Little House on the Prairie

 

For pioneers like the Ingalls family, gardening and growing food was not a hobby but a necessity. Gardening is depicted as a normal facet of life in the “Little House on the Prairie” television show and book series because each settler needed a garden in order to live. The garden was where they found food, medicine, fragrances, dyes, and aromatic herbs for the home and laundry. Learn how the pioneers planned and planted their gardens and what they grew, including lettuce, corn, sweet potatoes, and more.

While the Ingalls family didn’t have much, they delighted in selecting or making thoughtful gifts for each other. Still haven’t found the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Take a look at these handmade jewelry tutorials that kids will love to make and moms will treasure for years to come. Find even more gift ideas here.

You can’t help but think about food as you read through the Little House books – so much of a pioneer’s life revolved around growing and acquiring food. It’s no surprise that one of the books inspired by the Little House series is a cookbook. The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Classic Stories was originally published in 1979, but updated just last year! The revamped 40th-anniversary edition contains more than 100 recipes for foods that Laura enjoyed, such as pulled molasses candy and corn dodgers, alongside excerpts from the Little House on the Prairie books. You can find many step-by-step recipes inspired by The Little House Cookbook and Little House on the Prairie in this post.

Before Melissa Gilbert got her start on “Little House on the Prairie”, she knew she was born to perform. Have you seen the screen test audition that helped her land the role as Laura Ingalls? She has a way of capturing our hearts and embodying Laura’s pioneering spirit throughout the series.  Learn more about Melissa Gilbert and her time with Michael Landon and the entire cast, in this exclusive essay.

"In the history of literature, there’s nothing quite like the relationship between Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter, the journalist, Rose Wilder Lane.” As we get ready to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, read about the unique relationship between Laura and Rose as they collaborated to transform Laura’s memories into the books we know and love today.

Did you know that Little House on the Prairie is on Instagram, too? Check out our posts and be sure to tag us in any crafts, recipes, or gardening tips you try out! Use the hashtag #LittleHouseMoment for a chance to be featured on our account! Also, let us know which Little House on the Prairie quote you’d like us to share on Instagram next!