Snowbound with Betsy and Emilie Barnes

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 Hello, Beautiful Homemakers!

Today I am reading you Chapter 2 of Carolyn Haywood's Snowbound with Betsy for Homemaking Storytime. 

I loved this book as a child and was thrilled when I found it for a quarter at a library sale, as online it was selling for $325 (this was in the late 1990s).

I would often read only Chapter 2 during the busy days of December, because it's such a cheery little chapter.  I read the book to my son at least three times.  So I thought I would give you a little taste of it, too.


Reading this book reminded me of another story I had heard, long ago, and then it brought to mind Emilie Barnes, homemaker extraodonaire, who wrote 80 books!

As a teen, I was lucky enough to attend her "More Hours in My Day Seminar" twice with my mom in the 1980s.  She lived in Riverside, California, and made the rounds to different churches with her seminar.  I still have my notes on Christmas.  Maybe I can share those with you next year.

In the video I talk a little about her background - and if anyone knows which book this can be found in, please let me know!  In the late 1990s a friend gave me a book that included that information, but I haven't been able to find the title since.  I know in it she broke down the verses of Proverbs 31.

Also in my video I have uploaded pictures of her different books.  I've read a handful of them.  I think my favorites were:

  • More Hours in My Day
  • 15 Minutes Alone With God
  • 15 Minute Organizer
  • Healthy Eating
  • 15 Minute Meal Planner
  • Spirit of Loveliness
  • Things Happen When Women Care, and
  • Welcome Home - the pictures in this book are of her home and they are beautiful!  She was definitely a maximalist though.

I also found these two videos that were recently uploaded to YT.  Dr. Dobson interviewed her on Focus on the Family many years ago:


 


Have a lovely, wonderful, blessed CHRISTmas time!  REMEMBER - your children want the FEELING of Christmas - not a lot of toys and gifts.

They want to:

  • decorate the house
  • read the Nativity story
  • watch the Grinch and other Christmas specials
  • read Christmas stories
  • open an advent calendar
  • move the wise men closer to baby Jesus
  • look at lights
  • bake cookies
  • eat candy canes

Do a little bit everyday.  If you WRAP every little thing that goes into their stocking, they won't realize they don't have a lot of large gifts under the tree.  Wrap up lifesavers, gum, small chocolates, small old-fashioned toys like tops and yo-yos. Wrap all of their candy individually, a small stuffed animal, a gift card to an ice cream shop, a small book... Unwrapping is what is fun about Christmas!

May God bless you as you celebrate the true meaning of CHRISTmas!

Janine
 

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 13, 2024 at 7:19 PM

    Hi Janine! I was able to go to archive.org and find several Betsy stories as well as books by Emilie Barnes. It's a treasure trove of vintage goodness, definitely worth exploring. ~Chrissy

    ReplyDelete

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