes woven into that sweet story of their first year of marriage! I love to read it once a year for the sheer pleasure of it. I bought some of her other books and they just had recipes...no story. :( I'd like to have been one of her friends and sat on the porch and did mending with her or helped with one of those wedding showers they gave etc! So sweet! :) Sarah

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