Surprise!

Hello faithful readers! Just wanted to let you know that we haven't forgotten about you! Actually, quite the contrary. We're in the process of redesigning and reconfiguring the entire site premise, so hang tight! It's sure to be a change for the better. ;)

Tuesday Talks: A Maiden In Waiting

Today is Tuesday Talks here at Stay-At-Home Daughters.



I am reviewing "A Maiden In Waiting", compiled by Crystal Paine.



This booklet is really good. Basically, it is filled with articles and testimonies from young women just like us, sharing what they are learning in their single years about contentment.

Some of the articles include:
"Trust and Obey" by Genevieve Smith (now Genenvieve Smith De Deugd)
"Her Price is Far Above Rubies" by Annie Kolb
"Service: The Key to Contentment" by Sarah Race
"Wait on the Lord" by Victoria Lind
and several more!

I really enjoyed reading this. I know you will too!

We would love to read your reviews! Leave your link below and don't forget to comment! :)

God bless,
~*~Courtney~*~

Wise Insights from a Fellow Stay-at-Home Daughter

With all the hullaballoo about the new vice presidential candidate, stay-at-home daughter Jasmine Baucham shares "Ten Reasons why I Don't Want to Be VP."

I thought you would be delighted and encouraged by this post, so I'm linking you to it!

Here's reason number 9 in Jasmine's post, just to get you interested,

As a woman who hopes someday to be a wife and mother, I want to give my household 100%; not 80% for the nation, 20% for my household; not 50% for the nation, 50% for my household; not 90% for my household and 10% for the nation; I want to give everything I can to the home I have been called by God Almighty to guard (Titus 2:3-5), to the family He may make me the mother of.

While on the issue of Sarah Palin, these are very much worth reading, from some of my very favorite bloggers.

"Woe to My people..."

McCain's Biblically Unqualified VP Pick a "Feminist for Life"

Wake Up and Smell the Manipulation

Reader Question

Bethany T. writes:

Hi, I had a question for you guys. If you could give me some insight, I would really appreciate it. I am the only SAHD in my church. How might I balance keeping my beliefs and opinions to myself to not offend, and being honest and giving folks a different perspective outside of the college/career path? I don't know what sort of sympathies you have in your church, but any insight you might have would be helpful. Thanks, Bethany T.

My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatlyshaken. Psalm 62:2

I'm going to share a little bit of encouragement for Bethany, then I'd like our readers to chime in with whatever they feel appropriate!

First of all, Bethany, I know just how you feel. There are quite a few stay-at-home daughters in my church, but I know many others who are not at all understanding about my current position. When you are living your life to the glory of God, you are going to have people look at you funny now and then. If not, then you are doing something wrong. I take comfort in that daily!

Don't worry about offending others. Live your life the way the Lord leads you! As long as you are displaying a gentle and quiet spirit, the Lord will take care of the hearts those around you in his perfect will. When asked about your situation, or your convictions, explain in the politest way possible, answering every question with as much insight as you think will best benefit the inquirer. Don't get into a confrontation - if someone is getting pushy or trying to sway you, let your father (or mother) handle it. Most of the time, this will not happen. I usually have people get very quiet or try to change the subject.

Simply modeling a biblical worldview and a gentle and quiet spirit will show others that you are different from the average college aged girl. Most people who ask will have a genuine interest in your beliefs and why you do what you do - even if they are not likeminded.

Trust the Lord, Bethany, model your beliefs in your behavior and answer other's questions politely. Don't be afraid to offend others. Let them be offended if they wish - you're not telling them what they have to do with their life, you're simply living as the Lord leads you.

I hope this answers your question! If you have any extra, or more specific questions feel free to comment! Readers, please chime in with your thoughts on this matter, I'm sure you can be much more eloquent and helpful than I can!

