I've Returned!

 

Finally, I've returned from my adventuring! And it's time to go back to work. :)

This past week I've been in Orlando, Florida on a missions trip with the Penn State Navigators. They're a Christian organization on campus that Vince is President of. We were both involved in their organization the past few years.

The drive to Florida was amazingly fun even though it was at least 16 hours long. Wow! Longest road trip I've taken yet! I did have an incredibly hard time staying awake at some points. But, I finished a book on the ride and that was quite an accomplishment! Finally getting some headway on these marriage books that I have to read. I wanted to be reading 'North and South' but I knew that this was important to get out of the way first!

Throughout the week we did service work at an organization called Orlando Housing Authority. Lots of raking leaves. It was good and I met so many people. Tuesday night we went out with friends new and old to Downtown Disney. It sounds so corny, but it was really very hip. Apparently it's one of the hangout spots for teens and young adults in Orlando. Nifty place. We ate at a Rainforest themed restaurant...2 hour wait, but they had one seat open on the deck...overlooking the lake, with an excellent view of Epcot's fireworks...if we could live with that. We took it. And questioned if Brandon had told them his name was Brandon Disney or something. Then we joked about getting a free dinner for one reason or another...and towards the end of dinner a huge cocroach crawled up on the edge of Brandon's plate...resulting in a 20% discount on all of our bills. Way to go! It was sooo much fun. Afterwards we used the Ferry for a joy ride...Brandon (seemingly the spokesperson for the evening) just told the guy 'we want to go across' when asked where we were headed. Hehe. Good thinking. So we rode that around the lake and back. Later on we had our own dance party on the dock...it was right by the DJ station and speakers blaring fabulous dance music. :)

Wednesday Vince and I visited Epcot. I found a new friend there. A white rat puppet that I later named Sunny Squeeker. Everyone thinks I'm crazy for my adoration of puppets...but they're just so fun! He was at the China section...it's the year of the Rat. My favorite stop was Japan. They had the most inspiring gift shop. Purses in the cutest designs - lots of pleats - with Japanese cottons (amazing prints). Oysters you could purchase and have cut open for the pearl. The pearls were all really large sizes, too. I wanted one, but didn't know what I would do with it. :) And...my favorite, dishes from Japan! They had such beautiful colors and patterns! I purchased three to store jewelry in. They had so much selection. They reminded me of the colors and styles of Anthropologie home items. I also loved the Buddha board that they had - the slate board that you write on with Japanese brushes. I decided I want to make one of these for the apartment next year. We have lots of slate at my house and I already have the Japanese brushes from an art class. It would be simple and so much fun for guests to play with.

Today I've found such inspiration online from all the wonderful pictures that friends have posted from the 1860s Conference and their reenacting events. I'm so excited to start reenacting again! I haven't been to an event in so long! This month Vince and I will be attending the Preservation Ball at the PA Capital Building in Harrisburg. I'm still debating if I will make a new ballgown to wear. They take so long to make...if you're going to make them look amazing. I have the silk and the idea, I just need to sew it. ;)

I purchased four of the Reconstructing History patterns for the Regency era. They were super expensive. I haven't used these patterns before so I'm really hoping that they will sew up well. I think that the one dress is yanked directly from the 'Patterns of Fashion' by Janet Arnold pattern. I also invested in the Laughing Moon pattern for an 1860s dress - on Rosie's recommendation. I'm really excited to try it! Happy Sewing!