Homemakers: How To Get Mayberry Back And A Giveaway!

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Homemakers, did you ever imagine that our world would get so far away from traditional values in our lifetime?  Are you like me and long to create as much of a peaceful home with old-fashioned values as the days of Mayberry?  A place where your family can come home and escape the crazy of our current culture?

Oh, the good ole America of days gone by …..

The land of apple pie, baseball, and innocence in family TV shows like Andy Griffith with an unspoken moral code of old-fashioned goodness, kindness, respect, and simply doing the right thing because, well, it’s the right thing to do.  A time when folks genuinely cared about their neighbors and parents lovingly disciplined their children.  When younger generations respected and listened to the wisdom of their elders.

I’m telling you, friend, we’ve got to get back a semblance of Mayberry times by preserving the past, and quick.  Here’s how to start …..

Homemakers ALERT! You want to read her TIPS for families.

I know what you’re thinking my homemaker friend.

You are probably thinking that I need to take my rose-colored glasses off and get back to reality.  Although I am the ultimate optimist, I realize we’ve got a long way to go.  I refuse to sit back however and do nothing!  Do you realize that when the TV show was aired, it became a calming distraction during one of the most turbulent times in our nation’s history?  The Sixties!  There was that little thing called the Vietnam war, there were riots, a drug crisis, assassinations, and more.

Doesn’t sound too different from today, does it? 

I truly believe that each of us can make a huge difference in the sphere of our influence.  We can’t waste the opportunities to lead ourselves and our people to once again cherish a simpler life where we focus on what is really important.  If the oldest generations like us don’t teach the younger ones what America was once like as a God-fearing nation, how will they know?  It’s up to us, honey.

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How Homemakers Can Bring Back Mayberry

As always, my mission here is to challenge homemakers (whether you work outside of the home or not) to joyfully serve God and our families, be keepers of our homes, and to be kind and pure.  With this Mayberry Challenge, homemakers can lead the way in bringing back a time that is wholesome, godly, and full of character.  These are just a few ideas to get you started:

1.  Live by the Golden Rule 

Matthew 7:12 says that we should treat people the same way we want them to treat us – in everything.  Do we do this as homemakers and with all the people we come into contact with on a daily basis?  What about the lady that’s driving like a psycho in front of you so that you can’t get to that appointment that you are running late for – how do we react?  What about the lady at the huge mall that jumped in the parking space you were clearly waiting for – do we act like Jesus?   What about the folks at church that give way-too-honest advice that you didn’t ask for – how do we respond?  Do we respond in a way that would reflect how we would want to be treated?  And what are younger eyes hearing us say and do – they are watching and learning!

2. Have unplugged weekends

One weekend after learning about pioneers, we lost electricity in our home for several hours. Princess wanted us to go a whole 24 hours living as closely to the pioneer life as possible.  It was a wonderfully interesting family time trying to figure out our lighting, food cooking options, and device-free entertainment without any electricity.  We now try to have our kerosene lamp-lit-popcorn-loving-board game weekend every month.  Now that’s quality time!

I urge you to try a similar weekend with your family. There will probably be a little moaning and groaning at first but if you truly all unplug and enjoy each other, everyone will come around eventually. Just have good, old-fashioned fun together.  A pioneer weekend or a camping weekend, just some escape from the busy of our normal worlds where the noise is silenced for just a little while.

3. Talk to your neighbors

We say that we are too busy to hang out with our neighbors but does that mean we should go long periods of time without speaking to them at all?  It’s such a sad thing to me that the ones that live the closest to us probably know the least about us.  As homemakers, we can at least share baked goodies from our kitchens with them every so often.

4. Make Sunday Worship a priority

Our preacher says that we should lead our family in a way that there is no confusion as to whether we are heading to church every Sunday morning or not.  It should be a given.  Not only are we honoring the Lord, learning more about Him, encouraging His people, we are also sending a clear message – Church is an important commitment worth making.

I believe a small part of why God asks us to assemble together as the body of Christ is because we need each other.  We are all sinful and need to be reminded of God’s truth.  I don’t know about you but when I’ve been in God’s house, it changes my attitude in how I face the next several days.  The Church can be such a blessing to the community but we’ve got to show up and get to work.

