Greetings, dear readers! 

I'm rather tired this morning due to the past weekend, but that does not dull my enthusiasm nor my story-telling capabilities (at least at the moment). I'll begin on Friday.

Friday morning, I packed the Cadillac. By the time I was done, the right side of the rear window was completely blocked. Poor Katherine had to be rather squished into the back seat with Savannah's ball dress dangling into her lap and some food stuffs under her feet. (Of course, she wasn't the only one with stuff under her feet. I had the pressure cooker [for heating up the chili] under my feet--both to and from the event.) We left after lunch and it took us longer to get there than we expected; partially because we got behind three separate slow-moving vehicles in places that we couldn't go around them.

We arrived at the event and registered. I was so excited and besides that a chilly wind was blowing, that I was shaking so bad that I was having difficulty writing. I was shivering...but it really wasn't that cold. I shelled out the $5 per person 'donation'. It's kind of my job to pay....

We found that the map they gave us was backwards, but found our people without too much trouble anyway. Savannah was driving (of course) and I was keeping my eyes peeled for the familiar trailers and trucks--and that green GMC camper of the L's. I really like the color of that thing.

We pulled in, said "Hello" to a few folks, introduced Katherine, and started putting the tents up. Elden came and helped us get them up (thank-you!). It was one of those times for me to remember to let the boys be gentlemen--I'm so used to doing things myself. (Which reminds me, I told someone, I forget who, that I was a "stand-in for a ranch hand" and they were very surprised. It amused me. *grins*)

We met Erica's Great Dane, Blue. I like that dog--he's nice. At one point, I guess it was yesterday morning, I was sitting next to Erica and Blue put his head in my lap. Then I said something backwards and set myself to laughing...I was talking to the dog and said, "Yeah, my head's big enough for your lap." What I meant to say was, "My lap is big enough for your head"! 

Friday night, I was freezing...on top of that, I could only lay on either my back or right side, because when I attempted the left side, my back started bothering me. Still, I slept alright (it has actually surprised me how well I sleep on the ground.) Saturday morning, before we got up, I was talking to Savannah (about what I can't recall), and I kind of rolled over and peered at Katherine..."I think Katie is still asleep."  Out of the depths of her sleeping bag came this: "Not for long if you keep talking." It made me laugh.

Anyhow, Saturday morning went something like this...after breakfast, we strolled down and watched colors. Colors is when the two opposing armies gather in the morning for the raising of the flags. (The Federal flag was about twice the size of the Confederate Stars and Bars and higher.) It appears that there was some talk betwixt the officers from both sides; almost as if the Yankee officers were reviewing the Confederate soldiers and vice versa.

After colors, we dropped by Mrs. Joanna's sutlery where Katherine found herself a nice hat--I didn't have enough cash on hand to pay for it, so Katherine went off to get hers...Savannah had gone off someplace to talk to someone else. I hung around the sutlery and talked to Mrs. Joanna for a while--about half of that being about my socks. She is quite willing to put them out...she later had Walter C look them over and said he was impressed with them...(Walter--who still owes me a dance from Ocklawaha, by the way--is "Mr. Authenticity". ;D) I saw Walter a couple times Sunday, but if he saw me he didn't let on...like his brother Tom, he has great hat and wears it at a studied angle. However, unlike Tom, he's quite talkative. 

Anyway, while Katherine was gone and after it got settled that Mrs. K would try to sell my socks, I strolled out and found myself a big 'CSA' button for my secession cockade. Shortly after that, Dana L and Amanda C caught me and we went to the ladies tea. I called Savannah at some point before it was really going to let her know where I was and that Katherine might be wandering around--however, Savannah had Katherine and had bought her the hat! Katherine soon joined us at the ladies tea. The subject was children's clothing and games and they had a mini-fashion show. Towards the end, during the raffle (during which I won a hat form made out of buckram), I heard my cell-phone ringing in my purse (period draw-string thing), I hopped up and slipped out. I somehow managed to dump the entire contents of my bag out onto the ground when I got my phone out. I answered it and on the other end was 'brother' Matt. He and Leah had come out! I was so glad. We met out in front of 'Pipers Pub' (root beer stand). Katherine showed up someplace in here and then we went for a quick stroll through the camps.

