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.

An October 1st, rainy, monday morning....

Scout is of the opinion that rainy monday mornings are for sleeping in..."Do we have to get up, yet?"


Yes, we have to get up! It's October 1st...Rabbit Rabbit (for all the girlfriends who follow Susan Branch's Blog:)

I have so many things to show you!

As I enter the kitchen, my newly installed farm sink with a shiny new faucet, greets me..."Morning, glory!"


It is such a happy little kitchen, even on a cloudy, rainy morning...
I fill the pink tea kettle with water, grind the starbucks coffee beans, and prepare the french press..


Coffee is ready...tour may begin...

As I walk through the cottage this morning, listening to the rain on the tin roof, I am thankful for this new season. I just love mums and pumpkins and pansies...and the fragrance of a gingerbread candle in the kitchen, an Autumn Wreath candle in the dining room...


...and a cinnamon roll candle in the sunroom....


...while listening to the Classical Music station on the stereo... and continuing  work on my latest project... a little Christmas book...


The living room coffee table has been switched out for the smaller glass and wicker table (nothing ever stays in one place for very long...patient, patient husband) and looks so sweet with a petite cake stand of velvet pumpkins....(Thank you, sweet Mechelle, for the darling stand.)


Looking through the windows, as it continues to rain, I welcome the idea of enjoying fall from the inside...

Through the side window in the dining room...


There's the pretty dogwood...with some of its leaves beginning to turn red.

And out the front dining room window, as you spy the silhouette of Eliza's tiny sewing machine, you can see what it might look like if we lived in England...a flagstone path...and rain....lots of rain....


Beyond the front window of the living room, large mums and yellow tulip poplar leaves...


The front door window, with its vintage curtain, frames a pretty vignette...


The new/old gate has been installed, along with the remainder of the antique fencing, and awaits a coat of white paint.

Over this past weekend, as Xavier left Grammy's house and headed home, I took an opportunity to snap a few photos outside....

The fountain was trickling, and it was so peaceful ...


I love to see the little house finches come for their occasional bath...splashing about in the water...so sweet!

Tim has enjoyed sitting out here in the rocker, on many afternoons, enjoying the tranquility of our little haven....

This was where Xavier chose to leave his Fall Leaf Collection...he searched diligently around the premises, for all the colors....the red one is from the dogwood tree...


He was quite upset that he could not obtain a true orange leaf...oh, if only we had a sugar maple, with its brilliant fall foliage...

The front yard is speckled with mums...

Big mums...


Pink mums...


and pretty white and yellow mums...


along with some pretty pansies and purple johnny jump-ups...



And just a few pumpkins...four in and around the little wheel barrow (one for each of our grandchildren)...


...and a pretty stack alongside the lantern by the front door...


At the foot of the back porch steps...the tiny trailing Creeping Jenny, a gift from dear Jeri Landers, at Hopalong Hollow, is adapting well to Middle Tennessee...


...and there are a few little surprises around the garden....

The Hollyhock seeds I planted in a pot that sat forever in my kitchen window this summer, were transplanted ...finally.... to the cottage garden Tim constructed...and they are thriving...


I will be so thrilled next spring, to finally have one of my favorites amongst the flowers.

When Tim established this garden, walled-in with stones he dug up around the yard, he mixed the soil with the compost, and a volunteer pumpkin vine was a result...


Two or three times, I spotted a cherry tomato-sized growth...only to see it withered the next day...

One day...after many many days of not "checking in" I was excited to see a yellow, tomato-sized pumpkin.  But it didn't LOOK like a pumpkin...

Until this day...Saturday...AHHHHH...it really LOOKS like a pumpkin...a very little pumpkin...


I know one can find a stand full of pumpkins on every street corner and farmer's market, this time of year, but there is absolutely nothing better than to watch one grow in your own little garden...with its sweet little curly-Q's...pretty as a picture.


The final surprise, was a big pink bloom and several more buds on a transplanted hydrangea....


I just don't believe I can remember seeing them sprout new flowers in October! But, my goodness, better late than never!

That evening...I stepped outside after dark, and had to capture my favorite thing in the world... looking in the windows at the candles on the sill, the lamps lit...


and an autumnal scene on the front porch...


Our lawn jockey has acquired a tiny lantern with a tiny amber tea light....


I leave you, to enjoy the rest of this rainy monday and this new month...

...anticipating the Barn Sales and Book Signings...(The Hayloft in Clarksville, Marketplace in Portland, and The Pumpkin Festival in Franklin on October 27th)

... the arrival of Eliza Celebrates a Royal Wedding (UPDATE: it is now on Amazon!! It says it is temporarily out of stock, as it also says on Eliza has a Cousin...but when ordered, they are printed and then mailed)

Surprised to receive the proof this morning...

This is the front cover...

and this is the back cover...(my dear sister is the photographer:)


....the submission of Eliza will not be Afraid (a Bedtime Story) ...




... the completion of the Christmas book ...Here We Go a'Gathering (a Christmas rhyme)...

...and a kindergarten field trip, with one very special little grandson, to the Pumpkin Patch.

Enjoy a Glorious October, my friends,
Christie

Building up to a Barn Sale


Here at Rose Water Cottage, there is much hammering and sawing and handymen in and out...a bathroom/computer room makeover is overlapped with a mini kitchen remodel...


I have loved and longed for a farm sink forever...it has finally arrived. The handyman will be creating cupboards from the existing ones. The vintage tablecloth draped over the sink will be sewn into a gathered skirt to conceal the pipes... Countertops will be created from wood to resemble the countertop on the opposing cupboard.

Scout doesn't really mind what we do with the kitchen...just make sure her little kitchen bed stays right where she can watch me as I make my morning coffee and do the dishes....


(Susan Branch carries these darling little pillow cases on her website.)

The computer/bath is in such disarray, I will show photos when it is complete...how's that?

Xavier came to spend the weekend, and with all the sawing and hammering and measuring and figuring, he was itching to learn. He wanted his Big Daddy to pull out all his tools so he could "work"... He even walked around with a pencil tucked behind his ear,  a bright yellow tape measure, and a little notebook to write down his "measures."