5. Smile even when you don’t feel like it 

Have you heard the saying that says that there are hundreds of languages around the world but your smile speaks every one of them?  I love that.  I personally am wired with an overload of empathy (which can be exhausting), but I find myself searching a room to see if anyone looks discouraged.  I look for that one person that I feel needs a smile.  Don’t discount how important a warm greeting could soothe someone’s soul and bless their heart.

6. Attend hometown events as a family 

Even the tiniest of towns have adorable little festivals, parades, and events.  Please don’t overlook the importance of the special bond of connected communities – homemakers, couples, business leaders, children, public servants.  By the grace of God, I feel honored that He lead us to an amazing community that is not perfect but filled with wonderfully compassionate, caring people that want our town and our world to be a better place.  Don’t take your community for granted – get involved and drag the family along with you for the ride!

7. Always keep your word 

Our current culture holds little regard for promises and agreements made between each other.  In the days of yesteryear, a man was as good as his word and all it took was a handshake.  Can we please get back to saying what we mean (in southern politeness, of course) and meaning what we say.  Thank you.

8. Watch quality television with your family 

Ever heard the saying, “Garbage in, garbage out?”  It’s so very true.  For the love of all things holy, please be adamant in the quality of entertainment that you allow into your home whether for yourself or your family.  We can’t expect the future generations to act any differently than what they are exposed to on a weekly basis.  Friends, family, folks on the screen – they all make a huge impact!  I propose that a dose of Andy Griffith once a week will do the body good.  ;)Did you know that you could watch every single episode in all eight seasons for free on Amazon Prime instant streaming?

Weeding out unnecessary entertainment garbage from my home is one of the biggest convictions for me as a homemaker, Wife, and Mom.  I know that not everyone feels as strongly as I do about it.  Many feel as if it’s harmless.  Let me ask you this – are there things you’ve seen on the tube during your childhood and young adult life you wish you could unsee?  I sure do!  Did you know that you could watch every single episode in all eight seasons for free on Amazon Prime instant streaming?

Let’s give the gift of pure tube time to our husbands, children, and grandchildren, shall we?!  Did you know that you could watch every single episode in all eight seasons for free on Amazon Prime instant streaming?  We love us some Amazon Prime for reasons like that one.  So worth it.

On to the giveaway!

Mayberry Homemaker Giveaway

Guess what lovelies?  I’m sharing a few of my favorite things!  (Now I have Julie Andrews singing in my head).  These goodies are enjoyed by my family and me and they just make me smile.  I hope to bring joy to your Lil homestead too.  Wives work so hard and I want to bless your little heart with something fun.

Sorry sister, this giveaway is closed but be sure to subscribe below for more!

Homemakers ALERT! You want to read her TIPS for families.

Here’s what you get

#1  The Andy Griffith Show DVD – Step back in time when life was simpler, neighbors actually knew each other, and candy only cost a nickel.  This collection of Andy Griffith Show episodes is one of my favorites that comes in fine quality black and white – my favorite!  We’ve watched these episodes over and over as a family and they are a hoot!

#2  The Cozy Home Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch – My book has dog-eared, worn out pages where I referred to its old-fashioned recipes to warm your heart & soul year ’round plus over 150 decorating ideas to cozy up your home for all 4 seasons.  Y’all know my decorating style is quite minimalist, and I need books like these to help me cozy them on up for the fam.

#3  Classic Wooden Rolling Pin – Who doesn’t need this old-fashioned rolling pin to make all the pie crusts, pizza crusts, and tortillas, etc that our Lil hearts desire.  My old trusty wooden rolling pin has stood the test of time and I know yours will too.  I love its long, sturdy handles.  Here’s to many yummy goodies in your kitchen.

#4  Cracker Barrel $25 Gift Card – Woot!  A gift card to take your sweetie for a homestyle meal or a shopping spree inside their Country Store.  Retail stores located nationwide except in CA, NV, OR, WA, WY, VT, ME, AK or HI.  No returns or refunds on gift cards.

Giveaway closed!!!


Watch Down in the Valley
Homemakers ALERT! You want to read her TIPS for families.

What are YOUR tips to “get back to Mayberry,” homemakers?

31 days of delicious easy recipes for homemakers series:

Protein Energy Bites

Baked Potato Bar

Crockpot Chicken

Stir Fry

Slow Cooker Soups

Quick Red Beans and Rice

Jalapeno Cornbread

Quick Meatloaf Recipe

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Best Lasagna Recipe

Easiest Pound Cake Recipe

Breakfast Burrito

How to Make Popcorn

Fluffy Pancake Recipe

Best Spaghetti Recipe

How to Cook Asparagus that Tastes GREAT!

