Too....
I just read this book (by the SDA person) and......
It is wonderfully put together and very, very readable and delightful to look at if printed in color, but I find it very lacking.
It is heavy on mechanical chores and light on personal characteristics.
I do not know if this was the focus, but there is so much more about keeping home than how to properly make a bed or scrub a toilet.
The women who is not Detail-Oriented and hates little lists and incessant and intrusive organization and rituals and is much more of a free-spirit (which may be preferable in a women so as not to drive her husband and kids crazy) will not match the personality traits that this book spells out. Such precision and slavery to lists and things does not promote the beauty and spontaneity that makes for happy children and a satisfied husband.
An example: I know someone who used to refer to his mother as "The vacuum Nazi" because she was incessant in cleaning, but yet supported him little. NO matter what was happening, she pulled out the vacuum and cleaned around any guests.
Another example: A dear lady who I know collects every one of these puritan-homemaker books and she delights to invite guests over for dinner. But everything is done with such precision that it is cramped, she is stressed and the atmosphere is not always free. Then, afterwards she just cannot leave the dishes to stay dirty in the sink. She has her guests wait on the couch while she makes her kitchen spotless again.
Give me paper plates and sandwiches eaten by hand and good conversation over any cultural assertions concerning primness, propernes, ettiquette and all the rest. The parable of Mary and Mother when compared to Miss Manners is much preferable.
I saved it. Thank you for sharing 
