After agonizing over water in plastic bottles to top off our “authentic” colonial lunch, I arrived at the picnic to observe something interesting.
Many of the children were clad head to toe in elaborate costume. Girls in bonnets and petticoats; the whole nine yards. But Chickadee and I ate our eggs and biscuits and apples surrounded by kids toting lunch in wicker baskets… although those lunches contained juice boxes, ziploc bags, and all manner of modern food.
I think my daughter may have fibbed a little when she told me we had to eat colonial food. Maybe that was my penance for not making that damn bonnet. (On the other hand: mmmmm, biscuits.)
Had I known you needed it I have a boys AND girls outfit sewed (with bonnet) I would have been MORE THAN HAPPY TO SEND YOU! You’ve really got to mention these things far enough ahead for me to plan, k? ;)
funnily enough when I was reading the other post I did wonder how authentic everyone else would be!!
congratulations on being as authentic as you possibly could be
You done good, Mir… and especially at short notice! Your post yesterday reminded me of a song by Joe Scruggs called “By the Way.” Do you know it? It was stuck in my mind ALL DAY LONG!!! Thankyouverymuch. :-)
How’s the packing going?
Whipping up a last minute authentic anything costume and lunch is amazing — give yourself a pat on the back! :)
Whenever the power goes out here (which tends to happen a lot in summer, with thunderstorms rumbling through), we stave off the whining about no TV, video games or microwave popcorn by playing “in the olden days.” This typically involves lighting candles, playing games like dominoes or cards, and eating….uh…crackers straight out of the box. (Hey, whole wheat!) And sometimes we look at old pictures (from the 70s and 80s!) if there is enough candlelight.
I think you did well. Especially the part where you didn’t brain Chickie for stretching the late told truth.
My daughter had to make a Mardi Gras float this past school year. Let me say she is 4 yrs old. We were to use a wagon and then decorate how we liked. I was lucky to have another mother partner with me and then do all the work. However, when I walked into the gym to drop off our float, I thought I was on Canal street for Rex. I swear some of those floats were made by Blaine Kern himself. Some even had lights. WHAT?! And now, I just realize that no one probably knows what I am talking about.
Anyway, I wish parents would stop going over board and keep it simple. We dont all have a seamstress and other various handymen on the payroll.
Your extra effort was worth it. In the words of the midwest, ya done good.
So proud of you!!! I’m sure your chickie will remember this special time from her childhood “up North”, what wonderful memories you’ve created by going the extra mile and being there for her! :)
I was wondering just how authentic everyone’s water containers would be! I’m all for the “vintage where it’s fun, modern where it’s practical” kind of re-enactment. Not like some folks that I met who weave and dye their own cloth, for true authenticity.
Lil Daughter is 20 now. She still remembers the herbed cream cheese we made with herbs we picked in our yard on one of her “Snack Days” when she was 4. (Who knew 4-year olds would love herbed cream cheese with pita bread for snack?)
You’re making memories that will last a lifetime…yours and hers.