I'm Back!

Since I last posted, life has been quite hectic! To our sorrow, my grandfather passed away on July 4. While his passing was tough for us, he celebrated his true independence in Christ that day. Needless to say, I did not accomplish designing the website as I had hoped, but I will not delay posting any longer.

Two of the highlights of the past month have been my involvement in reenactments at Historic Brattonsville in South Carolina. I have been a volunteer there for almost five years now, and I never tire of the opportunities I get to be a part of reenacting history for the public. In the first event, I had no speaking parts, but simply had to be a presence in the scene. If you want to learn more about this Revolutionary War event, called Huck's Defeat, click here. I also taught children about the toys and games during the 1780's and helped teach historic country dancing. Without further ado, here are some pictures.

Playing a game of graces with the other volunteers

Epic! I caught two hoops at one time!

The next event was "County Court Day", where we had a court with five cases. Each case was reenacted wonderfully, and all were taken from records of the 1780's. The level of morality among the people of our country was so much higher during those times, as evidenced by the kinds of cases brought before the court. The first was public profanity (can you imagine what would happen if we tried that nowadays?), the second a petition to adopt children, the third bastardy (again, absolutely astounding), the fourth a petition for freedom of a slave, and the fifth larceny. I was a part of the fifth case, and happened to be the one tried for larceny! I was accused of stealing a chintz gown, and had to defend myself before the court and jury. The jury was chosen from the crowd, and could decide whether I was guilty or not guilty. The jury decided that I was not guilty both times we did the scenario. Once again, here are a few pictures.



I am before the judges with my counsel (in the red jacket)



It was an exciting event to be a part of, and I so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with such a fantastic way of learning history!

Until next time!

Giveaway at The Country Handmaiden

I know I said I wouldn't be posting until August, but here is something really quick......Elizabeth at The Country Handmaiden is doing a beautiful giveaway. Visit her blog at http://thecountryhandmaiden.blogspot.com/ to read all about it.

Summer Break

Dearest Readers,

I have been given the wonderful opportunity to custom design a website for my church, which will take quite a bit of time on the computer. Thus, I will have to take a blogging break until the beginning of August. Thank you all for your faithful reading of my blog...look for me to be back around August 1!

Awesome Quotes

I know it is unconventional, as it is not yet Witty Wednesday, but I really must share these quotes with you. These come from Poor Richard's Almanac, written by Benjamin Franklin, and are quite witty indeed.

---"Many estates are spent in the getting,
     Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting,
     And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting."

---"Silks and satins, scarlets and velvets have put out the kitchen fire."

---"Blame-all and Praise-all are two blockheads."

---"A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle."

Which of these is your favorite?

Various Ramblings

I have been busy of late: gardening, cooking, crafting, cleaning, and various tasks accompanying the lot of a young lady and daughter. The chickens have begun laying eggs, the garden is growing (pictures to come soon), and God is as good as ever.
     In my free time, I have been reading in three books - Middlemarch by George Eliot, In My Father's House by various authors, and The Slaves' Champion by Henry Wheeler - besides listening to Uncle Tom's Cabin when I have work inside to do.

Recently, I decorated a straw hat with homemade cloth flowers. I took some pictures:

Also, as I was reading last night (perhaps very late last night, but time passes so quickly when reading) in The Slaves' Champion - a book about William Wilberforce written on the centenary of his birth - and this passage struck me:

    "' Keepsake, sir? ' said one in reply to a question, ' yes, I have one: my father's name, his deeds, and his love for God and man, which I will keep and, on my dying bed, hand with my last blessing to my children, uneclipsed by any black spot in my own life: I will hand it to them framed with my own deeds and piety, which shall be no disfigurement to the blessed souvenir. ' How beautiful is this greatness, and how exalted the nobility which is seen in the truly chivalrous father! "

This is such a wonderful summation of what Mr. Doug Phillips emphasizes so often: namely, the importance of patriarchal vision and blessings.

I am currently reading through the Bible, and am in the book of Ezra, where I found this passage intriguing:

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel."        -Ezra 7:10

I would love to know your thoughts on these things, as usual!

Witty Wednesday [10]

I am going to do something a little different today for Witty Wednesday. Instead of quoting an American founding father, I am focusing on a man who influenced the world, though especially Great Britain and Africa. I just re-watched "Amazing Grace",

and was so inspired, I thought I would post about :

William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce was a Christian member of England's parliament and a social reformer who committed his life to the abolition of the slave trade.

---"So enormous, so dreadful, so irremediable did the Trade's wickedness appear that my own mind was completely made up for Abolition. Let the consequences be what they would, I from this time determined that I would never rest until I had effected its abolition."

---"If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to be a fanatic, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large."

---"Of all things, guard against neglecting God in the secret place of prayer."

---"No one expects to attain the height of learning, power, wealth or military glory without vigorous resolution, strenuous diligence and steady perseverance. Yet we expect to be Christians without labor, study or inquiry. This is the more preposterous as Christianity [is] a revelation from God.....containing doctrines, motives, practical principles and rules.....Reason dictates, revelation commands 'faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.'.....Yet.....with the Bible in our houses we are ignorant of its contents.....such lamentable ignorance."

Let me know your thoughts!

Homeschooling

I saw this on Doug's Blog and thought it was precious and so true.

I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to homeschool for these last 10 years.......thankful to the Lord for guiding us into this path, to my mom for sticking to it and giving up a career of nursing, and to my dad for his willingness and joyfulness in being the provider. It has been such a blessing to all of us. I can't wait for the opportunity to teach my children the way God intended it....at home!