Miss Elodie's Diary

The Little One is Getting Bigger!

2011-04-13T15:35:00.012-05:00

We are discovering daily one of the Truths of Life: babies do not stay babies for very long. They quickly grow into Toddlers whose desire to Run and Explore far exceeds their ability to remain Still and Quiet. These factors must need be considered when planning to take said Toddler to a historical event, particularly when period dress is desired!

As was documented here in March 2010,
we had sewn an infant gown for the Little One in advance of her arrival. When she last wore said garment, she was still, indeed, an Infant. Now, no longer limited to sitting and cooing at events, her clothing had to adjust to her growing form. While her Mama is adept at sewing tucks and was thereby able to shorten the skirt and render said dress wearable to this small event, she did not think to Plan ahead and all this flurry of activity took place in the family vehicle only minutes prior to everyone’s arrival on the scene! All was successful in the end, but, alas, the infant gown, sized for true infants, will likely no longer fit in the bodice by the time of the next Occasion. Yours Truly must now contemplate the design and execution of a new outfit.

Ah, the timeless challenge of dressing a growing child!

Jane Austen Society Conference comes to Texas!

2011-03-30T10:19:00.003-06:00

Miss Elodie must confess that she does not much care for crowds. However, when large numbers of people, even Strangers, come together to celebrate anything of importance, she often will make an exception and attend.

This October the Jane Austin Society of North America will hold its annual meeting in Fort Worth, a lovely and quite cultured community not too many hours north of where Miss Elodie currently resides. Although she may not be a Stalwart Janeite, she is certainly an admirer of the Lady's Literary Works.

Miss Austen's novel "Sense and Sensibility" turns 200 years old this year and will be the theme of the conference. Yours Truly believes "Persuasion" to be her favorite, but will admit that "Sense and Sensibility" is a near runner up.

Perhaps we will see you in Fort Worth this Fall?

The Little One in a State of Grace

2010-11-05T08:14:00.011-06:00

Events seem to occur on or near holidays in our family. We discovered that we were to become a Mother on an aptly named "Good Friday," our Little One was born just before Thanksgiving, and this year, we finally brought her into God's good graces by baptizing her the day before All Hallows Eve. Such occurrences are not unusual. Yours Truly was herself Christened on Valentines Day. In this part of the world, however, the weather is usually more clement in late October than in mid-February and, true to form, the sun shown beautifully for the Great Event and the day resonated with joy.

It so happens that the maternal grandfather of the honoree is a minister and so he performed the Christening with water from the River Jordan. His contribution was but one in a day full of family significance. The baptism took place in the front hall of the Big House built by our daughter's great-great-great-grandfather in the very spot where, in 1901, her great-grandfather was himself baptized by the first bishop of the newly formed Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. This clergyman later became the Presiding Bishop of the whole national church. Although such a Future isn't expected of the maternal grandfather as he has retired from active ministry (he does, however, still serve at a church), he was pleased to perform the ritual on his first-born grandchild.

No period gowns for this event, though the garment the Little One wore was the same worn by Yours Truly on that Valentine's Day many years ago. It was made by my own Aunt and Godmother. This very same Aunt and Godmother was able to travel from Louisiana to witness another generation brought into the community of the faithful. We rejoiced that a Happy Occasion brought us together and we celebrated for two days.

A good and blessed time was had by all.

In Which We Visited the Things of Our Ancestors' Kings

2010-07-06T10:16:00.010-05:00

...Or, How We Spent Our Fourth of July

Our Nation's Birthday was taken up by a trip to the Meadows Museum on the Campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. There we saw the exhibit of embroideries, paintings, and furniture collected by King Carlos IV of Spain and his queen, Maria Luisa of Parma.

Miss Elodie must confess that most of her knowledge of the Royal Iconography came from the not-so-flattering paintings of the monarchs and their family by Goya.

There were, however, some lovely images of the couple created during their youth. One in particular of Maria Luisa features her in a pink gown covered with exquisite lace. The dentils are rendered most carefully and thereby even a close examination of the painting reveals an accurate replication of the needlework. Miss Elodie is a particular admirer of this type of lacework and has been known to Swoon over those specimens she has been privileged to view.

