Wilder on the Prairie

"Deer in the Wood"

This week we discuss quilts, "O Susannah", and "Auld Lang Syne".

"The Wonderful Machine"

This week's podcast discusses sumac, hubbard squash, hulled corn, threshing machines, and johnnycakes.

"Harvest"

This week we discuss Laura's cousin Charley, harvesting oats the old-fashioned way*, yellowjackets, and herbs for fevers.

Chapter 10 "Summertime"

Come with us as we discuss Laura's Uncle Henry, her neighbors the Petersons, the Huleatts, the Godey's Ladies Book, Aunt Lotty, polishing stoves, making cheese, "Old Grimes", and a grubbing hoe. Would Pa really not have been stung by bees while looking for honey?

"Going to Town"

Today our chapter covers hazel bushes, thimble flowers, grass flowers, jack knives, turkey red, galluses, the "Roses Are Red" poem, and "Be It Ever So Humble There's No Place Like Home."

Chapter 8 "Dance at Grandpa's"

Today's topics covered include much of Pa's family (his parents and some of his siblings), hasty pudding, undergarments, darning socks, jewelry, "O You Buffalo Gals", "The Irish Washerwoman", salt-rising bread.

"The Sugar Snow"

Today's podcast episode discusses maple syrup production, milkpans, delaine fabric, basques and whalebone structuring in garments, and "I'm Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines".

"The Two Big Bears"

Today we talk bears, latched doors, shades of blue, bedtime prayers, and "My Sweet Kitty Wells".

Join us this week for Chapter 5 from "Little House in the Big Woods," "Sundays." We will explore what Laura could and couldn't do on Sundays, the story of Grandpa's Sled and the Pig, as well as several songs of the era.

Chapter 4 of Little House in the Big Woods is "Christmas." Join us for a discussion on Christmas cooking, the Ingalls cousins, old-fashioned songs, and toys.