Life-Changing Homemaking Secrets from Little House on the Prairie | FARMER BOY Part 2

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

Thank you for watching! Tip #14 didn’t make it into the video (I must have skipped it when filming) but you can read it on my corresponding blogpost dailyconnoisseur.blogspot.com/2020/09/little-house-on-prairie-homemaking.html It was the observation that the whole family banded together in a crisis. I hope you enjoy my homemaking series. I would love to know what lessons resonated with you the most. Love, Jennifer

[@awildandsimplelife]

Thanks for sharing this! ❤️❤️❤️

[@sabinewatts6639]

I think another great example of this, is how Eliza 'saves' Almanzo by patching the parlour wallpaper. Yes, deceptive, but so caring!

[@janetwilliams6924]

My folks left us four girls home for a few days in the summer. We did not have a definite return time for them. We were to have kept up the yard. We’re to have mowed the grass. Now it’s 11 pm on the fourth day of them being gone and we get a call from our Mom that they were an hour away. We were so shocked. We called all of our girlfriends and guy friends to help us. We had a yard full of kids mowing and weeding. So much laughter. The yard looked spectacular when our parents pulled into the driveway. Years later when we were adults our parents confessed that they had driven by our house and had seen that nothing had been done. They went to a pay phone in town and called us and then sat down the block and watched how we had handled the situation. They got a real laugh as they saw all of our friends pull up with extra lawn mowers and rakes. Those were such good memories.

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

That is hilarious!

[@maryqueenofScots2023]

Kudos to your folks absolutely brilliant story

[@juliecarns]

Great story to share.

[@NikkiSchumacherOfficial]

Hysterical 😂

[@LoriSkees]

Janet Williams you have very wise parents who must have trusted you a great deal! They knew you would make good at the last minute!

[@NikkiPhillippi]

I’m literally obsessed with these videos lol:)

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

Ah, thank you so much, Nikki! That means a lot to me! xx

[@oliviaa5559]

Me too!!

[@NikkiSchumacherOfficial]

Same. Ha.

[@Happy_Tails_Toy_Poodles]

Same

[@dianaragub-schwartz4416]

ohh Nikki! I'm so happy to see you here. Wow!

[@Maggatoota]

On the tip for not wasting anything, I want to share what my grandmother taught me. Every Friday night was “SOUP” night. She would take every single leftover from the week prior, and dump it into a soup pot. She added one chopped onion, a can of whatever beans she had on hand, and 4 cups of either water or broth. She would bring it to a boil, then simmer for about an hour. Not only is every single soup delicious, you use up every scrap you have in the house!

[@ilovecats9336]

We used to do that when I was a kid only it all went into a casserole dish. We called it what-you-got dinner.

[@bevjo7158]

It’s so funny; I’m 62 years old and I’m now reading The Little House on the Prairie series! I don’t have small kids anymore nor grandchildren!😂. You make everything sound so inviting that I headed out to Barnes and Noble a couple of weeks ago and got the series. It’s not the first time I’ve read books for younger people. As a child, I never read Anne of Green Gables or Little Women; so when my children had to read them for the school they attended, I read them later and enjoyed them so. I probably enjoyed them more as an adult than I would have as a child anyway. I love your channel. You’re much younger than I am, but I still love to take care of my home and all that that entails. Your videos are very encouraging and inspiring.

[@Thekatedelaney]

I don’t have kids either, I read them for myself and loved them! :)

[@LoriSkees]

I am older with grown children and I feel the same way!

[@greenlimabean]

You must read the Betsy Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. She writes of her childhood and young adulthood in Minnesota during 1894-1918

[@dmeyerification]

Same. I am 63!

[@awildandsimplelife]

It's never too late. 😊Enjoy reading! I'd like to check that out too. 😊

[@cinnie2543]

Loved the last reading. It made me think of one of my favorite jokes: With a table full of company, the mother asks her child to say the blessing. The little girl says "I don't know what to say." The mother replies, "Just say what you've heard me say." So the little girl folds her hands and says "Dear Lord, why did I invite all these people!" Seriously, it's good to know I'm not the only one who stresses. :)

[@bitrudder3792]

😂👏🏼

[@dessiemalone8315]

Hahahaha! This made me laugh!🤣

[@juliecarns]

Making bread by hand is quite satisfying; at 12, our job was making 8 loaves of wheat bread after we arrived home from school and wheat white raisin bread another day. We were not reminded or nagged but we were responsible for making it, baking it and putting it in the freezer before bed; we also were responsible to have the right amount thawed for breakfast & 7 lunches for everyone. Great memories.

[@gloriacabeen2819]

A friend got a bread machine several years ago. They were making all kinds of bread. Then they all gained weight, so the machine went to the basement!

