Galesburg Heritage days 2013

Over the weekend we were finally able to hit our 2nd event of the year! Our schedule has been so crazy we've been skipping out on a lot this year....and when your like me and live for the few days of the year you get to see your dearest friends....sadness overcomes me...Needless I was over joyed to finally be able to hit one!!!

The traditional - Galesburg Unmentionables shot. I'm thinking this one should go on the wall.. lol ;)

 

I don't think I've ever been to an event with more beautiful weather!!!! Moderate temperatures, a bit of breeze and NO rain. For this time of year that's unusual...normally the heat would be stifling. So wonderful and such a breath of fresh air from our last round of events.

Much time was spent in dream land...

Or just lounging around in general.... 

We got to see the fabulous Meister family. That's always a fun! I'm constantly in awe of the new wardrobes Ms. Sarah has created each time I see them!

Beautiful little Miss Anne.

Big sis' last hurrah as a single lady...its gunna be sad not having her around at events anymore...nostalgic much? (yess.. :( )  In other news I think my hats suits her very well, no?!?!

Yours truly... I brilliantly forgot sun screen and somehow we ended up with a slat bonnet missing every single slat...all that to say...I got a horrid sunburn. Hopefully I won't be making that mistake again anytime soon.

 

 Lil sis was, infact, there...just didn't make it into any pictures... o.O

 

Dat hat!!! This, people, is how its done!

Looks like a bit of skepticism going around..wonder what that could have been about. lol

I always have a favorite event picture...Without a doubt...its this one....

 

The day had its slow moments, but the highlight for me was getting to spend time with my bestfriend who I hadn't seen for almost a whole year. Thus I accomplished what I went for - so in the end its all a win!!

 

The rest of our pictures are here. 

 

And that's a wrap folks!

 

Love,

Brooke 

Endeavors in 1860's Letter writing.

 Over the summer Michelle was asked to write 1860's style letters for some soldiers. They were to be used as "props" per say, at an event, during mail call. It was a super fun project - we had alot of fun executing the task at hand. We'd love to have the opportunity to do it again, maybe without such a close deadline this time tho. ;)

 She might disagree, but from my observation thinking of a diverse, variety of proper things to write - was infact, the more difficult task at hand. For the actual content. She found several original letters online and also got some books from that library that had copies of originals as well. Those definitely helped with the level of creativity... :D Since then I've been saving any I find around for future reference. lol

 As usual several of fabulous, living historians jumped in and offered wonderful advice and resources in various forms.

Since we only had a couple days to put them together we weren't able to get our hands on any paper that was particularly special. We just had to use regular printer paper. She tried to make each one alittle bit different from the others as you can see...she even made a CDV for one. :p

Jasper supplied me with 'stamps', which we printed out and then Michelle cut around every little bump on the edge. :D Thank goodness for our little stork scissors. lol He also sent the template we used for the envelopes. (Yeah, I think he's the best too. :D lol)

Miss Stephanie has several fabulous posts on the subject Spencerian handwriting. (One of which the above diagram came from). Dip Pens and Period Inks. Spencerian Ladies' Mid 1800's Handwriting Part 1 and Part 2. The latter 2 were incredibly helpful!

I'm told ink can be obtained at Hobby Lobby, Micheals, or Dick Blick. Higgins Eternal Ink decanted into a period container works. Also that John Neal Bookseller offers the most accurate steel nibs available along with all the materials to learn proper Spencerian penmanship (its noted to use the straight shaft pen and not an oblique, but same directions).  

Onto paper. Paper does not have to be white...I was advised you could cut down sheets of yellow legal pads to about 5X6". I'm hazarding to guess college ruled would be the way to go as that's more the proportion I've seen in originals. Any cotton bond paper will work for the period which can be found at walmart. Also laid paper from Sullivan Press, but I hear they are not always easy to order from. And lastly one can cut Strathmore laid resume paper in ivory down to 8"x10"... folded this becomes 5"x8" booklet form that is most common for letters. Goldenrod resume paper for the envelopes, as that was more common than ivory. And that's the wrap...

