New Pajamas and a Tea Party

No matter how young or how old we are...we girls love a new set of pajamas...

...a pretty new nightgown...

...a new pair of slippers...

They just feel so good. Especially when it's cold outside, and there's no where she has to be.

So when one receives all 3...well, let's just say...

a girl might not ever come out of them!

Sophia's new jammies and bunny boots (as she calls her new slippers) arrived in the mail...

...and she was pretty excited.  They are very good for hopping.

Commence hopping.

On this chilly morning
we had enjoyed reading through some tales,
and I had begun my knitting time (a new Tasha Tudor inspired Cottage Shawl, for me) with the softest new yarn, Frog Tree's Alpaca Sport ....(acquired at my favorite place to knit, crochet, receive needed instruction..The Joy of Knitting shop, here in Franklin)

Sophia was wearing her pretty new gown.

Scout popped out from between the table and Grammy's Rocker ...wondering what Phia was up to, for she's ALWAYS up to SOMETHING interesting...

she looked awfully busy...

she was 'tidying up'...
 as they say on Peppa Pig...her most favorite show.
*****

Grammy is teaching her that she must tidy up one mess before beginning another...

...and there is always, always another mess on the way...

*****

This lovely new mess requires a basket filled with tea party goodies...

....and a sweet old cloth that is just the right size for impromptu tea party picnics..

...requiring several goes at getting it to lay, just so...

Now onto the guest list. 

There's Winnie bear and Grammy rabbit...

They love each other.
She leans on him, because he never ever falls over.

Then there is Really Old Bear
(not to be confused with Old Bear, who is the star of Jane Hissey's books)

He is a lighter shade of mohair...a very, very old shade...

Looking over Really Old Bear and the tea tray...
..Phia takes inventory.

Hmmmmmm what else do I need...

tea pot...check...a tea cup...

yes..

two tea cups...check...

Now to feed Winnie bear...

Oh...it's too hard to reach him...
must adjust the seating arrangement...

Oh, alright, Winnie bear...just come sit in my lap..

I will feed you.

Now... it is time for Really Old Bear's nap...for he is really really old...

Phia fixes and fixes until she gets his covers just right...

Really Old Bear looks so comfy... Maybe Phia will just slip right in there next to him...

Now of course, this went on for several more minutes, with several more tries,
but, alas, poor Sophia failed to achieve the same level of comfiness as Really Old Bear.
She is most comfy in her very own room,
in her very own bed..

reading books to Little Teddy.

We are very excited that Christmas is just around the corner, although it is very difficult explaining this to one little girl who, upon waking each morning, asks,
"Is it Kissmiss?"

Soon little Phia....soon.

*****
Our love for Tasha Tudor and Christmastide is reflected on our dining table....

The yellow ware bowl belonged to our beloved Tasha.  I was incredibly fortunate to find it on a website, The World of Tasha Tudor... Cellar Door Books.
It is perfect for pomanders and pinecones.
The tiny book of hers, The Bouquet, was found after quite an online search.
Sweet treasures resting alongside the Tudor family's hand-dipped beeswax candles.

Blessings, friends.

Welcome to Christmas at Rose Water Cottage

I cannot believe all that has taken place since my last post.
Where do I even begin?

Okay...so let's see....

I finished the bookmarks for sister-in-law, and her ladies' retreat was a huge success...

My book, Eliza Visits Martha's Vineyard, is off to the publisher, Vineyard Stories, on Martha's Vineyard (we should have a wonderful little hardcover book by next Spring)..

We celebrated Halloween by trick or treating with a little ballerina...

...who has a passion for playing the piano...in a hat...

My son Matthew married his Jenny under the Hunter's moon...

in October...
and words cannot describe what an incredibly beautiful event this was...

and my dear husband saw to it that I acquire the most exquisite confection for the occasion...
(a 1900's edwardian 3 piece ensemble of silk, with hand-embroidered detailing....words fail me...)

We were fortunate to have a long-time friend of our family drive our newlyweds off into the moonlit night. We love you, dear Beverly!

....and then Matthew turned 30 in November. Where did the time go?

Mom and Dad arrived home safely from Africa, after a 4 month stay, just in time for his 82nd birthday.

We adopted the sweetest little kitty girl (my birthday present) and named her Lucy Maud (of course, because we LOVE Anne of Green Gables with a passion!)

Here are a few sweet photos...(Susan's Girl Kitty is her hero:)

She has mastered every adorable pose ...We LOVE her...

