Now, I have to say…I am a little reluctant to actually call this hardtack. Because everyone who knows anything about hardtack knows it is a small, tasteless, hard cracker that can last for years. But when I ran across this recipe in my Oregon Trail cookbook, I was like, well, maybe I was mistaken. OrContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800: Hardtack”
Tag Archives: Oregon Trail
On the Trail: Schedule
So what was a typical day like on a wagon train? Well, of course, just like everything in life, it varied depending on the wagon train and master. But IN GENERAL: Emigrants rose around 4:00 AM and had around an hour to make breakfast (and often extra for lunch), coffee, pack up the wagon, andContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Schedule”
On the Trail: Livestock
You’ll often see movies or modern pictures or even many modern books depict horses drawing the Prairie Schooners (or Conestoga wagons – but you’ve already heard my rant on that) out west. Or, even if they have oxen in place, drivers may be up on the seat with the reins. Well, it is my absoluteContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Livestock”
Dinner at 1800: Nana’s Cornbread
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 theContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800: Nana’s Cornbread”
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 anContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Wagons”
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, aContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800: A Beautiful Flavoured Punch”
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 whatContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Jumping Off Towns”
Dinner at 1800: Strawberry Dumplings
For this month’s Dinner at 1800, we are going on the trail! Yup, today’s recipe is from Mary Power’s diary when she was traveling to California in 1856, which means attempting to replicate it was quite an adventure. See the highlights over on Instagram! So many thank yous to my sister, Tianna, without whom, theContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800: Strawberry Dumplings”
Podcasts and Conferences
There’s a country song that has been going over and over in my head this month, called Sounds Like Life to Me by Darryl Worley. Essentially the song talks about how crazy life is and how no matter how much we want life to be predictable and/or fairytale-ish, it’s actually unpredictable with lots of upsContinueContinue reading “Podcasts and Conferences”
The Overland Trails: Overview
I know what you are all thinking: “Um, Jacinta, you promised us a part two of that AMAZING historical fashion overview…what on earth is this?? I’ve been on pins and needles ALL WEEK waiting to see how fashion changed once it hit the 1850s!” Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten. Part 2 is coming next month.ContinueContinue reading “The Overland Trails: Overview”
Forest Idylls 