Xavier

Eliza takes Flight

At an Autumn book signing, Eliza sat alone on her lovely sofa, amongst the books and kits and cards....


Grammy realizes, as she is searching through her purse for a handkersniff, that John Jacob has been hiding there since her visit to Xavier's house. After searching through the boy's toy box, the little mouse had been found, and made his way into Grammy's hand bag. He had missed his friend Eliza, and Xavier said he would have called her if she had had a tiny phone of her very own.

Grammy surprises her sweet mouse with the presence of her dear friend, whom neither have seen in over a year...


Eliza hardly recognizes him.. his fur has turned white and his ears are very pink.  She inquires regarding his present condition.  It just so happens, that being tucked inside that little boy's pocket, caused the predicament...for the short pants Xavier had been wearing went straightaway to the washing machine...along with John Jacob! What a washing he received! But he is still her dear friend, nonetheless, and they have much to discuss, for many many adventures have taken place.

Now, it is time, in early November, for Eliza to accompany Grammy on a most exciting adventure...a flight on an airplane.

Xavier wants to be sure that Eliza will be able to call her friend, while she is away.



Eliza gives instructions on how to use the tiny phone that Grammy has purchased for them...


It came all the way across the ocean from England..  (if you have acquired the book Eliza Celebrates a Royal Wedding, you may refer to the map, inside, of England)


Eliza tells him he must always use his very best manners when answering and speaking on the telephone.

Grammy and Eliza are awake very early, on the day of the adventure, and travel to the airport.

She is rather anxious about the idea of flying through the air, but Grammy assures her she will be tucked safely inside her satchel, alongside her books and paint sets and sketchpads and paintbrushes...all the familiar things from the art table in the pleasant sunroom...


She asks if Eliza might want to take a peek out the window, to check the weather conditions for flight...


When the surrounding passengers on the plane meet Eliza and are informed of this first experience for one nervous little mouse, they commence telling funny stories and tall tales, and in no time, Eliza is at ease. How wonderful to make new friends.

Grammy has told her of the exciting event they will be attending, as presenters...Art in the Garden, at a school in Florida...and what fun it will be to meet the boys and girls who have been so excited to meet her.

Grammy dons her dress and hat and prepares for the day...


Her sister-in-law, who will be assisting at the event, is prepared for the day, as well...


Arriving at the school, we meet the principal and the art teacher, who welcome us to the beautiful campus and into the lovely garden...


We are introduced to one of the musicians...


...and we then find the perfect spot for our table.... under the beauty berries and in close proximity to the fountain, with its trickling sound, reminding us of our own fountain outside the window of our sunroom studio...


Children come, one class at a time, to our table.
This is Ms. Lowry's class of 1st and 2nd graders...


They were so very excited to see us, and being ever so clever, asked meaningful questions of how a story comes to be.  They wrote down my responses and even drew darling pictures of our dear Eliza, their new friend...



Eliza poses for these sweet girls...


It is now time for lunch, and we are famished. A delicious meal is prepared and enjoyed out in the garden. Vases of freshly gathered sunflowers, grace the tables....


The creator and coordinator of the event, my brother Brad Jones....


After lunch, another precious child returns to my station to ask more questions, for she has fallen in love with Eliza...and Grammy...and we love her...


We will come again, to this garden, to these children.

The next morning, we venture out into the garden, once more, to gather cotton for the new and improved mouse making kits, for it is the very softest material for plumping newly stitched mice..


There are such beautiful blossoms on these cotton plants..



This is a freshly picked cotton boll..


We then sampled the fresh cucumbers from the garden...


This Edible Schoolyard has become quite a success, and how exciting is its future.

At my brother's home, in his very own garden, I snap a few photos.

His outdoor shower inside the enchanting secret garden..


and the bright green moss growing amongst the flat rocks..


the gorgeous, fragrant orchid that hangs nearby..


and at last, the roses reaching for the sky...along with the dreams of this brother and sister...


Back at home... in the quiet little sunroom...we assess the cotton and marvel at the stages of its transformation...


Here is the quantity of cotton, picked and processed by the students....


Small amounts will be placed in tiny bags and tied with tiny ribbons and placed in the mouse making kits.

A package is sent to the 1st and 2nd grade class, as they will be creating a classroom abode for their very own Eliza mouse. They have been awaiting the package for several weeks, and it has finally arrived.  Mr. Jones presents the package to the class...


How exciting to think of what is inside...what is a kit, exactly...


Ms. Lowry's class is now able to create a mouse for their classroom, and they will begin enjoying their very own adventures.  They plan to help Grammy as she creates her book for spring, Goat's Milk and Gardening, in which Eliza will grow peas.
Thank you, to this incredible educator who gives her love and talents to this active, creative, and incredibly clever group of students.  I am blessed to know her, and to have the opportunity to engage with these loving children.

Hoping you are blessed, as well, this Christmas season.

Enjoy the warmth of the hearth in your home as the days have become shorter and colder...


Those of you who are friends of Susan Branch and follow her blog, will know how truly inspiring it was to view the sweetest vignette in her "Peter Rabbit Room"...I just could not resist creating my own version here at Rose Water Cottage.

Goodness and Mercy


We have been aware of the presence of Goodness and Mercy,
but we have finally come face to face...



They appear tattered and worn on the outside,
but on the inside..their spirits are refreshed by the thought
that they have been sufficiently acknowledged.

Isn't that how it is?
We 'feel' a presence,  just like we 'feel' the wind...
but when we finally see it face to face....
like leaves swirling in mid-air...
we can truly believe!

Goodness..who is nicknamed 'ohma'
because of Grammy's favored saying,...repeated often by Xavier .."ohmagoodness"..
is now known ..
as something God shares with those who seek Him.
Her dearest friend is Mercy...
formerly known as a very southern term ..followed by very many exclamation marks...
is now known for being one of God's greatest gifts!

These two have been around for quite a long time...

working steadily... all these days... in the home of Grammy and Big Daddy.



They scurried silently through the rooms...


...Welcoming children who would call out "Grammy and Big Daddy"...

Xavier, lover of all God's tiniest creatures...
including Chicky Chick...who would go to Heaven, not long after Easter...


and Baby Bun...
wounded beyond repair, who we would lose the following week...















loving them with his tender heart, whilst they were on this earth...


Princess Kyleigh...who would enjoy her very first Tea Party......


..... ever smiling...Colin...


..and "Miracle at Christmastide"... newborn, Sophia...



Around the kitchen, they'd sneak ... smelling eggs that were 'scrandled'...


spying their Dormice friends, John Jacob and Eliza....




 ...passing Scout's favored 'circle of sunshine' she found each morning, in the foyer...


And up the stairs...


into the play room....
watching Xavier as he played with a set of 'lincoln logs'...
enjoyed and cherished so many years ago, by my Matthew, Cale, and Olivia....



and the wooden train set...each piece, a Christmas gift for my mother , who began requesting the set when she became a 'memaw,' and her grandchildren became toddlers...



out the windows, they hopped....

...landing with a bounce, into the blooms of the climbing hydrangea..


...and into the blushing petals of the 'Bride'...


'neath the towering stalks of Xavier and Grammy's Hollyhocks...


...stopping to gaze at the first bloom of Xavier's 'Rainbow' summer cutting garden....



down the drive...
to the pond and the great marshmallow tree...


a little boy claimed as his own....



......Sprinkling their blessings every where they stopped to rest.


How evident are their gifts all around...do you see? Goodness and Mercy are everywhere at once..for that is the nature of these two ..

They are now joined by a new friend, Shirley...


Who shares with Goodness and Mercy, the resource she has found...in Grammy's growing library...


(Thankful to a very talented craftsman, Seth Tudor...
son of our beloved Tasha Tudor....who crafted the wooden art stand)




..and Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy shall follow Grammy and Big Daddy for all the days of their lives...

into their new home,
and into the lives of their children and grandchildren.
Such a gift!
How blessed we are!
And one day, we will all dwell in the house of the Lord!


These are the children...along with the ones who love our children...and the grandchildren ...of Grammy Christie and Husband...worshipping on Easter Sunday...
All of us together, at once. I believe it was a first. God is so Good.

Thank you, in advance, all my dear friends...new and dear...tried and true...
for all of your prayers in these next several...
very hectic...
days ahead.
May God add His richest blessings upon you!

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!

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!

Hippity Hoppity...Easter's on its way

Things are certainly "hopping" at Grammy's House...
Must prepare little "chicks" ornaments for Xavier's preschool class, Key Lime pie (made with fresh squeezed limes, goat cheese, and goat yogurt on a Mary's Crackers crust...mmmmm) for husband, and knitting projects for gifts, almost complete.

Here are a few of the special things I like to set out around the house for this time of year...
I love my little sheep pulling the cart of bunnies and eggs (a Bethany Lowe design, acquired on a visit to Savannah, GA).
Xavier has loved these little porcelain chicks since he was a baby...his Aunt Bonnie gifted us with a tiny Easter banner, bearing identical chicks, and he was so tickled how they matched.  The tiny little lustreware teacup is a new addition this year.
What a sweet surprise when you sip the last sip.
Checking in with "The Girls"... I see they are being on their best behavior and anxious for Easter Baskets..
Our excitement grew, as we heard news of hand-decorated Easter Eggs being made at the Rookery in Vermont...precisely the way Tasha Tudor created her lovely eggs, for Easters past. Upon their arrival, each presented in a sweet, be-ribboned box filled with protective straw, I was in awe of the tiny, meticulous details....dresden gold trims, velvet ribbon, hand cut victorian scrap papers of bunnies, flowers, birds, nests, and sheep. I am inspired to attempt this craft next Spring. Aren't they beautiful?
(They created a limited supply but you may check in to see if any are still available at tashatudorandfamily.com)


One last Daffodil bloom for this Spring....




