Welcome To Pilgrims and Pioneers!

After many years of researching my family geneaology I have been lucky enough to discover actual information about my relatives that lived in the Pilgrim Era and the Pioneer Era- while many people also have realtives from those eras- many do not know their names or where they lived- actually seeing the proof in print makes you much more aware of who they really were.
After discovering these relatives it of course made me curious to learn more about the eras that they lived in and what their lives were like as, the history I learned in grade school had long since been forgotten.
I decided to start this blog for others who are also interested in these eras.
Some of the information here will be actual facts about my realtives and some will be information about the eras in general that I have found on the web.
I hope you will enjoy traveling back in time with me!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Make It Monday

Americana Crow & Flag Door hanger- this is a great free pattern & there is time to make it for July 4th!
http://www.tennesseeridgeprimitives.com/pages/freeepattern.php

Friday, May 22, 2009

It's Time to Start Stitching....


Santas! I cleaned out the craft/sewing room tonight and found a bunch of Prairie Schooler leaflets. I realized it will take me that long to get some of them done!

I already have this one done from awhile back- just need to finish it.

How would you finish it? In a frame or made into a pillow?

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Pilgrims & Pioneers Primitives Has New Items!!

It has taken me a long time with working too but I have finally added several new items to Pilgrims&Pioneers Primitives!
if you have time stop on by for a look/see!
http://pilgrimsandpioneersprimitives.blogspot.com

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Free Heart Nodder Pattern


This a great little nodder and best of all the pattern is free!
There are other free patterns on this site also!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Mrs. H. H. Dow

Lydia Brown Married Henry Harrison " Tip" Dow - H. H. Dow was my ggrandfather's brother.
He served in the Civil War- possibly where he got the nickname "Tip".
Lydia was born in 1845 and died in 1884. I am assuming this photo was taken when she was in her 20's so most likely it was taken during the Civil War.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Make It Monday

http://www.sassafrashill.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=464
I have not made this Pear Pinkeep but I hear it is a large one- 11" I believe.

Good By Sweet Annie

Almost 14 years ago I helped my dog Buffy give birth to eight puppies.
One pup looked different than the rest - she was so beautiful!
We kept her and named her Annie.
She has been a faithful companion ever since.
Friday she started walking somewhat wobbly, Saturday still wobbly and walking in circles then falling down. She could not get up on her own.
She has not gone to the bathroom since Friday morning so I know she is getting toxic.
I talked to the vet yesterday and he said the time has come for her to go to Heaven. This morning she will be put to rest.
Even though I know that this is the best for her my heart is still heavy with grief.
I will miss her dearly but she will be forever in my heart.
Good By Sweet Annie.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Johnny Cakes

The origin of the name johnnycakes (jonnycakes) is something of a mystery and probably has nothing to do with the name John. They were also called journey cakes because they could be carried on long trips in saddlebags and baked along the way. Some historians think that they were originally called Shawnee cakes and that the colonists slurred the words, pronouncing it as johnnycakes. Historians also think that "janiken," an American Indian word meant "corn cake," could possibly be the origin.
The settlers of New England learned how to make johnnycakes from the local Pawtuxet Indians, who showed the starving Pilgrims how to grind and use corn for eating. When the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in 1620, most of their wheat brought from England had spoiled on the long voyage. It is said that Myles Standish (1584-1656), the military leader of the Plymouth Colony, discovered a cache of corn stored by the Indians.
An Indian named Tisquantum (1585-1622), also known as Squanto, was helpful in the settlers' survival during the winter of 1621. Tisquantum was one of five Indians taken to England in 1605 by Captain John Weymouth, who was employed by Sir Ferinando Gorges of the Plymouth Company and set out to discover the Northwest Passage. In 1614, Tisquantum was brought back to American, assisting some of Gorges' men in mapping the New England coast. Tisquantum lived out the rest of his life in the Plymouth Colony teaching the settlers how to grow corn, pound corn into meal, and how to cook with it. He also acted as interpreter and guide.
Johnnycake Recipe
1 cup white cornmeal,3/4 teaspoon salt,1 cup water,1/2 cup milk,Bacon drippings
In a medium bowl, place cornmeal and salt.
In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring water to a rapid boil; remove from heat. With the saucepan in one hand, let the boiling water dribble onto the cornmeal while stirring constantly with the other hand.
Stir the milk into the mixture (it will be fairly thick, but not runny).
Generously grease a large, heavy frying pan - a cast iron skillet works well-with the bacon drippings and heat. When pan is hot, drop the batter by spoonfuls. Flatten the batter with a spatula to a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch. Fry until golden brown, turn, and brown on the other side (adding more bacon drippings as needed).
Serve hot with butter, maple syrup, or applesauce.
Makes 4 servings.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Make It Monday


http://sweetpeasprimitives.blogspot.com/2009/04/primitive-rusty-electric-lantern-light.html
The above link will take you to a tutorial for turning a new lantern into a prim rusty one like the one pictured above!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

The Goose Girl

Back in the 80's & early 90's my husband was an avid cross stitcher.
I am not sure of the name of this but we have always called her " The Goose Girl".
She is fairly large- framed in a custom frame 14" x 17".
He did not intial & date it like he should have but I think it was stitched about 22 years ago.
I tried to edit the flash reflection but could not with out losing part of the stitched piece.
This is probably my favorite out of the many items he stitched- no matter my decorating style she will always be displayed somewhere!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

What's In the Works!

I have been busy making items to post to Pilgrims & Pioneers Primitives.
At the present time there are 2 small cross stitched framed samplers one blackwork, one redwork. Possibly a sampler pillow tuck too!
A folk art bird makedo pinkeep- and one partially completed.
A Colonial sewing kit in a jar with a pinkeep on top of the lid.
Hopefully I will get some wood items made next week.
Stay tuned!

Prairie Wild Morning Glory

Prairie  Wild Morning Glory

Prairie Phlox

Prairie Phlox

Prairie Sundrops

Prairie Sundrops

The Famous Rock!

The Famous Rock!
Plymouth Rock dated 1620

Plimoth Plantation

Plimoth Plantation
The Village

Plimoth Plantation

Plimoth Plantation
A Keeping Room