Friday, October 31, 2008

When I Grow Up


Just can't think of anyone nicer. Susie Watson designs fabric items and pottery. Hello polka dots! Yummy looking table spreads in the garden. Lovely comforters on comfy beds inside an idyllic cottage. You must know she is from England. Where else?

Photograph from http://www.susiewatsondesigns.co.uk

Thursday, October 30, 2008

History Essay Excerpt




"Though Betty remembers that the days were difficult, she also recalls enjoying several kinds of entertainment. Phillips Petroleum held big dance bands which were highlights during the war. Also a group of eight to twelve mothers formed a sewing club and met once a week. They met at each other's homes and served coffee and donuts. The ladies brought their handwork, which was usually mending. The hostess might call the other ladies and tell them not to bring any handwork, that she had the entertainment for the evening. Which usually turned out to be a stack of her family's much needed mending. They all counted the mending as "great fun". There were also "Mother Clubs", which were a group of women who got together to share information on an aspect of child development. Each night a different topic would be presented and discussed. These outings were great moral boosters for families, especially women".

Excerpt from "1940's Housewife Interview" essay due in my History since 1877 class (taught by a feminist...none the less).

Photo from flixster.com from The Magic of Ordinary Days

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Betty Gram's Home Language

Hollyhock Child" Fine Art Print from Art.com


Betty Gram doesn't limit her art language to just one room. Nope! She decorates her home in many prints, most of children.

After telling Betty Gram that I have figured out what Mother's room language is, she promptly asked what I thought hers would be. Well you have lots of prints of children, they are reading, gathered around a bird cage, picking apples, playing at various activities, helping in the kitchen and swinging. I would say...hmm...your trying to relive the childhood you never enjoyed. You know? I think you are right. Then Betty Gram laughs and her eyes sparkle.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Happiness


Emma Bridewater's Black Toast Box Tea 1/2 Mug from emmabridgewater.com


May I share with you Romantic Homes magazine? You might think I am trying to sell you something all the time. But in reality I just want to pass on the "little gold mines" I have discovered.

I can't seem to find that perfect scone recipe. Perhaps you know of one which turns out crusty on the outside and tender on the inside? A scone recipe which is good served with clotted cream? There are a dozen to one recipes in books and on web-sites, but I don't have time for testing each one like in a chemistry lab.

Lillibeth can you help?

Monday, October 27, 2008

My Room Language


"The Soul of the Rose"
"God Speed" and "The Accolade" by Edmund Blair Leighton. Prints from Art.com


"Coral Bells" wall color. What does this all mean? Your welcome to diagnose.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Becca's Room Language


"Sheepstor, Dartmoor, Devon,England" print from Art.com

Becca's art speaks of her love of traveling, but always on the pathway homeward. Her home is surely where sheep are grazing and sheafs of wheat glisten in the warm sun. Birds twittle and chirp near the window where she is sitting.


"Pastoral View of Danish Farmland" Photographic print from Art.com

Still dressed from her journey, she looks out upon "her land" and reflects upon her travels and wonders what part she should include in a letter to a close friend.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Mother's Room Language

"Boy and Rabbit" Giclee Print from allposters.com


Several evening ago, I stood in Mother's bedroom doorway as she sat up in bed reading. My eyes scanned the room to see the pictures on her walls: a young boy holding a rabbit, a child sitting up in bed looking out an open window at a bluebird sitting in a tree, a young girl sitting beside a window reading a book, several photographs framed and set on the dressing table of family members sitting. Everyone is sitting, Mother. Yes I believe you are right, Amy. So what does that tell you? It tells me that as a person you like to sit still, enjoy life and observe the nature around you. Well that is what I do. I sit for a living, I have been a caregiver.

May I encourage you to look around and notice your surroundings? What is inspiring or discouraging you? Are there photographs, or pictures that make your heart sing for joy? Do you feel that you have entered a retreat-your home? Do you feel inspired to great things and to think noble thoughts?

Thursday, October 23, 2008

An Evening with the Harts


"Coca Cola" Wall Poster from Art.com


What a "lovelee" time spent this evening with our friends, the Harts. A single mother and her two children who have true hearts of hospitality. Mother Hart made a scrumptious hamburger vegetable soup, and green salad with blue corn chips on the side. Young Master Hart made Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. We enjoyed them with hot spiced tea with honey and creamer.

