Yet another annual National ALHFAM Conference has come and
gone. Here I sit, back in my own home, wondering just where did
the time go? And me with so many more pictures to share. dagnabit.
I’m so far behind on postings. How it goes, I guess.
Incidentally, the Conference was a HUGE success. Three hale
and hearty HUZZAHS! to all who planned it.
Be sure to stay tuned. Photos WILL be posted, both now and
in the coming days. We’ll get the ball rolling with “ALHFAM Day”
at Old Sturbridge Village.
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The lady of the household at the Small family dwelling was busily
preparing a meal, consisting of roast pork on a string, a baked
corn pudding (in the brick oven), a boiled Indian corn pudding,
and a medley of root vegetables, including parsnips and potatoes
(it all looked, and smelled, wonderful!):
Mike the Potter was busy unloading the roughly 750 redware pieces
from the kiln, which had been fired the previous Friday, beginning
at 7:30 a.m. until about 10 p.m. on Saturday:
The firing temperature reaches between 1600 andd 1800 degrees.
I asked Mike if any pieces blew up during the firing, if he’d lost any.
He said, yes, about five or so.
The “Punch and Judy Show,” which was a big hit with all the kids,
young and old alike. Of course, being just a kid myself, I happily
went up and shook Mr. Punch’s hand when invited to do so:
Dyeing wool yarn using walnuts, which have been dried
for about a year, pounded, and boiled for several hours:
Time to do the evening’s milking at Freeman’s farm, where three
generations of milk cows reside: Buttercup; Bess; and Betty. The
youngest (this cow) is a first-time mother, and so is new to the
whole routine. In fact, she rejected her own calf, so it will be
bottle-fed for a time. She gives only about three gallons each
day, which apparently is a low amount compared to other cows.
Cheese was also being made up in the farmhouse:
Chatting with the Indian Doctor about her clothing, a combination
of Native American and “Yankee” items (the former would’ve been
hand-crafted and sewn, while the latter would’ve been store-bought
or traded):
Unfortunately, due to a misprint on our special ALHFAM map/schedules,
I later missed her presentation in the Village. dagnabit. Would’ve really
liked to have heard it.
