An Online Lecture on Mary Todd

Those of you who know me, know that I enjoy studying Mary Todd Lincoln. She is a fascinating person and I have read many books written about her. My husband Jim was born in Springfield, Illinois and grew up there. Most of his family still lives there. When we visit, I love to go to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and the Presidential Library across the street. It's a fantastic place to visit.

I receive the online newsletters from the museum. I was just looking at it on Thursday and saw a notice about an online lecture about Mary Todd. How exciting. I signed up for it. It was called " Much like an April Day". It was out on through a group called Road Scholars. The state historian of Illinois  Samuel Wheeler gave the presentation.

These are some of the books Mr Wheeler mentioned at the beginning of the talk. He said Mary has been put into two groups....those who think she was insane and those who defend her actions. He wanted us to really look at who Mary Todd as a person and then try to understand her and her time through knowing her. It was a fresh look and I appreciated that very much.

This is her father and her step mother. Her father had 16 children between his two wives. Mary did not get along with her step mother. She was sent off to boarding school very close to home to get her out of the way! As a result, she was very educated, more so than most young women at the time.

This is the quote from her sister Elizabeth. It is now thought that Mary may have been bipolar most of her life. Read the quote and think about it.

Mr and Mrs Abraham Lincoln and their four boys. Mary raised them like little gentlemen and made their clothes. But, they were boys and acted like boys!

I so enjoyed this online lecture and I learned so much. Online offerings have been a plus from this virus.

Wade Creek House is OPEN!

Jimmy and I went for a drive and found that a favorite little shop was open! We wore our masks, they provided lots of hand sanitizer and we stayed away from people. It was soooo fun to go into a store.

The day was very wet and stormy but stayed dry while we were at the store.

Jimmy sitting on the porch!

This sweet little building used to be a chicken coop. I missed the chickens, but it's really a cute little booth with garden goodies!

There 's a large building out in the back. There were some cute displays this time. I think there is a new owner who had made some nice changes.

I really liked the little red hutch! Good thing I didn't have any place to put it...lol.

We found some cute things for flower containers. I loved the tea kettle.

I chose some bright yellow and orange flowers as those are the colors I use in the backyard. The front is done in pinks and purples.

The finished projects! I will share more about the in another blog post.
Stay safe during these crazy times.

Thursday Dolly Day

So here it is Thursday already! We have been spending so much time working in the yard. I was sick so many summers and had surgeries and then last summer we were gone for 2 weeks. Our yard has been neglected for 5 years. With sheltering in so much, we have been working on the yard and gardening. Jimmy has taken an interest in it again, so it's been something we can do together. I just forgot how much time it takes and how little time you spend inside when you work outside!

My doll came.  I got another one of the Tudor china heads that were once sold at the Enchanted Dollhouse in Vermont. I used the rest of my Etsy Mother's Day gift card for her. She was put together and is a bit larger. She came with her dress and pantaloons.

Her name is Emma. She is about 15".

I did make her a little slip using a larger item vintage item. It already had the pin tucks and I added the tiny lace.

I didn't like the collar, so I tacked it down inside. I also turned down the belt and added a little button to change the look. I added some lace along the bottom for a bit more length.

I do love the under sleeves. I need to add these to some of my doll dresses.

So here is her dress with the changes. I think it's much better around her neckline as you can see her face.

Here's the family!

Emma

Sally

Meg

Nell

My Tasha friend told me there was one more...Molly. I found her on a Tasha Tudor book site...the Cellar Door in CT. I know the owners and they are sending her to Portland tomorrow. I will have to make the doll's body and her clothes. I think she is larger too. It will be fun.

I hope you are all well. The doll world is a bit of a pause from all the sad things happening in our world. I am still trying to be safe.