Endless Summer, Endless Winter

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2010 gave us the summer that began in the first week of April and ended in the last week of November.

It has also given us the coldest winter I've seen that began the first week of December, giving most of us a taste of cryogenics. Our pool looks like it has known many ice ages.

This has give me an optimal window to work on some much needed projects indoors. For the last week I've had my nose to the grindstone working on several things. One of them being photographing a bunch of things to sell. My friends, having seen and pitied me unable to do this because of my lack of camera, came over and we had two really fun days visiting while photographing madly.

What a blessing!

I am looking forward to getting my camera back from repairs, hopefully very soon, and snapping happily away. We've got photography field trips to plan. We need a bus or something....

Now comes the real work. Organization and getting them on eBay. Not much break in the weather, so I'm good. However, the ballet is going to be soon, and we are beginning to do a lot of running around for increased rehearsals as well as set building and painting. It's a busy time.

Catalogs have begun arriving!!!! Spring is on our minds. I've been working on cuttings of whatever makes itself available. I'm going to make a nuisance of myself and begin asking people everywhere I go if I can take cuttings; keeping pruners and cutting medium in my car to ever be at the ready. Whatever I can't buy, I hope to find free to populate this place. What great memories, too. Every plant will have a pruning memory. Good thing I don't scrapbook, because THAT could end up being scary! "Aw, and little Celia Celery came from the lady that lives across from the BP. Isn't she cute?"

My focus is on food crops, but maybe one day I can have a yard, and have some foofy things as well. A lawn would be nice. I love this earth the Lord created, but the red clay heel lifts I would not miss.

I began working on learning to sew custom dress shirts for Michael, something that would actually fit those long arms, but haven't gotten very far, with Christmas and these more necessary projects in the works. Judging from our weather.... I will probably have more time to put into them for the next couple of months. I dropped by the thrift stores and found table cloths and curtains for sewing fabric. The thicker the better. I don't do well sewing flimsy stuff.

Michael is officially taller than me! Shaving, talking in that deep voice. He says stuff to me and sometimes I just break out giggling. It's going to take me a while to get used to this big voice. His hugs are getting stronger too. Gotta love that. :o)

No time at all for finishing that greenhouse. But as soon as this weather breaks, we have the supplies to finish it. While I was hoping to raise food through this winter, it would have been tough to try to learn to use it during this really cold weather, so I am not too heartbroken by the delay. I just really want it up for starting our own garden plants in February and March. I hope we get a week of mild weather for doing that.

Well, I'm off to run Michael to town for working on sets today and I'm going to continue working here at home.

Can you believe only one day left of 2010?

Wowsers!

~Faith

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Aw, Heck, I'm On A Roll! July 24, 2010

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Let's see how many posts I can do until I get tired of wrestling with this browser hanging up on me.

Michael, spending some time cleaning debris from the pool after our little tornado. We still have a yard full of logs we need to deal with. We sure have been enjoying this pool during this Long, Hot Summer.





Our Ladies group has been working on a quilt project, I believe I mentioned that before. There were about 10 of us at that time, and the goal was for each of us to make a secret square. We were supposed to have a big reveal when it was time to put them together. It did not work out that way.

I did finish mine, but to encourage the rest to get on with theirs I did a little prodding by bringing mine out. It worked and the next week there were several squares done. But now I can show my humble little quilt square.

I'm not a quilter, but I've seen them on TV. And this looks nothing like what they do. I took some pieces of fabric that make me feel happy when I look at them, and I made them into a scene that I love; a picnic.

I found apple blossom sprig clip art, traced it onto some fabric, then (being too impatient to wait for embroidery floss) proceeded to edge it with plain old white and two shades of green threads over the course of a couple of evenings.





Then I added a blanket and napkin to the scene. I guess you would call it a mix of piecing and applique.





The other ladies used my idea as a springboard for some really amazing work that puts this to shame. I'm looking forward to putting the whole thing together!

~Faith

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Friendship Quilt Project and Raindrops on the Window.

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Yup. Woke to some shower activity. Again, just enough to tease.

