Becky: A Recap of the Holidays

Like I said in my last entry, December was busier than November with the holidays.

I began the month sewing. I had bought insertion lace from Mrs. Lynch, which surprisingly matched the lace I had already sew on the gown. This was my first attempt at insertion lace. It was a learning experience and I suggest to use nothing less than 1" insertion lace if you plan to work with it by hand.

I had Jillian come over a few times that week to work on her corset. She is now embroidering her corset on her time. We have gotten so far working together that she may be able to wear her new corset by the beginning of this season!

Between December 13 and the 15th, I had help organizing the baby shower and creating the favors. Andy had volunteered to be Santa Clause for his church's pancake breakfast that morning. After the busy morning, family and friends who wanted to help, stayed later to help fill mason jars with coco mix and marshmallows. The procedure went very fast, we had many helpful hands and as a group, we also made clouds out of folded tissue paper. These will later be hung up from the ceiling with rain drop shapes made out of construction paper. Here is our centerpieces for my ducky themed baby shower:

That Tuesday I visited my father and sewed with a group of 21st members. It was a long time since I sewed at the party they hold every week. It was a fun and well needed time to reconnect with friends.

December 18th was the first heavy snow MI received. As a landscaper/ snow removal man, Andy had to work that night, but he made sure that some kids got to see Santa at their day care! I have to say, he is the cutest Santa Ive ever seen! He admits that he loves to act as Santa during the holidays and to hold the littl'ns.

Sometimes it sucks to have the night shift. The next day, I slept to prep for that night of work. Andy and his family had accidentally scheduled the trip to Greenfield Village's Holiday Nights on the same night I was to work. It turned out perfect though! The temperature was just around 40 degrees and there was no snow showing on the radar, but the snow from the night before made it a magical night!

I know Greenfield Village as if it is my home. To be frank, it practically is in my backyard! I have been going to the village since... well I dont know when! Here is a picture of my parental grandfather, me, and my mom at Cotswold Cottage, my favorite building/ house at the village:

I had showed this picture to my boyfriend, Andy, earlier. He said that he remembered the picture, but it wasnt his plan to propose to me at this spot specifically for the picture. Wait, what?! Propose? Like to get married? YUP!

Andy asked me that night to marry him! And of course I said yes!

It was a total surprise! I was too caught up looking for Jillian who might have worked that night, but I never saw her. Andy had jokingly pushed me to the cottage as we were walking towards it. I was a little confused when he forcefully made his way away from his parents, yet his brother was right on our heels. Then all of a sudden he got onto his knee, spoke my full name and asked me to marry him.... I think. He was so emotional, his first few words were strong, but as he continued to ask me, he got quieter and quieter... and maybe even a little tearful? In my mind it was a blur, I knew what was happening and I knew what he was asking that I dont think I let him finished before I said yes!

The next day Andy, my now fiance, and his brother hosted a Christmas business party at a local bowling alley where I got to show off my new ring!

Days before Christmas, Andy taught me how to make a Mushroom and spinach strudel. We bought a case, yes a case, of mushrooms and spinach to make the 12 strudels. Then we "sweated" the mushroom and spinach down with garlic and onions. As I am no cook, Andy had to show me how to "paint" on egg wash to keep the strudels together.

We had so many we gave one to each house we visited that week. I still have one or two left, but they are perfect for freezing. They are a yummy polish food and Im ecstatic to learn how to cook cultural food that my fiance loves to eat! 

Christmas Eve was spent at Andy's extended family and Christmas was spent with his parents, but this was the sight you would have seen:

The day after Christmas was spent with my side of the family. And at some point of all this commotion, I caught the cold. I also found time, somewhere, to finish the christening gown. Im so excited to be able to show everyone at the shower my hard work! It is so pretty!

The last days of December we confirmed 90 guests to attend at my shower! We underestimated our guests by 30 people!

Counting all the duckies

And the last seconds of the year Andy and I spent them with close family and friends! I hope you had a joyful holiday and a Happy New Year!

Kristen: Engaged and Excited!

As is the habit of many young ladies, I have spent hours daydreaming of the man that I would marry. What would he look like? How would he propose? So many questions unanswered. When I joined the reenacting hobby, I came across many sources of young couples affected by the war. This research has fascinated me, to say the least!

The problems that these couples experienced were not unlike my own. Many were concerned about their significant other finding someone else. Green Berry Samuels, a Virginian, wrote to his future wife Kathleen Boone in April 1861; “Dont be so cruel as to fall in love with some of the nice young men about F. Royal whilst I am gone away to fight the battles of Va.” Would I be plagued by a beau who would be unfaithful?

