A Housewife Writes

The Small Courtesies in Life

Some thoughts written in 1931 by a woman in Wyoming on the small courtesies that make life better for everyone– Recently I bought a dress and hat at a local shop kept by a women. Early in life, she was suddenly and without preparation thrust into the position of breadwinner for herself and husband. Through the various ups and downs…

Simple Meals: Sunday dinners, 1913 and today
Simple Meals: Sunday dinners, 1913 and today

Simple meals. They’re the goal for any day of the week but especially useful on the weekends. If you are trying to avoid eating out and don’t want to deal with prepping meals ahead of time, it’s essential to be ready with some extra simple meals. Here is one woman’s perspective on Sunday dinners, written in 1913.  We need to…

Mothers, Don’t Be Martyrs

Here are a few forgotten tidbits reminding mothers not to be slaves to their children. From 1913– Some women think their whole duty to their children consists in drudging for them. An eighteen-year-old girl boasts that she could work if she had to, but “my mother wants me to have a good time, she says I’ll have to work after…

World War I Cooking–An Overview
World War I Cooking–An Overview

What do you know about World War I cooking? Probably very little. It’s not a highlight of culinary history. Go back to the simple life, be contented with simple food, simple pleasures, simple clothes. Work hard, pray hard, play hard. Work, eat, recreate, and sleep. Do it all courageously. ~Herbert Hoover, US Food Administration in World War I I’m one…