Making Chai in a Happy Cottage Kitchen

I love our happy kitchen.

 Even when it's cold or dreary or rainy or dismal outside...

it is happy in here....

I am happy that we finally have our dream kitchen..

..that we modeled after the charming display we saw a few years ago in

 Penzey Spices, Winter Park, Florida..

I'm especially happy when I see this happy Santa looking back at me....

Thank you dear Susan Branch for creating a new Christmas dishtowel...

...and for a pretty Christmas Recipe book to remind us that our kitchen truly is the heart of the home...

...especially in the midst of this season.... 

And a huge thank you to fellow girlfriend, Janie, for the snowflake garland! 

Phia and I love the pretty shimmery flakes:)

So when I saw what Alicia Paulson had whipped up in her kitchen

at www.rosylittlethings.com

and decided it would be just the right thing to whip up for those on my Christmas list,

I commenced planning and ordering.

(and thanked her for the perfectly perfect idea;)

Once everything arrived, via express mail,  (for time was of the essence) I was quite excited.

Penzey spices ...mini-weck jars ....disposable paper tea bags....

recipe printed...

check...check...check....and....check

cute little stickers on the spice jars...

intoxicating fragrance..

(I'm now in love with fresh Cardamom pods)

chop...

Heaven!

Everything into a pan and into the oven for 5 minutes...

and when your entire Happy Kitchen is filled with the fragrance of cloves,  cinnamon sticks, and the blending of the remaining spices...

...be prepared..

for when you open the door of your oven...

You will want your home to always smell just like this.

Allow the spices to cool and then distribute evenly on a cutting board.

Using your rolling pin...crunch carefully over the spices, in order to release even more fragrance..

as if it can possibly get any better.

In a bowl, mix the spices with PG Tips loose tea.

(I went for the big bag, as this tea is fabulous with the mix, but equally as delicious by itself)

After filling all my little mini-weck jars, there was just enough left over to fix a batch for taste-testing....

I brewed the Chai tea mix, according to instructions...steep ....add milk...

and used my Emma Bridgewater tea pot and mug...and a cute little strainer....

(I didn't use the fillable tea bags or infusers for this batch)

I'm just going to tell you right now...have honey handy...

it is THE perfect sweetener...trust me...

I also loved having a good reason to use my special honey spoon....

a treasure, crafted by Julie Whitmore. 

 (Google her...she creates the MOSt darling pottery)

...and since I mentioned Julie...I have to show you the first spoon I purchased from her...

Really! ...is there anything sweeter than a bunny bun sniffing hollyhocks?

I just don't know that there is!

Okay...back to the preparing... 

I guess I could have copied a set of instructions for everyone, 

but you know me... 

....It had to be cute...pretty...pleasing to the eye...

The little jars were tucked into gift bags, along with enough fillable teabags, and the Instruction card.

I had so much fun with this gift preparation. 

I am sure it's because it was a combination of baking and crafting.

...my two favorite things... 

...especially because I was in my happy cottage kitchen...

The Heart of our Home

*******

Hoping your Christmas was wonderful ...

and 

that you were blessed with the comforting fragrances of home

Blessings for a Happy New Year

A Fairy Garden in a Teacup ...a project for a mild, rainy day

When this most darling movie appeared in my mailbox one day...knowing full well it had come from one of my dearest friends and blog follower (Our Mary) ...

I was enchanted ...

in an instant.

In that instant I was transported back to my childhood, playing on a creek bank and building little log houses with sticks...

Fast forward..ummmm.... several several years.... (as I will be forever 10, those other numbers don't really matter, do they?)

Sophia is shown a Photo that my friend Debs in Wales (a dear twitter SB girlfriend) had on her pinterest board.. a fairy garden in a teacup.

I was oohing and ahhing, and Phia was deciding we should make it...Right Now!

I'm so happy she thinks like I do.  Why wait...why think we must pencil it into our schedule...why not just drop everything, right now, and go make that fairy garden...did I mention..RIGHT NOW?

...and this is how excited she is to get to be in charge of the tea cup...

She has dressed herself, after choosing what she'd like to wear to do some gardening...and you shall see that, in a bit more detail...but insists on having a gardening apron, as I have just tied the back of mine.

Off we go...

down the path to the backyard...

and there you can see...Pajama pants with her former Sunday shoes. Yes, we're girly girls.

We must find moss...

This was pretty...even though we didn't need a mossy rock..

And this Lichen covered stick was really interesting...even though we didn't need a Lichen covered stick...

So Phia looks and looks...

She gets a bit side-tracked...which can happen with us little girls set out into an inviting haven of moss and wild strawberry plants and lichen covered sticks...and old pots of the dried up spring geraniums...