I wish all of you a very Blessed Easter season....as we remember the precious sacrifice made by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

"Grammy, where are the girls?"

With the door barely having closed behind him, Xavier was making a bee-line for the tea table. Finding its fresh white tablecloth, teacups and extra dishes put away, and the absence of his Ava and Andrea, he looked at me quizzically and asked, "Grammy, where are the girls?" I directed him to the master bedroom, saying, "They're taking a rest in their bed. You can bring them in here." He ran straightaway to the room to find his dolly friends, propped serenely in their antiquated bassinet (circa early 1900's, found at an estate sale).
Emmaline, Lillamay, Andrea M'lynn, and Ava, having widely diverse backgrounds, are happy to have each other's company. If the 'baby girls' are absent from the crib, Ava and Andrea enjoy chatting together about tea parties and wonderful children that come to play at Grammy's house. If Andrea and Ava have been invited to a party in the other room, Lillamay comforts tiny Emmaline, as Lilla is referred to as "Big Baby" and fairly able to cradle "little baby girl."

Meanwhile, Xavier's mommy was becoming quite nervous as he re-entered the keeping room with both his girls bundled up in an awfully awkward position, leaving a trail of tiny leather shoes behind him. I said, "Mommy, look at me...don't look at him...(smiling, I continued)...he is okay...this is what they are there for...play." Trying to relieve her anxiety, I had to continue to reassure her as he placed the dolls in their assigned chairs and proceeded to the hutch to gather the teacups and bowls (spilling china dishes onto the table) and spoons and forks (dropping onto the hearth for sorting)...all the necessities.

Side note to reader: Many years ago, while working towards my degree in Early Childhood Education, I took a course on Play.  Yes, it was in the curriculum to learn how to inspire play, providing children with  "Guided Discovery" (a term which refers to allowing the child to try things on their own, seeking help as they realize they need it, and then gently guiding, with as little assistance as possible, towards a solution.)
You cannot imagine how difficult this was for me...as I tended to want to help, before the pupil knew they needed help. I am learning, slowly, to allow my grandson to play with abandon...without the restraints of Grammy's particular orderliness hovering over his imagination.

This was the result of Xavier's efforts to set his table and his girls in their seats...
To the unimaginative eye, it certainly looks a haphazard, willy-nilly display...but look closer...
Ava's placesetting...
She has a teacup of her own and the creamer to pour a cup of something hot.
This is what Ava sees, and she is most likely quite thankful for a pretty doily, placed so she can view its lovliness..
She has been given the book The Springs of Joy for her perusal over tea, and Andrea M'lynn is given
A Tale for Easter and a cup of her own.
Now, she may, of course, be feeling just a little cramped and uncomfortable, as her dress has not been neatly tucked under the table, but she is quite fond of the little boy who is waiting on their table. He seems so attentive to "his" details...the ones most necessary, assigned seats, a cup for each girl, and a nice book to read . He also receives great satisfaction knowing that his retired 'paci' remains in the basket, along with a baby sock that lost its partner when he was a baby.  Grammy and Big Daddy are sentimental like that.  As time was running out and play would have to cease, he asked one last request as he scooped up his Scouty-Scout (his name for our little yorkie who loves to lick his little fingers), "Grammy, take our picture!"

He and his mommy left for the afternoon, after kisses and hugs and waves.
As I returned to look over the objects of his play, this was the scene I found on the hearth.
Junior sized silverware...placed into ordered groups beside handkerchiefs used as napkins...didn't quite make it to the tea table, as play was stopped mid-stream.
  
Grammy has learned some great lessons along the way. Xavier is a patient teacher.

A blustery day


I stepped out this morning to pick the daffodils that have bloomed in the flower beds. 
It has been overcast, and heavy rain is predicted for tomorrow.
 I decided the "little yellow flowers", as our grandson Xavier calls them, needed a timely rescue. 

I recalled the phrase "a blustery day", as I stooped to cut the blooms, the wind blowing and swirling my hair. 
How many times did I watch Winnie-the-Pooh with my children when they were little, having his terms solidified in my memory, I cannot recall, but they are precious memories. 

As a young mother, I was rarely able to slow down to a pace that afforded time to document everyday moments. 

Becoming a grandmother has given me a chance to relish and recollect the seemingly unimportant things..the first somersault on a spring-like day, the sound of a bird singing early in the morning, the way a fuzzy caterpillar feels between your fingers..moments that become treasures as they are brought to the forefront of my mind with the help of these new little people we call grandchildren.

The vibrant color of the teacup-shaped flowers brought a bit of Spring into Grammy's House, 
and I am most certain they will be noticed by one 4 year old little fellow when he comes for a visit.