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Picnicking in the Past

I’m a Jack of all centuries. I can shake a hoop with a Civil War crowd or delicately eat strawberries with a Regency gang. A few weeks ago, Jason and I did precisely the latter.

These pillars conjured Pemberley's grace.
These pillars conjured Pemberley’s grace.

The Visions of History Society invited us to attend their Premier Summer Regency Picnic. This event occurred at beautiful Memory Grove in Salt Lake City on a pleasant but sultry May Saturday. Our company spread blankets beneath broad branches and indulged in cucumber sandwiches and fresh fruit. After all, to sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.

Over twenty attendees filled the park with a curious history.
Over twenty attendees filled the park with a curious history.

Due to our peculiar attire, our group frequently received puzzled glances and inquiries from curious passers. Many girls recognized our men’s resemblance to Mr. Darcy and were instantly intrigued/in love.

Cute bridges are not to be wasted.
Cute bridges are not to be wasted.

Memory Grove was an enchanting setting for this affair. It provided stately columns and darling bridges ideal for Regency reenactments. Oh the fantasy of history!

The harsh afternoon light did not conceal the classic elegance of Memory Grove's structures.
The harsh afternoon light did not conceal the classic elegance of Memory Grove’s structures.

It was a delightful afternoon, although it’s a shame that Regency folk wore so many layers. I wouldn’t have complained about being properly dressed in a little less. Thanks Visions of History for asking us to join your al fresco communion with nature and the past.

Rachel June 23, 2015 No Comments

A Civil Ball

A hundred and fifty years ago I wasn’t even a twinkle in my great-great-great grandpa’s eye yet I’ve spun across the dancefloor with the Union and Confederate clad as colliding petticoats have added their swirls to the drones of the dulcimer.

Recently, Old Glory Vintage Dancers put on a ball commemorating the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. Jason and I attended attired in hoopskirts and waistcoats. Visiting the past sometimes simply requires a closet not a callbox.

Some sentiments are timeless.
Some sentiments are timeless.

Time gracefully reversed at this event with live period music, parlor games, and a presidential visitor. And what would a ball be without dancing? (That was a rhetorical question.) We romped some of my era favorites that evening like Oslo Waltz and Soldier’s Joy.

On that note, hoopskirts are both super annoying and super fun to dance in. It’s a paradox that cannot be explained by even the most astute logic…sorry Spock. Corsets, on the other hand, not only defy explanation but patience, especially when laced ineptly. Unable to fasten my own corset for this affair, I enlisted Jason’s help. Despite his best efforts, he somehow managed to make that inglorious contraption way too loose at the top and bottom yet so tight in the middle that my ribs were bruised by the end of the evening. Now and then it would be convenient if Jason were a lady.

President Lincoln made a stately appearance at the ball.
President Lincoln made a stately appearance at the ball.

A century and a half ago our country rejoiced in its reclaimed indivisibility. Jason and I lately remembered that historic elation with energetic steps and uncomfortable undergarments. Long live patriotism and pantaloons!

Rachel April 21, 2015 1 Comment

V Is A-OK

Valentine’s Day: despised, adored, dreaded, avoided, relished. How can one holiday encompass so many sentiments? Regardless of how everyone else feels, V Day and I are cool with each other, cool enough for nicknames. Seriously, why would I carry a grudge for a holiday that gives me a chance to spoil my favorite man and do awesome stuff with him?

Come visit us at Pemberley anytime.
Come visit us at Pemberley anytime.

It was Jason’s turn to plan our V undertakings this time. He decided to spread things out. From Desert Star Theatre’s production of Pirates of the Scarribbean to the Extreme Mammals exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Utah, we did a number of V Day activities not on V Day. Attending Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour, part of Jason’s V Day plans, even happened weeks after the holiday.

We've become good friends with the members of our dance group.
We’ve become good friends with the members of our dance group.

The one thing we did do to celebrate Valentine’s Day precisely on Valentine’s Day was go to the Regency Romance Ball. We’ve attended this Jane-Austen-themed dance a few times but it never loses its appeal. Since Jason and I are now “experts” on vintage prancing, we ended up offering a lot of assistance to confused dancers at the ball, which was actually rather fulfilling. I decided to make a new dress for this event…again. Yes, I’ve sewn three for this particular time period but a girl can never have too many Regency gowns. I believe that’s rule #72 in the Girl Handbook. (Don’t try to look it up; the Girl Handbook is completely incomprehensible.)

Jason said the gift he most wanted for Valentine's Day was time with me so that's what I got him. In this box I placed a sealed envelope for each month of the next year and in each envelope the details of an activity we will be doing together that month.
Jason said the gift he most wanted for Valentine’s Day was time with me so that’s what I got him. In this box I placed a sealed envelope for each month of the next year and in each envelope the details of an activity we will be doing together that month.

This February Jason and I had a lot of fun in the name of love. V Day, no matter what others say, you are A-OK with me.

Rachel March 23, 2015 No Comments
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