Keeping warm

If you read old books and journals, you’ve probably noticed wintertime references to everyday activities like breaking a covering of ice in the washbasin in the morning, before you wash. Or, perhaps not quite that, but instead, say, a habit of closing off part of the house in cold weather. Actually, we did that in [...]

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Washable ties…

… seem to be catching on thanks to an innovative company in North Carolina. (This is good for hospital settings, amongst other things.) Even if you’re not a fan of ties, it’s an interesting story about a family with a drive for excellence, and a desire to build a regional industry.

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Making a twirly dress

I would need to find a calculator to do the math (hey, we’re talking dividing circumference by pi, which is more than I can do in my head), but here’s instructions on making a girl’s twirly dress, using measurements and calculations instead of a pattern. This way, each dress is just the right size for [...]

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How to make a kap (and Plain apron)

Here’s a how-to for making a kap from scratch, pattern to product. Just because surely some lady out there wants to know. Added: How to Make a Plain Apron hat tip: sidebar links at Plain Catholic in the Mountains

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7 Quick Takes Friday

1. The first week of August, the local newspaper called my husband to see if it was true that there was a woman who worked evenings at our gas station cum bookstore who only wore dresses or skirts. Having that confirmed, they told him that they were a bit busy just then, but would it [...]

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While we’re on the subject of Puritans

The blogger at Virginia Is For Huguenots wishes to address the stereotype of a stern Puritan magistrate wearing a wig. The post contains history on the wearing of wigs by men, and on other fashions that provoked controversy and sometimes dismay amongst the faithful in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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Happenings (mostly trivial)

Yesterday morning, as I was shuffling around trying to wake up, I heard a kitten crying out back. That got me awake and dressed and outside considerably faster than I’d planned to be up and outside. The kitten did not sound like it was in distress, mind you. I simply could. not. wait. to. see. [...]

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Plain Catholics / Plain resources

While following links around yesterday, I stumbled upon a blog called Plain Catholic in the Mountains. Although I knew there were “Plain” people other than Amish and Mennonite, I confess I didn’t know there were Plain Catholics, much less Plain Roman Catholics. (It made sense once I thought about it, but it hadn’t occurred to [...]

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This and that

Sorry about the lull here. We’ve been having a wonderful Indian summer (which simply demanded that I spend some time outdoors), and I’ve been busy building up the Ladies for Life blog, and we’ve been sick around here (winter bugs don’t always wait for winter, worse the luck, and on top of that, my husband’s [...]

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