The Penny Doll

At Christmas, John decided to carve a penny doll. It was his first, copied from a 19th century pattern found in a 1985 magazine. He didn't have the correct wood on hand, so she is rather primitive, but now that he has the hang of it, I'm sure there will be more to come. She definitely has a charm of her own, and I will cherish her.

Penny dolls were very popular in the colonial time period. They were called 'babies' then. Just as today, the dolls taught little girls how to care for toys, how to share, and how to mimic their own Moms.  Even though they were called babies, dolls in colonial times were always adults.

Some penny dolls arrived fully dressed in the latest fashions from France and England for the Milliner's shops, making them easier to copy for customer dresses than sketches. The fashion dolls were completely clothed, including corsets and undergarments. Milliners also placed the dolls in their shops as a few examples of the lavish fashions available.

I have only seen original 18th century fashion dolls in museums, but reproduction dolls are scarce, too. It takes time and patience to carve, paint, and dress them. If you happen to have one, treasure it. . .Not only is it valuable, it's a part of our colonial history. . . French and English. . .

A Pantry for the Kitchen

Ever since I bought my first house, the first among many, I've wanted a big kitchen pantry in an old colonial home.  Yet it didn't dawn on me until recently that the time had actually come to put that plan into action in the wide hall off the kitchen. I was having a hard time deciding what to do with the space, having four doors to contend with.  Sure I could place a table on one side with a lamp or a narrow cupboard if I could find one that was only twelve inches deep. There would be a lot of wasted space and space is very valuable in a 900 sq. ft. house.

When it finally dawned on me that the hallway would make a perfect pantry, we set to work. The high ceiling allowed us many shelves on one side. On the other, I planned to place a hanging shelf of some kind over the 1890s grain bin, thinking John would probably end up building it.

I must admit that John did the work. I was the gopher (go for this, go for that). He first painted the walls a soft white to match the kitchen. Although you can't tell in the before photos, the walls were a light mint green. Once the paint was dry, he began installing the 12" deep shelves on the exterior side. He ducked in and out of the cold, damp weather as he cut and painted each board. Like all old houses, nothing was square. In fact, the floor itself slanted downward at least an inch from one end of the shelves to the other. That's when John's skill came in handy. No big deal for him. I would have been pulling my hair out from frustration.

My skill is finding bargains, which was the case with our hall re-do. I honestly didn't think I'd find a hanging wall shelf large enough for the space above the grain bin. I was looking for other items one day at the St. Mary's Antique Mall when I unexpectedly spotted a shelf that I was sure would fill the space. But, it was a Shaker style and somewhat primitive. I just knew it would be expensive. $20. It was painted in a bright (really bright) blue, but I could see the beauty in it once I changed the color. I didn't even ask for a discount. . .

With any project, there's a before and an after and then there is the all that comes in between--the middle. We are at that point. . .with more to do. It's a beginning. Now my favorite part comes in. . .deciding what to put on the shelves. I'm sure I can find plenty to transform my dreamed of pantry into 18th-19th century style. Not a problem. . .Simply fun. . .

Before: Exterior wall

Before: Interior Wall

Shelves on Exterior Wall

 

Our Ghost Cat

I have another Ghost. . .a Cat this time. . .

It happened in the early morning, long before the sun rose. Bleary-eyed and just waking up from my long night's rest, I slowly crept down the stairs where Mr. Coffee awaited me.

As I measured out the coffee and grabbed the spring water, I glanced at BJ (my then four month old kitten) coming down the stairs, landing safely and walking into the living room. I spoke to him, without actually turning. . .

"Good Morning, Sweetie."

 Finishing the coffee, I then walked into the front room to join him. No BJ. Was he playing one of his favorite games of hide and seek? He hides and I seek? I waitied for a while. No BJ. Did he go back upstairs? I went to look.

There he was at the top of the stairs, sound asleep in his basket. He hadn't moved an inch since I went downstairs earlier. There were no signs that he ever came down at all.

"Come to think of it, that downstairs cat was much larger than BJ and had short hair much darker than BJ's mix of light and dark gray," I said out loud.

Suddenly, I was awake. . .Wide awake. . .

