Cherilyn Larsen, this comment is the best! I smiled and had to find it so I could like it, and after searching for a good while, I realized it was right under my comment! HAHAHA
I love this book so much. When my now 6'3" 19 year old son was 5, I gave him the job of dumping the compost bucket daily at the back of our property. He pretended he was Almanzo taking slop out to his pig Lucy. Like Almanzo, my son has two older sisters, and every time my eldest began bossing her siblings my son would say, "Eliza Jane was bossy." 🤣 Oh, those sweet memories!
one I always do from it is to turn my covers back to air the bed each morning. making my bed later after a shower. we can wash our sheets much more easily now, but letting the heat and moisture dissipate makes the bed feel fresh every night.
One of my favourite homemaking quotes in Farmer Boy is actually said by his father! On pg 306 his father says, "All it saves us time,son. And what good is time with nothing to do." In this quote the father was teaching his son that time saving mecahines do have their place but his goal was not simply to get out of work for the sake of getting out of work. He wanted to work and fill his time profitably. He knew his work was valuable. He knew time was valuable but only so far as it was being used well for the tasks that he was responsible to complete.
I grew up in a family that worked together. We all had our own chores and knew what needed to be done. Both of my parents never drove, so we walked everywhere. We learned quickly to be punctual because we needed to leave the house at a certain time in order to not be late, especially for church and school. Miss those days....
I'm not very old, but I grew up in a large family, and we typically bathed just once a week too. A couple of times a week, we did what mom called "Sailor shower" which meant you got in the shower and got yourself wet, then turned off the water while washing, and then turn the water back on to rinse. Water is expensive when you're talking about 10 people!
That is also normal in my family. We were taught not to let the water run by any means if you are not using it and I think that is also normal in my country México. When I was an exchange student in the United States, my host mom got upset at me because I was taking showers in that way. She told me to let the water run because I was going to ruin their electric system if I kept turning on and of the water. I felt so bad wasting the water that since that day I took my showers as fast as I could so host mom didn't get upset at me.
@@lauramarin1777 ?? What did the electrical system have to do with it? I guess for the pump, but I can't imagine anyone freaking out about turning the tap on and off to wash hands/brush teeth.
@@iloveprivacy8167 With a tankless water heater, the heating element clicks on every time hot water runs. Its true. For Just cold water it does not. So, yeah, it uses electricity. And maybe could stress the system.
The baths only happened once a week, but the men washed their faces, necks and hair before meals. They also washed up, waist up daily. My grandfather did this until he passed. He was born just at 1900. They were cleaner than we think of. :)
@@peachpathfinder my parents had a very rustic vacation cabin on an island 11 miles from the mainland. No phone, no electricity, with my bucket in the very cold lake I was the running water.
I recently started reading the whole series again after probably 45 years! I just finished Farmer Boy and I loved it! As an adult I feel like I can appreciate it even more. Almanzo’s mother made 500 lbs. of butter! It’s staggering to think how hard everyone worked. It’s a little sad to think how far we all are from the processes of our food and clothes, etc. They had to make almost everything.
People still live like this here in Eastern Europe. Here, Saturday is the cleaning day usually, and people get food ready for Sunday. Even when I was a child, we would take baths only on Saturday, as for the rest of the days we would just wash in a big special washing bowl just the parts that needed a quick wash (😉). Sadly, we did not have a routine for our teeth, although we did not have candy or any sweets as much as kids have nowadays.
My Slovenian husband also remembers fondly his childhood weekends, especially saturdays when all the house was cleaned (by his mother alone which is kinda sad, I wish she taught the boys to help her), the cake was made and everything smelled so nice. Also, cleaning the cellar and all the food storage at a farm does take a lot of time because there’s so much food to store. I can’t wait to read this book! Thank you.
That is exactly what my mom said ( grew up in 40s). Took bath once a week but had "bird baths" midweek. Hit the important parts from a bucket. Amazing how these actions we all still share. 😊
Re: #6 - I have four children and when it was 4 kids under 9yrs old, every Sat evening I would trim all fingernails and toenails - all 80! - lol! Did that for years until each child was able to trim their own without cutting their fingertips :) . Also, my grandmother is 90 years old and she takes one bath a week - every Sat evening - yet every day she is still put together with her hair done and dressed nicely (no yoga pants or even jeans for her).
I grew up on a sheep station (ranch) in western Queensland, Australia in the 1940s. Our comforts were more advanced than the “Little House” days but we had no electricity so all cooking was done on a wood fired stove and the station machinery was powered by petroleum products. One saving grace was Queensland’s weather, very hot, we took cold showers every day. (bore water) and were thankful for them. My.mother was a great cook and homemaker, she certainly believed her children should do chores after the correspondence lessons were over. We read, played backyard cricket and occasionally drove to visit the neighbours who were over a hundred miles away. It was a hard, exciting childhood.but I’m not about to give up my modern life, even if the pandemic is just as dangerous as brown snakes. Thanks for the memories Jennifer - happy Sunday!
I LOVE this video. And the Little House books series, which I only read last summer at the age of 70! Fabulous books, fabulous lessons to learn and such inspiration.
The family that cleans together sticks together It used to be so much joy in families when it came to spring deep cleaning before the Persian new year in Iran. The mother is acting like the woman in Proverbs 31 vs 10 - 31 and that is why she is being honored and loved The movie series called love comes softly are nice too Thank you for sharing your videos I always enjoy them With Love from Iran ❤
Love, love this video so much! So inspiring! Tomorrow I start reading the little house series to my girls. Cannot wait :) A few things are still similar here in the Netherlands (for christians) Saturdayafternoon is preparation for sunday. Take a shower, make soup, bake something delicious for sunday. Laying out our sunday’s best dresses. My husband blesses us all with the Aaronic blessing. Then it is sunday. We have a lovely breakfast. Dress beautifully, our hairupdo is extra special. And then go to church. After church we have cake and coffee and we play games or read or take a walk. We don’t eat out in restaurants, we do not shop. It really is time for the Lord and our family. Zero chores are done on sunday, only the dishes. In the afternoon we go to church again. In the evening we burn candles, make music together, eat crisps and other snacks , have one glass of wine (not allowed on other days). I look forward to sunday every week. Really a day of rest and rejoice in the Lord. Looking forward to episode 2 of farmer boy! ❤️ Blessings to you Jennifer!
