As I write this post, I think of the verse that I use for this site.

“This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

I do think of this verse each day when I start my morning routine and usually I think of the song that this site is titled after. It runs through my head as I make the bed, get dressed, start the laundry for the day. This song became a blessing to me when I awoke one morning at the age of 13. It was the start of spring in Vermont after a VERY long winter and it just brought joy to my heart as I watched the orange tint of the rising sun through my lace curtains. My mind will always remember that morning and the melody of that song…the words. It is so simplistic, but says so much.

If we think about that verse in Psalm 118 and really concentrate on what it is saying…it is difficult to have a bad attitude about the day ahead. God has created each new day for us. As I have said before here, each new day is another day to learn about Him, read His word and pray. Each new day is another opportunity. Whatever our status in life…single, married, divorced, widowed, children or no children, lots of money or just getting by…emotionally happy and joyful or sad and without hope…it is a new day! A new start. Another chance to try again. It may be the day that you accept Christ as your Savior and it may be the day you go home to be with Him!

So, as another spring starts, lets rejoice and be glad in it!

We had a GREAT time at the Ball Saturday night! I wanted to post as soon as I could so I would remember everything…so here goes.

I did finish all my sewing just in time. I made three men’s vest and a blouse for me. The blouse I made for myself was kind of a combination of two patterns, so it was a little tricky, but it turned out just as I envisioned, which doesn’t always happen. I had made my skirt over a year ago for something…actually my daughter’s skirt. I wore hers rather than my green one. My daughter’s skirt is black and white and the blouse I made is black, kind of a satin material. Technically, I should not have worn black, since I’m not in mourning and only younger women in the 1860’s would have been able to wear black and white if they were in mourning. But, it worked. I made jewelry too which turned out well.

Everyone there, a pretty good sized crowd, came dressed for a certain period of time. There were a lot of Civil War era costumes, about 6 hoop skirted dresses and a couple Officer uniforms. It was like you were transported to a different time. It was so exciting for me because that has always been my favorite time. Gone With the Wind was always my favorite book and movie and my greatest dream was to attend a ball.

The dance instructor was great and very patient with all of us that remembered nothing from gym square dancing days. He even partnered our three year old a couple of times and his wife was very gracious to partner her many times. As a matter of fact, everyone there was very gracious and helpful to her. She had a wonderful time and she was still going strong and wanting to stay at 11:30 when we left. There were still four more dances left at that time. I would have liked to have stayed for the couples waltz…the last dance, but with church the next morning and three children that would have been difficult.

I think what impressed me the most was the attitude and etiquette that went along with the evening. It was like everyone put on the costumes and we were back in that time period.  Everyone was ladies and gentlemen. Gloved hands, curtsies and bows. It was so different than the few dances that I attended back in school days. This was just plain fun!

So, to wrap it all up…it was a wonderful experience! I’ll have wonderful memories and I’m really looking forward to the next one. Because of this ball, I learned of a couple more and I would really like to become a part of the group that attends them on a regular basis. My husband has always wanted to be part of a re-enactment group and I think I would really enjoy that. So, now I’m going to start working on a real ball gown in my spare time so I’ll be ready!

And even though my husband never reads this blog…I just wanted to say thanks for having such a great attitude, knowing how important it was for me. You looked so handsome in your string tie and vest and it was so much fun to dance with you! It wouldn’t have been nearly so special if you had not been there!

Doesn’t it feel great when you finally get a project finished? I’m enjoying that right now with the completion of our master bedroom. Last Friday I finally finished painting it the lovely butter yellow that I love. It goes so well with the cobalt blue I also have in the carpet and the Cracker Barrel plates hung on the wall beside the bed. My blinds and curtains are all hung and I fit in the spring cleaning of that room too! So, life is good! Lol! I can say that now, but I have MANY projects waiting completion before Saturday, so I can’t spend too much time here.

I’m really excited about our plans for Saturday night. Our son takes guitar lessons from the barber in town and once a month they have a jam session down there at the barber shop. He is learning a lot and getting better every day on the guitar. Well, the barber shop and the Emma Chase cafe in Cottonwood Falls is sponsoring a Spring Ball this coming Saturday. There will be a live band playing music from the 1860’s and you can dress up in any period costume you want. So, I’ve spent a couple exciting weeks getting ready for it and I still have some sewing to do. Also did some research on-line for authentic 1860’s apparel and hair. Wow! I learned a lot! Although we won’t all be authentic, especially our son and my husband, we will be pretty close. I think it will be a wonderful evening and I’m hoping everyone will dress up too. It will be fun to see all the different clothing. There will also be a caller there for the dances and someone to teach the dances. The polka, reels, waltz were a few that I recognized.

So, that’s the excitement of our upcoming week! I probably won’t be back here for a couple weeks, but I’ll be sure to update for all of those that are interested in how the Ball went.

Take care!