Tea for Two Tuesday

Lewis and Peggy Sue have their dolls Wallace and Wendy Widget joining them today.

If you are cold, tea will warm you -

If you are heated, it will cool you -

If you are depressed, it will cheer you up -

If you are excited, it will calm you.

W. E. Gladstone

Quote from 'Tea Quips and Quotes'

Who is W. E. Gladstone?  Lewis asks.

He was Prime Minister while Queen Victoria was the Monarch.  Peggy Sue tells him.

I wonder what it was like being the Prime Minister in Victorian times?  Lewis says.

Well he must have liked it, because he was a Prime Minister four times!  Peggy Sue tells him.

Either that or no one else wanted to do the job.  Lewis thinks to himself...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

William Ewart Gladstone has been consistently ranked as one of Britain's greatest Prime Ministers. He certainly had a long career in politics lasting over 60 years.  Four times he served as Prime minister.  1868 - 74, 1880 - 85, February - July 1886 and 1892 - 94 resigning for the final time when he was 84 years of age.  Mr Gladstone was also Britain's oldest Prime Minister.  Not only was he Prime Minister, but he also served as Chancellor of the Exchequer four times! What a busy man he was.  

He also seemed to like changing which Political Party he was involved with starting with:

Tory (1828 - 34)
Conservative (1834 - 46)
Peelite (1846 - 59)
Liberal (1859 - 98)

If the history of Politics interests you, then more can be found by looking him up on the internet...but this is more than enough politics for these two for the day.

An Archaeological Dig

Or at least that was what Lewis and Peggy Sue liked to pretend they were on as they worked on their excavation kit today.

They carefully laid some paper down on the table and Lewis unwrapped the block while Peggy Sue opened up the little bag that held the tools.

They soon set to work.

This is hard work!

I think it is going to take us a while Lewis. Peggy Sue says.

It sure is!  Lewis agrees.

Slowly and surely they make progress.  Peggy Sue holds the tool while Lewis carefully taps with the hammer.

Careful does it... Peggy Sue says as Lewis taps away.

Oh look!  Progress at last.  They are both very excited to see the block break open.

Lewis carefully brushes away the plaster that is around the treasure that is inside.

Gosh, Lewis.  Peggy Sue says...it looks like an Egyptian artefact.

It does, doesn't it?  Lewis agrees.  

He takes a careful look.

I think we need to take it to clean it up properly.  You do that Lewis, while I wrap up all the plastic and dust. Peggy Sue suggests.

Later....

Do you think this might be the sort of thing my Great Aunt Lucinda did Peggy Sue?  Lewis asks...remembering his letter from his Great Uncle Stan.

Could be. Peggy Sue says looking down at the artefact.  Wouldn't that have been so amazing?!

Lewis looks down.  It looks a bit like an Egyptian Mummy.  He says.  Only in miniature.

Well, I think we should do some research...Peggy Sue says.  That is what all the experts do.

Is it?  Lewis asks.

Of course!  Peggy Sue says.  How else do you think they learn about History and stuff like this and become experts?

Hmm...I guess you are right Peggy Sue.  Lewis says.  Maybe we could go look these things in an encyclopedia?  

Good idea Lewis.  Peggy Sue agrees.  

One last look at their artefact, before they go to peruse the encyclopedias.  

A Gift for Lewis & Peggy Sue.

Look Lewis, we have a present!  Peggy Sue says to Lewis, who currently seems miles away...  Help me unwrap it.

Lewis helps Peggy Sue unwrap the present.

They wonder what is inside it.

Oh wow, look at that. Lewis gasps.  Peggy Sue is surprised as well.

f

A mini excavation kit all the way from Norway.

Wasn't that nice of our friend to bring this home for us?  Lewis says.

It certainly was.  Peggy Sue agrees.

Shall we go and make a start?  Lewis asks.

Sure, lets!  Peggy Sue replies.

They set it up.

This looks interesting.  Lewis says to Peggy Sue.

I'll unwrap the tools while you unwrap the 'archaeological' dig. Peggy Sue says to Lewis.

They can't wait to get started.

Part two to follow.

Fashion on Friday

Not much to show this week, just three dresses.

I have sorted through a pile of fabric though and found some pieces for a couple of upcoming projects though that I am quite excited about.  Hoping I might get a chance to start on them this weekend.

Chrissy is wearing a dress I test knitted the pattern, once the pattern is available I will try and remember to upload the link to it.  It is a pretty pattern and has some lovely variations to it.

A variation of a style of dress I have enjoyed knitting for the American Girl dolls over the years - a straighter, pleated skirt similar in style to the skirt on the dresses I have knitted for Hazel my Bleuette doll.

I am really pleased with how this dress turned out.

I also knitted a dress for Peggy Sue as it is getting colder and she wanted something with long sleeves.  

This is the last of my knitting for a while as I am having such problems with pain, not while knitting as such, but I am wondering if it isn't helping me doing the knitting, so will  try and rest them for a few weeks...although it seems really odd as I am so used to knitting in the evening as it is my 'distraction' from the pain - if that makes sense?!  

Henry & Peggy Sue Receive a Postcard each.

Yesterday when the envelope from the USA arrived it was addressed to not only Emily but also Henry and Peggy Sue.  So what else was inside it?

A postcard each!

Henry and Peggy Sue were thrilled to get a postcard from Stephen Orange.

Henry reads his out loud to Peggy Sue

"Hello Henry!  Daddys (sic) John and Steve took me to the MN State Fair today..."

What is MN Henry?  Peggy Sue asks.

He means Minnesota Peggy Sue.  It is a shorter way or writing it to save on space.  Henry explains.

Oh, that makes sense then, as you can't fit a lot of words on a postcard unless you write really small.  Peggy Sue says.

Shall I continue?  Henry asks Peggy Sue.

Please do.  She replies.

"We rode the 'Sky Ride' - an exciting, high-in-the-air gondola and the Ye Olde Mill boat and tunnel ride.  That was very dark, but I wasn't afraid.  It seemed like most of the State's population was out at the Fair, but the atmosphere was good - everyone was having a good time.  do you have fairs in England?  Your friend Stephen Orange".

Do we have fairs in England Henry?  Peggy Sue asks.

I am sure we do Peggy Sue, we just haven't been fortunate enough to go to one yet.  Henry replies.

Fairs look like a lot of fun.  Peggy Sue says as she looks at her card. I hope we get to go to one, one day.

Peggy Sue reads the back of her card...

Read it out loud please Peggy Sue.  Henry says.

Hello Peggy Sue!  We are at the Fair today - it's held every year at this time.  WE drove to a special parking lot and then rode a bus right to it.  Daddy John says it saves him from the headache of trying to find parking.  We went to the Miracle of Life barn and saw chicks, baby pigs, a lamb, and other animals that were born during the Fair.  We also saw a woman sculpting a girl's head out of a big block of butter!  Your friend, Stephen Orange.

Wow, that must have been really interesting seeing all the baby animals.  Peggy Sue says to Henry.  Funny though, imagine sculpting a head out of butter!    

Both Henry and Peggy Sue found that thought rather amusing!

Henry puts his postcard in his album, and Peggy Sue lets him put hers in it as well 'for safe keeping' she tells him.

Someone has a faraway look on her face!  I think she must be dreaming about 'All the Fun at the Fair' that Stephen Orange had.  

There, that should keep them safe.  Henry says.

Isn't it great having someone else who likes to send postcards Peggy Sue?  Henry asks.

It is indeed.  Peggy Sue replies.