Now, I will tell you, walking through the Yankee camp was rather...interesting. Particularly when we got to where the "Maine" boys were set up and I made eye contact with Captain S. I'm pretty sure he knows I'm Confederate...anyway, the look I got was almost quizzical. I think I smiled kind of like I was embarrassed (I was a little!) and looked down real quick. 

In the Confederate camp, I told Leah mainly (Matt was hungry and so wasn't paying way too much attention :D) about the three Confederate national flags...and other flags--such as the 2nd Florida's regimental flag and how the place names on it (like Chancellorsville) were battles they had fought in. 

I then hauled them back and introduced them to Mr. Joe and the rest before they headed off for lunch. We ourselves ate shortly after that and then readied to go watch/film the battle. 

There was a crush of people. I first set up in the VIP 'box'  (after I got permission to), then Katherine came down to get me--she and Savannah (I couldn't see them!) had a spot saved for me up the hill. Well, I went up there, but I was soon back in the VIP box because I was in the way. I wasn't even asked to move politely either. I was treated with something like disrespect by a couple of baby boomers. It hurt and left me in something of a bad mood. I was trying not to cry by the time I was back in the VIP box. Once there I soon began feeling better after talking to a Boy Scout leader who was there with his son and three daughters. 

I got some footage, but I didn't go overboard with it. I did take a couple of still pictures of the Confederate cannon WAY across the field with the battle flag waving. That was pretty cool. 

I was stationed directly behind the Federal artillery (again! I love the cannon), so I got engulfed in sulfur smoke time and time again. I got it in my eyes, in my ears, in my mouth, and up my nose. I think my blouse also took on a gray tinge. I had forgotten my ear-plugs, but I didn't have too much trouble with the noise this time.

After the battle, Katherine and I stayed around long enough to watch them launch 6 anvils, all at the same time, into the air. That was louder than anything else. Now, if you've never seen a blacksmith's anvil hurtling straight up into the air by a 1+ pound powder charge, you've missed an interesting sight. However, it won't kill you if you never see it. The "Anvil Shoot" was apparently something folks used to do around the 4th of July and such like (according to the MC). You know what I think? American's like to make loud noises with black powder. :D

The battle was almost two hours long...of our people, only Mr. Doug, Mr. L, and Mr. B were on the field. I think I heard that Elden didn't have his rifle, so he didn't participate. Later, I heard Mr. L talking and he said he 'died' twice--on the berms--so he got filled full of goat-heads. (Only, I think he called them something else...)

By the time the battle was over, it was about time to start thinking about supper. I ate more food then my corset comfortably allows, but in the long run, I'm glad I did. About 7 we started getting ready for the dance. Amanda came out dressed in a pretty red gown that was her mothers...Dana in her gold gown. Me...well, I showed up in a full hoop with a bright red secession cockade on the waist of my blue dress. :) Savannah's lovely silk gown was admired again. Then we were off. On the way, Savannah had to have her skirt adjusted. Amanda's hoop (her mother's) was sliding down and sticking out from under her dress. When we (somehow Miss 'Manda and I reached the big tent before Savannah and Katherine) got there, I crowded the both of us into one of those large handicap accessible porta-johns (the door wouldn't close...and I'm so glad they had just cleaned them out!) and tried to fix her up. No go...it didn't work. (Now, if I'd a just had a safety-pin....)

The ball was well, exactly that...a ball! (Sorry, no pictures of that!) Savannah danced quite a bit with Timothy, the Union artillery Corporal she danced with at Suwanee. Who else she danced with I didn't notice. Katherine primarily danced with an older Confederate gentleman, Mr. Richard...he danced with me a few times too, but I'll get to that. Katie was up against the wall of the tent early on (she and Savannah were on the opposite side as Amanda and I), so I sent Amanda across (I would have been bumping too many people with my hoops) to tell her to 'get off the wall'. Amanda, being Amanda, charged off happily to do as I asked. 

As usual we started with the Grand March. I did that with Ethan, a youngster in company with the B family. I think he's about 10. I'm not too sure he enjoyed the Grand March--he thought it was complicated! (It's not...at least I don't think so!) The next thing was a Virginia Reel (I think--the order of these things can get mixed up in my memories).  I did that with a chubby Union boy in a Glengerry cap.  He doffed his cap to honor his partner (I liked that!) and when the head couple sashayed the set. In his round face, he had a pair of blue eyes...he didn't smile, but I do think he was enjoying himself. 

