As I approached the tree hugged house on Clermont estate, late in the afternoon, I found Stokes and Craig in costume, sitting at a table in the shade of a massive maple. The day was distinctly summer in Virginia (hazy, hot and humid) yet the old tree's respite and the mountain breeze truly set the scene for a day of smooth sailing.

The strategy for the day had been to rehearse and block out the scenes first and then to put on costumes, so that everyone would remain comfortable for as long as possible. While the ladies (Donna, Annie, Michelle, Abby, Lindsay, and Morgan) all crammed into a tiny, sauna of a bedroom to don their eight layers, the gentlemen waited outside.

"I can't imagine getting paid to do this in Hollywood," said Craig Snyder, who plays Union Sergeant Orvil Thomas. "What a life!"

"There is always something exciting to be a part of when you know Meredith," he continued in his cheerful, serene voice

Stokes put on his true hat as an actor for the filming of Scene 20, which shows his character, John B. Dutton's, homecoming. He also gives a letter to his daughter which delivers the news of her fiance's death (Lizzie Dutton's true life fiance, Lieut. David Holmes, died at the 1864 Battle of Petersburg).

Nancy, the Assistant Director, was on clapboard duty. "I feel like Carol Burnett," she said as she snapped it shut.

Peter astutely pointed out the essential ingredient for the day when he said, "As soon as Meredith says cut, turn the fan back on!"

With only a few takes, Meredith declared the master shot. In between takes, the girls lifted their hoop skirts in front of the fan. Ankles ladies!

After the close-ups and hand-held shots were finished, the actors gathered around the monitor to laugh and marvel at the results. Then they poured outside where it was cooler while the arduous process began of moving the camera equipment, extension cords and lighting to the kitchen for the second half of the scene.

Thanks to the combined effort of Art Director Penny Hauffe, Set Decorator Peggy Levay and some small, historically accurate changes from Meredith, the kitchen looked fantastic with hats on hooks, cast-iron pots in the fire, sponged dishes on display and a writing desk in the corner.

"Peter and I are learning, every second, how to work more efficiently," said Meredith. "I just learned to watch the monitor and not the actors, which is much more effective. Part of what the actors signed on for was that we are all learning. We've gotten some great stuff for our first time out!"

The filming of the second part of the scene began with everyone rushing into the kitchen to prepare food for their surprise guest: Union Sergeant Orvil Thomas (John Dutton's military escort), setting cornbread on the table, getting tea.

Michelle's performance, when she received the letter with the bad news, brought tears to everyone's eyes. She remained persuasively devastated through several takes. Bravo!

There was a small incident when Annie tripped with the tea service in her hands and remarkably, did not fall. Also, the broom, which was propped up against the wall to hide the light switch kept getting moved.

Nancy was really into the clapper, adding a hip flick with the click. "I used to pretend I was using a clapper as a kid," she said. "This is the real thing. It's like using a microphone instead of a hairbrush. It's so fun!"

She also spoke of her ties to Meredith. "We have so many common threads. Meredith is so wonderful and the script is great!"

When Meredith called a wrap, everyone realized the actual filming had only taken two hours.

"I think we are getting the hang of this," said Stokes. "The sun is still up!"

"I can't believe it!," added Peter. "Can we eat the cornbread now?"