[@maryqueenofScots2023]

On appearing calm, my 37 year old daughter still likes to laugh about how one minute I was barking orders at the children but if the phone happened to ring I'd suddenly have a calm and quiet voice when I answered it. I'm glad she can still laugh about that. 🤣🤣🤣

[@jennymc7821]

Said every mother everywhere! My mom used to do this, and now I do. :-D

[@lauradelucastroia4191]

I remember my grandpa lamenting one day, “If only I could go out and dig a ditch,” because he wasn’t able to get around anymore. He was always a very productive person, even having 3 jobs when his children were in college. He had grown up on a farm and really enjoyed mowing and doing outdoor chores. Being usefully employed, whether it be a paying job or not is deeply satisfying. Many nowadays don’t understand the satisfaction it brings. Thank you for focusing on such an interesting subject! 😊

[@alliebennett555]

Where to start...children will not love working in the garden most of the time unless it involves throwing bad tomatoes at each other! Chickens are much loved by children, gathering eggs always exciting for them. Also, picking berries can be a thorny experience that children don’t love. Having a barn and lots of land will keep them happy for hours! My children did not have fast food when they were young and let me tell you cooking, cleaning and gardening for eight is no walk in the park! I bought a bread maker once and they all said it wasn’t as good as “my bread” so I gave it away. I’ve made soap and it’s lovely. I will tell you this, being a homemaker was the best thing I could do for my children. I did go to work when they were all in school and they missed having me home all the time. Lastly, I still grow and preserve our food, now I’m the store for my kids...lol.

[@luba-healthywithluba6866]

I noticed in the entire series how nothing was wasted, even nails when Pa Ingalls was building a house! It is interesting that the Wilders did not allow wasting even though they were well off. We cut open toothpaste and lotion tubes to get the last bit out. It is rather surprising how much product is still inside when we think it has all been used up. We live on a land of plenty, and it is so easy to be wasteful.

[@Princesshelyne]

I am in the middle of painting my master bedroom for the first time in 20 years. I was running out of steam. And then I came across this incredible series of books. It used to be my favorite growing up and I remember spending hours in my mothers bedroom in her comfy chair reading about Laura and her family. It gave me the inspiration to work until The late evening if need be. Thank you for inspiring me to push a little further. Dig down deep and say yes I can. If They can do it with no modern conveniences surely I can push a little harder. My plan tonight will be to sit in my comfy chair in the corner Of my beautifully painted bedroom and read something special. Feels like my life has come full circle.Thank you✨

[@Stacy_Sunshine]

i just wanted to drop a thought on new tech vs the old way.... specifically about the clothes drier. I have a strong preference for hanging clothing on the line. It's a meditation and grounding practice for me. Bare feet on the ground, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. time alone, enjoying the outdoors! It's a time to slow down and breath! Something we often forget to do in our high tech world. Sometimes we miss the little things by introducing technology, as well! ;)

[@averykempf9164]

I am with you on hanging clothes being a meditation. I love hanging clothes on my line!

[@noneyour.]

I couldn't agree more. I'm so glad that I'm not the only one that feels this way👗👖👚😆

[@purpledeer1]

yes, i miss hanging clothes on the line. It also keeps clothes nicer, they dont pill, stains never set in b/c of the dryer. I keep asking my dh to put me up a line, but i am 4 hrs north of Toronto, our 'summery days' start in earnest in may and end in Aug. for the rainy season. We would also have to hang them in the front yard, b/c our back area is a large hill with many trees so there is little sun. But i loved being out in the sunshine hanging clothes. The only problem was if it started raining!

[@Stacy_Sunshine]

@@purpledeer1 when i lived in Texas, and we had wet winters, I admit the inside of my house looked like a chinese laundry. We had clothes and diapers hanging EVERYWHERE! LOL! We did the same on the few rainy weeks we had in Nor Cal, but had a Z bar (the rolling rack they move clothing in a retail establishment) so we used hangers. Where there is a will, there is a way.

[@TheEllaTB]

And in the winter I hang them on a drying rack in the house. The fresh smell of clean clothes freshens the air in the house and the humidity from the clothes brings moisture to the dry air of winter. Spares me the electricity of running a dryer and a humidifier. And I never have piles of clothes to fold. Every child takes their clothes and puts them away and I can easily put the rest away. Because before I can do another load the dryer needs to be cleared off. And since I'm picking up each article of clothing it makes sense to put it away instead of having to handle it again

[@jodycourt]

Oh Jennifer, this was so good! Being a ranchwife and mom to five kids (who are now grown), Farmer Boy was one of our favorite books because it was so relatable to our family life. Our work was right where we lived and it happened every single day. I think that when children know that they are needed, that their parents expect something of them regularly, they will surely rise to the occasion. It promotes self-worth. Our kids all learned to work hard and play hard. That was our mantra too. On a funny note -- our kids always had to help me with the canning process in the fall. They really did not want to do it, but I needed them. My only daughter informed me that she would never EVER do canning when she grew up, but alas, she does, and we often can together even now and laugh about her bold statement as a teenager!