Farmer Boy is my favorite too! I've read it many times to my children over the years. We had to read it right before lunch because it always made us hungry! 😂
This was maybe the first chapter book I ever read one on one with my son. It’s one of his favorites :) I once heard that a theory as to why there are so many food descriptions in this book is that Laura grew up with so little, especially food at times. Ma Ingalls was a great cook, but they didn’t have access to the same level of food that the Wilders did. So the idea of the large pantry and unlimited food was an amazement for Laura, even as an adult.
I don't think a daily bath or shower came to be popular until the 1970s. I know when I was a kid, we took Saturday night baths, the rest of the week it was a scrub down of the face, hands, neck, and ears. "Make sure you get the backs of those ears". Lol.
Butter making. Very easy to do. I do it quite often. It only takes about 10 minutes in my kitchen aid and a bit longer using the hand mixer. When finished, you need to squeeze it in ice water. Its the best and can be frozen. I'm sure you can go on TH-cam for instructions. Being reared on a farm I grew up similar to farm boy but we bathed quit often. I value the way I grew up. To this day I still sew and make some of my own clothing. My daughter kept quit a few of her homemade dresses. Precious memories....they are mental treasures.❤❤❤
@@TheDailyConnoisseur try it with your children. They will be amazed at watching the heavy whipping cream turn to butter. It gets a bit messy as the butter will separate and the buttermilk or whey is left. I keep that buttermilk and freeze it for when a recipe calls for buttermilk. Hope you do this with your children. They will enjoy it so much....especially the eating part.
I am LOVING this series! Farmer Boy was my absolute favorite book growing up. All of the routines and rich descriptions of their life just felt so cozy (and still do!). I’m so glad you included the sheep story! I still think about that anecdote to this day whenever I feel like I’m sneaking a little head start into my life. Whenever I do a morning chore the night before, I feel like I will be waking up with a sheep already in the loft 😉 I can’t wait for part two; thank you for all the work you’re putting into these lovely videos, Jennifer!
I love the LH books, but Farmer Boy is my favorite. (These Happy Golden Years is great too). I have re read this series several times. As an adult too. When life gets too hectic and stressful I read one. Her writing style is so calm. I think the other thing I love about them is that they don’t seem to have a ton of stuff, and what they had they took good care of and treasured. They were minimalists before it was cool!
At least the Wilder family changed the water between baths! My Grandpa told us about how the thirteen children in his family had all used the same bath water on Saturday nights, starting with the oldest, and ending with the youngest. He would always add with a chuckle, “I think the last ones came out dirtier than they went in!” 😄
I was a nurse in a retirement home. Your story makes me think of one of our residents who absolutely fought us when it was bath time. I finally realized that he was the youngest of 11 children and had to bathe in the cold, dirty water on Saturday night. I began to whisper to him on bath day, "You better come with me, so we can bathe before all the others realize it is bath time." He never fought me again!!! I LOVE these stories and the older folks I worked with for so many years. :)
I cant even begin to tell how much the little house books influenced my life. And seeing many things from knotts berry farm. The little house cookbook alone helped so much. I have gardens.ive done canning and food dehydrating. Sewing,and cooking. Yes,I even learned spinning wool on both a spindle and a wheel and even learned how to weave. And now today,the homesteading craze is really coming back. I wonder how much is little house influenced?
Jennifer... I found some movies called The Five Little Peppers.. On TH-cam.. They are adapted from books written in the late 1880s to 1919... I think you would like them...
Exactly when you said how proud Alonzo was of his mother for her butter I got goosebumps over my whole body and then you said it gave you chills. We think very much alike. 🥰
I am sooooo thankful for HOT running water. 🤣😂 a few years ago, we moved quickly into a rental that was recently partially remodeled. Everything seemed fine, until I tried to get hot water! Turned out, they hadn't hooked up the hot water heater. 🤣 so I had to boil huge kettles of water, and lug them down the hall and up the steps to the shower where we would mix that hot water with cold water in a larger plastic tub and finally, bathe. 😂🤣 there were 5 of us, so I would bathe the toddler in a large Rubbermaid tote on the kitchen floor while I washed the supper dishes, and then each night, I would have 2 of us bathe upstairs. 😂 it's Ben years now, and we still laugh about me carrying all those huge pots of water so we could wash up. I'm glad we have those memories though.
I understand...when my hot water heater broke and I could not afford to get one right away. Very sobering to boil water... transport it.... appreciation.
I loved this so much Jennifer! This was my favorite book series when I was growing up and I was in love with the TV series too. Because I had boys I never thought to read these with them, but I think that boys can relate to them and benefit from them too - especially Farmer Boy. I am inspired to re-read them now! I can't wait for Part 2. Thank you for sharing your insights and for the encouragement you provide for homemakers everywhere! Lots of love! 💛Robin
I read these to my girls first and then I had only boys and missed reading them, but I realized that, even they the Ingalls had all girls, they are doing a lot of things that we would consider boyish and Pa figured into the story a lot too. My sons liked the books after all. I do wish people would consider them for their sons also.
I do seasonal cleaning! The week of the first day of fall or winter, ect. I have a list of about 20 extra things we do! I also have a daily, weekly and monthly cleaning &organizing list!
I see I am late to the party... Just wanted to say thank you, Jennifer, for sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed this video, propped up behind my sink while I washed the breakfast dishes. 😊 I’m inspired to share this book with my young sons, I enjoyed it many years ago when I was a girl. Even more, I’m inspired to become more like Susan Sowerby, with that kind, warm, uplifting light to nourish my family, especially with.
I love that you are discussing Farmer Boy, it has always been my favourite too. Enjoying your video content more than ever recently, always looking forward to your next video!
This series has been really eye opening for me. I've never read the Little House series (plan to now), but man oh man, I have it easy. Its still hard of course, being a homemaker now, but this has made me so thankful for modern conveniences like the vacuum and washing machine! I feel motivated to get more done now, because honestly, I can
Jennifer I live an hour from Mansfield,Missouri. I have visited Laura Wilder’s home. Because of her small height her husband Almanzo built her kitchen accordingly!! I believe there was a stream near the house as she would feed the turtles milk and bread every day!! The tour guide said they would be there waiting for her.
