If this doesn't make you feel like dancing. . .

Fred and Ginger. . .The best of the best!




And you're twirling around your bedroom, humming and leaping and dancing with a fabulous imaginary. . .

. . .Oh. . . Just me?

A song/dance

"I can't dance."
"But I can't go out there alone."

Waltz For the Moon- FFVIII


"I thought you couldn't dance."
"I said I didn't, I didn't say I couldn't."

So Close-Enchanted


~Sophia

What Happens To Historical Cheaters

Or more accurately, One of the Most Embarrassing Moments I Can Remember. Oh yes, read on, it's quite amusing.

As most of you know, I reenact at a living history museum, Fort Nisqually, set in 1855. I have this very pretty outfit, complete with the slim waist, the dropped shoulders and the voluminous skirt.
For those that already *ahem* know what I'm talking about, here's the whole story:

As I set out to get ready for the monthly A/I meeting (Apprentice Interpreter), I felt nauseated and didn't want to go. I felt better after a while, but dressed rather sloppily. I added every layer I owned, except the extra chemise and the drawers. I always wear them, but this *one* time I thought, "Who's gonna know?". Yeah, you're catching on. . .

As I pulled on my knee-length stockings, I realized I was missing a garter, so I ran to the sewing room and grabbed the first fabric I saw: a bright yellow and orange batik print (much brighter and louder than in the picture). I ripped off some appropriately sized lengths and tied up my period-correct stockings.


The meeting was about music and dancing. We sang a few songs then went outside. The skillful musicians started the music and we danced in the cold grass. It was so fun, I hadn't danced in months.

We started this dance we usually do. At the Fort we call it "Jump in, jump out" but it's known by other names. It's a contra-style dance, danced in a circle. As a lady, you walk forward four, back four, repeat, jump in, jump out and you're twirled to the middle. You jump again then are passed to the next gentleman and repeat all until the music ends.

I was dancing with a very nice young gentleman, he's a new A/I this year. Forward, backward, forward, backward, jump in, jump out, twirl- a little too fast- WHOOSH!!! My skirt was up in the air, and everyone saw my beautifully improvised undergarments!!! *All* my stockings, my lovely garters, my bare knees, and *hopefully not* my chemise were revealed to the Fort, visitors, A/Is, and staff!!! (My English curriculum says don't try to be "cute" with more than one exclamation point. The author wasn't there.)

Luckily the light, drizzly rain put out the fire on my face, leaving it very brightly red. I kept quiet and as demure as possible until the next guy tried to twirl me. I couldn't stand it. "DON'T TWIRL ME!!!" I said desperately. Everyone knew by then. I think that scared the other guys, 'cause they didn't twirl me after that. I think my face remained red for the whole day. Now that I think about it, it's not that bad. . . Depending on what people saw. . .

Anyway, I have some sewing to do. I'm making another set of drawers and a very long petticoat.

~Sophia

Oh yeah. . . it's okay, you can laugh.

My 16th Birthday Weekend!

This is going to be a long entry, it seems like I had a whole birthday week! In my family we have several birthday traditions, I don't know if I've mentioned them before, but I'll recap. For girls, on the 9th birthday, you can get your ears pierced. 10th, for boys and girls, you get a pocketknife. For girls on 13th, it's lipstick. Anyway, we've made up another one for girls, on their 16th. On Valentines Day, I was told the surprise. I got to go down to Portland to get my own signature scent at The Perfume House, which is like, the biggest perfume place in the U.S.

So first off, Mama and I left on Friday afternoon. We rented a car and I got a bit wooshy after a while. I was sewing lace onto the neck of my new dress, but I stopped to take pictures. Here are some highlights.

We stopped close to Portland to go to the Pendleton Mill Store to look for fabric trim for my 1850s wool dress. We didn't get anything, but it was fun to look!


After that we went to my Aunt's apartment to drop off our stuff, then we went out to dinner at Justa Pasta. It was a crowded little bistro setting, and the food was great. We then went to an English Country Dance and learned a bunch of really complicated, fun, Austen-type dances. We then went to Powell's City of Books, and I was so tired and overwhelmed that we went back to the apartment.


The next day, we went to The Perfume House.
All those opened perfume bottles on the counter are the ones we smelled.

My Aunt fell head-over-heels in love with this one perfume, Daim Blond. She wouldn't stop sniffing her arm all day! It was even funnier because she has always sworn not to do perfume!

My perfume scent is called Fluers De Oranger by Serge Lutens. I completely adore it.

After that, we had lunch,

And wandered all up and down Hawthorne street, browsing the clothing stores and such.


My Aunt and Uncle bought me a beautiful wrap skirt made from recycled saris. It's reversible too!
After shopping, I went ice skating with my cousin at Lloyd's Center, then we all got Indian food at a little streetcart downtown. I took a few pictures on my camera, but they're too small to be visible on the computer. We went back to the apartment to do henna tattoos. It was so fun! It's supposed to last for 3 weeks, so we'll see.

We went home the next day after breakfast and a little more shopping. On Tuesday, I had my actual birthday. I chose Kahlua Torte instead of cake; it was delicious! My little sister's birthday was a few days later, and she had a chocolate cake. She has food allergies, but the cake turned out great. She turned 10, so that meant she got a pocketknife!

Needless to say, I'm just still so thrilled at my perfume and I'm so grateful for everything.

I'm off to do homework! Have a great day :)

~Sophia