Window Shopping

Look at this! My sister snapped this picture of the Cath Kidston shop in Bath as she was dashing by on a whirlwind walking tour of the city in November.

Oodles of Inspiration

I've found another joyous web-site with lovely items for the home. I told my Mum and sister yesterday that I have an overactive homemaking bug. Room Service Home web-site is great inspiration for decorating a home in Traditional, English and more modern styles.

When furnishings are designed tastefully with a sensitivity to line, color and texture they suit me quite well, and I'm finding that some furniture with a traditional background accented with retro, art deco and even modern hints is quite appealing.

Cath Kidston

I've just viewed the web-site of british designer Cath Kidston and have nearly fainted. I'm in love with the cheerful colors, floral motifs, and bright polkadots. http://www.cathkidston.co.uk.

Take a look and have a cherrio day!

Shakespare in my Library

William Shakespeare Playwright and Poet

S. Bennett

Last evening at our church Bible Study, a fellow saint gave me a six volume hard bound Shakespeare set. Each is printed in Great Britian (1957), hardbound, and red with gold embossed letters. I am exicted to have a set that has foot note translations at the bottom of each page. The volumes are looking quite smart on the bookshelves by the fireplace.

My bookshelves have needed some tender loving care, so this morning I weeded out extra copies that I will pass along to others.

Print courtesy http://www.allposters.com

A day with children

Last evening we lost electricity for awhile and I journaled at my Arts and Crafts desk with one candlestick for light. It was quite Dickenesque, I must say.

Lovely sleeping in until eight-thirty and getting loads of house work accomplished. The two Hart children arrived just after eleven for me to care for while their Mum went to work for several hours. The children colored, did puzzles, helped me vacuum, clean, and water colored pictures at the kitchen table. We also planted a large red amaryllis bulb!

After their Mum was home from work we spent supper with them. She made oven baked chicken, steamed carrots flavored with butter and cinnamon, broccoli, and homemade macaroni and cheese. For after supper tea we had apple spice cake and a steaming white-peach tea. I showed their Mum how to prepare for making a braided rug, and made several strips from old wool plaid.


Red Amaryllis Photograph (courtesy http://www.allposters.com)

My latest fetish, British Columbia

British Columbia - Emerald Lake

I'm thinking this would be a lovely place to visit, and it would be grand taking a train across Canada.

Pictures courtesy http://www.allposters.com

Thoughts on a cold day

Hit by an ice storm early Sunday morning has given me the start of a most interesting week. So far my classes have been cancelled for today and tomorrow.

Rebecca and her college friend, Gwen waited until noon today when the ice had started to melt to make a dash back to Hollister before more freezing rain descend upon us tonight.




Last evening we enjoyed watching early James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small episodes on Rebecca's laptop computer, while sipping hot tea with milk, and turbinado sugar. Each year our Christmas tree which when assembled reaches about six feet is yet even more wobbly. Mum and I are thankful Rebecca came home, she is always able to work wonders with the stressed and precarious tree. It has now taken it's place on the right side of our fireplace looking quite cheery.


At last I have finished my assigned reading for cello studies. Joys and Sorrows- Reflections by Pablo Casals. What a read. It encompasses more than just his direct work with the cello and the fine tuning of playing techniques but also his work as a conductor and composer and how he was able to utilize his God given talents to help encourage peace between nations after World War II.


Alf Wight - (the real James Herriot) courtesy of http://www.jamesherriot.org/images.php

Life in my World

If you are wondering why you may not have heard from me in a while it may be any of the following reasons.

Dental Assisting School - Class President of HOSA
Cello Lessons
Reading a variety of books
Sewing
Baking for the church bake sale at ConocoPhillips
Keeping house
Working on my Resume

How can life be boring?

Thank You Letter to Mrs. Lee

Mrs. Lee,
I know you are always very busy so I thought I would write you an e-mail telling you about my trip to North Little Rock.


We had a flat tire, and a nail in another on the way down. But the Lord kept his hand upon us, and he sent a highway patrol officer by to help, and one of my distant cousins lived close by and came and helped us get to a place to get new tires.
After we arrived, we went with Seth to a Praise singing outreach for juvenile deliqents at a jail. It was really beautiful to see young people that were reaching out to other young people who need the Lord.