This was the ride home, snuggled in my arms, after adopting her from our local Animal Shelter...

It didn't take any time at all for her to know this is HOME.
It was so wonderful to have Susan Branch and some very supportive SB girlfriends (Karen, Patricia, Debs, Rosinda, Laura, Belinda, Jane, Cathy, Georgie, Erin, and even a new GF, Jane Hissey ...author/illustrator of the Old Bear books, which Sophia ADORES) along for the journey.
I wore my "Girlfriends" bracelets with SB and Martha's Vineyard charms...

We tweeted, wildly, back and forth, until we were home with our sweetheart, safe and sound...and even into the next few days...checking in on her progress and how she and little Scout were getting on...

And here they are today...continuing to "warm up" to each other, just a bit more each day...

Whew!  Now that you're all caught up...

...fetch your cup of hot tea, hot cider, or hot coffee (assuming it is chilly/cold/raining/snowing where you live:)...

....come up the flagstone path...

Welcome...
to Christmas at Rose Water Cottage....

It's beginning to look like Christmas.  With fresh pine and cedar garland hanging along the gingerbread trim, I feel as if we live in our very own storybook cottage, nestled somewhere in a storybook wood...

Speaking of storybook cottages...and storybook woods...I read a blog post at Natalie Jo's "Piccalilli Days."  She had visited the real Grandmother's House in New Hampshire, the house that served as the illustrator's inspiration of the 1948 edition of Little Red Riding Hood. In a photo she had taken in the cottage, there was the sweetest shelf holding a display of storybooks. (I imagine they were all versions and editions of the famous story.)

I showed husband the photo, he searched the internet, and it wasn't long until we had our very own, 100 year old storybook shelf for our storybook cottage...

It serves as a perfectly perfect spot for those wonderful old books and some sweet little characters...and a Merry message, by way of old alphabet blocks.

Here is our Little Red, a 1940's Nancy Ann doll, her storybook wood (unpainted trees found at Hobby Lobby, painted by yours truly) alongside the sweet old book.  Eliza has loaned her sweet picnic basket she received as a housewarming gift from cousin city mouse...

Sophia, so intrigued by the story, dressed as Little Red Riding hood (using the Tasha Tudor scarf that had recently arrived by post) and acted out the entire story, over and over and over...
Oh, my dear, what big blue eyes you have!

This book, entitled Prayer for a Child (the same author/illustrator as Little Red Riding Hood), is filled with images of Wendt and Kuhn figurines. I loved this page "Bless the lamplight, bless the fire"...

...as it reminded me of how thankful I am for the blessing of a warm fire and candlelight....

I fell in love with those little figurines...  their faces are so sweet.

Also, on Natalie Jo's blog, she mentioned Woodettes... the cutest set of toys from the 1940's...hard to find... I mean..INCREDIBLY hard to find! So when I found this set on ebay, I snagged it...

...but they were in rough shape.  Someone had their share of fun, though, painting away with the watercolors provided in the set. This is Alice in Wonderland (before the makeover:)

and this is Mary with her Little Lamb (who had apparently lost his head somewhere through the years)...

So I had my work cut out for me...but I was so excited to have a few more characters for my shelf.

And because I love the sweet faces of the Wendt and Kuhn figurines, I decided to apply the same sweet features to these two little girls. This was the result ....

I found a tea set for Alice and a little lamb for Mary. Everyone is happy.

(Thank you sweet kindred, Patty, for the teeny tiny silver candlesticks and the hand made teeny tiny beeswax candles)

Next, came Little Jack Horner...who was also quite a mess...but with a bit of paint and a lot of love, he has turned out to be such a darling boy, sitting on his tiny red stool with his yummy Christmas pie (and a big purple plum on his thumb) ....

I had so much fun painting Mary's straw hat...(I suppose you might have noticed I chose not to paint the characters as shown on the box...we sure love our Peter Rabbit colors;)

Side note....Sophia has watched the painting of these characters and has been so curious. It has been a wonderful way to teach the nursery rhymes and songs, while she falls in love with each "story come to life"... She inspects the plum and the pie and their shoes and their faces... it is all so precious!

She loves our new shelf, with all her friends, and all her favorite books...

She loves that Little Bo Peep has found her sheep...

She reaches up to the book stand to gently touch this tiny bit of forget-me-not sweetness...

The British Garden Flowers book was acquired through Natalie Jo's Etsy shop. This illustration is my most favorite....with that wisp of a blossom to the right of the roses.  The little girl reminds me of Phia, always toting a baby doll.