[@MGoss09]

Great video. I am an old soul and wouldn't change a thing. We make our everything you can think of in the kitchen. The only small appliance we own is a crockpot. We make our own yogurt, bread, ice cream with no machines. I enjoy the process so much. I don't make my own soaps or candles, but I do live near an Amish town where purchase these things. I also hang our clothes to dry in the fresh country air. Although, we do have a clothes dryer that we use for the really cold days. We live a slower paced lifestyle so we have more time for "an old fashioned way of life". We are also no waste or very low waste, including water. Thanks Jennifer!

[@annelkins7524]

I’m 63 and remember reading those books over and over. My favorite tip, that I’ve used and repeated to myself over and over is something Ma told Laura. “Least said , soonest mended”. As a teenager I can only imagine how many rough patches it got me out of. I still use it today and am teaching it to my grandchildren

[@purpledeer1]

yes, i use that phrase a lot myself, to myself. Sometimes things aren't a big deal unless you keep talking about them. Sometimes, tho, i wonder if explaining myself would be a positive thing. I am on the reserved side.

[@karennoske3008]

Thanks again for this charming and informative series, Jennifer! I ordered the boxed set of Prairie books and am eagerly anticipating diving into their delights, but I must tell you something that your work has done in my life--something truly wonderful. My DIL and I have never been close and a move put more distance between us. I always loved and admired her, but we seemed to have little in common (except the kids and my son). Well, I urged her to start watching your videos, sent her your books and now, we have a mutual excitement about sharing what we're learning and how to apply it in our very different homes. I'm not sure I can convey to you how grateful I am for this; I've been praying for years to find a way to connect with her and now, we've found something we both love and enjoy discussing. I believe that God will use it to help me gain her trust and open her guarded heart, which has been broken a few times by betrayal. Please know your work isn't just about keeping a nice house or making sure you're sitting up straight--it is a loving hand held out to someone to assure them that there are others in the world who share their dreams of a happy, productive, beautiful life. God bless you, dear Jennifer!

[@amandazplace5663]

I'm enjoying these videos very much! The Little House series is so similar to farming/rural life on the Canadian prairies. My husband & I try to blend some of the best aspects of both my British family history & my husband's German/Norwegian Canadian farming history. Having a flexible supper hour has been a blessing that has reaped great rewards. We eat breakfast & supper together as a family at least 5 days a week, no matter what everyone's schedules look like. I love that being a homemaker allows me the time to implement those things from the past that allign with my personal & family values.

[@bitrudder3792]

Combining a clothes dryer (just a few minutes on warm, or longer on no-heat) with hanging is my favorite to extend the life of knits and certain things with stretch in them, while preventing the need to iron!

[@ThatSimpleLife61]

I do the exact same thing! Nearly all of our wash n wear type clothes (knits, denim, rayon, polyester) I dry for about 7 minutes then either put on hangers to finish drying or put on my drying rack on the patio. Really makes a difference.

[@bitrudder3792]

Donna H. ❤️👍🏻

[@loub1733]

I live in a climate where I can line dry or air dry 90% of my washing- I use a dryer only for underwear that wont shrink. This is a choice on my part not because I am resistant to technology but because I am conscious about living sustainably. I was surprised about Jennifer’s comments on using a dryer - in these times of climate change we all have a responsibility to use energy mindfully.

[@bitrudder3792]

Lou B - so many opinions on what to do, if anything, about climate change. Very politicized, there are over 30K scientists who have publicly said that our actions will not stop climate change. This is suppressed news. Many more fear for their jobs/pensions if they speak out, as they have said while incognito. There are armies of folks ready to fear-monger then fleece us of as much cash as possible over “fixing climate change” as if they know how. THEY DON’T. And the amount of anxiety in children and youth is skyrocketing as a result. I consider it child abuse. Especially with Greta T whose activist parents use her obsessive autistic traits to forward their agenda. Horrible. I’d rather see our actions as common sense use of resources, preventing toxic waste, regenerating the land, managing the ecosystems prone to fires, making sure our “green” solutions aren’t toxic (And I am so sad to say that many of them are toxic still). Like that. One of the most toxic industries is clothing manufacture. Strategic use of washers and dryers as well as hang-drying can extend the life of textiles. It is a balance, in the end. Slow changes toward sustainability that don’t suddenly result in loss of jobs is what I would love to see. It wasn’t right for all the coal miners to lose their livelihoods over fast changes. Families hungry, on welfare, sometimes ending up homeless. How is it right to hurt people now on the off chance that an expensive, unproven intervention will save the future? And no one cares that energy efficient bulbs are extremely harmful to circadian rhythms, much more so than incandescent bulbs AND I have to recycle them in special ways because they are so toxic. The devil is always in the details. Peace!