As the Captain likes to remind Miss Elodie, Carlos IV reigned during the years Louisiana was part of Spain thereby enabling me to claim a bit of Hispanic culture in my Gallic ancestry. Indeed had fate not intervened otherwise, one of the subjects of the Exhibit may well have had some direct and personal contact with my Forebearers.

Near Thibodeaux, just down Bayou Lafourche from my Ancestral Lands, stands Rienzi Plantation which, rumor has it, was to be the Palace-en-Exile for the very same Queen Maria Luisa. Bonaparte set his brother Joseph on the throne of Spain and found it inconvenient to have the Former Occupants nearby. Rather than flee to Louisiana, Queen Maria Luisa traveled to France then Rome. She may not have appreciated the heat of her former colony nor the fact that the town of Napoleonville was just up the road. Ah, C'est La Vie!

The Exhibit, titled "Royal Splendor in the Enlightenment: Charles IV of Spain, Patron and Collector" will continue only through Sunday July 18th and so a visit should be planned today!

2010-03-05T09:30:00.004-06:00

Yours Truly has had an interesting life for the past year. Not only may she now refer to herself as Madame Elodie, she also uses the apellant "Mere." Yes, Miss Elodie is a wife and mother. The new arrival, a sweet auburn-tressed girl, has already attended her first immersion event (historical, that is).

The Little One behaved marvelously and seemd to enjoy herself before falling asleep in her Mama's arms.

Planning a little girl's historic wardrobe is certainly fun; hopefully the she'll be similarly enthusiastic about wearing it!

Setting the Scene

2009-08-07T10:22:00.014-05:00

Like many other of her generation and older, Yours Truly grew up watching that particular phenomenon of Southern Identity, Gone with the Wind. Although the pivotal panoramic of the train depot with thousands of wounded soldiers always causes Miss Elodie to choke up, her Favorite scene takes place at the charity bazaar dance in which Miss Scarlett refutes Dr. Meade's assertion that as a widow, she won't dance. "Oh Yes I Will!" she cries as she heads out onto the dance floor to lead the Virginia Reel in her trailing ebony weeds.

Miss Elodie has had the great pleasure of opening the Virginia Reel on several occasions, sometimes even dressed in black. However, this past month she not only danced her favorite dance in this flattering shade, but she did so in a ballroom decorated not unlike the charity bazaar from the aforementioned Epic Motion Picture.

In Chapter 9 of her novel, Margaret Mitchell described the scene:

“...[E]verywhere amid the greenery, on flags and bunting, blazed the bright stars of the Confederacy on their background of red and blue...At the other end of the hall from the platform, the ladies had eclipsed themselves. On this wall hung large pictures of President Davis and Georgia’s own “Little Alec” Stephens, Vice–President of the Confederacy. Above them was an enormous flag...The two faces looked down on the scene, two faces as different as could be possible in two men at the helm of so momentous an undertaking: Davis with the flat cheeks and cold eyes of an ascetic, his thin proud lips set firmly; Stephens with dark burning eyes deep socketed in a face that had known nothing but sickness and pain and had triumphed over them with humor and with fire—two faces that were greatly loved."

While Miss Elodie does not have any great insight into the accuracy of Miss Mitchell's descriptions of the characters of the Confederate states executive officers, those folk who labored to decorate the ballroom at the Arlington Hotel did a bang-up job and portraits of these two famous men were given prominent display. Alas, her photographs do not really do justice to the setting as they were taken while the dance attendees were partaking of well-needed refreshments.

As for Your Truly, she was, indeed, attired in black, though not in widows weeds but in tribute to her Francophone ancestry. Miss Elodie dressed rather more in the style of Ingres' portrait of Mme. Moitessier than Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton therefore she was able to grace the dance floor and lead the Virginia Reel with far less scandal and perhaps even more delight than her more famous literary counterpart!

Having waited and waited...

2009-08-05T14:34:00.005-05:00

inally! Dear Reader, Yours Truly can say
"I could have danced all night" and have it mean more than just lyrics from a Broadway musical. After a rainy, phlegmy spring, the summer heated up to include not one but two dances and one formal ball. Miss Elodie was able to trip the lights fantastic without actually stumbling. More on this to follow soon...

