That Darn Pumpkin is Back!

The sun welcomes us on a warm Sunday morning as many gather for church service which is held on the front lawn of the mainhouse.

After church the festivities resume including

shopping,
chatting,

and photography.

Hubby rests on the bench while we wait.

Finally it's our turn to have our photograph made.

(This is my infamous 'curtain dress' made from a shower curtain and velvet curtain panel. Curtain dresses-they're not just for Scarlett:)!

This gentleman from Gettysburg specializes in wet plate photography.

(Victorian Photography Studio)

His lovely wife assists.

We watch as our portrait develops.

The final result is an authentic looking tin type picture.

Afterwards we stop to visit with a member of the calvary.

As the sun hangs low in the afternoon sky it is time to return to our current era and the realities of life.

I thought I saw that pumpkin waiting to take me home!

It was a weekend filled with gentility and friendship.

Thanks so much for coming along!

A Ball at Boone Hall

As the sun sets over the water's edge...

hubby takes in the view.

It's time to dress for the Ball.
Let's see what I'll need for the evening.

Once the accessories are chosen I do my hair.
Hubby is handsome in his velvet collared vest.

I'm ready in one of the newest creations by my fairy dressmaker, Christine.

We stroll down a lantern lit avenue of oaks and arrive at the cotton dock to find friends waiting.

All were socializing and enjoying the general splender of the evening.

Oh my! She's due in just 9 days!

This lovely couple got engaged at this very Ball just two years ago:).

Visit the link below to see them at last year's event.

http://thevictorianparlor.blogspot.com/2008/11/little-fun.html

More of the lovely ladies in beautiful gowns.

Let the dancing begin!

This young man catches a snooze while ladies and gents twirl about inside.

After several hours of dancing and visiting the evening drew to a close.

Join me tomorrow for more of the weekend's events. I need to rest my weary feet:).

A Day in Times Gone By

From the encampment behind Boone Hall...

men in uniform marched preparing for the reenactment battle later in the day.

(a replica model of the Hunley is in the background)
It appeared early on that the day may have already gone to the dogs:)!

A ladies tea was hosted down at the cotton dock with ladies wearing their finest frocks.

Once the tea was over the activity on the dock increased.

This gentleman was relaxing before the battle that lay ahead...

while this young man searched for pearls amongst the oyster beds.

I found this handsome gentleman sitting on the dock by the bay:).

I contemplated how to approach him:).

Meanwhile others began to shade themselves from the midday heat beneath the coolness of the ancient oak trees.

Hubby gave me a lovely antique silver locket to grace my dress.

While some gathered beneath trees others were shopping!

Lovely ladies on their way to the next sutler's tent.

But the loveliness of the gardens beckons.

I rested on the bench taking in all of the beauty surrounding me.

Hubby and I wandered to the water's edge where a 600 year old oak tree towered above us.

As darkness began to envelope the day we realized it was time to prepare for the ball later that night.

And so the sun began it's descent bringing a close to a beautiful day of blue skies and past times.

Come back tomorrow for the Ball down at the Cotton Dock!

Bring your dancing shoes:).

Bygone Era at Boone Hall Plantation

I am finally back after a week of battling strepp throat and preparing for the reenactment at Boone Hall this past weekend. I hope to visit everyone this week as I have missed all of my blogland buddies:).

And so the story begins here at Boone Hall Plantation.

The gardens surrounding the mainhouse are like those in a fairy tale. One can almost see the fairies flying about:).
Flowers are still blooming
(yes even in mid-November).

Trumpet flowers stretch forth...

while roses cascade in shades of pink...

and stand tall in creamy white.

Flowers of all colors and varieties spill over onto an ancient brick walkway.

Hmmm...who is this handsome gentleman?

Just outside of the gardens windows provide glimpses to the past.

Let's follow the path to where the weekend's story begins...

as a couple is transported to a bygone era.

(tintype photo by Victorian Photography Studio in Gettysburg, PA)

Come back tomorrow to see where the story leads us:).

Kramer Chronicles-The Giveaway Package Arrives

I was very fortunate to have won Bertie's giveaway at

http://aunt-mays-cottage.blogspot.com/

Bertie has a beautiful blog featuring lovely Victorian decorating posts:).

The package arrived today and was placed on the kitchen table.

Kramer could hardly wait to see what was inside.

He turned on the light...

and opened the box.

Inside was this lovely letter that Bertie sealed with wax like the Victorians used to do.

Kramer checked out all of the wrapped goodies.

He decided I should open this one first.

Here are the beautiful treasures from Bertie.

