Keeping the House

Homes should mean something to us humans. They are a basic instinct. A home, with a life that centers only on food and sleep, is not really a home, it's a house. Beauty and graciousness, joy of living, being used in every part, these are the things that make a house a home. (chapter header quote from Popular Home Decorations, 1940)

He took her face in both his hands and kissed her like they weren't even married yet

With Byron’s reaction to her deepest dream, she should have realized her mistake, that the romance she had infused him with was all of her own invention.

Some of her turned to mist, and crept out the pores of her skin.

Flying lessons? That's not very wifely.

It was as pleasant as a dream of some idyllic past that had never truly been, but was nice to think of all the same.

You trusted you would die soon enough, though you would do your damndest not to.

You’ll be surprised at the number of table mats, napkins, curtains, and sport things that have to be ironed, even with only two in the household….

now Dolly couldn’t seem to stop herself from asking, Is this it? Is this my life?

Well, he would never understand. His life had been everything he wanted, whereas she had gotten on the wrong train, all those years ago.

Perhaps love could come complete from the start. The passing of time, the creation of a history, was needed only to verify irrefutability.

Unfortunately, even as he removed his shirt to reveal shoulders good enough to make a girl go slack-jawed, his only thought was of the errant au gratin potato. “Here you go, Doll,” he said, holding his shirt out to her. “Maybe you could get that cheese out, before it’s too late.

Take an interest in his appearance. Keeping his clothes in order is your job; encouraging him to look his best, and admiring him when he does, should be your pleasure. —“Making Marriage Work,” Ladies’ Home Journal, January 1950

The Family Hostess’ Creed Happy family relationships are part of my responsibility; therefore—I will save enough energy to do the job of being a happy and helpful hostess to my family day after day. —The Modern Family Cook Book, 1942

a friend back in her hometown of Battle Point had thrown her a well-attended Apron Collection bridal shower, so Dolly owned an impressive variety of aprons, nineteen in all, one to match nearly every one of her dresses—because she had read somewhere that “nothing says ‘happy home’ to a husband like his smiling wife, in an apron and lovely dress, bidding him come to the table, where she has a colorful, balanced, hot meal waiting.

The bride who wants to do her full job will plan from the start to create the kind of home her husband wants, and to do it with no more assistance than he willingly offers. —“Making Marriage Work,” Ladies’ Home Journal, June 1950

Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor.