{Living History} Lain's Mill, Canisteo

It's that wonderful time of year again -- re-enacting season! Last weekend, Stephen and I kicked off our season by attending the Lain's Mill Re-enactment in Canisteo, NY. Our decision to go was rather last minute, but I'm so glad that we did go!

I must admit that, overall, the event was rather unauthentic, or what re-enactors call "farby". It was small, with all of two sutlers (shops). But, the location was beautiful, the battles were fantastic, it was a fun time with friends, and it gave Stephen and I a chance to prepare for Gettysburg in July.

Anyways, enough of my ramblings. Here are some pictures!

Saturday morning:

Our little"kitchen":

The morning battle:

Here come my rebels!

 Stephen's regiment near the end of the second battle, after they had been fighting in the woods:

Sunday morning, with a lake of fog covering the town of Canisteo in the valley:

Cooking breakfast:

Sunday's battle: Pickett's Charge:

Stephen and some of his regiment making it to the fence for hand-to-hand combat:

{Works With Her Hands} Trying Something New

Well, with my few spare scraps of time this week, I thought I'd share two recent projects.

The first was started out of desperation, looking for something to occupy my time during a slow day spent in my least favorite building at the museum. I've always admired cabled knitting patterns, and many people have told me how easy cables were, but I just never got around to it. But I had extra yarn, so Bingo, it was a perfect time to learn. And I think I did pretty well! The only mistake I made was once doing 7 rows instead of 5 rows before doing the turning row again.

I've worked on it more since this picture, and it's getting quite long. I'm going to turn it into a mug cozy.

My second project has been making a vest for My  Man. I had left over fabric from my wool sacque and petticoat, and he had mentioned that it would make a great vest. I had a pattern for a single breasted, collarless vest which I had used and liked. But I wanted this vest to be double breasted with a shawl collar. So, I set to work trying to change my pattern, and here is my mock up:

I'd say I did fairly well! He tried it on and it only needs one small tweak. So, I've got all the fabric I need for it, and I plan on starting the real thing this weekend, with hopes of finishing it before the Gettysburg re-enactment in July!