Prairie Thoughts from the Pioneer Writer

Making Cakes from Scratch

Pioneer Writer- Linda Hubalek — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:55:11 PDT

Today is my mom’s 88th birthday so I made her favorite dessert, an angel food cake to enjoy for her celebration this evening. I just added a cup of water to a packet of dry mix out of a box, … finish reading Making Cakes from Scratch

Happy 160th Birthday to Singers

Pioneer Writer- Linda Hubalek — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:12:15 PDT

I just read an article about the 160th anniversary of the Singer sewing machines. Sewing machines had been around for a while, but in 1852 Isaac Merritt Singer adapted an existing machine with changes that made it practical for home … finish reading Happy 160th Birthday to Singers

Yellow Iris guarding the Cemetery

Pioneer Writer- Linda Hubalek — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:28:24 PDT

Our early and mild spring weather has given us beautiful flowers this year. My back patio is a fragrant experience with roses and iris blooming right now. When my yellow iris shows it first bloom, I think of the old … finish reading Yellow Iris guarding the Cemetery

Sobering Thoughts on Past Tornadoes

Pioneer Writer- Linda Hubalek — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:23:43 PDT

Kansas made the news this last Saturday with over 100 tornadoes spotted on the ground or by radar. The approaching bad weather—thanks to modern technology—was forecasted both well in advance and during the tornado outbreaks. We knew exactly when to … finish reading Sobering Thoughts on Past Tornadoes

Plastering Dugout Walls

Pioneer Writer- Linda Hubalek — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:33:09 PDT

We’re in the process of building our own house, doing almost all of the work ourselves. This week I’ve been pounding in nails on wall edging, and taping and mudding sheet rock. My finger joints and wrists feel like they … finish reading Plastering Dugout Walls

Pleats and Photos in Prӓrieblomman

Pioneer Writer- Linda Hubalek — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:36:10 PDT

Looking through old photos I used in the book Prӓrieblomman (which means prairie flowers in Swedish) I came across one of Alma Swenson, posing for a portrait to commemorate her 8th grade graduation. Many of my blog readers enjoy excerpts … finish reading Pleats and Photos in Prӓrieblomman

Julia’s Potato Rolls

Pioneer Writer- Linda Hubalek — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:36:31 PDT

Last week I mentioned Aunt Julia who grew up in the same house as I did, and married Joe Olson, the boy “next door”. Joe’s parents, Peter and Hannah, lived in a dugout before building this house featured with this … finish reading Julia’s Potato Rolls

Passing back the Quilt

Pioneer Writer- Linda Hubalek — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:08:01 PDT

I’ve been going through old photos recently and sorting them (and my memories) by the decades they were taken. It’s interesting to see the old “Butter in the Well” house in the background. They were all snapshots of everyday life … finish reading Passing back the Quilt

Can you find the well?

Pioneer Writer- Linda Hubalek — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:06:48 PDT

The first home on the “Butter in the Well” homestead was a dugout. Two years later in 1870, the Svensson family built the first section of their wood-frame house. They added on at least two more times over the next … finish reading Can you find the well?

Birthdays in the Old House

Pioneer Writer- Linda Hubalek — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:33:40 PST

I’m 58 years old today and thinking about my childhood home where I celebrated birthdays for eighteen years until I started college. We celebrated birthdays during breakfast, complete with cake and opening of our presents before we got on the … finish reading Birthdays in the Old House