 Sorry about the sad lack of posts lately. I'm currently trying to adjust to life. Having just graduated from high school and not having a job, etc. I'm attempting to find a healthy balance, but still be productive. Easier said then done - for me at least. I promise I am doing alittle sewing...Several of the things I've been working on are for The Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge I'm participating in. So I'll be posting things when I finish - them coinciding with the deadlines. I'm hoping it will help me get back in a grove...

 

Love,

Brooke

**Disclaimer** Not claiming to be a pro and I can't be held responsible for the accuracy of said information. This is merely me compiling information that I've found to be helpful.

Dollinger Farms Civil War Reenactment 2012

Its one of the best events of the season. We look forward to it all year. Then are bummed when its over. Ironic isn't it? This year was especially memorable! Our dear friends, the Gersts, came from Missouri to spend the weekend with us and attend their first event with us - as spectators...

I'll start out with the pictures from the battle. Unfortunately I don't have anything to say about them. lol I didn't watch it in person, but I hear it was pretty good. I know last year it was quite a sight to see...for us small timers anyway. lol

Love that flag!



Me, Sarah, and Megan.
The weather was pretty much great so we didn't have to freeze all day which was really nice.

My "new" wool. I actually first made it 2 or 3 years ago. I wasn't happy with how it fit tho. So I'd been trying to remake it all fall - to no avail. I just couldn't make it work. Finally I gave up and just did what I could - basically adding a waistband and pleating all the fullness in the center front. I'm still quite displeased with how it looks, but I suppose it was a step in the right direction. I can't even describe how much I hate sewing for myself.

Me and Sarah attempting to pet one of the horses. I don't think I ever ended up being able to touch it. :D lol

Can it get any cuter? I think, not. Gotta love an adorable, well dressed chap.



So many *fabulous* ladies to visit with. That and seeing Jasper were definitely the highlights of the event. I'm definitely feeling inspired to work on our impressions again. 

Before the dance some of us ventured into the corn maze. It was completely dark by the time I went so it was definitely interesting running our way thru it...lol

Megan got to wear her new silk again. She looked quite darling if you ask me. Her and her partner were even head couple in the Grand March. Michelle and I had a good laugh watching them do that. lol Never the less they did a wonderful job...

My little brother, Matt, during the Virginia Reel.
Finally!!! A guy in the family that will dance!!! Hurrah!! :D

I LOVE this picture. lol Tom and I were trying to figure out a new dance...it didn't go so well. We still hadn't mastered it by the end of the number. We had alot of fun tho and were laughing the whole time so we're counting it as a win. ;)

Romeo and Juliet.
AKA
Josiah and Michelle

Just don't ask. lol :D Tom apparently got a hold of Michelle's camera. lol I think he's still experiencing the side effects of trying to figure out that stupid dance. haha

Rachel, me, and Sarah during the patti cake polka. On the right is Benjamin and Hannah! I was so thrilled that a good portion of them danced. :D We always triumph over turning our friends to the dark side.

Our fabulous dance mistress, Elaine Masicale! She's definitely in my top 2 favorite callers. ;) :D



Tom and Michelle doing the last waltz. Its unbelievable he managed to get a dance in with Josiah there. :p lol

For additional pictures you can see Tom's here. Michelle still hasn't loaded the rest of ours (eek)..
It was such an awesome weekend - created lots of memories, as one might imagine. :)

Love,
Brooke

London Mills 2012 - A Living History Experience

 I learned a lesson the hard way. We all did. A lesson about clothes. About having the proper clothes. Proper layers for different seasons. Specifically - winter...er...I mean fall that feels like winter.

 I'll start off by saying - holding true the recent trend we've been following. We have very few photos and most of them are of Michelle believe it or not. :p hehe What a turning of the tables. Also another quick note in case your wondering - we're all flaunting our "we're freezing and we know it" faces. Thus the quality of the photos may not be superb, but rest assured - we did, all survive.