Gentle tap tap tap with the hammer...



Then he decided he needed a saw...just like Handy Manny...

So here is the saw...


While Grammy painted in the studio, he decided he wanted to paint...

So here is the paint...


and more paint...


This is serious work, requiring so much concentration.

He really loves this paint. "Grammy, I want to paint somethin' else....you got somethin' else I can paint?" When he had finished painting every unfinished surface of any tiny thing I could find, the wheels began to turn...

....and then he was overwhelmed by the possibilities....the mixing...the color combinations...the swirls of color....so ...many ......possibilities .....


While he was busy with his painting...and swirling...I was busy with my latest project....  Work on "Eliza Celebrates a Royal Wedding" had begun...


"Pick a Pick a Pumpkin" was finally up on Amazon...and, a week later, was added to Barnes & Noble's on-line store....


Next..."Eliza has a Cousin" made it through formatting, a few tweaks with the publisher, and we would be anxious for the proof to arrive...and it did....in the midst of the Strawberry Patch Fall Barn Sale in Hartsville, Tennessee (organized by one very talented hard-working young woman..Christy Stone)...


I had been so hopeful that it would be available in time, along with "Pick a Pick a Pumpkin"...but some things are just out of our control.

The posters we had printed, would serve as banners celebrating the arrival of one and the upcoming arrival of the other...


The week leading up to the barn sale, I worked feverishly on the new book...I was loving every new illustration, drinking coffee out of my Emma Bridgewater Diamond Jubilee mug, and thinking all my thoughts with a British accent...please tell me you've caught yourself doing the same thing...



My dear dear husband had just completed the fountain installation, along with flagstone surround, and a few stone walls...and I was enjoying the sound of the trickling water as I painted.


Add birds singing and calming music, and I didn't want the week to end. It would mean 3 days of heat, packing, unpacking, talking, more talking, long drives in between, packing up ...driving the distance home again, exhausted.  What was I thinking, when I signed up for this thing?  I love the quietness of our cozy cottage, I love that Scout snuggles in my lap while I paint...and she doesn't care if I'm still in my jammies.


But, once we arrived (me and my Mechelle, Assistant Extraordinaire, who designed the layout for the booth) and everything was in place...the fun began...even in the heat, we made new friends, shared stories, laughed way too hard and too loud, and hugged lots and lots of women and children. At the end of the day, as the sun was beginning to set, I snapped a few photos....




The next day held even more joy....a sweet little thing popped into our booth, with a camera hanging around her neck..."Christie...is that you, Christie?"....she had not changed one little bit in the near 25 years since I had seen her last...my dear friend from college days at Trevecca, 1979.  We had seen each other years and years ago, when our children were very young....  What a reunion!  She and I talked and hugged and squealed and laughed and cried...she snapped a zillion photos (99% of them were most likely a blur, as I never stopped talking...which requires most of my body to move, you see.)

So here we are...


....and a few more of the shots she so skillfully captured. ..


Another dear, long-time friend, Donna Bailey, appeared in our booth that day, as well, and came bearing a gift for little Eliza...a victorian sofa ....the most darling thing...


(The next day...my sweet little friend, Michaela, would bring her very own Eliza mouse, crafted from one of her favorite old dresses, and they would share hugs as well:)


Robin had to snap a photo as I was signing one of her books...


Here is one showing the display of the Eliza-themed recipe cards...


Then she called on Eliza to partner with me for a photo...


As Robin departed, we hugged 10 times, exchanged business cards, promised to meet up soon, blew kisses, and she was off...

As if that weren't enough excitement for one day...my dear dear husband, who had stayed the duration of the day with me, keeping me hydrated, bringing me delicious food, bringing more water...surprised me beyond words, by purchasing a Victorian sofa...for ME!


Eliza and I would both return to Rose Water Cottage with beautiful little sofas...

...and Scout would commence to serious inspection...


An incredibly talented gal, Debbie, from the Three French Hens shop in Nolensville, Tennessee (maybe you remember we made several purchases there, when we first moved in last year) did the reupholstery using an ancient Grandma's Flower Garden quilt found in the same shop in Indiana where she found the sofa.

Scout gives her stamp of approval...


It has found its home in our humble little storybook cottage...


The next day or so would be spent in bed, resting and lounging...rehydrating...regaining energy...and then....

the gathering up of remaining kits and guides for the next barn sale in October...


Completion of "Eliza Celebrates a Royal Wedding"....


Tiny little Eliza shawls knitted for custom orders...(proceeds going towards the purchase of flannel graphs to go to Sierra Leone for the children in Bible Schools)....


...and plans to begin the next book in the series..."Eliza Acquires a Motor Car."

God supplies the energy, He provides the "resting places"....and gives us a vision we can accomplish by trusting in Him as our resource.  This is what I have learned.  May you feel His encouragement as you face the challenges and visions before you.

Blessings,
Christie

Inspiration from afar...thank you Susan Branch

The F.O.S.B. (friends of Susan Branch) traveled to England this summer...all packed up and smuggled aboard the ship, by one very brave Girlfriend.  Who, but dear Sue would invite so many guests?  Thanks to her, I have been inspired in so many ways, and I am certain many of you have been, as well.

When we made it to Hilltop, and I spied all those familiar friends on the window ledge... I couldn't help but follow suit...


When she led us through Jane Austen's home, in Bath...well, let me just say...I was over the moon...and changes were occuring all through the house, beginning with a calligraphy station being arranged at my desk in the sunroom...


I pulled out nibs and ink and paper and a lovely old autograph book in order to practice my penmanship...


This gentleman had the most impressive penmanship, don't you agree?



The tiny vases of garden flowers scattered throughout Jane's home, were so sweet..I had to indulge...


The bedroom needed a little re-arranging to be able to enjoy the fireplace when the days turn cold this fall...


and the office needed a comfy spot for this Grammy to compose her blog posts...
(alongside my Jeri Lander's inspired table of nature finds)...


...and then, of course, there was all the hubbub of the Diamond Jubilee.  When I found this British- inspired bunting, I could not leave the shoppe without it...


