bringing bonnets back

My dear friend Emily and I attended the Greater Louisville Jane Austen Society's 6th Annual Jane Austen Festival back on Saturday, July 20th.  I mean, really...who does not want to sip out of dainty china during a high tea, promenade the evening away at a ball, don ribboned regency attire or cast a vote in the Mr. Darcy look a like contest?!  In addition to these events, there were also special nods celebrating the bicentennial anniversary of Pride and Prejudice throughout the two day weekend extravaganza.

 

 

Em and I perused the colorful booths that offered rolls of fabrics and assorted patterns, pre-made clothing, period-specific toys, antique trinkets and loose leaf tea.  Our favorite booth, Bingley's Teas, featured their Jane Austen Tea Series in which each custom flavor was named after a famous novel character.  To give you a taste:

The "Mr. Darcy" product description

Like the man himself, this elegant, dark tea, grown in rich soil, with a bold beginning yet a smooth finish has a complexity of character that will leave you wishing to know more.

Distinctive notes of leather, chestnut and plum in this well respected Da Hong Pao Oolong. Each steeping introduces you to more of it's character.

 

 



 We had such a fun time romping around the historic Locust Grove property and being swept away in Austenland. 

 

 

fresh prince

off the wall

The official ground breaking has happened for my dollhouse labor of love mentioned here.  After trips to Home Depot and Michaels, I was equipped with the tools needed to begin the detailed assembly. 

 The (pages and pages of...) directions adamantly specified how crucial it is to lay out and label all parts before beginning.  Now, although I like to think I subconsciously made the connection that the images in the instructions were not drawn to scale, I have to admit it took me about 30 minutes to sort through all the pieces comparing parts until I finally matched up the printed image and the raw parts?!  Let's just say, if this had been an IQ test...well, let's just not say.

 Thankfully all parts needed for Step 1: Wall Assembly were accounted for. I learned some new info, like wood wall pieces have "tongues" and they point up.  Also, apparently a little tacky glue goes a long way (ps: for "the more the merrier" types like me, you can wipe excess glue away with a damp paper towel!).   

 Wall A is drying like a boss.  Stay tuned for doll house happenings*

more than words

Heart-felt cards can be the sweetest gift.  I recently celebrated a birthday and was overwhelmed with the kind words shared by friends and family.  Ever since I was a little girl, my mom encouraged me to keep a memory box of keepsakes.  I love re-visiting these sacred items: worn friendship bracelets, yearbook pictures with inscriptions, notes passed in class, school newspaper clippings, love letters, movie stubs, chotchkies from various adventures.  As I've gotten older, I've noticed that I treasure words more than trinkets.

The next time you are thinking of a special someone, rather than allowing your attention to be a fleeting thought, sit down and write a letter.  Cement those feelings on paper.  What a treat to gift a message that can be retained and re-read for continued encouragement.   

"Letters are among the most significant memorial a person can leave behind them." 

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

just can't wait to get on the road again

Every summer should include some sort of road trip.  Nothing is sweeter than time together in a car sans personal electronic devices.  You know, except finally making it to your destination and getting out of the car!  But seriously, no matter how short or long the trip, having that time to just share stories, listen to old burned CDs, drink copious amounts of Mountain Dew, whatever to help pass the time...those moments always seem to be as vivid as the treasured memories made at your final destination.

The Lunchbox Buddies took a recent drive down south to Montgomery, AL.  We made a couple stops along the way.  It's always a treat to map out a route that offers fun exits with more than a somewhat functioning bathroom at a shifty gas station.  Birmingham, AL held time to visit with family.  Allison was able to meet the newest member of the Birmingham bunch.  It also houses Dreamland BBQ and I can tell you, it ain't bad.  After Birmingham was a pit stop in Clanton, AL.  Clanton is in Chilton County, which is famous for their peaches, beauty queens and interstate exit fruit stands.  After the scenic tour of the giant peach water tower and some ice cream at Durbin Farms ("where life's a peach..."), it was onward to Montgomery.  We stayed with my family and enjoyed a lazy weekend of playing dominoes and cards, watching old movies and tv shows and squeezing in a couple of visitor must-dos, including a visit to the art museum, romping around the grounds of a historic country church and taking in a Biscuit's game at the Biscuit Basket, Montgomery's minor league baseball stadium.  Check out the video below of pictures from our time in the Heart of Dixie.