 When we first got into town we parked and tried to take our merry time getting out of the car, but it wasn't long enough. Immediately as we stepped out of the car, the cold over took us - the wind ferociously swirling about us. We instantly began shivering violently - with our teeth chattering and all. It was quite interesting to say the least. I feel sorry for all the innocent passersby. We quickly donned our shawls and bonnets. Thankfully they helped block the horrid wind a bit.
 We swiftly made our way thru the streets and and lost no time finding the place, the kind policeman had directed us in (that's a whole 'nother story. lol). After quick hellos we headed to a nearby building to try to warm ourselves briefly. Where upon we attracted many looks - we concluded that the general population thought we were Amish. After awhile we made our way back to camp. Our host diligently tried to light a warm fire, but to little avail. In fact there wasn't one person that come up to us and didn't mention the sad success of the fire.

Quite a bit of time was spent dodging the smoke. It was actually pretty funny....seemed to follow us everywhere we went. :D lol We all huddled closely together on the blankets and ground cloths. We were in a low area, so gratefully there was very little wind and and the sun began coming out - we miraculously began warming up a tad.

Michelle looking quite happy, undeterred by the cold.

Even Megan looks like she's doing okay. lol

We passed the first few hours with lots of talking and laughing among ourselves. It was quite entertaining to say the least. We did fit time in for something other things tho. Like modeling...or wait I mean being nonsensical. Its pretty great tho and we wouldn't trade it for the world.

My charming sister, Michelle. Sporting a mechanics hat.
Isn't she too cute?!?!?

After we'd all woken up a bit more - some action began. Like firing the...

...little, mini cannon. Don't let the size deceive you, it still makes a pretty nice amount of noise. ;) Okay like it was super loud compared to what we we're expecting. They even shot a quarter out of it. :D

After 5 years of attending reenactments we finally got to try our hands at shooting one of the guns. Being a huge fan of firearms I was thrilled. :D
We only have a picture of Michelle doing it tho...bummer. :p Never the less it was kinda of cool experience..

Then we went for a 'nature walk'. That was really fun and there was alot of pretty scenery to see. London Mills seemed to be a quaint town.

Once we returned us girls did a bit of exploring ourselves...while the guys prepared for a skirmish.

Sarah and Megan (aka the girls without leather/wood soles) were brave and climb part of the way up a large tree the was arched over the walk way.

 

Me...
I've been debating whether or not to include this one. Me and the cold really don't mix. lol But for the sake of diversity...

 

Almost full length view of Michelle's wool. I was able to get the covered buttons done in time. We're both quite pleased with how they look...such a lovely dress over all. Looks very well put together IMHO.

Never the less we made it back in time to watch...

...Chris...

....and Josh, load their pistols. And of course be part of more interesting conversations. I'm telling ya, never a dull moment.

 

Chris had a violin with him...made my wish to own my own and be able to play well, come back alive...have to see what I can do about that I suppose.

Late afternoon, before the guys went of for the skirmish, Michelle began trying to get another fire going. With alittle bit of assistance this one actually took and got quite warm, but we left camp for awhile soon after and by the time we got back it had nearly gone out - never the less it was still warm around it so that was kinda awesome. Since it cooled back off quite a bit in the evening.

 

Anyhow after the little skirmish thing, we split into teams. Chris, Megan, and I against Josh, Sarah, and Michelle. We set out to do a scavenger hunt of sorts. We spent half an hour or so scouring the stores, people, garbage, and ground for the items. It led me to do somethings I never thought I would... ;p lol My team lost even tho we had the same stuff as the other. And I still think we were much more crafty about getting the things on our list. :D lol Any which way, it was SOOOO much fun and I'd do another one in a heart beat. :D

We all met back up and went back to the building we'd visited in the morning - to warm ourselves once more. Chris' lovely aunt, kindly gave us a delicious supper which was so wonderful. We once again returned to camp and spent awhile longer hanging out. Then the guys walked us to the car and we headed home around 6:00.

I must say I wasn't quite ready to put an end to our day. We all had sooo much fun!!!! 

 

  I often find that the smaller events we participate in, are more memorable and fun. Despite starting off a bit slow, perhaps - this one proved to be no different and definitely did not disappoint.



Oh and the the moral of this story is - WE ALL NEED OUTERWEAR bad. lol

Love,

Brooke