The first time I picked up a recipe book from the 1800's I was awestruck at what it taught me. From one book I learned of women just like me who lived in a time I can't imagine. It taught me frugality. It taught me how important the kitchen and the family table was to the homemaker back then. However, those cookbooks are few and far between; the ones I am fortunate enough to have are worn and falling apart. So, I was thrilled when I discovered Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping by Miriam Lukken.

The author has pieced together Southern women from her life, including her grandmother, and created Mrs. Dunwoody, and her book of downhome wisdom, household tips, and most importantly an inspiration for us to create a home that is welcoming, organized, and gentle. We are encouraged to slow down, to take the time to care about and appreciate our homes.

You'll find chapters on:

The Art of Homekeeping

The Cares of House and Home

Miss Sall Anne's Splendid Directions for Laundry

Notes and Recipes from the Kitchen

The Art of Entertaining

Matters of Formality

Health and Beauty

Marriage and Family

The Garden

There are special pages that you can fill in to create A Treasury of Memories within the book. The book itself is a treasure. We live in a time of microwave meals, busy schedules that keep families from sitting down together at dinner, and I feel sometimes there is little that is gentle and comforting left in our lives. Books like Mrs. Dunwoody can help us return to a gentler time. After all, our grandmothers are inside of us, and they've been knocking quietly and politely,trying to get out.

Order Information for Mrs. Dunwoody

Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions

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