I believe it was directly after this dance that I sat two out...a waltz was next when Zack, one of the "Maine" boys (and now it is suspected that he is Capt. S's son--Savannah heard him call him 'Dad'), came over and asked me to dance. Well, Yankee or no Yankee, I said yes; especially after he said, "I saw that you sat two dances out..." (Capt. S is good for those boys--all his soldiers [at least the ones' I've had contact with] are fairly gentlemanly.) I told Zack that I don't waltz very well, but we got along alright. I had a pretty good conversation with him...I asked him what rank he was (I was attempting first person impersonation somewhat) and he said he was a Pvt., but he was working on going up the ranks to make captain (this too was somewhat first person impersonation). The next thing that fell out of my mouth was, "My daddy's a Sgt." (Hopefully, it didn't come across coquettish...I am pretty proud of my daddy.) Naturally, his next question was, "What regiment?" Here I had to laugh--I'm constantly backing myself into corners like this--there went all the first person impression stuff! I explained that Daddy really is a soldier (retired), but this whole thing loosened both of our tongues and we kept talking on and off. I found out that he's 18 (after he asked me what grade I was in and I told him I'm graduated from high school and I'm 21--to which he said, "There's not much difference there [age wise]") and that he is going into the Marines pretty soon. He said something about having to convince his mom that it's not a foregone conclusion that he's going to get killed--though it's a risk that 'we' (he already speaks of himself as a Marine) have to accept. 

During this time, he would ask occasionally, "You want to try a spin?" Of course I did! So, he would spin me--that's fun, particularly in a hoop; it feels very graceful so long as you aren't squished between two other hoops in the Patty Cake Polka (but that'll come...) Capt. S was waltzing by with Mary (a lady I've seen at all the events) about the time Zack spun me once...and he was like, "we can do that" and then he spun Mary. Zack laughed at him saying, "Not bad, but we do better!" (Essentially.) I laughed then and said, "I'm not sure about that!" At the end of the dance, we bowed and curtsied respectively, and Zack said he would be back for another dance, "If I'm lucky enough..." Flattery! Anyway, it worked and I told him I'd be pleased (more or less). 

*insert Racheal laughing at herself and the Highlander Private...*

Over the course of the evening, I danced with Mr. Joe K's nephew Joe at least twice--I'm positive that young man is named after his uncle. If he wasn't, he should have been...he looks just like him, talks like him, and even has the same dimples peeking out of his beard! Joe is 28 and he was having a hoot teasing Amanda--whom he's known since she was an itty-bitty girl. After the 'Man-dance', he came back over to where Amanda and I were, standing complaining that some rascal (I don't remember the exact word he used; it's one I'm familiar with, but don't hear very often) had bent his hat out of shape. I kind of shrugged and said, "It can always be straightened out." He looked at me almost sternly, but laughingly and retorted, "Do you know how long it took me to get this blocked just right?" I dropped the subject since I couldn't come up with an answer for that.

Mr. L taught me how to polka! I had a ball dancing the polka and gamely stuck it out to the end though I was fixing to pass out by the time we were done. I got very overheated (not enough air-flow in that tent). I had already drank all the water I had brought with me and I didn't have any money, so I couldn't sneak out to the concession stand and get myself any. Regardless, I had a ton of fun panting my way through the polka. Savannah said I looked cute out there polkaing and that my skirt bounced just right. I guess I'll have to believe her because I couldn't see myself...and I was too busy grinning with a flushed red face to care how I looked. 

The Patty Cake Polka is quite fun, but we could have stood to have the men at arms length distance from each other because of the ladies with hoops! I was between two other girls with hoops on and trying to get three sets of hoop skirts to twirl in the same space at the same time is rather interesting. I know at one point my skirt was caught on the lowest round so my hoop was showing! That was just about as embarrassing as my corset ties showing at the back of my dress where the bodice and skirt were refusing to stay attached to one another. (I kept having Amanda and Katherine 'fix me'.) It was during the Patty Cake Polka (which I started with Mr. Richard), that I ran across Zack again. He greeted me cheerfully and though we didn't really have any time to talk, there was a mutual understanding that he'd be back for that promised dance...there were a few other fellows in this dance that I recognized and was recognized by. I'm sure there were more around the circle, but we didn't make it halfway around before the music stopped. 7 lb.s of Bacon sped it up a little too early I think. 