So, here, in our storybook cottage, nestled in an imaginary storybook wood, I hang fresh pine and cedar garland and inhale the fragrance...

and set a table with pink lustreware atop a turkey red tablecloth as Tasha Tudor, did.

The mantel...which is new to our home but formerly resided in a 1920's home in the area...has a length of crocheted lace woven throughout the garland and twinkle lights, mingling with pink lustreware teacups and a gold open-weave ribbon ... and through the antiqued mirror, you see a glimpse of the storybook shelf...

The bird's nest amongst the garland and lights, sits above Take Joy, on the old piano.  The beeswax candles, crackling as they drip, light the room as they lit Tasha's cottage, with such a soft glow....

They're lit atop the table, as well...

...alongside my most favorite Christmastide storybook, Tasha Tudor's Snow Before Christmas.

Now, Bella with Rose Stockings (handmade by Christine LaFever) would argue that The Doll's Christmas is my favorite...as it has been quite the inspiration for the doll's house extreme makeover and festivities...(more on that subject, at a later date)...

I have been the busy little elf in Santa's workshop, these days, so I am unable to show many of the projects in progress...but this is one I am happy to share...

This evening I completed a precious little felt ornament for our precious little Phia...I couldn't get over how much it looked like her...and my hope is that she'll remember this Christmas, always, as the celebration of the year she found that this is HER Home ... and Tim and I are HER Family ...and that THIS is where Love lives....

...where visions of sugar plums can dance in her head...

****************

When I look through the lace curtains of the front window,  I see a lovely log home....

...and when I look out through the screen door, with its gingerbread trim....I see pine and cedar draped around my little porch...

...and I think...
.. this is the next best thing to a storybook cottage in a storybook wood,
 and I am one happy, thankful, loved Grammy.

Blessings, friends....
...Rabbit Rabbit,  SB girlfriends...
..and may you all have a warm and peaceful Christmastide season.

Delightful Designs for Daphne Delphinium Duckling

This little duckling friend of ours, has apparently walked a long road..and stumbled over many a big pebble, up and down many a "fool's mountain" ...and it is evident, as you spy the tiny worn place on her little webbed foot..that she has paddled long and hard to stay afloat...

But she has found a haven here....a home where she is accepted and loved and clothed, as if she had always belonged.  She feels now, as if she had never been anywhere, but here.

Grammy Christie has surprised her with a Spring Catalogue for her perusal...her tiny tired wings flap for joy!

  Grammy decided we must find Tasha Tudor's enchanting miniature Mouse Mills Catalogue, as it has found to be a most excellent resource.

Daphne exclaims, "Grammy, that little duckling looks just like me! Could I ever look so fancy as that?"

"Why, of course, you silly girl...but your tender little heart has made you a Fancy little Fraulein, already!"

A lovely, duckling-sized frock is found, and right away,

Grammy gathers her notions. Some are quite old…

The red tomato pin cushion (used by Christie in her 9th grade year in Home Economics Class) lost the tiny red strawberry that hung by a little green string, long ago...and its felt leaves are held on by the tiny pins which came from the Lady's Toilet Pin Box (which Grammy Christie's mother acquired almost 50 years ago, in British-influenced Africa) 

The precious beeswax hedgehog, was purchased recently, along with the Gloriana ribbons (shown above in Elizabethan Green and Delphinium) through a company called 'hedgehoghandworks'. Across the ocean, from England, they came, in a tiny little package. Andrea M'lynn has loved her Blossoms ribbon and Eliza favors the Hydrangea dainty ribbon which keeps her shawl about her shoulders.

Daphne Delphinium Duckling says the Green is such a wonderfully rich shade, but it might be better suited for Christmastide Festivities.

She inquires, "Grammy, haven't you anything in a shade close to number 6?"

 Grammy speculates, "Hmmmm....Do you suppose Summer Foliage will do?"

Daphne Dearest holds the sample card, and agrees that the shade seems 'perfectly perfect' in every way!

Grammy will search for a soft pink silk to coordinate with the lovely shade of green.

Daphne Delphinium Duckling has forgotten that her worn webbed foot will be seen in the photograph.
She discovers, at long last,  she is ever-so-loved in spite of her flaws. All anyone really sees, is one happy, fancy duckling, and Grammy Christie thinks she is quite special!!

May you always feel as fancy and loved as those little creatures who find their way to Grammy Christie's House.