[@loub1733]

L.C.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/top-10-ways-can-stop-climate-change/ I think some fact checking is needed here but ultimately we cannot expect governments to take responsibility if we don’t. Didn’t mean to cause a controversy and obviously the science speaks and then there is opinion. We all need to make our own mindful choices.

[@nikkien7259]

For technology, the Instant Pot has changed my life. Ribs, pulled pork, even rice. I use it a few times a week.

[@JenniferoftheSea]

Same!🤩🤗

[@pizzagirl3225]

My favorite is not underestimating children's abilities. My dad always trusted me with big things as a child and sent me off to do them with a "Use discretion." As I walked off. I still hear this in the back of my brain when I'm trying something I'm unsure about.

[@connie5768]

I really love all the lessons of involving children with the day-to-day upkeep up the home and family, even when they are babies. They need to derive pleasure from helping Mom and Dad and taking pride in a job well done so that the entire concept becomes a part of who they are.

[@stacey3.5]

This series was wonderful thank you! I'll never forget years ago how inspired I got when I read Farmer Boy! I was making bread almost daily and everything I cooked for my kids and husband was from scratch! I still cook everything from scratch! This book had a huge impact on me as a young wife and stay at home mom ❤️ This was fun 😊

[@jennifervandenburg3287]

Farmer Boy has been our favorite of the series! Two years ago my daughter and I went to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Festival in Desmet SD and Dean Butler, who played Almonzo from the tv series was there. He signed our copy of Farmer Boy! We cherish all of the stories, but that one is special. Thank you for your fun take on these beloved books.

[@rachelchapman721]

I love your videos. I find myself sitting up straighter, feeling calmer (speaking slower and enunciating) and enjoying the little details of my everyday more! Thank you!

[@christinemartin9449]

Hi from England. I loved the final point about rushing when company is coming. I am sure that everyone thinks that no-one is like them, you rush round getting everything clean and tidy then when the company arrives you are calmness itself. I used to think that it was only me and everyone else was cool and calm all the time and their houses were always clean and tidy! Thanks for doing these videos.

[@glendagai]

First Jennifer, I read your interview in wondrous grace. Very lovely! Secondly I love these videos. You know I live alone with my pets and I actively take care of my home and yard. I stay busy, when people ask me what I do all day or don’t I get board... I am amazed. I am so busy homemaking. I have hobbies, I am available to help friends and family on the spur of the moment. I study, I learn even though I am retired. Much time is spent keeping my home pleasant and doing activities of daily living. What a joy. !

[@cjay233]

I envy you. TFS

[@audreyblake9459]

Just a note from someone who makes butter...you must rinse every bit of buttermilk from the solid pieces because it is the buttermilk that will spoil. Rinsed away and salted the butter lasts a long time 😀

[@corihulet739]

I have had a Bosch Universal mixer for years, along with a wheat grinder, and used to make all our bread, whole wheat, with wheat we ground ourselves. That mixer will do all the kneading for you, 6 loaves at a time. It was easier to make 6 loaves of bread from scratch than to run the 30 minutes round trip into town and back, to buy bread. Now we're empty nesters and don't each much bread at all, but that line about not having time for anything but a supper of bread and jam, after racing around getting ready for the parents' return, has me hankering for a similar meal. I've read Farmer Boy many times and it always makes me hungry! That book gave me the idea to try fried apples and onions. It's so good! I like it with kielbasa and potatoes. I just found your channel and have subscribed.

[@krystalgarcia3397]

I grew up with the Little house series and it’s like going home when I hear you read from this book! I grew up in a similar fashion, in a cabin without electricity. We used kerosene lamps for light and propane for the cooking in the summer. We had a wood cook stove for winter

[@courtneybougie7904]

I loved this one, too!!! I remember the inspections after bath time. So many things that I could relate throughout childhood. I'm not THAT old, but I think that growing up in the 1960's and 70's were very different times and traditions of the home and family were pretty similar in our neighborhood families. Really, really enjoyed the series! Thank you.

[@careym3254]

You should do a video on financial lessons you can learn from these books. Especially what not to do. I have often used the hard lessons that the Ingalls family and later the Wilder family had to learn about avoiding debt and not spending money before it's in your pocket. Farmer Boy is my favorite book in the series. I love how diligent and wise Almanzo's parents were.

[@DBest-pk2tr]

Oh, I think doing a video on the financial lessons learned in these books is a great idea!

[@KB-tg7pf]

Along the lines of not feeling alone, in one of the other books (I think it's the big woods), they talk about a house that's always sparkling clean because the couple who lived there "had no little girls to mus it up". That made me feel better to know that even in these cozy, perfect homes, children were messy and undid their mother's efforts as fast as she made them. ♡

[@hickoryrootfarmstead2700]

We’ve read every one of these books at least once. They are a treasure. Now that my youngest daughter is almost six we will read through them again. Notice the difference between Almanzo’s parents and Laura’s parents. Almanzo had a very stable home. Everything was consistent. But Laura’s family was constantly being uprooted to move once again. Can you imagine being Caroline Ingalls? She had the patience of Job! There is a book based off her life. It’s called Caroline by Sarah Miller. I own it but haven’t read it all yet. Ma Ingalls is my hero and so is Almanzo’s mama. I was born in the wrong century. I glean all the goodness from these books. They make my life better. The Long Winter and Farmer Boy are my favs.