A lovely picture frame with vintage print, a larger shadow box frame with a print of a beautifully dressed lady, and a small lamp shade (that will grace one of my small lamps very soon:)!

Kramer posing with the treasures.

Can you find the Kramer in this picture?

Suddenly something caught Kramer's attention-daddy was home!

Ahhh yes, the attention he had been awaiting.

A little more to the left...

that's the spot!

Mom, stop taking pictures of me!!!

Give me that!

Yay, mom's almost done taking pictures of me-high five!

The Tail End:).

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Thanks again Bertie for the lovely giveaway gifts!!!

Please stop by and visit Bertie's blog-it's a wonderful place to visit:)!

Sunday Wisdom

"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,

and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,

and discerning if he holds his tongue."

Proverbs 17: 27-28, NIV

From Carriage to Pumpkin

Alas, Kramer is not happy that his stardom has been challenged lately at the Victorian Parlor and thus he awaits patiently with pumpkins to remind me that my fairy tale ending is near.

I cannot help but reminisce fondly over the past few weeks of carriages, elegant gowns, smartly dressed gents, and glorious historic homes.

To answer one of your questions, yes I met Robert Redford. I was chosen for a particular scene and he came over, shook my hand, and made introductions. He is as nice and down-to-earth a person as you would ever meet. Of course, on the outside I was calm and genteel while on the inside I was screaming "OH MY GOSH IT'S ROBERT REDFORD!"

We made so many new friends with people from all walks of life.

And as all good women do, we chatted about many things like family, church, our faith, and the fun of being a part of the movie.

Many hours were spent waiting between scenes.

But we were patient, enjoying the entire experience.

It wasn't just the ladies waiting and talking but the gentleman and soldiers too.

The attention to detail in this film was amazing from jewelry...

to hair...

clothing...

and lace shawls.

All of us enjoying the excitment of Hollywood and each other's company.

Smiles...

coffee (lots of coffee!)...

comraderie...

and conversation.

The days (and nights as there were some all night shoots) were long but well worth every minute.

But as with all fairy tales the end must come and we must return to our regular daily lives. We exchanged email addresses and phone numbers in the hopes that we will see each other again. I had one of the most memorable experienes of my life and I loved every minute of it!

There is more to the story but I will save that for another time. For now I will say that I was given a role (not a speaking one) that made the whole experience even more memorable.

Say a prayer that the scene makes it to the final movie:).

Until then visit the website below for more pictures of the filming taken by Michelle (one of the other extras and a truly amazing woman:).

http://www.flickr.com/groups/theconspirator/

I really must go as my pumpkin awaits...

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BTW, for those of you who are fans of the Kramer Chronicles visit my other blog for a Kramer Christmas post

http://bathtubdiary.blogspot.com/

The Fairy Tale Continues...

OK, I've kept you waiting long enough.

Hubby and I are extras in the upcoming movie 'The Conspirator' currently filming in Savannah and directed by Robert Redford.

Most all of the extras are wearing dresses from wardrobe. However, my own dresses were chosen (I am so excited for Christine:) for me to wear!

I couldn't resist taking a picture of the people gathered to take pictures of all of us:).
Hubby and some of the other gents in the movie.
Some of the lovely ladies who are also extras
(yeah, I know, the coffee cups kinda ruin the atmosphere).
Two dear ladies who I am proud to say are now friends.
Taking a break.

More of the handsome gents.

A very handsome gent:).

Group pose!

No matter how dressed up we get, the modern technology of the day gives us away!

I must say that it was an amazing experience. We made some new friends and got to meet some stars. If you'd like to know more about the movie there are several websites (Savannah Now has lots of pictures) you can visit. The movie is about Mary Surratt, one of the co-conspirators (supposedly) of Abraham Lincoln's assasination. I have a whole new respect for movie makers after seeing all that goes into the making of those two hours on the big screen.

Hmmm...there is one more piece of exciting news.

Then again I need to leave something for discovery when the movie comes out:).

From Pumpkin to Carriage

Remember in the fairy tale when the pumpkin turned into a carriage?

Once upon a time,
a handsome hubby heard an add on the radio announcing a casting call in Savannah for a movie.
So he and his wife went to Savannah with photos and resumes in hand.
Within a couple of weeks they were called to come back with their finest clothing and jewelry. Luckily the wife's dearest friend and fairy dress maker, Christine, had just completed another of her masterpiece gowns!

Silk flowers with beads and vintage lace trim lined the bodice...

and the sleeves.

And so began the fairy tale to come with romantic mansions, horse-drawn carriages, and lots of stars.

Come back tomorrow for more:).

Sunday Wisdom

"Many are the plans in a man's heart,

but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 19:21, NIV