'Let's pull them ALL out'...Phia thinks to herself...

But then Grammy lures her away..."Let's dig, Phia."

And she is given charge of a trowel...

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

Commence digging...

It just feels good to dig!  Even grown up girls need to dig in the dirt sometimes. Momma always said, "You need dirt."  Oh boy, was she right...digging will relieve stress like nothing else.

Dig, little girl, dig.

We have inspected the entire yard and found a goodly patch....Phia, can you fetch the trowel (it was left at the lovely digging site)

Here, Grammy...she calls, as she makes haste towards me...

She takes the role as partner very seriously,  for she is not just helper in this stage of the project.

We leave the tea cup and saucer next to the plot of moss..

...along with the trowel...and head back to the path to fetch a handful of tiny rocks...

Just the right amount to place in the bottom of the teacup. They will help in water drainage, as there is no hole in the cup...

Now it is time to dig the patch of moss and place in the cup. ..

Pat it down, gently...

Now to find a tiny strawberry plant for our tiny container...you know about container gardening, don't you...(and by the way.. you're going to love the container we have chosen)

Teensy Tiny plant is found, carefully uprooted, and laid onto the saucer..

....and we make our way to the back porch (just as the rain decides to come again) ...

Along the way,  Phia picks up sticks and stuffs them in my apron pocket...

We will use these to fashion a clothesline, using a tiny bit of twine and itty bitty clothes pins (these are in the "itty bitty things" section of the craft store...

Now for the strawberry plant to go in the cutest little container, with a handy little shovel propped, alongside...

I told you it was cute, and I know you just love it! Thimbles can be used for so many things! Eliza, the mouse that lives here at Grammy's house,  knows all about thimbles and their many uses..

Phia takes the other tiny sticks and begins designing the tiny chair...for she has her own thoughts on what it should look like....

So with a wheelbarrow of wood...

...we set up a work station..

This old can holds food for the Bunny Bunn and sits beside the outlet...perfect for plugging in the hot glue gun. (Oh, if only there had been such a thing when I was 10 ..for the 1st time... I would have made ....oh...I would have made anything and everything!

While I glue, Phia plays behind the porch swing...(hot glue guns should be called "the thing that will burn the fire out of your finger if you touch it" gun!)

Building trains with this Brio train set has been a family tradition, beginning with my son, the first grandchild for my parents...and this was what mother wanted every year, for Christmas. As we approach this Christmas, 30 years later, I'm so glad she started this collection.

And we have a chair...thanks to that ridiculously hot glue...

It's not a masterpiece, but very little girls can't wait very long, now, can they?

And now the project is completed...

Into the house we go to compose a letter to the fairies.  Phia works diligently...

I write one as well, inviting them to hang their laundry whilst enjoying a tiny cup of tea...

and so we wait...

It is raining steadily, now, so we take a moment for Phia to enjoy some Scooby Doo fruit snacks. 

...and we watch the rain...

Do fairies fly around while its raining?

Phia ponders...

Calling all fairies...please come visit Rose Water Cottage...

We shall stay away...we promise...

just hurry...hurry please...

I will go and eat my pea buh jammy sammich ...

and I'll see if Mr. Tod wants to come down and play...I just wuv him...

Oh, poor Phia doesn't yet understand about that rascal, Mr. Tod...

It is nap time, sweet Phia...

Off to bed she goes, under the quilts, with her balloon, blankie, and Old Bear...

...and she sleeps...

Grammy ponders.

2 hours later...she wakes...

Where da fairies? ...she calls, in her sleepy voice, as she toddles through the kitchen, dining room, and into the living room...

She looks through the screen door..

Yes, they did...they did, they did!

Yay, Phia!

and she is one happy little girl...

she believed they'd come, and they did.

I read the tiny message to her...

"Sophia, the tea was so lovely..hope you like the bunting. We will bring our clothes to dry after the rain."

Happy Phia...

She decides it must come in the house, as it has turned chilly since she went to bed for nap time...

and here is the perfect spot (for fairies are able to find their way into little cottages where believers live)..

This is the season to believe...whether it's Santa or sweet little fairies ..

but my hope is that this season celebrates your belief in that tiny babe, born in a manger in the town of Bethelehem.

Blessings, my dear dear readers, friends, and family...

I am so glad you came to visit, on our rainy rainy day.

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.

Must a Party in Paris Ever End..

Oh such fun!! Strolling through Paris...all day long....in my mind....

Must it end???
Oh such splendid fun!!!

To Anita, at Castles Crowns and Cottages,
THANK YOU!!
Hosting a delightful day for all your friends was certainly inspired.