Saturday was the boat trip...a 90 foot boat, with 50 awesome young people aboard-- we stopped at an island on the lake, and partied on the boat and walked around the island all afternoon. At night everybody gathered around a camp fire, and sang songs, and testified about where the Lord found them, and what he was doing in there lives. There we were all of us huddled together trying to stay warm, and the sun was setting---gorgeous! Everybody praising the Lord. Seth was the first to testify...he said, "I don't know why the Lord chose me, out of all the billons of people on the earth, just like one of these rocks on the shore...he chose me. I just want to live for him with all of my heart. Don't hold back anything from him." We were all in tears.

I just wanted to tell you those two things, because it was a very special time, and I wanted to thank you again for letting me go.

Blessings,
Amy Ruth

Week-end in North Little Rock

Rachel and I were blessed to be able to take a rode trip this week-end to North Little Rock in Arkansas to visit our friend, Seth, his family and his church called, First Pentecostal Church. I cannot describe the presence of the Lord in the services, but to say that it was a glimpse of heaven. GOD is good!

picture- www.gulfcoastsound.com

Land of Beauty...

In my book, Funky Frum.com is the authority on retro beauty.
This season, I'm in love with full skirts, aqua and teal with brown, polka dots again, and buttons as strong accents.

Highlights of my week

A few days off this week for school's fall break, and I've enjoyed these things during the time.
Reading A Random Act by Cindi Broaddus has changed my outlook on human life, and what is truly meaningful. Everyone that is prone to complain even of the slightest thing in life should read this book.

Listening to Ashokan Farewell on www.youtube.com played by Jay Ungar and his wife Molly Mason touches the core of my being with the lilting phrases and intense expression. He puts soo much umpth into each phrasing that I'm left with damp eyes and speechless. I first heard the song while watching the Civil War documentary by Ken Burns in 1998, and acquired the music from my violin teacher shortly after. I've enjoyed this piece greatly- but the composer plays it best!

On a lighter note. Trinny and Susannah Take on America was a nice fashion read for the week. Always take them with a grain of salt.

Books and tapes I've listened to this week:
Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain
Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
100 Ways to Motivate Yourself - Steve Chandler

Main Thought of the Week
What am I truly doing to help others? Is my motivation to accomplish things for myself or so that others may be blessed.

Sir Edward Le'Cello

I'm a silly gal. As some of my friends know, I've named my cello Sir Edward. He was on a sabbatical much of the spring and all of the summer, but now it is time for his voice to be warming up for this semester and next. I've found a great teacher, Mrs. E. Martin. Hooray!

www.allposters.com

Tea cozies

Dictionary.com says that a 'tea cozy' is, "a padded cloth covering to keep a tea pot warm".

My latest sewing obsession is making these lovely tea pot coverings to sell and give to my friends. I won't say what fabrics I'm using...'cause you may be getting one and I'd hate to spoil the surprise.



Afternoon Tea

www.art.com

7 Wonders of Me

1. I really don't have a favorite color.

2. The more mist, rain, sleet and snow the better...provided it doesn't keep me out of classes.

3. My Mum wanted to name me Willow. Which I think would have suited me just find. But Amy means "friend" in French - so I think I'll just keep it.

4. I had a crush on Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind, when I was seven or so...but am quite a bit wiser now.

5. I believe everything happens for a purpose...even the worst day. Attitude is everything.

6. I've corresponded with two movie stars...yeeks can you believe it?

7. When I was little I said I would marry a lawyer.

Orchid Photo - www.allposters.com

A Little Lite Reading

Shortcake Books-
Definition: Literature relatively short in length, yet captivating, intriguing, and thoroughly entertaining.


My choices:
Goodbye Mr. Chips - James Hilton
Where Angels Fear to Tread - E. M. Forster
84 Charing Cross Road - Helene Hanff

Sewing-these days

I am enjoying some sewing projects of late. A pair of pillowslips with rose Motifs. A number of reversible baby bibs for my Mum's friends and co-workers. Three girl bibs are being made with Debbie Mumm fabrics, and the fourth is made with Peter Rabbit fabric which I have saved for a very special project. I've paired Peter with a cheery little red gingham check, perfect little combo, I'd say.

Image Courtesy http://www.allposters.com

Jeeves and Wooster

My latest Book Fetish. P.G. Wodehouse collection of short stories entitled, Jeeves and Wooster. Mr. Wodehouse was an artisian of the odd and humorous, as my good friend Rachel H. says, "The Hillarium is overwhelming!"

