Traditional Homemaking Skills - Page 6

[Shenjall]

Originally Posted by Porcelain Interior

...
I am woman hear me roar, from the kitchen.

I LOVE it! This needs to be embroidered on an apron!!

Heres a question for you all: Are you teaching your children these traditional homemaking skills?

[Porcelain Interior]

Originally Posted by Shenjall

I LOVE it! This needs to be embroidered on an apron!!

Heres a question for you all: Are teaching your children these traditional homemaking skills?

They are in my face helping most of the time. I welcome it. I also let them chop and sew stuff. It's scary, but fun.

[transformed]

so where is a good place to get a cute apron (half or bib style) on the cheap? (REALLY cheap )

I tried sewing one but I just didnt do well with paterns and didnt work out freestyle either.

[Porcelain Interior]

Originally Posted by transformed

so where is a good place to get a cute apron (half or bib style) on the cheap? (REALLY cheap )

I tried sewing one but I just didnt do well with paterns and didnt work out freestyle either.

Cheap, I'd go to flea markets and yard sales, goodwill etc. Just keep your eyes peeled.

What is really cheap like under what dollar amount???

And it depends on what you like, are you talking strictly utilitarian? Or vintage feel ladies looking stuff as opposed to man BBQing type aprons?

[transformed]

I am thinking pretty AND protects clothing.

I mean, I dont have any money to spend right now so normally I would spend maybe $20 on one but now cheap like under $5 if it is possible.

Not like this:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/a...s/PB113143.jpg

Like this:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...ykin/apron.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...utey/Apron.jpg

[holyhelianthus]

Aw! I want an apron like that pink one! Cuuuuute!

You know I think I will make myself a deal- if I do xyz I will treat myself to an apron.

BTW can we share our current projects? Besides just trying to get my home clean and organized and getting us on a track of some sort I am working on a picnic blanket. I am knitting it out of all the crappy cheap acrylic yarn I have laying around so it will be a whole bunch of different colors with patches/strips of different sizes. I have no real plan I am just knitting as I go!

My other projects- and this one is hopefully going to help me and the home as a whole in the long run- are...

* Assigning chores to each day of the week (ie: Monday= laundry)
* Meal planing simple meals on a rotating plan for the season (fall/winter).
* Coming up with some sort of daily schedule.
* Setting goals to be done with the home and family by Dec 2009.
* Re-doing our Home Folder.


If anyone has any suggestions for the things I am working on please let me know!!!!

And I have to share my FAVORITE blog- High Desert Home.

[IntuitiveJamie]

I love that everyone wants an apron. I know there are women here on MDC that where them I've seen some posts on it. The reason I don't have any yet is b/c I love to sew but I hate using patterns. So I haven't made myself one yet. I dont sew clothing more like household items and gifts. And they aren't that cheap...the ones I like anyhow. I eyeball all the ones on etsy too.
I just know I'm going to have to make one up one day. I really want one!

I also had the idea that I want really cute cleaning supplies. Haven't y'all seen the rubber gloves with fabric on the cuff? Or the pink duster etc? I just think things that are pretty to use make it more fun. I can just see it now, me in my cute apron and with my fancy rubber gloves on and pink toilet scrubber in hand.

Maybe we should all get motivated and get ourselves some aprons? But I have to wait till after the holidays cuz I have too much going on already.


So Ms. Cleavers of MDC...anyone hosting Turkey day at their house? What are you table decorations going to look like and what are you making?

My table will have cloth covering it (not sure what color yet i need to get some fabric, but possibly a sheer organza). Then I am cutting large felt leaves out of fallish colored felt...oranges, golds, reds.. and placing them overlapping all over the table: http://www.marthastewart.com/photoga...rrentChapter=1 I have made several of these:
http://www.marthastewart.com/photoga...rrentChapter=1
which are super cute by the way.
and these are the centerpieces:http://www.marthastewart.com/photoga...rrentChapter=2

Yes all the ideas came from Martha. My goal was: simple to make (b/c of time and all the other crafting I'm doing for the holidays). As well as to use mostly materials I have, which I am doing. I think it will be beautiful. I will have other decos throughout the living room. More of the cute turkeys, some fake leaves (dont have real ones in Mississippi, well very very few), a pinecone wreath I'll be making, a basket with peat moss and apples..

