A Peachy Sheer

Alright, so I might have abandoned my blog for the past six months.  But, I'm back! And here is my peachy sheer summer dress, just in time for winter :)

This was a different project for me, as my sudden change in taste not only surprised myself, but also my sister and friends.  I have always chosen drab browns and blue fabrics, as they are practical colors for a dirt grubber such as myself, and their combination with my skin color doesn't make me appear jaundice.  Yes, I might have that awkward skin tone that is somewhere between white and yellow/orange.

But, for some reason I couldn't pass up this flowery peach sheer fabric.  Bright and chipper, I couldn't help but to smile when I saw it.  I decided it turn it into a summer sheer dress, despite my sister's distaste for the "ugly and retro" fabric.

Next, I had to pick a pattern for my dress.  Even though they aren't often the most flattering cut, I knew I wanted an O bodice.  As, I might have been obsessed with this pattern in my younger years.

I didn't end up using the simplicity pattern.  Though, my sister did make the belt for for my basic cotton day dress and it is quite lovely.  I will have to post that another day.  Instead, I selected the sheer dress from past patterns.  Which, had a rather extensive instruction pamphlet to help a novice such as myself.

The dress went together rather smoothly, and wasn't that difficult to make.  Thankfully, I had my older sister to help me fit the bodice.  Plus, as an O bodice it didn't have to be as fitted to look good.  I lined the bodice with white cotton, and did a hook and eye front.  Which, I did mess up by the way.  I didn't know that one side of the bodice was supposed to overlap the other.  But, my goof isn't that apparent until you see the bottom of the bodice, where there is a visible hole in the closing between two hooks and eyes.  Thank goodness for belts and aprons!

The dress complete…and in need of ironing.  I really should get a better photograph of it too.

What I would change

1)  The bodice closure.  If it wasn't a sheer fabric, I would be tearing this thing apart and fixing the bodice so it overlaps and there is no gap.  

2) The sleeves.  The sleeves in this pattern have no cuffs.  They are gathered with an elastic band.  It is pretty, simple, and fast.  But, it isn't sustaining, and I'm not sure how accurate it is.  I want to take it out, and add a basic white cuff.  That would help keep the sleeves clean and wear better.

Caught you!

Oh no...I caught scandalous Brandy trying on her newly made and altered under clothing!

Newly made Chemise.

Corset cover

 Corded petticoat

Finished work skirt  (bodice is still in the makings).

All the little birdies

This is Mini May, the Russian Orloff Bantam Hen.  I purchased her as a chick, last spring.  She is a super friendly little bird, with lots of spunk, and a huge stomach.  Mini May likes meeting people, and is usually the bird I opt to take to educational events.  (Mini May and I where at Octoberfest at Old Economy Village last year)

Mini May quickly became a family favorite, and we wanted to find a good mate for her.  I ended up trying three different Russian Orloff Bantam roosters, but all of them where aggressive.  Thankfully, I found Ollie,  and shipped him in from a breeder in Washington State.  It was love at first sight.  

The two get along like peas in a pod!  Ollie is super sweet to Mini May.  Unlike most roosters, he follows his hen around everywhere, doesn't show any interest in the hens next door, refuses to mate with Mini May in public, and doesn't mess up her feathers with dirty feet.

Every night, Mini May and Ollie wait at the edge of door of their chicken coop.  Mini May has to be picked up, pet, and tucked into bed.  Ollie just stands there quietly.  But, last night Ollie was the only one standing on the edge of their door.  Ollie has always kept his distance from humans, so I was surprised to see him anxiously pacing the edge of the door for me...alone.   Where was Mini May!

Mini May was in the back of the box brooding.   When she saw me, she fluffed up her feathers and let out quite a few squawks of distaste.  Thankfully, she didn't nip, as I plopped four more eggs under her belly.  

Poor, Ollie still doesn't seem to know what to do with himself, or his cranky wife.  He continues prancing up and down the side of their box.  Ollie was further perplexed with his new neighbors, that I put into the coop next to his.  They seem to resemble him and the wife.  

