Quincy

Hubby and I don't get to go out and explore as much as I would like, especially now that it gets dark so early. He gets home after dark, we have dinner, he reads manga, we watch a TV show or two together then it is bed time. Yesterday was Veteran's day and being a state worker Hubby got the day off, so for a treat we drove to a sleepy little neighboring town that is only about 25 minutes away. The weather was temperate and the sky was clear with no clouds, the perfect day for walking around the historic district.

Quincy is a time capsule, if it wasn't for the steady stream of modern cars you wouldn't guess you were in the 2000s. Founded in the 1820s Quincy was a tobacco farming area and investors from the town were partely responsible for making Coca-Cola the company it is now a days.

We parked right by the Coke mural and walked across the street to the courthouse. The parade had been canceled but the town was holding a nice ceremony and BBQ on the steps of the court house.  

Living in the south there are always reminders of the sad past. Wars are horrible no matter what they are fought about, unfortunately now children are not taught enough about the history of our country. The Civil War broke up families- sons fought fathers, brothers turned against brothers, not everyone that fought for the south owned slaves. Modern weapons were being used with old war tactics, too many good men on both sides died. Remembering your history does not mean that you support the cause but simply you preserve the memory so that such an atrocity will never again happen.

 The land that the courthouse is on has been in continuous use since 1827.

 Just around the corner from the courthouse is the Leaf Theatre. The theatre was built in 1949 as a movie house and was called the Leaf after the major crop of the area (tobacco), the colors were also chosen to be representative of  crop. The building is now used as a musical theatre. The inside is simply gorgeous and kept retro. 

 While strolling along we met this sweet tom. He was very talky and came over for a scratch.

After chilling with kitty we walked to The Eastern Cemetery. I'll have to put the photos from there in a post by themselves, I take way too many photos in cemeteries. 

If I ever am able to further my education I want to be a history major with special interest in cultural anthropology. I love learning about the past and why and how cultural influences shape us. My dream job would be a docent/tour guide in some of the historic locations or history museums here in North Florida. (Well, that since cemetery caretakers aren't what they used to be)

 This is an amazing old building in the heart of downtown that is abandoned.

 If my video gaming time has told me anything, this would be the place of a secret passage.

Hehe, you can tell these photos where taken after exploring the cemetery since my boots are covered with hitch-hikers.

Outfit details:

Necklace- Gift from my Mom, bought on a reservation in the west

Dress- Made by me, McCalls 6955

Belt- from another dress

Bracelet- gift

Tights- Sock Dreams

Boots- Old, Payless

Eyes/Brows- NYX

Lips- ColourPop in Frida

Nails- Essie, in Roarrrrange (bought at an outlet for $2.50)

Until next time

Some Bunny Loves Ya!

Second Annual Halloween in the Woods

It's that time of year, Halloween! Many people spend too much time/money worrying about costumes and candy, I have found it to be more fun to spend time in the woods. Last year we started something we plan to continue for a long time, a camping trip with friends. Check out last year's adventure here and here. This year we added an extra day to our camp out, we arrived on Thursday. Hubby and I have a quick set up so after we finished we helped our friends finish setting up theirs. Our friends that joined us on Thursday have a lovely kitchen tent set up that we put on our site since we would be hosting the festivities of the weekend. It was much more warm and muggy this year than last year, of course last year we froze our butts off with the unexpected temperature drop. I kept hoping that the weather would turn to the cooler, I even made sure to pack more warm clothes than last year in case.

Our loyal little tent. We splurged on some new LED C9 lights for the canopy.

I love daddy long legs

The ranger warned us that with the warm weather the copperheads were on the move  and were being spotted more than normal. I probably would have done some hiking by myself if he hadn't mentioned that. I do not like snakes and nothing fills me with more dread that the thought of being alone on a trail and possibly being bitten by a venomous snake and not being able to hike back. 

 After set-up and before dinner we all piled in a car and drove up the hill to the Gregory House, one of our friends that came early had never been to the park so we had to show him the view overlooking the river.

Just before sunset we headed back to camp and grilled hot dogs and baked beans.

 I didn't sleep well Thursday night so I got up early (since I was awake) and made pancakes and eggs for breakfast for Hubby and myself. After breakfast I took a short walk along the paved road. The walk was shorter than my normal walk but it was hilly so I felt that made up for the distance.

The morning was dewy and super muggy

Luckily the humidity dropped from 83% to 45% and the breeze picked up around noon. Since it was so lovely out we took a group hike to the stone bridge. I was excited to go since the last time we were there we hiked other trails and didn't get to see it.

The Old Stone Bridge doesn't look much when you first come upon it but once you are closer you can see the amazing time that was spent making it.

It looks like something from a fairy tale. We all climbed down the bank to walk underneath it and pretend to be trolls.

 I couldn't find much info about the bridge and I forgot to ask the ranger but I do know it was built by the CCC, most likely around the 1930s/1940s when the park was founded.

I love my X-files shirt from TeeFury

The stream that travels under the bridge was just a trickle since there hasn't been much rain lately.