Giddy-Up Little Garden

It is a sunshine-filled, windy beginning to our day....and it feels like Christmas Morning, every morning...wanting to run to the garden to see what package has been opened.
After a large bowlful of my favorite cereal, (known far and wide, as "Grammy's Cereal") and fresh goat's milk from dear friends, I am ready to face the day.

Dew still fresh on the grass, I pull up my wellies, place my hat over my loosely braided hair, and take along the camera...

These days will pass quickly as we proceed to the approaching move.
Thank you for joining me as I document these rich, fragrant days of Spring, at Grammy's House.

I suppose at some point last year, I planted a few petunias...I had forgotten...but they had remembered. They were the softest peachy pink hue...and I can see their little petals yawning, waiting to open soon...

The girls in the hydrangea bed must have had quite a pep talk last night from the Annabelle and the Blushing Bride...for they have picked up their pace and more pretty petals have burst forth..

Xavier declares these to be "the pink ones that my mommy likes!" They will be a vibrant shade!


Make haste little Annabelles...

...they seem to be squinting, in the bright morning sun.
These are some of the sweetest in the garden...it could very well be, that I favor them because of their beautiful name...or because the dearest little children's book, 'A is for Annabelle' by Tasha Tudor, is one of my favorites.

(I recently found this lovely little copy published in 1954...it is perfectly perfect for little hands, as the cover bends easily, and no bothersome dust jacket to negotiate)

(Sweet grandaughter, Baby Sophia, keeps one of her softest of soft pink blankies at Grammy's ...it provides such a feminine little backdrop for this dolly book)

Annabelle's dress, and its soft shade of green, reminds me of the Annabelle Hydrangea's pale green petals.

They are such fragile little girls, requiring daily watering as the heat of the summer wears on them. When I asked my masterful gardener brother what was the best fertilizer for my gardens, he replied, "The water from your sweat, and the shade from your shadow." In other words, be present amongst your growing things...they love to feel your fingers pass over their leaves and hearing your voice praising them for the beauty they produce. Such sage advice...of course, no pun intended...


The Brides continue to Blush, as they open and reveal the palest shade of pink..

Oh!My!Goodness! (or 'ohmagooness' as Xavier translates Grammy's most frequent exclaim) Can you believe this??

I have not one single frock in my closet this shade...but as I step into my garden, I find my wellies  coordinate beautifully with the lovely Spring 'bonnet' of this little miss!

The grapes are swaying in their arbor, begging for their 'keeper' to come and direct a chorus of praise amongst their growing clusters...

The protective prickles are long gone...they are managing quite well, thus far.

Breezes blow...pea-sized fruit is a tiny blur.

This morning in the garden...my heart swells, knowing that God, who created us to tend to His Garden...must be so very pleased. It is His praise and love I feel as His hand brushes over me...causing a desire to please Him as I continue to grow in the shade of His shadow...

Everything is just Ducky

Rain, Rain, go away...we've had too much
for this May day!


We are beginning to feel like Pooh....on that rainy day...

But we shall find other things to do...
Certainly not bending and touching our toes! No, no, no!

Let's go to the flower beds and see what has bloomed after the morning showers...

Our pretty Annabelle!

And what do we have here...

These petals look like the shades of purple and blue in the ribbon worn by Daphne Delphinium Duckling!

(She coaxed Grammy Christie to purchase the silk hand-dyed ribbon, called by her middle name, and it is so lovely about her pretty yellow feathers.)

We shall ask Daphne to share some of her favorite books, so she refers to Tasha Tudor's miniature book, The Bouquet...

Miss Tasha has given a list of books that all should keep in their library...for "they have a good understanding of Bears, Ducklings, Dolls and others of like spirit."

Daphne Delphinium is quite proud of Grammy's library, which continues to expand, and includes some of the books on the list...

The Tale of Two Bad Mice, by another favorite author, Beatrix Potter, tells a wonderfully fantastic story of a little mouse named Tom Thumb...(you simply must acquire this book, for it is quite exciting!)

Daphne Duckling, encourages us all to read fun little tales such as these, even if you are a grown-up...for they keep smiles on our faces.

Look and see if you might have some of these books on your bookshelves,  in your closets, or in boxes in the attic....

And little duckling dearest is hoping Grammy Christie has spied the pretty little frock in the picture at the top of the page..she thinks that would be ever so lovely!

She believes the soft pink of the Blushing Bride hydrangea, would be perfectly perfect!! What do you think? Maybe one of pale green silk, as well?  How tremendous will be Grammy's effort to find such beautiful fabrics and trimmings...

