Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping: Timeless Wisdom and Practical Advice

by Miriam Lukken

Mrs. Dunwoody is a character based on the author's great grandmother and other traditional Southern women who believe in the importance of making a house a home.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, History, Lifestyle, Gardening, How To, Home Economics

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2003

About the author

Miriam Lukken is a former school teacher and author of four books.

Reviews

[Geneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. It is full of great ideas and recipes and old-fashioned advice. Gives you a look at how homes were run earlier in the century, and it is full of optimistic reminders why homekeeping is a necessary, productive, happy occupation. I feel like it's full of that, anyway--whenever I read it, I feel motivated to do better than I do now.

[Fostergrants · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love this old fashioned housewifey stuff. did you know that throwing borax on the fire in your fireplace will keep the chimney clean? all kinds of household advice and even some business on how to entertain and make people feel welcome and how to hold a decent conversation or write a thank you note. some of it is completely irrelevant today in most places...like using milk on ink stains - today we have 'spray n wash' but this is what makes the book amusing. having a little glimpse into the lives of our grandmothers is kind of fun and makes you realize how easy some of this stuff is now. i picture martha stewart's gramma writing this book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful read! Full of tips and whimsical tips on cleaning and life in general. The advice comes from a multi generational handbook which is handed down in a southern family.
Nice illustrations and even has some sections you can take notes and write in.
There are even some modern day recipes for cleaning green..

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great timeless tips and a look back at a slower time.

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of practical advice from what to do if someone has been struck by lightning to how to be a gracious hostess with topics ranging from keeping a house to recording one's family tree.

[Chana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of etiquette, and so much more. It is charming and whimsical to read. It is full of both practical and spiritual advice. It is common sense dispensed with a kind hand. I think this book would make a lovely gift.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ADORE this book. Whenever I pick it up, I find something new; whenever I need a lift or inspiration, I can turn to a page and find just what I need. My fantasy life, in print.

[Karla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I recommend you BUY it. It is truly a must.

[Jess Dollar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm on a cookbook/ homemaking kick lately, especially with a nod to the past. I liked the section on hosting the best.

[Drew and Nichole Wharton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed the format was a simple read will be reading it again and again and again. K k

[Winter Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It not only gave wonderful home keeping advice but also parenting, marriage, and being a good human advice! I want to give a copy to everyone I know.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book. I loved the excellent advice along with recipes for food, cleaning and even health.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely charming and helpful housekeeping book! I loved the vintage feel here and there were some genuinely good tips too 💖

[Jill LaSalle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun

Lots of practical and old-fashioned information on home keeping and etiquette. I enjoyed reading it when I wasn't in the mood for something heavier.

[Anna Katherina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really can't say enough about this book- or decide on where to start with it. Some wonderful gems from it, though:

One has to be in the same place every day, watch the sun rise from the same house, hear the same birds awaken each morning, to realize how inexhaustibly rich and different is sameness.

cleaning a house; it was a matter of presentation, hospitality, entertaining, etiquette, organizing, letter writing, caring for loved ones, cooking, sewing, and just plain general information

Taking care of our home enables us all to feel nurtured and safe; it brings comfort and solace both in the fruits of our labor and in the freedom it affords to experience life to its fullest. It is important work, and others will suffer if you do not attend to it properly

She taught that women were not just doing chores, they were creating—creating a home, a place of security, warmth, contentment, and affection. A place where even the everyday things in our lives were held sacred and should therefore be cared for and treated in a special and orderly way.

it is possible to enjoy the rituals of homekeeping.

Home is a place to become yourself, to rest and surrender all pretense.

Perhaps our most inspiring thought is that our homes, if we are to live well in them, require and deserve a lifetime of the most careful attention. A home absorbs caretaking like a sponge. All the hours we spend tending to it are never in vain, for everything we give to our home, is in turn, given back to us. Our homes will be only as generous and nurturing as the effort we invest in them.

Homekeeping is an ongoing art, a process, not an end product. It will never be “all done.” Bathrooms, clothes, and dishes, once clean, have a way of getting dirty again. But home is meant to be lived in, in the fullest, most potentially fulfilling way for everyone in it. That means that every room does not need to be picture perfect and waiting for a perfect display, but rather, each room has a sense of order and calmness to it. The home looks like someone lives there, without appearing messy or cluttered. There is an order and a method which is followed faithfully. There is a “place”

But whatever the need, do not underestimate, or feel guilty about your need for a rest. It is not a poor use of your time to rest; on the contrary, being refreshed increases your productivity.

Start off your day by doing the most unpleasant chore first. (It’s usually something that takes minimal effort—an apology, a long-overdue thank-you, or an annoying chore.) Whatever it is, do it before you begin your usual morning routine. You will get such a feeling of exhilaration knowing that although the day is only half an hour along, you have already conquered the most troublesome task of the day.

Perfection does not exist. Perhaps this is one of the most important things I can teach you, my precious children, for the women in my family seem not to realize that there is a great difference in striving for excellence and striving for perfection. The first is attainable, gratifying, and healthy. The second is impossible, frustrating, and neurotic (not to mention obnoxious). It is also a terrible waste of time.

To keep your sanity and save time in the morning, set the breakfast table with dishes and silverware, coffeepot, et cetera, and nonperishable items the night before. Also, take the time to put the other items you will need for the next day (papers, clothes, and so on) in a place where you will be sure to find them upon arising.

I absolutely recommend this as the default guide anyone should pick up for homemaking. It's strangely made me feel infinitely better about becoming a disabled Homemaker while, at the same time, given me the tools I need to actually do it as someone who was never particularly "trained" in domestic arts outside of the basics ( and homemaking, I've learned this year since becoming a Homemaker full time, absolutely requires a lot more than the basics), and reinvigorated my joy for life in a way I never expected a homemaking book to do.

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Kristina Seleshanko · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've never had the chance to read a good Victorian home keeping book, then you owe it to yourself to read Mrs. Dunwoody's - a modern book written in the style of the 19th century. Although this book does talk about cleaning and cooking, it's much more about developing a peaceful, loving home atmosphere. A fun read with plenty of practical advice for the 21st century home keeper.

[La Toya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this whimsical book. I saw it on my friend's bookshelf when I was on a mini-vacay out in farm country. I skimmed through every so often while was I there and found that I was still thinking about the book when I went home. I immediately ordered it from Amazon the first chance I got and have been referring to it from time to time when I need some old-timey tips and tricks on housekeeping.

[Kristie J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming book about keeping your home, written as if a mother or grandmother is passing it down to future generations of the family. Many of the tips are timeless and still relevant today. Makes you feel domestic!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only does this book offer practical advice, but I really enjoy the theory of homekeeping as an art. Home is a source of emotional nourishment. Should it not require our best energies to create a place of peace and nurture? My favorite advice was: "Trust God and do the next thing."

[Rebecca]

another favorite..

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific and handy!

[Maria (Ri) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I'll never quite be the homemaker that Mrs. Dunwoody was, nor would I want to I think, but this book was still full of gems that I can use.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an okay read. There were some interesting parts, but nothing so overwhelming I would tell you to go and have a look.

[Meloney Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Charming and old fashioned. Fun read!

[Ginnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by Amy.

Good timeless advice for a beautiful home and life.

[Brooke Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book for many years and still pick it up regularly. It's such a treat that throws me back into history with practical solutions that are still relevant today. Makes a wonderful gift.

[Jill Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading old-fashioned homemaking books. This was fun to read.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book! I was thankful to get it as a gift too!