Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Fall is in the air

When Fall is in the air, a simple table setting brings out the warmth of the season.


I found these beautiful Thomas Kinkade dishes at Marshall's a few years ago.

Love the scenes.


Wedding Stemware by Gorham

Let's light the candles.


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Outdoor Wednesday





It's fun to take a walk through an antique village :-)
 
Outdoor Wednesday

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Friday, September 25, 2015

...to die is gain.

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."   Philippians 1:21

These very profound words had such an impact. As our Pastor was preaching from this passage one Sunday he began to cry. He said that as he studied this passage, the realization of his mortality grabbed him. He wrestled with the fact that he really wanted to see his children grow up. He wanted to be here with his family. And yet, the scripture teaches that to die is gain.

Day by day, as we each walk the pathway we are to go, life just seems to keep going. Until we are stopped in our tracks with the loss of a loved one or friend. It is then that we start thinking of the "other side".

 11 years ago, on a Sunday morning, during the middle of a raging hurricane, my BFF lost her battle with cancer and walked into the arms of Jesus. I have missed my sweet friend all these years, but on that Sunday the Pastor's message brought a sense of peace to my heart. You see, Diana was such a special friend. She walked beside me for almost 20 years, encouraging me, always with love and a smile. It is selfish of me to want her to be here, when she has gained so much more. As she reached out her hand that Sunday morning, she left behind her tired body to walk with Jesus. I can almost picture her in my minds eye, looking back at all of us and saying, "It's all right, I'm whole now."


Mark 8:35 states: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it” (ESV).
Jesus Christ offers you the greatest freedom - in learning how to die, we learn how to live.
 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Little Red School House

I think every town has a little red school house, but this one is special.
That's because my dear hubby went to this little red school house :-)

Can't you just see them doing a fire drill, and kids pouring out of the building, charging down these steps. I imagine it was a day to remember (poor teachers)! And of course playing out on the green field, or eating lunch on the grass.

The school is no longer in use, and has since been placed on the National Historical Registry, so it may now rest in peace.

Monday, September 21, 2015

The season of fall

We are entering the season of fall. Which brings warm colors to our table.

So just for today, let's warm up the table and present an early fall tea.


It's never too early to enjoy these rich colors of the season.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Impatient impatiens

As the evenings are starting to cool, my pretty impatiens will soon be taking their winter nap. So I thought I would snap some pictures of their pink glory.

In the backyard -

And the front yard -

For the last few years we've not found Impatiens in our area. There had been some kind of disease and blighted them out. When we traveled to New Jersey back in April and then again to Illinois in May, I found the impatiens and thought I would give them a try. They have bloomed beautifully and I'm so happy to see their pretty little faces again in my yard.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Birthday lunch

A Fall Birthday lunch for a special friend.



Plates are served and my guests are arriving.

Enjoy!

Please join me at these special parties -

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Friday, September 11, 2015

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Deland Florida

Stetson University is a beautiful campus in the heart of Central Florida. There are many historical buildings that have been preserved, and are being used as classrooms, and student housing.


Stetson University was founded in 1883. The 175-acre DeLand campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the turn-of-the-century buildings have been modernized and updated without losing their charm.

The latest additions to the DeLand campus (2008-2009 academic year) are the following construction projects: Science Center addition to the existing Sage Hall; Mary B. McMahan Hall, an addition to the School of Music's Presser Hall; the Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center; and the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Environmental Learning Center. Within the past two years, a softball training facility was added at Patricia Wilson Field; five fraternity houses were renovated; and six residential halls were built, five of which feature apartment-style living.


The President's residence -

What a lovely place to spend an afternoon and soak in a little bit of the past.

A Noble Masquerade

 Cover Art

Wow! I loved this book! I was intrigued with the story right from the start. 

Lady Miranda Hawthorne is a little bit out from her society upbringing. She feels that she is headed to be a spinster at the ripe age of 20 as endless suitors visit her younger beautiful sister. Miranda longs to be bold in a day when ladies were looked upon as ornaments. Her frustration leads her, beginning as a child, to write her innermost thoughts to a man who is a friend of her brother. She has no intention of sending the letters to the Duke of Marshington, and continues to pour out her heart over the years. However a servant mistakenly sends one of her letters to the elusive Duke which leads to his reply. Astonished beyond natural dignity of the day, she and the Duke correspond. Miranda's heart is torn between two men, one of society and one of servant-hood. But can she trust either one of them?

When at long last Miranda finally meets the Duke she is shocked to discover who he really is. 

I found this book to be both charming and entertaining. Kristi Ann Hunter did a wonderful job creating characters that were captivating and endearing.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Monday, September 7, 2015

A Royal Collection

I have several tea cups that are favorites. They are special because of the memories that they bring back.
 
This one was a gift from a friend. This was the note that was sent along with the tea cup.

"Our hearts are filled with gratitude
each and every day
for the things that make life special -

spring flowers, a warm hug,
a surprise visit from a friend.


A gift given when we least expect it
or when we most need it
fills our hearts with thanks."

Then there  was this Shelley Cup and saucer that my sweet hubby brought back from a trip.

He had been on a business trip to Louisiana. He found a little antique shop and bought this beautiful teacup for me. He hand carried back on the plane (telling his co-worker that under no conditions was he to lose this teacup). I was so very surprised when he handed me a little bag when he returned home. As I was unwrapping the bubble wrap, I could tell this was a cup and saucer. He kept such a straight face as this little beauty was unveiled.

The pansy tea cup is Royal Patrician.
 
 
A very sweet friend came to stay with me a few years ago. She brought me this lovely teacup which had been purchased in Amish Country. I love the delicacy of the flowers. And of course the flower overflowing inside the cup invites you to take a sip of Earl Grey, or English Breakfast tea.

 This teacup once belonged to a very special lady. She had an amazing collection of English teacups and when she passed away her husband freely gave me many of her tea things.

 This next teacup might be my number one favorite. It was given to me by my daughter one year for Christmas. She brought it with her from a trip to Chicago.
 
 Isn't it beautiful? I love the dainty blue picture. The line is called Kensington Blue. And what really sends me is the words surrounding the saucer. It says "May the Lord bless you and keep you, and give you peace." Number 6:24-26

 My dear daughter knows how much I really like blue and white china. So she also gave me the teapot to go along with it.
 


Sunday, September 6, 2015