Use Your Grandmother, or Borrow One

At a weekly religion class I was attending, I noticed that a woman there was embroidering some kitchen towels.  My Mom had done this in the past, but no longer had any patterns.  As it turned out, I came across some of this very fabric when my mother-in-law was cleaning out her parents' home and passed it on to me in the hopes that I'd make use of it.  This Swedish weave embroidery, also known as huck-towel embroidery is one of those rare glimpses into vintage trousseaus.  So as I showed my interest, this wonderful lady - who happens to be my neighbor's mother - offered to help me get started.  She was enthusisatic to share her skill and knowledge with one from a younger generation.  This happened to be a very easy handicraft to pick up (and you can buy the towels at any decent craft store) and I'm considering teaching my 9 year old daughter soon.  It works up quickly and provides good visual progress.  So, either tap into the resource of your living grandmother, or borrow one!  Most any older, experienced artisan is more than happy to share a bit of themselves by teaching the up-and-coming generation. 

Gardening: The Secret Relationship Between Mothballs and Your Peach Tree

Often the best secrets and tips for the domestic arts are found in that endearing, but under-utilized population of octogenarians.  This gardening tip came from a cute, older woman who used to run a large orchard. 
Gardeners have long hung mothballs in nylon stockings from trees to detract scavenging animals and pests.  However, this is a new application of that antiquated item in your grocery store's laundry aisle.  In order to rid your peach tree of borers (to which almost all peach trees succumb), try this when the weather starts getting cool.  Dig a 6 inch trench circling the base of your tree.  Fill this trench with mothballs (I used moth crystals) add water, and replace the dirt.  According to my seasoned, orchard-owning source, it works like a charm to rid your tree of borers, or prevent them from invading your tree in the first place. 
Whether or not my tree is past saving (it's fairly severely afflicted), it was still fun to step back in time and apply the wisdom of a spunky, garden sage.

Homemaking = Nurturing

I love some of these quotes I came across regarding homemaking and its vital role in the family as well as in society.

"Another word for nurturing is homemaking.  Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keep an orderly home.  Home is where women have the most power and influence. . . Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate.  Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. . . Nuturing requires organization, patience, love, and work."  Julie B Beck (15th General Relief Society President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

"There is an art to being a homemaker.  For ourselves and our families, it is important that we have a sanctuary - a place of refuge away from the world where we feel comfortable and where, if others come, they, too, can feel comfortable."  Barbara W. Winder (11th General Relief Society President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)


"Hold your heads high, you wives, mothers, homemakers.  You engender life and enrich it.  Don't trade that pervasive force for fleeting, surface trinkets.  Cherish it, enlarge it, magnify it." Barbara B. Smith (10th General Relief Society President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)

There is nothing more than being a homemaker for my family, and providing that environment for my family as well as teaching them how to provide that in their own future homes is not only vital, but the most important privilege and blessing in my life.

For more info:
http://www.lds.org/relief-society/daughters-in-my-kingdom/manual/guardians-of-the-hearth-establishing-nurturing-and-defending-the-family?lang=eng&query=homemaker

http://mormon.org/family