[@terricheney1724]

One of the bonuses of bread machines for me is that it doesn't heat up the kitchen the way the oven does when I'm baking. In summer, this is very important to us to keep our small home from getting stuffy and making our AC work harder. I have a toaster oven for the same reason. I seldom turn on my oven once the temperatures are above 90 here. I remember my grandmother and I laughed and laughed over that sledding incident with the pig. I looked at her and said "You do realize we're laughing over something that happened 150 years ago..."

[@jocelynzichterman6250]

OMG! Your description of the "Sisters Mustard Jar War" was my Saturday Night Live tonight ...and it's TUESDAY. Laughing so hard! Bravo! We all need those stories in our lives!

[@JGbelieves]

One technology I resisted was online grocery shopping. And then I had major time crunches, and morning sickness that was exacerbated by the smells of a grocery store and other things and now I embrace it whenever I need it. I still prefer shopping in store but yes - very grateful for the option.

[@XxXshonastarXxX]

One of my favourite parts of the book was Almanzo stating home to train his ox

[@susanhorn3910]

Thank you for these lovely videos, Jennifer! The Little House books were some of my favorites as a child, and I enjoyed them again when my children were little. They’re very comforting to reread at this stressful time in our lives. Also, I wanted to share this. . . My husband makes all of our bread, either by hand or by using the bread machine. I am so thankful because we very rarely buy processed bread. Homemade is much healthier for our family!

[@LoriSkees]

I am so amazed at how different the Little House series is from my adult perspective. I am on the fifth book. (I’m listening in audiobook format). I love the simplicity of their life, but the hardships were daunting. I love the lessons they teach and that you are highlighting.

[@jennbidwelledwardson2885]

One of the many times my parents left the "older" kids in charge of us "younger" kids. We loved playing at locking out our older sisters. Until that one night...One of my sisters climbed up to the shed roof and came in through the window knocking a lamp over onto the mattress. This was late 60's and lamp bulbs could get hot. It set the mattress on fire. Dad had taught us how to use the fire extinguisher and we used that whole extinguisher to put out that little fire. White foam all over the house, smoldering mattress we drug outside thinking they would never figure out what had happened, acting li,like, nothing happened when they came home. Lol Such good memories.

[@umalqasem657]

First comment. I love your channel very much. I never read these books before you encouraged me to read for my 10 year old daughter and we really enjoyed that reading time together very much. Thank you so much l learn from you a lot 🥰.

[@annmontague308]

A microwave oven. When I was a mother of young children back in the early 80's, my parents kept offering to buy me a microwave. I resisted for several years, thinking it was an expensive bit of foolishness, but eventually succumbed. Today I have with two dead microwaves (one over-the-range and a counter-top model that exploded recently) and am wondering how we ever got along before we had them. I didn't realize how much I use it. Just to heat up cold coffee or tea is a chore! At dinner time my husband and I get to laughing about how I've forgotten how to cook vegetables in pots and pans on the stove! :)

[@carynscabotte4922]

Ann, I'm from the same era and felt the same way! My microwave oven has been used 99% to reheat my frequent cups of cold coffee, and to thaw frozen things I forgot to take out :)

[@jordynlillibridge2769]

I resisted a stand up mixer of all things. I now have one and love it 😂

[@GinaPp]

Running around before company is universal. I manage my time wisely. My home is clean and organized everyday, but when guests are on their way, I still run around sweating and delegating, barely having time to change into clean clothes. When company arrives, im calm and all smiles. After all, everything is done ✔!

[@shannonpaugh8865]

Can't tell you how much I love these videos -- Farmer Boy was my absolute favorite of the entire series, and now you make me want to go back and reread it. I *think* I remember that it was Farmer Boy in which they describe eating popcorn with milk. I used to do that all the time when I was a kid after reading about it. Now I want to do that again, too.

[@hfigus9573]

Farmer Boy is my favorite of the Little House books. Hadn’t realized it was so much because of the joy in homemaking. “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” is also a wonderful read about survival and home making.

[@carriejohnson8209]

I have had a Zojirushi which is considered the best bread maker on the market and one over 30 years ago when they first came out. I got rid of both of them eventually because the flavor is always the same no matter what you do. The loaves are very disappointing unless you are making a basic white flour loaf or just making a dough. I love the idea of waking up to fresh bread but if it seems too good to be true it usually is. I confess I'm fussy about bread and I'm a very good baker so I was never satisfied with the results of the bread maker. P.S. I love my Roomba too.