Anyway, after a waltz, Mr. Richard offered to buy me some water (I imagine I looked like I needed it!); but the concession was all out! They said they were working on it, so Mr. Richard basically said he'd be back to get me some after he danced with Katherine again. A dance later, Zack and a couple of his buddies were coming back from the concession area, both with two Styrofoam cups apiece. They set them down on a chair and he came over to me and asked if I were tired yet. "No, just in need of drink." He then told me that he would give me one of his cups of water, "It was just 50 cents...[so it's no big deal]." I thanked him, then we proceeded to enter the Broom Dance--another mixer. In this dance, I also danced with Timmy (the tall, broad, red-headed 15 year old you might remember from Ocklawaha), Capt. S, a Confederate kid (I also did a Virginia Reel with him), and a couple others that I can't recall.  After the dance, as I left the floor, I saw Zack, holding both cups of water, standing to the side. I didn't immediately walk over toward him, since I wanted him to initiate (after all, it was his water!), but I did glance that way once, then twice--at which point he was looking at me. He held the water out and gestured with it in such a fashion as to say, "Come over here and get it!" I did so gratefully and made sure I thanked him for it. The "Maine" boys left not too much longer after that. If I would have had an opportunity on Sunday I would have thanked him again, because that water was SO good. I really, really needed it. (I didn't even mind the coffee flavor in it being a coffee drinker.) 

As is usual, we closed the dance down. Joe walked the girls, all four of us, 'home'. Of course, he was camping in the same spot, so it wasn't out of his way. He might have walked us back anyway. I don't know...It was most assuredly after midnight by the time we got to bed. 

Sunday morning, both Savannah and I were dehydrated and exhibiting our own symptoms. However, Savannah felt so bad that she left church (which was somewhat informal partly because Rev. D wasn't sure they were actually going to do it) and went and put on her 'civies' as she put it and laid down.  We all tried to make sure we drank more that day. I'm still not quite fully re-hydrated.

We watched the battle that afternoon from the opposite end of the line...we were right there were the troops came in, so we got a little extra dirt in our faces. Around an hour before the battle started, we were already set up down there. I needed to run back to the tent for something (water most likely), and so Katherine asked me to bring her a seat when I came back. On the way back to camp, I got hung up as the Confederate troops formed up and people crowded around and took pictures. On the way back, I almost got hung up as the Union troops formed up!

Being Sunday, the Confederates won the battle. As soon as the battle was over, we headed off and started getting ready to leave. Elden and Thomas helped us take down our tents and pack stuff in the trunk. When we left, I walked around and hugged people. I didn't hug Thomas though...he was sitting there apparently trying to look small--I got quiet amusement from the laddie's head down 'you don't see me' position, so I just patted the top of his kepi. He looked up, grinned at me and gave me a two-fingered wave. That was good enough. I was mighty pleased that Micah gave me a hug--I was almost expecting to be rebuffed, but he gave me a good solid hug. I can't explain it, but I have a particular liking for that little stinker. 

We got home safely--we accidently went a different way which turned out to be smoother, faster sailing. Plans are whirling for Mt. Dora...and authentic camping!! Mr. Joe's daughter found their tents and he is eager for us to use them. From now on out, we may be setting up in authentic civilian camp. Then Olustee...we have our story planned out for that one--but this here chile is going to have to learn to speak in a more period correct manner and see if she can hold the first person impression better than she did with Herr Zack at the dance! 

           Racheal

 
Here for your perusal are some pictures of Savannah and I's 1860's ball gowns.  Mine is made from an 1860 pattern--the dress is called the "Saratoga". I really, really like it!
Picture
Savannah in her gray silk gown...
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Savannah has changed her gown a bit--she took the black lace over-skirt off and made herself a black chemise. She also added the lace on the sleeves.
My session cockade (which you will see in the pictures) was just 'sitting' on the dress. It isn't completely finished--I still need a 'CSA' button (planning on purchasing one this weekend at Brooksville). This way I can't be mistook for a Yankee! (Since all my clothes are blue!) 

Katherine made my earrings; they are clip-on's since my ears, though pierced, are terribly sensitive. It's kind of cool to be able to wear earrings! (I never wore clip-on's because they always bothered me--too tight--but Katherine has figured out how to make them comfy.)
Picture
Racheal modeling the "Saratoga" dress.
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Period correct--no make-up! :D
I put these close ups here so you can see the details a bit better...the white undersleeves actually belong to my chemise. 
If you are interested in getting a dress like this for little more than the price of the materials--please visit Liberty Seamstress!

