"Silent Night"

It was Christmas Eve in the Austrian Alps. At the newly constructed Church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, a Tyrol village near Salzburg, Father Joseph Mohr prepared for the midnight service. He was distraught because the church organ was broken, ruining prospects for that evening’s carefully planned music. But Father Joseph was about to learn that our problems are God’s opportunities, that the LORD causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him. It came into Father Joseph’s mind to write a new song, one that could be sung without the organ. Hastily, he wrote the words, “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright…” Taking the text to his organist Franz Gruber, he explained the situation and asked Franz to compose a simple tune.

That night, December 24, 1818, “Silent Night” was sung for the first time as a duet accompanied by a guitar at the aptly named Church of St. Nicholas in Oberdorf.

Shortly afterward, as Karl Mauracher came to repair the organ, he heard about the near-disaster on Christmas Eve. Acquiring a copy of the text and tune, he spread the hymn throughout the Alpine region of Austria, referring to it as “Trioler Volkslied.”

The song came to the attention of the Strasser family, makers of chamois-skin gloves. To drum up business at various fairs and festivals, the four Strasser children would sing in front of their parents’ booth. Like the Von Trapp children a century later, they became popular folk singers throughout the Alps.

When the children- Caroline, Joseph, Andreas, and Amalie- began singing “Trioler Volkslied” at their performances, audiences were charmed. It seemed perfect for the snow-clad region and perfect for the Christian heart. “Silent Night” even came to the attention of the king and queen, and the Strasser children were asked to give a royal performance, assuring the carol’s fame.

“Silent Night” was first published for the congregational singing in 1838 in the German hymnbook Katholisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch fur den offentlichen and hauslichen Gottesdienst zunachst zum Gebrauche der katholischen Gereinden im Konigreiche Sachsen. It was used in America by German-speaking congregations, then appeared in its current English form in a book of Sunday school songs in 1863.

Were in not for a broken organ, there never would have been a “Silent Night.”

From “Come Let Us Adore Him” by Robert J. Morgan

Dress shown above is now available through our Etsy shop.

Classic Literature and Doll Clothes

Throughout our homeschool years my mother always instilled in us a love of classic literature and history. I remember many cozy evenings when we would all gather together and mom would read aloud. The stories made history come alive, and to this day I love reading historical fiction.

When I was twelve I read “Little Women” for the first time. I was completely enthralled and could not put the book down. Not only was “Little Women” an enjoyable story it was a story of real life challenges- as relevant today as when first written. I guess that is something I really appreciate about classic literature. Authors seemed to be able to weave character building qualities into each of their wonderful stories.

Looking back I can see just how important it is to introduce children to classics. As youngsters are not always able to read a classic book on their own, a great introduction is to read a book aloud together as a family; and for the little girl in your family perhaps a doll outfit would help make that story come alive.

My mother, sisters and I have had fun finding vintage books and sewing a new line of doll clothes inspired by classic books. Please be sure to check them out here.

Little House Give Away

Congratulations Ellen! You have won the "Little House" give away. : ) Please send me an email at info(at)taylorsscarletthread.com with your mailing address and I will send you your prize this week.

Give Away and Quotes

This time of year always brings back wonderful memories of our homeschool days. I remember one year in particular when we enjoyed learning all about Laura Ingalls Wilder. Mom had found a curriculum about the “Little House” book series. She read “Little House in the Big Woods” aloud; we made homemade butter by shaking canning jars filled with cream and a clothes pin. Mom even made us flannel prairie dresses and found bonnets for us. We had so much fun!

This month we are offering a calico bonnet and prairie pinafore as our giveaway. The pinafore is a size 5/6. The pinafore is beautifully detailed with hand embroidery and ruffled hem.

To enter the contest simply leave a comment. We would love to hear of your special memories that might relate to “Little House” or this time of year. The winner's name will be drawn and announced October 22^nd.

To close this post we thought we would share some quotes from Laura Ingalls Wilder.

“The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.” 

