Feast Friday: School Days

Feast Friday's School Days is in the books and what a day it was!

Although it started off COLD. The coldest it has been here since last Spring.

Luckily I have two cloaks of my own so I was able to loan one to Belle and we both stayed (relatively) warm.

The first person we saw as we rolled onto the grounds was Audrey. She was setting up the stage where she would be performing and had her husband and one of her sons with her. We chatted briefly and then Belle and I drove on to my site.

We hadn't been working too long when Audrey came over to my tent and asked if she could trade the blue cloak she'd bought yesterday for the green cloak I had hanging up in the tent.

Audrey, me, and Belle. (The small object you see peeking out from under Audrey's wig is her microphone.)

She explained that during rehearsal the previous evening, she'd realized that almost all her costumes were blue and she thought the green cloak would change that up.

No problem! We made the switch easy peasy.

Belle and I then got busy putting out the saddles, paintings, and artifacts that Tim had loaned us.

This year I am trying out a large two-sided chalkboard to advertise what I am selling, and I used it for School Days, too. (The orange ribbon is a signal that this is a site willing to demonstrate and teach kiddos.)

We set up two stations so that both of us could talk to groups of students. I think the shabraque (saddle blanket) made a great and unusual table covering plus it was part of what we shared.

We took some photos for me to use on my Jolis Chevaux Facebook page and to help me when I set up again next year - photos help me remember what worked and what did not.

Belle and I were both amazed at how many students thought the snaffle bit was a set of handcuffs. The three sizes of horseshoes garnered a lot of attention, too, as did the bearskin.

One of the best moments of the day was when these people came by. Totally by coincidence, they all arrived at my presentation at the same time! 

These folks are the 4th grade teachers and my former colleagues from Hershey Elementary (where I taught) and the 4th grade teachers from Lisa's school, Burnett Creek Elementary! (That's Lisa in the Purdue hat.)

Good people, all, and good friends, too.

I don't know how many people came by, but it was a lot and Belle and I both ended up a little hoarse from talking so much. (We both went home and took naps afterward.) She was such a help; I don't think I could do this without someone to help me because we were almost constantly busy. Having said that, I do plan to sign up again next year as a presenter.

It's Saturday now and in less than hour I need to put on today's clothing and head out to Ouiatenon. It's still cool this morning, but not cold like it was yesterday. I'm looking forward to being busy selling maple cakes, sleeve buttons, beeswax ornaments, and clothing as well as talking to friends and customers who have become friends. 

Oh, and I hope I can slip away and get a forfar bridie and some gingerbread for lunch. And some beignets! And some homemade root beer! And a croquignole or two! Apple blossoms! French onion soup! And...

This is the FEAST, after all!

Stay 'tooned!