A Bit of Nostalgia

This picture has hung in my mother's house for over 50 years. I have always found it touchingly beautiful. It is a print not an original so I am not sure of it has any monetary value. Even if it did the sentimental value is priceless to me.

When she passed away last winter my 36 year old son was living there and continues to do so- after her death her death he asked if I would leave the picture there with him. I wanted it so badly but I was so touched that he too wanted the picture that I left it. But I go to see it every time I am in her house. Not only because I love the picture but I think because it reminds me of Mom.

Nature's Paintbrush

I find it so amazing that nature can create such beautiful things- this is one of a group of irises in my front yard. I was fortunate enough to receive them from my aunt when she was thinning out her perrenial beds.

Civil War Housewife

Our latest addition to our website is this Civil War housewife- a reproduction of the cloth bags carried by soldiers to hold necessity items they had to carry with them.

Our housewife is made from cream wool that is heavily tea stained to make it look old like it has survived from the Civil War Era. It is a great accessory for your prim/ Colonial home. Great for holding chubby, grubby tapers or some of our prim prairie tarts. For more info go to http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com/

In Memoriam- Family War Veterans

I am a little late in the day in posting this but better late than never!
A Thank you to all of those that have lost their loves to save ours.
My family does contain some veterans that I want to give a special thanks to:
Ladovic Underhill- Civil War veteran
Emmit Underhill- Civil War veteran
H.H. (Tip) Dow- Civil War veteran
John Peterson- WWII veteran
Vernon Heintzelman- WWII veteran
Ronald Peterson- Korean Conflict
Glenn E. Pierceson Jr- Vietnam war
I know that if I had my family history research completed that there would be more- as I find them I will post them also.

A Dog's Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than this loving heart of mine.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet,please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to the bitter elemnts, and I ask no greater glory than the privelege of sitting at your feet beside the warm hearth.
Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow, than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god, and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I can not tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready and willing to protect you with my life should yours be in danger.
And beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather gently hold me in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon to eternal rest- and I will know to leave you, knowint with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
Please God, make me the type of person my dog thinks I am.
Author Unkown
Loyal and true,
his wants are few.
He needs just you.
That's a dog.

" Herman"Herman Bread recipe

Herman BreadIngredients1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast1 cup lukewarm water1 cup sourdough starter3 tablespoons vegetable oil3 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon saltDirections1 In a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand untilcreamy, about 10 minutes.2 In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the HermanStarter, oil, 2 cups flour and salt; mix well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2cup at a time, stirring after each addition. When the dough has pulledtogether, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smoothand elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough inthe bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise ina warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.3 Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Deflate the dough and turn it outonto a lightly floured surface and form into a loaf. Place into the preparedpan. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).4 Bake inthe preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top of theloaf is golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.

" Herman" Sour dough bread starter

Herman (Sweet Sourdough Starter)" This is a recipe for a sweet sourdough starter known as Herman. There area number of things that can be made from it. It's very important to NOT usemetal utensils or bowls! It will take 16 days for the starter to mature andbe ready to use the first time you make it. After that it can be ready foruse every 10 days. "Ingredients2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)2 cups all-purpose flour1/4 cup white sugarDirections1 In a large glass or plastic container, dissolve the yeast in warm water.Stir in the flour and sugar, mix until smooth. (DO NOT USE A METAL SPOON)!Cover loosely and store in a warm place overnight.2 The next day, stir and refrigerate.3 Stir once each day for the next four days. On the fifth day, stir, thendivide in half. Give half away with feeding instructions.4 FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS: Feed starter with 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 cupflour, and 1 cup milk. Stir until smooth. Cover and place in refrigerator.Stir once each day for next four days. On the fifth day feed again with 1/2cup white sugar, 1 cup flour, and 1 cup milk. Return to refrigerator andstir once each day for the next four days. On the fifth day it is ready tobe used for baking. Reserve one cup of the starter in the refrigerator andcontinue to follow the stir and feed cycle (Stir once a day for four days,stir and feed on the fifth day, ready for use on the tenth day.)-----------------------------------------------Herman Bread

Soy Lotion Special

For a limited time buy one of our silky soy lotion in the 2.25 oz size and recieve two of our wonderful soy wax melting tarts in the scent of your choice!

Just look in the Specials section!

Some Great Music & Fancy Footwork!

