Maybe it’s because I’m a Utah girl, born and bred, but I do love celebrating Pioneer Day each July 24. And I love how I can find wonderful pioneering posts throughout the year and throughout the Bloggernacle. Here are a few:
Pioneer Art: Subway art is all the rage right now, and this blogger is offering some free "Pioneer Day Subway Art Printables" you can download, print and frame to decorate your home for the holiday. I love the one that lists all the adjectives and nouns describing pioneers. And the wagon wheel is just cool. Check it out. Or better yet, print it out.
On this same theme, this blog looks at cool LDS art, and this installment showcases two pioneer girls. Wow, beautiful.
Pioneer activities: Looking for some fun Pioneer Day activities? Well, this blog is chock full of them: a watermelon seed spitting contest, Joseph’s stick pull and panning for gold, to name a just a few. Click to find out how to put on a rocking pioneer-themed party, or just try a few for a family home evening.
Plus, I loved these additional Pioneer Day party ideas found at this LDS Parenting blog that included patriotic flag making, a parade, a pioneer sing-a-long, pie-making and much more. So fun!
Or, you can take a virtual tour (or a real one as described if you’re really adventurous) of Mormon pioneer history courtesy of the LDS Church Summer Travel Series. Learn about Martin’s Cove or the Willie Center, or one I hadn’t ever heard about, the Cody Chapel Mural, which is in “the domed entryway of the still-functional Mormon meetinghouse (and) is worth the trip for what you see and the explanation behind the artwork.” Wow!
Pioneer people: Have you heard of Amanda Barnes Smith? She was, as this blogger describes, a pioneer “heroine” who was the facilitator of one of the miracles at Haun’s Mill, when she was directed by the Lord on how to heal her son’s blown-out hip. Click in to read a biographical skectch about this remarkable pioneer woman.
And you know how Utah is famous for its funeral potatoes? Well ,as documented on "Adventures in Mormon Pioneer Food," Welsh pioneer William Ajax lamented how potatoes, onion, butter and cheese were scarce commodities when he first entered the Salt Lake Valley. Wow, fascinating.
Finally, I just loved this blog essay from last year that brings the faith of the pioneering spirit home. It’s called “Sometimes I Pretend”:
“Sometimes, when my three kids are driving me bonkers, I pretend I am a pioneer woman. (Three healthy, whole children. Blessings from heaven.)
"Sometimes, when I get scared about moving again, I pretend I am a pioneer woman. (Westward Ho!)
"Sometimes, when I think I live too far away from my family and friends, I pretend I am a pioneer woman. (I will probably never see my loved ones again.)”
Powerful — as were the pioneers.
Now let’s find other stalwart posts from this last week in the Bloggernacle:
Power pick: I just can’t tell this wonderful church history vignette as cleverly as Ardis E. Parshall, but I’ll give a few delicious hints: it starts with a fire in Farmington, includes a daring rescue of books, a sad woman who thinks her important books were burned, and a wonderful resolution that has one almost cheering at the end. Click to find out what was so important that made it “Through the Fire.”
Techie tip: Oh, I love it when bloggers share their time and talents and, in this case, beautiful artwork. Click to download free temple wallpapers and prints that you can frame for your home. They are gorgeous. And why are they free? This blogger explains, “First, art is a hobby of mine. I really enjoy photography, typography and digital painting. So it’s just plain fun. Second, if you feel like you want to give back (and I hope you do), I’ve set up a simple way for you to pay it forward” with a donation site to kiva, if you so wish. Check these incredible prints out!
Emily W. Jensen searches Mormon-themed blogs for "Today in the Bloggernacle" that runs three days a week and for the longer "Bloggernacle Back Bench" that runs on Tuesdays. Email: ejensen@desnews.com