Thursday, May 31, 2018

I've got the blues

Blue and white. Can there be any better way to enjoy the outdoor setting?












Blue and White, one of my favorite combinations.  So cool and refreshing.

Monday, May 28, 2018

Remember and honor

A week before the battle of Bull Run Sullivan Ballou, a Major in the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, wrote home to his wife in Smithfield.

July 14,1861
Camp Clark, Washington DC

 
Dear Sarah:
 
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. And lest I should not be able to write you again I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I am no more.
 
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing - perfectly willing - to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.
 
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but omnipotence can break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly with all those chains to the battlefield. The memory of all the blissful moments I have enjoyed with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them for so long. And how hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes and future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and see our boys grown up to honorable manhood around us.
 
If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name...
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless, how foolish I have sometimes been!...
 
But, 0 Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they love, I shall always be with you, in the brightest day and in the darkest night... always, always. And when the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath, or the cool air your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
 
Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again...

Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the 1st Battle of Bull Run.

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 (NIV)

In memory and honor of those who have fought and died to keep our country free.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

First Impressions


First Impressions is a modern retelling of the Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. Over the years I have read and enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and viewed several of the movie adaptions.

I had a hard time to mentally sink into the modern tale of Eddi and Dave (Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy).  It seems to me that retelling a classic story in a modern setting would be a daunting task. Debra White Smith actually wrote a creative original story in a southern setting. Because this book was touted as a retelling of the Austen classic, I felt that I would run into Mr. Darcy and the Bennetts at every turn. I think Ms Smith took liberties that would galvanize the story into the modern setting.

Ms. Smith did a good job weaving her story. Pride and Prejudice is such a complex work, one filled with emotions, misunderstanding, awakening love, simplicity. As far as my personal preference, I didn't enjoy everything about the novel. Yet I think this book would be of interest to those who would enjoy the modern telling of a very old classic.

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

Friday, May 25, 2018

Celebrating a national holiday

Memorial Day is a truly patriotic holiday which is celebrated on the last Monday in May. It is a day set apart for remembering and honoring those who died while serving in the American Armed Forces.

In 1971 Congress passed a law making Memorial Day a national holiday. Typical Memorial Day celebrations include parades, special programs and speeches. Americans often attend picnics and baseball games, and almost any other type of outdoor event made possible by the freedom these soldiers died to protect. This holiday is the unofficial beginning of summer.











Let us pay tribute to the Red White and Blue by honoring those who gave their all.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Essential business?



I have absolutely no idea if I need to post this, but I'd rather comply than find out later it was needed!

What do I do with your information when you comment on a post or subscribe to updates or enter a giveaway? Am I holding your email address hostage? (No!) What is GDPR??
The General Data Protection Regulation goes into effect on May 25, 2018, and I want to make sure we’re all clear on my privacy policy and what I do with the information you give me.
  1. We never sell your personal information to third parties, and all data collected is only used to notify you about giveaway winnings or to send you blog updates as you have requested by checking the comment follow box or filling out the email contact form. You can, at any time, remove your consent.
  2. I am not holding on to your email address With every post update email you receive, there is an ‘unsubscribe’ option at the bottom. If you don’t unsubscribe before May 25, 2018, I am going to assume you want to continue receiving post updates from my blog. But, you are free to unsubscribe at any time.
  3. When you fill out the subscription form or comment on a post or enter a giveaway, I get the information you filled out. I only use this information for the purpose you intended and I never sell or give your information to a third party.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Just a Little Southern Hospitality/Happy Cottage Quilter is not affiliated with any affiliate links and therefore is never paid for any products. I often receive free books from publishers, authors, and publicity groups in exchange for my honest review. I am not required to write a positive review, and any opinions I express are always my own. Reviews of books which I received free in anticipation of a review will be indicated as such at the end of that particular post. Otherwise, the book was part of my personal collection or borrowed from a library. I am never paid for a review that appears on this blog.    ~updated 5/24/2018~

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Perfect shot


Right out of the camera. The sky was as blue as you see here!

Have a warm wonderful weekend! 

Monday, May 14, 2018

Lost art

Isn't it sad that so many of the crafts that were once hand done, are being lost to this generation. When we traveled to Belgium a few years ago, we visited a shop that still had hand made lace.

The lady in the shop gave us a little demonstration on how the lace is made.

She told us that it takes eight years to learn how to make the fine lace.

She also told us that the younger generation is not interested in making lace, so many of the shops sell imports.

Some of the lace was very beautiful.

This shop was closed, so we could only see what was displayed in the window.

Maybe one day there will be a resurgence of interest in making fine handmade lace. It would be such a shame for it to become a lost art.
Metamorphosis Monday

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Butterflies are free

Everything in our area is bursting with color. Drawing butterflies and birds to my back yard. Let's celebrate together!

How fun it is to spread the table with flowers and butterflies.


Please take a seat and share a cup of tea with me.


You are always welcome.