I am doing a traditional menu...
Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoe casserole, rolls and other ppl are bringing the rest.
I will also have bowls with sugared almonds and pinenuts out and I'll be making a really delicious punch.

So please tell me your plans!!

[IntuitiveJamie]

magtsphil-My project for the new year is to start felting. I'd like to make several things. One is a felted wool blanket.

[1littlebit]

i want the pretty pink apron!!!!!

[holyhelianthus]

Originally Posted by takebirthback

I also had the idea that I want really cute cleaning supplies. Haven't y'all seen the rubber gloves with fabric on the cuff? Or the pink duster etc? I just think things that are pretty to use make it more fun. I can just see it now, me in my cute apron and with my fancy rubber gloves on and pink toilet scrubber in hand.

Ok cuuute!! I eye the FlyLady dusters all the time because they are just so cute and awesome. I know that when I clean with something cute and special I don't feel like I am cleaning at all! So I totally think 'special' cleaning products are worth it.

So Ms. Cleavers of MDC...anyone hosting Turkey day at their house? What are you table decorations going to look like and what are you making?

Yes! We are hosting Thanksgiving in our 2 bedroom apartment . We always do though and I always make everything as my mother isn't really all there and DH's parents have made some choices in life that we'll just say aren't very helpful.
I am making a stuffed turkey (I'm sorry but stuffing isn't stuffing if it hasn't been in a turkey), homemade whole wheat rolls that I look forward to every holiday, roasted squash with other veggies, mixed green salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, deviled eggs and veggie plater (appetizer), and apple pie (probably two). I don't like sweet potatoes and I don't like pumpkin so any of that will have to be made by someone else (which I doubt).

I hadn't thought of decorating but I just HAVE to do that pumpkin vase now. Oh my gosh it is GORGEOUS!!!!!!

Every holiday we eat on plates tat were passed down to me from my great gma (and namesake). They don't really go with any holiday but Christmas (they have red roses) but they scream 'family gathering' to me! :

[transformed]

Us to! 2 bedroom aprtment!

I am getting through depression right now so not really doing any decorating. I'll let the food be the decoration.

Its going to be 5 adults and 3 children. I am trying to make my mom keep the menu really basic. Like 5 courses instead of 10. Please mom!

[captain crunchy]

I am hosting thanksgiving in our two bedroom apartment too!!

We are having ummmm...*counting in head* 10 I believe, and if there are any "stragglers" we invite them too (like if a single friend doesn't have any place to go and isnt' going to their parents or whatever). We are vegetarians so I am cooking everything except the turkey, and MIL has kindly offered to cook and bring that (probably just a turkey breast).

I am making green bean casserole with some fun additions and tweaks, mashed cheese and garlic potatoes, sweet potato casserole, homemade buttermilk biscuits, creamed cauliflower, a fresh/plain vegetable of some kind (maybe steamed asparagus?) gluten-free dressing (not stuffed stuffing lol MIL is celiac so I try to make most things gluten free because I love her!) Also, can-shaped cranberry sauce and homemade cranberry sauce with orange zest.

Also, one no-bake pumpkin pudding pie, a crustless small tart-like one for MIL, a *real* pumpkin pie, a homemade apple pie and a small tart-like crustless one for MIL, homemade whipped cream with chocolate -- and store bought whipped cream for people if they desire.