Fascinating and Compelling

2009-06-02T16:06:00.001-05:00

Could this be an entry NOT centered on the life and activities of Your Own Miss Elodie? Perhaps so! She invites you to read the first of a fascinating series of articles written by film auteur Errol Morris and published by the New York Times concerning the life of a fallen Gettysburg soldier identified only because of the ambrotype of three small children he clutched in his dead hand...

Whose Father Was He? (Part One) - Errol Morris Blog - NYTimes.com

This Spring has been a Wash - Literally and Figuratively

2009-05-27T13:03:00.001-05:00

Oh, Miss Elodie had such hopes for this reenactment season: the battles, the balls, the opportunity to wear a low-cut gown...but my gracious, it has been raining, and raining, and raining! Indeed every event has been either cancelled or severely curtailed by the Second Flood. Altho' Miss Elodie understands that this region is under severe drought, can't the rains begin after 5pm on Sunday? Made worse was the fact that her Lungs were not functioning At Their Best and so going out into the sometimes chilly spring rain was not an option.

Alas familial obligations will curtail attendance at most other events this year, though Miss Elodie does hope to see friends Dressed for the Occasion soon....

Old Fashioned Malady Prevents High-Tech Update

2009-05-11T17:27:00.008-05:00

Miss Elodie would like to apologize for not updating this site as she is recovering from pneumonia. She is glad to say that she has not been afflicted with the Swine Flu and has yet to emit an "oink" with her "achoo."

Diversion Courtesy the BBC

2009-03-23T14:24:00.005-06:00

Altho' Yours Truly is still terribly busy sewing not only a wrapper but a corded petticoat and refinishing a purchased silk dress, she still sometimes is able to find something to distract her. Today's discovery is an online game courtesy of the British Broadcasting Company. Try your hand at dressing up a figure in the costume of either the Tudor or more recent Victorian times. You have your choice of both female and (gasp!) male forms!

Enjoy!

Quite the Sew-n-Sew

2009-03-18T14:00:00.009-06:00

Miss Elodie is pleased to announce that in less than two weeks she will be attending a delightful weekend filled with learning and laughter with other ladies of the same temperment. With only a few days left, the burning question on her's and everyone else's mind is, of course, what to wear? Daytime and dining are two events of concern, but foremost on Miss Elodie's mind is what to don in that time no longer so formal between dinner and bedtime...why of course, a Wrapper!

Alas, such an article had not yet made it into Miss Elodie's wardrobe and so what does an enterprising young miss do? Why sew one--and--rather ambitiously, without the aid of a machine. Will it be wearable (brava!) or a disaster (quel d'hommage!)

Tune in to see what creation falls off her needle using Past Patterns Wrapper #807 and this lovely brown print.

Passion for Fashion (Plates)

2009-03-06T09:15:00.028-06:00

Those close to her know that Miss Elodie is an ardent follower of fashion. Now, when she refers to the word, she doesn't mean Fashion as in Fashion Week or Fashion Magazine. Oh no. Miss Elodie's mood for the mode is satisfied by the exquisite format of disseminating style: the Fashion Plate.

The magazine Godey's Ladies' Book is a particularly famous resource for Miss Elodie's obsession, but others such as La Mode Illustree and Pariser Moden are a delight. Recently she spent a splendid afternoon perusing a collection of plates. Soon dresses began to dance before her eyes and an entire wardrobe was inspired. Oh My!

Then the constraints of time and talent, not to mention her empty coin purse brought Miss Elodie back to reality. Alas, the wardrobe must remain locked and the dresses must need dance in her mind rather than on her figure. Nonetheless, Dear Reader, please enjoy some of these visual treasures and imagine the possible confections to be created!

Fashion Plates

Sweet Surrender!

2009-03-02T16:10:00.005-06:00

Sometimes Miss Elodie's ramblings turn beyond her own small world. Today she encountered the journal of a very busy lady who is also interested in making everyone's day a little brighter.

Mrs. G. at Pastoral Symphony Farm has taken on the challenge of harvesting and processing her own maple sugar and has even announced a contest in which the winner will receive a pint of her home-brewed confection.