When I was growing up in the 70s & 80s, my brothers and sister and I had daily and weekly chores to do. Saturday mornings were cleaning time and no one was allowed to play or go out with friends until all the cleaning was done. We didn't have to work as hard as they did in pioneer times, thank god! My niece and nephews grew up without having to lift a finger, and whenever they were asked to help there was so much complaining and carrying on - and I think that is pretty typical for many families now.
Great series. My grandmother, born in 1896, used to tell us that they washed their hair once a month because they believed that stripping the hair of oils was not healthy. Some people have very oily hair so that would not work for them. She said that she and her sisters brushed their hair 100 strokes every night.
As a small child, I remember taking everything out of the house, washing it down, washing the walls, etc, then putting back together. The rooms would feel do fresh afterword.
I grew up getting water from a well. It was hard! You have no idea how heavy a bucket of water can be til your pulling the chain up! I also had to wash my clothes in the winter to let them freeze and then bring them in to hang over the wood stove to dry so I could wear them to school. Luckily, we did have a tub but a bath consisted of barely enough water to sit in! And yep, baths were pretty much once a week. Oh....and I'm 52.😉
I absolutely loved the Little House books, but I never actually read Farmer Boy. Hearing a bit about it and that it’s your favorite makes me want to get a copy!
My family and I lived on a farm until I was 12 yrs old. I had read ALL the Little House books...but sadly none of my family members read them... i learned at an early age how much better our farm could have been run if we all worked together. It was a very trying childhood listening to lots of complaining and arguing amongst my other siblings and parents. I could not even impliment the things with my own children. Blessings to the women who can do it!! 💕
The Little House books have so many life lessons. Our son learned about economics from Almanzo buying a pig to raise instead of spending his money on pleasures. Our son bought a purebred Lab puppy to raise, and then sold her puppies for profit.
I was just thinking of you the other day when I came across an artist named Lilla Cabot Perry. She was a Victorian working mother. I immediately wondered if you had ever discussed her work in your monthly challenges. Did you know that she was the one who introduced Monet’s work to America? Very interesting lady. On a more relevant note, I think Farmer Boy is my favorite amongst all of the LIW books. My boys enjoyed listening to me read it aloud to them when they were younger.
Update: You can watch part 2 of this video here ➡️ th-cam.com/video/YmO2ZhyOuI4/w-d-xo.html And watch the original Little House video here ➡️ th-cam.com/video/Qib-qDD2gAA/w-d-xo.html Also, I have placed the time stamps for this video in the description box and created library cards in the video for your reference. I would love to know your thoughts on the homemaking secrets in FARMER BOY. Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you soon! Love, Jennifer
I did a lot of this when my kids were little. Besides daily, a weekly and quarterly deep clean was needed. Today, I’m in a Euro sized apartment with the 2 youngest (#6 and #7), so we have to clean thoroughly more frequently-like the cabinet fronts are washed down once a month.
I am in a habit of sewing and a little bit of designing as well, and I *love* the cut of your shirt! It looks super comfy, yet so ellegant! 🥰 Pretty clothing needing to be uncomfortable is a myth created by ready made fashion: if it fits, it feels right. 🌷
I love this series that you are doing! It struck me when you said Mother was Knitting in the evenings. I find Knitting very therapeutic. Perhaps she really enjoyed her Knitting time💕💕💕 it can be a creative outlet for artistic expression
Hello - I recently discovered your series and was so pleasantly surprised by these videos on the Little House books. These were my mother's favorite books. She discovered them later in life. I never read them growing up but I have read some of them to my grandchildren. Now I want to read Farmer Boy! I'm in my 70's now! Thank you for your wonderful presentations!
Love that you did this and the Little House on the Prairie books. The books and the tv series had such an impact on me as an 80s kid and it's the reason I think this LA girl loves to sew, knit, and cook as a result of that influence. Thanks for bringing up so great points of the book series. Recently discovered your channel and loving all the great meal preps etc.
Thank you for pointing all these out. Even those our tasks are easier, I wish our lives were simpler as they were then; they were content and had good standards for living.
Yes! Farmer Boy is the book that inspired me years ago to figure out how to get my children doing chores and doing them well. I mention all the time when I'm interviewed for podcasts, etc. as the book that was a huge turning point for me in my homemaking career.
When you mentioned Competition, I said, ah it will be the thing about the sheep. I now want to read the series again after your videos! My mom read it to me a few times before I could read, and I read it multiple times as a child. I laugh about the sheep shearing thing because I did not get the joke till a few decades after the last time I read the series!!
I LOVE this series!!! These are some of our favorite books. These stories are so rich with American heritage. My grandfather was one of 14 children, and they also had a weekly bath on Saturday nights. What a standard to aspire to- both Ma Ingalls and Mrs. Wilder. Thank you for applying their lessons to our lives today. Much love to you in Christ!
Thank you God for grocery stores always being stocked in my area(we live in farm central) and warm and easily accessible bathing options, warming and cooling systems in our homes, stoves that turn on without the need to go buy fuel, electric lights and most of all, the ability to give to others who don't have those things. Thank Him for it even if you cannot give to others for one day you may be blessed enough to do so simply because of your hearts desire.
Ha ha! I was listening to number 2 about a hard work ethic while I laid down for a nap this afternoon instead of doing all of the housework I needed to do today! I’m first trimester tired 😂
I love these unique home making book reviews - and I do enjoy hearing you read the snippets of the books. Farmer Boy was always my children's favorite book of the series.
The tv series of LHoTP was v popular in Australia in the late 1970s and until your videos I had no idea the stories originated from books. I love books set in diff time periods - social history fascinates me. Stay safe and best wishes from Australia 🤗
I re-read these books periodically, especially when I need to inspire myself to do difficult chores or housework. I also use books like “Little Women”, the Gene Stratton Porter book “Laddie” or the Jane Flory book “Mist on the Mountain” for the same inspiration. When I need to inspire myself to work in the garden, I re-read “The Secret Garden”, or ALL of the Beverly Nichols books, especially the “Merry Hall” trilogy. I am 70 years old and I have probably read each of these books dozens of times. (The Chinese say, “A good book is worth reading 100 times.”). I am so happy that I recently discovered your channel! I immediately bought all of the Madame Chic books and have added them to my inspiration list. It is such a pleasure hearing from a woman who was not foolish enough to fall for so much of the selfish feminist garbage that is being spewed today. My own mother, who recently passed at the age of 90, had a genius level I.Q., but when she and my father married, they were only able to manage a higher education for my father. (He has a PhD in Organic Chemistry.). My mother gave up her dream of a medical career to make a home for her husband and four children. She did not repine, but took great pride in her lovely home and in her family. She never stopped educating herself and read extensively and could talk knowledgeably on almost any subject. My dad always said that he would never have been able to succeed the way that he did without her help. She ran the house and everything related to it, and managed it well. It was years before I realized how lucky I was to always be able to bring my friends home to a beautifully kept house and a good, hot meal on the table every evening. She didn’t just do “housekeeping”, she knew how to create a beautiful home life for her family. I hope that more young women become interested in making a home and raising a family. I speak from experience when I tell you that the business world is NOT necessarily the best way to have a fulfilling life.
