~Merry Christmas~

The merriest of Christmas Wishes on the day we celebrate the Savior's Birth! 

~2019 Tallassee, Alabama Reenactment~

Here is yet another reenactment I recently attended. Every time I go to one, the video I'm able to compile get's longer, and longer! Pretty soon my videos will take a few hours to watch!

Enjoy!









Blessings

Abigail Joy.



If you are unable to watch the video click HERE

~Happy Thanksgiving~

I want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! 

Remember all the things you are thankful for on this special holiday. 

~Battle of Tunnel Hill Reenactment~

Here is my second reenactment I went to this past Summer. I got more videos and pictures, then I did for the Resaca reenactment, and for that I am grateful! 

Enjoy!

Blessings!

Abigail.

If you are unable to watch this video, CLICK HERE

~Battle of Resaca Reenactment~

I'm so excited to share this video with you. It is from my first reenactment. 

Enjoy!

Blessings, 

Abigail

If you are unable to watch the video CLICK HERE

~ My 1860's Work Dress~

This is a video I filmed back in the early spring, when I finished my work dress and wanted to show it off a little bit. 

Enjoy! 

Blessings! 

Abigail

If you are unable to watch the video, CLICK HERE

~What I Wish I Had Known Before My First Reenactment~

Back in May, after months of research and sewing, planning and organizing, dreaming and then finally doing... I attended my first Civil War reenactment. Not as a spectator, but as a reenactor. And then earlier this month, September 7th-8th I reenacted again, this time a little farther up North. Let me tell you.. it was exciting and fun; but, as with any grand adventure, there are a few things I wish I had known before taking part in it. So let's dive right in..

Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Reenactment as a Reenactor

 You won't need all that food, but you will need more water.

I made the mistake of not bringing enough water for the May reenactment, but I didn't repeat myself again in Septmeber. I made sure to bring a 24-pack of water bottles, and then I filled my glass containers whenever I could. Instead of water, I brought meat-sticks and trail-mix, applesauce and vienna sausages, and much more, but no water. My second time around I brought half the amount of food, and twice the amount of water.

Walk around more, go sightseeing

I saw about 1% of the first reenactment, and I regret that. I thought I wouldn't need to, since I was a reenactor, not a spectator. But boy was I wrong. I made it a point to see as much as I could see the second time around. And because of that, I saw close to 90% of all there was to see. I still had a few more camps to see, and sutlers to "window shop" at, but I am very satisfied with all that I saw.

Don't worry about your impression 

You don't need to be perfect. You don't have to have authentic, antique, or vintage pieces. It helps, but it isn't necessary for your first reenactment. Enjoy yourself, don't worry if your impression is incomplete. Chances are, everyone else was just as you are, it's called "being a beginner". If you don't have a "first-person" impression, don't worry about it.

For more information about impressions, read THIS 

Take lots of pictures whenever you can

If you don't you'll regret it. But please! Try to be inconspicuous about it. Take them when there are no spectators around, or wait until you're not "in character".

The cannons and musket and rifles are LOUD!

Seriously, they are so loud! Louder than I expected. Bring earplugs or cotton to stuff in your ears. The cannons themselves boomed right through me.

Bring sunscreen and apply it regularly

Unless you want to look like a lobster or a tomato, then put sunscreen on. You're outside the whole day, even if you have a hat, or a bonnet, you will still get some sun. 

Bring an extra pair of shoes, and extra socks

Just in case one your boots wears down on one side and leaves you with a sore leg from walking on the side of your foot without you knowing it. Also socks, for the same reason you'd take them on a hike.

And there you have it. It's not exactly a complete list, but it's what's on my mind right now. I might add more later, I might make another post entirely. I hope you enjoyed reading this, because I had fun making this! 

Have an awesome weekend!

Abigail Joy

If you want to see some of my adventure in reenacting, then go to my Youtube channel which you can find 

HERE

~Why I'm Not Posting as Much...Writer's Block~

The truth of the matter is, I have no motivation to write. 