We enjoyed an early morning cup of coffee on the porch, by candlelight, and thought of those early morning walks Sue and Joe were taking, finding sheep and mourning doves and pretty flowers in the fields...  And drinking from my Emma Bridgewater mug, I remembered the fascinating tour of Emma's charming factory.


Yes, dear Sue...you have no idea how much we appreciate your allowing us to join you on the inspiration journey of a lifetime.  You broadened our scope ...exposed us to new ideas ...new designs..new ways of seeing things...encouraged us to bring a little of that English spirit into our own little worlds, and this grammy girl is grateful.

My little corner of the world is made cozier...


I am inspired to write prettier....


I decide that a sweet little table to welcome guests, is a perfectly splendid idea...(as well as wearing hats....all kinds...and often:)


isn't this sweet...


...like we're living in our very own tea room...in England...and there's a tiny little yorkie named Scout, who agrees...


There is also a little boy who comes to his grammy's house and is inspired, because she has been inspired.  He gets his very own painting station...


He swishes his brush, pats it on the paper towel...just like Grammy...and dabs at the paint, and this is what he creates...

A rainbow...



and a pretty Robin, using all the right colors...


I don't know if I could be more proud of this little fella, who will enter kindergarten next week. Pray for him. Pray for me. Pray for his mommy. Pray for his teacher...that her energy will match his...

As chapters end, new ones begin.

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

Here at Rose Water Cottage Press, there are a few updates...

Pick a Pick a Pumpkin has been formatted, sent to the publishers, and we're awaiting the proof...once we know all is well, it will be made available on Amazon.com.  Here is what the cover will look like...and we're excited to be able to include a couple of photos in the book...I wanted to show the real picture of "Hair full of corn"...




The next book in the series...Eliza has a Cousin...is ready to be scanned and sent to the formatter,
 and I am working now on completing Eliza Celebrates a Royal Wedding.  
It has helped that we have "vacationed" in England for 2 months and are now enjoying the Olympics taking place in London. ...


It will be dedicated to one precious baby girl...our granddaughter Sophia...who spent the night at Grammy's and watched the Royal Wedding with me.



Here she is, in her jammies last night, 
looking at her Grammy'sThe Fox Family of Franklin.  
This is what it's all about.


Thank you all again, my dear friends, for visiting, for supporting and encouraging with your kind comments, 
and for your friendship.
Nothing in this world like kindred sister friends.

Have a blessed day,
Christie

A Visit to Hopalong Hollow

We make our way from Gatlinburg, on a very misty morning, to Hopalong Hollow, the home of our dear friend, author/illustrator Jeri Landers, and her husband James 
We love the hills of East Tennessee
Such a peaceful scene
Isn't this pretty as a picture
Such a quaint little country church... we must be getting close...

This had to be the work of our Jeri...and yes, indeed it was...
...and we have finally arrived at Hopalong Hollow...be still my fluttering heart
The Bee Bole against Jeri's one of a kind picket fence

This was one of many charming garden statues
The most inviting front porch you will find
The lovely writing desk filled with ephemera, books, and such
Her collection of samplers
Her stencils covered the walls of the front room...simply breathtaking
A collection of Beatrix Potter's tales, wooden block puzzles, and a collection of beautiful calligraphy inks
Oh, Linnie...here are those beautiful curtains you and Jeri share
A gorgeous old loom
I fell in love with this display of the miniature sheep above this darling child-sized hoosier
Another lovely spinning wheel at the top of the stairs
We witnessed the transformation of this sink

Pretty bath side table              


 I spy with my little eye...some goodies from Rose Water Cottage...I am honored.
These are the colors of Hopalong Hollow
Beautiful Jeri, at her beautiful desk
Penny's Jemima and Linnie's sweet little Ezra angel
An old Printer's Table full of inspiration
 Quacking and honking from Hamish the goose as he herds the newly adopted ducklings


"What? Hamish is doing a splendid job...no need for our parenting skills!" honk the resident ducks.

A view of the pretty little potting shed from the upstairs bath...can you imagine gazing upon this scenery every morning and every evening

This room was her former studio..it is now a cozy guest bedroom...I fell in love with the stenciled roses...must borrow this design for our cottage
and would you look at this darling display...miniature stoves used as inspiration for a kitchen belonging to one Mamsie Bear
But this little treasure took my breath...holding it my hands was more than I could take in..It was, in fact, the most perfectly perfect bonnet for dear Fiona Goosefeathers.
Do you remember Jeri's beautiful post at Christmastide, of this lovely handmade Santa? You must look it up for a closer look at the incredible detail. His face is so very genteel.
Sweet Jeri, the hostess with the mostest, served the most delectable meal....homemade lasagna, the most delicious garlic bread I have EVER tasted, fresh sliced watermelon, asparagus, corn of the cob, salad, and fresh lemonade.  Her beautiful dishes matched one of my favorite teapots and cups. No surprise, here.                                                                                                                                                                                    dishes are the same as one of my most favored tea pots and cups
 After the loveliest visit two kindreds could possibly enjoy, it was time to say our goodbyes...promising return visits and an open invitation to Rose Water Cottage...countless hugs...and we were off.  Winding our way back through the hills, onto the open roads, and back to our little town...we found our home and our little Scout, awaiting with open arms.  Sleep eluded me...as I dreamed of all the things I had been inspired to create, to plant, to paint... such joy in these precious friendships that stir our spirits to reach higher.

Thank you Jeri, for opening your lovely home in the hollow....where the blueberries are sweet and the moss grows soft beneath your feet.

Blessings,
Christie

A visit to East Tennessee and the Wild Plum Tea Room

There is nothing like a getaway to East Tennessee ...Gatlinburg...home of the Wild Plum Tea Room, which is tucked within the beauty of the Arts and Crafts trail.  

This calls for girlie-girl attire...and ...of course... a girlie-girl hat....

 I am not quite sure how the young people today manage to take their photo in the mirror without showing the camera/phone... I will remain a novice until someone offers a tutorial.

So here we are... and I begin immediately pointing out things we need to make...ummm...things husband needs to make...   Like this sign, made from grapevine. I can just see one that reads Rose Water Cottage hanging on our fence above the cottage garden.

For, here at the cottage, there is always a tea party just waiting to happen.
Dear Sister-in-Law Bonnie had blessed us with a beribboned bakery box full of the most delicious, homemade, white chocolate raspberry scones you could ever imagine...they melted in our mouths as we sipped our beloved Earl Grey Creme tea.


Here, fellow Susan Branch girlfriends, you'll find our Emma Bridgewater tea pot, everyone fell in love with as we celebrated Valentine's Day...and the Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz china, that Sue is always including in her posts, has become our favorite, as well.

Back to the Wild Plum...
I just fell in love with this adorable "garden lady" scarecrow.  I think the birds must leave her garden alone,  not because they are scared, mind you, but because she is so delightfully amusing, they can't bear to hurt her feelings...


This darling teacup birdfeeder, caught my eye...


We enter, and find the guestbook on the tea cart, surrounded by sweetness...



...it is worth a trip to the tiny restroom up the stairs and under the eaves, just to see the beautiful painted floors...

...and the clever tricks for hiding toilet tissue...



But, my dear sisterfriends...it is the food that draws us back to this lovely tea room, tucked away in the hills of East Tennessee...


 ...'Neath beautiful trees and surrounded by flowers and ivy and moss-covered carts...


...where the sweetness of tea pot wind chimes cause a pause...


in the busy-ness that is life....

and inspires us to return to our own little worlds...our own little private tea rooms...with ideas aplenty...

Husband has completed the walkway to our front porch. Is it not the most cottage-y cottage path you could ever imagine in your dreams??

And after a cleansing shower, I feel as if I am transported across the ocean to a beautiful England...where rain ensures the most beautiful landscapes.

Happy thoughts and hopes of inspiring you in your own little cottage-y cottage tea room,
Christie

Playing Catch-up...Summer Fun


Is there anything sweeter...I ask you...then seeing a little boy excited about an old tub filled with water...on a hot summer Saturday...finding all his toys at Grammy's House...and testing them for their "floatability" factor..    If there is...I certainly don't know what it might be.

Here we are, in the middle of summer, already, and I have a plethora of photos to share with you. Won't you come along? (bring your cup of coffee, cup of tea, sandwich, dessert...this may take awhile;)

After receiving Jeri Lander's generous gift of white bearded iris bulbs, it was time to transplant our entire collection from a temporary bed in the back to a permanent bed in the front...

If I were to take a photo today...you would think surely it was a fall day. The heat..temperatures reaching nearly 110 ...and no rainfall, has left our sweet little front yard covered with dried tulip poplar leaves and crunchy grass.  The soaking rain from last night was certainly a blessing, indeed!

When one has worked terribly hard out in the yard, it is always a treat to enjoy fresh vegetables from a garden.  Sister-in-law Mechelle gifted us with her summer squash, and cooking it in my grandma's skillet, along with a pot of limas and a fresh grown tomato from the market, made the perfect meal for a summer evening....


I found a sweet little vase at the antique mall that reminded me of Eliza, and with a bloom from my mini-penny hydrangea, I thought it was quite precious...


(Please tell me you all are using your pretty pastel quilts, my fellow Friends of Susan Branch, on your dining tables...at least every now and then...for it makes it so nice to cozy up to the table)

Husband, Tim, has been quite busy with a few summer projects...turning our home into a sweet English-like cottage, with flagstone ... (since this photo, he has filled in the spaces with a fine crushed dust, and it is stunning)


The reclaimed fence (from an 1800's Victorian in Ohio) has also been installed...


and Tim has just completed the laying of flagstone along the walkway to the front porch. I will add photos when the project is complete.

He has also found old brick pavers in the bed that held the irises temporarily, and discovered they were manufactured in the early 1900's by a company named 'Egyptian' in Indiana, I believe. He has placed them around the new hydrangea beds he created...


This gate came along with the white fencing, and it will be installed, along with the rest of the fencing, in the front yard beside a row of box woods. Again...I will be sure to post some photos.

While unearthing the bricks, he came upon this one, and we are still amazed at the serendipity...


Tia...plain as day...the name of his daughter (mother of Xavier)...

Our cottage garden is getting established...Phlox planted last summer, has bloomed beautifully, so we added a few more varieties, as well as two fox gloves (thank you, Jeri, for posting the photos of yours....wasn't sure they did well in Tennessee)


You can spy the blooms of the drift roses we planted last summer.  Here they are up close.  I think they are the sweetest little blooms for a little cottage garden...


My younger brother, Brad, who lives in Florida and established the Edible Classroom at his daughter's school, brought a Flashy Trout Back lettuce plant and seeds for Eliza....After all....she had to have her very own cottage garden.

First, I had to pull her away from her poetry...she just loves Burns...



Here are the adorable little tools and watering can...gifts from cousin city mouse... and a wheelbarrow, fencing, bicycle, bistro set, bird bath, and garden gates...gifts from the ladies at Three French Hens, my neighbors at the barn sale...


Eliza certainly has her work cut out for her. See all those tiny leaves popping up? The midnight may sage must be transplanted to make room, and the seedlings separated...


I think she did a wonderful job!  She loves the soft moss beneath her feet... hmmmm....I think she's been reading some books from Hopalong Hollow....


 She sniffs and sniffs those tender little sprouts...


She contemplates the need for a bicycle, but decides that it makes an awfully sweet garden fixture...


The gates look very familiar...



The darling miniature Martin bird house was also a gift from the gals at Three French Hens...


 (If you were to sneak up behind her...you would catch her smiling;)

My goodness, did Eliza labor in her little garden! Watering, pulling weeds, trying to keep her moss soft and green..to no avail... but, alas, moss needs shade, lettuce needs sunshine...so I foresee a sweet shade garden with tiny impatiens alongside her mossy moss...

And here, fellow gardeners, are the fruits of her labor...



