October 5, 2007 9:03 AM
Waterford Fair - misty maidens
What a blessing to have so many children! While the early years may have been hard work - which isn't to say these years aren't too - as my kids have matured they open up so many new opportunities and add such richness to my life. They continue to delight and inspire me!
Take this morning. . .
The Waterford Fair is this weekend - it is a very unique one because Waterford is so unique, with houses built hundreds of years ago carefully preserved. The people who live in the village dress up and open their homes for tours (these are small and modest homes, not mansions) and craftspeople come from all around the country to demonstrate and sell the products of their craft - old-fashioned handmade brooms, hand turned wooden bowls - many notches above usual craft fair fare. They actually are screened to ensure that only the best and most authentic are here.
Traffic into the village is shut down completely during the Waterford Fair. The atmosphere strives for cooperative authenticity except for a few die-hard residents who buck the aesthetic to make their political points - always liberal and Democratic and anti-Bush. That is really the only sour and selfish note at the fair.
Sophia - my daughter who is a senior at Loudoun Valley High School - is a member of the History Club, which in this part of the country is a really big deal and a cool thing to belong to. They do a lot of reenactment type stuff, so the Waterford Fair is a natural fit.
Since we live a mile away, last night three girls spent the night at our house so they could get up this morning and venture forth to do a joint reenactment with some grownup group. Last night they pitched a tent down there and today they will be making some kind of stew over a fire, I believe.
This morning as I got the Downzers and Maddy fed and out the door to meet their school buses, my spirits were lifted by girlish laughter as the four of them braided each other's hair and got into their period dress. I am planning to go down later to take pictures, but as they were leaving, I noticed the heavy mist and how beautiful they looked outlined against it. I grabbed my camera and ran out in my pajamas.
We took a ton of pictures. Here are a few (Sophia is in the blue-striped skirt):
Thanking God today for the wonder and beauty of His world and how my children have opened my eyes to see it more fully!!!
Posted in Art, Family, Loudoun County | Permalink
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Comments
That last one looks like something out of Anne of Green Gables...it's beautiful! They all are. Thanks for sharing these...and for going out in your PJ's!
Posted by: Amy K. | October 5, 2007 12:49 PM
Beautiful-those should be matted and framed!
Posted by: Valerie@Consider It Done | October 5, 2007 1:48 PM
You just transported me back in time...so modest, so innocent. Thanks for grabbing your camera and sharing this, Barbara. It also makes me look forward to that lovelier, simpler time to come!
Posted by: Julia | October 5, 2007 4:49 PM
What beautiful photos...thank you for sharing them
Posted by: Sue | October 5, 2007 5:14 PM
We just moved to Waterford in May. We have enjoyed watching them set up for the fair. We wont be going tomorrow as we are going to the Joshuas Hands event. I had no idea we lived so close.
Posted by: Shanna | October 5, 2007 9:31 PM
These ARE gorgeous! Frame them! :)
Posted by: Holly | October 5, 2007 10:48 PM
