The Clothesline . . .

The clothesline was a new forecast
To neighbours passing by
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbours always knew,
If company had stopped on by
to spend a night or two.

For when you'd see the fancy sheets,
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the company table clothes
With intricate design.

The line announced a baby's birth
To folks who lived inside,
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride.

The ages of the children could
So readily be known,
By watching how the sizes changed,
you'd know how much they'd grown.

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
The nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
haphazardly were strung.

It said, "Gone on vacation" now,
when lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged,
With not an inch to spare.

New folks in town were scorned upon,
If wash was dingy grey,
As neighbours raised their brows, and looked
Disgustedly away.

But clotheslines now are of the past,
for dryers make work less.
Now what goes on inside the home
Is anybody's guess.

I really miss that way of life,
it was a friendly sign,
When neighbours knew each other best,
By what hung on the line.

~author unknown



One thing that I have really enjoyed over these past few weeks, is simply being able to hang my clothes out on the line in the back garden. We have never had a clothes drier over here. We have always air dried our things. Back in the cottage, I had a line strung up in the laundry room, which is where our clothes and things mostly hung out to dry after they had been washed . . . thankfully there are only two of us, so it has never been a hardship for us, although it is easy to understand, and I have experienced the need of having a clothes drier when you have a growing and large family to take care of.

But there is something so very special and sweet about seeing a line of wash hanging in the garden . . . a lift here and there of a hem, sleeve or pantleg by a gentle breeze that passes, seems almost like a cheery wave from an old friend.



And can there be any smell more lovely on this earth that that of fresh sheets on a bed that have spent an afternoon hanging out to dry . . . they smell of sunshine and fresh air, and of homey comforts and days not long gone . . . nor forgotten.

My mother hung her clothes out to dry for most of my growing up years, no matter the season. In the winter time, her fingers would get all chapped, cracked and frozen from the sub zero temperatures of the Canadian winter . . . Most days the clothes would be brought in at the end of the day, not so much dried . . . as frozen stiff, and then . . . they would hang in the utility room next to the furnace over night . . . In the summer time, the sound of the sheets flapping and snapping in the wind was such a comforting sound, and once again that smell . . . oh what a wondrous thing it was . . .



I like to bury my face in the clean laundry after I have brought it in. As it gets folded and put into the ironing basket, I have a sniff or two . . . and my mind takes me back to those days of my childhood . . . the sight of my mother standing on the laundry stoop, the wicker laundry basket by her feet, her arms stretched up and pinning . . . that snap of the wooden pins . . . her voice ringing out in laughter and conversation with neighbours caught in that same dance of home comforts and loving ministration . . .

I am so glad that I have a heart and mind that is open to the joys of simple things . . . that I have arms and hands that are capable and strong, and able to do these things of a day . .. these homely little chores that bring me so much pleasure and peace.

There is something special about the sight of clothes hung lovingly on a line . . . it speaks to the heart and soul in a delightfully wonderful way. I hope and trust it will ever be so . . .



Speaking of home comforts, I made us a delicious casserole for our tea the other night. Our days have been full as of late, with goings to and fro and much activity. Some days there has not been a lot of time to cook a meal that takes a lot of time. These are the days that I reach for something quick, but there is no reason that quick has to be boring, or lacking in flavour. I always keep a tin or two of chili in the store cupboard and often have a container of it in the freezer as well. It is nice to have it heated up and in a bowl, but it's even better to have it done this way. Sure to become a family favourite! (And perfect for laundry day when quick and easy comes in mighty handy!) It's also very easy to resize and make according to how many you are feeding.



*Chili Dog Casserole*
Serves 5 to 6 people
Printable Recipe

Delicious! I use my homemade chili in this, but the recipe calls for tinned. I just always happen to have a container of homemade chili in the freezer and it's no problem to thaw it out. I highly recommend! Quick easy and very scrummy!

2 (15 ounce) tins of chili with beans
1 package of smoked frankfurters (10 in pack)
10 8-inch flour tortillas
10 ounces of strong cheddar cheese, grated



Preheat the oven to 220*C/425*F. Lightly butter a shallow baking dish. Wrap the tortillas around the frankfurters. Place half of the chili in the prepared baking dish. Cover with the tortilla wrapped franks. Pour the other can of the chili over top and around the tortilla wrapped franks. Sprinkle with the grated cheese. Cover and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, uncovering the last 5 minutes to brown the cheese. Serve hot with a salad on the side.



More home comforts lie in wait on The English Kitchen today, where I have baked some tasty Strawberry Jam Tarts, sure to bring out your inner child!!!