Image courtesy of http:www.hatsharpening.com

New Arabian Nights Quote

On Chivalry
Robert Louis Stevenson
from the short story, A Lodging in the Night

Listen to me once more. I learned long ago that a gentleman should live chivalrously and lovingly to God, and the king, and his lady; and though I have seen many strange things done, I have still striven to command my ways upon that rule. It is not only written in all nobel histories, but in every man's heart, if he will take care to read. You speak of wine, and I know very well that hunger is a difficult trial to endure; but you do not speak of other wants; you say nothing of honour, of faith to God and other men of courtesy, of love without reproach. It may be that I am not very wise--and yet I think I am but you seem to me like one who has lost his way and made a great error in life. You are attending to the little wants, and you have totally forgotten the great and only real one, like a man who should be doctoring a toothache on the Judgement Day. For such things as honour and love and faith are not nobler than food and drink, but indeed I think we desire them more, and suffer more sharply for their absence.

God Speed by Edmund Blair Leighton
(poster from http://www.allposters.com/)

Blogging Award

Lillibeth at http://www.thepleasanttimes.blogspot.com nominated me for the Nice Matters Award. "This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass on to seven others whom you feel are deserving of this award”

I would like to nominate Anna at http://www.pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com.
Keep up the good work Anna!

If only I knew 6 other bloggers who haven't received it, yes I'm still new to the Blogging world.
Thank you for the generous award Lillibeth...I nominate you too!

Joel, home in June

Joel was home for just a few days. Not nearly enough time with him, but any is better than none. We received an e-mail from him in Iraq earlier this month. He tells us that the job he is doing can't be mentioned in the e-mail, and that he lost a good friend recently.
Our Prayers are with him.

First Formal in 12 years

At last! My portrait pictures are ordered. I've had a picture of my Grandmother, Gramzie in mind, and wanted to duplicate the retro feel. My hair was done at Gail's by Stephanie, and the pictures taken at Sears.

Hooray!...now can I wait two solid weeks for them to arrive?

Mama's Bank Account

Friday evening I searched Mum's bookshelf in the dining room and found eight books I'd like to read this fall. One book I chose was Mama's Bank Account and having seen the movie version as a child on OETA movie club with my siblings and Gramzie, I decided it was time to read it for myself. And so at 10:30pm I delved in and read half of it, and finished the other half this evening.

The format is more like a series of short stories rather than a lengthy novel. The story is of a Norwegian immigrant family of seven living in circa. 1910's San Fransisco and the hardships of everyday life, and how Mama's wise and frugal ways influence the family.

Would be a great book to read aloud.


Mama's Bank Account by Katheryn Forbes 1943

The Video is called, I Remember Mama (1948)
Irene Dunn plays Mama

Hibiscus, and our fantastic neighbor

We've only lived in our new abode just over a year. Soon after moving in we met the neighbor right across the alley. She is an older lady and is just as vivacious as any young person. When ever I'm out gardening she comes over to visit, asking if there is anything I need. Another trash can for the yard debris, some twine, perhaps. Hatchet to chop the stump away.
Her yard was glorious this June. I fell in love with her blooming hibiscus at the alley fence row. Everyday the blooms were more numerous and getting larger. The largest was the size of a large dinner plate.

Thinking Alike

Becca home last week-end rummaged through my bottom dresser and decided she must have a skirt I'd purchased. "This looks so 1930's ish. May I please have it?" And so here she is wearing it Sunday morning...she looks quite elegant.

Bye the way she let me wear her favorite brown skirt...great minds think alike.

Sweet Dreams

After the house fire in 2005 and four moves. My bedroom furniture and room needed a bit of help. When we moved here, the walls in my bedroom were a lifeless chalky white.

Here are before and after pictures. I repositioned the bed and now the flow is much improved.

Earlier this year my sister and I painted our rooms. Becca decided on a light green properly named Hydrangea Floret, and I went with one of my favorite shades of peach. My Grandmother left me some pieces of furniture. Some I worked hard to purchase, such as my authentic Craftsmen desk which I helped a Lawyer friend with his Mother's estate sale, and acquired pieces of furniture in payment. One cottage picture I discovered by someone's trash heap. A print framed from England! Very favorite items in my room:

• A small chest filled with my friends letters



• Family Portraits, (especially my Grandparents pictures in their earlier days)



• CD player and new comforter from my brother.



• Stainglass lamp

The room isn't perfect, but it's definately my favorite place to be when home!

Look for the Silver Lining

I took this picture as Mum and I were driving downtown. It was an amazing site!

Look for the Silver Lining

(Song from the 1940's)

Look for the silver lining When e'er a cloud appears in the blue.

Remember some where the sun is shining, And so the right thing to do,

Is make it shine for you. A heart, full of joy and gladness, Will always banish sadness and strife. So always look for the silver lining, And try to find the sunny side of life.