Like Mother, Like Daughter...

"Behold,
every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee,
saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter."

~ Ezekiel 16:44

It is sad that the proverb, "As is the mother, so is her daughter" would be used in a negative fashion. Though the verse above is speaking about Israel and her rebellious offspring, it is also very applicable to us women today.

I remember reading once that we should be careful that we do not discipline our children for the sins we ourselves have taught them. This can be so true. How many times do we get frustrated at a behavior in our child only to by humbled by the knowledge that it is the weakness which we suffer from ourselves? Yes, "like mother, like daughter" does apply to us today.

It can have a lethal connotation when we think of the likes of Jezebel and Athalia. However, it has a beautiful implication when we think of the lives of Grandmother Lois and Eunice.

We need to constantly pray for strength and wisdom for our dear maidens are watching…

Continue reading at Deep Roots at Home…

Queen Victoria Heir to the Throne ~ 175 Years Ago...

State Portrait of Queen Victoria by George Hayter

Exactly 175 years ago, princess Victoria was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom. Only one month earlier, she had turned 18 which enabled her to take the throne and therefore avoid a regency rule.

Queen Victoria receiving the news of her accession to the throne, 20 June 1837.

In her diary she wrote the following:

"I was awoke at 6 o'clock by Mamma, who told me the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Conyngham were here and wished to see me. I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing gown) and alone, and saw them. Lord Conyngham then acquainted me that my poor Uncle, the King, was no more, and had expired at 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently that I am Queen."

Queen Victoria on the morning of her Accession to the Throne, June 20, 1837.

"I then went to my room and dressed. Since it has pleased Providence to place me in this station, I shall do my utmost to fulfil my duty towards my country; I am very young and perhaps in many, though not in all things, inexperienced, but I am sure, that very few have more real good will and more real desire to do what is fit and right than I have."

Regarding the Sunday services following the death of the King:

"At 10 I went down to prayers with Mamma Mary, Lehzen and Charles. The service was read by the Dean who was much affected when he read the prayers in which my name is now mentioned in the place of my poor Uncle, the late King. He preached a very good and appropriate sermon; the text of which was from the 3rd chapter of the Epistle General of St. Peter, 13th and 14th verses."

Regarding the coronation which followed a year later:

"It was a fine day; and the crowds of people exceeded what I have ever seen; many as there were, the day I went to the City, it was nothing - nothing to the multitudes, the millions of my loyal subjects who were assembled in every spot to witness the Procession. Their good-humour and excessive loyalty was beyond everything, and I really cannot say how proud I feel to be the Queen of such a Nation."

"Then followed all the various things; and last (of those things) the crown being placed on my head which was I must own a most beautiful impressive moment; all the Peers and Peeresses put on their coronets at the same instant..."

"Poor old Lord Rollo, who is 82 and dreadfully infirm, in attempting to ascend the steps fell and rolled quite down, but was not the least hurt; when he attempted to re-ascend them I got up and advanced to the 'end of the steps, in order to prevent another fall…"

(I love how she was thoughtful to care for her aged elder in the incident above.)

"At about half-past four I re-entered my carriage, the Crown on my head and the Sceptre and Orb in my hands, and we proceeded the same way as we came-the crowds if possible having increased. The enthusiasm, affection, and loyalty were really touching, and I shall ever remember this day as the PROUDEST of my life! I came home a little after six, really not feeling tired. At eight we dined."

Her reign lasted 63 years (longer than any other British monarch). She ruled longer than any female monarch in history. The prosperous years under her throne are known as the Victorian Era (June 1837 - January 1901).

When questioned by an African Prince regarding the success of the United Kingdom, her response was…

"Tell your prince that this Book (the BIBLE) is the secret of England's greatness..."

"That Book (the BIBLE) accounts for the supremacy of England..."

~ Queen Victoria

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;

and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."
~ Psalm 33:12

The Art of Paper Quilling

Paper quilling, also known as paper filagree is an art which uses strips of paper in which you roll, form into shapes and glue in place. During the Renaissance, quilling was used to decorate religious items and books. In the 18th century and Victorian Era, "gentlewomen" practiced this art as it was considered appropriate for their dainty natures. Women would completely cover jewelry boxes, frames, tea caddies and any other items of interest with these paper decorations.

Periodicals would print patterns for paper filagree work. The designs shown above were published in 1786 by New Ladies Magazine. 

The Bronte Sisters were known to delight in this pastime. Jane Austen was also familiar with this art form. She introduced filagree into a scene in Sense and Sensibility (chapter 23) when Elinor was eager for the opportunity to converse with Lucy Steele about their mutual acquaintance. Paper quilling provided the solution.

"I am glad," said Lady Middleton to Lucy, "you are not going to finish poor little Annamaria's basket this evening; for I am sure it must hurt your eyes to work filigree by candlelight. And we will make the dear little love some amends for her disappointment to-morrow, and then I hope she will not much mind it." 

This hint was enough, Lucy recollected herself instantly and replied, "Indeed you are very much mistaken, Lady Middleton; I am only waiting to know whether you can make your party without me, or I should have been at my filigree already. I would not disappoint the little angel for all the world: and if you want me at the card-table now, I am resolved to finish the basket after supper."

"You are very good, I hope it won't hurt your eyes-- will you ring the bell for some working candles? My poor little girl would be sadly disappointed, I know, if the basket was not finished tomorrow, for though I told her it certainly would not, I am sure she depends upon having it done."

Lucy directly drew her work table near her and reseated herself with an alacrity and cheerfulness which seemed to infer that she could taste no greater delight than in making a filigree basket for a spoilt child. 

"Perhaps," continued Elinor, "if I should happen to cut out, I may be of some use to Miss Lucy Steele, in rolling her papers for her…" 

 ~ Excerpt from Sense and Sensibility

Summer is a great opportunity to teach new skills. This is excellent employment for young ladies as it is inexpensive and indulges their minds in creativity. Plain note cards and frames could be embellished using this method. My daughter was able to fashion her own filagree tool using a cast off piece of metal. Strips of scrap paper are the only other accessory needed for the beginner.

If we want our maidens to embrace being a keeper at home, we should instruct them in economical and wholesome amusements. Arts and crafts nurture industry in the home. Our daughter's will never know idleness when equipped with many interesting hobbies. Many young women today complain of loneliness when first married and I am convinced that these types of projects provide a "Proverbs 31" alternative by encouraging them to "worketh willingly with her hands." (Proverbs 31:13b) 

You will find many other lovely ideas in the art of homemaking for young ladies here:

"The Keepers at Home handbook for young ladies is perfect for girls 7 through 16. The handbook is designed to teach and prepare girls to become godly, competent keepers of the home, Christian wives, and mothers. It includes Bible reading, Bible memory, extensive skills for practical living, and creative handiwork. Give your daughter the skills she needs to succeed at the calling God has given her." ~ From the Publisher

The Power of a Gentle Answer

Woman with a Veil (La Donna Velata) by Raphael

“When you will not fly into a passion people know you are stronger than they are, because you are strong enough to hold in your rage, and they are not, and they say stupid things they wish they hadn't said afterward. There's nothing so strong as rage, except what makes you hold it in--that's stronger. It's a good thing not to answer your enemies.”

~ Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess

"A soft answer turneth away wrath:

but grievous words stir up anger."

~ Proverbs 15:1

When a woman is able to control her words, she is offering her companions a glimpse of Christ. When she guards her mouth, her audience is given a portrait of the Prince of Peace. When she speaks in gentle tones though her heart is in turmoil, she has starved the nature of self and nurtured a place for the Lord to shine. She will be blessed for she is a peacemaker...

"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue

keepeth his soul from troubles."

~ Proverbs 21:23

Let us ask daily for the strength to guard our tongues for blessings will abound!

Linked up with the following:

Modest Monday's

Domestically Divine Tuesday

Raising Homemakers

Wise Woman Link Up

Deep Roots at Home

The Violet

Violets by Paul DeLongpre

The Violet

Down in a green and shady bed

A modest violet grew;

Its stalk was bent, it hung its head,

As if to hide from view.

And yet it was a lovely flower,

No colours bright and fair;

It might have graced a rosy bower,

Instead of hiding there.

Yet there it was content to bloom,

In modest tints arrayed;

And there diffused its sweet perfume,

Within the silent shade.

Then let me to the valley go,

This pretty flower to see;

That I may also learn to grow

In sweet humility.