Do you see the little fly perched above, on the fresh green petals?


Please Remember:
We pray today for those who have lost their homes because of the recent floods, tornados, and terrible storms. We ask for God's provision and guidance through these difficult days and months ahead.

Her name shall be 'Rose Water Cottage'

After much thought and consideration....writing different names....rolling them off my tongue...the way an expectant mother writes prospective names for her unborn child, using beautiful script, searching the meanings of the names...I have come upon a name for our little white Victorian Cottage.

Her name came to me early on, but other names strolled across my mind...the way it seems to happen when a child's name has been chosen...clouded confusion takes up residence.  Then suddenly the air clears, the first loved name has remained and presents itself as a banner.

As Xavier lay next to me for nap time yesterday afternoon, his little face right next to mine...he sniffed my cheek and said, "you smell like your house, Grammy!"
Tea Rose fragranced lotion was worn on my first evening of dinner and conversation with the wonderful man who would one day be my husband...and it has remained his favorite. Crabtree and Evelyn has carried a Rosewater that I love, and that Tia and Keely often present as gifts on special occasions.  The Rose Water room spray falls to my hair as I release it's fragrance to the rooms of our home...the Rose Water talc is dusted across my shoulders after a bath..

Rose Water body cream is applied to my hands before I slip into the bed at night...

Rose Water hand cream keeps my hands soft...as I write letters on rose stationery collected in a rose-covered tin....

The dried rosebuds and hydrangeas from our wedding cake, have been kept in a bowl that also holds the dried roses that formed a lovely bouquet (presented to us by our sweet Tia on our wedding day)...I wore some of the tiny rosebuds in my hair for that most special occasion.

Even the vintage 'handkersniff' I carried, wiping joyful tears during the ceremony, is covered with pink buds...

Sweet little Eliza has her favorite...

Tasha Tudor's Spring Bouquet Moisturizing Cream has a delightful rose water fragrance that I love to use when I take breaks from my knitting, as it softens the callouses eager to form on my fingers.

So, with much joy and anticipation...our cozy cottage finally has a name ....and a fragrance that will come her way.
Rose Water Cottage shall be her name....

An evening with Xavier

What to do ....scrandled eggs had been eaten, cars had been played with, Lincoln Logs stacked, and small scissor practice complete ...this little 4 year old keeps a grammy on her toes. I had been packing all day, he had spent a long day at school, so we finally landed in one big lump on the big chair, under a snowy white comforter. He asked if John Jacob and Eliza (our resident dormice) could come down from their home on the mantel to play.
Then of course, he summoned their old car.
"What kind of car is this, Grammy?" He often asks questions, of which the answers escape me ...I don't know how I made the connection or how far back I searched into the recesses of my mind, but I answered,
"It looks like a 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' car" and his response, "What is THaT?"

I have discovered anything in the whole wide world can be found on the internet...and this was not an exception. The entire movie was found...in parts, of course...and at first sight of that magical car, he was entranced.
As I held the iPad, he held the little truck next to the screen to compare the vehicles...it was an awfully close match...when you have the imagination of a 4 year old.
Is the resemblance not amazing?

Xavier examined every detail, and in his little mind, his car was magically transformed!

The movie continued, and the white down comforter became the water... his magic car floated along it's waves, as he held John Jacob and Eliza....out of harms way….

The little dormice were enjoying the play, as they were squeezed in and out of the "magical car"...

When Chitty drove off the cliff, and began to fly, Eliza and John Jacob soared through the air as well…..

The two little dormice have such fat little bodies that John Jacob's backside protruded through the rear window of the car, much to Xavier's delight!  He chuckled each time I tried to push his "behind" back into the car....saying, "Grammy, look at his be-hiney!" ..more giggling...oh, the silly sense of humor at this age! Somehow the term became "hiney-end"....more giggling!
The conversations between the dormice and Xavier continued through the evening...leading to conversations between Grammy and the dormice, Grammy and John Jacob, John Jacob and Eliza, Xavier giving Grammy instruction on words to recite ...voices switching to mice-y voices as each of us assumed our character roles.
Such an imagination... Such fun.... Wishing he could always remain this jovial little boy!

The movie continues...and, as the scene unfolds, revealing the grandpa in his tiny house, dangling in the air,  John Jacob was promptly hung upside down, as Xavier grasped the tip of his tail with his little fist!

