Jumping the Gun to Some ---->---->

About a week ago when the girl at the McDonald's drive-thru handed me my coffee I was delighted to see it was in a Christmas cup! They had swapped out the boring yellow/orange combo for the pretty red cup with the white snow flakes. It was at that very instant I felt the Christmasy feeling begin to creep over me. I know there are a lot of folks that say "it's too early". Thanksgiving is still weeks away... I get that. But time goes by way.too.fast. For me and a lot of other people Christmas means added hours of work which is great but it doesn't allow for savoring the season. So I'm starting now before my schedule is full and I'm stressing over finding the perfect presents. By December 24th I will want to shoot my radio if I hear "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause" one more time just like everybody else. Until then it's Christmas-time. ♥

This morning I pulled up the blinds to find our first official snow. I unearthed my winter boots and snow brush. I also bought a FANTASTIC Ralph Lauren wool sweater at the Goodwill. I'm totally in love with it. No seriously: I like put it on and wrote a song. Tonight I'm snuggled in with Beulah (and my new sweater) sipping a cup of Maple Hot Chocolate. Yes. It is unreal. That's why I'm posting the recipe below  :) Hope your Tuesday was just as cheery. Happy middle of the week.

                                                        Maple Hot Chocolate --->--->

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 baking cocoa   }
1/8 tsp. salt

1/4 cup hot water  }
1 tbsp. butter

4 cups milk
1 tsp. maple flavoring
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 large marshmallows

Combine sugar, cocoa, and salt in a sauce pan. Stir in water and butter; bring to a boil. Add milk, maple flavoring, vanilla extract, and marshmallows. Heat through, stirring occasionally.

1918 -- A Strappy Jumper

Naples

October has been breathtaking in Upstate NY. Here are some pictures from our day out last Friday. Mom, my sisters, and I have started this tradition. Just as the foliage is about the peek we drive the scenic route by the lake to Naples. The Finger Lakes are known for vineyards and wineries and let me tell you the fresh grape juice is pretty unreal. We also stopped in at a fabric shop and one of my favorite antique stores. I feel like I have  been soaking up the beauty around me so much more this year. I'm stocking up lovely days to tide me over this winter until spring.

home tonight

Technically, I am home most every night. Occasionally, Beulah (my dog) and I stay over at Mom's. The home I grew up in will always feel like a safe, comforting place. In my apartment, I'm surrounded by my belongings and everything is where I put it. I think there is it's own kind of comfort in that. The funny thing is, I've lost my true sense of home. I've been thinking a lot about it lately as I drive past charming houses. I wonder if a certain house was mine would that childhood feeling come back. I don't know but I like to think it will. Until then I feel safe and all tucked in here upstairs in my apartment. A hot cup of tea, a corgi dog, and sewing to do. I couldn't ask for much more than that.

The Newsletter!

Let's Backtrack clothing used in Kentucky made film...

I was so honored to be contacted by independent film maker John A. Coulter last year. He asked me to help create some of the costumes worn in his depression era film The Old Winter.  The long awaited film is now in post production! It's always exciting for me to see movie stills of the cast wearing my designs. The film also boasts of a beautiful, original soundtrack by John and his wife Anna. My cover of the popular hymn "Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior" will be heard in the film. You can take a listen and download it for free here : "Pass Me Not" New Exculsive Let's Backtrack Merch! The Art & Found is celebrating their one year anniversary on Friday Sept 6th. "We are unveiling the store's new logo and have invited a local gourmet catering company and professional buskers to come and entertain so we expect this to be a fun and busy weekend." I'm working on some new fall apparel and handbags for The Art & Found's anniversary. If you're in the Ithaca area stop in! Let's Backtrack ---> to Fall I've brought back one of my best sellers for Fall : the 1928 Homespun Dress ! As always quantities are limited and I can't guarantee the availability of this fabric. However, I am looking forward to introducing this dress in a wider variety of colors and prints soon.              <----------------------> That's all for now. Enjoy this last week of August. Soon, September will be upon and so will wool sweaters and great boots. all the best. much love, Hannah Facebook Twitter Website

Copyright © 2013 Lets Backtrack, All rights reserved. Thanks so much for joining Let's Backtrack's mailing list!  This is the last newsletter of August I sent out. If you'd like to be the first to receive exclusive coupon codes, see new merch, and find out what's happening at Let's Backtrack subscribe here ----> Sign Up!

Bottomed Out -- oops.

It's probably obvious to those or you who were paying attention that I have "failed" with the self portrait photo challenge. Taking a picture of yourself EVERY day is not as fun as it sounds, lol! I don't even think I made it a week. However I love taking pictures of people.  I think the whole self portrait thing has taught me a little about portrait photography in general. I look forward to using this knowledge on my friends and family.

The weeks here have been busy. I've been filling orders for Let's Backtrack. Brainstorming a new video and website. I also have a couple of outside jobs that seem extra busy with the hustle of summer.

I did some antiquing with my family on Monday and that was my mini vacation. I haven't been on an actual vacation in 6 years but this day trip was enough to keep me happy a little longer. There are so many cute towns in upstate New York I haven't seen yet. We finished our trip in the town of Skaneateles over looking it's beautiful lake. We've been visiting Skaneateles since I was really little. We ALWAYS get dinner at Doug's Fish Fry. To be honest, this restaurant is why I'm a pescatarian and not a vegetarian. Here are a few phone photos from our day :

Bib Overalls

The weather has cooled down just enough for me to wear my bibs. They are so comfy! I made some last year for a depression era movie but I have never sewn a pair for myself. I'm thinking of doing just that and maybe offering them at Let's Backtrack What do you think?

untitled