I knew my great-grandma, born in 1885. She said you never went to bed with the stink of the day on you. Feet, armpits, and nether regions were washed daily-she called it a “spit wash.” Saturday night was a deep soaking clean, and they had some dry shampoo stuff that they used on their hair during the week (Idk what was in it but she said they got it at the pharmacy).
Hi Jennifer. I've thoroughly enjoyed the readings from this book. My favourite part is the cleaning of the carpets. Even in those times and with no vacuum cleaner they managed to find a way to do their housework. A bath once a week!! Aren't we just so spoilt. Just the thought of that is beyond comprehension. 🚽🚿🛁 I do appreciate these necessary luxurious items. As a child we would spend Christmas holidays with my mother's family who lived in a small beachside town and this was before the town received proper sewerage connections and much of the water came from the tank in the backyard. The outhouse as it was called was 'just groutesque'. And tank water is ok except when it hasn't rained for a while and the children would have to share bath water and only a small amount of it!!! oh yes such memories. Thank goodness for the modern era. Thankyou for this video. Cheers Beverley xx
Thank you for this series! It is so inspiring! I read Farmer Boy out loud to my 4th grade class for 10 minutes every year before lunch as a reward for a good morning of work. Hearing your comments brings back so many wonderful memories of that time as well as memories of my own mother and grandmother and their excellent home making routines and skills! All still so relevant in attitudes and priorities today!! Thank you Jennifer!!
Such insights, Jennifer!! You amaze me each time with your content. You set the bar higher and higher. I am so glad I found you!! I felt every word you said. Yes, indeed our lifestyles, the disconnect and alienation, corporate cultural hemegomy - we have changed. Time to evaluate and get rooted again in the simple pleasures.
I remember as a child spending the night with my sister who is 15 years older than me. The children had to share bath water after the adults had their baths. At that time I thought nothing of it but now I feel icky even thinking about it.
After listening to your talks I have ordered the books so that I can eventually share them with my two year old granddaughter. Thank you. We used to go to my great aunt's beach house. It was an old cottage that originally had three rooms. It was an overseer home from an old farming community. Later the horse and buggy area was made into a fourth room. When I was little there was no indoor conveniences at home or there. But down at the beach there was tank water and no electricity either. Meat was bought daily and mum would not cook on the wood stove so meals were very very simple. Sweeping carpets free of sand was a dreadful labour for a small child. Our baths were taken in metal tubs in the kitchen. When washing had to be done they were dragged to the back verandah and used for the washing. We would stand on the grass and it was a good height to wash from. The place had may cracks and in winter it could be very cold. I never dreamed that in my adult life I never thought I would have to wash by hand to that extent. At one stage we had a washing machine failure and hand washing was very real. A kind aunt gave her old one which flooded the house and more hand washing was done. Ir was much easier as Had a bath tub and hot water on tap.
Farmer Boy made me realize I could eat pie for breakfast.
Pie for breakfast is the best. My grandma always had it.
Cherilyn Larsen, this comment is the best! I smiled and had to find it so I could like it, and after searching for a good while, I realized it was right under my comment! HAHAHA
@@frecklesandcatwhiskers7459 Thanks!!! I loved the descriptions of meals in Farmer Boy.
This this this!!!
My mother let us have pie for breakfast. Especially egg custard.
I love this book so much. When my now 6'3" 19 year old son was 5, I gave him the job of dumping the compost bucket daily at the back of our property. He pretended he was Almanzo taking slop out to his pig Lucy. Like Almanzo, my son has two older sisters, and every time my eldest began bossing her siblings my son would say, "Eliza Jane was bossy." 🤣 Oh, those sweet memories!
That's so funny, Kristyn!
lol so cute! My 3 1/2 year old daughter always refers to herself as Laura. She makes me either be Ma or Miss Beadle lol
Please consider doing the same thing with the Anne of Green Gables books.
YES!! :)
We listen to those books over and over!!💗💞 ~Rachel
Yes, please!
one I always do from it is to turn my covers back to air the bed each morning. making my bed later after a shower. we can wash our sheets much more easily now, but letting the heat and moisture dissipate makes the bed feel fresh every night.
One of my favourite homemaking quotes in Farmer Boy is actually said by his father!
On pg 306 his father says, "All it saves us time,son. And what good is time with nothing to do."
In this quote the father was teaching his son that time saving mecahines do have their place but his goal was not simply to get out of work for the sake of getting out of work. He wanted to work and fill his time profitably. He knew his work was valuable. He knew time was valuable but only so far as it was being used well for the tasks that he was responsible to complete.
Ahhh my phone....
☺️
Typos!!
*All it saves is time
*machines
So beautifully said ❤️
@@TheEllaTB 😘👏👏👏😎😏👏👏💞
I grew up in a family that worked together. We all had our own chores and knew what needed to be done. Both of my parents never drove, so we walked everywhere. We learned quickly to be punctual because we needed to leave the house at a certain time in order to not be late, especially for church and school. Miss those days....
I'm not very old, but I grew up in a large family, and we typically bathed just once a week too. A couple of times a week, we did what mom called "Sailor shower" which meant you got in the shower and got yourself wet, then turned off the water while washing, and then turn the water back on to rinse. Water is expensive when you're talking about 10 people!
That is also normal in my family. We were taught not to let the water run by any means if you are not using it and I think that is also normal in my country México. When I was an exchange student in the United States, my host mom got upset at me because I was taking showers in that way. She told me to let the water run because I was going to ruin their electric system if I kept turning on and of the water. I felt so bad wasting the water that since that day I took my showers as fast as I could so host mom didn't get upset at me.
