The December 7 Yuletide Challenge is Pearl: let's see those pearlescent models. Of course, my mind went to two non-model options first.
Vanessa's business is Pearl Photo and Design. One of my favorite pictures of hers is of Mountain Mama Jessica's engagement ring on the frost-rimed train tracks by the Tippecanoe Battlefield.
My car was dubbed "Pearl" by Lisa whose own car is "Ruby." (Guess Ruby's color... LOL)
My first pearly model was in my collection for a long time before I realized what it was.
It wasn't until I added another one to my collection and was able to compare them that I realized it was pearly.
This next one stumped me for a while, but after doing some research about Breyer's history during the oil crisis of reusing models by regrinding them and melting them, that I learned about partial chalkies and partial pearlies.
This Quarter Horse Yearling is a partial pearly. Look at her legs.
See that subtle pearly sheen?
Pearlies can be difficult to photograph but I think you can see it here.
I have two Clydesdale Foals that are partial pearlies. The pearly plastic is in its hips and rump.
Andrea Gurdon also had a partial pearly Clydesdale Foal. I have a screenshot of it, but I don't have permission to publish it. Go here for the article.
Using the description that Andrea gives partial pearlies in that blog post, I realized that this stunning 5 Gaiter is also a partial pearly.
Look at that glow! He is matte and not semi-gloss - the sheen is from the plastic itself. He is one of my collection treasures.
Monday evening we joined Curt and his family for a piano recital. Mila, Lukie, and Vanessa began lessons in January and this was their very first recital ever.
I was quite impressed with how far they had come. Mila was the second person to play and did well, but when she came back and sat down next to me, she leaned over and whispered,
"The second page of my music was upside down!"
That's not what you want happening in your first recital! But as she told me later, "I had my music memorized so it was okay."
Glad to hear it, sweetie! And no one was the wiser that that sheet of music wasn't right side up.
Lukie was so nervous, he began before his teacher was ready to play their duet! They started over and Lukie got through the piece quickly. I don't think the tempo called for Allegro, but that's what we got. Over and done in a flash with flying fingers!
When he finished, he bowed and then put his music over his head as he walked back to his seat - he felt shy.
Reminds me of the time he sang in a children's choir in church with his eyes closed the entire time.
He told me afterward that "my eyes were watering" so he had closed them. I give this brave boy full credit for getting up and participating at both events even though it was way out of his comfort zone!
Finally, it was Vanessa's turn, and she was fantastic!
She's only been playing since January? It did not sound like that; she was quite good!
"Well, I already know how to read music," she responded a little sheepishly when I complimented her afterward. That may be true, but she played well beyond a beginner, even one who is an adult.
It was fun to hear them play and I look forward to hearing them again at their next recital.
Last day for the May Give Away! Comment before 11:59 PM EDT tonight (May 22.)
She and Curt married fourteen years ago and she is a much loved part of our family.
She has a terrific sense of humor and is always up for the hijinks my kids can get up to.
Sarah and Lisa lifting Vanessa and Emily on the 4th of July. I'm so lucky to have these ladies as part of my family.
Curt and Kyle doing their best to distract her as she snaps photos of the kids.
A professional photographer, she has owned and operated her photography studio, Pearl Photo & Design, for over a decade.
Shortly after I got Abby, Vanessa met Tim out at the barn and shot a series of photos of Abby that she later gifted me.
Every time you come to my blog, you see my favorite photo from her gift.
She has a real artistic flair. Case in point, one of my favorite of her photos is Jessica's engagement ring on the frosty railroad tracks next to the battlefield for the Battle of Tippecanoe.
The ring on one of the 130 year old iron fence posts surrounding the battlefield.
The two of us on my birthday a few years ago - her gift to me was a makeover and then a photo.
Happy Birthday, Vanessa! Our family is better because you are part of it. We love you!
Sunrise at The Feast of the Hunters' Moon is a lovely time of day.
The grounds are stirring as folks are starting their day.
Sunrise over the Wabash is even more beautiful.
I always arrive early and so I get a chance to talk to friends, make new ones, and enjoy a bit of the Feast myself.
Lisa, Leslie, and Frank were out and about early, too. See my next door neighbor on the left? (In the red shirt.) He and his son cooked a variety of foods all weekend over their campfires, demonstrating to people some surprising things that could be cooked over a fire in a cast iron skillet.
