Any mother or father knows that keeping a household in order isn’t an easy task. 100 years ago, families faced many of the same issues then as we do today, as illustrated by this collection of tips and advice that bridges the gap between the antique and the contemporary. In the mid 1800s, Mrs. L.G. Abell compiled a document containing hundreds of skills, advice and recipes for any woman wishing to run an efficient home. Broken up into sections on child-rearing, medicine, and general household recipes and tasks, her words provided countless families with the tools and know-how they needed to efficiently and effectively run a home. Times have changed a bit, but Abell’s advice, based on years of experience and trail and error, holds up well, including such basics as grocery shopping, cures for common illnesses, cleanliness and proper etiquette, and more. In this new edition, hundreds of color photographs adorn this perfect gift book, bringing it into the 21st century and making it the indispensible gift for any mother or father.