Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills
by Mrs. Martha Greene
Review by Martha Robinson
Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills by Mrs. Martha Greene. Spiral bound hardcover, $24.95. Available from Marmee's Kitchen Please help support HomeschoolChristian.com by using our Christian Book Distributors link to buy this book.
Mrs. Martha Greene was inspired to compile the Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills by a memory that a friend shared of her grandmother's housekeeping notebook, which detailed every facet of the activities required to excel at the occupation of homemaking. In this book, Mrs. Greene provides basic information as well as handy tips, reminiscences, and quotations from antiquarian books to provide a starting point for modern women who would like to practice the fine art of housekeeping.
The book is divided into ten sections. The homekeeping chapter deals with maintaining a clean home and doing the laundry. Recipes for homemade cleaners and suggestions for how to schedule cleaning so that everything gets done are some of the highlights.
The hospitality chapter discusses the duty of providing hospitality as mentioned in the New Testament. Recipes for simple foods to serve guests are included. The chapter has a place to record "guests that graced our home."
The next chapter, "Home Duties," is brief. It covers duties of the housekeeper laid out by time of day, and the duties of children.
"First Aid in the Home" goes through the most basic of emergency care, home remedies, and what to have in a first aid kit.
The gardening chapter includes information on herb, flower, and vegetable gardening. Basic instructions, planting records, and a list of resources for seeds appear.
The cooking and baking chapter has a list of staple foods that should be in any well-stocked pantry and a list of essential equipment. Handy information about meat -- how to cut a whole chicken and charts on beef and pork cuts -- is also included.
The "Reserves for the Family" chapter encourages the family to be prepared for emergencies with food and water storage and basic necessities. Canning, dehydrating, and freezing foods are addressed.
The next chapter, "Handiwork," offers the basics of sewing including embroidery, tatting, crocheting, quilting, and knitting. Instructions for making two aprons, a table runner, and curtains are among the tips in this section.
In the "Business of the Home" chapter, wives find charts to inventory the contents of the home and to analyze expenses versus income. Suggestions for being handy and the essential items needed to do simple home repairs are additional areas for discussion in this chapter.
The final chapter provides lovely pages on which the homemaker can record family history. Births, deaths, and marriages may be listed, and places for photographs and memories are included.
Recommendation: Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills is a delightful and attractive book! While it would make an outstanding graduation or marriage gift for a young lady, it would also provide many helpful suggestions to experienced homemakers. This book may turn us back to the days when people valued the fine art of housekeeping!
HomeschoolChristian.com resources related to this review:
HomeschoolChristian.com's Homemaking Section Ideas for being frugal, cooking, and much more!
Review of Becoming Whole: Eating Your Way to Bountiful Health
Review of Believer's Life System
Review of Frugal Families
Review of Managers of Their Homes
Review of Preparing Whole Foods for a Whole Month
Review of Clean 'n Flip
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