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“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” 

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“When the fiddle had stopped singing Laura called out softly, "What are days of auld lang syne, Pa?"
"They are the days of a long time ago, Laura," Pa said. "Go to sleep, now."
But Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa's fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the Big Woods,…
She was glad that the cozy house, and Pa and Ma and the firelight and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago.” 

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“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.” 

Sale Items

 Now offered at a special sale price! Click here for more photos of September Posey. This darling dress even comes with an embroidered purse. Now on sale for $25.

Our embroidered prairie outfit includes a dress, pinafore and bonnet. This outfit can be purchased here for $35.

Pioneer Paper Doll

 We are offering a free pioneer paper doll with the next 5 pioneer or prairie outfits purchased from our website or Etsy page.

Here is a photo of our newest pioneer outfit.  

Free Summer Dresses

*All three dresses have found homes. : ) But please keep watching as we plan to offer some other items for free.

We are offering three summer dresses for free. Please just email us, or comment on this post. The first to ask will receive the dress requested. As dresses are taken I will make an addition to this post to let everyone know which dresses are still available.

  The dress pictured above is available in two sizes, 10 and 12. The finished measurements for the size 10 are: bust- 38" and length from shoulder to hem 51".   *Size 10& 12 no longer available.

The finished meausrements for the size 12 dress are: bust- 40" and length from shoulder to hem- 51".

*Size 12 no longer available.

The lavender dress pictued above is a size 18. This dress is designed to fit someone with approximately a 42/43" bust and no larger than a 41" waist. The length from shoulder to hem is 45".

*Size 18 no longer available.

We are looking forward to hearing from anyone interested in these dresses and hope they will be a blessing to someone! : )

Happy Fourth of July!

This is a photo of the wheat field across the road from our home. What a blessing to see such beauty each day!

 Over the past week we have enjoyed photographing some new items for our Etsy shop in front of the wheat field.

Below is an excerpt from "Little Town on the Prairie" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Then Pa began to sing. All at once everyone was singing:

“My country, ‘tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing….

“Long may our land be bright
With Freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, Our King!”

The crowd was scattering away by then, but Laura stood stock still. Suddenly she had a completely new thought: God is America’s King.

She thought: Americans won’t obey any king on earth. Americans are free. That means they have to obey their own consciences. No king bosses Pa; he has to boss himself. Why (she thought), when I am a little older, Pa and Ma will stop telling me what to do, and there isn’t anyone else who had a right to give me orders. I will have to make myself good.

Her whole mind seemed to be lighted up by that thought. This is what it means to be free. It means, you have to be good. “Our father’s God, author of liberty-“ The laws of Nature and of Nature’s God endow you with a right to life and liberty. Then you have to keep the laws of God, for God’s law is the only thing that gives you a right to be free.

From “Little Town on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder


“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

New Spring Fabric

Here are some lovely new fabrics we received earlier this week! We were so very pleased to find a wonderful selection of tiny floral print calico. The fabric is a very nice quality, and soft. We have ordered a couple more bolts that should arrive sometime next week.

A New Pioneer Outfit!

This darling new outfit can be purchased through either our website or Etsy shop!

Laura Ingalls Wilder

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Timothy 3:16-17


As a child, Laura Ingalls memorized more than one hundred Bible verses to win a competition in church. These and other scriptures became the stabilizing force in her life for the years ahead.

To supplement her family’s scant income, Laura, at age twelve, took a job caring for a sick neighbor. Away from home for the first time, Laura became homesick. Encouraged by scripture to bring every need to God, she prayed and felt “a hovering Presence, a power comforting and sustaining me.”

Laura also needed comfort from God’s Word when her sister Mary lost her eyesight. She leaned on Bible promises when her family moved seven times in ten years. She required divine wisdom when she took her first teaching job at age fifteen. Later came the loss of a child and a home destroyed by fire. In 1911, at age forty-four, she leaned on God’s Word as she began writing for publication. The scripture verses learned as a child profited Laura her entire life.

God never intended for you to face the unknown future without help. He has given the Bible for your profit. It is not too late to begin hiding scripture verses in your heart. In the years ahead, you, too, will need the comfort and help God’s Word offers.

From “Daily Devotions for Women” by Jewell Johnson