Tuesday Talks: Treasury of Vintage Homemaking Skills

Hi everybody! Sorry we've been MIA lately, we've been very busy and struggling with internet issues. Today I'm reviewing a wonderful book, "Treasury of Vintage Homemaking Skills."
It's not really a book you would sit and read straight through, it's a resource. Have you ever heard of a "Homemaking Journal" or "Homekeeping Notebook?" My mother researched it once and was going to build one to keep track of everything that she needed to get done in the home, but she never found the time to do so. It's understandable, especially since she's running a home with six children, four dogs, a garden and a cat!

Well, voila! The Treasury of Vintage Homemaking Skills comes to the rescue! This is laid out very similarly to a homemaking journal - only better! The Treasury of Homemaking skills has so many more housewifely things listed and organized in it that I would never have thought of!

For example, here's the table of contents:

Homekeeping

Cleaning

Scrubbing

Bedding and Linens

Laundry

Ironing

Hospitality

The Hostess

Preparing Hearth and Home

The Fare

Our Merry Guests

Home Duties

Reflections

Daily Duties

Duty Ever at Hand

Children's Duty to Parents

Snippets and Clippings

First Aid in the Home

Medicinal Cupboard

Emergency Care

Burns and Wounds

Home Remedies

Family Medical History

Resources

Gardening

Garden Basics

Vegetable Gardens

Herbs

Planting Records

Garden Sketches

Old-Fashioned Flowers

Harvest Bounty

Resources

Cooking and Baking

Meal Times

The Pantry

Kitchen Tools

In the Kitchen

Well-Planned Menus

Measuring

Butcher, Baker, and Homemaker

Family Recipes

Reserves for the Family

Preparing for Emergency

Home Canning

Dehydration

Freezing

Recipes for Preserving

Reserve Records and Recipes

Handiwork

Sewing Basket

Basic Skills

Embroidery

Tatting

Stitching Projects

Quilting

Crocheting

Knitting

Patterns

Business of the Home

Simple Home Repairs

Documents and Necessary Papers

Home Inventory

Frugality

Family Records

Sacred Union

Genealogies

Births

Marriages

Deaths

Family Crest

Family Creed

Mementos

There are blank pages, blank schedules, and blank lines for you to fill in to help organize your homekeeping. And, all the pages are decorated with lovely little vintage illustrations. It's just adorable!

Here's the description on the back of the book:

Reminiscent of the old-timey home journals kept by homekeepers of the past, this treasury is to be passed from mother to daughter. This will be a treasured album of homekeeping skills, something fast becoming a lost art in our day. Filled with inspiration for the homekeeper, with plenty of room to paste snippets and clippings and to journal in your own handwriting, keeping the way "Mother always did it" from becoming forgotten in this ever-changing world.

I have a copy of this book in my hope chest, and my mother has a copy as well. It's very helpful and I highly recommend it. You can purchase it from our Amazon Astore (in the sidebar).

Do you have a review you'd like to share? Leave your link below!

Tuesday Talks: Raising Maidens of Virtue

I hope you are having a great Tuesday! Today I'm reviewing "Raising Maidens of Virtue" by Stacy McDonald.

Here is the description from the book's website:

More than a fill-in-the-blank Bible study, Raising Maidens of Virtue is an engaging tool for mothers to use in training daughters who are approaching womanhood to think biblically. Through stories, conversational teachings, illustrations, and memory-making projects, Raising Maidens of Virtue covers topics such as guarding the tongue, idleness, sibling relationships, honoring parents, contentment, modesty, purity, cleanliness, and feminine biblical beauty.

This is an excellent resource and very encouraging! It's excellent for mothers and daughters to work through, or older daughters and younger sisters, or just for a daughter or mother to read on their own. I've used it when giving a devotion to a group of young girls - each chapter can stand on it's own, but the whole book is designed to work together to encourage feminine loveliness. I recommend it highly, it's one of my favorite books!

You can purchase it from Vision Forum, or our Astore in the sidebar.

Do you have a review to share? Post your link below!

Bloggy Giveaway Winner!!

The winner of our vintage pattern is...

Mama Hill

Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who entered, we've enjoyed participating in the summer Bloggy Giveaway carnival!!