Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer's Life (by Pamela Smith Hill)

This month, we’re spotlighting Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer’s Life by Pamela Smith Hill. In her book, she delves into the complex and fascinating relationships Laura Ingalls Wilder formed throughout her life that led to the writing of her classic Little House series. Using Wilder’s stories, personal correspondence, a previously unpublished autobiography, and experiences in South Dakota, Pamela produced a historical-literary biography of the famous and much-loved author. Following the course of Wilder’s life, and her real family’s journey west, Pamela provides a context both familial and literary for Wilder’s writing career.

Bringing in the Sheeves

The Mills Brothers

 

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter's chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping's over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: David Rose / David D. Rose / Traditional / Pd Traditional

Little House on the Prairie Musical in Springfield, Missouri October 25 to November 10

Little House on the Prairie Musical in Springfield, Missouri October 25 to November 10:

Little House on the Prairie, The Musical follows the Ingalls family’s journey westward and their settlement in De Smet, South Dakota where Ma and Pa Ingalls hoped to make a better life for their children. Audiences also follow Laura’s journey from a child who loved to run free to a woman who embraces the responsibilities of her own future while remaining true to herself. Through song and dance, we see the Ingalls overcoming the hardships of winter blizzards and prairie fires as well as rejoicing in their shared successes. Click here for more information.

Little House on the Prairie in Jefferson County, Missouri

Little House on the Prairie in Jefferson County, Missouri:

Jefferson County welcomes Pulitzer Prize winning author Caroline Fraser for appearances in three different locations throughout Missouri–Cedar Hill, Hillsboro, and Springfield. She will discuss her book Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Families can also participate in a wide variety of events and activities around the county, including conversations and experiences that enrich our understanding of the Missouri prairie and frontier experience. Click here for more information.

40th Annual Apple Festival in Topeka, Kansas October 5, 6 and 7

40th Annual Apple Festival in Topeka, Kansas October 5, 6 and 7:

This fun family event features pioneer living demonstrations, including blacksmiths and a wood smith, an arts and craft show in the Ward-Meade Botanical Garden, heritage foods, railroad handcar rides, a petting zoo, organ grinders, a quilt show, and more! Tours will also be given of the historic buildings at Old Prairie Town. Click here for more information.

County Fair at Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, Kansas October 5

Are you seeking some fun fall events and activities? Check out our Little House on the Prairie community calendar! We’re highlighting our favorites for October and November below.

County Fair at Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, Kansas October 5:

Step back in time with an old-fashioned 1870s County Fair! The Old Cowtown Museum recreates the atmosphere of an 1870s county fair where people came together to meet their neighbors, see what was new, and engage in a little friendly competition. Come try the pie-eating or tug of war contests, listen to some music, and watch some magic happen. Click here for more information.

D-I-Y Dresses and Bonnets

Next month is Halloween and we know some of you will be going as characters from "Little House on the Prairie" of course. Be sure to check out this step-by-step DIY to make your own prairie dresses and bonnets. We think you’ll love how the pattern turns out when you use beautiful colors and fabrics that may have been found on the prairie in Laura’s day.

Laura's Wisdom

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s wisdom continues to inspire us to appreciate the simple things of life, learn new skills, and celebrate our pioneering spirit. We’ve gathered these 18 crafts and skills you can learn through convenient Craftsy classes online to add to your knowledge this year. You can even start in time to make some personalized crafts for gifting this holiday season.

Happy Birthday Melissa Sue Anderson!

This month, Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Mary Ingalls on the “Little House on the Prairie” TV series, celebrates her 57th birthday! Join us in wishing her the happiest of birthdays on September 26. Melissa learned a lot from Michael Landon by watching him direct on the set. One day Landon turned to her and said, 'You want to be a director, watch this.’   Landon appreciated her inquisitive nature. “She’s not only a beautiful, talented actress,” Landon said, “but she’s bright and curious.”  Learn more about Melissa’s acting career and personal story here.

My First Little House Program

In the early 1990s, HarperCollins launched the My First Little House program to introduce toddlers and young children to the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder. They chose Renée Graef, an award-winning illustrator of over 80 children’s books, to illustrate many of the books in this series. Her beautiful illustrations bring Laura’s stories to life using colored pencil, watercolor, and more. Renée walks us through the five steps of her creative process, from sketch to illustration.

https://youtu.be/WqWggoLiEso