[@rebeccaiop9061]

Once again the mother reminds me of the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman. Blessings and thanks for sharing your insight 🙏

[@kathrynnielson5689]

I remember a time when my husband and I were gone for several days and left our two then high school kids home alone. The house was immaculate when we got home, and I remember telling all my friends about it and what fabulous responsible kids I had. Later they told me the house was completely trashed the morning of the the day we were returning and that they went into overdrive getting it all cleaned up! It never occurred to me that that’s what really happened. Kids are funny. Sometimes.

[@noneyour.]

My best new technology is my toaster oven. I use it all the time and I won't ever be without one. I love it because it doesn't heat the house up in the summer when the kids want some French fries.

[@kathrynd1974]

Such a great book to teach from. It’s been so many years since I read the series, and never thought about these details. Wonderful!

[@suew2928]

You have me re-reading this series now :-) I stopped eating bread (on Keto) but when I did, I made bread often, using my Zojirushi to make the bread dough and then baked the dough in the oven - really came out great and I made bread far more often for having that extra help.

[@cm-nj]

I still have my Zojirushi from at least 15 years ago! I love that machine!

[@suew2928]

@@cm-nj Mine is about 10 years old. Changed out the paddles 2x but other than that, works great :-)

[@dianaragub-schwartz4416]

the technology that changed my life this year is the airfryer. I used to just fry my stuff on my trusted pan but for Christmas last year, I asked for an air fryer and I have never gone back. I dont have to worry about oil splashes and washing the walls from oil splashes. Air fried stuff are also healthier. Try air fried dumplings because they are sooo yummy!

[@melissa-ur7kl]

Beautiful! These books were so impactful for me. I reread them as an adult and I was stunned. I vowed to change the way I raised my kids and made my home. We bought a 50 acre homestead and built a little farmhouse that I’m filling up with antiques. My kids now practice chores and can do so much more then I ever expected. My life is calmer, slower, more full of joy. But it was a journey. I would have rolled my eyes at someone if they had said all this was possible. I would have thought, my life couldn’t be that way. I think as a society we have lost sight of so much. Any small changes for the better are hugely impactful.

[@homemakingwithmarissa]

I have had a bread machine for the last 10 years; such a worthwhile purchase!

[@genevieveweiss3538]

My son loved cleaning the windows at one to! He's almost three new, and he always wants to help throw trash away or clear dishes.

[@amybernard3999]

I love my bread machine...load it, set the timer for when I want it done...house smells so good and I come home to the wonderful fragrance. Also, the kids run out for breakfast happily when they smell fresh bread in the morning! Cut it extra thick for French toast....less slices to cook!

[@doyletronic]

Farmer Boy is also my favorite. As far as waste, I am reading a book right now called "Little Heathens" about the Great Depression. They were considered wasteful is they did not scrap the eggs out with their finger to get all the white. Also I suggest reading "West From Home" by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This is about her grown up life and shows what a great observer of life she was.

[@kayemcmullen]

Thank you Jennifer! Another happy, thoughtfully put together piece about home making.

[@allensscottishshortbread2161]

The air fryer changed our lives. I wouldn’t think of putting it that way, but it is true. Everything tastes like it’s from a restaurant, only it “fries” with air... very helpful for a personal meal at lunch when I prefer not to enjoy what I’m serving my toddlers. Roasted veggies + potato + protein all at once.

[@TheDailyConnoisseur]

I just got an air fryer. I love it

[@lisacox4984]

Interesting posts! We've got my great-grandmother's cauldron which I think she used as a washpot, rather than a soap pot. We've planted flowers in it, and need to reuse it like that. When I read this in childhood, I remembered the candlemaking I saw on vacation at Silver Dollar City. The discussion of butter making and selling reminded me of one of Mrs. Wilder's essays in which she discusses how her father-in-law relied on her mother-in-law for business counsel and how he'd discuss business with her before he made a decision.

[@gardengirl7446]

Good morning beautiful! These books are so wonderful! Thanks for sharing this with us. Would love to see more of your lovely HOMEKEEPING/cleaning videos! :)

[@Fidi987]

I can only remember the first time my parents left us (sibling and me) with my younger, disabled brother to attend a PTA. We spend the whole evening, two and a half hours, sitting on the steps in by the front door, inside, because my younger brother was ready to go out and look for our parents, we had no key to the door and were afraid he would actually do so and get lost in the dark. We sat there, trying to convince him to go to bed, telling him our parents would come any minute. That was before everyone had mobiles, so we could not even call and began to believe that they might actually have had a car accident on their way home because we believed they were one hour late.