We had a late lunch after hiking. Three of our friends made it out in the early afternoon and the last two made it at dusk. We had a tent putting up party for our latecomers then we all got together for a chili dinner.  After dinner we watched some cheesy movies projected on a sheet set up between the clothesline posts.

I slept soundly Friday night so I was able to get up at dawn again. Some of our friends treated us to a biscuit and sausage gravy breakfast then we sat around for a little before taking a short hike to the Weeping Ridge waterfall.

 I was surprised there was any water trickling down.

 Last time I was too scared to climb down the bank into the ravine but this time I conquered my fears to get these photos.

 

Florida forests don't get much color change but there were a few pretty colors here and there.

We just missed the 2:00 tour of the Gregory house since we were on the hike but we were ready at 4:00. We even had a few more friends roll into camp so they were able to join us on the tour.

Last year the ranger told us a little but not much about the haunted history of the plantation house. I will say I am very happy we took the tour on Halloween, and close to sunset at that. We had several other couples take the tour at the same time and one of them happened to be former campground hosts for the park. The lady was an avid adventurer in the paranormal and since she was a friend of the park she told her stories about experiences and photos she had taken in the house. She shed a lot more light to the haunted rumors. She said she had only had friendly encounters but she wouldn't go in one of the rooms when we came to it. I had something interesting happen to be while in the house this time and one I can't explain.

 My mother quilts so I always like to take photos of the amazing quilts in the house.

 Saturday evening we ate a lovely fresh made potato soup and watched a zombie movie. After the movie we took a break for s'mores and just as we were about to sit down for another movie it started raining. It alternated between rain and a drizzle so everyone turned in early except Hubby and myself. We sat by the fire and talked till late.

 Sunday morning the air was heavy with moisture but the rain held out till after we had a lovely bacon and egg breakfast and had packed up our gear. It started drizzling while our friends were finishing up so several of us stayed around to help them take down and load. 

Despite the rain we had a fun trip. Most of our furbabies were happy to see us when we got home, soon enough they were snuggling with us. Sunday evening I did all the laundry from the trip including our bedding and the laundry from the week of the trip I had run out of time to do. In between loads I unpacked the coolers and other food as well as any other bag or container we took with us. Hubby spread out and sprayed off the tarp, tent, and canopies and let them dry since it wasn't raining in town. It feels odd to be home again and in the comfort of a house. I love spending time in nature, it drains stress and worry from me and gives me a fresh outlook. I can't wait to get back out there again. 

Till next time,

Some Bunny Loves Ya!

Black Is Such A Happy Color

"Black is such a happy color, Darling!" - Morticia Addams

Today I got up fairly early after getting to bed rather late and not getting much sleep, FSU's game was a noon kick-off so we had to get started early. I made some lovely biscuits and scrambled eggs with feta for breakfast for Hubby, myself, and Hubby's mom. We all ate too many biscuits, it's so hard not to when they are fresh made. After Hubby and his mom left I did my hair and got dressed up to go grab a to-go lunch from a friend's church's fall festival.

Ever notice sometimes when you don't plan out an outfit first and have no idea what to wear how you randomly pull out a few pieces and put together a great ensemble? I knew I wanted to wear my long flowing skirt today but I had no idea what to wear on top. I tried on several blouses but didn't like them with the skirt so while digging around in my closet I stumbled upon this one. I kind call it my favorite hardly ever worn blouse, I often forget I own it. I normally pull it out around the winter holidays to wear to parties since it is quite fancy. Together with the skirt it reminded me of something I would have worn in high school, although in high school I probably would have been wearing 6 inch platform shoes ;)

For photos I went to one of the lesser traveled cemeteries in town. This cemetery is the historic African-American cemetery established in 1937 and was only restored and brought to it's current beauty in 1987. As a result of years of neglect many grave stones are broken or unreadable (also due to lower cost stones, often hand poured and stamped cement). I feel privileged to live walking distance from four of the oldest cemeteries in the city, I often walk in them and soak in the history of the area. Some people say coimetromania like it's a bad thing.

My very well loved bat purse that I bought used for $1

Outfit details:

Necklace- Made by me

Top- Burlington

Skirt- Clothes Swap, free pile

Purse/Boots- The OTHER SIDE Vintage

I've been dying to show off this necklace, I made it a month or so ago while I was down with a sinus infection. I drooled over this pattern for a long time, I found it oddly enough while reading Dracula. I'm glad I finally bought it, it is gorgeous! For this one I used an edit from another raveler to have only 7 "butterflies"and crocheted with a C or D hook if I remember correctly (remember, I was sick when I made it). I have made several more with finer thread as the pattern is written. If you crochet and are looking for an elegant necklace pattern I highly recommend the Mina Harker Necklace. I accented mine with glass bi-cone beads and a Wednesday cameo that I have had for a few years, I was happy to make something worthy of her.

Today I got asked/told there had to be a story behind my outfit. I wish I could come up with witty stories on the spot but I was so taken aback I simply smiled and replied no. I got up and got dressed, that was all.

Some Bunny Loves Ya!