~  by Jane Taylor (1783-1824) *

*Historical Note: Ms. Taylor is also the author of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Teach Me Tuesday, Raising Homemakers, Make Bake Create, Wise Woman Link Up, Christian Homemaking, So Much at Home, Homemaking Thursdays, Hearts for Home Thursdays, and Growing in Grace Thursdays. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.

Nature Journal of Edith Holden

Here is my second attempt in encouraging you to create a nature journal. Edith Holden prepared this "diary" at the age of 35 in order to inspire her female art students to experience the beauty of nature observation.  Full of charming quotes and poems, perhaps one hundred years later, her efforts will continue to motivate this next generation to record God's marvelous creation…

"The birds still sing morning and evening, but there is not nearly such a full choir as a month ago. The cares and responsibilities of large families of hungry fledglings make too many demands on the time and attention of the anxious parents. It is very pretty to see the house martins sitting in the roadway. collecting mud for their nests. Their short-feathered legs look as if they had little white socks on."

 ~ Edith Holden, June Diary Entry

Edith Holden

"I saw the yellow bitter cress in flower in the marsh at Widney today. Many of the meadows are golden with buttercups, and some of the fields are showing quite red, where the sorrel is coming into flower. Bright and sunny, the first summer's day we have had."

~ Summer Entry from Natures Notes of The Country Diary of An Edwardian Woman

Edith Holden

Would you like to start a nature journal?

"Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee."

~ Nehemiah 9:6

Keeping a Nature Journal

Nature Journal of Beatrix Potter

Flowers & Femininity ~ A Unit Study

Flowers and females are almost synonymous. There is much in the example of the flower that illustrates beautiful concepts to young ladies. Let us use these lovely plants as instruments to teach our daughters about the miracle of life, wonders of womanhood, godly relationships, purity, virtue and the love of studying God's creation. This would make a sweet summer study and even those who do not homeschool would benefit by reading some of these stories and doing a few of the activities together.

Suggested Read Aloud Title: The Basket of Flowers a Tale for the Young (This book was written in the 1700's and may be hard for younger girls to understand who haven't been introduced to classic literature. If this is the case, listen to the dramatic audio book instead: The Basket of Flowers : Lamplighter Theatre (Dramatic Audio). You won't want to miss out on this story as there are so many Biblical truths in it for our daughters.)

"Inside the pages of this rare and aged book... Mary is falsely accused of stealing, and the penalty is death. She had always been taught that it is better to die for the truth than to live for a lie-for the worst pillow to sleep on is the pillow of a guilty conscience. Will the darkest and most dreadful night help Mary find God for herself or will she live in the shadow of a faith that is not her own? This is a story that will cause you to shed a tear or two and at the same time cultivate a hope that will never disappoint!" ~ The Basket of Flowers a Tale for the Young

Alternative Read Aloud Title: If you have already read the The Basket of Flowers a Tale for the Young then I highly suggest reading The Flower of the Family by Elizabeth Prentiss. Or both!

The Flower of the Family by Elizabeth Prentiss

Both are novels with a glorious spiritual message for our dear daughters.

Suggested Picture Books: Flowers: Eyewitness Explorers by DK Publishing (non-ficton source for this study), The Garden Wall: A Story of Love Based on I Corinthians 13 by Jennie Bishop (a great tool to use regarding the beauty of a godly spouse and "true" love), The Miracle of Change ~ A Book for Young Ladies by Amy Loper & Miracle of Life by Amy Loper (Books which discusses the miracle of life and the changes in our bodies through the examples of flowers. Please see below for more information regarding these titles.), Hana in the Time of the Tulips by Deborah Noyes (Historical fiction picture book about the tulip craze in Holland in the 1600's.), Flower Field Guide or the use of the internet for flower identification.

Flower Inspired Activities:

I would suggest reading together for a half-hour per day from the chapter books above. Have your daughters do some of the listed activities below each day according to their abilities. Include all work from this study separately in a notebook/binder or composition book for each young lady. Don't forget to let them decorate their own covers with pictures of flowers, stickers or clip art! Encourage them to be creative. By the end of a few weeks you will have a nice collection of "Flower Scrapbooks" to cherish as an educational keepsake.

