Clermont Estate - Berryville, Virginia

"There has been a general shift in my thinking,’" said Meredith referring to her feelings about the progress of the film so far. "I can start to see the end, which is great, but I also see what extra shots we need, so it's this general sense of satisfaction mixed with a sense of urgency. I've come to realize I have to structure the whole movie around Sarah Steer's memories - not just show her remembering at the beginning and the end; I want the film to move in and out of her memories throughout."

She also explained the success of the filming of last weekend's Confederate Cavalry scenes which involved ten chickens, eight pizzas, five horses with riders (Todd Kern, John Sweeney and friends), four extras, two makeup artists, and several spectators.

But today everyone was gathered in the steam of the evening to film Scene 35, "A Nearly Fatal Tea." When I arrived, Peter was wearing his red bandana, to ensure his vision would not be impaired by the sweat running into his eyes while filming, and Meredith was clearing the pantry to establish the lack of goods owing to the foraging of the Confederate soldiers.

The scene was completely blocked out before the actors got in costume, to avoid heat stroke in their multi-layered dresses and wool uniforms.

At one point, the actors were all gathered around the Dutton kitchen table discussing with Meredith how the fight between the Confederate Lieutenant, John Milbrowe, played by Ben Huntington, and the Union Lieutenant John Wm. Hutchinson, played by Stephen Beggs would ensue during tea with ladies present. Should they draw pistols? Swords? Fists?

"I'll just start throwing peaches," said Steve, picking up a jar from the table.

We did have "issues" with the cornbread, which Meredith baked fresh for the scene. On every take, as it got passed around the table for tea, the actors took a piece and ate it, largely owing to the pretzel dinner here on the set. This not only depleted the "prop’" but also resulted in much crumb-spitting conversation.

When it came time for a cornbread refill, Lizzie Dutton, played by Michelle Hixon, got up and everyone erupted with, "Hey! Where are you taking the cornbread?"

"Hold thy horses!" she replied, keeping with the 1865 Quaker lingo.

Meredith and Peter also faced the usual challenges of filming in between the airplane, train and car noises. At one quiet moment when Meredith said, "Action," she then stuck her head out the door and yelled, "Christian! I can hear the guitar!" Christian was apparently killing time while waiting for his scene to be filmed.

At one point during the very unlikely tea, after the soldiers' confrontation, Steve broke into a rather lovely Scottish ballad - "Annie Laurie" (a popular Union Civil War tune). Too bad we can't keep that in the movie.

Finally, Christian's scene, "Moss Warns Duttons" was shot outside by the well in the velvet black of the night. Peter used blue filters over the light to emulate moonlight and Christian, playing Confederate private Gabriel Moss, performed two perfect soliloquies and it was a wrap at 11:45pm.

As a tangerine moon peeked through the clouds, we hugged our good-byes - until tomorrow, of course. The crunch is on.