And can you guess who loves when Grammy plucks a few leaves every now and then? Especially on a hot summer day?  Well, it is none other than Miss Violet Sniffy Bunny-Bun....


She had consumed the entire leaf as the camera snapped the photo... she is forever grateful to that little mouse, Eliza.

Grammy has worked up an appetite as well!  Homemade egg salad on fresh egg bread (from Merridee's Bread Basket)


The blooming things outside were transported inside, making each room so cheery.  Tiny drift and knock-out rose buds and blooms for the vanity in the bath....


hydrangeas...



Even a bowl of bright red cherries brought life into the living room...


Sweet Annabelles are always sweet...


A batch of oatmeal-walnut-chocolate chunk cookies are prepared for an upcoming visit from one certain little boy.... these became an instant hit...


If you look closely...above....you'll see a bit of our new/old Hoosier...phase one of the "taking our cottage kitchen back in time" project...


Xavier especially loves this new addition, because there is always a supply of snack fruits... right at his level.  He LOVES bananas!

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

I must back track here, for a bit....
In May, with it being the month we celebrate Mother's Day, High School Graduates, a wedding or two, and new babies... I was mailing quite a few of my greeting cards (which you can find on Amazon.com if you type in Rose Water Cottage Press) and I had so much fun embellishing the envelopes with watercolor illustrations...


Even the backs of the envelopes...


Especially, the one to my mother....


That I decided it would be so fun to create a little book of embellishments...a cottage alphabet...  So I have begun a project I am hoping we will be able to send to the printers before too long...



R is for Rabbit...


Stickers aren't just for little girls, any more...don't you think?

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

We were able to enjoy a vacation to Florida, early in the summer, to see my newborn cousin, truly a miracle...Little Desirae....and upon our return, after gazing at the framed photo of her on my art table,  I was compelled to try my hand at painting her likeness.... would I actually be able to paint a human being?  Little toy mousie friends are one thing...but a real person?  This is what came to be...


If you never challenge yourself to try something new...how will you ever know what you are capable of...

I had no idea that one little challenge to myself would prepare me for an upcoming project presented to me by my eldest,  Matthew.  More on this later....but, it reminded me, when I feel those gentle nudges within my heart...it is best that I heed them.  We never know what the greater purpose might be.

Well, I must introduce you, via a lovely photo, to my dear mother, Dottie and my dear new friend, Diann (The Little Cowgirl...who designs and crafts the cutest bloomers and aprons and dresses, etc... providing me with my 'Grammy-wear' as I call it) Here we are at her booth at a What Women Want show....



What you don't see above, is that I had to remove my shoes so I wouldn't tower over them.  You can see the bloomers and under apron I am wearing in this next photo...along with my bare feet...which, after all...is very Tasha Tudor - like, indeed....


Her granddaughter, Callie was adorable in her darling dress and bloomers, as well.

Diann and I met last fall at the Bella Rustica Barn Sale here in Franklin, and were instant kindreds. We are unable to talk on the phone under 2 hours and are often known to talk simultaneously, finishing one another's sentences. She lives in THE most darling log cabin and adores everything Tasha Tudor, to the point of having Corgi dogs. Yes, there are kindreds among us wherever we may go.

Now, my dears...My eyelids are heavy...it is late into the night..and I must close....since you were probably wondering if I WOULD ever close.  But this is catch up blogging...what one must do with all the neglected photos and stories that have backed up and need to come forth. So thank you for enduring, and for that, I leave you with this little treat...

Pick-a-Pick-a-Pumpkin is complete and ready to head to New Hampshire for formatting, then on to Lightning Source for printing, straightaway to Amazon, and with fingers crossed...landing at Barnes & Noble alongside the other Eliza Tales.  Fingers crossed, Fairy Lamps lit, and Prayers lifted up...


Eliza is loving her new chaise dear husband Tim purchased whilst we vacationed in St. Augustine.  She is becoming rather spoiled, it would seem...but, she needed a fainting couch as the news arrived of her story's success...


Xavier knew, though,  that his "Ewiza" would be adored by all who came to visit Grammy's House.



Much love to you all, dear kindreds, and blessings for your day,
Christie


We Three Kindreds


While I am trying to decide what the title should be for a way-overdue-did-you-think-I-was-ever-coming-back post, I will do a bit of back tracking, to get you up to speed.
When I last posted, we had just finished our very first Barn Sale ...The Strawberry Patch Barn Sale.
Even as I write these words, I am chastising myself ... that was all the way back in May, and the sale had been in April.... goodness!
Will you all ever forgive this girl?
                                           
(We were celebrating Mother's Day...for heaven's sake...goodness!)

Well, the Sunday following the three day sale was filled to the brim with excitement.  We awoke mid-morning, with a start.  I was to be in Franklin at Noon, to do a book signing at our local Landmark Booksellers, during the Franklin Arts Festival.  I dressed, hurriedly, jumped in the car with wonderful husband, and looked in the visor mirror to discover sheet prints along my cheek.  Apparently I had slept so hard and so soundly, from sheer exhaustion, that the imprint of the pillowcase folds would be temporarily imbedded on my face.   It did not matter....I was going to a real deal book signing!

The heat was oppressive, but again, it did not matter...we arranged my little books on the little table provided under the tent.
Side note: ..We were running just a tad late, as we could not locate our sweet little mouse.


We were running hither and yon..."have you seen her"...."she was in her day bed"...."what basket was she in"...."I don't know, but we have to find her"...."is she in the back of the car"...."I don't know, I just know she was in her daybed"... "have you looked in all the baskets in the house".... "yes, and I still can't find her"   ....   If a stranger had been listening in to our frantic conversation, they would have thought we had lost a child or a pet or ... I don't know... something other than a tiny, old-fashioned batting mouse with a tiny knitted shawl with a blue hydrangea ribbon tie...

But praise be..we found her...and we were off....

