Monday, October 02, 2006

The Big Adventure~Part 2

Saturday, here on the Prairie was a hot day! 95F to be exact. We were expecting Phillip's Mom, Dad and brother for lunch so we were busy and didn't have time to think about the heat. I needed more milk for some recipes so Phillip went out to "milk the cow." Our cow lives at the grocery store. Hehe. Phillip walked all the way to the store for me, which was even more romantic than bringing me flowers. :0)

For lunch, I made Roasted Hens, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Acorn Squash and Bread. We had Apple Turnovers for dessert.
Phillip's mom dressed up in a long skirt and wore her hair up. I thought that was so sweet of her!

We had lots of fun talking about old times and I enjoyed resting my sore feet! We opened up the windows and doors for the breeze. The flies made it all the more real. ;0)

The kids played outside alot of the day. They kept cool and hydrated with a bowl of cold water and dipper. The boys had a much better attitude about things today.



Water
Originally uploaded by pwinn.




Benjamin and Jacob did a great job taking care of the farm critters. Our bunny, cat and dog (that we are watching for a few weeks) were well fed and watered. I was thinking about why Benjamin had such a hard two days. First of all, we didn't have any of the farm chores they would have helped out with then. They also had a much larger area to play in.

I suspect, alot of the problem was a rusty imagination. Too many toys and things to entertain them. When faced with just some wooden blocks, trains and the backyard (sandbox included) he didn't want to make up some games. I will be giving alot of thought these next few weeks to all the toys around here. A child's imagination shouldn't be wasted!

Animals
Originally uploaded by pwinn.



Our guests enjoyed lunch and the hot cups of coffee. They left around 4:00pm. Just went it was getting hot. I asked if I could come home with them but they said no. ;0)

Melissa and I set to work in the kitchen. The dishes needed to be washed and dinner planned. We decided on a "leftover dinner." That is another thing I discovered these two days. I waste alot of food. Out on the prairie, everything would have been put to good use.


Aunt Melissa did a wonderful job keeping the girls' hair up and looking pretty.


Grace
Originally uploaded by pwinn.



Emily
Originally uploaded by pwinn.



The quiet evenings where the only light came from candles was very nice and peaceful. It wasn't enough light to do any embroidering or quilting but by then we were too tired anyways!! I did realize that we have too many lights on during the day. We don't need to have the kitchen light on when we aren't even in there! More things to think about and work on.

As you can see, we had some melting wax issues the first night. I have to laugh when I look at this photo!

Wax
Originally uploaded by pwinn.



For the second night, I got out our Christmas pillar candles. It was such a hot night though, we couldn't even sit near them!! Phillip, Melissa and I ended up sitting in our dark "parlor." There was a street lamp on outside so we pretended it was the full moon. :0)

Candles
Originally uploaded by pwinn.



That evening, everyone seemed to sleep just fine but me. I am really fond of my ceiling fan and love to have cold air blowing on me at night. According to our thermometer, it was 86 inside, with absolutely no breeze!! I kept thinking, I didn't sign up for this hot weather. I was expecting the temperature to dip down in the 60's, like the previous week.

I tried sleeping with a cool washcloth on my forehead. I finally drifted off but woke up very suddenly, in the middle of the night. I took my candle out to the livingroom, lighted it, saw that it was 12:03am and turned on the air conditioner.

10 comments:

Janet said...

I have enjoyed these posts about your adventure into pioneer life.

I do think many children today do not know how to entertain themselves because they have so many things to do it for them. Not all bad but just different than it used to be. I think it's good for the imagination to have to think up ways to have fun.

Reviekat said...

It WAS hot on Saturday, wasn't it? I agree, I didn't sign up for the hot weather, especially wearing all the hot clothes. However, there was a nice breeze.

You candle picture made me laugh!

We found out that there wasn't enough light from our table lantern to use for any thing either. So we drank some tea and went to bed!!

I loved reading about your experience - it was fun knowing that you were across town pioneering with me!

Anonymous said...

Yea, the 2nd update ... I agree with you about the toys. My kids are the same way ... they love their toys and when I pull the plug on TV or Nintendo time, they just do not know what to do with themselves.
Kris

Carole Burant said...

LOL I can just picture you getting up at 12:03 and turning on the air conditioner...some modern conveniences you just can't do without at times! lol Loved the second part of your experience and now you must tell us what changes if any you've decided to do with the way you live?

Tina Leigh said...

LOL about the A/c!!!!! It would have been much better to do this in the winter!!

Marci said...

I think I would have turned on the AC as well. I am sure there are many things that you will want to change or add or do different to your lifestyle from trying this. Thanks for sharing about it.

Anonymous said...

Kelli - I loved these posts!! What wonderful memories you made with your children!! I love that you shared the things you've learned that you will use to make some changes in your home, too! Great thinking! I've linked your adventure posts over at my blog.

Amy said...

These posts have been so interesting. I've always been fascinated by how women did things "way back when". I just love the pics of your little girls in their dresses and braids. So pretty!

dot said...

That's funny Kelli, about you turning on the air conditioner. I would have done it too. How nice of your mother-in-law to dress for your pioneer adventure.

Isabella in the 21st Century said...

It sounds like you had a really great time! You know I'm re-thinking the amount of toys my children have. I've been reading up on Waldorf parenting/teaching techniques and which puts a lot of emphasis on a child's imagination! Great post Kelli!