Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire

  Well we made it to the Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire. Over all it was pretty fun. The best part was making the costumes. Which we knew would probably be the case:) It was neat to see what other people were dressed as. I really liked the Bards and Nobles, especially the more upbeat songs. They were the ones that made the drive worth it.  It was nice to actually put our costumes to use. Alyssa helped sew my peasant/ tavern wench dress. She made her noble green dress and juliet cap. She made all of Peter's noble/robin hood outfit. And she helped make Dane's viking pants. Which were ripped a few times by his leaping or climbing :) Dane bought the tunic and armor off of Etsy.                                                                               

 My over skirt is full of keys, wallets etc. That is why it is falling down.

Robin Hood about to ambush the poor unsuspecting viking

Viking pillaging the town and capturing a maiden

Peter and Alyssa

It has been really fun sewing with my sister. I'll just need to figure out new projects. I really do want to make clothes I could actually wear but so far I have not found any pattern I actually like.  And sometimes it can be pretty pricy but there are ways to make it cheaper. Hobby Lobby every few weeks will have their patterns go on sale for a dollar. And home fabrics usually has really good sales of nicer material. 

Lamb and Wool Day

  Dane, my Dad, Alyssa and I went to Lamb and Wool day at Thanksgiving point a few weeks ago it was pretty fun. Sadly I only got one picture. We participated in Waulking which was pretty fun. We got to learn a gaelic song as we did it. The blanket on Dane is an example of what we helped waulk. That one was already made.

   

    

   It kind of reinforced our dream of moving to the Faroe Islands or Orkney Islands. At least what we imagine it would be like :) 

Spring Break 2013

You could tell who had been keeping up on exercising. Even if I was out of breath going up it was still a lot of fun. I like Utah a lot for all the mountains and different terrains that are around here. I had fun in Virginia hiking too just can only do it in early spring or else going to be way too humid. Strawberry/Rhubarb pie was really good in Fruita. 

Now back to school. 

The Anthropology of Childhood: Cherubs, Chattel, Changelings

I don't really do book reviews on this blog but I thought this book was so good and everybody should read it!

Anthropology of Childhood: Cherubs, Chattel, Changelings by David F. Lancy. I couldn't give a better summarization than goodsreads so here is goodread's summary of the book:"The raising of children, their role in society, and the degree to which family and community is structured around them, varies quite significantly around the world. The Anthropology of Childhood provides the first comprehensive review of the literature on children from a distinctly anthropological perspective. Bringing together key evidence from cultural anthropology, history, and primate studies, it argues that our common understandings about children are narrowly culture-bound. Whereas dominant society views children as precious, innocent and preternaturally cute 'cherubs', Lancy introduces the reader to societies where children are viewed as unwanted, inconvenient 'changelings', or as desired but pragmatically commoditized 'chattels'. Looking in particular at family structure and reproduction, profiles of children's caretakers, their treatment at different ages, their play, works, schooling, and transition to adulthood, this volume provides a rich, interesting, and original portrait of children in past and contemporary cultures. A must-read for anyone interested in childhood."

Reading this book I felt like everything I knew about children or parents all got flipped around and jumbled. It was interesting to find that our worship of children is actually quite rare and unusual. Also it was interesting that children were able to take full responsibility at such young ages. For me it was especially interesting when the anthropologist looked at the way Utah Mormon children behaved and why.

This book was a very fast read it wasn't "textbook" style like I was expecting. You don't have to be an Anthropologist to enjoy this book.

 Saw the image below on facebook. Like I said earlier that view that children are the best things in the world and we need to do everything we can to make their lives the best that they can be is almost a rare thought. Even in America  if you go back a hundred years the thought process wouldn't be the same. They would look at children more like cattle. The more children you had the better the parents lives would be. 

Reuse Chopsticks please

Train Tangent

  Well I had my first day of classes for this Semester today. I am very nervous all my courses seem to be really hard but I guess that goes with the major right?  Hopefully I will do alright in Organic Chemistry.
   I attempted to take the FrontRunner today but failed. Ugh I am still upset about it. I got there early but I guess I should have gotten there earlier. My hands were numb and I had trouble picking my ticket and then when I finally did, it said I was too slow for pulling my money out so I had to redo it. After redoing it I got the ticket and the receipt and walked towards the entrance. When I got to the place to scan my ticket I pulled out the receipt but had no ticket! I frantically searched all my pockets and found nothing. Then I hear someone yelling "train departing!"then I see the train zip past me. I retraced my footsteps and found the ticket. I couldn't wait for the next one otherwise I would not make it to school in time so I just drove. That ticket is nonrefundable and is only valid for today.
  I hate driving to SLCC I feel so horrible about my Carbon Footprint. I also hate the time it takes up when I could be studying. SLCC has a pass for $200 a semester for Trax and UTA buses but doesn't include the FrontRunner. If I take the FrontRunner I have to pay the difference which can add up pretty fast. I was so excited that Utah was getting better at their public transportation but it's not quite working for me yet. The train stations are pretty far from my house. In the spring I could ride my bike to them but right now I don't trust the icy roads.

Regency Gown

Well I did it. I finally made a regency gown or Pride and Prejudice gown :) I had a lot of help from my little sister of course. I kind of regret the material I chose. I wish I chose a plainer fabric I feel like my pattern makes it look more like a nightgown. Oh well I guess I could always make another one if I felt up to it. Now I just need to make a pride and prejudice party to use it :D

I was  happy with the cream colored pearls I chose as buttons.  My sister and I followed the simplicity pattern 4055. The one with short sleeves, we just used the long sleeves from the other pattern and I didn't use a fabric that went over the other.