I really, really want to write and to share my thoughts, but recently I haven't had anything to write about. 

Recently, I bought four new, clean, never used notebooks at a Back-to-School Sale at the good 'ol Wally- World, and I was so excited to start writing in them, but alas! They have sat on my shelf for a few weeks now, gathering dust. 

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. 

I know I am going to start writing again. I am just not sure when, but I will.

I think I have a case of Writer's Block.

Hopefully I can chisel me something useful out of this Block, 

but until then I will wait.

~~~~~

Much Love, 

Abigail Joy.

~Summer Solstice~

Birds were busy finding partners, food,  and a place to raise their young.

Busy eating, preparing for the endless cycle of seasons.

Swift storms brought rainbows..

And beautiful evening skies.

And those storms brought the creek bed higher...

And made tiny water falls over every rock.

Every day was an adventure.

Every hour  a story waiting to be told.

The sunshine through the leaves made it seem
like reality was altered.

And the water begged to be swam in.

Standing on the shore was like looking to the future, never knowing what was in it,
yet excited to find out. 

Flowers waited impatiently to be picked.

And Tomorrow waited impatiently  to be discovered.

Yes, Summer had finally arrived.

“All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going — one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world.” 
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne's House of Dreams

This is a repost from two years ago, but I think it is still very relevant. 

You can read about it by clicking HERE

~ Modest Outfit of the Day: Episode 7~

The last time I did a MOTD it was October 2018. Wow! I didn't realize it's been so long. 

I recently made this light-jean fabric skirt, and I have fallen in love with it. It is very long, and so comfortable! 

Here is my outfit that I wore recently for a trip into town.

 I was able to go down to "our" lake and take some pictures since it was in the 70's and beautiful outside. 

the wind would not cooperate. 

Black T-Shirt-- Church-ran Thrift Store   $0.99

Skirt----Made by Me

Shoes---- Black loafers from the same thrift store as my shirt    $1.99

Necklace-- Walmart   $1.00

I just love finding inexpensive, nice- looking clothing.

I love how this picture gives off "old-fashioned" vibes.

This one does too.

What season is your favorite and why?

Blessings, Abigail Joy.

~Testing Out a Camera~

For Valentines Day my mother gave me a Samsung S860 camera. I love it! It's small, but the quality is amazing. Please enjoy these pictures I took today.

I was able to get some beautiful pictures of our peach tree and of the honey and bumble bees  until a fat bumble-bee chased me off.

Happy Spring!
Abigail Joy.

~ Giveaway Ahead ~

But first, a poll..

Please pick a number and tell me in the comments below..

would you rather receive:

1. a vintage-style greeting card (made by me, customizable with a message)

2. a custom fabric bookmark (or two, or three)

3.  a stiffened fabric necklace pendant (not the chain part, just the pendant)

Leave me a comment with your choice, and the number with the most votes will get chosen for the giveaway. 

Happy Spring (almost)

Abigail Joy. 

~ The Cutest Elephant: An Etsy Listing~

I have a new item in my Etsy shop! It is an adorable elephant I crocheted. 

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. 

Go HERE to take a looksie 

 

Have a blessed day! 

Abigail. 

~Daffy-dills and Wildflowers~

Spring is right around the corner, my second favorite time of year.  I don't know what it is, but at the same time every year I get the urge to do something. Something great. Something adventurous. Something out of the blue. 

I usually end up getting a haircut, or something less risky like clean my room. 

I recently had the joys of staying with my brother and his wife while my lovely sister-in-law was on bedrest after giving birth to a beautiful baby girl. The new mama needed some help getting back on her feet, my brother was missing some of his sister's cooking, and their dog was upset because she wasn't getting all the attention; so I stayed for a hot-minute to take care of them all. 

One day, to give mama and baby a few bits to themselves, I  went outside and got a few pictures of the flora and fauna of the coming spring. 

"Daffy-dills" are my favorite flowers for the simple reason that they are always among the first to appear after the cool, wet, season of winter.

Are there any spring arrivals at your home?