@@lauramarin1777 ?? What did the electrical system have to do with it? I guess for the pump, but I can't imagine anyone freaking out about turning the tap on and off to wash hands/brush teeth.
@@iloveprivacy8167 With a tankless water heater, the heating element clicks on every time hot water runs. Its true. For Just cold water it does not. So, yeah, it uses electricity. And maybe could stress the system.
The baths only happened once a week, but the men washed their faces, necks and hair before meals. They also washed up, waist up daily. My grandfather did this until he passed. He was born just at 1900. They were cleaner than we think of. :)
And they were very covered by clothing from head to toe as well.
Running water, my favorite modern convenience.
Seriously.
It’s right up there with air conditioning!
@@peachpathfinder my parents had a very rustic vacation cabin on an island 11 miles from the mainland. No phone, no electricity, with my bucket in the very cold lake I was the running water.
I recently started reading the whole series again after probably 45 years! I just finished Farmer Boy and I loved it! As an adult I feel like I can appreciate it even more. Almanzo’s mother made 500 lbs. of butter! It’s staggering to think how hard everyone worked. It’s a little sad to think how far we all are from the processes of our food and clothes, etc. They had to make almost everything.
And didn't kill a single one of them to do so! *Most* were healthier than WE are now, despite our priviledges.💔
People still live like this here in Eastern Europe. Here, Saturday is the cleaning day usually, and people get food ready for Sunday. Even when I was a child, we would take baths only on Saturday, as for the rest of the days we would just wash in a big special washing bowl just the parts that needed a quick wash (😉). Sadly, we did not have a routine for our teeth, although we did not have candy or any sweets as much as kids have nowadays.
I love hearing about the traditions of different countries and regions. Thank you for sharing!
My Slovenian husband also remembers fondly his childhood weekends, especially saturdays when all the house was cleaned (by his mother alone which is kinda sad, I wish she taught the boys to help her), the cake was made and everything smelled so nice. Also, cleaning the cellar and all the food storage at a farm does take a lot of time because there’s so much food to store. I can’t wait to read this book! Thank you.
That is exactly what my mom said ( grew up in 40s). Took bath once a week but had "bird baths" midweek. Hit the important parts from a bucket. Amazing how these actions we all still share. 😊
I fondly remember those big, special dinners on Sunday.
I wish to live this way with tradition, hard work and routines that all create a beautiful life
Re: #6 - I have four children and when it was 4 kids under 9yrs old, every Sat evening I would trim all fingernails and toenails - all 80! - lol! Did that for years until each child was able to trim their own without cutting their fingertips :) . Also, my grandmother is 90 years old and she takes one bath a week - every Sat evening - yet every day she is still put together with her hair done and dressed nicely (no yoga pants or even jeans for her).
All 80! 😆 I love it! And your grandmother sounds wonderful.
Farmer Boy is also my favorite book of the series. The way she describes family meals was such a pleasure to experience.
I agree!
I grew up on a sheep station (ranch) in western Queensland, Australia in the 1940s. Our comforts were more advanced than the “Little House” days but we had no electricity so all cooking was done on a wood fired stove and the station machinery was powered by petroleum products.
One saving grace was Queensland’s weather, very hot, we took cold showers every day. (bore water) and were thankful for them.
My.mother was a great cook and homemaker, she certainly believed her children should do chores after the correspondence lessons were over. We read, played backyard cricket and occasionally drove to visit the neighbours who were over a hundred miles away.
It was a hard, exciting childhood.but I’m not about to give up my modern life, even if the pandemic is just as dangerous as brown snakes.
Thanks for the memories Jennifer - happy Sunday!
Hi Kaye from Brisbane. Great to see a fellow Qlder here.
Such an interesting childhood!
I LOVE this video. And the Little House books series, which I only read last summer at the age of 70! Fabulous books, fabulous lessons to learn and such inspiration.
I often think I would love to have lived in those times. So simple.
The family that cleans together sticks together
It used to be so much joy in families when it came to spring deep cleaning before the Persian new year in Iran.
The mother is acting like the woman in Proverbs 31 vs 10 - 31 and that is why she is being honored and loved
The movie series called love comes softly are nice too
Thank you for sharing your videos I always enjoy them
With Love from Iran ❤
I love the Love Comes Softly series, too
@@kempfreehold9450
My favorite is the first movie
Love, love this video so much! So inspiring! Tomorrow I start reading the little house series to my girls. Cannot wait :)
A few things are still similar here in the Netherlands (for christians) Saturdayafternoon is preparation for sunday. Take a shower, make soup, bake something delicious for sunday. Laying out our sunday’s best dresses. My husband blesses us all with the Aaronic blessing. Then it is sunday. We have a lovely breakfast. Dress beautifully, our hairupdo is extra special. And then go to church. After church we have cake and coffee and we play games or read or take a walk. We don’t eat out in restaurants, we do not shop. It really is time for the Lord and our family. Zero chores are done on sunday, only the dishes. In the afternoon we go to church again. In the evening we burn candles, make music together, eat crisps and other snacks , have one glass of wine (not allowed on other days). I look forward to sunday every week. Really a day of rest and rejoice in the Lord.
Looking forward to episode 2 of farmer boy! ❤️ Blessings to you Jennifer!
That sounds amazing! What a way to celebrate our Lord and the rest He gives!
Sounds delightful
Wow. Such a beautiful routine. I'm going to take inspiration. This seems like a beautiful way to celebrate a Sabbath
Your Sunday routine sounds beautiful!
Farmer Boy is my favorite too! I've read it many times to my children over the years. We had to read it right before lunch because it always made us hungry! 😂
This was maybe the first chapter book I ever read one on one with my son. It’s one of his favorites :)
I once heard that a theory as to why there are so many food descriptions in this book is that Laura grew up with so little, especially food at times. Ma Ingalls was a great cook, but they didn’t have access to the same level of food that the Wilders did. So the idea of the large pantry and unlimited food was an amazement for Laura, even as an adult.
I don't think a daily bath or shower came to be popular until the 1970s. I know when I was a kid, we took Saturday night baths, the rest of the week it was a scrub down of the face, hands, neck, and ears. "Make sure you get the backs of those ears". Lol.
I love competing with myself. I’ll make a list of tasks the night before and say, “ x y and z must be done by 9:00 am.”
