Linking up with Rosie!
A QUOTE
We were taught that if you bought something it should last forever – or as close to forever as we could contrive. I think one of the cleverest tricks was how we extended the lives of socks. When the socks of the biggest child developed hole in the toes, Grandma, using her dressmaker’s shears, would cut off the end, sew it closed on the sewing machine, and pass the socks down to the child next in size. When the socks developed holes again, she would repeat this until the sock had been passed down to the child with the smallest foot. You think that was the end of those socks? “Not on your tintype!” as she would have put it. She cut the ribbed tops off of those socks and they did duty sewn into the ends of sleeves of fall and winter jackets and coats to keep out the bitter cold. – Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression, p.86
Can you imagine? I’m a little embarrassed by how quickly I chuck our worn-out socks around here…
A BOOK
I’m so excited about this latest find for the kids: William Shakespeare’s Star Wars series! We started with Verily, A New Hope (affiliate link) and my very picky middle school reader flew through it in days. I struggle reading Shakespeare myself, so this seems like a fun way to get used to the style and wording.
A BIT OF NATURE
Probably one of the ugliest pictures ever, but look! Daffodils will be blooming soon.
A RECOMMENDATION
Katherine’s post, What I Learned Wearing the Same Dress 100 Days in a Row, was so interesting and inspiring! I am definitely not someone who finds creativity in the art of getting dressed (read: most boring wardrobe ever and I like it that way!), so her experience felt like permission to continue on this self-imposed simplicity path. Who cares if I only own one pair of jeans? If they fit well and are neat/clean, no one will give me a second glance.
A MOMENT OF HAPPINESS
We have this little bunny statue (shown above) that I tucked in with the wildflowers last season. My four-year-old LOVES this thing and has now officially adopted it. Every day when he goes out to play, he seems to find a new place to stash it. I’ve seen it everywhere from the porch to the side of the driveway to the trampoline. You never know where Mr. Bunny will show up next!
Oh my, Star Wars + Shakespeare seems like the perfect combination for my little weirdos! We’ve been having a lot of luck reading through “No Fear Shakespeare” versions of the plays—there’s a side-by-side “modern” translation along with the original text, which makes everything much easier to understand! Although I’m thankful my kids are young enough that they don’t understand the “adult” humor…
I’ve actually just started collecting the No Fear Shakespeare books! I wish I had had those when I was in school. 🙂
Oh my the true resourcefulness of our past generations is an inspiration. I too reach my fun limit and throw out socks with holes. I have noticed that the quality of fabric and goods is not as good now as it was back then.
I agree! I feel like we’re already set up to fail when the quality isn’t made to last in the first place.
I read that book several years back and really enjoyed it. I take the time to mend thicker socks that hold up to a patch. Sadly I do not know how to properly darn a sock, so it is more like a stitched patch on the heel. I have done that to 2 pairs of knitted socks so far, and since I wear them to bed, vs wearing them in a shoe, that has been fine.
I really wish each of my grandmothers were still around so share their everyday knowledge about certain practical things.
I completely agree about the grandmothers – I have so many questions that I wish I had asked when I had the chance!
I am so happy for you about the spring flowers!! I (finally) planted bulbs last fall and have starts coming up currently as well. It’s SO exciting!
Yes! All of the new growth makes me so happy.