Rena Rowan

Yesterday, my mother and I embarked on a quest. We were looking for a formal dress. If you've ever done so, you will know well just how the racks and racks of dresses, all too expensive (I was going to pay for it myself), and all too immodest (don't even get me started). The long dresses tend to be long, but slinky, and the short dresses are full...but short. So our last stop was Sears where we found it. This lovely color of red that I had only imagined existed just popped out at us and I tried it on.

My dress is the Rena Rowan Short-Sleeved Taffeta Shirtdress. It's not quite as long as I would have liked, but it's much more versatile than a gown, so I can wear it to semi-formal events as well as formal. It also looks very 1940's (you've probably noticed that if I like something lately, it looks 1940's. Go figure.) Can't wait to wear it!

Favorite Blog Award

Favorite Blog Awards:

The Rules:

-Acknowledge: write about the person who gave you that award and link to their blog.

-Pay it Forward: tag at least 4 other people and write about them and their blogs.

-Answer: ten random questions.

Joanna: She was my very first blog friend when I started blogging in August 2008. To this day, I'm not sure just exactly how she found my blog, but I'm very grateful that she did! I sincerely enjoy reading her blog. It just exudes this cleanliness and refreshment.



Jo March: She's a very encouraging blog friend, whom, sadly, I have not spent nearly enough time "around" (virtually, or course). She is a fantastic seamstress and designer (hey, she actually made a pattern from Butterick! That is a fantastic feat!). I was so flattered that she enjoyed my blog so much, and it's always encouraging to find her comments in my inbox.

I hate choosing just four or five, but if I didn't choose you it's either becuase I saw that you've already gotten it, or I just didn't remember.






Marian: I always enjoy reading her blog because she shares so many of my interests.



Moriah: Such a sweet girl who always gives me awards, and whose blog I really enjoy reading.



Sarah: I've always been encouraged corresponding with her, and wish that we could meet in real life.



Awel Prince: I've got to give it to her, those graphics that she creates are truly lovely and a joy to look at.


Meg: I really enjoy reading about her life...another Narnia fan! And she likes to read. And she loves good music...



1. Have you ever ridden an elephant?
Yes, I have!!!
2. Have you ever eaten squid?
Absolutely, POSITIVELY NOT!!! I gag even just seeing them.
3. What is something crazy you have done with your best friend?
Hmmm. I can't remember. Katy, do you remember?!?!?!
4. Have you ever held and alligator?
No. See me type?
5. Have you ever let a snake slither through your fingers?
No.
6. What is your first and foremost dream?
To do what GOD wants.
7. What is your dream vacation?
London, England-Paris, France-Rome, Italy-Madrid, Spain. In that order
8. What are your goals for this week?How about next week, since it is Saturday?
Get myself out of the "messy artist" rut.
9. What is the funniest movie you have ever seen?
Arsenic and Old Lace, then Bringing Up Baby. Then Pat and Mike. Then...
10. What is your favorite song?
(I'm getting) Corns for My Country. (Andrews Sisters...)

Doings of a Young Woman

I haven't done one of these for a very long time, but I thought I'd give it a go.

I am wearing: pajamas and bathrobe. More on that in a moment.

I am listening to: the vacuum cleaner and Cuddlebug humming arrangements of Andrews Sisters songs.

I am feeling: sick. With a cold. Nothing serious, luckily, but that explains the attire.

I am watching: my cat attempt to eat my brand-new, hand-made fancy scarf. I just took it away

I am thinking about: formal dresses and how to make them modest.

Outside my window: sunny and crisp. Lovely weather.

A Trip to Pseudo New England

For you people who live wherever there is such a thing as fall foliage, this post might not mean too much. But in Texas, the weather is mild and the trees are either bare or green. All year 'round. There is really no "fire" to speak of...except in Lost Maples State Park. This lovely little pocket in the midst of the hill country was at peak this weekend. So we bundled all five-plus-one of us into the van and drove. ("Plus-one" = Patience)

It reminded me of scenes in Narnia and the leaves just about make their own light.

All these beautiful leaves looked so much like those fall decorations they sell at hobby stores!

I'm always so thrilled when Patience wants to get in the water. It's funny, though, that she'll go to just about any measure to avoid swimming.

Walking in bliss...

A red carpet! So elegant.

Three sisters. The water was freezing but *looked* so clean!

More walking in bliss...

Patience looking at her idea of heaven (wide open spaces).

Fall foliage is absolutely gorgeous!

All the Andrews Sister's Greats: Part I

This is a list of my favorite Andrews Sisters songs to date... so get your downloading program ready!

Bei Mir Bist Du Schon--their first hit.

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy--it's a piece of Americana now.

Is You or Is You Aint My Baby--so lively.

Straighten Up and Fly Right--absolutely hilarious to sing to.

(I'm Getting) Corns for My Country--you'd rather two-step with their horses any day!

Shoo Shoo Baby--very swing...makes you want to dance!

Oh Johnny--It was featured in LWW...it's just too obvious

Oh! Mama!--I don't really get the very last line, but the rest is so funny. I made the mistake of having my little sisters listen to it. Now it's non-stop.

Yes, My Darling Daughter--not necessarily the best message (yes, daughter, you may go a-dating) but a very fun tune.

This is a thing called catch-up...

I've been gone too long...so I'll explain my long absence (at least in part).

1) Though I'm still home-schooled, I have a lot to do. Useless stuff like reading. You know. ;)

2) I've been toiling away at my 1940's suit and falling deeper in love with everything about that time-period every second.

3) I LOVE old movies. I'll just have to make up a list of my favorites. THAT was when they new how to make movies!

4) Listening to The Andrews Sisters: I found them through my infatuation with Narnia (they sang "Oh, Johnny" during the hide-and-seek scene in LWW). So now, the house vibrates with "Straighten Up and Fly Right," Bei Mir Bist Du Schon" and "Is You Is or Is You Aint My Baby." I know. I'm weird. But their neat, too. I'll have to do a post about them.

Well, those are the things that have been holding my up from blogging. Oh, and today, *dumdumdum* my sisters and I started FOLKLORICO!!!! It's fantastically fun. Hard work, though. Yes, that's the Mexican dance with the big skirts...only we don't get big skirts this time...we dress up as little old men...but that's ok. ;)

By the way, if anybody has seen Breakfast at Tiffany's, would you tell me if you would reccomend it, and why or why not? Thanks SO much.

Currently Creating...

View A will go with beret and matching scarf.