Life on the Prairie

"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things in life which are the real ones after all"

-Laura Ingalls Wilder

The sweet, simple things in life - like running in the open prairie, getting dirty with cousins, playing like children, exploring with our hands, learning, laughing, loving. Sweet things that we sometimes take for granted, but bring us such joy. Joy that creates and captures memories.

Through her books, Laura Ingalls Wilder has shared memories of her family's sweet, and often challenging life on the prairie in the 1800's, with the world. These books have offered great insight into that world - an insight that our family has grown to love learning more about.

With Brittney visiting, we couldn't pass up another visit to DeSmet, SD, previous home the Ingalls family, for more exploration of the 1800 prairie life. This was our first visit to the Ingalls Homestead property. It topped all our previous visits to DeSmet.

We explored the Homestead, went to the pagent, and camped on the Homestead property. We experienced full immersion into the prairie life.

These Kittens Were WELL Loved

This Old Tetter-Totter was Located Outside the School House


Inside the Chanty House - A Demonstration of Spinning Yarn - Kenna Helped


In the Shop - The Kids Made Corn Dolls, Rope, and Twisted Hay


At the Barn - They Rode Horses


A Covered Wagon Ride Took Us Out to the School House - They Allowed Each Child the Opportunity to Drive the Wagon

At the School House, the Children Dressed in Prairie Clothes, Sat in Desks, and

Were Taught by the Teacher

I wonder...what would I have been like in the 1800 prairie days? What would my story have been...what would your story have been?