Monday, March 30, 2026

A School Project Near and Dear

 I had a really bad cold last week - runny nose and eyes, coughing, feeling awful.  I haven't been sick in years!  This was the kind of cold that you ask yourself, "where do these viruses come from?"  Well, my son passed it on to me, but you wonder, where did this originally come from?  One of the worst colds I've had, and I coughed so much that my ribs were sore, so I put some aloe vera on, a healing remedy that my dear mother-in-law told me about years ago.  Well, I washed all the sheets and did some spring cleaning, and it's a new week.



I also rearranged some furniture since I did some deep cleaning.  I gave away a night stand that I had.  It was very nice, but I don't like heavy bulky furniture these days; it's light and sturdy pieces for me.  This is one piece that I have never parted with - a vanity, and the lid opens up to a mirror with compartments.  It's really cute, and I'll pass it on to my grandgirls someday.  They can paint it or do what they want.



For my new blog friends, you may not know that I love the pioneer era.  I can see myself living in that time, and enjoying the slower pace that they had.  I know there were many struggles as well, and one of the things that would be hard for me is washing clothes on a washboard or going down to the creek to wash, and then hanging them to dry.



I've rode horses in my lifetime, so I think I would be able to handle driving a wagon accompanied by a team of horses.



They had to gather vegetables from their gardens, milk the cows for milk and butter, and the kids had to walk the long prairie distance just to attend school.  That wouldn't be easy either.



But all in all, if someone asked me what my favorite era was, I would have to say the "pioneer era."  I feel very connected to this period in history.  And when Nel told me that Mia was doing a "pioneer days" school project, I was overjoyed. ✨✨✨  This was something that was near and dear to me.  Right away, I sent her pictures of the hair styles that were popular back in that time.

Here is a little about it.....

Mia's "pioneer days" was a week long event for all 2nd grade classes.  The kids were given new names common to the 19th century - Mia's was Frances May - and they worked in a one room school house for part of the day while they learned about what life was like for kids on the prairie.  Nel found her costume and lunch basket on Amazon.  They got points every day for doing things like dressing up, coming to school on time, bringing your teacher an apple,🍎 and participating in different pioneer era arts and crafts as homework.  Mia wrote a note to her class with a quill pen dipped in ink, which was actually really hard to do!  At the end of the week, they had a Living History Day where parents dress up and volunteer at different stations with 19th century activities for the kids.

Nel "sort of" dressed up too.  She doesn't have a pioneer dress, but she thought she could pull together something like this. ; )

A special sighting on Palm Sunday.



And my first Robin visitor this spring.





Happy Easter, friends.

19 comments:

Shug said...

So Sorry Sheri, for the horrible cold. Seems that no matter how often we wash our hands or even try to stay out of busy areas, somehow a cold or flu always makes it way to our house. I think the school system is a large cause of spreading germs and with both my girls working in the school system, these viruses are easy to spread. OH dear...Mia is a little doll. She actually was all dolled up for the event and her little outfit was perfect. I think this is a wonderful thing that the school does. A great adventure for the kids! Your photos of the Robin and deer are so sweet. I am enjoying seeing all of the robins and other birds busy building their nest right now. We are expecting some rain this week, which I am thankful for. Enjoy this wonderful Holy Week. hugs.

nonie everythingsewing said...

I love how the girls live what they are learning. I am sure you could master a team of horses. Yup, actually lived all the farm chores from milking the cows to growing all our own food. I call them the good old days!

R's Rue said...

I love you friend.

Carla from The River said...

Hello Sheri,
I am happy you are feeling better.
Thank you for sharing the pioneer days project. It is also a time period I like too. I read all the Little House on The Prairie books to our boys when they were little.
Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter my dear friend.
Love, Carla

💐 Debby/My Shasta Home said...

I have all the Little House on the Prairie books and enjoyed the tv series. I like that era as well. I remember in middle school when “granny dresses” were in and we wore the hats. Every Friday at school was prairie days. But only the girls participates - never saw any boys dress up.
Mia looks adorable. I’m glad they are teaching this history to the young students-
Have a blessed week.

photowannabe said...