Looking around the small tent, the masses parading by before us, I was attempting to get my bearings.  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a corner shelf belonging to the occupants of the tent next to us (we were separated by a lovely mossy green curtain) and on the bottom shelf, much to my surprise, I spied Jeri Lander's Hopalong Hollow books.  Why in the world would someone have her books in their display??  (Remember, I was running on very little sleep, sheet prints still on my face, and not quite fully awake) and then, the light bulb switched on BRIGHT!  I hopped around the dividing curtain and into the neighbor's tent, to come face to face with our dear Jeri...in person!  Our eyes locked...grins spread across our faces...and in chorus, exclaimed..."Christie?"...."Jeri?"  ....Oh, if our Heavenly Father loves to see His girls enjoy such serendipity...He was having a joyous moment!

It was hard for me to remain in my tent...can you imagine??  I wanted to soak in everything about her, about her work laying there on display before us, about the elements of design she had so cleverly arranged...for, to enter her booth/tent, is to walk right into Hopalong Hollow, "where the blueberries are sweet and the moss is soft beneath your feet."

Oh, Happy Day!

We were to enjoy the day even more, even in the 90 degree heat, with not a breath of wind, for we kindreds had found each other, amongst a town-wide sea of tents.  Yes, Virginia, there is a God who takes care of the tiniest little things that our hearts desire.  (We had left our little cottage that day with me wondering where my dear friend would be located. I had even said aloud, to dear husband, "Somewhere out there, is our Jeri, amongst the sea of tents.")

After the festival, Jeri and HER dear husband came to our humble abode.  After a quick little tour, showing her all the things that make up Rose Water Cottage, the home of Eliza, and much conversing simultaneously...trying to squeeze in so much, in such a short visit... and after opening her gift of fresh, fragrant lavender attached to one of those  flattened spoons she so cleverly creates...


and a scherenschnitte beribboned bookmark inside a lovely journal, all tucked in a darling tin bucket filled with white bearded iris bulbs to transplant...  (I was overwhelmed, to say the least)...
we traveled to the home of "Our Mary."  Yes, she is Ours. She leaves us the MOST gracious comments on our blogs, and she lives here, in Our Franklin.  She had prepared the most incredible feast for the four of us weary, hungry, festival participants.

Here are the photos I captured from our visit, that lingered right up to the midnight hour....

My Tim sat across from her James, and I sat across from Jeri..
Our Mary was seated at the head of the table and her Robert was seated at the opposing end.  She had planned the seating arrangement so the girls could enjoy bubbling topics of conversation, and the men could discuss...well....whatever men discuss...


The bunny-filled centerpiece was in honor of Hopalong Jack and the Blue Bunnies... (and had served as a darling Easter decoration Mary could not bear to dismantle until our visit)


Our Mary,  also known as Gentility of Heritage Stitchery, is the most gracious hostess.  Our place setting held the sweetest gift...a tiny porcelain basket with a sachet of dried lavender, within.



The salad, the main course, and the dessert were each presented on the most charming china plates ...and as each course was devoured by us famished folks, we discovered the delicate floral patterns and bunny motifs on each.  Yes, she had thought of everything!


As the clock was fast approaching midnight, we three kindreds convened before the beautiful fireplace for a photo.  Even though we were weary from the weekend, we had been privy to one of the most memorable, blessed occasions we could have ever dreamed of.  An evening of pouring over the meticulous artwork of sweet, petite Jeri, a phenomenal artist and author, the consumption of a delectable meal, and the participation in delicious conversation.


We parted, only because we were certain our carriages would turn to pumpkins, as the clock struck twelve...so with hugs and grins and promises to meet again,  and with Our Mary's gift of roses in our hands, we made our way out into the night...Jeri and James heading home to East Tennessee, and husband Tim and I heading home to our Rose Water Cottage down the lane.


What joy fills my soul at every remembrance of that glorious weekend.







And I can share with you ...finally.... that Eliza has been picked up by Barnes and Noble Booksellers and is available on their online store.  If you were sitting here with me,  at this very moment, you would see the excitement oozing from every pore of my being!  You would see that my heart is having trouble staying put inside my body, and you would find my spirit levitating amongst the clouds in sweet rapture! I keep pinching myself and thinking...They picked ME...MY books...How can this be?
We have also worked diligently on creating our Amazon storefront, which also carries all four books, as well as my line of greeting cards, the mouse-making kit and guide, the Eliza-themed recipe cards,  and collectible, autographed copies of The Fox Family of Franklin.

If you would like to visit Barnes & Noble online, in the search box, type in my full name, Christie Jones Ray, and all 4 books will appear.
If you would like to shop on our Amazon storefront, go to Amazon.com and in the search box, type Rose Water Cottage Press, and all our goodies will appear.

Dearest friends, I cannot say it enough... God is so very GOOD!  He has blessed the efforts of His girl, who shows up at the drawing table every day...dips the paintbrush into the cup of water...and follows her heart to that which is good and pleasing to Him.  He has met me there, each day, and I am in awe of His goodness to me.

Blessings,
Christie




The Strawberry Patch Barn Sale

On Wednesday evening, before the Strawberry Patch Barn Sale began on Thursday....things were just a bit crazy.  The books were delivered, just in the nick of time, that night...


Rolls and rolls of ribbon were required for embellishing...

The all occasion note cards...


had been packaged with shrink wrap, and  they needed accompanying little envelopes...much counting...and then more ribbons...


At this point, I was getting quite excited and pleased with the results. But goodness, it was a late night, running on adrenaline, wrapping ribbon around Eliza recipe card sets, hoping everything would be ready ...and then....oh dear, a price list....I needed to make a price list... Tim said I couldn't just give everything away... which he knows all too well, I would have...

Of course, no sleep was to be had...even though my body was in the bed...my mind was not!

The car and the U Haul were packed and loaded and we made the hour and a half drive out to the middle of nowhere...the most beautiful spot I had ever spied..in the middle of nowhere. Rolling hills....with cows grazing peacefully... a beautiful pond...and a large open air hay barn.  In my mind, I wondered who would come to a sale...all the way out here....
I had no idea the number of women, dressed in all sorts of cuteness, who would converge on this vintage market barn sale!

