Dinner Update: Last night, we had leftovers of this (hi? YUM! We used half as much chicken and twice as much brown rice, because we're us, and it was still fantastic.).
Budget Update: Then I sorted through what I had saved for baby girl clothes. Which was... not enough. E was born in April, and this one is due in October, so E's very adorable and tiny summer clothes aren't really going to work this time around. I'll be allocating some of the baby savings, as well as the clothing budget over the next few months to buy some baby girl clothes. But I can't really think of a more enjoyable thing for which to shop. :)
Summer Reading Update: I got a good start on Little House on the Prairie last night. Just a couple of thoughts:
- If my husband said to me, "I've decided to go see the West. I've had an offer for this place, and we can sell it now for as much as we're ever likely to get, enough to give us a start in a new country." I would have said, "Uh, or how about not?" But I admire the adventuresome spirit of the whole thing.
- I was also amazed that they left behind the beds and tables because Pa could just make more. Oh. Was there anything he couldn't do??? I'd like to hear a story about pioneers more like me, who didn't really know how to do anything, but they probably died before they got around to writing a book about it. ;)
- Laura describes a meal cooked on the trail: coffee (for the grown-ups, though the children helped grind the beans), cornmeal cakes, and ham. Interesting.
- This site has a great map of the trip described in this book. That's a long way, even in a car, y'all. http://www.lauraingallswilderhome.com/images/travelmap.jpg
5 comments:
I grew up 9 miles East of DeSmet SD (where 5 of the 9 books take place) and I worked as a tour guide at Ingalls Homestead (www.ingallshomestead.com)for 6 summers before moving to Aberdeen for school. There, we provided families with hands on pioneer activites. They offer a covered wagon ride,1800's school session, pony rides, demonstrations on pioneer activities such as making rope, twisting hay, and grinding wheat (from The Long Winter). The best part is that it's located on the original quarter section that the Ingalls family Homesteaded in Dakota Territory. The "Little House" and barn have been recreated in their original locations based on the specifications Pa filed with the land office. The hardships that those people had to endure were endless and they showed true perserverence and kept on going. They knew what it meant to live frugaly and truly appreciated the things that they were given. If you're interested in more information about Laura Ingalls or the Homestead, let me know. I can also hook you and the family up with some free passes if you'd like to check it out (it's about 125 miles South East of Aberdeen).
Many, many Little House meals consist of little more than corncake and molasses or salt pork. By the time you finish the series, you will be able to name 1001 corn-based foods. :)
Hi M! I've done the DeSmet thing a few times - it's so fantastic! We are trying to get there for the pageant this year - so anything you could do to hook me up with free anything, I'm all over it! :)
Katie - Hmm... I'm suddenly hungry for cornbread. :)
I'm so glad you liked the creamy chicken tacos! I'm with you on using more rice and less chicken! I'm glad that worked out! meat and chicken is so expensive anymore I'm going back to our old ways of using 1 pound of meat in 4 different meals!
I do love these books! I love the link to the map too! that's really cool! I've never seen that before! Even though I just finished all these books, you make me want to read them again!
Ma was the original queen of frontier frugality!!
"Frontier frugality" I love that!
Maybe I should do a different "Frontier Frugality" reading series every summer? Hmmm...
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