Faith, Family and Friends- A Simpler Time

By Kimberly Grist

I recently read with interest that Netflix, in collaboration with Friendly Family Productions, announced an upcoming series based on my childhood favorite, the Little House on the Prairie books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I was thrilled to hear about the new series and hope it honors this brave pioneer family, during an era when faith, family, and caring for neighbors felt as natural as breathing.

While researching pioneer life, I took a trip to Callaway Gardens and reflecting on my own experiences growing up in the 1960s came to mind. Although my childhood home was not as rustic as the Ingalls family's log cabin lit by oil lamps, there were some similarities in our daily lives.


The above photo is of a two-room cabin at Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. It was constructed of longleaf pine and occupied for over a century.This front porch brings back memories of lingering outside on summer nights, counting the stars, and watching and chasing fireflies.

Making the Most Out of the Space
The photo above illustrates how the front porch could have been used for drying herbs. Every inch of space on the homestead was utilized effectively, so it’s likely that the front porch also served as a sleeping area.

The More, the Merrier

Although it was slightly larger than the Ingalls family home, the cabin, built in the 1830s, accommodated many families, including one with 15 members. In 1959, it was relocated from Troup County to Callaway Gardens. As I toured the cabin, I imagined the simple meals and lively conversations that took place there, which I believe were far more meaningful than today’s texting.

The main living area of the two-room cabin at Callaway Gardens features a single room that serves as both the living room and the parents' bedroom. In the right-hand corner, there is a doorway leading to a loft space.

The design is simple: the downstairs area functions as the primary living room and bedroom, likely intended for the parents. The doorway to the additional loft space is conveniently located in the right-hand corner.

Our tour guide joked that the hard work needed for survival left people so exhausted that even a thin mattress couldn't disrupt their sleep.

Simpler Times 

Reflecting on my childhood, some of my fondest memories were growing up in a modest-sized home not meant to house seven children. We shared meals together and squeezed onto benches like the ones pictured above to make room for a new sibling or friend at dinner. I rarely remember a restless night. After school, my brothers and I delivered newspapers. We rode our bicycles and played "King of the Hill," Red-light, Green-light, and Hide-and-Seek. Like the child who may have once slept here, we fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow. 

Nostalgia often skews our perception of reality. Like many of you, I appreciate the modern conveniences we have today, but there is something uniquely special about those memories of the past. If I could turn back the clock, I would like to think that I would have a greater appreciation for simpler times. What about you?

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"I believe you should come away refreshed and inspired after reading a book, an outlet, and an opportunity to relax and escape to a place where obstacles are met and overcome."

Fans of historical romance set in the late 19th century will enjoy stories combining, History, Humor, and Romance with an emphasis on Faith, Friends, and Good Clean Fun,

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