I love my dress! 

            Racheal

 
Well, it will really start in earnest tomorrow...with the packing and making sure we have gotten everything.

What has been going on this week is sewing. Between Savannah, Mama, and Katherine (which later two are down from Indiana for an unspecified amount of time), my ball gown has been finished, minus the skirt hooks--which so far we haven't found any place. I did sew a snap on. 

I've been doing other things--of which I can't remember any at the moment...

Today I went to town twice--hay for the cows being the reason. That and something is whacky with my computer (so I'm writing on the old one) so that the monitor isn't working. I'm guessing (as Savannah surmised) that the port on the back of the computer is out. The only part of that that doesn't make sense is the fact that I have two ports and neither one appears to be working. 

Last night, Mama and Katherine got to meet our interesting Confederate friends at the joint SCV/OCR meeting. We got there late because I forgot the Cross Dedication Ceremony DVD and we had to go back and get it. I told Mr. A about the problems that I had...once it got compressed some of the audio got out of whack again! I was a bit irritated about that. 

We are looking forward to hauling Kt with us to the Brooksville Raid...even though we aren't quite sure how we are going to manage sleeping arrangements yet. She has her cot...but I'm not so sure how that'll go...I'll let you know once we figure it out! :D

Until then....

              Racheal

 
I didn't have the time to write yesterday...because I really DID have a busy day.  I forget exactly where it started, but early on I was attempting to pin the hem of Savannah's ball dress up. She got light headed and nausous standing on the chair, so I didn't get finished. I had gotten about three quarters of it pinned up so she was able to finish pinning it later once she got to feeling better.

I went out to put the runway fence back up in a couple places and ended up having to run a bull calf back into the trap. The biggest black one. I also saw what I believe was a panther! It was running across the 'back 40'...definitely wasn't a dog and it was too big for a bobcat...and it had a long tail.

Then I made lunch--let's see we had chicken, squash, and green beans. That's exactly the same thing we had for supper too--only Savannah had put the Navy beans on sometime in the afternoon, so we had them too. I'm glad Savannah had warmed supper up because I wasn't available to do it.

Sometime in the afternoon I went down to check the mail and whistled to Snip. He came over to the fence (I think he is starting to get the idea that when I whistle it means "come here") and then we both headed back up the drive-way. It's kind of funny, I'll trot with him a little bit then he'll run off and leave me, stop and look back at me like, "Well, are you coming?"

I tossed the mail (sale ads basically) on the washer, hopped back into the garage and snatched up my lead rope, lounging rope (which is FULL of goat-heads--blah!), and whip. By now, Snip was standing there staring at his feed bucket (sink)--at 2:00 in the afternoon!! "No way I'm going to feed you this early in the day!" 

I got the lounge rope tied on his halter and drug him out. (Actually, he came out very easily.) We started to work and he started to crow hop (I just learned that term--it's very appropriate). Part of the reason was because he had a horse fly on him and part of it was just that he was being frisky. I'm glad to say that he has not tried to run off on me the few times I've lounged him recently.

Once I was done lounging him, I brushed that mass of goat-heads out of his forelock (and got few down the front of my shirt in the process. Then I put him away and ignored his sop-eyed request for his supper. :)

Around 3:30 or so, the W brother's showed up to help me work the cows. Tommy was the gate man, and Ricky and I each drove our respective trucks. Ricky didn't feel the greatest (not that he complained or anything), because he'd just had a tooth pulled. I learned (the hard way, like usual) how to push cows better with a pick-up. I usually am on foot or in the back of the truck just hollering.

Once we got the animal's in the pens, we--well, mostly Tommy and Ricky--just separated most of the cows and calves; without putting them in the hopper. Then we parted out the big calves from the little calves. We had seven total...only six went to market (four bulls and two heifers); I kept the white heifer and will be weaning her. Right now she is out in the pens. I have to go feed her and Snip here momentarily.

I rode into the market with Ricky and Tommy...there were a few funny incidents on the way there: 1) on one turn, it looked very much to me (in the back seat) that Ricky was going to bump a car sitting at the light...I instinctively grabbed a hold of the back of Tommy's seat. Ricky looked behind him with a grin, "Did you think I was going to hit him?" On the way home, when we turned onto a different road, he made an illusion to that incident...
2) We saw a dog slung out of someone's golf cart. It really was funny. I don't remember what Tommy said, but it made it funnier--then when I mentioned that, "My cousin did that to me once. I threatened to beat him up if I did it again..." (I was kidding him really...we were both laughing like crazy things), we kept right on laughing.
3) The two red bull calves were comfortably sparring with each other as we roared down the road in Ricky's awesome Dodge diesel truck.