Annnnnnd GO!😂
LOVE Farmer Boy!! It does not get the credit it deserves! Thank you for sharing Jennifer!
Butter making. Very easy to do. I do it quite often. It only takes about 10 minutes in my kitchen aid and a bit longer using the hand mixer. When finished, you need to squeeze it in ice water. Its the best and can be frozen. I'm sure you can go on TH-cam for instructions. Being reared on a farm I grew up similar to farm boy but we bathed quit often.
I value the way I grew up. To this day I still sew and make some of my own clothing. My daughter kept quit a few of her homemade dresses.
Precious memories....they are mental treasures.❤❤❤
I have never made butter at home... I bet it's amazing!
@@TheDailyConnoisseur try it with your children. They will be amazed at watching the heavy whipping cream turn to butter. It gets a bit messy as the butter will separate and the buttermilk or whey is left.
I keep that buttermilk and freeze it for when a recipe calls for buttermilk.
Hope you do this with your children. They will enjoy it so much....especially the eating part.
We used to make butter in a mason jar when we were kids. Just shake. Fun for kids.
Penny Wheeler I would love to make butter. It’s a fascinating process.
@@LoriSkees its really very easy. I'm sure they have videos on youtube...its so worth it.
I am LOVING this series! Farmer Boy was my absolute favorite book growing up. All of the routines and rich descriptions of their life just felt so cozy (and still do!). I’m so glad you included the sheep story! I still think about that anecdote to this day whenever I feel like I’m sneaking a little head start into my life. Whenever I do a morning chore the night before, I feel like I will be waking up with a sheep already in the loft 😉 I can’t wait for part two; thank you for all the work you’re putting into these lovely videos, Jennifer!
Thank you! I love your channel! Thanks for stopping by ♥️
I love the LH books, but Farmer Boy is my favorite. (These Happy Golden Years is great too). I have re read this series several times. As an adult too. When life gets too hectic and stressful I read one. Her writing style is so calm. I think the other thing I love about them is that they don’t seem to have a ton of stuff, and what they had they took good care of and treasured. They were minimalists before it was cool!
I agree with this 💯 percent!
At least the Wilder family changed the water between baths! My Grandpa told us about how the thirteen children in his family had all used the same bath water on Saturday nights, starting with the oldest, and ending with the youngest. He would always add with a chuckle, “I think the last ones came out dirtier than they went in!” 😄
I was a nurse in a retirement home. Your story makes me think of one of our residents who absolutely fought us when it was bath time. I finally realized that he was the youngest of 11 children and had to bathe in the cold, dirty water on Saturday night. I began to whisper to him on bath day, "You better come with me, so we can bathe before all the others realize it is bath time." He never fought me again!!! I LOVE these stories and the older folks I worked with for so many years. :)
@@pamelachappell1089 great nurse!
My mom too...they had to reuse the water.
I have been watching this series while sewing. It makes for such a pleasant afternoon :)
I cant even begin to tell how much the little house books influenced my life. And seeing many things from knotts berry farm. The little house cookbook alone helped so much. I have gardens.ive done canning and food dehydrating. Sewing,and cooking. Yes,I even learned spinning wool on both a spindle and a wheel and even learned how to weave. And now today,the homesteading craze is really coming back. I wonder how much is little house influenced?
Oh,did I mention that I also learned to play the violin/ fiddle as well? And yes.....guess who inspired that?
Jennifer... I found some movies called The Five Little Peppers.. On TH-cam.. They are adapted from books written in the late 1880s to 1919... I think you would like them...
I read the first one to my son years ago. We loved the book so much.
Exactly when you said how proud Alonzo was of his mother for her butter I got goosebumps over my whole body and then you said it gave you chills. We think very much alike. 🥰
I am sooooo thankful for HOT running water. 🤣😂 a few years ago, we moved quickly into a rental that was recently partially remodeled. Everything seemed fine, until I tried to get hot water! Turned out, they hadn't hooked up the hot water heater. 🤣 so I had to boil huge kettles of water, and lug them down the hall and up the steps to the shower where we would mix that hot water with cold water in a larger plastic tub and finally, bathe. 😂🤣 there were 5 of us, so I would bathe the toddler in a large Rubbermaid tote on the kitchen floor while I washed the supper dishes, and then each night, I would have 2 of us bathe upstairs. 😂 it's Ben years now, and we still laugh about me carrying all those huge pots of water so we could wash up. I'm glad we have those memories though.
I understand...when my hot water heater broke and I could not afford to get one right away. Very sobering to boil water... transport it.... appreciation.
I loved this so much Jennifer! This was my favorite book series when I was growing up and I was in love with the TV series too. Because I had boys I never thought to read these with them, but I think that boys can relate to them and benefit from them too - especially Farmer Boy. I am inspired to re-read them now! I can't wait for Part 2. Thank you for sharing your insights and for the encouragement you provide for homemakers everywhere! Lots of love! 💛Robin
Thank you, Robin!
I read these to my girls first and then I had only boys and missed reading them, but I realized that, even they the Ingalls had all girls, they are doing a lot of things that we would consider boyish and Pa figured into the story a lot too. My sons liked the books after all. I do wish people would consider them for their sons also.
You’re a woman after my own heart
Loved this series, esp this book!
Love from Indiana!
I do seasonal cleaning! The week of the first day of fall or winter, ect. I have a list of about 20 extra things we do! I also have a daily, weekly and monthly cleaning &organizing list!
Cheap Schooling can you share??? Would love to see what you do
I listened to this while doing my makeup! I love your channel...don’t ever stop.
Oooooh I CANNOT wait for part 2🥰🥰
I see I am late to the party... Just wanted to say thank you, Jennifer, for sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed this video, propped up behind my sink while I washed the breakfast dishes. 😊 I’m inspired to share this book with my young sons, I enjoyed it many years ago when I was a girl. Even more, I’m inspired to become more like Susan Sowerby, with that kind, warm, uplifting light to nourish my family, especially with.
I love that you are discussing Farmer Boy, it has always been my favourite too. Enjoying your video content more than ever recently, always looking forward to your next video!