I am also making homemade spiced cider from cooked/strained apples -- and iced tea for drinks (my mom may bring some too like soda or whatever which we typically don't drink). Oh, and a bottle of wine for me when all is said and done

For *appetizers* I will have spiced nuts I will spice myself (very easy), celery with herb infused cream cheese (take fresh herbs and beat into cream cheese watered down with a tiny bit of milk, like a tablespoon or two) -- it is so easy but makes the traditional cream cheese in celery look and taste a bit more classy I will also put out a bowl of tangerine wedges sprinkled with a bit of shaved chocolate.

For the table, well we have some of our Christmas decorations up already (a sin I know, but I couldn't wait LOL) --- so I am borrowing most of the decor from our fall nature table. We are doing more of a buffet style since I can't accommodate everyone at one table, so the buffet area will be lined with a garland of leaves (that was on our fall table) as well as a faux pumpkin, a folksy looking scarecrow thing that is cute but hard to describe lol.. and if I can pull it off (I don't know if I will be able to!) --- hollowed apples (that I used for the pies) with votive candles in them.

Okay for the tacky part -- how's this, paper plates with cloth napkins Oh well, we don't have enough dishes to accommodate 10-12 people (we seriously downsized and only have 6 of everything) -- but I have beautiful cloth napkins in a rich berry and plum and cloth place mats I got at a thrift store -- so I will be using those with those really thick white paper plates that if you squint almost look ceramic and can be composted so oh well.... it will have to do!!

I also got enough plates that my plan is, to make a plate for everyone as I am putting the leftovers away (because I am making so much stuff, I love Thanksgiving food!) and giving it to them as they leave so they can have leftovers too.

So that is about it -- I have already done some prep, like washed, peeled, cut, and froze all the sweet potatoes -- today I will do the potatoes so they will be ready (wash, peel, cut,freeze). The night before I can make the pies and the spiced nuts.... I can also make the sweet potato casserole the night before (well, assemble it to go into the oven on the day of) -- so I am hoping not to have a lot to do on actual Thanksgiving.

Whew. All I need is an apron!

[hollyvangogh]

Regarding aprons:

I have several cute ones my Grandmother passed down to me. I love 'em! So vintage!

[Shenjall]

If you buy some pretty eyelash yarn and crotchet/knit a small band you can sew it on to any pair of gloves.

[slsurface]

Originally Posted by transformed

so where is a good place to get a cute apron (half or bib style) on the cheap? (REALLY cheap )

I tried sewing one but I just didnt do well with paterns and didnt work out freestyle either.

I just saw some half aprons at JoAnn Fabrics for $1.

As someone else mentioned, try antique or flea markets too. I have a couple antique half aprons that I found at an antique store for a few bucks.

[captain crunchy]

These are the aprons I lust after here

Now, I wouldn't pay $30 for an apron (I can't afford to!) but I just love the style of these particular aprons and the way they lay. Times like these I wish I could sew on a machine I handsew, maybe I could handsew one... but that would take forever I fear.

[loveandmore]

The traditional skills involved in keeping a home really interest me.

[Tangled Hill]

Subbing! What a lovely thread!

[IntuitiveJamie]

So I was wondering if any of you have given thought to why it is you tend towards traditional homemaking skills?

For me I feel it is innate. It just feels right to keep the home as my center and to focus on all things within it, including (and especially) my family. Part of what I feel is that things in this millineum have gotten so far from the home and it's disturbing to me. I think it is a big part of a lot of problems in society. I don't wish to debate this I'm just stating my personal reasons for why I feel home centered. I hope that by being home and being efficient and handy and always available to my children that I will raise them right. And btw, I have two boys. So my hopes are to raise them to be kind, loving, helpful, responsible men. I think all those things go along with traditional homemaking.

What are your reasons?

[IntuitiveJamie]

captain crunchy-I also love those aprons from Etsy, And I too cannot imagine spending $30 on one!! But I don't want to make one from a pattern either. So I will have to look around at the Hobby Lobby and Hancock fabrics. I noticed some cheaper vintage aprons once at the Hancocks...I'll have to go back and check them out.