Welcome to a special edition episode of Dinner at 1800: On The Trail! Today, we are going to borrow my friend's fire pit out in the country and attempt to cook cornbread just as they did on the trail. Leslie J. Whipple's The Oregon Trail Cookbook is a compilation of recipes mostly used on theContinue reading "Dinner at 1800: Nana’s Cornbread"
Genesis Award Winner
I had some exciting news to share! For those of you who haven't seen it on social media (and based on the incredible number of kind congratulations I got, I have to believe there aren't many of you left), I WON the Genesis award in the historical category! Like, actually won. Out of everyone whoContinue reading "Genesis Award Winner"
Concerts, Kittens, Company
I know - you haven't heard from me in a couple weeks. And on top of that, I am going out of order! I should be doing blog posts about fashion and the Oregon/California trail right now. But, and I know you are going to be devastated, the fact is, I simply haven't had timeContinue reading "Concerts, Kittens, Company"
Dinner at 1800: Alamode Beef
And we're back! This time with a recipe from The American Frugal Housewife by Lydia Maria Child published in 1832. And this one was fascinating. And also kind of long, so feel free to jump over to Instagram for the 45 second version! As always, many thanks to my sister Tianna for recording my experiment!Continue reading "Dinner at 1800: Alamode Beef"
Just a Hobby
Earlier this month, someone I respect called my writing a hobby. He/She gave a little smile when I tried to clarify it was a calling rather than a hobby, repeating the word "hobby" in response, and I retreated, more hurt than I even realized until later. To have something I've worked on tirelessly for hoursContinue reading "Just a Hobby"
On the Trail: Wagons
The most common misunderstanding when it comes to wagons is the type. The type of covered wagon used is a misconception that is addressed in almost any book talking about the trail, yet is so widespread that most people still think of Conestoga wagons when thinking about the Oregon/California Trail. I even recently saw anContinue reading "On the Trail: Wagons"
19th Century Shoes: 1800 – 1810
Today, I want to talk about shoes. Yes, you may well blink in surprise. Because who, when doing a post on historical fashion, ever concentrates on shoes? Well, exactly! I mean, do you know how hard it is, when you are creating a scene for an historical fiction book, to figure out what shoe they'dContinue reading "19th Century Shoes: 1800 – 1810"
Dinner at 1800: A Beautiful Flavoured Punch
This month, we are going simple with a punch. I think my favorite part of this recipe is the title: To Make a Beautiful Flavoured Punch. I love it so much. Actually, my favorite might be the background. Taken from The House Servant's Directory, the book (and therefore recipe) was written by Robert Roberts, aContinue reading "Dinner at 1800: A Beautiful Flavoured Punch"
A Blessed Month
What a month it has been! I keep wanting to say so busy, but I've developed a dislike for the word busy ever since reading that one article that pointed out it is basically a cop-out and we should actually tell people what we've been up to instead of sounding self-important by covering it allContinue reading "A Blessed Month"
On the Trail: Jumping Off Towns
In any search regarding the Oregon/California trails, you'll probably come across the term "Jumping off place" or town or city, or you know, something similar - the key part being "jumping off". It's such a commonplace term for anyone looking at the overland trail, that it took me awhile to realize not everyone knew whatContinue reading "On the Trail: Jumping Off Towns"
Forest Idylls 