On The Trail: Diary Entry Inspiration

Instead of my typical post giving you information about the trail, today I've decided to do something different just for fun. I'm going to share a few specific parts of my manuscript (that, yes, I am still querying) that I pulled from actual diary entries. Wagon Construction: "He’d assured them the canvas was covered inContinue reading "On The Trail: Diary Entry Inspiration"

19th Century Shoes: 1871 – 1880

I am taking a moment before delving into 1870 footwear to squeal. Guys! Guess what I found at a used bookstore?!?! I found an antique book on historical fashion!! That's right! This book was published in 1910 and talks about fashion from 1800 - 1870!! I think I legitimately squealed in the bookstore when IContinue reading "19th Century Shoes: 1871 – 1880"

Dinner at 1800: Macaroni Pudding

The full name is actually Macaroni Pudding a la Parisienne, but that is kind of hard to fit in a subject line. Today's recipe is from the Harvey House cookbook, and let me tell you, for a Harvey House recipe, there is surprising lack of information. Just wait. you'll see. Don't forget to watch theContinue reading "Dinner at 1800: Macaroni Pudding"

Being Discouraged

Wondering why my blog post is so late today? I'll be honest...it's because I didn't want to write about hope today. Nope. I wanted to sit and wallow. Because sometimes there are just those days--or weeks--where you wonder if it is all worth it. And not just about writing. About life in general. When itContinue reading "Being Discouraged"

On the Trail: Food

Food may be one of the most fascinating topics of the trail. Then again, it's me. I love cooking. And I have my whole Dinner at 1800 thing...so maybe I am biased. Nevertheless, I shall proceed. Anyone who has studied the trail knows there is the basic list of supplies that emigrants were supposed toContinue reading "On the Trail: Food"

19th Century Shoes: 1861 – 1870

1861-1870ish Men's Footwear Leather shoes and ankle boots sometimes with contrasting toecaps Medium-high leather heels fabric gussets, side button fastenings, laced fastenings Narrow square toes Women's Footwear Leather soles, sometimes covered in fabric Fabric or silk linings Round and pointed toes One to two-inch heels Black satin slippers Colored shoes matching dresses Button or elasticContinue reading "19th Century Shoes: 1861 – 1870"

Dinner at 1800: Fried Cakes

But wait a second? You promised us Camp Bread!! I know, I know. Don't freak out. It's the same thing. I promise! So, this is a recipe in a letter from Narcissa Whitman to her sister in 1836, and I have access to it courtesy of The Oregon Trail Cookbook by Leslie J. Whipple. ButContinue reading "Dinner at 1800: Fried Cakes"

A Season of Impatience

Every year around this time (okay, let's be honest - by the beginning of the month), I start to get impatient. I am ready to be done with the cold, dark, dreary days and search for any hint of sunshine and warmth. I revel in the days that get up into the 50s or evenContinue reading "A Season of Impatience"

On the Trail: Clothing

Okay, you all know that if I have one favorite aspect of history, fictional or otherwise, it is CLOTHING. So, you'd think that talking about clothing on the trail would be easy for me, right? NO. Actually, this was one of the harder things for me to find because, for some weird reason, people talkContinue reading "On the Trail: Clothing"