I am not sure if this is clogging or Irish Step dancing- I know the two are closely related.
Make sure you watch the end of this video- even if you fast forward it- these two young men are amazing!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QZ0eZ196SM&NR=1

The Pilgrim & Pioneer Fireplace

For the Pilgrims & Pioneers the fireplace was a means to heat the home and to do the cooking.
If there was not enough wood to make a fire then twisted straw or cornstalks were burned.Even buffalo chips and cow chips were gathered and used for fuel.
Iron stands( andirons) were used to hold the burning logs and a long metal rod held cooking pots.
Ashes were scooped out of the fireplace with a shovel and saved for soapmaking.
A bucket of water was kept near the fireplace in case a fire needed to be put out.
A dutch oven in those days was made from cast iron that had legs on the bottom of the pot and a lid. The pot was set on the hot coals inside the fireplace. Sometimes hot coals were placed on the lid of the pot. Many things were cooked inside the dutch ovens- breads, puddings, meat, cakes, stews and casseroles.
In those days families would sit by the fire in the evenings. Home made rugs were placed on the floor in front of the fireplace for added warmth. Men & boys usually carved wood items on front of the fire while women & girls knitted or did other types of needlework.

The Story of Sacajawea- Indian Maiden

Sacajawea was a native American Indian woman that traveled with the Lewis and Clark Expedition " The Corps of Discovery".
This is a link to a very detailed story of her life. She was a very strong and brave woman and the reading is very interesting.
http://sacajawea.idahostatesman.com

Plant an old fashioned garden

I thought I would list some plants that have been around a long time and make a great old fashioned garden.

I try to use plants rather than seeds but seeds are fine- I just don't like the wait!

Taller plants are Bachelor Buttons, Columbines,Echinacea, BlackEyed Susan's,

Herbs- Lavender,Mint - there are all types of these- Lemon, Chocolate ( yes Chocolate),

Orange - the varities are endless, Sage, Sweet Annie to name a few. A Plant called Snow on the Mountain is a tall growing plant that is good for adding white among your colored blooms!

Some lower growing plants are perennial Geraniums, Dianthus, Creeping Thyme.

Some annuals that are lower growing and are good for borders- petunias, marigolds,Moss Rose ( Portulaca).

Pictured are Moss Rose, Black Eyed Susan's and, purple Columbines.

Be Frugal- Recycle Milk Jugs

Here are few tips for recycling plastic milk jugs.
Clean all your empty jugs well first!
Cut a jug in half and use the half with the opening for a funnel.
Use the bottom half to start seedlings for your garden.
Use the handled portion for a dog food scoop.
Cut a hole opposite the handle- and use for a toilet brush holder- make sure to cut the hole large enough for your brush to fit through.

Clean Burning Soy Candles

As many of you know I am a candle maker( otherwise known as a chandler) by trade. I make natural soy candles with all cotton wicks. It just dawned on me the other day that many people may not know the benefits of burning soy candles!
So this post will tell you exactly that!
Soy wax is a by product of soy beans- a vegetable! A very natural wax!
Soy wax produces a very amazingly great scent throw!
Soy wax does not produce the awful black soot that paraffin candles do.
When you burn a soy candle it will burn evenly until the end.
Soy wax cleans up with soap and hot water- something you can not do with paraffin.
After burning our wonderful soy candles you can get the jar completely clean and use it for stroage of non food items.
Buying & burning soy candles helps support the American farmer and helps put money into the AMERICAN economy.
Buy & burn soy! an easy way to a "greener" way of life!
www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com

Pioneer Keeping Room

Here is another photo I found of a pioneer keeping room.

I just love that old wood table and the Windsor chair. The fireplace is huge! But I guess it would be to do all the cooking they had to do!

That is a great rack above the fireplace with the ladles hanging on it.

Not sure what the little brick alcove is on the right. If you know please post a comment!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's day to each and every mother reading this blog today!
I found this poem on the net and thought I would share it with you.
A Mother's Love
There are times when only a Mother's love can understand our tears,
can sooth our disappointments, and understand our fears.
There are times when only a Mother's love can share the joy we feel
when something we have dreamed about quite suddenly is real.
There are times whan only a Mother's faith can help us on life's way
and inspire in us the confidence we need form day to day.
For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith and a Mother's steadfast love
were fashioned by the Angels and sent from God above.
Author Unkown
Have a wonderful day everyone!!

Early Lighting- Lanterns

When my mother passed away last December the two things I really wanted and brought home were an old railroad lantern and an oil lamp.
I have yet to get pictures taken of them but was doing a little research on the net and found an interesting site about lanterns.
http://www.lanternnet.com/

Sale for P&P readers only!

I have decided to celebrate the warm weather here in the Midwest with a sale on everything on my website just for Pilgrims & Pioneers readers!

You can get 20% off of your order for candles, Tarts and more!

Just enter code PPB20 when you check out!

Happy Shopping!!

Vintage Victorian Beauties

Wiil you look at those hats! My grandma Temple is 2nd from left. Wish I had that hat today!

Angel Food

I just recently discovered that this was available in my area- I thought that some of you may find it useful also. With the price of gas.food and medicine every bit you can save helps!http://www.angelfoodministries.com/about/how_it_works.asp