We began the set up...it reminded me of last June, moving into our tiny cottage. Where would everything go? We had a 12 x 12 booth. After taking a moment to catch my breath and focus...I remembered what our Tia (Xavier's mommy) had told me the night before, in my frantic state, "Christie, everything will be wonderful. I know you. It will be perfect."  She was, of course, using my own words against me...I reminded her of this...and she laughed..."Yes, I know!"

I looked up and saw this sign...


That was MY name under THOSE words... had to pinch myself...goodness gracious...

So this is what we came up with in the hour and a half before the sale began..

The antique display case was filled with props I had used in my artwork for the greeting cards and the books...
The teakettle...


The teapot (pictured on the tea table in the Eliza book)  and Anne of Green Gables (2 of my Greeting Cards have Anne Shirley quotes)


The ancient telephone


A is for Annabelle by Tasha Tudor, a yellow ware bowl that had belonged to our dear Tasha, the balls of yarn Xavier loves to "fool with", the hand-dyed silk ribbon, and Grammy's sewing basket...it's all there...


And this is what it looked like ...all together...


A few vignettes on top of the display case....



It was so windy...Tim said, "You better tuck Eliza in somewhere safe or she'll be blowing out into the field with the cows!" She had been sitting atop her jar of Tasha Tudor's Spring Bouquet Moisturizing Cream..now she was tucked safely in her daybed;)

That morning, I had stopped in at the antique store William Powell, in Franklin to pick up my purchase of the most darling circa 1800's doll buggy, that is illustrated in my book The Fox Family of Franklin (a whimsical tale of our storybook town) ....it is the perfect display for the sweet books...


It will also be perfect for my Annabelle doll, created by Sheryl Williams, for it is very much like the doll buggy pictured in the A is for Annabelle book, by Tasha Tudor. We were so tickled to find this treasure right here in our home town.

I also came upon another sweet find in the days preceding the barn sale...a woven bassinet, so very
similar to the one I had painted for my baby cards...it made the perfect display, as well...



The gate to our antique fencing (that was being installed while we were away) made the perfect place to clip my greeting cards...with old-fashioned clothespins.... Tim has the best ideas, and I was so grateful to have him with me. I needed an objective pair of eyes, to see things I was missing...and to give suggestions as each day started, afresh.


Mother and Dad brought the vase of gorgeous (Purple Wellie shade) iris to match the display at the opening of our booth...


I knew sweet Natalie at the Rookery and Ramblings would be so excited to see our beloved wellies:))
...and you would not believe how many gals asked if they were for sale!  I kept telling folks..."you don't understand...those wellies are FAMOUS!"   Oh we had so much fun!

Here is the booth...ready to receive guests...into Grammy's House...

You can see the Hoosier cabinet filled with Eliza Mouse-Making Kits, and Old Gal sporting my Rose Water Pink Tasha Tudor cottage shawl.  The fan atop the Hoosier....that kept Grammy from suffering horribly through the many many hot flashes...had many folks asking its price. Grammy said no amount would be enough... for she would not survive without it!

The last day, there was no wind...just bright sunshine...all....day....long...along with 85 or so degrees...whew...we were melting!  But again, we were having so much fun...it didn't matter...

The Tasha Tudor type wheelbarrow held the baskets of books and Eliza recipe cards....


and Eliza's little cottage door...

We made so many friends, caught up with old friends, laughed until our sides hurt, sold books and kits to Gigi's, Neenee's, Ya-Ya's, Mama Jo's...the most loving gals.  ....gave to those who couldn't afford... witnessed the child-like heart of a 70 year old woman, who still loves her baby dolls, have her wish come true...traded the pants I was wearing with a woman who was going on a cruise to celebrate 30 years of marriage...(the truest version of the sisterhood of the traveling pants:)
and felt more blessed when we pulled away than when we had pulled in...that, my friends, is a successful barn sale!

The rest of the weekend, if you can believe, got even better.... but that post will have to wait... as this one has been long enough, for one sitting.

Have a wonderful day, dear kindreds,
Christie

P.S.  A dear sister-in-law is coming this evening to help us get our Amazon storefront up and running so you, my dears, might order some of these goodies yourselves:)  Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for this technologically challenged Grammy!

Life in a Storybook Cottage

When we came upon this sweet little cottage, a year ago....
we had no idea what was in store for us.
There was no sign on the door that gave a warning:

This Cottage might inspire great quantities of stories and tall tales...


It might cause excessive twirling in aprons...


You will feel the need to bake, no matter how much weight you gain...


You will be overcome with a peace like nothing you can explain to the outside world...


Your teacup will be full to overflowing...

 
No, nothing of the sort was posted on that sweet front door with the twisty doorbell....


 And when we moved into this sweet little cottage and graced the tiny front porch with a bouquet of my precious hydrangeas, from bushes I had planted, transplanted, tended, and loved and was now leaving in the care of another woman....


we couldn't have possibly imagined how incredibly wonderful this year would be....just like a fairytale in a storybook.

My favorite Beatrix Potter story is the one of The Tailor of Gloucester...


Inside my little copy is a label from the stationer in England....


I was finding similarities every where I looked...
Just like the lady mouse pictured here....


upon the worsted chenille.... I was finding myself amongst some chenille...
Sophia's pink blankie, in need of repair...


 My new little creamer was just like the one in the illustration...


The little lady mouse was found by the tea cups just like mine...


Eliza moved in with us...sharing the shelf on the old, old, cupboard with an assortment of pretty dishes and linen napkins and old silverware....


Each time Xavier, our grandson, came to visit...it was Eliza he ran to play with...


She was so real to him, that she became just as "real" to us...and my dear husband (who truly believes I can do anything I set my mind to) kept encouraging me to write down the stories...Eliza's Tales...

Finally...with a big pad of watercolor paper and a pencil, I began... I wrote and wrote and wrote...until the entire story, from start to present, was on paper....along with tiny sketches...

Husband thought the story was wonderful, but in the back of his mind, he wasn't sure my illustrations would be able to match the charm of the tale.


