Where is Joy?

Life is hard. We all know that. It's why so many Christian authors, myself included, focus on joy and hope in their books. Because we are all just trying to make it through life.  But that joy? The one that is supposed to buoy you up no matter the circumstances? That joy has been eludingContinue reading "Where is Joy?"

On the Trail: Stop 1 – Lone Elm Park

I know, I know. Last month, I said the Mahaffie House was stop 1. But I've updated that to be a stop 1 alternative. Because, especially in this first part of the trail, the first major stop really depended on what jumping off town you chose, what route you decided to take, and even whatContinue reading "On the Trail: Stop 1 – Lone Elm Park"

19th Century Hats: 1840 – 1850

The bonnet took front and center in this decade and, in fact, stayed front and center the entire time, a rather unusual phenomenon. Technically, there were hats, but as Cunnington points out, "the hat could do no more than imitate [the bonnet and capote] so closely as to be practically indistinguishable..." (Cunnington, English Women’s ClothingContinue reading "19th Century Hats: 1840 – 1850"

Dinner at 1800: Chocolate Cakes

I had one criteria for this month's episode--it can't use eggs. Yup, eggs have officially become too expensive for me. And this recipe was unique enough to be intriguing. Because for chocolate cake...there isn't actually any chocolate in it! Don't forget to check out the one minute Instagram version. Chocolate Cakes The Virginia Housewife PublishedContinue reading "Dinner at 1800: Chocolate Cakes"

Dare to Hope

I learned, early on in life, what I thought was a valuable lesson. That hope usually led to disappointment in life. If you hoped for something, got excited for it, it was bound to fall through or hurt you in some way. So, by the time I reached college, I had my own mantra. ItContinue reading "Dare to Hope"

On the Trail: Stop 1 Alternate – Mahaffie House

So, I've decided to try and take you on a virtual trip down the trail. Since we've already talked about Jumping Off towns, let's move on to one of the first stops a family might make. If one (say, my fictional family) were to decide to take the Oregon/California trail, jumping off from Independence, dependingContinue reading "On the Trail: Stop 1 Alternate – Mahaffie House"

19th Century Hats: 1830 – 1840

This decade started out as the last one ended - with extravagant, large hats, overloaded with trim. But, by the end of the decade, hats followed the style of dress and significantly toned down, becoming slimmer, more unassuming, and sedate (at least by comparison). Cunnington said of the 1830s, "The novice may have some difficultyContinue reading "19th Century Hats: 1830 – 1840"

Dinner at 1800: Cold Vichyssoise Cream

I partially picked this recipe because it sounded so fancy...afterwards I discovered it actually is just a fancy term for potato and leek soup...which is apparently still a thing! But at least it was new to me...and to Daniel, which is the important thing. Don't forget to check out the one minute Instagram version! ColdContinue reading "Dinner at 1800: Cold Vichyssoise Cream"

On the Trail: River Crossings

Anyone who has played The Oregon Trail game knows the dangers of river crossings. How many of us have not lost an axle, supplies, or a "family member" during one of those crossings? Well, that game was probably more accurate than we'd like to think. River crossings were one of the more dangerous and fearedContinue reading "On the Trail: River Crossings"