We sat on the floor working on our sewing projects after dinner. Miss Hart worked on her first embroidery project. Master Hart hit the halfway mark on his latch hook rug, a handsome blond horse behind a white fence. I cut out an apron from a plum floral printed skirt that I got for free and which was just a wee bit to small. Mother helped us keep on target as we worked like busy bees. Mother Hart showed us Coca Cola memorabilia that we hadn't seen. We enjoyed a great deal of laughter together.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Betty Gram's Birthday

Mum and I celebrated Betty Gram's 86th Birthday yesterday with a frozen Vanilla Cream pie and watching, "The Silver Chair", the Wonderworks edition. Betty Gram read the Chronicles of Narnia over the spring and summer and couldn't wait to see the original making of it. She would call it 'Nareniah', but now she knows it's just Narnia.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

A Brand New Web-site



You might take a gander at a new web business my best friend Christina has developed. Her business is Homeward Bound and she is selling stylish long flowing denim skirts. I hope you enjoy!

Denim skirt photo from Homeward Bound

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Vests from the Past

A few sketches I did several years ago. Rebecca found a laced vest at our G.W. Boutique and she created a gauze shift dress to wear underneath. I was asked to play my violin at a lady's tea/luncheon and I chose this ensemble. It was dreamy.


I have always loved vests. Fitted ones are especially nice. I like the vests English gentry wear and vests worn by peasants. I find that wearing a properly fitted vest of the appropriate color makes an outfit all that more special.


Black and White Sketches by Me

Friday, October 17, 2008

Thank You, Rebecca

For the few days spent with you and your friends. I can see now why you miss them when you are at home on break or holiday.You have quite the little nest of bosom buddies in the writing center. Thanks for sharing the experience with me.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Enjoying Time with Rebecca

It's nice to have a spell of sisterly time with Becca at College of the Ozarks. This is the first time I have been to visit her while in College, and she is a Junior. We must study, but we must also cram as many projects and excursions into the next few days as possible. What fun we will have..yipee!

Happy Fall break everyone!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Found Berets!



Driving home yesterday, Mother and I discovered that a Minuteman Estate sale was being held in my favorite brick cottage. We parked, and walked to the home. It was the last day and late afternoon, the sale had been going for three days. We realized by the many blank spots on the walls and in rooms, that there had been quite a few pictures and furniture. By what remained, we determined that the lady had had lovely taste in her furnishings. I wish now that I had knocked on the door of this fine home to meet the lady of the house when I first had the unction several months ago.
In a back bedroom, I caught a glimpse of several hats lying on the floor. At last berets! I tried two luscious velvet hats; one mulberry, and the other royal blue. How do I look? Can I wear these colors? How is the style? Mother thinks they are charming, so I buy them. What? They are not $2.00 each...just $1.00? Thank you, sir.
As we walk across the verdant yard, the salesclerk closes the door behind us. Just in the nick of time!

Art Print: http://www.art.com

Friday, October 10, 2008

Fall Weather Anyone?

When the winds alter their direction and I here geese fly over head early in the morning, I know fall is here. Leaves become muted shades, slip from trees, dance down street and tumble across our yard.

Then I prepare my closet for the colder months. Plaid skirts need to be ironed and sweaters placed in a dresser drawer for quick access.

Does anyone have a good web-site for reasonably priced wool berets or other fall/winter hats?

Artwork: by me at age 15

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Have a Blessing

Type in "Emma Bridgewater" on youtube.com and watch the video of "How is it made?", you will certainly be blessed, as I was.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Yarn and Quilt Blessing


A sewing friend from church bequeathed to me two large plastic bags of yarn and a small bag of quilting blocks. Much of the yarn is pastel and will be nice for making baby things for friends and scarves. As I opened the small bag containing quilt scraps, I discovered that it contained enough finished small rosebud blocks to make at least a full if not queen size quilt top. What a blessing. Now these projects get added to a list of 5 quilts in the making and about 10 baby bibs.

Artwork from http://www.art.com