A Farwell, A Visit, & THE Fiddle

The Bittingers & The Schoenherrs

2012

We were very blessed to get to spend time with our friends, the Gauses, on our way home through Missouri. We spent the night at their beautiful home in Springfield, then on to Mansfield the next day.

 My only regret is that we didn't allow for more time here at the Museum.

Ali & I were literally giddy with excitement to see in person some of the things described in our beloved Little House Books.  A moment I'll never forget is at the same time, upon entering the museum, we both caught sight of Pa's fiddle... amazing. The same fiddle that brought so much joy to those long cold winter nights, that played all of the family gatherings, that forever changed a family in the memory of a little girl. I really enjoyed this visit.  

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures on the tour through the house that Almanzo built for Laura...but this is the front porch.

All of this rock is from the property. He was a very skilled carpenter. It was full of small & large detail with so much personality. I appreciated the effort taken to preserve the home in a way that reflected their daily lives.

This was the Rock House that Rose, their daughter, built for them.  They lived here only about 7 years, and became homesick for their original home...that was just down the road a bit.

We also toured the inside of this house.  It reminded me of a sweet little cottage.

Ali had me make the above picture for one of her pen pal friends. 

I would like to revisit this home/museum again and the Farmer Boy's home in New York. This is one of Ben's favorite books (mine too).