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

Chicken and Rice

Low Carb Cheeseburger Pie

5 Minute Fudge Secrets!

Smokey Tuna Dip

Pumpkin Muffins Recipe + Pumpkin soups & desserts

How to Cook Rice Perfectly every time

Wacky Cake or Depression Cake (cheap cake)

How to Cook Green Beans Like a Boss!

31 Days of Delicious Easy Recipes for Busy Wives ROUNDUP!

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Shan

Published on HuffPost, Okefenokee Living Magazine, and more, Shan is a Family Travel Journalist with a passion for helping women lose the overwhelm of planning family-friendly trips in the south. She shares travel reviews & insider secrets that Women REALLY want to know about Georgia, Florida, & the Carolinas vacations.

☕️ It’s THE REAL DEAL around here ☕️

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25 Comments

  1. CS Calkins
    April 8, 2016 / 5:40 pm

    STOKED to see others embracing the virtues of the past! Many thanks for the post!

    • Shan
      Author
      April 18, 2016 / 10:49 am

      Thank you so much, Cs. I love the way you said that -> “embracing virtues of the past.”

      blessings,
      Shan

  2. Yvie
    April 9, 2016 / 9:36 am

    So glad to see someone else embracing Mayberry! My biggest challenge is trying to be five people at once. 🙂 Mom, teacher, wife, farmer, homemaker…

    We visited Mayberry this year…it was fantastic!

    • Shan
      Author
      April 18, 2016 / 10:50 am

      I have to look into this for an upcoming North Carolina road trip. #exciting! Ohhh, will definitely be checking out your post! Thanks you.

      blessings,
      Shan

  3. Lani // life anchored
    April 13, 2016 / 9:07 am

    I struggle with not loosing myself. There is so much to take care of that I put myself and my
    Needs on the back burner.

    • Shan
      Author
      April 18, 2016 / 10:51 am

      I hear you, Lani! I just wrote a book on this very thing. Sign up as a subscriber and you get it for free!

      blessings,
      Shan

  4. Our Home of Many Blessings
    April 18, 2016 / 9:54 am

    To be honest my struggle would be other families and they way they act like my way is weird or old fashioned… It’s hard trying to raise your family in our world today….Its hard with all these negative influences EVERYWHERE!

    • Shan
      Author
      April 18, 2016 / 10:53 am

      I understand completely about this. It can get me down at times but then I remember who it is that I answer to and it’s not those who are completely opposite from me. Also, I try to remember to show grace because at some point, my lifestyle was maybe a new concept for me too. We could be a great influence when we can respond well to those who don’t understand.

      blessings,
      Shan

  5. Jessica Mumford
    April 18, 2016 / 3:49 pm

    planning, planning, planning!

  6. Shannon
    April 20, 2016 / 11:11 pm

    I struggle to get it all done. If we get homeschool done then the house work is left out and vice versa.

    • Shan
      Author
      April 21, 2016 / 1:10 am

      I understand. I felt the same way but for me, it has gotten somewhat easier. They get older and things get a bit better. Also, be sure to check out my “Hacks to A Healthy Happy Home” in the sidebar… it shows how I get it done. 🙂

      blessings,
      Shan

  7. Sue Donaldson
    April 21, 2016 / 5:29 pm

    loved mayberry and andy griffith – thanks for the great list!

  8. Jaime Wiebel @ Seeking God
    April 21, 2016 / 5:32 pm

    Such a fun post! I love that you included Sunday Morning Worship. Many people reserve it for special occasions and miss the amazing opportunities that are offered in fellowship together. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  10. Marie
    April 29, 2016 / 10:36 am

    Well written! Great list of what a family can do to get back to basics. Loved your Mother Theresa quote to. I’ll be include this Blog post in my Friday Faves. Blessings to you and yours!
    Marie

  11. RObbi
    May 4, 2016 / 2:03 pm

    Yes! We as Christian homemakers need to refocus and get back to moral values that have seemingly been long forgotten. Thanks for sharing!

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  15. Gail
    August 2, 2016 / 4:11 pm

    I really love what you have to say here. Good points . I have chosen this post as my favorite in the Traffic jam Weekend linky party so it will be featured in this week’s party.

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