Oh bliss!

What, ask you? How could it be that a sugar-cane-ophile be a devotee of syrup derived from from genus Acer? Simply this: fresh maple syrup is heavenly; besides, despite her family's two hundred-fifty years in Louisiana, they did spend a good century and a half settling Canada first.

Á La Douceur de Vivre!

Mad about the Menger

2009-02-20T10:53:00.041-06:00

This past week Miss Elodie had the honor and privilege of attending a Valentine's Day Ball at the historic and beautifully appointed Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

While most visitors spend most of their time at the San Antonio de Valero Mission, also known as the Alamo, located just next door, Miss Elodie must confess that the surroundings of the Menger are more to her liking.

Here in the Victorian Lobby The Party gathered for the Parade into Dinner.

Later, the doors to the Ballroom were opened and Miss Elodie and her Partner were second in line for the Grand March. The evening would have been perfect had not History Repeated itself again when Miss Elodie made one misstep during the infamous Virginia Reel and made more contact with the ballroom floor than she would have preferred. Nonetheless, the Dance takes precedence over any personal Discomfiture therefore she completed the Reel and enjoyed the remainder of her evening.

It was a wonderful Valentine's Day that will be enshrined in her memory. Miss Elodie hopes yours was as special!

Valentine Remembrance

2009-02-13T10:47:00.014-06:00

Miss Elodie would like to extend to you her best wishes for Valentines. The day has special meaning for her for several reasons not the least being that she was baptized on that date by her clergy father in his tiny Episcopal parish in Opelousas, Louisiana. Now Miss Elodie does not wish to divulge the exact date of the occasion, but her memories of the occasion are only through photographs.

Another reason she celebrates is because so many of her French-Canadian and Acadian ancestors chose to marry on February 14th. This seemed so romantic to Miss Elodie until her mother pointed out that the Date was one of the last available before the beginning of Lent. So, perhaps the 14th was chosen more out of the wish for the newlyweds to stay warm until spring!

Lastly, she remembers the occasion because of the propensity of her ancestors to be named "Valentine" Her great-great-great-grandfather Valentine Cunningham was the last of these, though he and his descendents continued the practice with "V" names. Although she is a lover of traditions, particularly those familial, Miss Elodie is rather happy she was left out of this convention.

Happy Valentine's Day!

All that shines isn't necessarily silver **but Miss Elodie certainly enjoys seeing it on her table!

2009-02-10T14:55:00.033-06:00

Miss Elodie has been on a collecting spree and silver is what is on her mind. Is she hoping to corner the market then hoard the metal until it's value goes up? Why yes, but only if it is in the shape of a lovely tea set or serving piece. (Note: she has no intention of ever selling them!)

Her love affair with l'argenterie began at a tender age when her beloved Godmother began her collection of demitasse spoons. Every Christmas for the first twelve years of Miss Elodie's life she received another ornately engraved spoon.

Other gifts and purchases followed which were added to family pieces including place settings for twelve, bought in the depths of the Depression, which had once belonged to her maternal Grandmother.

Miss Elodie dreams of actually using her treasures beyond displaying them and relishes in the idea of having a full banquet. Ah, were but her dining and drawing rooms a bit larger...

Catch the Ball!

2009-02-05T10:56:00.037-06:00

It's no secret that Miss Elodie loves to be invited. To what may you, dear reader ask? Why to almost anything, but particularly to an event that involves dressing in her finest and dancing well into the night.

With the économie in its current state, some have had to cancel due to a paucity of responses.

Quelle tragédie!

Will this be the end of grand evenings and intimate suppers?

What will the kid glove makers, fan repairers, and petit-four decorators do to survive?

My dear readers, we are on the verge of collapse of an entire industry

-- le Bal Grand is in danger of extinction!

Please, take heed!

When the invitation arrives in the mail, search your pocketbook as well as your heart. Give in to the lilt of the music and attend. So many people, including your author, are depending upon you!

Wandering among the Ruins

2008-12-05T11:15:00.004-06:00

Despite the fact that Miss Elodie's dear mother grew up not five miles from this place, only within the past few years has she had the opportunity to visit this spot made famous in film and photography.