(Eliza remained close to Grammy, perched on her shoulder, as she is quite afraid of heights... and being dangled by her tail!)

The visit drew to a close when Xavier's mommy walked through the door. It was time for socks and shoes and hugs and kisses.  He just could not part with his new little friend, who he now referred to simply as, Jacob ...the mouse fit just right in his little hand.  I leaned over and whispered in his ear, (for 'whispering in ears' is a newly acquired skill, procured in pre-school) "You may take him home with you, if you will be very careful with his whiskers... and his tail....and try not to tease him too much about his "hiney-end"! Xavier squealed and chuckled that 'little boy chuckle'.

Sweet John Jacob gave a snuggly hug and kiss to his dear Eliza…..

And then he said his affectionate 'good-bye' to Grammy…

Quite excited over his dormouse,  Xavier hopped and bounced out the door to his mommy's car...holding the little mouse in the air once more...beaming with pride...giggling, as his last words tumbled from his little boy mouth, "Grammy, he has a big hiney-end!"

And with waves and kisses blown, they pulled away.

The pictures grasp tiny highlights of the evening...intended only to remind a grammy and her grandson of a splendid evening of imaginative play, inspired by a wonderfully delightful movie, remembered from  Grammy's childhood.  But, if it serves as a reminder to seize an opportunity....to stop...and play...and imagine... as a child....then it has served an even greater purpose!


Note to readers:
I had not remembered the character's name being "Truly"...or that the little girl's name was "Jemima"...
After I posted these photos and referred to the movie, I received a message from one of my daughter's dearest friends...her name is Truly, as well, and she remarked, "this is my movie!"
This dear girl grew up in New Hampshire, one of eight children. Her mother visited with our beloved Tasha Tudor, in Tasha's home, and has aspired to live the same lifestyle ...on a farm, with a myriad of animals, homeschooling the children who remain at home...living her dream, with her husband and family.
How amazing that she and my daughter have such a friendship and that their mothers have a kindred bond, as well, even though they have never met. Messages are sent back and forth through the girls, to the mothers, for now.

One day, I am hopeful we will meet.
Such an inspiring testimony to the fact that God is good,
and sometimes he blesses us with such delightful occurrences...certainly not coincidence!

Minnie Elizabeth Weatherington Aly...

I have had the most wonderful news...I am going to be a mother-in-law to the most precious young woman I could have ever imagined in all my dreams and wishes. My eldest, Matthew, has asked his Jenny to be his wife.  The ring he has given her as a promise, and as her  future wedding band, is the ring which belonged to my great great grandmother. I would like to share this post from last year, Mother's Day 2011, so that this sweet girl can know the history of this band of gold, given to dear Minnie on her wedding day in 1871.

"Keeper of the Stories" being my unofficial title in our family is a difficult task, but as I share them in this fashion, they are released, and no longer bump into each other in my mind, causing much relief. I want to remember all the special details, facts, who-begat-who, and on and on...
This is where we shall start.

A little car was purchased for Eliza and John Jacob  ...it reminded our friend Diane of a truck her grandparents had...and it reminded me of a photo I keep in my family treasures cabinet...and so the story must begin with Miss Minnie Elizabeth Weatherington.

She is pictured in the photo wearing her fancy fascinator (this is surely why I adore wearing hats). This was taken about the time of her marriage to John R. Aly in 1871. Her wedding band rests on the art stand and is inscribed "John R. Aly to M.E.W" in beautiful script. The tiny spectacles, toddler's shoe, and darning egg have been passed down to me, but no one is quite sure which article belonged to whom. The dashing young fellow in the picture would be the son she would have, Fred R. Aly, Sr.  Minnie would obtain the Testament & Psalms after 20 years of marriage.

Little Fred Aly, Sr. would one day have a granddaughter named Dorothy, and would carve this tiny little chair for her. If he had ever dreamed that his great granddaughter would still cherish this petite piece of furniture and photograph its escapades with tiny mice and dolls and squirrels...He would surely be proud.

This photo was taken of John and Minnie and their grandson, Fred R. Aly, Jr. with the automobile that reminded me of Eliza and John Jacob's new little car.

See the resemblence?

I am so honored to have this Bible, fragile as it is, knowing that my great great grandmother held it in her hands.

Upon opening, the front page bears a faded signature, date, and address....

A closer look reveals the complete date...

Feb. 14th 1891

Pasted on the back cover, I found a poem, "One of Us Two" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. How incredibly gripping are the words...

One of Us Two

The day will dawn, when one of us shall hearken

In vain to hear a voice that has grown dumb.