Once we got to market, Ricky had me talk to the man; so I learned that part of the deal too. I told him who the calves belonged to and how many we had. He handed me the pink slip with our selling number on it--#13. Sometime later today I'll have to take Granddaddy and go pick-up our check.

When I got home, I ran and fed the horse; poked food down myself and dashed through the shower. Then we girls headed off for the SCV meeting. To cut things short, I'll just say that we're now offically part of the Order of the Confederate Rose--which will meet at the same time and place as the SCV... :D (Each OCR chapter must be affiliated with an SCV camp.)

Now--I HAVE to go. See ya, later!

        Racheal

 
I was standing there at the counter this morning, both hands full of collard green stems. Out of the blue, there was a very loud knocking at the door. I nearly jumped out of my skin! (Honestly, it must have been five to ten minutes before my heart rate went back to normal.)

I stepped backwards to peer out of the kitchen and through the laundry room/mud room into the garage. Standing there, with a smile on his face, was Butch! At first glance I thought it was Granddaddy, but I knew it couldn't be because he was in the bathroom. Besides, he wouldn't knock. :D

With my hands still full of greens stems, I hurried to the door and let cousin Butch in. He was kind of surprised to see me (and Savannah) here because he thought we were at another reenactment this weekend (that's NEXT weekend). Granddaddy knew Butch was coming (and in fact had told him to wear blue today--so they were color-coordinated!!), but he had forgotten to tell us.

Anyway, while the other three folks talked, I finished making lunch. It was pretty good even if I do say so myself. Greens, cooked in a skillet with bacon and onion, carrots and broccoli, and chicken. (The chicken was left over from last night.) Normally, Butch takes everyone out to lunch, but I guess since I was already making food, he decided to bypass that route. :)

After lunch we went shooting. Granddaddy hauled his old .45 out and fired a couple rounds. (We were shooting towards the mulberry tree since it's next to impossible to shoot the 'normal' place because Snip comes and stands down range!) I emptied the cyclinder of my .38 a couple times; likewise with the .22. Butch let me shoot his .44 revolver. I only fired it twice because the grip was so big that I couldn't hold it well and when it kicked back it bashed my palm uncomfortably. (I had a strong hold on it too!) Of course, I did my best shooting with my .22 rifle. We didn't shoot overly long, but enough to dirty the guns. I have to clean them yet.

Once Butch left I used up another 20 gallons of spray on the weeds in the pasture. I could have gotten another couple hours of work in, but when I came back up to the house to get more spray, I also popped in for a snack. I sat down and lost any energy I had. So I decided I would quit for the day.

I think I'm supposed to make supper tonight too...Savannah is busy with making ball dresses. Her's is gray and mine is blue. I think she is going to be absolutely gorgeous!

        Racheal

 
This past week has been filled with sewing adventures....Savannah tried her hand at millinery for the first time and I think the results were pretty spectacular! I made a bodice to go with my already extant skirt. I had to sew that ribbon on twice and it still isn't as nice as I'd like. Worse yet was the hooks and eyes :{ I hate sewing them on. I ended up using several snaps to hold the hooks and eyes closed.
You can't really tell here, but I sewed the hooks and eyes on with white thread. It really looked pretty awful and Mama suggested that I take a blue sharpie and color the thread. I did and it really helped! (This picture would have come out better if I hadn't had my arms behind my back--but I was trying to mask the fact that my lower sleeves still needed wrist closers!)
NOW...for the bonnet!!
This is what it started out as--just a horrid floppy hat. (Say, how'd you like my apron?)
The
After
Shots
And....just a couple more random pictures of my outfit....I obviously forgot all about my collar...but that's okay. It isn't 100% necessary :D
Savannah's bonnet and outfit. She's wearing one of my favorite belts...it's almost too small on me, but I'm too selfish to go ahead and give it to her. (Besides, it's a bit large on her. :D)
I hope you enjoyed this motley group of pictures....embeding them from the skydrive isn't as clear as if I took them full-size and then shrunk them in Photoshop--but this sure is faster and takes up less hard-drive space.

Night!

        Racheal