Windsor Plantation near Port Gibson, Mississippi was completed in the decade before The War and survived the conflict only to be set ablaze by the cigarette of a careless houseguest in the 1890s. Made famous by photographs of Clarence Charles Laughlin in Ghosts Along the Mississippi and later in the film Raintree County.

Towering Corinthian columns and a few bricks are all that remain of what once was one of the largest plantation homes in the Antebellum South.

Her dear mother recalls a twilight picnic held here on the grounds of Windsor long before Miss Elodie's appearance in the world. She is not sure evening would be the time to linger at this location and wonders if any ghosts were sighted wandering among the ruins....

by MissElodie

Miss Elodie is Remiss!

2008-09-27T18:44:00.008-05:00

Miss Elodie has been terribly preoccupied with life. However, she has managed to experience a few pleasures along the way...

Recently Miss Elodie had the opportunity to visit the place of her ancestors.

After traveling through fields of sugarcane,

she stood within the hallowed walls of the church attended by the original Élodie.

Later she rested in a home once inhabited by neighbors of Mère Élodie.

That evening she captured images of burning sugarcane. The grinding season has arrived!

Oh for a return to those days!

2007-06-27T09:32:00.000-05:00

ODE TO A RUFFLED PETTICOAT

It seemed like such a wonderful idea

To fill out my skirts so prettily.

I bought the muslin and the ribbons

In what I thought was the right quantity.

The fabric was ripped along the grain

into long strips which were stitched in gathers;

216 inches take forever to sew.

Then I sat with a sore neck and pulled threads for hours.

Whilst dreaming of my beautiful garment

I pinned, and pressed, and stitched.

Hoping it would fit over my hoop,

My fingers busy despite the pins' sharp pricks.

Alas this skirt may prove to be my Moby Dick

As it is large, unwieldy, heavy, and white.

I've invested such muscle, time, and expense

Should I ever wear it I'll have to pretend delight.

All Is Vanity!

2007-05-09T11:16:00.000-05:00

Miss Elodie was in fine form this weekend as she attended a ball during the spring pilgrimage in Jefferson, Texas. Ever careful of her appearance, she made a grand entrance in her favorite gown with her hair arranged in an elaborate knot.
Her impeccable toilette was not, however, as successfully achieved by her friend Miss J. Alas for the hapless Miss J., not only had she neglected to check the fasteners on the back of her gown thereby necessitating the use of those newfangled "safety" pins to give purchase to the hooks, but, horror of horrors, in the middle of the Virginia reel, she lost the hairpiece on the back of her head. This is perhaps the second worse thing that could have befallen her.

Yet Miss Elodie must congratulate Miss J. for keeping her composure such that she was able to dash over to her seat, deposit her crowning glory, and return to the line without her partner even being aware of what had just transpired. Indeed, such is Miss J.'s enthusiasm for the Virginia Reel that she completed the set and even smiled despite her braidless state during her tenure as the distaff side of the lead couple when it came their turn.

That, my dear reader, is the epitome of a lady.

Miss Elodie Sings Praises of Singer!

2007-05-01T10:05:00.000-05:00

After years, nay, a lifetime of sewing by hand, Miss Elodie has finally succumbed to the lure of the latest technology. Yes, she has invested in a sewing machine and has learned how to use it.
After three lessons, Miss Elodie produced a lovely toile fabric covered handbag that is the envy of her friends and associates.

Her next project is a variation of a new pattern Miss Elodie's friend Miss Laurie adopted from a new publication. The fabric is a gorgeous brown, rose, and green striped cotton Miss Elodie believes will be fashionable yet comfortable this summer. The version Miss Laurie created had self-runching and green ribbon trim. Miss Elodie, while fond of green, hopes to match the fabric with rose grosgrain. Clothes are of a particular interest to Miss Elodie as she is preparing for a busy season of attending events where the gentlemen appreciate the effect her hoops and other underpinnings have on her physique and wardrobe. While voluminous skirts can be cumbersome, Miss Elodie can't help but smile as she sees how comparatively small they make her waist. Ah, if only it were true...