And morns will fade, moons pale, and shadows darken,

While sad eyes watch for feet that never come.

One of us two must, some time face existence,

Alone with memories that but sharpen pain.

And these sweet days shall shine back in the distance,

Like dreams of summer dawns, in nights of rain.

One of us two, with tortured heart half broken,

Shall read long -treasured letters through salt tears,

Shall kiss with anguished lips each cherished token,

That speaks of these love-crowned, delicious years.

One of us two shall and all light, all beauty,

All joy on earth, a tale forever done;

Shall know henceforth that life means only duty.

Oh God! Oh, God! have pity on that one

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I have never known who passed away first, and who was left behind....

This is how the lineage progressed:

Little Fred Aly, Jr. pictured in photo on the left...grew up to marry pretty Effie Belle Sams, pictured in photo on the right...and they would have a baby, Dorothy, being held by new mommy... Effie...and Dorothy would have Christie (Grammy)....  I find my smiling eyes in my Grandma's sweet face.

My great great grandmother Minnie, holding my mother Dorothy in the photo to the right. 

Thank you for joining me, as I strive to be a thoughtful caretaker and "Keeper of the Stories"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Miss Eliza has requested that Grammy knit 2 more lovely shawls to send to her new friend, Millie Mousekin, as a belated Mother's Day gift. Mama Mousekin has been quite busy these days helping her mistress Linnie (the Butt'ry and Book'ry) sew tiny stitches in her beautiful gown for the Ball they will be attending this week.  A working shawl and a tea party shawl (like Tasha Tudor used to wear, minus the fancy ribbons...little mice have trouble keeping their shawls on their little shoulders) are being sent her way...

...with warmest regards, blessings, and many mouse hugs!

Hoping all who are Mothers, had a most blessed day, and were honored for their love and commitment to their children.

                                                  

Xavier's in the Kitchen at Grammy's

Grammy sees a post on "Our Scented Cottage"...Recipe for Upside Down Blueberry Cake...for blueberry lovers....a box of fresh blueberries in the fridge...an afternoon with Xavier....Mother's Day on its way...Mommy likes blueberries...to the kitchen we go...

Blueberries swimming in butter and brown sugar, so we move to the mixing bowls.

Three pretty eggs (farm fresh from friends Glenn and Debbie)....selected and cracked (this was quite an interesting lesson)...little hands learning how to tap, tap, tap... takes practice, practice, practice.

With a whisk, the real fun begins! "Grammy, I just wuv heppin' you in the kitchen!"

Then we reach for the milk...

Flour comes next...little arms begin to tire..."This is hard Work, Grammy!" Yes, it is, but we have much discussion about Mother's Day, and he decides this will be her present...Now, he is reconciled to the task at hand...

Xavier sees Grammy taking pictures and says, "Didju take a picture of dat?" Pointing to the iPad with Laura's "Our Scented Cottage" recipe, I had to include this photo, along with a very big Thank You to our dear friend for her post....

After pouring the batter into the skillet (this job went to Grammy), into the oven it goes....

My Grandma Effie's iron skillet is used ....her home always kept the scent of blueberry muffins... the very fragrance now fills our keeping room...and piques one little boy's appetite. A bowl of Grammy's Cereal (Special K with Vanilla and Almonds) satisfies...

Precious...this boy loves his cars!

Mommy arrives before the cake has finished cooking. Oh, he does NOT want to leave ....He needs that cake!! for his Mommy!!!
Grammy promises the cake will be delivered and they can enjoy his cake tomorrow; tired little boy heads home with tired mommy..

The timer is buzzing and the oven is opened. The skillet is hot and the blueberries are bubbling at the edges of the cake. It cools for just a bit....

The flip is tricky, but managed...

A tiny "taste test" sliver is sliced...if there had been a scoop of vanilla ice cream on hand...Oh, my!
What a perfect day it is when Xavier's in the kitchen with Grammy!

A Visit to 'City Mouse'

Mistress Grammy and her Husband must make a trip to the city, for they must tend to a matter...
It happens to be the home where cousin "City Mouse" resides...and it is her mistress whom they shall visit.

Treats are prepared...Teapot shaped Vanilla Scones and a jar of homemade Lemon Curd (Grammy has never made lemon curd, but a most delectable recipe was found on "Our Scented Cottage.")

The mistress has spent many hours, tending to matters for Grammy and Husband, and she especially loves nice little surprises!

