Celebrating Women's History
Rediscover our history by learning about the
women who helped to create it.  

Making it On Your Own in the 1800's

Pioneer women worked very hard in the home and on the farm from dawn until dusk - without a day off. They had to make many things from scratch because stores were often far away. Here are their recipes for candles, soap and bannock.

Long ago, pioneers had no electricity, so they used candles for light, so they could read, do homework and handiwork such as embroidery and sewing. They made their candles by dipping wicks in hot tallow (tallow was hard fat, used especially for making candles and was taken from cows, deer, sheep and bears that they killed for food). This took a very long time because they had to dip it, let it cool, dip it, let it cool, continuously until the candle was thick. To save time in the candle-making process, pioneers would put several candles on a stick at one time. Before actually making the candles, they boiled the tallow many times to get rid of the impurities and smell because the candles could smell quite bad when they were lit. They would add wild ginger and other fragrant herbs to the tallow to hide the smell. Today, we can buy candles in many different fragrances.  

Basic Candle Making

Supplies:

• Paraffin (available from a craft store) -approximately 1/2 kilogram
• Vegetable oil
• Store bought wicks (available from a craft store) or thick cotton string, to make your own wicks
• Medium sized cooking pot
• Empty coffee tin or large soup tin
• Old spoon

Method:

It's a good idea to cover your work area with newspaper or waxed paper -  dried wax  can be difficult to remove from some surfaces. Be aware that wax is flammable at high temperatures. While it is heating, wax should never be left unattended. It should also never be heated to the point that it bubbles or smokes. If it should catch fire, cover the  pot with a lid and turn off the stove - never pour water on a wax fire.Remember that you  should never to pour unused wax down the drain of the kitchen sink because it will plug up the drain!

Supplies:

• 1/2 ounce lye
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1/2 cup lukewarm fat
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Method:

In a plastic container, gently stir lye into cold water with a wooden spoon. Slowly add lukewarm fat. Continue to stir until slightly thickened. Add lemon juice, stirring to mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into plastic molds. Cover with plastic wrap and leave for 24 hours. Remove soap from molds and allow to air-dry for 14 days. Yield: one to two medium bars. 

Bannock (makes one loaf)

Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 30 minutes. Ready in: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups water

Method:

Measure flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl. Stir to mix. Pour melted butter and water over flour mixture. Stir with fork to make a ball. Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead gently about 10 times. Pat into a flat circle 3/4 to one inch thick. Cook in a greased frying pan over medium heat, allowing about 15 minutes for each side. Use two lifters for easy turning. May also be baked on a greased baking sheet at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

• Introduction
• The Famous Five and the Persons Case (with possible discussion questions)
• Political milestones and legislation affecting women
• Aboriginal women and families
• Test your knowledge of women's history
• Quotes Worth Remembering
• Making it On Your Own in the 1800's

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Women's History Month

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