Like this delicious, made-from-scratch-cooked-over-the-coals carrot cake that he brought me later in the morning! (I gave him some maple cakes to thank him.)
Lisa had planned to wear her robe a l'Anglaise but it turned out that I made a part of the sleeve incorrectly and that needed to be fixed first. She was so disappointed, but was very kind in her disappointment. I will try again after the Great Lakes Congress show is over later this month.
More strolling musicians came past my tent Sunday. This group is a high school orchestra from St. Louis. Their director was from Lafayette who grew up attending the Feast. As an adult orchestra leader, she teaches her students how to fiddle and then brings them out to experience and participate in the Feast.
Speaking of high school, an old high school friend, Darlene, popped in to see me. I had not seen her since we'd graduated!
Deb and her daughter Theresa came over from Illinois. Deb was a fellow teacher as well as Mountain Mama Jessica and Theresa's Girl Scout leader.
Anna used to live two doors down from me, and when we moved into our home, she was ten years old and came over and vacuumed for me! I'd just had three different surgeries on my left ankle before we moved in and was hobbling around in a cast and on crutches. What a sweet thing to do!
She and her younger brother Ian were especially fond of our dog, Zeus, and Anna was considered the Zeus Fan Club president as so many of the neighborhood kids loved him and would come visit him. (He loved them right back.)
The weather was beautiful and not quite as hot as the previous day, so the day was very busy.
Not only did this customer buy the black and red shirt she's holding (and I made the red shirt he's wearing last year), she gave me a custom order to make another shirt in a different size in the blue fabric.
Mackenzie and her husband are long time customers of mine. Not only are they wearing shirts I'd made, they bought one more and then put in a custom order for a second.
Friends Whitney and Jean are also long time customers and are wearing short gowns I'd made for them.
It's gratifying to sell something you have made, but when you see it being worn, you know they like it, and that makes me smile.
As they'd done the previous day, Lisa and Frank popped in periodically to check on me. My next door neighbor also brought them slices of that carrot cake to enjoy!
Three generations of family Feasters in this photo! I'm G2, Curt and Lisa are G3, and Ian, Mila, and Lukas are G4. (My mother was G1.) I'm so pleased with how the kids' clothing looks. (Lukas likes his shirt so much, he wore it to school on Monday.)
Of course, everyone got a free maple cake. (Or more... LOL)
Ian plays his new pan pipe while Vanessa, Lukas, and Mila eat their maple cakes.
After that, they headed off to see the sights and try some of the activities. Curt's family took on a high school group on the Cricket field and won!
Ian trained as a thief in Scoundrel's Alley (run by the Jarboes) and got caught and put into stocks!
I have no idea what card game this is, but I'd love to learn how to play.
Taking a look at some 18th century children's toys. I love the ballerinas above the monkey puppet!
Walking down by the Wabash. (The river is right behind them on the other side of that screen of trees.)
So many things to look at!
This is an ingenious 18th century workbench that can fold down when not in use.
It makes me happy that my family loves coming to the Feast and that the legacy begun by my mom continues on.
About an hour before closing, things calmed down enough that I could slip out and do some shopping. I headed straight to Eagle Talon Traders.
Owner Brandon has been a friend since the 1990s. He has a real eye for fabrics and is the best source for wool that I know of. I haven't known his wife Jessie for that long, but she has become a good friend, too.
After visiting them, I dropped by Mike and Phyllis Dotson's tent for a quick hello. Mike used to be married to another member of our family, but their divorce was friendly and we have stayed in touch. (He's a Hartland collector, too!) Then I hustled back to my own tent.
I got back just in time. My dear friend Brooke had stopped by to see me. This was her first year as director of the Feast, and that is a huge undertaking and heavy load. Lisa, Leslie, and I had put together that block print bag of some goodies for her to thank her for her hard work and support.
She also bought some of my clothes which is an honor but it makes me incredibly nervous as she is one of the best sewists I know.
When Brooke heard about the issue with the sleeve of Lisa's gown, she offered to help me fix it and confided, "I have made several robe a l'Anglaises, and I have yet to get the sleeves right the first time." (Thanks, Brooke. I needed to hear that!)
And with that, the 2024 Feast of the Hunters' Moon was over. Craig, Frank, and Lisa helped strike the tent and pack up, and I was home by 7:00 PM.
Tired, but also quietly content. It was a lovely weekend.
