Today is the 150th birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We are celebrating with a Country Party Happy 150th Birthday, Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Town Party
Yesterday we celebrated with a Town Party inspired by Nellie Oleson.
Country Party Happy 150th Birthday Laura Ingalls Wilder
Today we will be marking this very special occasion with a Country Party.
In the eight book Little House series Laura mentions having a party only once. The chapter: Country Party can be found on pages 169 ~ 176 of On The Banks Of Plum Creek.
Image by Helen Sewell.
The inspiration for the party décor came from Laura’s descriptive writing: “The table was set prettily with Ma’s best white cloth and the blue pitcher full of flowers.”
While Ma’s pitcher was probably a solid blue color I was inspired by Laura’s everyday dishes at Rocky Ridge Farm. They were a blue willow pattern made by Allerton.
The Allerton blue willow pattern can often be found on eBay and Etsy. I matched the blue willow with other blue and white floral plates and vintage tin cups.
“Shiny tin cups were full of cold, creamy milk from the cellar, and the big platter was heaped with honey-colored vanity cakes.”
Blue Ticking Napkins
The china paired nicely with the simple blue ticking napkins I made HERE.
Our everyday silverware is a collection of mismatched pieces that have been gathered over time. Much like you would have found in many pioneer homes.
At each setting was a small menu of party food.
The Menu
The image I used for the menu is by Helen Sewell who illustrated the early first editions of the Little House books.
(The image may be printed for personal use only.)
I tinted the image blue for a bit of color and simply printed it out on cardstock. I then turned the paper over and re-ran it through the printer a second time so that the menu would print out on the other side.
Crab Cakes
The recipe for the crab cakes, inspired by the old crab in Plum Creek who chased after Nellie, can be found HERE.
Light Biscuits and Cinnamon Chicken
The recipe for the “Light Biscuits” is found on pages 72~ 73 of The Little House Cookbook.
The instructions for “Cinnamon Chicken” are located on the Little House on the Prairie website.
Baked Apples
Steamed green beans paired nicely with the chicken, as did the baked apples.
Ingredients
4 apples ~ I used Granny Smith
2 plums seeded and chopped
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped pecans
4 tbsp butter
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Slice off the top of each apple approximately 1” thick. Scoop out the core, leaving a well in the center.
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In a bowl mix the plums, brown sugar, cinnamon, cranberries, and pecans until blended.
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Stuff each apple with 1/4 of the plum mixture.
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Place apples in a deep baking dish. Top each apple with 1 tbsp of butter.
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Pour about 1/2 cup of water into the baking pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until apples are tender.
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Serve warm. You can top the apples with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
Vanity Cakes
The recipe for “Vanity Cakes” can be found in The Little House Cookbook on pages 202~203 and also HERE.
While Ma did not add powdered sugar to her vanity cakes I did, while they were still hot, for a bit of sweetness.
I hope you have enjoyed our Little House Country Party.
Happy Birthday Laura!
Laura
You make every event so pretty and special! ♥
Thanks for the yummy-sounding recipes; I'm always looking to try new items, and of course I've adored Laura all of my life. A great celebration for sure!
Linda
Laura, I love this series. It captures my heart, revives my memories and oh, it makes me so hungry! Your table is simply lovely. I know posts like this are a lot of work but believe me, it is appreciated!
What fun! Both parties were delightful, thank you for sharing with us. I re-read the “Little House” books last year. This year my seven-year-old granddaughter is reading them. I loved them as a child, renewed my love when I read them with my daughters, and now get a third chance with my granddaughters!
I loved that story in the books–and when we were little, we had some of those blue willow plates and I thought that they were extra special!
Delightful Laura. I remember well the times Laura was in the kitchen with Ma preparing the evening meal before Pa returned home or early as they prepared breakfast. I could see it all so well in my mind, how I love those books! I love this birthday series posts you are doing, so sweet. Wish I had thought of it. Love your blue willow and silverware. The table is lovely and Laura would think it is beautiful as well. BRAVO!
This makes me smile! I love the idea of celebrating Laura with this pretty blue and white tablescape. Your menu card is a sweet touch. I love the illustration tinted in the blue, and the menu sounds delicious. I may make the crab cakes for my girlfriend's Valentine's dinner on the 13th. Thank for the beautiful inspiration.
Ahhhh….
I love this party!
I love the way you were so true to the story with your table and menu, Laura. “Vanity Cakes” made me smile. The book illustrations are beautiful and so sweet.
Again, another beautifully executed thread of your theme!
How fun this is Laura. I love the way you make celebrations and special events happen. Also loving the napkins you made. I need to reread the books-they are so special!
It would be great fun to come to one of your parties! You are a great party planner!
warmly,
deb
Happy Birthday LIW! Your party decor is so pretty and sweet. Seeing the Blue Willow dishes reminds me of my mother's favourite set of dishes. She loved setting the table with them. While her food was always delicious, a humble snack or a complete Christmas dinner looked even better set on the pretty blue patterned plates and bowls.
Thank you for sharing your lovely dinner table! Your meal looks so tasty! 🙂
Wonderful party! Happy Birthday Laura!
You do host great parties. I am enjoying your series, Laura. You are so talented.
I'm thinking of reading the Little House books to my grandchildren or at least buying them for them and starting the reading at bedtime when we visit next. Then, the parents can finish them. It will be an enjoyable bedtime ritual.
Are you watching the Victoria series on PBS. I'm sure you are. I am enjoying it very much.
Thanks for a great post.
I will have to ask Terra my daughter if she has the cookbook
Thanks for the series. I thought of you when I saw the feature in Victoria about Laura Wilder. I hoped you'd see it. You go the extra mile in your lovely posts and you outdid yourself this time. However, when there is a real attachment, such as your family connection, you MUST shine both in text and photos.
I love that you put on a birthday party for Laura! All the details are just right, and I know she would love it. We have several things in common. I see you love British Royalty. Me too!! 🙂
I love this! I love the little touches like the blue dishes similar to Laura's and the crab cakes in honor of the crab that chased Nellie. A thoughtful and beautiful party! Thanks so much for linking up to the LIW Reading Challenge!