A name shall be drawn from a lovely chapeau, and a present you shall send...
...but the gift has already been received, my dear!
For you have introduced new friends to each of us, to our own little parts of the world...
and have blessed us in more ways than you know.
To increase our circle of talented, creative, artistic, inspiring women of faith,
in such a lovely, magical way,
is a gift,  in and of itself!
One which can never be matched by a token held in our hands.

On Saturday Eve...
gone to sleep... and to dream.
How tired were we...
At 10:17...

Shoes for dancing ...oh so enchanting...
of satin and bows ...and heels that are high...
must go to rest, also, for dreamtime is nigh...

The buttons galore...that shine on my handbag...
and gloves that are fashioned of a soft creamy white ..
are hung from the dresser for a long dreamy night.

Sweet dreams... sweet Sophia..
in your tu-tu so precious...
We love your pink kisses...
and cheeks full of blushes!

Teacups will rest...from the teas we've been drinking...

Hydrangeas and Sachets...smell lovely, I'm thinking...

So dreams will be sweet, midst the wicker and laces...

... and Paris we'll visit...the loveliest of places....

The City of Lights....of which we will dream....

and thank Miss Anita for sharing her scheme!

Bon Soir, Mes Amies!!!

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.

Happy Mother's Day...Dorothy Jean Aly Jones

Dearest Readers,

Please indulge this "Grammy" to write a belated tribute, as a daughter.... to her mother....as we realize life spins along faster and faster these days. I want her to know what an extraordinary woman she is, having come from such a humble beginning. But isn't that the beginning of all those who do extraordinary things with their lives?

The daughter of Fred and Effie Aly, Dorothy Jean(my mother), was born in North Georgia and moved to Central Florida as a toddler.

Her daddy built the home they would live in, when Dorothy was a little girl. She recalls dropping a penny in each corner of the foundation of the house...which meant luck, good fortune, blessings, remembrance ....significance of a home being constructed with love, and very little more. The late 1930's and early '40's were difficult years, to say the least.

Dorothy was fortunate to have a loving neighbor woman across the street. Two rocking chairs...a large one for the lady and a small one for little Dorothy...were occupied on endless occasions, for the reading of books. Before she was able to read, the kind lady introduced her to the classic children's books. Heidi, the story of the little girl living in the Swiss Alps, would become one of her favorites. For her seventh birthday, the neighbor gifted her with a tiny crocheted purse....

(As a young mother and missionary to Africa, Dorothy would acquire the Joanna Spyri book in Kitwe, Zambia.)

A sweet little gift, the tiny violet teacup, purchased for 25 cents, would be a Mother's Day Gift for momma, Effie.

When Dorothy was in 5th grade, her beau...Edward Cedarholm...presented her with a lovely "handkersniff". His mother, of scandanvian descent, painted the exquisitely detailed image...

Young momma Effie, made sure to teach her children the stories of the Bible. The book 'Bible Pictures, and what they teach us' was a well-loved book of Dorothy and her little brother Neil. The book is now coverless, with only the spine remaining, but the pictures ...each one, a work of art....are as beautiful as they were at publication.

Young Dorothy would grow to be a lovely young woman, attain the nickname "Dottie" and catch the eye of a tall, blue-eyed young man from Kentucky, in 1953. In January of 1954, William H. Jones, Jr. made his way from Newfoundland (where he had been stationed for 7 months) to Kentucky, and on to Orlando, Florida, within 24 hours. He did not see his beautiful bride-to-be until the moment she walked down the aisle...her veil having been lifted, before she entered the sanctuary, by a dear, wise, friend who simply said..."so he may see your face"….

This wedding photo sits atop the veil, Dottie fashioned herself. (There is a great similarity between the wedding dress of this young bride, and the enchanting wedding dress worn by a princess bride, Kate.)

The receipt for the purchase of gold wedding bands...

Children were born to this union, but not until college and seminary had been completed. Dorothy had felt called, since childhood, to missions. Bill, had a calling to the ministry, and pastored several churches. Together, they were led to the mission field and began to prepare for the journey to Africa in 1964. Three young children sit with them for the photo which would appear on their passports. ...Lynn, age 4 1/2, Christie, age 2 1/2, and Bradley, age 1 year.

The baby gown was worn by Dottie's young sister (20 years her junior), her oldest daughter, Lynn, and her second daughter, Christie...the tiny pink beaded bracelet wrapped Christie's arm as a newborn.

Silver baby spoons have been passed down through the generations, being used by Christie's children and grandchildren.

A photo of Dottie....with two women enjoying her visit to their village...

Husband Bill, had purchased the pearl choker for Dottie, before their passage to Africa...she is wearing it in the photo above.

