Around Mother's Day each year our local historic site hosts a ladies tea. Each year the organizers try to have a different theme, but stay focused on the Iron Master's family and our Iron Furnace.
Click below for more and PICTURES!
My mother and I normally miss this tea because we go to our state's homeschool convention the same weekend. But, this year we decided not to go (though we were having MAJOR convention withdrawal all weekend) and I was free to help with the tea for the first time. I was asked to help out and help organize the "skit" and help write, direct, and act in it. My partner in crime was Miss Mary and it was Miss Marissa who helped us to come up with lines and helped us practice. By the time the tea came - she knew our lines better than we did! This year's theme focused on spring (of course) and the young people getting ready for a upcoming dance...and a younger person really wishing to go with them. :)
We had a great time and Mary made me practice my lines until I almost lost my voice. See...I have gotten so used to doing 1st person or impromptu 1st person....memorizing lines is hard for me. So, I kept adding things or changing my lines....which drove Mary nuts! ;-) We finally got it down the day before and were very comfortable in our new roles.
I was to be the Iron Master's daughter, the twin of the future Iron Master of the Furnace. Mary was my young cousin that was visiting. Nancy was my mother, and that day she was hosting a tea for the local ladies. I was leaving soon for Reading with my sister and brothers for a private ball. My young cousin was to be studying, but rather distracted by my preparations for the dance. We finally got through her lesson....only after I let her try on my ball gown. It was short, sweet, and we even got some laughs from our guests (we planned it that way). Mary and I did a short polka at the end and my "mother" walked in on us and took us down to help her greet her quests. We had a great time!
The day of the tea Mary and I stood behind a curtain and waited for our time to appear. Poor Mary, she was very nervous - but she was wonderful and did not falter in any of her lines. Nor did I for that matter....which surprised Mary. :-D
"Therefore....may I try on your dress?...."
Here is my mother's setting at her table. Mary and I had to "mingle" so we never did get to sit at one of the real tables.
Here at this table is my grandmother (in green), great aunt (in white), aunt (in purple), mother (pink), and two lovely ladies that came to the tea for the first time.
Some of the WOJ ladies beautiful sandwich creations...
When we came home, we wanted to get some pictures of my new dress....
This is my new 1860s dress. Made of purple and tan cotton that was supposed to be the backing of my hope chest quilt. But, I needed a new dress....the quilt will be finished eventually.... :) The bodice is pleated at the waist - long story, but I am so happy with what I ended up with! The collar goes to another dress, I ran out of time to make a new one for this dress.
The dress is not perfect - I hope it is authentic...I tried, but the 1860s is a little out of my comfort zones in clothing eras.
Mom snapped this one when I was showing her my hem...had no idea she was taking the picture...
It was getting a little windy and I was really tired...
This is my...Mom, I have had about enough of this wind, I am ready to change and take a nap now picture...
A few days later I gave a tour at our site and dressed down a bit as a servant/local hired help in the mansion. Need to work on that length...or re-starch those petticoats!
Yes, I know - side part....there was a small percentage of side parts...someone has to represent them! ;-)
Now, I just need to fix those odds and ends and do something with my corset - it was great - now for some reason I came home with a bruised rib??? Ouch!
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