We've lost a tooth!

Not much sewing has been going on around here but there have been a lot of loose teeth! Noah finally lost his first one, and the top two are scheduled to come out next week via the dentist. We definitely could have used the Lord of Portland house around here this week!

The reason not much sewing has been occurring is that we have been out enjoying the sun and preparing for my surgery next week. I'll be having my 3rd ear surgery, and while I'm grateful for modern medicine that can correct these problems, I'm nervous about being out of commission for a couple of weeks. So, I will be offline for a couple of weeks while I recuperate, but prayers and good thoughts would be appreciated. When I come back, summer fun, reenactments, and sewing can begin in earnest! I can't wait!

Wordless Wed. - Gladiators!

Wordless Wed. - Figures in Motion Ashurbanipal fights the Greeks

Queen Victoria's Birthday Party

What would Spring be without the celebration of our Glorious Queen?

The day started out with the men saluting the Queen with musket fire, and a flag raising. (Here they are checking their weapons and setting up for the ceremony.)

The ladies passed the time chatting and sewing in the Parlor.

Some of the most interesting activities of the day were in the Granary. The boys spent a lot of time shaving planks and came home with handfuls of sawdust for their "collection". They also started asking for axes, tomahawks, and knives for whittling. Any thoughts on what age a boy can be trusted with these?

Both boys love to participate in the musical performances. I can't wait until they can fiddle, but they need to learn to read music first. Noah starts piano lessons in the Fall and I'm so excited for him!

I just love pictures of the boys in suits. It makes all their behavior seem impish rather than naughty no matter what they do. Of course, there is so much to do at the Fort and they have so much fun that they rarely misbehave there anyway.

I wish there were more meaningful work opportunities for them to do in modern life. When they have wood to help chop, gardens to tend, and places to run they are far too occupied to cause trouble!


Here's a close-up. Do you see that tooth sticking straight out? It is so loose that we may have a new post soon! I'm sure its a complete proud-mommy moment, but it is the first loose tooth in our house and so it deserves its own celebration worthy of a queen (or king in this case :)!

We had a lovely time and can't wait to return for a 19th century Cooking Competition next month! Enjoy the start to summer!

Back online!

I am back online with a new laptop, thanks to a wonderful, loving husband. I have missed all your blogs and am sure I have a lot of catching up to do! Here is what has been new with us the last month or so:This is modern Spring Wardrobe piece #1. Its a double circle skirt in a cotton lawn from the same Hip Skirts pattern I used in the fall. Man, I love this pattern! Lots of versatility and very quick and easy to make. I was in a vintage mood so I bound the edges with bias binding, and added some at the top for decoration too.

We also have two new additions to our family! Meet our fish Jaune and Sol. Noah has been wanting something to be responsible for, so we decided he could try out big kid responsibilities with some fish. He is very excited and has an interest in foreign languages lately, so they ended up with French and Spanish names. They certainly brighten up our fish-themed bathroom!

I had an mid-19th century underwear weekend this month, sewing drawers for the boys and an underbody. I've never made an underbody before, but one of the tunics I plan to sew for summer is a sheer lawn, and it seemed best to have an additional layer underneath that. We'll see how that works out once it actually gets sewn (boys tunics are the next project on the sewing table).
I finished a boy's wool jacket from an original Godey's pattern just in time for our Queen Victoria's Birthday celebration. Combined with the vest and trousers already sewn of the same material, this makes up Noah's formal suit for the season.

I am also working on a yoked summer sheer (design post to come soon), we are putting together research for a historical "Ghost Tour", I have several more modern Spring pieces planned and/or cut out, and we *may* actually camp in period style for the first time this summer!!
It should be a fantastic summer of history and fun - can't wait to share it all with you!

Sewing to Sowing event - Living History season opens!

My computer is having issues, so I apologize for my infrequent postings. We're trying to get it fixed, but until can get a warranty replacement, my access will be spotty. Darn technology - its such a blessing and a curse!

We did get out to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend at our season opening Living History event. We spent most of the event playing Graces, Fox & Geese, picnicking, and just generally enjoying the day so we didn't get a lot of pictures of this event, but we had a great time, and here are a few snapshots.

It was so great to see friends and spend time outdoors in the sun, which has been all too rare this year. It also made me realize I need to hit the sewing room to get going on our summer wardrobes! Here's to the opening of reenacting season!

The Musicale!

Our reenacting season is underway and we had a delightful first event last weekend at the annual Musicale! We began with tea at a Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage on the Waterfront.

We shared tea, light refreshments, and socializing in the cozy cottage.

The day was lovely, but freezing with gale force winds. Still, we put on our outerwear and braved the outdoors for a few moments of the the view!

Then we hustled to the Ballroom in our carriages where we all changed into our finery for an evening of dinner and dancing. These dance cards graced our tables.

We were serenaded with delightful melodies by a talented pianist as we dined on ham, roast beef, and salmon, as well as buffet of salads and other sumptuous treats.

After dinner, the dancing began! We started with the Grand March and Quadrille and proceeded down the sets. In between sets, we enjoyed performances of song & poem from various guests.

My husband looking handsome in his Ball attire.


We were so pleased that the "Mama and Papa" of our group could join us and I was honored to dance with Papa.


In the end, we retired, satisfied but happy and very desirous of another Ball in our future.

Thank you to our incredible sponsors and all the effort they put in to make this event a wonderful success!