Eliza has received a "new" car, and she "believes" she can drive all the way to the city to visit her cousin.

Grammy tells her to turn off the puttering little engine ...Eliza simply does not understand.
Grammy explains, "City Mouse lives oh, so far away...and you are such a tiny little mouse....with such a tiny little car! I am afraid you must stay home, whilst we're away. We will surely relay to cousin your most sincere regrets."
So Eliza, being a very good little Dormouse, went straightaway to park the car and make her way back to her cottage. She found a cozy little pillow, fashioned from a very old quilt, on the daybed procured by Mistress Grammy...and nestled down for the evening, with John Jacob, keeping a watchful eye over the keeping room, until Mistress and Husband return.

Mistress Grammy and Husband drive for a very long time, 'til at last, they have arrived! Upon their entrance, following a pleasant greeting from the Mistress of the Home, City Mouse squeaks "Hello!"
Mistress Grammy's eyes follow the little squeak until she comes upon the tiny residence 'neath the table by the window....

"Hello, dear mouse! How clever you are to find such a delightfully inviting door to your cottage! Might we come a little closer?"
Squeaking can be heard....very tiny, little girl squeaks...

"How lovely you look in your tiny shawl and kerchief! We are so glad you are enjoying its warmth on this unusually chilly day!"
Nods and squeaks are seen and heard...

"Country Mouse Eliza sends her warmest regards and regrets she was unable to travel this very far distance, but how nice it was to see you, and we will send your 'hello' to her and John Jacob."

How very pleasant was the evening, and how very late 'twas the arrival home. Much too late for little Dormice to be running about...must be tucked in bed ....dreaming sweet little dreams....shhhhh....good night....

Meet the Newest Little Residents at Grammy's House....John Jacob and Eliza Dormouse

After hibernating all Winter long, John Jacob and Eliza Dormouse found their way to Grammy's House....sniffed a few sniffs...scurried 'round the baseboards...and found a lovely little cottage door by the tea table. It was perfectly perfect!

Eliza's "City Mouse" cousin lives in a grand house not very far away and commissioned her mistress to craft a sweet little door for Eliza and John Jacob's new home at Grammy's house in the country. It seems to be just right!

So Eliza asks Mistress Grammy if she would prepare a lovely Spring wardrobe for her dear cousin...and indeed, Mistress Grammy is delighted to knit and sew a pair of shawls and a kerchief.

Very special yarn will be used, and fashionable little ribbons will keep them snuggly tied around her mousey tummy and shoulders. The kerchief will be made from handkersniff remnants....Xavier's very most favorite of all of Grammy's hankies...the one he loved on the most...until it came apart from all the loving. What beautiful little Tasha Tudor - like kerchiefs are made as sweet remembrances.

The brown shawl is very similar to Miss Tasha's "work shawl" used whilst she was gardening, cooking, sewing, spinning...completing her domestic tasks. The pink shawl shall be for special occasions, such as tea parties and visits from her "Country Mouse" cousin.

Mistress Grammy finds a teeny tiny box to wrap the teeny tiny gifts and uses pale blue tissue paper to wrap each one. She uses her very old fountain pen to write a sweet note, dictated by Eliza, and tucks all these things into the box.

Eliza whispers to John Jacob, "She will be so surprised!!" 

John Jacob whispers to Eliza, "She mustn't squeak too loud...for Matilda the Cat might pounce!"

Yes, the city mouse cousin must always watch for the Cat, as John Jacob has learned he must always watch out for Scout the Yorkie, who snatched him straightaway whilst he was posing for his picture by their new door. (Mistress Grammy will be much more careful to watch out for her tiny new residents!)

Eliza loves to sit atop the Tasha Tudor Spring Bouquet Hand Cream and watch her mistress knit...for she uses the cream quite often...which means extra attention for Mrs. Dormouse...

Sweet little Eliza is named after Mistress Grammy's Great Grandmother....Dear John Jacob is named after her great-great-great grandfather, who came over from England to North Carolina and fought in the Revolutionary War. Miss Eliza Bitt was nicknamed 'Bitty', as she only grew to be 4 feet tall! 

A Dormouse is found in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, making nests under the foliage of the forest floor, hibernating all winter long. They have furry tails, and resemble squirrels...and are called dormouse, referring to their dormant nature during the long cold months. 

But since they are British, Mistress Grammy felt they would be perfect little friends with perfect little names to honor her ancestry.

We will pop in every now and then to see their progress as they create a cozy home at Grammy's House.