Mary's 16th birthday Tea

On the 11th of December, many ladies and young women gathered in the Stricklen home to celebrate Mary's 16th birthday. The theme was a "Literary Tea". All the young ladies were requested to dress as one of their favorite literary characters. What fun was had by all, as we looked for creative characters and costumes!!

The day of the party, it was terribly fun trying to guess each other's characters. The elegant tea was delightful, as was the sweet fellowship.

Continue as I give you a tour of a delightful day.....

We began the day ironing dresses, fixing hair, arranging dresses....

Of course I had to get photos of my adorable sister in her adorable dress...

(It appears that she must have lost her arms in the war....)

Arriving at the scene of the crime...I mean...party... we find the guest of honor and "Miss Scarlet"

"Miss Scarlet" here: I know all you lovely Christian families reading this blog will understand how a devoted wife and mother of 8 participated in a jovial fashion by opening herself to ridicule with this ridiculous costume (with way overdone makeup). This "Miss Scarlet" more resembled a "Miss Scarlet" a few years (and a few pounds) down the road. Perhaps she hooked up with Mr. Green, married and had 8 children. Who knows?

(There was a book series written about the CLUE characters BTW so I was "legal")

Just inside the door, we find some lovely ladies all in a row

A little farther and we find Miss Scarlet trying to convince Miss Woodhouse that she had not killed Professor Plum. She had not even been in the drawing room, and she had no knife in her possession...

Sweet Great Grandmother Harris and Grandma Sue seem to be enjoying the party

Aha!! We come upon some lovely Southern ladies from South Georgia getting acquainted with a sweet young lady from Central Florida ...and her tiny friend.

We found this poor peasant outside selling matches and calling for her poor dead grandmother.

Ah..I see that Caroline Bingly has made the acquaintance of Katherine Nemo

Christiana tells her good friend of her journey to the Celestial city...

and Amy March finds a good friend in Laura Ingalls.

Whats this?? Mary looking...disturbed?

What could it be?? Flowers and a note..delivered to her door...

Ah!! They appear to be from a secret admirer?

There must a prankster around somewhere....

Grandmama and Abby enjoy a good laugh over Kitty's prank.

Many thanks to Mr. Schnieder for helping us out!!

Ah!! Miss Scarlet has found another victim...I mean friend.

Holly Hobby and her Georgia friend Lindsay appear to have found the delicate dainties...

and share them with their friend

Amy, Elsie Dinsmore and Emily prefer to sit and talk a while...

And Emma Woodhouse seems to prefer just...standing and smiling by the food...

While waiting to eat, many, many, many pictures were taken..

The Little Match Girl and Anne (with an E) of Green Gables smile pleasantly

Heidi takes a break from yodeling to flash a smile...

Little Molly Gibson delights us with a smile...

...as do Amy March and Julia Jackson

Baby Hogan with his Mama

The ladies oblige the photographer...

...and smile

"Indeed, she must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and all the modern languages to deserve the word. And something about her air, and manner of walking...." Miss Bingley

Grandmama takes her chances with Miss S.

After lunch, we all sat down and began the character guessing game...

"I am Anne with an "E"!! And this is my best friend..."

"No...I am Anne with an 'E'!"

"I and my children followed my husband on his pilgrimage..."

"Oh Harriet!!"

No hints needed :):)

The March sisters..

Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy

and..Amy's twin sister...Amy

(She appears to have had her arms reattached...)

The Molly Gibsons

Queen Margaret of Scotland

"Rebel Rose"

Rose O'Neal Greenhow was a Confederate spy (And a good one too!!)

Everyone had excellent costumes!!!

Mrs. Stokes and Grandmama enjoying the party

The Stricklen ladies with their Grandmothers and Great Grandmother

The Discher ladies and their Grandmother and Great Grandmother

Oh...and a tiny screaming Discher man...loudly stating his opinions on the topic of pictures...

Gifts were given....

and sweet helpers pitched in...

...for a very quick clean up...

...and everyone headed over to Grandmama's to see what the men were up to.

Aha!!! Shooting trap!

Bang...

Bang...

Bang...

We had a lovely get-together at Grandmama's so that the Whiddon family could meet "The Gang"

Cutie is all set to enjoy the evening!!

It appears that Mandy finally got sick of "Bill"

Mallory sweetly giving Markie a harp lesson

The Whiddons played some beautiful chamber music...

...and then joined us for some bluegrass

The Whiddon family blessed us with a song...

...As did the Graves family

...and the Waldmans...

And the Doolins did a comedy routine and gave out sharp-shooting awards.

We sang "The Family Prayer Song"

As you can see...The Elusive Miss S has gone and Mama dear has returned :)

A delightful day was had by all. We thoroughly enjoyed the Whiddon's visit, and the fellowship with others.


I do hope you have enjoyed your "tour" through our day on the 11th of December.


Until next time...


Sarah