Butter in the Well by Linda K. Hubalek

Author:Linda K. Hubalek
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical fiction, pioneer letters, pioneer woman stories, Swedish immigrant stories, kansas history
Publisher: Butterfield Books Inc.
Published: 2016-02-05T00:00:00+00:00

1874 - Grasshoppers

JANUARY 4

Willie’s 4th birthday—He asked for pepparkakor for his treat. He remembered Christina got cookies on her birthday. Willie helped me mix the molasses cookie dough. I did let him put a pinch of sugar on top of the cookies before we baked them, but he got carried away and used too much before I could stop him. I didn’t scold him since he was excited about his birthday, but we won’t be to town for several weeks for supplies and will have to use our sugar sparingly.

February 17

The weather is mild this winter, so we have gotten an early start on the room we are adding to the north side of the house. Right now, all we can afford to do is build a large lean-to with a flat roof. We must get by as inexpensively as possible. We will move the cooking stove into the new room and make it the kitchen. The little stove we used in the dugout will heat the original room. I would like Carl to build a wall of shelves or cupboards on the south wall in the kitchen, but right now I am happy just to be getting another room.

March 26

It’s been an exciting few days around the neighborhood. Hannah Carlson left today after a short visit with her family. She really likes her job and the lifestyle in Chicago, but her father summoned her to Kansas.

Eric has picked a husband for her-my cousin, Peter. She’s never even met Peter, and he lives in a dugout out in the middle of nowhere. Why should she give up her comfortable life in Chicago for a hole in the ground?

April 1

Svärfar and Svärmor have left Bethany Church. Several mem­bers of the congregation left recently because they do not agree with Dr. Olsson and the church council’s strict rules and views. Carl’s family will start going to the Salemsborg Church with us.

The wheat does not look very good this spring. We had a mild winter and didn’t have much snow cover on the crop. There are two bare patches in the field where the wind blew the wheat out. We need a good soaking rain.

May 26

We read in the paper today that President Grant’s daughter, Nellie, was married to a wealthy Englishman in a grand White House ceremony on the 21st. I can’t imagine living a wealthy life and having people do the work for me. I shouldn’t daydream about it, because it will never happen to us.

I have to think of more practical things. I’m afraid the dry spring means a hot summer ahead. The part of the garden that I am watering looks good, but I cannot carry water to the whole acre. The child that I’m carrying makes my backache. I hope this pregnancy is not worse than the others.

July 19

Olaf Hessler and Elsa Peterson were married by Pastor Dahlsten at Salemsborg today. Elsa and her six-year-old daughter came across from Jämshög earlier this year. I haven’t gotten to know

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