[@amierikke6225]

A comment about giving children responsibility. Growing up, I was the youngest by 10 years, and the only girl. My father had MS and was bed bound. My mom taught me how to manage the house, how to cook, clean, how to sew, knit, needle point and cross stitch. I watched and learned from her. She took oil painting classes and upholstery classes and put the knowledge gained to use. She made what I learned from her fun and I felt a sense of fulfillment. She gave me responsibility in our home. Then when I was 12, she passed away from a brain tumor. I was able to pick up from her example and teaching and care for my dad. My older brothers had left our home to be on their own by then. My dad couldn’t drive. One of my brothers came by once a week to take me grocery shopping, but that’s about it. At 12, I did all the meal planning, cooking, cleaning, laundry, everything. My mom didn’t know that she was going to leave us so soon, but her example and instructions were something she naturally did for me. So yes, teach your children, have them work beside you and give them responsibility. Also, I make my own soap. It’s very satisfying. I had a fascination about it, thinking about how my ancestors must of made their own, how the history of soap making came about. So, I researched it and did it, about 5 years ago and I make it about 3 time a year. I use lye and fats and leave some unscented and lavender for some. You have to let it set about 8 weeks to let the saponification process to occur, the lye and fats heated cause a chemical reaction and become soap. It’s very mild after this occurs. I give much of it away as gifts. I have very sensitive skin, and it’s very gentle.

[@boomct8569]

Oh that’s so funny, I had just sat down to push old bits of candle wax around new tealight wicks to make ‘new’ candles (a job I’ve been putting off) just as you read the candle making part! Totally cool!

[@MadameMinima]

Hi Jennifer, I agree with people being resistant to new technology, I included. Regarding the bread maker, for example, I myself have one, that I got for free in a FB group and use it daily (we are a family of 7). The bread is super good no doubt, it is easy to make, it saves you a lot of time and a lot of money for sure. By the way, I made a YT video about how to make bread in the bread maker 🤗. But one thing that I have to point out: the taste of bread coming out of bread maker is not comparable to bread kneaded by hand, which is simply better!!

[@marebear09]

I’ve so enjoyed this series!

[@GinaC4]

Thank you. This was comforting and inspiring. My technology is watching you to get me through my treadmill time😍🤣

[@marilynmarilynohearn476]

I'm almost 70 and those are now memoriesmostly good ones.when I was a young mother may of these systems were just expected. There were things I didn't like but grew to like because I was doing them for people I loved., dishes and Ironing.My children had chores every day and couldn't play until they were done. Now I dis like dusting. I've always kept a garden and love it. I'm reminded that if I have a good schedule I have more time for the things I like to do.

[@MyViolingirl]

Jennifer, I loved these videos. I read the series to my daughter and I highly recommend to every parent.

[@LavenderandLinen]

Love this series of videos! Thank you so much for this wonderful idea! When my youngest was 10 we did the Prairie Primer together, which is a wonderful memory for us both. Now we talk about looking forward to someday doing this together with her new baby girl. I have taken notes through these videos and plan on adding much of your points. We have several years to plan, but I have added my notes to the Unit Study book on the book shelf! Thank you so much!

[@pjd1147]

The year we did Prairie Primer was our best year homeschooling!!

[@LavenderandLinen]

Yes! Us too! It’s a wonderful unit study! We still use recipes form the recipe book too!

[@marshabryant9429]

I read these books as a child and my last baby doll I received for Christmas I named Laura because these books were so inspiring. Today I still read these books and appreciate the work ethic and making the most of what they had.

[@millymils]

I just binged all your videos on this topic! Love them all. Thank u so much for sharing

[@elizabethnichols2284]

I don't make candles, but like many women, I mix up a vinegar cleaning spray to use to wipe down tables and counters, deck furniture, etc. My toddler can safely use this spray "to help" us as we're all cleaning. We also use CLOROX wipes, but I like that this spray is very inexpensive and safe for little kids and pets.

[@andree824]

Boy, can I relate to your bonus observation! Every time. Lol!

[@elinarajaniemi]

Dear Jennifer, thank for another insightful and inspiring video. I have come to realize, partly thanks to your work, that we can learn so much from the women who became before us. It is so useful to study who they were and how they lived their lives. There are some good roles in the past, that we cannot find so easily from the images that are pursued to us today from the main stream media. I think my favourite video of all times is the one, where you are doing Emily Dickenson’s makeup and hairdo ❤️ That was something I would have never figured out myself on my own!

[@joannehenderson]

From day one, we had nightly family dinners. Even if someone was mad at another family member, we always seemed to leave the table less angry/sad. I just assumed that most families spent their nights this way until one of my daughter's friend mentioned how nice it was to sit down and eat a meal together. Her family never did that. I actually feel sad for those who miss out on these moments with one another.

[@DoeRaeMe]

I love little house series and especially Farmer boy! Still resisting a dishwasher over here😅 I don’t wanna get lazy…but my one mom friend pointed out to me, I would simply have more time to do other stuff🤣

[@lisacox4984]

The house cleaning scene is in Little Town on the Prairie. Ma and Pa had taken Mary to college and Laura was left with Carrie and Grace and to keep them and herself occupied and trying to keep on an even keel with the change of Mary going away, Laura decides to do the fall housekeeping--all that's included, even changing the straw in the straw ticks. Whew!

