Thinky Thoughts

Spring/Summer Menu

Drinks:  Lavender Cardamom Tea, Spearmint Ginger Lemonade.
Breakfast: Sweet Cheese Buns, Strawberry Cakes, Blueberry Pudding.
Spinach and Mushroom Quiche, Bacon and Cheese Quiche, Onion Rolls.
Lunch/Dinner: Cool Turnip and Leek Soup, Spinach and Mushroom Quiche, Bacon and Cheese Quiche.
Dessert: Fruits of the Forest Tartlets, Butter Letter, Whole Hazlenuts in Dark Chocolate.


Fall/Winter Menu

Drinks: Pumpkin Egg Nog, Mulled Cider.
Breakfast: Sticky Nut-Buns, Cranberry and Orange Cakes, Apple Pudding.
Wild Mushroom Quiche, Meat Hand Pies, Onion Rolls.
Lunch/Dinner: Hot Venison and Winter Vegetable Stew, Wild Mushroom Quiche, Meat Hand Pies.
Dessert:  Pumpkin Pies, Spiced Pear Pies, Hot Roasted Candied Nuts.

Taking Inventory

Something that must be done, even for something so simple as a daytrip event, is to take complete inventory of garb, feast gear, and accessories. For a camping event, the list increases exponentially. Oddly enough I am now, for the first time in my SCA career, able to find the extra money for things like tents, fire pits, shoes. This is a new thing for me! Another thing I need to be careful of is that this might not last. My friends might lose interest, my husband almost certainly will lose interest, and I might fade out again. In that case, I want the garb I make right now to be inexpensively sourced and the accessories I buy right now (such as shoes) to be able to be worn convincingly with mundane clothing. Just in case.

Alijna:

Ivory work cotehardie.
Pink silk Durer Housebook dress.
Black velvet Pre-Raphaelite gown.
White shift.
Osnaburg smocked apron.
Maroon "hose" socks.
Green suede mary janes.
Embroidered longbelt.
Leather gloves.
Purse (belt and over-the-arm.)
Straw hat.
Kerchief.
Fur and velvet cloak.
Garters.
Jewelry.

Looking over this, I have plenty of stuff. I have items that can go back and forth between work and more formal events depending on how I dress them up or down, plenty of accessories, shoes, head coverings and things to keep me warm. I'm doing okay right now.

Albrecht:

Grey long-sleeved tunic.
Grey button-down cote.
Muslin under-tunic.
Necklace.
Straw hat.

Husband is in very bad need of pants- two pair, one warmer woolen pair that's long, and one shorter linen or cotton pair for hot days. Also in need of a short-sleeved cool-fabric tunic, to replace his dire need for t-shirts. He is in need of shoes.

Aurora:

Tote bag with dolls, small wooden toys, and medieval-genre storybooks.
Coif.

She has outgrown ALL of her garb and will be needing a full set. I'm thinking two over-dresses, two under-dresses, tall socks ("hose") and garters, shoes, a necklace, and a cloak.

Friends:

-

Both friends are in need of very basic ensembles. For now both the Brit and the Italian can wear basic tunic sets over whatever pants and shoes they have until they're sure they want to commit.

Feast Gear:

5 hand-glazed pottery coffee cups/mugs.
2 hand-glazed pottery goblets.
3 less-than-accurate glass goblets.
1 wooden goblet.
2 wooden bowls.
1 hand-glazed pottery bowl.
1 wooden plate.
Various table cloths and napkins.
Candlesticks and candles.
Oil lamps.

In need of plates, bowls and cutlery.

Camping Gear:

10x10 shade/screen room.
Firewood if needed.
Cooler.
Wooden benches.

In need of personal tents, sleeping foundations and bedding, tarps, a central table to take meals and game at, and a fire pit.

Reconciliation

To even understand what I'm saying here, you have to understand that the SCA is not a hobby to me. It's an abusive relationship with Stockholm Syndrome. God I love it, I love it so much, but oh, oh does it make me miserable. A year and a half ago I was expounding on leaving the beast, and now I return- somewhat less than triumphantly. 

I have a couple of friends who are really eager to get into fencing. My kid is old enough for youth combat now. My husband is willing to endure it for the rest of us. I find myself trying again.

Crap, I said I wouldn't do this.