Spelling/Vocabulary List (Have students define the terms they are unfamiliar with):

1. stamen
2. petal
3. sepal
4. anther
5. stigma
6. perennial
7. annual
8. photosynthesis
9. pollinate
10. nectar
11. pollen
12. germination

Luke 12:27

Bible/Copywork/Penmanship: Have your daughter copy one verse about flowers per day from the Scriptures into her "flower scrapbook" in her best writing. Make sure she pays close attention to punctuation. This is a great time to teach her to use a Concordance or Topical Guide. Have her write the meaning of each verse below her entry. Here are some suggestions.

Science/Biology: The Miracle of Change ~ A Book for Young Ladies by Amy Loper This book was meant to be a supplement to a series but I used it as a stand alone resource and found it very valuable in discussing the changes that young girls go through in their bodies. The illustrations are of beautiful flowers and the message is to embrace femininity and the changes that accompany it. This is a tender time and I appreciated this gentle, Christian based book (publisher's comment below). There is also the Miracle of Life which is the intended prequel and is a very basic "birds and bees" type book in which the parent must do the actual explaining once the life cycle of the flower is presented. The Miracle of Change is more in depth with body changes and is the book I highly recommend.

"A beautiful full color and tastefully illustrated hard back educational book designed to help mothers instruct their preadolescent daughters as they face the changes puberty brings. Bringing your daughters back to the flower at the age of transition to see the beauty in God's design and His plan for each blossom. This book is a delicate, yet honest look at the transformation that is coming your daughter's way. Help prepare your daughter for the miracle of change with this beautiful book that will celebrate her God-given femininity." ~The Miracle of Change ~ A Book for Young Ladies by Amy Loper

Ecclesiastes 9:8

Biblical Purity: Flowers have always been associated with different meanings. Do some research to find out which one symbolizes Christian purity. Why is it important to keep ourselves pure? Discuss this with your daughter and read some Scripture together that supports this (Titus 2:12, Matthew 5:8, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Colossians 3:5, Psalm 24:3-5, James 3:17, Psalm 51:10, Philippians 1:9-11). Create a purity page in your scrapbook. Draw a picture of the flower that depicts purity and include the pertaining Bible verses below your sketch. Have your daughter write a list of ways to keep herself pure. You may also want to take the time to read to your older daughter about Tamar here and the lesson we can learn about physical purity.

Biblical Marriage: Read the book, The Garden Wall: A Story of Love Based on I Corinthians 13 by Jennie Bishop and discuss the type of love that a true godly marriage is based upon. Have your daughter write an essay on what she is looking for in a marriage and discuss together.

Character Building/Copywork/Art: Have your daughter copy one passage a day from the The Basket of Flowers ~ a Tale for the Young regarding flowers (my favorites are here) as you are reading it. Have her illustrate each verse with the appropriate flower. You may want to check out a "how to draw a flower book" or find some instruction on the internet. Discuss the meaning of each chosen passage together.

Crown of Roses by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Language Arts/Penmanship: Copy the following poem in your best writing making sure to use all proper punctuation. (Here is another poem about a violet that will bless this study too!)

Beauty Is Vain

While roses are so red, 

While lilies are so white, 


Shall a woman exalt her face 

Because it gives delight? 


She's not so sweet as a rose, 

A lily's straighter than she, 


And if she were as red or white 

She'd be but one of three.

Whether she flush in love's summer

Or in its winter grow pale,

Whether she flaunt her beauty

Or hide it away in a veil,

Be she red or white,

And stand she erect or bowed,

Time will win the race he runs with her 

And hide her away in a shroud.

By ~ Christina Georgina Rossetti

Bible Discussion/Memory: Discuss the meaning of the poem above with your mother. Look up in the Bible what is says about vain beauty in Proverbs 31 and write the verse below the poem in your best writing. Memorize this verse.

Language Arts/Grammar: Have your daughters identify the nouns in the first paragraph of the poem. Have them identify the verbs in the second paragraph and the adjectives in the third paragraph.

Language Arts/Grammar: Discuss "homophones" with your daughters using the example of "flower" and "flour". Have your daughters think up more examples. Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings.

Language Arts: Create your own poem about flowers.

Language Arts: Explain what an acronym is and have your daughters do one with the word FLOWER using words that describe a flower. An acronym is a word formed with the initial letters of other words such as NATO, LASER and SCUBA.