To return to the subject of this diary entry, Miss Elodie hopes her skills with her Singer machine will improve and that she will have acceptable examples of her handiwork to post.

The Map Hatter, or, Bonnetmaking On the Road to Save Texas History

2007-04-20T18:11:00.000-05:00

Oh my! There has been whispering around that Miss Elodie has gone into Trade. Lately she has taken to the road ready to lend her talents to gentlemen to whom she has not been introduced. Yes, money does exchange hands, but it is, of course, for such a Worthy Cause! What could so occupy her time and talents? Why she has been assisting with fundraising for the Save Texas History program!

This last excursion took her to the Civil War Reenactment held at the Confederate Reunion Grounds in Mexia where she wore the bonnet she created during the journey, handed out pamphlets, and generally stumped for Save Texas History. Never fear, Miss Elodie won't forget she is a Lady; she wore her most respectable dress and was careful to remain with her escort. Sometimes even the most retiring of Ladies need to get up and speak! And speak she did! She and The Judge sold several copies of the Phelps and Watson's Historical and Military Map of the Border and Southern States. Before, Miss Elodie sat hidden behind the display performing intricate searches through agency files and allowed The Judge to do all the talking. Now that she has had a taste for canvassing the crowd, perhaps Miss Elodie will consider a political career...

A Visit to Chatfield

2007-04-16T15:42:00.000-05:00

Miss Elodie recently traveled to the plantation of her friend The Judge for a visit. This lovely place, still in the family of the original owner, is near the site of the June 2, 1865 challenge of Confederate General Shelby to his troops "Who will go with me to Mexico?" rather than surrender to Union forces. Shelby's Expedition did indeed travel south, but those soldiers who followed their general across the Rio Grande faced real hardship. Nonetheless, Shelby's speech near Chatfield is considered the "Last Review of the Confederacy." A commemorative plaque stands near The Judge's plantation so those visitors who are not able to hear The Judge's own grandiloquent rendition of Shelby's declaration can still experience a soupçon of the drama from that day.

The area's history and oratory not withstanding, Chatfield is a beautiful spot and Miss Elodie acquired some photographs of the home, garden, horses, and aged cedars while on her visit. She even was persuaded to pose for the camera. Miss Elodie has overcome her natural modesty and has graciously allowed these images to be displayed in public.

Texas Sugar Plantation in Brazoria County

2007-04-13T11:47:00.000-05:00

Miss Elodie, like her great-great-great-great-grandmother and namesake, is passionate about sugar. She likes to think that sugarcane juice runs through her veins as she thinks about sugar almost every waking moment and is the descendent of four generations of sugar planters. This heritage and a general fascination has inspired her to explore the subject extensively in both an academic and professional capacity.

As part of her sugar mania, Miss Elodie has visited several historic plantations and even a sugar refinery in Louisiana. Recently she had the opportunity to see a fairly intact property at the Varner-Hogg Plantation in Brazoria, Texas.

Over the years this property passed through several hands over the years from original "Old 300" settler Martin Varner to former Texas Gov. James Hogg and his daughter the philanthropist Miss Ima Hogg who willed the estate to the people of the state of Texas. Now a state park, Varner Hogg features the main house, a few outbuildings, family cemetery, and what is left of the sugar mill.

Included here is a picture of the house taken from the site of the sugar mill ruins. The fashionably dressed lady is Miss Elodie's friend Miss Laurie and a gentleman of her acquaintance.

The thumbnails below are of an iron kettle known as a "grande" used to boil sugarcane juice and the remains of the sugar mill foundations and chimneys.

The Bonnet Brigade

2007-04-13T03:10:00.000-05:00

Greetings,

Miss Elodie's compatriots over at The Bonnet Brigade have updated their blog. She invites you to read about this duo of clothing obsessed historians.

http://bonnetbrigade.blogspot.com/

Also: http://www.geocities.com/bonnetbrigade/

New Day, New Diary

2007-04-09T09:20:00.000-05:00

Miss Elodie welcomes you to her diary. She hopes her activities will be of some interest to you and others. Currently she is planning to sew a new dress, attend a symposium, and witness history in the re-making.