Ordinarily Extraordinary

Frontier Days

So a few weeks ago we headed to Fort Toulouse/Ft. Jackson for Frontier Days. I went last year on a field trip while subbing in 1st grade and wanted to take DS back to see it. We had to go on Sunday, the last day and even though things were starting to wind down it was still a great experience. Next year I want to go earlier so DS can see more things. The reenactors stay in character and make it such an educational experience. So get ready for photo overload. I also want to go visit this place.

First the canon at Ft. Toulouse. They do fire it. It's interesting to observe, but loud.

 

Within Ft Toulouse they have barracks where the reenactors sleep during the frontier days. They also have ladies cooking and baking. The bread of course caught my eye.

 

DS being all boy, pretending he is in a battle. 

 

The French flag in Ft. Toulouse.

 

Of course DS was attracted to the firearms. :)

 

The reenactors come out to do a drill.

 

 

 

The Native Americans doing a stomp dance in their historical dress. Some have turtle shells they have made into leg wraps to make music as they dance.

 

One of my favorite instruments - the hammered dulcimer. It makes such beautiful music.

 

Ladies participating in the frontier days weave yarn and dye it with natural elements native to the area. I love the blue yarn.
 

A sleeping tent for one of the Native Americans.

 

Ft. Toulouse and Ft. Jackson are located on the Coosa River.

 

Of course there were people in an area selling wares. These are some of the turtle shells with beans or something in them like the Native Americans used in the Stomp Dance.

 

The colorfulness of the rock candy caught my eye.

 

Puppets tied to her knee. She made them move by moving her leg around. Very interesting. She said these were predecessors of the marionettes.

 

Tents over on the Ft. Jackson side.

 

This guy was quite entertaining. He was really into his character and I love how I caught the smoke when he shot the rifle. It was very loud, too.

 

I can't remember who this guy was portraying, but they were really into their characters.

 

Again, what is it with boys and canons?

 

Loved the red wagon.

 

Saw this in the beat up road between the two areas. I don't really like hearts, but I couldn't help to snap a photo of it.

 

Food over in the Native American camp. Last year I was there early enough to see them actually skinning a deer. Kind of gross, but very interesting when you understand that's what they had to do to live and how none of it went to waste. They would trade the skins for anything they needed.

 

There were a few Englishmen near the French encampment.

So there you have it. Our little field trip in photos. If you have a chance you should definitely take your kiddos. 

Tomorrow I'll be back and starting my Daily December photo. My plan is to do a photo a day in December.  We'll see if I can stick with it. :)
 

Amazing Grace

Have you seen this movie?  I have been wanting to see it for quite a while. I highly recommend it.  Such a great history lesson as well as incredibly inspiring to learn about William Wilberforce and all the reformations he worked for his entire life.

I've always loved the song Amazing Grace and somewhere in the recesses of my mind I knew the story of how it came to be, but had forgotten. The movie also brings that history into the movie. It's also worth watching the extras on the DVD and hear the commentary by the actors and director/producers.

And of course the extra of Chris Tomlin's video of his song Amazing Grace is well worth your time on the extras of the DVD. I found it on YouTube so I hope you will enjoy it.

Saturday Sketch #4

Well, Saturday's almost over, but I managed to get today's sketch done. If you use it please link your page back here in the comments. I would love to see what you do with it so please share. I created the page for Scrap, Etc. The bicycle paper is from Hambly. I painted the scallop chipboard piece as well as some Heidi Swapp chipboard letters. The red letters by Jenni Bowlin really do match the background although the photo doesn't make it look that way. Thanks for looking!

 

Something to think about.

In case you live under the proverbial rock here in Alabama and didn't know, Alabama and Auburn are playing right now. Fortunately for my family Alabama is up at the moment (it's almost 4th quarter as I type this) which means they are having a great time in Tuscaloosa despite the muggy, wet weather. Thankfully I don't think it's raining there right now. I'm sitting here at home watching the game which brought me back to another thought I had last week.

Lou Holtz was discussing Alabama's upcoming SEC championship game against Florida with a couple of other commentators last week. He picked Florida to win over Alabama because as he says  'Alabama doesn't have the big play makers like Florida does.'  Which got me to wondering. Does it matter that they don't have that big play maker? Or does it say more for them that they have accomplished what they have as a team?