I love the learning done by Living History. Its things the kids will never forget. What a darling outfit for Mia. Its fun to dress up...
When my boys were in 5th grade they had Colonial Days (a whole week) when they went to school in costumes and wigs. Everything was done as if they lived in that time, the same as your girls...work done on slates and food prepared the "old fashioned way". I am going to have to dig out my photos to show the costumes I made for them. It was quite a project because I don't really sew and had to make up my own patterns. Boy, I wonder where those snapshots are... To Be Continued.
By the way, that vanity is gorgeous.
Sue

Ginny Hartzler said...

She is just cute as a button in her pioneer outfit! This was such a good school project, like a living history. Which means they won't soon forget what they learned. I bet your favorite T.V. show was "Little House On the Prairie". These are wonderful robin photos.

Chrissy T said...

Oh, you got the "crud" too!!! I had it twice. It all started in February. Our son gave it to my husband and then to me and then our son got it again and then I did and now my husband. It was awful. I am glad you are feeling better.
Your grandkids do the best special projects!!!!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Glad you are on the mend!
The pioneer era is an interesting time. They lived totally organic.
May

Marilyn Miller said...

Glad you are beginning to feel better. Those colds/virus's going around are just not fun! What a creative teacher to have a project like that for her students. I would have loved it. I remember being fascinated by Little House on the Prairie. Probably my favorite era is the 1920's. I love the clothes from that era. Enjoy springtime sightings.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Your photos are beautiful especially of that robin. How fun is that school project and especially for you since you feel so connected to that era, The little post it the you shared is so true for me. I just like to drink my coffee and no talking. There is a lot of stuff going around- sounds like you got hit hard. Glad you are starting to feel better.

R's Rue said...

God bless you my friend.

Louca por porcelana said...

Adorable post as ever! Mia is so cute! Beautiful furniture too. My English is worse everyday...

LoveT. said...


Your granddaughters will love this piece of furniture. It's adorable.

Mia's school project is great. I've watched Little House on the Prairie so many times and I still love it.

Happy Easter, Sheri!

Billie Jo said...

Hello, my lovely friend. I am so sorry you were sick, but glad you are feeling better. Mia's project was wonderful!!! And I remember Little House. Every Monday at 8, right??

Veronica Lee said...

Mia’s pioneer project sounds so delightful.
What a wonderful way for kids to step into history.
Her new name, Frances May, is just charming, and I can picture her carefully writing with that quill pen.
I’ve always loved Little House on the Prairie, so this brings back such fond memories.
Thank you for sharing these sweet glimpses of family, history, and springtime.
Your robin sighting feels like the perfect Easter blessing. 🌸
Happy Easter, Sheri 🌹

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Sorry to hear that you were sick, Sheri. Seems like something is going around here very similar. It does make you wonder where these viruses come from. Mia looks adorable in her prairie dress and bonnet! I love that she is learning about Pioneer days. Life seemed simpler then and people had to depend upon each other. It's nice that her school makes learning fun! Sweet photos.
Your vanity is a lovely thing to pass down. The deer and robin are sure signs of spring! xx Hope that you have a blessed Easter, dear Sheri. xx K

Chatty Crone said...

You poor thing. Your cold sounds horrible. You sure did get a humdinger of one. Why are some so bad and others not? I see so many people go out and cough and they do not cover their mouth. Drives me nuts. I hope you start to feel better this week.
So, you like the pioneer days - I wouldn't mind living back then a day or two, but not permanently. No bathroom girl! No antibiotics. I think it would be tough. And now Halfpint is playing as an older woman on When Calls the Heart. Can you believe that?
Your vanity is pretty and I am sure one of the girls will want it.
Mia was so cute all dressed up. Hard to write using a quill?
And you had your deer company and beautiful Robin.
Now drink some tea and chicken broth and get well!
Love, sandie

baili said...

Really sorry for you are feeling unwell dear Sheri!

Wishing you speedy recovery my friend 🙏
Your sweet grandchildren look so cute in old fashioned outfits 🥰