My husband's sister got this for me a few years ago. I am now on a roll getting things on the wall, so I was pleased to move it from the dresser, where I'd had it displayed since then, and set it above the dining area. I think I'd like to make more of them - with some of my favorite verses. I'll just add that to my already endless list of things I may never get to.





We had a nice Shabbat over Friday night and Saturday. We did swimming and reading, playing games and eating - still using up the food I fixed for our Independence Day party. If Shabbat were every day, I'd be a very lazy girl, indeed!





A couple of weeks ago the neighbor who shoots our animals trapped Seth and drove him off to the pound. We found him that night, but he has picked up Kennel Cough. Seth is getting old, so we need to watch for pneumonia. I want you to know I spelled that correctly without spell check!





Our Thursday group is working on a friendship quilt. It just sort of came up out of a conversation, and we decided to pursue one. So while a few of us were out at that huge yard sale a few weeks ago, we also shopped for the fabric that will become the back, the border, and the sashes.





Each participant got to view the fabrics and take home some swatches. We will all design our own personal 12.5 by 12.5 quilt square any way we desire, the only parameter being that it must work with the colors in the fabrics we picked up.





I have worked on my square a little bit, but must keep it a secret. When all are done, we'll surprise each other at our big unveiling. Then we'll put the quilt together, together.

We are also going to sew a pocket into the back of the quilt. In this pocket will go a journal.





We'll pass this quilt to one another throughout the years and the dates of who had it when will go in, as well as anything significant that happened to the ones who had it at the time.





In this way, we'll always be able to bug one another, I mean stay in touch, our whole lives long as we continue passing it along.

Today, I need to spend photographing all the things I bought at the yard sale, and entering it onto eBay for selling.





I think I will likely be very busy.

~Faith

Workday with Friends!

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But we don't have any photos. Too busy working and talking while working, for the most part.

Before everyone arrived, a bright and beautiful spring morning greeted us. After some chores we did a few things around the place.

Michael burned some of those boxes that he and Ashlee sorted through.





We cleaned off the front and back porches, scrubbing down the furniture and setting up cold drinks for the day in an Igloo.





While I did more housework, Michael began mowing the crop area on high to knock down a bit of growth in preparation for finishing up today.





Then three boys descended on the place and enjoyed a variety of activites with Michael, including preparing an Airsoft battle zone, shopping for pellets online, doing some gymnastics, playing games, and best of all, swooping through the garden and pulling out a bunch of fence posts in about 5 seconds flat.

I had a couple of friends helping me in the garden by that time. Elaine and Ashlee came by again to help out. What a blessing. We finished getting fencing out, dismantled the tomato cage from last year, and dug out a bunch of huge weeds in preparation for tilling.

We girls headed to town for errands - a piano lesson, dinner, and shopping for 20 t-posts and the insulated cable we need to ground the fence system.

Dinner was amazing. I'd never been to this place, and it was empty when we got there. We sat out on the veranda in perfect weather, and chatted and ate some really great food.

Back at home we straightened the house that the boys had left a mess before they took off for manly type activities all night. They have a mens' group they all attend together, which they affectionately have dubbed "Man Class". We then went back down into the garden.

The horses got a new mineral block. (Funny, they don't LOOK like they weigh 50 pounds...). And we pounded in the remaining fenceline posts for the front and dug out the remaining weeds.

I nabbed one quick photo of finishing up the work last night...





Up to the house for some well-deserved cleanup, rest, lemon merengue pie, and working on Civil War ballgown stuff. Our next ball in in just a little over a week!

We watched 50 First Dates while we sewed, using the Clearplay movie filtering system. It's such a great movie when it's cleaned up.

Anyway, another morning of doing some work in the amazing sunshine outdoors, then we are off to do office cleaning and gymnastics.

I better get busy!

~Faith

The Day of the Christmas Ball

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Months of learning to sew finally culminated in an evening of color, light, music, movement, laughter, and beautiful memories.

I had some last minute scalloping of my skirt to do that day so, early in the morning, I propped it up, hoops and all, on some bar stools in the kitchen.





And took some strips of ribbon to pin loops up. I had hoped to fasten some decorative bits of somethings over the pins, but didn't get to it. The basic skirts are meant to be changeable. The masses of women during the civil war era did not have money to buy new gowns every time there was a ball. So they were very resourceful when it came to reinventing their gowns for every occasion.