This series has been really eye opening for me. I've never read the Little House series (plan to now), but man oh man, I have it easy. Its still hard of course, being a homemaker now, but this has made me so thankful for modern conveniences like the vacuum and washing machine! I feel motivated to get more done now, because honestly, I can
Jennifer I live an hour from Mansfield,Missouri. I have visited Laura Wilder’s home. Because of her small height her husband Almanzo built her kitchen accordingly!! I believe there was a stream near the house as she would feed the turtles milk and bread every day!! The tour guide said they would be there waiting for her.
My kids and I listened to the audio book version of the whole series in the past year and it was so well done, Farmer Boy was my favorite!
When I was growing up in the 70s & 80s, my brothers and sister and I had daily and weekly chores to do. Saturday mornings were cleaning time and no one was allowed to play or go out with friends until all the cleaning was done. We didn't have to work as hard as they did in pioneer times, thank god! My niece and nephews grew up without having to lift a finger, and whenever they were asked to help there was so much complaining and carrying on - and I think that is pretty typical for many families now.
The Little House books are a favorite and you have brought a new insight to them...thank you!
Great series. My grandmother, born in 1896, used to tell us that they washed their hair once a month because they believed that stripping the hair of oils was not healthy. Some people have very oily hair so that would not work for them. She said that she and her sisters brushed their hair 100 strokes every night.
This “Farmer Boy” Series is delightful. I have admired Mrs. Wilder for years and enjoy learning from the past. Well done!
As a small child, I remember taking everything out of the house, washing it down, washing the walls, etc, then putting back together. The rooms would feel do fresh afterword.
I grew up getting water from a well. It was hard! You have no idea how heavy a bucket of water can be til your pulling the chain up! I also had to wash my clothes in the winter to let them freeze and then bring them in to hang over the wood stove to dry so I could wear them to school. Luckily, we did have a tub but a bath consisted of barely enough water to sit in! And yep, baths were pretty much once a week.
Oh....and I'm 52.😉
You are young! It's neat you have all of that life experience!
I absolutely loved the Little House books, but I never actually read Farmer Boy. Hearing a bit about it and that it’s your favorite makes me want to get a copy!
Homemade pizza every Thursday - we've being doing it for years.
My family and I lived on a farm until I was 12 yrs old. I had read ALL the Little House books...but sadly none of my family members read them... i learned at an early age how much better our farm could have been run if we all worked together. It was a very trying childhood listening to lots of complaining and arguing amongst my other siblings and parents. I could not even impliment the things with my own children. Blessings to the women who can do it!! 💕
The Little House books have so many life lessons. Our son learned about economics from Almanzo buying a pig to raise instead of spending his money on pleasures. Our son bought a purebred Lab puppy to raise, and then sold her puppies for profit.
I was just thinking of you the other day when I came across an artist named Lilla Cabot Perry. She was a Victorian working mother. I immediately wondered if you had ever discussed her work in your monthly challenges. Did you know that she was the one who introduced Monet’s work to America? Very interesting lady. On a more relevant note, I think Farmer Boy is my favorite amongst all of the LIW books. My boys enjoyed listening to me read it aloud to them when they were younger.
Update: You can watch part 2 of this video here ➡️ th-cam.com/video/YmO2ZhyOuI4/w-d-xo.html And watch the original Little House video here ➡️ th-cam.com/video/Qib-qDD2gAA/w-d-xo.html Also, I have placed the time stamps for this video in the description box and created library cards in the video for your reference. I would love to know your thoughts on the homemaking secrets in FARMER BOY. Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you soon! Love, Jennifer
I did a lot of this when my kids were little. Besides daily, a weekly and quarterly deep clean was needed. Today, I’m in a Euro sized apartment with the 2 youngest (#6 and #7), so we have to clean thoroughly more frequently-like the cabinet fronts are washed down once a month.
I am reading it right now. Love it.♥️
Thank you for reminding of all the things I take for granted.
I am in a habit of sewing and a little bit of designing as well, and I *love* the cut of your shirt! It looks super comfy, yet so ellegant! 🥰
Pretty clothing needing to be uncomfortable is a myth created by ready made fashion: if it fits, it feels right. 🌷
I love this series that you are doing! It struck me when you said Mother was Knitting in the evenings. I find Knitting very therapeutic. Perhaps she really enjoyed her Knitting time💕💕💕 it can be a creative outlet for artistic expression
My favourite book of the series! The food descriptions make my mouth water every time!
Your homemaking series videos are so inspiring to me. I love being reminded how important this job is.
Hello - I recently discovered your series and was so pleasantly surprised by these videos on the Little House books. These were my mother's favorite books. She discovered them later in life. I never read them growing up but I have read some of them to my grandchildren. Now I want to read Farmer Boy! I'm in my 70's now! Thank you for your wonderful presentations!
Love that you did this and the Little House on the Prairie books. The books and the tv series had such an impact on me as an 80s kid and it's the reason I think this LA girl loves to sew, knit, and cook as a result of that influence. Thanks for bringing up so great points of the book series. Recently discovered your channel and loving all the great meal preps etc.
Thank you for pointing all these out. Even those our tasks are easier, I wish our lives were simpler as they were then; they were content and had good standards for living.
Yes! Farmer Boy is the book that inspired me years ago to figure out how to get my children doing chores and doing them well. I mention all the time when I'm interviewed for podcasts, etc. as the book that was a huge turning point for me in my homemaking career.
One of my favorite books! All her stories are so informative!
its my favorite of the series too. and i love them all. the long winter has many good lessons too
Love this series so much! Pulled out my Little House books and started reading them again. Thank you for the inspiration.
So many great Homemaking tips! Something so simple as emptying the bath water for the person before you is so humbling to me, I loved that🌹
This is absolutely my favorite book from childhood. Loved this video so much! ❤️
When you mentioned Competition, I said, ah it will be the thing about the sheep. I now want to read the series again after your videos! My mom read it to me a few times before I could read, and I read it multiple times as a child. I laugh about the sheep shearing thing because I did not get the joke till a few decades after the last time I read the series!!
I LOVE this series!!! These are some of our favorite books. These stories are so rich with American heritage. My grandfather was one of 14 children, and they also had a weekly bath on Saturday nights. What a standard to aspire to- both Ma Ingalls and Mrs. Wilder. Thank you for applying their lessons to our lives today. Much love to you in Christ!
Thank you God for grocery stores always being stocked in my area(we live in farm central) and warm and easily accessible bathing options, warming and cooling systems in our homes, stoves that turn on without the need to go buy fuel, electric lights and most of all, the ability to give to others who don't have those things. Thank Him for it even if you cannot give to others for one day you may be blessed enough to do so simply because of your hearts desire.