A couple of mornings later, BJ did come running down the stairs as I was making coffee. I made sure it was him. As he headed for the living room and his favorite toys,all of sudden, he came to a claws out, screeching halt in the doorway, arching his back like he was a big boy. I quickly peeped inside the room to see what that quick stop was all about. There, disappearing into one corner, was the shadow of our ghost cat. This time not as life-like but definitely present.

There have also been a few nights before bed, that I heard meows, soft and low. . .and not from BJ. He was curled up on the couch asleep each time. Maybe the ghost cat was doing the same?

Once I got over the shock of finding that I own two cats--one being alive and one being a ghost--I decided it wasn't a bad thing. After all, I only have to feed one of them. . .and BJ has someone to play with when I'm out. . .A good thing. . .

To read about the other Ghost of Heil House, Click Here

This lady still makes an appearance now and then,

as well as arranging certain items to her liking.

There's never a dull moment. . .

The Tavern Room

Eighteenth century taverns were not only a place to drink a pint of ale, they were meeting  places, where people gathered to hear the latest news, talk politics and visit with their friends. For a few more coins, a meal could be bought, although maybe lacking in quantity and flavor. . .Most taverns also had sleeping quarters upstairs, where travelers could rest overnight. . .again for a price. . .

Our so called 'Tavern' is actually a small dining area, located in the main room of Heil House. . .We fondly call it a tavern. . .It reminds us of the times John and I frequented the ones in Colonial Williamsburg after a long day's work. . .still in costume. . .We played the part well. . .

It's hard to believe that only a month ago this room had very little furniture or accessories. . .John and a friend took a truck load of antiques up from the farm in early December and I followed to spend a few weeks arranging it. . .I painted furniture, moved heavy cupboards, arranged and rearranged. . .visited local markets for a few accessories. . .but took most from our collections. . .The handmade prim cabinet was bought ten years ago in Jackson, TN and is at least 100 years old. . .There are vintage barrels and wooden boxes, Windsor chairs, burlap bags filled with supplies for the winter. . .The table is set with pewter from Virginia, redware from the Eastern states, candlesticks bought at the Greenhow Store in Colonial Williamsburg, and hand-blown wine bottles from Jamestown. . .John's powder horn and leather bag hang from the pegboard. . .

I love this photo of the 'tavern' at night. . .Do you not feel transported back with us to the 18th century? . .Exactly what we envisioned. . .

I'll be sharing our progress at Heil House often this year. . .as we transform our second home into the colonial era. . .

La Guignolee Still Celebrated in Ste. Genevieve

Like many of the celebrations here at Ste. Genevieve, the La Guignolee was totally new to us. We studied English history in school but never French history in the Americas. We had no idea what to expect but knew it would be a fun night. . .Anything in the New France tradition has proven to make us smile. . .

La Guiannée (or La Guignolée) is celebrated on December 31 (New Year's Eve). 

It is a French medieval New Year's Eve tradition that is still practiced in two towns in the United States. The tradition related to poor people being able to ask the more wealthy for food and drink at the celebrations of winter. Customarily a troupe of traveling male singers went from door to door to entertain and ring in the new year. Hosts were expected to give them food and drink. Other sources say the young men were seeking donations for Twelfth Night^. Begun as a way for the poor to be given gratuities by the rich, it also became a community social event for young men to visit with the families of young women.

Over time, the practice became an occasion for visiting with relatives and friends and was more or less a traveling feast. At first it was carried on only by young men, often in costume; women joined the party in the 20th century. In many years, the people appeared in disguise, as part of the celebration was a kind of overturning of the common order.
This tradition has been practiced annually since 1722 in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. It has been revived in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Both were former French colonial villages settled by French Canadians in the eighteenth century .(wikipedia)

Our destination for La Guignolee was the historic Bolduc House. Although the singers visited other destinations in town, this was the only historic house on the schedule. . .Sure enough, we were transported back into 18th century New France history. . .

The song they sang and danced to was in French. . .but it didn't matter. . .
We were soon caught up in the rhythm and music. . .
In fact, we could have joined in but we left it to the experts. . .
Yet, we were hooked. . .
It was fun, festive, and a celebration all wrapped up in a French Colonial package. . .

We'll definitely be there again next year. . .Perhaps in costume this time?