A Wandering Elf
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June 25th, 2019

6/25/2019

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As part of my Pennsic Improvements posts (found here - https://www.facebook.com/awanderingelf/ ) I talked today about coolers and how to keep them colder (and how to know when it is time to swap them out for a new one).  I figured that post was worth a re-share here as well.

​Yesterday I brought up one of my new favorite boozy beverages, and today I am going to talk about my test over time to keep the ice cold for my Pennsic cocktails.  I will note that you can actually do Pennsic without a cooler at all (assuming you do not have medications you need to keep at a certain temperature), and some people do indeed do this.  Duke Cariadoc has an article about doing Pennsic without a cooler here that some folks might be interested in: http://daviddfriedman.com/Medieval/Articles/Camping%20without%20a%20cooler.html
 
Personally, the only food I take to War is a few snacks for land grab.  After that, my cooler is for ice only, and maybe a re-used water bottle full of leftover coffee or tea for a cold beverage at a later point.  Mostly I am just keeping ice for drinks, and possibly a small container of fresh fruit purchased at the Coopers store.  My camp has a meal plan, and I love to eat in the market, and I certainly am not going to Pennsic to cook so one of the ways I have pared down the things I take with me is to cut out the food items (that often were going to waste).
 
I am, however, very picky about coolers, and doubly so if food is going to be stored in them.  Coolers are not immortal.  They have a lifespan, and often the cheapest coolers have a very short one.  The easiest way to tell if your cooler is on the outs is to open the lid.  If it lifts with no resistance at all, it is no longer air-tight and, therefore, it is no longer doing it’s job.  You will go through much more ice at this point and it is time to consider purchasing a new one.  (Do not worry though, that old cooler can be used to store your dry goods now, because old coolers are a fantastic way to keep bugs out of your food and rain off of it!)
 
For the past decade, I have used Coleman Xtreme coolers and really do like them.  They last longer than some others I have had and tend to keep things cold for a decent amount of time.  I have, however, been researching newer high-end coolers for almost two years now, because I am due for a new cooler and because I also want a smaller one as I really just need it for ice.  After reading many reviews, I decided that I wanted to try a Grizzly cooler, with which my wonderful mother recently surprised me.  I honestly cannot wait to test it out this year (and will definitely post my thoughts after the fact)!
 
Even if you are not ready for an upgrade just yet, I do have some tips for helping to make the best use of your current cooler.

  • Make sure both the cooler is not hot when you fill it.  Don’t leave it in a hot shed or the trunk of your car beforehand.  Bring it into the house to cool down first.
  • Make sure the items you adding to it are already cold.  Chill your 12-pack of beer before putting it in the cooler and add your ice on top of that.
  • Adding water bottles that are frozen is also a great way to keep things cold longer.  Make sure you pour off a bit of water though, so that the bottles do not crack when the ice expands.  Personally, I re-use old water bottles by filling them with tea and freezing those.  As they start to thaw I drink them.
  • Do not leave empty space in your cooler when packing it.  Fill it to the brim with ice.
  • When using the cooler, keep it out of the sun.  If it is in a central location, like a camp kitchen, try to keep it in the shadiest spot possible and cover it with a heavy blanket to help keep the temperature down.
  • Do not drain off the cold water as the ice melts.  A cooler with some ice and some cold water will keep your items cold better than a cooler with less ice and open space.
  • Most coolers are not made to sit or stand on.  Over time that will distort the shape and weaken the seals, causing you to have to replace it sooner.
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Pennsic Improvements!

6/19/2019

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Each year I repost two of my older articles that have tips for surviving Pennsic and also for enjoying it.  Last year I included a compilation of my summer wardrobe tips as well.  All three of these will be linked below.

New for this year is a running list on my Facebook Page, with (almost) daily tips based on things I have learned over the years that make my best two weeks of the year even better.  I would love for anyone interested to come join the conversation!

https://www.facebook.com/awanderingelf/
​


My Pennsic Prep List:  http://awanderingelf.weebly.com/blog-my-journey/pennsic-prep-and-my-list-for-newcomers

Tips for Enjoying your First (or Tenth) Pennsic:  http://awanderingelf.weebly.com/blog-my-journey/tips-for-enjoying-your-first-or-tenth-pennsic

Summer Wardrobe: http://awanderingelf.weebly.com/blog-my-journey/summer-wardrobe

#PennsicImprovements
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Pennsic Fiber Pavilion

6/17/2019

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Below is a missive from the coordinator for the Pennsic Fiber Arts Pavilion:

One of the joys for many people, as they anticipate Pennsic and their annual pilgrimage, is the knowledge that they can locate any activity there, from fighting to dancing to classes on every topic imaginable. As fiber artisans, we noticed that the fiber arts lacked a home at Pennsic. Fiber classes are scattered all over the schedule, often fill quickly to overflowing, and students leave with no place to come back together and work with each other to practice their new skills. We were missing a single place where fiber people could find each other and work together on a variety of possible fiber crafts.

To fill this need, we have created a Pavilion devoted to the Fiber Arts, and available for the duration of Pennsic. Their Majesties of Atlantia have graciously created an Artisans Easement within Their Royal Encampment, where artisans are able to erect pavilions for specific Arts, and practice their crafts together every day. We have taken advantage of this location, and made it our home.

Join us in Atlantian Royal Encampment in Block N40, two blocks down from the North Gate along the Long Way toward the Parking hill. Come meet other fiber artisans, take a class, teach a class, or just bring your fiber toys over and relax with like-minded folk for a morning or afternoon. We also have fiber toys available in the pavilion, if you'd like to get acquainted with new equipment before you invest. This pavilion can be whatever you want to make it.

If you want to join the discussion before Pennsic, go to Facebook and search for the "Pennsic Fiber Arts Pavilion" group. Ask to join, and you can see what we are doing this year. We look forward to meeting you at the Pennsic Fiber Arts Pavilion. Come join us there!
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Slight obsession

6/12/2019

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I love head coverings for my Viking Age kit.  I have an entire box of different things I have made or that I have purchased to test out to see how they fare in use.  I particularly love to buy pre-made scarves (via Etsy, Amazon, Ebay or other vendors) and cut them down into veils or caps and work with them.  This can be an affordable source of fine wool cloth especially.

So today I came across diamond twill wool/silk scarves on Amazon.  I just ordered one, so the weight might be more than I usually use for veils, but I think it would still work for caps or other items and the best part?  These are diamond twill! 

I will post and additional review once I get mine in the mail!  ETA - I just got mine and it is absolutely lovely.  It is very fine and soft and very slightly sheer. 
​

​A Wandering Elf 
participates in the Amazon Associates program and a small commission is earned on qualifying purchases.
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    About Me

    I am mother to a billion cats and am on journey to recreate the past via costume, textiles, culture and food.

    A Wandering Elf participates in the Amazon Associates program and a small commission is earned on qualifying purchases. 
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    Blogroll of SCA & Costume Bloggers

    Below is a collection of some of my favorite places online to look for SCA and historic costuming information.

    More Amie Sparrow - 16th Century German Costuming


    Gianetta Veronese - SCA and Costuming Blog

    Grazia Morgano - 16th Century A&S

    Mistress Sahra -Dress From Medieval Turku 

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    Loose Threads: Cathy's Costume Blog

    Mistress Mathilde Bourrette - By My Measure: 14th and 15th Century Costuming

    More than Cod: Exploring Medieval Norway

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