ndover 
appenings
House Andover, 1994. From Left to right: Fiona, Vanya, Rhodri, Baronness Susan, Catherine, Baron Jason, Wolfgang, Pica, Peter, Patti, Marcus, and ? (help appreciated...)
ouse Andover was awarded Sacred Stone's Baronial Award of Excellence for our work at the Troll
Booth of the Coronation of Anton & Emer. Here you can see some of our members lurking in the shade.
Special recognition goes to Lady Duibheasa Maeve of Strikkenwoode for designing the Access
database for registration.
Cat in Black
Mistress Susan and Lord Duncan
Lady Demetria Degli Stasi, also known as Cat, on her way to play harp at the Queen's Tea. (Rrrowr!)
Mistress Susan Douglas of Andover, and her steward for the weekend, Lord Duncan FitzAzor.
he Lost Weekend
The less said the better, I guess...
iltmore 
ansion 
uting
n October of 2000, some of the household visited George Vanderbilt's Biltmore mansion,
in Asheville, N.C. It was during their yearly celebration of Michaelmas, with craft demonstrations
and various entertainments (clog dancers, Celtic musicians, and a jazz band at the Winery). I took
the Rooftop Tour, and got close to many of the wonderful gargoyles and other carvings up there. A great
time was had by all, and we ate at a WONDERFUL Middle-Eastern restaurant that night called "The Golden
Horn." Here is Mistress Susan's account of the trip:
Biltmore Mansion
think we could say that the first Andover field trip (as opposed to getting
together to work, play, eat, etc.) was most successful! I do wish more of the
household could have been with us, as we had a great time. Tonya (Kirsten's
12 year old step daughter) was just a delight and seemed to have an enjoyable
time despite being the only child with a group of adults.
e - Susan, Donna, Pat, John, Kirsten, and Tonya - met at the Biltmore visitors
center as planned and toured the house. We were able to see many rooms which
have been opened since my last visit. Pat took the rooftop tour while the rest
of us were inside the house. The Michaelmas festival was so much fun.
ust want to let everyone know I also arrived home Sunday evening safe and
sound, even if somewhat poorer. The new jacket was not cheap!"
his was a fantastic event! First of all, I have the pleasure to announce
to the household that Serafina received Award of Arms from Queen Emer at Passage
East!! Lord Duncan was also present and escorted his sister into court. Warmest
congratulations to Serafina!!!
dditional kudos: Duncan, Serafina, and I joined the other members of Aire
Faucon in forming an event-specific Italian Ren. household whose name I can't
spell. Period (or period-disguised) pavillions circled the fighting field, and we
gathered under Jonathan's pavillion for the judging of the households. To our
surprise, it was later announced that we had won. Everone who had taken part
received some of the booty.
hose responsible for decorating the hall truly outdid themselves. The hall
was divided into the four seasons and decorated accordingly. Copies of renaissance
paintings were hung in each "season." The feast was just outstanding. The three
of us were able to sit together, and we enjoyed meeting the other gentles at our
table: Joanna Hazard, her husband Rupert the Persistent, and two of the cooks.
They were delightful dining companions.
he only other truly interesting Court happening was that Sir Janos, Baron of
Nottinghill Coil, proposed marriage to Baroness Rachel It was very romantic, and
of course she accepted.
ll the planning that had gone into the event really showed; it was well run,
and everyone had a wonderful time.
usan Here is Lady Serafina's account:
assage East was indeed a wonderful event, full of fun
and laughter. Emer caught me with a Stealth Court in the middle of feast, so I was
definitely NOT expecting the AoA!!! And I forgot every bit of court etiquette I'd
ever learned. Wish you guys could have been there. That was all that was missing.
Susan, you left out the last member of our dining party. Ironic that his name is
Robert the Forgotten :)
ady Sine and I set up beside the A&S table, she with
her spinning wheel and I with my drop spindle, as a display. Well, we were asked
to write up a form and enter ourselves as a work in progress. We laughed over that,
but did it anyway. We both ended up entering some of our handspun, though neither
of us had any documentation with us, of course! GOT to work on that! But we both
received high praise from Baroness Rachel, and I got a favor from one of the judges.
ll in all it was a great day, I think almost everyone
had fun, and I even got some wool as a prize from the basket that Aire Faucon
received for the household garb competition.
(Done bragging now)
ady Serafina {Okay, had to do that just once, to get it out of my system :)}
yez, yez! |
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| Baron Wolfgang & Queen Emer | Lady Pica & Baron Wolfgang |
t the 'Inn on the Road' of March 30th, 2001, our own Wolfgang the Gamesman
became a Court Baron at the hand of Queen Emer. Vivats & Salutations--there's no
one who deserves it more!
Also pictured are Pica and Wolfgang after court. Careful, Wolfie, if you smile any bigger the top of your head may fall off!
More fun at I.O.T.R. ...
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| Baron Bran attacked by Wenches! Film at eleven... | 'Fatima' doing the Dance Of A Thousand Screams |
ndover 
et-together of 07/21/2001:Susan wrote:
Boy, did we eat! Most of us ate off and on from the time we arrived until we left that night!
Thanks to Colleen who measured and cut, and Karen and Pica who sewed, I have two more chemises to take to Pennsic!! (I should add these were garments I purchased at the War last year which were too long, and now I can wear them!!!) Many thanks to Colleen, Karen, and Pica. I am so grateful for your help.
In addition to eating, sewing projects, watching the film, several of us also went swimming in Colleen and Mike's neighborhood pool. It was great! Many thanks to Colleen and Mike for hosting our gathering! I had a wonderful time, and it was so good to see everyone who was able to be there. We missed the rest of you and wished you could have been with us!
usan
Cat wrote
Sewed, made tassels, played w/ Sarah, ate (lots!), watched a good film called "The Sorceress," which Erik has been saving for the household for months which was wonderful, stayed up way past my bedtime... :)
at
ady Seraphina's New Spinning Wheel (07/25/2001)Okay, I gotta crow just a little...
After seeing Siobhan's period spinning wheel this weekend, I was, shall we say, inspired. I went to Home Depot, got $6 worth of PVC and fittings, a little rubber wheel thingie, and a little hacksaw, came home, and I now have.... --drumroll please-- THE UGLIEST SPINDLE SPINNING WHEEL IN THE KNOWNE WORLD!!!
It cost less than $10 all together, and it's a slightly rusty bicycle wheel, white PVC (with the blue writing still on it, of course!), that black rubber wheel thingie, and a knitting needle for the spindle itself (size 15 if ya really wanted to know). Only thing missing is duct tape. --huge grin--
But I have just spun a length on it and am SO very jazzed. It ain't pretty, but at least now I'm not lusting after everyone else's wheels. :) Okay, back to your regularly scheduled lives...heeheehee...
Due to popular demand, here's a pic of my homemade
ugly spinning wheel! :)
Seraphina --
Ugly smugly!!It looks practical and best of all affordable! How much did it cost? and exactly what all parts did you get? I hope you think imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, because I want to hijack your idea and make one of my own.
Could I get the details from you if you don't mind sharing your invention's plan?
Fiona/Ruth
LOL I've already been asked to make one for one of the guys who spins in the spinning guild. (grin) I don't mind at all. It cost @ $10, though I admit that I got the bicycle wheel for free. I'll have to write it up and send it to you. Mom is going to come over when I make the next one, and take detailed pics for me, and I'll be putting it into a little booklet. I'll e you privately later with measurements and supplies list. :)
Glad you like it!
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