Is there ever a greater character in all of television history than Charles Ingalls? I think not. I love Pa.
Last week we got to travel back in time and experience life on the prairie.
And we visited an authentic homestead from 1894. And we got to do the coolest things there.
No running water. No electricity. None of life's modern conveniences.
Water was heated over an open hearth. Hands were washed in large wash basins.
Because the kids got to make sugar cookies.
I seriously couldn't wipe the grin off my face.
The cookies baked in cast iron dutch ovens . . . in the open hearth in the kitchen.
Then they headed to the blacksmith shop. To actually try their hand at blacksmithing. Seriously. Not just a demonstration. No siree. They got to do it themselves. We've got two dinner bells to prove it.
I asked if we could live there. I vowed to care for the chickens and hogs. And I told them I can make a mean applesauce come apple harvest time. I could easily become their resident soap maker. Surely I could find room to include some goats. Right?
Then my cell phone rang.
Hmpf.
And they politely shooed me on my way.
Dude. I was so born in the wrong era.
-dana
32 comments:
oh my! this SOOO rings true to my heart. my best girl and i used to play little house on the prairie all the time when i was little. running through my folks' big fields in the long grass with mom-made bonnets and prairie skirts! we have a working 1800s village not far from us here. haven't taken the kids yet as they are still a bit young to "get it" but it is one of my favorite places ever!!!
that is so fabulous!! I wish we had something like that near us. However, I would only like to visit. I enjoy my electricity and running water and cell phone. :)
you make me laugh! great experiences for everyone - little house fans or not! have a great Monday :)
What an incredible experience for the kids (oh, and you).
I always wanted to be Laura. And Pap always reminded me of Pa.
Looks like a totally fun time. I should have been born then too-but what would me and you do with the computer????
I have always felt that I was born in the wrong era, as well. I blamed all of my mistakes in judgement on having too many choices. If my life had been based on survival from day to day, I wouldn't have dropped out of high school.. something along those lines. Of course I know it's ridiculous, but I tried.
Looks like a fun day, Dana. Those Little House books were a staple in our home growing up.
How great is that experience? I would love to do that. I too love the Little House on the Prairie books and shows. I still watch them and have been buying the dvd's for my granddaughter. We have already read the books.
Oh, how fun! I loved Little House on the Prairie too - the books and the show. Sadly, my boys don't share my love for the series, though I did read "Farmer Boy" to them a few years ago.
I've always wondered, too - if Laura was plopped down into the 21st century - would she say we were crazy to wish we'd lived during those days? interesting to think about . . .
That is so cool. Sounds like a wonderful time. I always liked Nelly. More like liked to not like her, and her Mother. LOL
I feel a strong pull from this time too. But there are some things I would miss from the now. I guess I will just continue to try my best to produce what I consume in every way I can and call that good enough.
What a great place to bring children for a real experience. Lucky them (and you).
How cool! My kids would love that! See....if you lived in Hawaii, you wouldn't have been able to do that :-)
We love Little House too.
We used to never miss an episode--and most of the time I cried. We started reading the books in our house, but the show is something I haven't shared with the girls. Maybe when we get through all the Golden Girls episodes!
Rhonda
Oh! I know how you feel... that is so cool! I just started reading "Little House in the Big Woods" 2 nights ago with my Kindergartener. I was afraid I was jumping the ball (cause it's my all time fav, too). She loves it! Yahoo!
Great post.
I would be happy to help you run this farmstead!
How cool is that!! I would love to go there and experience all of that. I love the Little House on the Prairie. I actually watched it while still a little girl back in Slovakia in Slovak.:)
I am glad I am not the only one that feels like, i was born in the wrong era. Isn't it weird feeling? I could live without it all, but how would I write and read the blogs? That's the only thing.
I know some people are going to roll there eyes at me , but I believe we are drawn to that time because we have already lived it.
I'm obsessed with little house! What any exciting day that must have been for all of you.
Like you, I think I live in the wrong time. I wanted to take part in "Frontier House" when PBS advertised that they were doing it!
And I love Little House on the Prairie - I reread the books periodically. Especially "The Long Winter" - it's good to read when I'm feeling sorry for myself! :) How cool that you & the kids got to play in the past!
That is my favorite show and I also have read all the books.I buy the movies and watch over and over. OMG Pa is so hot..I would have loved to lay in the hay with him=)
I know I was born in the wrong era.
How fun! I bet this is something your girls will talk about for a long time.
I'm not sure I was born in the wrong era, just maybe in the wrong country. In my heart and taste buds, I'm French, parisienne more specifically.
I always think that too, but then I remember how much I love plumbing. And air conditioning. And electricity!
oh I am so envious -
You should check out
http://prairietalktv.com/
I'm not sure if you will love it or hate it, but it is two guys who know quite a bit about LHOTP and created a show around the show. I'm not sure how mant episodes there are, but it is kind of funny if you take it for what it is, low budget stuff.
What a great experience Dana! That's so cool your kids got to make dinner bells. Nice!
What a fun adventure! I like reading about those times but then I remember things like air conditioning and sewing machines and tampons and I figure I was born when I needed to be.
(I'm pretty sure the "dude" would probably have been a strike against you, too.)
That looks like a really coooool place... where is it???
Thanks!
Wow! This looks like so much fun.
Did I ever tell you I worked at a Historical Farm during my college summers?! I was the Potter, Weaver, Sheep Tender & Tour Guide! It was the best job EVER!!!! I SOOO MISS IT!
Could it be that I am your long-lost cousin?! Reading this post I kept nodding my head and said a big loud YEAH to your last comment.
Your long-lost cousin,
Birgit
We did something similar when I was in the 5th grade. We all took on characters of California pioneers and spent two nights in Yosemite. We had to research our character and write papers on them, dress in pioneer garb, carved wooden spoons and made homemade candles, the whole works! It was good times!
That's awesome, just awesome! I love Little House as well! I had an opportunity to live without running water a few years ago, I promptly decided it was a more sound idea in books. A visit for the day would be marvelous though.
How totally cool! I wish I could take my kids to a place like that! Oh..and I love Little House, too. LOVE IT! I agree..Pa Ingalls is well...dreamy. :)
Where is this?? What an awesome experience for all of you!
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