Following the Yellow Brick Road

So, I've neglected writing for a bit just trying to get my business head organized. I've been very busy getting a new line of bags done & can't wait to share them with you. My new line will be in my Etsy shop. So far, one is listed.

On another business note, I've been shopping boutiques to carry my line of baskets and bags. What in the world was I thinking when I went out today in over 100 degree heat, bags & baskets in tow, walking through historic Fredericksburg and popping into shops? Nothing like trying to sell yourself and your product when you're sweating like a pig. Oh, and I know some people say women "glow". I don't. I sweat. So there I am, talking to owners, with sweat running down the side of my neck. Great first impression.

On the bright side, my new evening clutches impressed a manager enough to take my card and brochure to give to the owner. She couldn't believe it was completely handmade, handstitched, etc. AND had videotape throughout. I also made contact with an owner who wants to carry my baskets once her shop is finished with their move. I'm not going to get ahead of myself, but it's given my confidence a wonderful boost.

Now, I was told no, politely, by a shop, but I figure rejection goes with the territory. There are plenty of people out there who'll say a quick no and not actually get what you do. No problem. I'll move on to the ones who do and follow my own yellow brick road.

Onward & upward!

Lessons in American History

So, I haven't posted in a little bit cause we've been so busy taking the time to play tourist at some of the most amazing historical sites in our area here in Northern Virginia. The area is so rich in history from both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and we didn't have to travel far to see some of it (which is great as we could come home and sleep in our own beds every night).

Being the goof that I am, I forgot the camera when we went to see Chatham and the Fredericksburg Battlefield. Duh. Nonetheless, we did see Chatham, which is only one of three homes in the country where Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln all visited. I wish that we could have seen the inside of the smokehouse, laundry house, etc., but they were closed off to the public. The house was in such a strategic area, overlooking Fredericksburg, and we were able to see where the Union forces had engineered one of their pontoon bridges to cross the river into Fredericksburg.

We took the tour at Fredericksburg Battlefield where the infamous Sunken Road is. They've meticulously crafted the stone wall to look like it did back in the day, but there's still a piece of the original wall there for all to see (but not to touch). Unbelievably, Union General Burnside sent seven (7) waves of troops against the Confederates behind the wall... with NO cover. They were slaughtered. I've got to do a shout-out to our tour guide, Preston, who was great! He believed that this battle was really Lee's greatest victory, although Lee thought that Chancellorsville was his greatest.

So, the next day, we motor over to Chancellorsville. If you're from this area, or have lived here for a while, you start to see some familiar family names crop up as you travel through battlefields and historic sites and recognize how certain towns and cities got their names. Chancellorsville is where Stonewall Jackson got shot by his own troops upon his return from scouting ahead. He didn't die from the wound, but they did have to amputate an arm. He actually died from pneumonia, and there is question as to whether he was sick prior to being shot. Here's a memorial stone that was placed in this honor way back when, and the monument.

Confederate Earthworks

It continued to amaze me how we have almost lost (and have lost some) of our historical sites due to urban sprawl.

Instead of going to The Wilderness the following day and keeping with the timeline, we decided to go to Manassas. What were we thinking?! It was over 100 degrees! But we went and took the tour regarding 1st Manassas (or Bull Run). This was the first battle of the Civil War. You know, the one that they thought would take a few hours and the war would be over? The one where people packed picnic baskets and came out from DC and surrounding areas to watch the "show". It was too hot to go on the tour of 2nd Manassas, so we wimped out and watched to movie they had on the whole thing in the air conditioned visitor's center.

I'll end our historical tour here for now. There's obviously so much more to tell, but I could go on and on.

I did, however, get two dishcloths per trip crocheted while in the car. :o)

Ramblings

So, this is the last week of school, and there's been so much to do with the kiddos. The awards ceremonies, programs, etc. It's hard enough to realize yet another school year has gone by, and my oldest is going into middle school. I know, I know, there are so many who've gone before him, and I'm one of many mommies who've gone through this. It's almost the same feeling I had when I weaned them from nursing (but that's a whole other story).


Anyhoo, I've been working on a few things in my in-between moments. I've listed a few crocheted earrings, soap holders and washcloths/dishcloths. I still have a plarn bag to make for my 91 year old grandmother in Denmark. I'm looking forward to that because she's the one who taught me how to crochet.


Still having fun listening to the kiddos. The other day on the way to school, the little dude tells us that one of the little girls in his class had turned around, and he saw her undies! I wish I'd had a camera for the look on his face. Hand over mouth, then says: "I wanted to throw up!" What do you say after that?