Other concerns were of injury from the war. I found this story as well, about a man who lost a leg and suffered a facial wound. “He told Beers about his engagement to “one of the prettiest … girls in ‘Massissip’” and asked her to write a letter telling the young woman about his wounds. Beers eased the wounded man’s worries that he would have to “let her off” by relating “instances of women who only loved more because the object of their affection had been unfortunate.” She later regretted nurturing his hopes, for it was her “misfortune to read to him a very cold letter from his lady-love, who declined to marry ‘a cripple.’” Will my beau care about me, even if I am not perfect?

Finally, I have wondered about the truth of his words. William F. Testerman to Miss Jane Davis: “The thought of your sweet smiles is all the company I have. I trust that you are sincere in what you have wrote to me.” Will my beau be honest and true to his word?

Fortunately, I no longer have to wait. My dear beau proposed to me as we visited our Alma matter, the University of Michigan. No longer must I wait to answer all of these questions. It turns out he is wonderful!

Certainly there is no such thing as perfection. We will still argue and disagree about our favorite zombie defense methods or the best way to load a dishwasher. Yet at that end of the day, we know that we belong to each other, and there is no other person I'd have by my aside (though we've agreed that my dog Rambo can be there too).

Thank you all for sharing our joy!

~Kristen

References:

Cumming Journal of Hospital Life. :117.Beers Fannie A. Memories: A Record of Personal Experience and Adventure during Four Years of War. Philadelphia: 1889. pp. 205–6

Carrie Esther Samuels Spencer, editor. A Civil War Marriage in Virginia: Reminiscences and Letters. Boyce, Va.: 1956. Green Berry Samuels to Kathleen Boone Samuels, April 24, 1861, and May 6, 1861; p. 82.p. 88

Kristen: Charlton Park Reenactment

Whew! It has been a very very busy month! I've gotten engaged, made 18th century stays, finished a dress, and even found time for a weekend reenactment. My lack of writing is the result of the many activities I sign up for!

Including my limb cleaning duty

Charlton Park is perhaps my favorite event in reenacting, with Port Sanilac at a close second. Last year I visited the house during the day, and this year Mr. Giorlando planned a scenario. Let me add that this house includes "magical" cool air that rises from an ice house below. With temperatures in the mid-80s, it was greatly appreciated (I had heat exhaustion a few years back, and have never completely recovered).

I was in a mourning impression, a daughter whose beloved George died for the Confederacy in the Battle at Fredericksberg. I wore my black sheer, and even brought my veil and black gloves. As was custom, I could not leave the house or accept visitors. There I sat alone in my little room upstairs, hemming my mourning veil.

 

As a social person, it was at first difficult to be secluded from the family. Yet the more I sat in silence, the more I could take on the persona of the sad widow. I thought about how I would feel, alone in my room, away from the merriment of my family. These were very somber thoughts.

 

Suddenly I heard a pounding at the door. The quiet was broken, and as our domestic Agnes (played by the talented Carrie) tried to answer, a flood of soldiers entered! They had heard we were southern sympathizers, and turned the house upside down looking for food and weapons. I tried to take a peek, but my Father (Mr. Giorlando) ordered me back to my room for my own safety. 

 

Eventually they clomped up the stairs and tried to badger me for hidden weapons. I gave them my coldest glare and spat "How dare you disturb my mourning!" I was very caught up in the moment. After all, how would I feel if the very army that killed my husband had barged into my home? It was with great care that I did not yell and scream at them to get out!

Apparently my Father had worried that I might say something untoward, and even mentioned that his daughter had a sharp tongue. In reality, he wasn't sure how I'd react to the intrusion. Honestly, it was most odd to experience the "raid" without actually seeing much. I could hear outrage in voices, soldiers plodding about, and furniture moving. 

Eventually I joined everyone downstairs and we continued our 1st person impressions. Mrs. Schubert, our laundress, paid a visit after "dropping" the starch near a pile of dead bodes. My dear Aunt Caroline (Mrs. Paladino) reminded us of our manners, and other neighbors stopped by!

We all sat in the parlor sewing/knitting/crocheting when I had a startling thought. I was staying in my 1st person impression without thinking about it! Our conversations were about our projects and upcoming gatherings. I gushed about my engagement just as I'm sure a girl would have done. Also, I found a beautiful framed wreath that I thought was hair, that turned out to be yarn. How pretty!

 We settled down to 2 meals in the house, both incredibly fresh and delicious. I purchased brie, sausage, and sea salted bread for the event, and the others brought a variety of tasty foods. My healthy potato salad was also a hit!

I was exhausted by the end of the day, and even took a bath in my new tub! Later at the event I received a phone call from my dear fiancee, and I decided to return home a bit early to spend time with him and his family. I enjoyed another night with my fellow reenactors, including a trip to the saloon to hear singing and watch cards! I left early in the morning, before the heat of summer.

Thanks Ken for the photo

Now I am still exhausted, trying to unpack everything while staying awake. I have so many things to finish for the Port Sanilac reenactment in 2 weeks. Dear reader, if you have an opportunity to attend, please do. We have excellent plans, and I will be there looking pretty (and modest).

~Kristen