Lafayette Louisana Blacksmith Conference

On March 11 we took off on a trip heading to Lafayette, Louisiana. It was fun to go leisurely on Thursday, stopping at a few antique shops. We spent the first night in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. We walked from our hotel to a gas station next door that had Ocean’s fish and chicken. We ordered chicken liver and gizzard dinners to take back to our hotel room. They were probably the best we have ever had. The cook asked if we wanted their special seasonings. I wonder if they sell their seasonings. 

We arrived at the conference site Friday afternoon just as they were setting up. We visited with our friends from way up north! It was good to see Nathan, Dick and Myron. New to us was Wayne that came with them.

A beautiful auction item that our friend Richard bought. 

I took the BAM boutique items and Bernie’s 51 pair of tongs. Sales were very good Saturday. The crowd was very small Sunday, but I still sold a few things.

On Sunday afternoon I walked with friends to Vermillionville, just across the parking lot. With my senior discount it cost me $8.

The three Missouri blacksmiths visit, Ken, Steve and Bernie.

They had cool tee shirts for only $10.

Nathan Robertson, Jackpine Forge was the demonstrator for both days.,

Vermillionville is a living history museum and folklife park. It represents several of the difference communities that lived, worked and played in what today is known as Arcadiana Louisiana today; the Arcadians, the Creoles, the Native Americans, and the African descendants of the area.

We were entertained by the accordion player. 

This quilt hanging from the ceiling of course caught my eye.

The loom is put together with pegs!

She was making pine needle baskets.

The blacksmith was more busy talking about the musical instrument he was making and the music of the area, then he was about being a blacksmith. 

A Catholic Church. 

I fell in love with this beveled, pie crust, cut mirror/coat hook! 

Notice the fly fan over the table. Someone from the side of the room had to pull the rope.

The last stop was at this small Cajun market. There we picked up seasonings for our blacksmith friend, Pat  back in Washington Missouri.

My 6 generation mini quilt

The five embroidered blocks were stitched by my great grandmother, Mary Angeline Park Hammer Born 1868 and died in 1938.

She handed the blocks down to my grandmother, Emma Elizabeth Hammer Saucier born 1896 and died in 1976. 

 My mother, Onetta (Sis) Alberta Saucier born December 1923 and died In March of 2017,  inherited them, she  gave them to me, Patricia (Patti) Ann Cardwell Tappel born 1952.

This will be handed down to my granddaughter Elizabeth (Lizzie) Norine Tappel 

born 2009, daughter of my son, Jeremy Bernard Tappel, born1977.

I pieced the quilt and hand quilted this during the COVID-19 quarantine. 

This is what we will call our 50th wedding anniversary celebration

• Well in 2020 there was this dang virus called COVID-19. It threw changes in almost every plan there was. Our 50th Wedding anniversary celebration was no exception.

Our Son in law and daughter found a beautiful cabin (house) in Banner Elk North Carolina.  It would be a first for all kids and grand kids to spend a week together 24/7. 

When we arrived grandma and grandpa came bearing gifts for the 3 little ones.

We enjoyed miniature golf, mask and all.

The front yard was a beautiful place to play games and in the evening deer came to the corn that was put out for them.

The river across from the front of the house gave us hours of fun, from rock stacking, fishing, splashing and nature walks.

The cousins enjoyed hours together, Alex helping the little ones cook.

There were also many games on their electronics, lots of Minecraft!!!

Then there was a trip to Watauga Lake in Tennessee. It is a beautiful lake made at the base of mountains. It features 105 miles of shore lines, 16 miles long and an average depth of 52 feet! The clarity of the water was amazing. 

We rented 2 pontoon boats and enjoyed a day of picnicking, swimming and family time!

We were rock sitting at Elk river across from the house.

The younger generations went rafting at  High Mountain Expeditions.  We were the photographers and drove along the river for miles. 

There was some planned photo ops in the front yard!

More cousin cooking!

I must say playing UNO with a 5 year old was one of the best card experiences I've had. He was hilarious and so sharp!

The kids enjoyed an hour or so Gem mining  at Sugar Creek Gem Mining.

The goofy grand kids!

It was then time for family photos. Our daughter in law Lori did an amazing job, running into the pictures, after she discovered she left her automatic clicker at home in Missouri!

All our grand kids in one photo.

 Our HEARTS  are full. It was the best quick trip anniversary gift ever. 

Thank you to Sarah and Rusty, Jeremy and Lori, and the 5 GRANDS.  It will be hard to top this trip!

It’s our Golden anniversary

Can we take a break from damn COVID-19?

Saturday, May 23 was our 50th wedding anniversary.  The kids had planned a big celebration for  us. Damn COVID-19.

The party supplies await.  It has been rescheduled for later this summer, pending on a lot yet.

First thing we did at the stroke of midnight was to look at our wedding albums and all the notes I had kept. We looked at friends, cousins, family that came. Many not with us now. We looked at the list of gifts we got. Funny the normal money gift back then was $5 to $10. Grandparents gave $20. I thought a gift of ashtrays was hilarious.

After breakfast, we went to the garden. We weeded and hilled 4 rows of potatoes.

Next after tilling the garden, we planted 30+  tomato plants and a dozen or more pepper plants.

We then took our second Can Am ride through the neighborhood.

After a shower and quick dinner we were settled in our recliners for some Grand Ole Opry on line. We might just be turning into old folks.

Here’s to many more great years working together, and a BIG party later in the year.

We are blessed. Life is good.