Way too many good pictures to share in June so sit back and enjoy reliving some of our summer during the January chill. You can read June’s original post HERE.
Tag Archive | fairy
Rennaissance in the Sunshine
Now I am sure most people know that Ken and I do the Renaissance Festival ONCE a year, always in some sort of costume and if we can with my best friend since high school (shhh not telling the year) Shandai. In fact, when we relocated from Canada to sunny Minnesota it was at the festival that we first laid eyes on each other once again! This first time I wore the costume from She Chris and He Chris’ wedding … fun fact…
Now we have gone every year for 4 visits… although it has been 3 years since we have moved… gotta love it when you move back right when festival is going on! And at this point I am totally spoiled with an AMAZING dress thanks to the combined efforts of Shandai, her roommate Emily and an amazing seamstress named Melinda. Apparently this piece is Melinda’s first dress made that she left behind to be passed to someone in need… the previous two visits I have also borrowed Shandai’s hoopskirt and created my own snood via my crochet skills! But… THIS year Ken took the initiative and his newly created sewing skills and with some input from those in the know MADE ME my own hoopskirt!
Anyway, last year we actually got to go WITH Shandai and her then boyfriend Ravyn. They had, in past years, worked there so we would only visit with them briefly and then wander on our own. Now they are both able to go as guests so we of course, go when they can. Thanks to Chris and Jeff this year being willing to not only watch the minions but also collect Sean from the airport that afternoon we were once again able to go on the date that Shandai and Ravyn (now fiances) were going.
We were unable to find time for Ken to make the shirt he planned to make as a new costume or afford the kilt I would LOVE to see him in but Ravyn had the amazingly brilliant thought to pull out a wizard costume he had and voila… Ken was dressed to impressed (ignore the sneakers).
Better yet – we all were coordinated… green was the colour of the day!
We shopped, we wandered… we ran into people we knew (cuz I finally KNOW PEOPLE!). We braved the heat advisory weather in a corset (yup another addition to my wardrobe that will be used in the October wedding). We got complimented on our costumes and even met a mermaid!
There were so many interesting characters and shops. We played, we snacked, we drank (the mead was exceptional) and we enjoyed it all. Definitely an experience I would suggest to anyone! Especially in costume.
Happy Halloween… a Bit Belated
So I MEANT to post this the day after Halloween but got knocked out by some sort of mutant plague the kids and their Baba felt they just HAD TO share with me… so please enjoy (a week+ late) our costume fun!!!!
Youngest to oldest…. Echo’s was an easy choice. The dress was one of the super pretties that Grandma had given us before we moved down from Canada. It finally fits, all beads and lace. For photos only I paired it up with my original veil for a bride picture or two.
Then it was on with the crown for a very pleased princess.
Day of we paired it all up with her big sister’s church coat. Our very own snow princess!!!
Miss Trinity was one we had been thinking about since LAST Halloween… the Disney version of Alice in Wonderland. With her lovely long blonde hair and the addition of some black shoes and a black hair ribbon the costume we bought online suited PERFECTLY! We had to adjust the apron as apparently a little girl needs a MASSIVE apron but that was a quick fix.
Emanuel was our big build of the year. One that Ken took on HIMSELF! I am so pleased with how healthy he has gotten… old Kenny would have NEVER done such a thing. Emanuel chose to be a Minecraft Squid and Ken completely copied the head piece pixel by pixel using cardboard and paint.
What a success!!! Time consuming but a huge success. And a huge number of people recognized it right away!!!
Mr. Gavin was a bit of a struggle. He changed what he wanted to be a couple of times but settled on a traditional ghost… with a pirate sword. So Ken (again!!) made a lovely scabbard out of duct tape and I sewed a toque to the sheet to keep it steady. Rather awesome.
Even Zander’s costume has a bit of a story. Originally he was supposed to be a ninja as a repeat runner but on our costume odyssey for the rest we came across a Dominoes shirt. Gavin hemmed and hawed but turned down the idea… it was not until we were walking in the door from shopping that Zander FINALLY spoke up and said that HE wanted to be the Dominoes delivery man. So the next day we had to make a running trip BACK to Goodwill hoping to find the shirt still there. Then a couple days before Halloween Ken called Dominoes and was able to get us a small pizza box to finish off the costume! Not bad not bad!!!
We heard about free ice cream(frozen custard) at Culver’s if you show up in costume so we doubly spoiled the kids with the very rare DINNER out as well! They have some super yummy burgers there.
Our plans, as usual, had us meet up at the Novak’s for trick or treating. It was a brisk day and we had a third family with us. We were out about 2 hours (less than last year).
And we ended the evening with a nice long visit with the Novaks. Halloween well spent!!!