Embroidered Woolen Stole

Brandy was going through her fabric remnants, when she found a lovely yard of golden wool.   She set it aside for me, to make a stole.  Instead of making a plain stole, I decided to embroider it.  Besides, embroidery I intend to add fringe on both sides.

I started out by cutting and piecing together the fabric.  My sister was kind enough to help me with the measurements, which where 84" x 12" + 1" added to each side for felling.

I choose a pattern from a book called Early American Embroidery Designs, scaled down the pattern, traced it, and pinned it onto the wool.

Embroidering over the tracing paper

Wool floss

Delightfully Delicious

Brandy is still on her cooking camp spree.  None of us mind, as the house fills up with lots of goodies...and I can take a vacation from the kitchen!

Here is one of the treats she made today!

Grease a 24-section mini muffin pan with softened butter and set aside.

Melt 2 T. butter in a saucepan over med-low heat.  Add 1 dozen large marshmallows and stir until completely melted and mixture has turned golden in color and is slightly caramelized.  Remove from heat and fold in 2 c. crisp rise cereal.  Immediately press rice krispy mixture into mini muffin sections a tablespoon at a time, taking care to press the centers down to form a small bowl.  Cool completely.

Spoon vanilla yogurt into each rice krispy bowl.  Place fresh blueberries on top yogurt.  

Scarf these little delicacies before anyone notices and you feel obligated to share!

Rice krispy bowls can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator 

in an airtight container for two days.

Dork Alert

I have been wanting Dorking chickens for years.  But, finding quality Dorkings is harder then finding Waldo in a crowd of men wearing red and white striped shirts.   It seemed that choices where Sandhill and Murry McMurry hatchery, and frankly neither where that appealing.  There is also a very dedicated breeder of White Dorkings, but I didn't want whites.  

Two years later, I found a breeder.  And guess what....He is twenty minutes away from my home.  Further more, he isn't just any breeder.  He is the reputable breeder and American Poultry Association Judge Mr. Horstman!   

This Saturday, I had the honor of meeting Mr. Horstman and picking up thirty-one of his beautiful Dorkings!  (15 Red & 16 Silver)

Why raise Dorkings?

1) The Dorking is an excellent Heritage breed of poultry.  That have been bred for centuries (43 AD to be exact, and they are probably much older!)  The breed was one of the first to be brought to the United States, and provided quality meat and eggs for our ancestors.  

2) Not all meat and eggs are created equal.  The Dorking is well-known for superior quality meat and eggs.  

3) Both, hens and roosters are very docile.  This makes them a wonderful choice for families, whom want safe birds for their children to interact with.

4) Hens are wonderful mothers.

5) The Dorking is a beautiful bird, and their beauty doesn't inhibit their productive nature or foraging abilities. 

6) Dorkings are endangered.

7) What dork isn't adorable?

Carbohydrates and Literature

While writing the story below, my sister was busy testing recipes for her summer cooking camp, and fixing (correcting) my grammar.  Today, I have eaten cookies, cupcakes, bread, and cake.  I feel like a complete gluten, with an ambition for dental decay.  But, the pineapple upside down cake was the best I have ever eaten, which is why I am posting the recipe, and heading back for another slice!

Okay, here it is

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.  Arrange drained pineapple rings and maraschino cherries in the bottom of the prepared dish.  Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar over pineapple and cherries.  Pour 6 tablespoons melted butter over sugar and fruit.

Cream together 1 cup sugar and 3/4 cup softened butter.  Beat in 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla, stirring after each addition.  Stir in 1 teaspoon baking powder and 2 cups flour.  Pour cake batter over sugared fruit.  Bake 40 - 50 minutes.  Cool and serve inverted.  Enjoy!

This recipe is from the early 1900s.  If you're feeling authentic, try cooking it in a cast iron skillet and serving it at a bridge party.

The chef