[@lixykitty]

Just wanted to share my perspective on using things up to the last drop, in particular when it comes to washing dishes- I figure the more I clean out the less I have to wash! Also what I don't want to save is given to my chickens and/or compost which makes me happy because l feel like I am allocating resources wisely (and my garbage is rarely stinky).

[@jenniferb.7250]

Jennifer, I really enjoyed this series! Today when I made cookies I scraped every last bit out of the bowl and off of the beaters!😊

[@NikkiSchumacherOfficial]

Came back a second time- loved this video. Learned so much about homemaking from fiction books.

[@schoolingdiana9086]

Bread machine: I broke down and got one because our pastor’s wife did, and all she got dirty was the measuring cup and 2 sizes of measuring spoons. (Then the baking pan is just the one thing, mixes and bakes in the same thing.) --We make our own pizza with it, too; super easy to make the dough for that, breadsticks, and focaccia. Tip: regular all purpose flour works best in bread machines, rather than bread flour. No idea why. And I’ve never had a bad loaf with King Arthur flour; I have had with Gold Medal or off-brands/bread flour.

[@annamuja1831]

Hi Jennifer, I have to admit that I have never read Farmer Boy but I bought a copy for myself and realy enjoy reading it. What realy stroke me how much appreciation kids had to their parents in those days. Thank you for your videos. Warm greetings from London.

[@racheld.2046]

Oh, Jennifer! This series has been wonderful! I also was personally challenged and inspired in my homemaking when I read these books with my children! May I suggest you reading and doing a similar video for little woman & little men? Both are also packed FULL of wisdom for homemaking & family life. 😊

[@roksannastephens4375]

I bought the book, and going to rewatch your video with the book, then read it. Thank you for such a lovely video.

[@sarahburke8955]

I love that last little bit, where the whole family is scurrying around, with the mother basically acting drill Sargent to the last second- so relatable! Also, great tips about how children used to have a LOT more responsibility and investment in the life of the family. This needs to make a comeback!

[@jaimezuniga4702]

I just love these books so much and I’m enjoying reliving them. I’ve read them so many times to my children and now I’m waiting for my four year old to be old enough to read them to him. I also think it’s so important to bond over family dinners. I was raised that way and have continued that with my family. There are so many good reminders here.

[@dalyaa5524]

Thank you for dedicating so much into these videos

[@MrsMommy11]

I LOVED this series. I took mental note of all the homemaking tips that struck me as I read through these stories with my kids but never expected an in depth video series from one of my fave KZbinrs! Thank you for this. 😊

[@theresabrown1272]

Great video. I’ve been known to run around like a lunatic sooo much before company that I have to take another quick shower minutes before people arrive . Also if people call and say they will be late I let out a scream of joy 😂😂

[@nearlyorganicnoshing2798]

Thank you, for this video series. I loved all little House Books growing up, and the pure nostalgia, of listening to you discuss the books, makes me want to put my apron on, bake some bread, and hang the laundry out after work. We have forgotten, and take so very much for granted, that these stories, are wonderful reminders.

[@Savelochka]

I want to thank you a lot for your videos and the person you are. These are super inspiring and motivating and you are a charming beautiful lady. Greetings from Russia! 💝

[@jillluvslife1640]

Sooo good! Loved it, Jennifer. I’m 56 years old, but I think I need to read or re-read Farmer Boy. 😃. The ending was perfect.

[@Thekatedelaney]

I just finished this book series 😢 It was sad to say goodbye! Love love these videos about them, especially Farmer Boy 💕 Thank you!

[@averykempf9164]

I was sad that the series came to an end, too, but, there is, in a way, a sequel. It is a collection of Laura's articles that she wrote for farm papers and magazines. The volume is called Little House In The Ozarks. I read it recently and wrote a review here simplyinspirations101.blogspot.com/2020/08/book-report-little-house-in-ozarks.html?m=1 I really loved reading her writings! I highly recommend the book! 😊

[@greenlimabean]

The farmer boy, Almanzo, likes staying home doing a farmer's work. His older brother and sister , however, liked school . They chose school over home when they went to boarding school and talked of living in the city as adults. I got the impression that of the four children, only Almanzo wanted a farmer's life. That is why the end of the book is so special. Almanzo partially took to farm life

[@ravenhummel8202]

I love that you are using books, especially children's books to teach lessons.

[@suzanw5350]

I am one of those sad people who cannot tidy and keep house well. I try and try. I had been thinking about buying these books to put away for my granddaughter. This series sealed the deal. Now I want for the slow boat to bring them to Australia. According to the website they should be here on 3rd October.

[@suzanw5350]

I was very fortunate as my books arrived just over two weeks early.