Leah graciously came by here later in the morning to do our hair together. She said she knew how to make curls last by using a straightening iron, and boy, was she right! The hair project took a couple of hours, but we emerged with ringlets set in stone.

I did get a floor-length cape made for myself. A project which took 2 and a half days and of which I forgot to take pictures, I was so busy figuring it out. I also made a frock coat for Michael, which took 2 days. There should be a photo of those coming, later. It was to be cold and snowing as we were outside, so we really had to come up with something, or not participate in some of the activities.

We stopped to drop off cookies and cups at the gym, where many were working to decorate. Those who had completed their gowns, anyhow. However, I did see several sitting on benches doing last minute sewing.

This was all such a great adventure for all of us. The excitement of anticipation, the working together, the learning of new things and working right up to the last minute, all added up to great memories and fun.

Being a woman without a licensed escort, I have experienced all three less-than-perfect versions of getting to the ball in her own pumpkin. Arriving and getting dressed there - awkward. Driving with gown on - awkard and bulky. Driving with gown AND HOOPS on - super-in-the-way-you-will-never understand-unless-you-experience-it-awkward.

So I was greatly relieved to have been offered a licensed escort to drive my car with me and another belle in it, to the ball.

I was also concerned about poor Michael. You never know how deeply you can damage the psyche of a young boy by asking him to lace up yet another corset, so the plan was for a couple of us single ladies to meet the rest at their home for help in dressing, and for being escorted to town.

Dressing took a couple of hours, what with last minute alterations.









The guys waited til the last minute to dress, playing games in the back bedroom while we all took up the main areas of the house. Michael managed to be the very last to dress.









Here is a cape Leah made out of velvet. Beautiful!









So, each car being driven by a dapper gentleman, filled with hoops and frock coats, we caravanned into town to the beautiful old Inn for caroling.

It was a very large room, dimly lit with candles and high chandeliers, so getting good photos was very challenging. Most of the shots were either washed out with flash, missing the entire beauty of the scenes, or they were too dark and blurry. But I'll try to pick out some better ones.

Here is Michael in the frock coat I pulled together last minute. Notice he still has hair at this time. He was to lose it the next evening.





As we were joined by others from our society, we created quite a stir with our period attire. It was quite fun!





This was the same Inn at which we attended the wedding reception last month. Quite elegant.





Still not too filled up yet. By the time our caroling was over, the entire Inn was standing room only.





I had so much trouble with that bodice. All it wanted to do was ride up the whole night. I suppose that was better than coming down, but I was forever trying to pull it down. It was a little on the large side and didn't fit really well, but I thought I did pretty well for a first time sewer.





Waiting to begin caroling as the rest of our society gradually arrived.









Warming up the grand piano.





And then the caroling began and I was no longer taking photos. We probably had about 30 people all together and we had such a wonderful time. The ambiance was incredible and I think it was really appreciated by the townsfolk as they wandered in from the street festivities to enjoy hot cocoa and cider, warming themselves by the fireplace.

We did have an intermission of sorts during which we walked up a block to the county courthouse where the town Christmas tree was to be lit. We arrived, escorted by our gentlemen, and candles were being passed around. We declined them, as we are still in the practicing phase of learning to maneuver while wearing truck loads of clothing. The mayor said some very Christmassy things, which we could not hear. Then song sheets were joyfully passed about, indicating two carols we would all sing together while holding our candles as occassional snowflakes gently fell.

The man who led the singing was in full form. We all started off beautifully unified, and then we noticed he was getting louder and louder, as well as increasing the tempo with each measure. It took quite a bit of work to keep up with him! We really appreciated his earnestness concerning singing songs of joy about our Savior.

Then was the lighting of the tree. Poorly timed, though, I must say. We were still finishing up the last song when a carriage with a team of horses pulled up to the courthouse and a man with a lavelier mic on his fur-lined collar began shouting something that was barely intelligable.

However, he seemed to be in good spirits, and the woman who was with him, made us realize that this pair were the characters of Father and Mother Christmas! I have little knowledge of these two, so I had no idea what was coming as they made their way through the crowd to the dark fir tree that slumbered not 10 feet away from us.