This year Alabama has worked more as a team than in the past several years. There is a lot to be said for how Nick Saban runs his program. He believes in discipline for the team and for them to learn self-discipline and I think it has paid off. I think it's a lot like children. They thrive when there are boundaries and expectations. I haven't heard an interview with any of the Alabama players where they boasted about what they personally did. Each one has, though, bragged on their teammates and that encouraging and building each other up goes a long way for confidence and morale.

No, maybe Alabama doesn't have that one stand-out player. But may it's better to work as a team and accomplish what the Alabama football team has accomplished this year without a stand-out. Now granted I know next to nothing about football, much less about coaching football, but Lou Holtz's comment just made me think. I'm not saying this because my family bleeds crimson for Alabama, but does it not say more when you accomplish so much by working together?

Will Alabama win? Hopefully. Will Florida win? Maybe, but I hope not.

And as much as my mother is rolling her eyes as she reads this, you really can relate that to many aspects of  life.  Just something to ponder. What are your thoughts?

Giveaway at 5 Minutes for Mom

Check out this post over at 5 Minutes for Mom. I seriously need to check their giveaway prize out. Meal planning is my downfall and I wonder if these would help.

Be back later this evening with the Saturday Sketch.

Birthday Calendar Class

I'm so excited to be doing my first class at Scrap, Etc in just a couple of weeks! I know it's the Christmas Season, but I always start thinking about birthdays about this time of year also, trying to get a little ahead for next year.

So for my first class! (I'm so excited! Can you tell?)We'll be making this birthday calendar using papers from Basic Grey's cupcake line and some Creative Cafe polka dotted felt. This great little calendar is perfect to hang on your fridge to help you remember (I need all the help I can get) all those special days for the amazing people in your life. The calendar would make a great gift for a friend or for yourself!

All info is below. I hope you'll join me. Just call Scrap, Etc at 205-985-9323  to sign up or to reserve a kit if you'd like one, but can't make it. We'll also be making a couple of birthday cards to go with it. The cost is $20. (And yes, mother, I know my 'y' is missing. I ran out of letters, but will be getting more when I head to SE.)

Date: Saturday, December 13, 10:30 a.m.

Supplies you'll need: paper trimmer, scissors, glue pen if you have one (if not you can use mine), pencil, adhesive for adhering chipboard and felt (i use glue dots for felt). Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

 

Crafting finally!

I started this altered clipboard before I left for Thanksgiving and finished it once we made it home. The clipboard is by Creative Imaginations and the Fancy Pants paper was cut using the Accucut machine at Scrap, Etc. I love that they made a die to fit the clipboard. :) I'll be making a few of these for Chistmas gifts I think. :) Be back soon with photos of the Birthday Calendar we'll be making at my first ever class at Scrap, Etc.

TFL!

Photography Friday

Probably the one thing I struggle with photography wise and am still learning so much about is lighting.  One thing I've tried to do is find and learn how to reflect natural light with things that are all around me. I prefer to use as much natural light as possible. I am learning to shoot with a flash, but it's honestly not my favorite thing to do. A few weeks ago I had a session and the mom wanted some taken on a little bridge. Once I positioned the kiddos it hit me what a great reflector the water was. Why this had never clicked in my brain before I don't know, but it was such a light bulb moment. So that's this week's tip.  If you are shooting near water, use it to reflect light for you. Below is one of the shots I took during that session.  What a difference that water made. Without it her face would have been in much more shadow.

  

         

Thankful

So many things to be thankful for today.  So much I have been blessed with.

1. a husband who is the best dad, doesn't mind that the house is usually a wreck

2. a son who is so bright and smart and funny

3. families that love and support us

4. wonderful friends who are there when you need them

5. wonderful teachers for our son

6. a growing photography business

(and yes, i know these aren't grand spiritual things, but hey they keep my sanity)

7. my camera - yes, i adore it.

8. scrapbooking and scrapping friends and Scrap, Etc.

9. books to read

10. sunshine

11. amazing blue skies

12. my toyota sienna (yes, it's just a vehicle, but i do love it)

So that's my list. I'm sure there are many, more I could come up with.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Creative Cafe in December

Lisa has some great little projects planned for the Creative Cafe Happy Hours in December at Scrap, Etc. Check out  everything she has planned here. I'll be hosting one on Saturday, December 13 after my very first class at Scrap, Etc.!(More info on the class coming soon.) I also designed the project for the Happy Hour I'm hosting. Check out the photos below. I'm really excited with how this one turned out! I'm going to add a stamp on the little label on the back that says to and from. The label is a pocket perfect for a gift card or money. Tie it to a package or to the tree.  Man I love that polka dotted felt!