A letter home...

Dottie had to measure her words carefully, in all communications, even the words she used to describe seemingly routine family updates..it was a difficult time in those days of recent upheaval of their government.

This photo of Dottie, along with Christie and Bradley, shows the ladies Dottie worked with, and their children. Christie remembers the little girl in the pink gingham dress, wearing green socks with her sandals...she recollects their innocent friendship...each trying to teach the other their language...

Dottie purchased a carved ivory necklace for her mother Effie and her mother-in-law Leva Jones. This is the one passed down from Effie. The carved ivory elephant statuette and elephant hair bracelet were brought back as mementos. The black Waldybag was purchased on a stopover in London, as the family traveled home. This being the same style the Queen carried...

Even as a 4 year old, Christie loved purses, and has recollection of this wonderful purchase...the cubby shelving the purse was drawn from...

These were the 60's...the era of Jackie Kennedy....Princess Grace Kelly.....elegant role models for the young women of our country...and Dottie followed suit...

Their work in the mission field was shortened by a difficult birth of their fourth child, Stanley, and it would be necessary to travel back to the States for further medical procedures.

Once again, a photo was necessary for passports...this one, though reveals a weary mother of four, maintaining her posture and smile...such incredible strength to be 30 years of age...

The story does not stop here....fast forward to 2010....Bill and Dottie answer the call, once more, to travel to Africa.  This trip would last four months...working to rebuild an eye clinic, post-war, and helping novice pastors start churches in the villages desperate for God's word.  They left young men and women, who would continue to think fondly of them...even referring to them as Mama and Papa...and who would claim brotherhood/sisterhood to the four Jones siblings (whom they never met... in person).

What a reunion it will be, one day, on the shores of eternity, to come face to face with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

After 57 years of marriage...Dorothy is still in love with the tall blue-eyed fellow from Kentucky…

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My mother has told me many many times...we remember the women in our family by their first names...as last names will always differ....given names will always remain....

On a favored quilt, she stitched the names of the women, forming a list from my great great grandmother down to my daughter....along with my daughter Olivia's baby bracelet and baby ring in the center of her initial "O"...

such a loving tribute....it will continue to be cherished through the years. 

I love you, Mother!

Your darling,

Christie

Preparing for a move...

....it's never fun...weeding out things...has begun. 

A Big House, we've lived in, a Cottage we're buying. Where did all this come from?  Downsizing?...I'm trying!

3 weeks till we're moving, so daylight is wasting...to pack it all up, is surely exhausting!

News spreads to the Dormice...John Jacob is ready.

Eliza says, "John, will you pack and be tidy?"

"All of our things are precious possessions, made with great care and lots of affection."

Christmas wrappings are rounded up...

Dishes to disburse...

Teacups to be tucked away...

Like a bunny, I must hop!

For on I go to every room... and more and more I find....

shelves of Spring and Easter things...

books and books, galore!

In every single little nook...

I'm finding more and more..

...oh, my word, will you just look!

my books, I love to hoard!

So...

          Teacups and books... are all I shall be packing,

           If more than that is needed, I will not have a care!

          For in my nest, with tea and story, nothing will be lacking.

           The world may go on in a hurry, I shan't be with them there.

         A cozy cottage...with cushions fluffed and plenty,

          Will comfort tired bodies, and never leave us weary.

         The fireplace a-glow and dancing, what could be more enchanting?

          We'll drink tea for hours, 'til our eyes become bleary.

         We'll nod off to dream...dreams that are lovely,

          waking as moonbeams lay soft on the floor.

         Our prayers we will offer...prayers that are humbling,

          thanking our Maker that less shall be more!

                                      

Christie "Grammy" Ray

                                      

May 2011

Scrandled Eggs for 'The Girls'

It had been a while since Xavier visited with Ava and Andrea M'lynn, and he decided they needed to come to the tea table for dinner.
He began the task of setting their places...dividing the silverware between the two...plates, teacups, and salt 'n pepper shakers followed.

 A hop, skip, and a jump up the stairs to the playroom, and back down again...juggling a mixing bowl with his "scrandled eggs" and two tiny toy cats, one for each. He explained carefully to the girls, "The cats are to wook at, not to pway wiv!"

Andrea M'lynn is raising her hand, asking permission to speak...this goes unnoticed as Xavier scoops little spoonfuls of sugar in their teacups...he believes they will not mind if he put in too much ...
Salt and Pepper sprinkle onto the plates, which hold visions of eggs..."scrandled" to perfection.

I believe our little grandson is learning more and more each day....and how glad it makes "The Girls" to have his most sincere intentions offered on a pretty afternoon in May!

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.

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.