We stood in wonder as he began shouting something at the tree. Then he began walking around it, yelling, and pounding his cane on the ground. It all seemed rather pagan to us as we giggled and stole glances at one another. One last "Boogy-Boo!" with his fists raised at it and the poor tree was frightened into submission. All it's lights came on and the crowd cheered.

Father Christmas began throwing peppermints into the crowd.
And that's when I was tackled from behind.



When you are at an event such as this, participating in lovely ceremonies and dressed in period gowns, being tackled is the furthest thing from your mind. However, it was not entirely her fault. She was actually cruelly tripped by the brick edging along the walkway that was directly behind my escort and I.

Down she went, right into my hair with her lit candle. Had I not had the strong arm of my escort to cling to, I'd have ended up on my face with my hoops on the vertical. Not pretty!

As she apologized profusely and I soothed her fears with comfort and smiling wishes of "Merry Christmas" she went on her way, relieved, I'm sure, to be at the other side of the crowd. Friends carefully examining my southerly regions as the wafting aroma of burning hair floated about us. I'm sure it must have been the fine stonework of Leah, my hairdresser, that protected my locks from being a burnt offering to the tree.

We debated attending the next activity of caroling as the townsfolk made their way caroling over several blocks to commit the same deed to the tree at the local City Hall, but decided we'd better go to finish our caroling at the Inn before the church choir arrived for their segment of singing.

By this time we could hardly get in the door, or even OUT of the door when we were through. It took us nearly a half hour to gather everyone down the street at the childhood home of a famous president. As our party got split in many directions on our way, I ended up making my way through the town on foot, unescorted. I think this turned out to be one of the nicer times of the evening.

It's fun to cause a stir in a positive way. And I was not the only one to be the pleased recipient of stares and compliments along the way. My favorites were from the little girls. "Are you a princess?" They would gasp. One little one said, "You are SO BEAUTIFUL!" and I stopped and leaned down and said, "YOU are as beautiful as a princess too, inside AND out!" I was so tickled to see her chin drop and stare as I walked away down the street wishing her "Merry Christmas!"

To a little girl, anyone in a ball gown is a princess, no matter what they look like. LOL It was such a treat to see them filled with wonder.

I was also pleased with the comments that several of us heard on the street. How they loved the period wear so much, they wanted to find out how to be involved. So maybe we'll have an even bigger event next Christmas.

We all met at the Presidential Home Museum and were given free tours. I was suprised to be reminded that the house was not designed for the giant hoop skirts that were actually a short-lived fad during the middle 1800s, so we had quite a time maneuvering around each other in the old home. The actors who played the parts were wonderful as they told us about the activities of the day.

















Then we were given free tours of the classic car museum.













Then it was off to the actual ball. We were not as excited about this particular one after our Spring ball had been held at the Country Club. We thought the gymnasium off the museum was a bit drab for what we had in mind. We'd been spoiled and we had not enough money for renting the Country Club. But we were pleasantly surprised at how nice it ended up being.

Here is the frock coat design that I really want to make for Michael. This was in the hallway of the museum that attaches to the gym.





People arriving. The dark wood floors were really beautiful.









































The dance program.









When it was all done at 9:30, we were not ready to go home. We could have danced all night. So instead we decided to go walk around WalMart in our costumes. The downtown streets were empty, so no more festivities were available. Can you tell we are from a small town?

When we arrived at WalMart, we were given permission to walk around the store caroling. It was late at night, and not a lot of shoppers were there, but many stockers were out, busily working. We had a perfect amount of couples, so we were able to stroll through, about 8 pairs of us in a line, singing as we slowly walked.

Once again we were surprised at the response. In some way, the Lord used it to minister to people, touching their hearts. One woman even began crying. A couple of scrooges, hearts hardened by life's blows, were visible but, by and large, the listeners were so thankful and happy to see us. We were glad to have done it spur of the moment. You just never know what good will come of being available.

OK, I've over indulged in photos. Thanks for hanging with me through all these months of sewing and dancing. We have one more dance this evening, a New Year's barn dance. Just a casual thing amongst friends that we decided to make a costume party just for fun.

Wish us well. It is to be about 25 degrees!

~Faith

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