Your assignment today is from Introduction to Home Economics,written by Lita Bane and Mildred R. Chapin of the University of Illinois. If you can find a copy of Bane and Chapin’s book, you may find the answers. Otherwise, you’re on your own! 1945: Home Economics Assignments Assignment 1. Write a brief history of the Home Economics […]
Category: Home and House
Cleaning, organizing, decorating.
The Fireplace
Fall has finally arrived in the greater Washington, D.C., area, and as the rooms get chillier there is a pressing need to have the fireplace and heating system checked out in the new house. Fireplace is done as of this week, heating still to come. As I sit and enjoy the burning logs tonight, read […]
The Kind of House
I bought a house! I’m moving this month from my basement apartment to an above-ground structure with more windows and space than I know what to do with. What kind of house, you ask? A little bungalow, built in 1923 ~ the year of this exerpt from the book Economics of the Family. 1923: The Kind […]
Home
I’m back from my “oh-my-gawd-I’ve-actually-been-to-ten-states-in-two-weeks” summer trip. Don’t ask. While gone, I thought fondly of friends, loved ones, and my sweet pup, and couldn’t wait to be back in my own apartment. Here’s an excerpt on the joys of home, from The Household Guide, or Domestic Cyclopedia, written by Professor B. G. Jefferis and J. L. […]
Housewives 101
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Why did they have housewives in the olden days? Signed, Mime A Dear Mime: I’ve often wondered the very same thing. Here’s a bit of guilt ~ oops, I mean advice ~ that should give you some insight into those wacky olden days. Richard A. Wells wrote it in 1891 for […]
Proper Lighting
When this was selection was originally written, I had just become an aunt (welcoming to the world, little Olivia Rose), my mom had turned sixty, and I hit thirty-five. Much to celebrate in Gemini-land, wouldn’t you agree? With such good cheer in the air it seemed appropriate to have a little birthday party. Good hostess […]
When You Are A Week-end Guest
As we creep toward the holiday season, it is wise to think about how to act when we are guests in the homes of our friends and relatives. These tips are also handy for visiting those “special” boys and girls in our lives. 1963: When You Are A Week-end Guest Only when the boy lives […]
Should Our New Neighbors Welcome Us?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: We recently purchased a home in a new subdivision. The only neighbor to come by so far to welcome us and introduced himself has been a young boy of seven. Since it’s been three weeks, I was thinking of taking the initiative and going to introduce myself. My husband thinks that […]
Hello? Anyone “At Home”?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: What was the meaning of “at home” when visitors presented a calling card? Were some people at home to visitors on designated days? Signed, Win A Dear Win: You got it, babe. Here’s a little description of this long-forgotten tradition (hoorah for us). It’s from a book titled Correct Social Usage, which […]
Mirrors
Helena Rubinstein, in the foreword to her book entitled The Art of Feminine Beauty wrote: I like to look forward half a century and imagine a world ~ and this dream is not beyond the realm of the possible ~ where every woman will rejoice in the possession of beauty . . . grace and mobility […]