Today I am moving away from my normal "niche" of cats and dogs to feature an extremely special book that is much needed in our crazy and often depressing world right now. The book is LITTLE HOUSE LIFE HACKS, Lessons for the Modern Pioneer from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Prairie by Angie Bailey and Susie Shubert. (Charmingly illustrated by Lauren Mortimer)
I was honored to be the winner of this gem when I entered a give-away that was held by Square Paws, (if you aren't familiar with the talented Mario's creations, please take a moment to click the name and prepare to be awe-stricken!). One of many reasons I was thrilled to read this book was I have known the zany, witty, and uber-talented Angie Bailey for many years now. I first met her on her former blog Cat Lady Land and have had the pleasure of being in her company for many blogging events.
The concept for Little House Life Hacks was born during the pandemic when authors Bailey and Shubert were streaming episodes of the cult classic "Little House on the Prairie." While I am not a "Gen-X'er" I have seen many, many, many episodes of Little House, if for nothing else than to feel warm and fuzzy watching "Half Pint" (Melissa Gilbert), and feeling oh-so-hot while looking at "Pa" (Michael Landon.) Did you know the series was on for "9 YEARS!!?"
You aren't familiar with "Little House on the Prairie"? Well, put your feet up, grab a cup of tea and read on:
FROM LITTLE HOUSE LIFE HACKS:
Little House on the Prairie, which began as a beloved book series and became a TV classic, is full of 1870s stories that offer countless gems of wisdom for living today. This book compiles the most crucial lessons from that delightfully simpler time, practical enough for pioneering stock and updated for our evolving world.
The Ingallses remain perfect reminders of what's important. In this playful homage, you'll learn everything you need to know about the nostalgia-packed pop culture sensation, as well as meaningful takeaways for creating more balance, wellness, and fun in all aspects of your life.
SOME OF MY FAVORITES IN THIS BOOK:
CHAPTER ONE: HACK YOUR FAMILY LIFE
A recipe for dill pickles! (Auntie Viv's Quickie Pickles)
CHAPTER TWO: HACK YOUR COMMUNITY LIFE
I learned that corn cobs were often used as TOILET TISSUE! I also never knew that along with the Ingallses dog "Bandit", they had a couple of cats that were never featured on the TV series. (How dare they!!)
CHAPTER SEVEN: HACK YOUR SELF CARE
You are taught to "Stop and Smell the Prairie Flowers" here are some of my favorite quotes:
A GOOD LAUGH OVERCOMES MORE DIFFICULTIES AND DISSIPATES MORE DARK CLOUDS THAN ANY OTHER ONE THING. (Laura Ingalls Wilder) from Farm Journalist:Writings from the Ozarks.
NELLIE'S POOR; SHE HAS NO HAPPINESS INSIDE (Olga Nordstrom, Season 1, Episode 7 "Town Party Country Party"
CHAPTER EIGHT: HACK YOUR RESOURCEFULLNESS
There is a recipe that sounds sooo delicious! It's called "Pa's Slow Cooker Wild Turkey Caramel Apple Butter"
Intrigued? You SHOULD BE. In Little House Life Hacks you will learn "the importance of family, community, faith, romance, friendships, work, self-care, resourcefulness, sustainability and how Little House on the Prairie encourages you to feel grateful for each of these areas in your life. Written as a collection of vignettes better known as "poetic slices of life." which enable us to dive deeper into this wonderful topic. You will laugh, you will learn, you will reminisce. You will be reminded that" where there is a will, there is a way". You will be reminded that there is comfort in simplicity and self-sufficiency and the importance of laughter and play. After reading this little gem I wanted to throw on my frock, run through the fields with Laura and forget my cares. Trust me, you will be returning to this nostalgia, informational and positivity filled gem again and again!
IN OUR MAD RUSH FOR PROGRESS AND MODERN IMPROVEMENTS, LET'S BE SURE WE TAKE ALONG WITH US ALL THE OLD-FASHIONED THINGS WORTHWHILE. (Laura Ingalls Wilder) Writings to Young Women from Volume 2: On Life as a Pioneer Woman.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Angie Bailey
Angie Bailey is a Gen X pop-culture nerd, award-winning writer and humorist, and the author of the Texts from Mittens daily cartoon, books, and desk calendars. She shares her life with one witty husband, plus two human and two feline children. She lives in Minneapolis.
Susie Shubert
Susie Shubert helps others navigate their unexpected journeys as a writer and content creator for modernprairie.com, a tarot advisor, and a former graduate of the school of rock. The basis of all that she does is her life coaching certification through Oprah’s favorite, Dr. Martha Beck, and the loving support of her husband and two kids. She lives in Minneapolis.
So glad you shared this book with us. It looks fun read and full of interesting items. As an oldie myself, I remember watching the TV show for years while it was NEW, not reruns, lol.
ReplyDeletethank you!! You summed the book up perfectly and yes I saw it when it was NEW as well!! :)
DeleteI loved that show and watched every episode. I love Michael Landon. He was most handsome.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and week, Caren. Scritches to the boys. ♥
you have a fabulous week too!!
DeleteThank you so much for the kind review!
ReplyDeletemy pleasure! Thank YOU for such a great book! And Susie too!
DeleteThis is so lovely, thank you! I'm so glad you are enjoying the book. XO
ReplyDeleteOMG I LOVE IT!!!! What I love also is that it isn't a "one and done"......it is a book I can refer to again and again! You both did such an amazing job! I also adore the illustrations and forgot to mention that in more detail. They were spot on and so charming. Not only is this book informative, it's soooooo much fun and brought back really great memories! Love you and Angie!
DeleteThe book is a fun read indeed! And it makes so many important points in looking at the wholesome things taught in the books and the TV series that are often lacking in these current times. And who doesn't love apple butter?!? PS Thanks for the Square Paws mention, too! XO
ReplyDeleteI know, right? I am definitely going to make that apple butter!! You are most welcome! thanks for such a great contest!!!
DeleteThat book seems like such an amazing read and I used to love the show!!
ReplyDeleteI am a big Little House fan so I will be sure to get this. XO
ReplyDeleteyou will love it!
DeleteThat does sound like a really interesting one, quite the compilation it seems!
ReplyDeleteI have to get this. I've always adored Little House. And of course Angie is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes and Yes!!!!!!!!!
DeleteI loved watching that series, and I read most of not all of the books!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning that wonderful little book about life as it still *should* be.
I loved the books. Cried when the dog died I think it was By the Shores of Silver Creek. I never could get into the TV series. I always wished they had called it something else as it really ended up having little to do with the books themselves other than a girl grew up living on a prairie. I got that it was TV so they had to make it "more" but the reality was pretty engaging considering how long the books were and how old I was when I read them.
ReplyDeleteI think you would enjoy this book. The quotes are predominantly from the books, not TV. The values in this book that connect to the values in the original books are just fabulous. Lots of humor mixed in too!
DeleteAbsolutely! You recently had your own "Little House" experience when you lost power the other day! BOL!
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like such an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an awesome book! And it's by Angie, which makes it even more awesome!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book!
ReplyDelete