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: Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village

For my birthday celebration this year, I asked my fiancee to do something a little different. Usually we go out to a nice dinner or see a movie. Instead, we visited Greenfield Village! This was a first for both of us, and we met up with other members of the 21st Michigan for the ultimate tour!

Ken Giorlando knows Greenfield Village better than most...when we first entered the village, we went in the opposite direction of the massive crowd. As a result, we experienced a calm, wait-free look into Christmas celebrations throughout many centuries! I took pictures of the presenters, since their clothing always catches my eye! Their words bring to life those past eras that reenactors so love!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in all of the houses, though I kept finding little articles that I wanted to add to my reenactor stash! My poor fiancee...by the end of the night, most of the women were asking if he could buy them things too!

 Pretty chintz curtains

 A metal stove near the fire with roasting meat

 Silhouette-making in the parlor 

 The tabletop mirror...

 Four poster bed

 Another tabletop mirror with drawers!

 I want a pattern for one of these

 Little sewing kit on the floor...

Dolls!

You may have already noticed an abundance of food in most of these pictures! My fiancee kept nudging me to look at the pies and cakes, and I nearly launched myself at a plate of cookies! We enjoyed several cups of hot chocolate, cider, and roasted chestnuts. I could not stop eating those chestnuts...I must have eaten an entire bag!

Did I mention the music? From nearly every house or fire sprang the gentle noises of holiday celebration! We hummed and sang along when we could, though we could not compete with such fine voices and instruments! (By the way, I have a TERRIBLE singing voice...)

Finally, nothing could top the Christmas trees! I was *green* with envy! I think I shall have to upgrade for next year. I like the idea of hanging presents and garland all over them!

It was a beautiful present, one that kept up the holiday spirit! I think this might be a family tradition for my fiancee and I. Is there a better way to celebrate both my birthday and Christmas?

~Kristen

Becky: GFV Prep and Greenfield Village Memorial Weekend

Ugh! Im such a bad blogger! Im sorry its taken me a WEEK to talk about Memorial Weekend. I caught up with a few families from that weekend, with larger family members, and they said that Sunday was the last day of taking care of the 'Memorial After Math'.

Yesterday, my boyfriend (of 7 months!) and I enjoyed a beautiful day at the Detroit Zoo. Because he is the owner of a business, he is often not available, or gets home really late. Im happy that the day went really well and we have became even closer because of this trip! Unfortunately this was the ONLY picture taken of that day:

Andy and I at the Arctic Circle, Detroit Zoo  

And for the long waited post:

May 24, '13, Friday 

It was confusing day for all of us. My boyfriend had the trailer at his shop, yet he worked in the morning, so I didnt know when he would be picking my brother and I up. Sue was at home waiting for her house sitter and Sophika to arrive. I wanted to arrive early, say, 2pm before most people arriving at 3. FYI, the gate opens at 5pm.

Sue txt me: "Where on our way!"

Oh crap! I had JUST finished packing my clothing and the night before I had made Switchel. I swear, Andy, had better remember bringing the frozen drinks!

"Where in line now!-Sue"

Great! It takes Sue an hour to get to my house. Its been an hour since she last talked to me. WHERE was Andy?!

"Andy still hasnt arrived"

"Where are you?"

"Home"

Wait. On second thought, I know Sue. She's the nice one that will drop everything for one person. I txt her right after:

"Stay there. Its first come, first serve. Snatch us the spot when you can."

"Ok"

I heard the diesel truck down the street. "Oh finally!" I think. I looked at the clock 5 o'clock! Really?! We're late!

"One more stop babe." Andy told me. Something I really didnt want to hear.

After picking up more Gatorade, we where on our way.

We pulled up and there was the line! Oh Good! We didnt miss a thing!

We had found the perfect spot near the silk tress. My brother and I had camped there last and Drew quickly snatched it up!

We had a wonderful group of friends help us set the "house" up. We had set up in record time! Our family would take hours to set the house up, but with the extra help, we split the time in half!

May 25, '13 Saturday

Saturday was pleasant. The weather was cool, but it never reached to a point where I had to wear a jacket, nor cool down with iced drinks.

Saturday was my brother's 18th birthday and I decided to wear my dinner dress for the whole day in celebration. Normally I would only wear this dress after 5pm for a dinner party, but I thought I wouldnt need to change for the fashion show that afternoon.

I FINALLY met Veronica and her awesome mom! I was very happy to see them! It was really great to finally to have met them, but also to talk living history with them!

I was often seen sewing that day: 

I was determined to get the sheer dress at least presentable for the weekend. I had come to terms with myself. I could make the dress presentable, but I would not have the dress finished like the original I was replicating. I still need to work on the ruffles and to gather the sleeves.

I had grabbed a new member of the 21st to escort me to the fashion show.  He looked fabulous from the first day he joined the group and I knew that Beth needed more people for the fashion show. It was a win-win!

 

This dress is also a replication form an original. I had this fabric for years, and only last year I found an original, in the book: Masterpieces of Womans costume of the 18th and 19th century, to reproduce it. It has a predominant square neckline suitable for fancier occasions like a dinner or a small celebration and would often be worn AFTER 5pm. The short sleeves are often another sign that it is a dinner dress. Although the dress SHOULD be made out of silk, it is not, yet the rosettes and covered buttons are. To top it off I added pockets! I love them and use them often.

May 27, '13 Sunday

R to L: Me, Sue, Sophika in our fabulous wrappers

I was happy to have Dad join us Sunday morning at breakfast. His plane arrive the night before from Los Vegas for work. It was different not having Dad set up, but it was good to have him for the weekend.

Sophika offered to cook for us that weekend.

"I have the NEED to FEED!" She would say.

I never went hungry that weekend!

There was another fashion show that day and I finished the dress in time!

I had Jacob escort me again.

Kris showed off her new impression too!

After the fashion show, the ones who could go went to the Eagle Tavern. Here is only a fraction of the members in our group!

 Later that night the ball that everyone has been waiting for was held at Lovette Hall. I had recently sold off the dress I was planning to wear, and the one that I brought was borrowed from a friend that forgot hers. I didnt mind that I didnt go to the ball. My boyfriend was wearing modern clothing, we didnt have time to make him a set. Instead of the ball, we joined those who didnt go, around a campfire.

Dad and Step-mom-to-be

Sophika looking gorgeous in blue.

May 28, '13 Monday
Monday wasnt such a pleasant as the others. For the sake of Jake, it rained the last part of the day. It was horrible to tear down the tent. The tents were wet, you were wet, and everyone wanted to go home. Because of the rain, I was not able to show Andy, my boyfriend, the activities going on. I hope to show him more than just our tent at Jacksn in August.

That morning however, there was a wonderful Memorial service in front of the town hall. The announcer asked for all that have served and it was awesome to see how many have severed for this great country!
 
Besides the rain and the week after, unpacking and drying the tents. I would say that this event was a success!