Sewing extravaganza

Hey all!

I thought I'd catch you up on my latest sewing adventures.

First off, I made a blouse from a past patterns teens era pattern... (don't ask the number...) I bought some pale green material to make it up with. But we were having a cookout at my aunt's that weekend and I needed something to wear. I didn't want to use my good material since I knew I didn't have time to make it up properly. So I found this peach print and plain lining in my stash, and gave it a try. I LOVE IT!!! It's one of my favourite things in my wardrobe now!

Next though, I have to tell you how I made the piping around the collar, cuffs, and down the front.

On my, New to me, 1912, Mason Rotary treadle machine!!!

Isn't it great! It came with a box full of attachments! My favourites are the ruffler (seen above, on the machine) and of course, the piper! I can just see the CW dresses I'l create!! :D

Finally though, I can't sign off without showing you the quilt I'm working on.

Farm Life

A few months ago I left you with a cliffhanger post… And I’m afraid it’s still going to be. I’ve sadly become a bit of a perfectionist on it, and I want to take my time on it and make sure it’s good. :D
I figured though, that I’d catch you up on a few things that have been going on around our little farm. I am proud to say that it is now well on its way to becoming a working farm again!
As of a few weeks ago, this was our garden. There are peas, radishes, Onions, heirloom beans compliments of the G. family. ;D, and cabbages. Since then we have harvested the radishes and really need to get the peas up. We had a few terrible bouts of hail that did some serious damage to everything. The younger plants made it through okay, but the peas look terrible… And we’ve had a problem with things being way too dry… So we’ve been hauling water and struggling to make sure the newly planted things make it.


Look at the eerie mist that came up off the ice!!
But to me, every struggle is a learning experience. It’s such a wonderful feeling to work hard for something and finally reap the result of a full larder! I can’t wait to start canning and freezing!!
Now we have added Tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes
Secondly are my new babies. There is no greater joy to someone who doesn’t have children around to enjoy, than watching animals grow.
These guys were so curious about my camera!!

They’re not quite full grown, they still peep. :D But it sure has been a pleasure to see them mature to this from the little fluff balls we bought back in late April. God’s creatures always amaze me. These little ones could "talk", and walk, and run, from the moment they hatched. Can you imagine what kind of instincts God put In them from the start? And with just a few words?

To say the least, these past few months have been an absolute blessing!! I know these opportunities I’ve had are teaching me to be the best wife and mother I can. Sometimes I still struggle to make myself get up in the morning, but once I do, and I can start doing my chores, everything just seems to get better.
Everything seems to be going right, especially true when my hands are dirty.
I have a few more posts in the works, and I hope to get them out to you in the next few days, if not it’ll be the next few weeks. You see, it’s a 30 minute drive to my library and with gas prices the way they are, we’re having to be really careful and stick close to home. I Really miss blogging and I can’t wait until I have internet at home again so I can catch up with everybody here!
Until then!! Much Love and Huggs!!
~ Meggie

Guess What?

Hey!

Wanna know what I"m doing this week??

Here's a Hint!

More on this later! :D

Fort Business, Update

Well, Here I am headed home from KY. We've been up to see the fort and some of the local sites.

First off, here is what the fort looked like when I left last time.

And Now without further Ado, here it is now.

Can you see how absolutely MASSIVE this thing already is? Think of when it's done! Ain't no Indian gonna be able to vault over that wall!

The Long awaited and debated for "Water Gap Gate" I didn't get a picture of when my dad let go of that thing. It stayed exactly where he put it. Perfectly balanced. :D

The newest addition to the Fort Family. :D It's taller on the far side than on this so a man could climb on the roof and shoot invaders without being seen.

Home pegged Cedar steps

Outside the new corner house. Again, the absolute massiveness of it. My Dad is about 5'11"

We've seen some wonderful old buildings and homes ranging from Colonial to Victorian. All well dressed by fancy Derby people. (Most were surrounded by huge horse barns and white/ black picket fences)

This was a street full of old colonials in Downtown Danville

Next we went to Shakertown. I'll admit, it is an absolutely gorgeous little town, peaceful and serene. But they were a cult, and to hear about a cult on TV or some such, is a whole other story from actually touching things they built or being inside one of their dorm houses. Their main fault was a vow of complete celibacy, upon entering the town you gave up all your worldly goods, your marriage vows, and even your children, and became a part of the "Family." The whole community was based upon false prophesy. Now, If you can put the past behind you, and remember that these people are all dead and gone, unlike me, then you will probably enjoy a visit. The crafters are there year round, and the sheer craftsmanship of everything in sight IS magnificent. I'm not going to post any pictures, if you have a subscription to Victoria Magazine, you saw about as much as I did in last fall's edition.

Lastly though, we went to the Perryville Civil war Battlefield. The longest and bloodiest battle in KY, it lasted all of 5 hours... The Rebs were beat out 3-1 and STILL whipped Yankee Tail!! Course they subsequently ran out of supplies and men and headed back across the Mason Dixon.. I didn't get any pictures sadly... But! I did get an absolutely wonderful New old book. And a new dip pen. :D

The Cameo one of the church ladies gave me before I left.

The book though, is amazing! It's a modern reprint of a popular 1820s-30s How to book.

The American Frugal Housewife, by Mrs. Child.

I'm only in the second chapter, but already it has held some great tips on everything from keeping away moths to cleaning white kid gloves, and all on a budget. Some are just entertaining, knowing that a certain item is no longer available, nor in common use, but some are very practical. I Highly recommend it as a good read anyways!

Well, that is my week so far. and I hope yours is even better!

Luffles Muchly!

Meggie

New Dress!!

Well here's a bit of a previes of my new dress, My dad took these pictures and he didn't catch the whole thing. So I think Mom and I are going to try another shoot later, when it's good and sunny again. It's a Sense and Sensibility 1914 afternoon dress. I have yet to make a sash, and I'd like to take up the hem with a few pin tucks and put a false "Under Layer" beneath it of a solid peachy pink. But anyhoo, like it?

Also, I have sort of a favor to ask of my Titus two ladies, yup that means you ladies that are older than me and have ever given me advise before!

You're all bloggers I assume, and I need some inspiring posts for my sister blog "Stay at Home Daughters Fellowship" Do any of you have any advise to give some young women who have chosen a homemaking life Vs College?

Any advise to those of us who are going the whole way and plan on having an old fashioned simple life? If you wrote it down would you let me post it? I'd be truly greatful!!

I'd like to have a series of "Titus 2" posts from you ladies that are willing to write.

If you have anything (And it can be something you have already posted on your blog that you think would work) would you email it to me? Avonleamountaindreamer[@]hotmail[.]com (remove Brackets)

I'd be eternally greatful!!

And by the by!! I'm getting internet soon! It's a sure thing, it may just take time to get everything set up, but I'll be sooo glad to be back posting again!

Love you all so much!!

Meggie

The Best of Lovers!

Well... I missed Valentines... Which is sad seeing as it's my Holiday...

But I wanted to say, I had the best of days! Instead of feeling lonely and wallowing in my singleness, as I was cleaning the yard, I found that God had left me a gift!

FLOWERS!

They haven't bloomed yet, but what a day to discover them!

Who knows better how to love than Christ Himself?

Needless to say, I wasn't sad or lonely any longer!

Happy Valentine's All,

I hope spring is jumping fast on your heels as it is here!

~Love Meggie

Who Said...??

Who said Homemaking doesn't have it's occupational hazzards?