Language Arts/Literature: Have your daughters read The Secret Garden independently and do a book report on it. 

Basic Skills: Have your girls list their ten favorite flowers and then have them alphabetize it.

Spring Flowers by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Science: Read a few pages per day from Flowers: Eyewitness Explorers by DK Publishing (or another non-fiction source) and do the activities below as they pertain to what you read.

Science: Diagram a simple flower.

Science: Go outside and sketch some flowers. Afterwards, using a flower field guide, label the flower using its latin name and any special parts.

Science: Define a "simple" flower, a "composite" flower and a "complicated" flower.

Science: Using a dictionary, explain the difference between an "annual" plant and a "perennial" plant. Then, classify your ten favorite flowers into each of those categories. 

Science: Try propagating a plant (an easy one is a geranium) using a cutting. There is more information here on my sister site.

Science/Research: Research the different ways that flowers are pollinated and write a short summary about it.

Discarded Roses by Pierre Auguste-Renoir

Science/Research/Health: Choose five flowers that have medicinal purposes and make a chart which explains how each one can benefit humans and how to prepare it.

Science/Geography: Just like different animals will be found in different habitats, so is the case with flowers. Make a list of showing the flowers you would find in a tropical area, woodland area, grassland, desert, marshland and mountainous area.

Geography/Research: Using a blank map of the United States, label each state (using initials) along with its state flower (do five or so a day).

Geography/Research: Write a short report on your state flower (and don't forget to include the type of care they require and in what climate they thrive in, etc.)

Flowers in a Vase by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Home Economics: Check out some books regarding flower arranging and create a bouquet for your home. Take a picture of it and place photo in your "flower scrapbook".

Home Economics: Embroider a flower onto a tea towel.

Home Economics: Research what flowers are edible and make a list. Then make a cake and decorate it with some fresh, edible flowers. Make sure to take a picture of your creation to add to your "flower scrapbook".

Home Economics: Dry some flowers by hanging a bunch upside down in a dry and airy place. Roses are a good choice since they will most likely retain their color and scent. These are fun to decorate your home with.

Home Economics: Make some potpourri using small scented flowers and petals.

Garden/Science Project: Plant a cutting garden which is basically a small garden space dedicated to flowers which are meant to be cut and placed in vases in your home. Research what kind of light and soil the flowers need and try to accommodate them.

Arts/Crafts/Service: Make some pressed flowers and then use them to decorate note cards. Send one of your homemade cards to someone who needs an encouraging word.

Art: Print out the "Flowers of the Bible" coloring pages I made with this link (see sample above) for your younger girls to color realistically, cut out, label and paste into their "flower scrapbooks".

History/Research: Read Hana in the Time of the Tulips by Deborah Noyes to your younger daughters and discuss tulipmania. You will be surprised what people paid for one of these flowers during that time! Have your daughter draw or paint a tulip. This is a very interesting moment in history. Older girls can do a report on tulipmania by doing their own independent research.

Foreign Language: Learn how to say "flower" and "plant" in the foreign language you are studying.

Girls Picking Flowers in a Meadow by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Art History/Picture Study: Study the floral paintings on this post by the French artist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir. He was one of the leading Impressionistic painters in the 1800's. Do you know what impressionism is? It is simply painting using a series of small brush strokes so that the final product is the artist's "impression" of what they see. Capturing the light was important to them. They were mocked when they first started this style of painting. Choose a favorite picture by Renoir to do an "art review" on. Make sure to print a copy of the painting to paste onto your review in your "flower scrapbook". All the floral paintings on this post were by his hand.

Beautiful Bonding/Science/Nature: Play the Garden Game together which is a beautiful game that teaches about gardening concepts.

Field Trip/Beautiful Bonding: Pack a picnic lunch and visit a botanical garden (or one a week if you have many in your area). Make sure to include pictures of your day and paste these memories into your "flower scrapbook".

Movie: For fun, why not end this study by watching The Secret Garden together. Pop some corn and cuddle up.

Song of Solomon II-12

You may also be interested in:

Godly Princess ~ A Unit Study

Roses ~ A Unit Study

Linked up with the following:

Modest Monday's
Domestically Divine Tuesday

Raising Homemakers

Wise Woman Link Up

Deep Roots at Home