12/13/2015

Weekly Update 12/13/2015

Following book club on Monday, Donna and I went to DH for the second of their series of lectures. This was a wonderful speaker who is a living history interpreter from Middleton Plantation in Charleston, SC. He told us about a very rare artifact that Middleton owns, Ashley's Sack. It has been verified that this cotton cloth bag dates to the mid-1840s. These words are embroidered on the sack:

“My great grandmother Rose

mother of Ashley gave her this sack when

she was sold at age 9 in South Carolina

it held a tattered dress 3 handfulls of

pecans a braid of Roses hair. Told her

It be filled with my Love always

she never saw her again

Ashley is my grandmother

Ruth Middleton

1921”

Although a lot of research has been done, they have not been able to connect any slave named Rose or Ashley to Middleton Plantation. This will always remain a mystery, but the words are chilling.

I ordered a nutcracker for myself this year. I have added one to my collection every year for a very long time. This year, when I shopped at a few of the Christmas stores, or other places that carry nutcrackers this time of year, I didn't see anything that I really thought was something I needed to have. I was going to skip it this year until I saw this one in a catalog. I read quite a bit, and this nutcracker is holding a book, so I thought this would be a good one to add. 

the 2016 addition to the collection

 

I spent a few days doing the typical holiday chores: getting the cards printed and the envelopes addressed and ready to mail, making cookie dough (to be baked a few at a time as I need them in order to eliminate the need to eat entire batches myself all at once), working at the craft project that Dave has challenged us to create. This time, unlike the bunny project last Easter, I didn't hot glue myself to my kitchen countertop. And I watched a lot of tv.

Friday, after DH, I went to The 90. This was the Friday that they had their holiday party for the “regulars”. Since I'm there almost every Friday, I consider myself to be one of the locals who hang out, so I sauntered up the free buffet table for all the wonderful treats Jim, the chef (and Connie's husband), made for us. I was so intent on getting my plate as full as possible, I didn't get a picture. It was wonderful - and tasty! I couldn't stay too long because I had a ticket to join Lisa and Dave at the SCT for the performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was more than a play - it was an event. There was singing, face painting, hot chocolate, crafts, cookie decorating and photo opportunities for everyone before the play. More than half of the attendees were kids, and it was so much fun to see all the little ones enjoying themselves. As I expected, the play was great!

the doghouse in the lobby

The Jeff Work art exhibit closed on Saturday. Because Donna had been out of town for most of the time it was showing, this was to be her last chance to see it. We went on Saturday night for another talk about the value of saving art as a legacy. It was so wonderful that Suzy would do this marvelous tribute to her brother, and it ensures that much of his art will be saved and valued.

Sunday, Connie had invited a group of us to come over to her house before going out for brunch. Because it was a Second Sunday, I had to give a tour at BC, so although I would have to miss the food, I did go and enjoy a glass of champagne. It was the first time I'd been to their home, and it is lovely! It's in the historic district, and was built in the late 1700s. Connie has decorated it superbly, and it has a warm and inviting atmosphere. I was delighted to be included. 

a fun gathering of good friends

the lovely living room

Connie in  her adorable kitchen

Lisa, Dave, Suzy, Bob, Connie, me, Donna.  Jim's taking the photo

 

Anyone who wants to read a good, uplifting story this holiday season, I would highly recommend A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. I read this last year and the reason I picked it up was because it's set in the South. But it was just a wonderful, feel-good story. I borrowed it from the library again this year and read it in one day. A wonderful tale of the power of believing, and the good things that can happen when good people care about others. And there's some uniquely Southern humor. I often need something like that in the most wonderful time of the year.