(PS You look absolutely amazing!)
Thank you!
I have so enjoyed your Homemaking Secrets from the Little House series. This is one of my favorites and I can’t wait for part 2!
Ha ha! I was listening to number 2 about a hard work ethic while I laid down for a nap this afternoon instead of doing all of the housework I needed to do today! I’m first trimester tired 😂
Obrigada por todas as partilhas deliciosas e inspiradoras. Que maravilhoso é o seu canal. Um grande beijinho
Thank you so much!
I'm loving these Laura Ingalls Wilder book series videos. Great observances.
I love these unique home making book reviews - and I do enjoy hearing you read the snippets of the books. Farmer Boy was always my children's favorite book of the series.
I love hearing your insights from this series, and I wish I had read them when I was little. It’s never too late, and I just got the first book! 🌱🌾🌾🌾
Every time I read this, I have to make this breakfast!
The tv series of LHoTP was v popular in Australia in the late 1970s and until your videos I had no idea the stories originated from books. I love books set in diff time periods - social history fascinates me. Stay safe and best wishes from Australia 🤗
This is so magical! I love how the whole family did their part and seemed to enjoy it. That is so inspiring.
I re-read these books periodically, especially when I need to inspire myself to do difficult chores or housework. I also use books like “Little Women”, the Gene Stratton Porter book “Laddie” or the Jane Flory book “Mist on the Mountain” for the same inspiration. When I need to inspire myself to work in the garden, I re-read “The Secret Garden”, or ALL of the Beverly Nichols books, especially the “Merry Hall” trilogy. I am 70 years old and I have probably read each of these books dozens of times. (The Chinese say, “A good book is worth reading 100 times.”). I am so happy that I recently discovered your channel! I immediately bought all of the Madame Chic books and have added them to my inspiration list. It is such a pleasure hearing from a woman who was not foolish enough to fall for so much of the selfish feminist garbage that is being spewed today. My own mother, who recently passed at the age of 90, had a genius level I.Q., but when she and my father married, they were only able to manage a higher education for my father. (He has a PhD in Organic Chemistry.). My mother gave up her dream of a medical career to make a home for her husband and four children. She did not repine, but took great pride in her lovely home and in her family. She never stopped educating herself and read extensively and could talk knowledgeably on almost any subject. My dad always said that he would never have been able to succeed the way that he did without her help. She ran the house and everything related to it, and managed it well. It was years before I realized how lucky I was to always be able to bring my friends home to a beautifully kept house and a good, hot meal on the table every evening. She didn’t just do “housekeeping”, she knew how to create a beautiful home life for her family. I hope that more young women become interested in making a home and raising a family. I speak from experience when I tell you that the business world is NOT necessarily the best way to have a fulfilling life.
Almanzo's mom never ceases to amaze me. I thought it was interesting that Almanzo was treated almost as a man at age 9!
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this while deep cleaning my kitchen!
Almonzo’s mother was straight out of Proverbs 31. Check it out!
I knew my great-grandma, born in 1885. She said you never went to bed with the stink of the day on you. Feet, armpits, and nether regions were washed daily-she called it a “spit wash.” Saturday night was a deep soaking clean, and they had some dry shampoo stuff that they used on their hair during the week (Idk what was in it but she said they got it at the pharmacy).
8 Cousins is a great book to do this series with as well! As well as Rose in Bloom.
Thank you for your videos! They are what I need in this season of life. 💙
Hi Jennifer. I've thoroughly enjoyed the readings from this book. My favourite part is the cleaning of the carpets. Even in those times and with no vacuum cleaner they managed to find a way to do their housework. A bath once a week!! Aren't we just so spoilt. Just the thought of that is beyond comprehension. 🚽🚿🛁 I do appreciate these necessary luxurious items. As a child we would spend Christmas holidays with my mother's family who lived in a small beachside town and this was before the town received proper sewerage connections and much of the water came from the tank in the backyard. The outhouse as it was called was 'just groutesque'. And tank water is ok except when it hasn't rained for a while and the children would have to share bath water and only a small amount of it!!! oh yes such memories. Thank goodness for the modern era. Thankyou for this video. Cheers Beverley xx
Thank you for this series! It is so inspiring! I read Farmer Boy out loud to my 4th grade class for 10 minutes every year before
lunch as a reward for a good morning of work. Hearing your comments brings back so many wonderful memories of that time as well as memories of my own mother and grandmother and their excellent home making routines and skills! All still so relevant in attitudes and priorities today!! Thank you Jennifer!!
I really like the way you read....
Loved little house ....
Thank you! I have a lot of experience reading to my kids, haha
Such insights, Jennifer!! You amaze me each time with your content. You set the bar higher and higher. I am so glad I found you!! I felt every word you said. Yes, indeed our lifestyles, the disconnect and alienation, corporate cultural hemegomy - we have changed. Time to evaluate and get rooted again in the simple pleasures.
Another awesome video. Thank you. On to part 2.
Jennifer, you are so lovely. Thank you for these beautiful tips
I like this format you are using now.
I remember as a child spending the night with my sister who is 15 years older than me. The children had to share bath water after the adults had their baths. At that time I thought nothing of it but now I feel icky even thinking about it.
After listening to your talks I have ordered the books so that I can eventually share them with my two year old granddaughter. Thank you.
We used to go to my great aunt's beach house. It was an old cottage that originally had three rooms. It was an overseer home from an old farming community. Later the horse and buggy area was made into a fourth room. When I was little there was no indoor conveniences at home or there. But down at the beach there was tank water and no electricity either. Meat was bought daily and mum would not cook on the wood stove so meals were very very simple. Sweeping carpets free of sand was a dreadful labour for a small child. Our baths were taken in metal tubs in the kitchen. When washing had to be done they were dragged to the back verandah and used for the washing. We would stand on the grass and it was a good height to wash from. The place had may cracks and in winter it could be very cold.
I never dreamed that in my adult life I never thought I would have to wash by hand to that extent. At one stage we had a washing machine failure and hand washing was very real. A kind aunt gave her old one which flooded the house and more hand washing was done. Ir was much easier as Had a bath tub and hot water on tap.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Very well put together.
I love this video! Looking forward to the next one.