I called my mother and told her I had written a little book and I wanted to do the illustrations. She, the former art teacher, encouraged me to try my hand at watercolors.  She brought paper, tubes of paint, children's watercolor sets, drawing pencils, sharpeners, rags, cups....let's just say...a huge box of watercolor painting 101.
I would paint, snap a picture and email it to her for critique...
Her response....add more water to your paint; these aren't acrylics. That was all I had had experience with since art classes in high school.
After much experimenting...I finally had an image of Eliza, sitting atop my jar of Tasha Tudor Moisturizing Cream and the vase of hydrangeas that sat behind her...




because that was where she sat when Xavier was not visiting.  She watched my knitting and sniffed the tea at tea time...


Yes...replied Mother when she received the photo via email...this is it!

It wasn't until Christmastide, that the illustrated book was complete...all 46 pages!


We were in touch with an independent literary agent who was sent an email with a few of my illustrations.  His response, after several months, took me by surprise...he wouldn't be able to work with us, as this wasn't really his genre. He thought the story might do well, but we would probably want to get another illustrator.  Just a little heartsick...I regrouped. With my husband's confidence in my progress, I went back to the little table in the sunroom...and dug deep into my being. What else was there to do? I had a passion for this story...for this little mouse...who else could know how to depict what was going on in this fairytale storybook cottage?

I wanted to rework the book, but had become so attached to the images, I just couldn't attempt a change....yet....so I began the story of Eliza's move to Rose Water Cottage.  Once again, the story tumbled out onto the pages of my sketchbook/journal...


I couldn't get to the paints fast enough. The images came so quickly as I began each new page...



I decided I wanted to begin each new book with a quote or Bible verse that seemed fitting.  This quote from Beatrix Potter seemed to be the perfect beginning for these little tales....A plate of wisdom with a cup of tea....



 At last, the book was finished...and Eliza was cozy in her daybed, ready for a long winter's nap...



We were soon in contact with a publisher in town. I packed my pretty box with everything I had painted...the two completed books, the beginnings of a rhyming book for autumn,
Eliza recipe cards...


 Eliza Christmas cards, and another recipe card set, for adults...



The publisher was so encouraging ....loved my illustrations (my heart would surely burst when I heard his words) ...but it became very apparent that we needed to seek another avenue.  We weren't a "fit", but he would help us find our way towards self-publishing.

My goodness, this has been a journey.  I have been consumed morning till night...and often into the night...with re-working Eliza's way too long Tale...


I have divided it into 6 "read-to-me" tales.  Three are completed. The first book is Eliza (the mouse in Grammy's House) the second is Eliza and a Cottage Door, the third is Eliza has a Cousin.


I have failed miserably at keeping in touch with all of you ...my dear kindreds...but just know (as I'm sure you all do) that you stay in my thoughts and prayers and "amen corner."  I know you are cheering me on from your corner of the world. Every now and then, I pop in, see what you're up to, and slip away quietly...back to work....
When I went window shopping in dear Anita's Castles Crowns and Cottages Etsy shoppe....oh glory! I had to have one of her beautiful glittery wands! (doesn't every fairytale cottage need a wand? Why, yes indeed!)
It is propped on the windowsill of my sun room studio, making all my wishes come true....


Dear Anita and I share such a sweet story of how our friendship began...this time last year...at her Paris Link Party.  As the move to this cottage began, and I was weary from the packing and moving, she would write to tell me she was saying a prayer each evening as she lit her little fairy lamp, to remain on through the night ....that I would have strength, energy, and endurance for the next day and rest for my body and mind during the night. We both have a strong faith, and it is because of that, our bond was sealed. As bunny rabbits would hop through our tiny yard...I would snap pictures and send to her...


she would snap pictures of the bunnies in her yard and send them to me.
We have continued to encourage each other to follow the dreams we have as artists, writers, creative beings...and we are both seeing them come to fruition. Isn't God good?

Now, at last...we are counting down the days until we will hold the books Eliza and Eliza and Cottage Door in our hands, wishing that Eliza has a Cousin could appear, as well...but alas...it must be formatted. All in good time...I tell myself....


Each little book becomes my favorite, upon its completion...


I am also anxious to have our Mouse Making Guide to go along with the mouse making kits I've created...


I had to create my own pattern and materials and guide to avoid copyright issues.  My little mouse is made of linen...her tail is blush pink jute...and her ears and feet are the pinkest pink...


We will have a booth at The Strawberry Patch Barn Sale in Hartsville, TN the 26th, 27th, & 28th of April and are crossing our fingers and toes that all will be ready...books from publishing, cards from printer, boxes completed and filled (20 out of 50 are ready, so far) and energy to meet the excitement of the 3 day sale.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this very hectic...not frantic, of course...extremely busy time.

I will gather photos to post along with the response to Eliza's big debut.
I cannot thank you all enough, for staying the course with me and our dear little mouse friend.  What an exciting time this is for women who create! Do not be afraid....it is within reach, the thing that you dream of...

And as Susan Branch has written on one of her pretty girlfriend note cards "We do not consider the possibility of defeat."   Queen Victoria

Scout, with her tongue out, will not entertain the possibility, either...



Blessings,
Christie

This is where I do my dreaming...where do you do yours?

Violet and Her Violets

I know I just posted, but the train that is pulling spring through town...is chugging along a little too fast.
So I'm running after it as fast as I can...

Some of you know...the rest of you won't be surprised at all...that I received a bunny rabbit for Christmas...and a wonderful little chalet so it would stay warm through winter.
We weren't sure at all if the bunny was a girl or a boy. If it was a boy, I was going to name it Ashley Longworth...from the Walton's...you know, sister's beau/love of her life/the one that got away....
and then we'd call him "Ash" because of the fur color...



If it was a girl...we just weren't sure.  I hadn't won anyone's vote for Ashley Longworth, and Xavier wanted to call it Sniffy..because that's what it's nose does...(yes, that was his reasoning...logical, yes) so when Xavier wasn't around, it was called bunnybun.
We would leave the house and say, "Bye, bunnybun," and it would stand and hop around.



We'd return and say, "Hi, Bunnybun...you're a good bunny." More hopping and acknowledging...sweet bunnybun.


I just couldn't stand it any longer...this rabbit, getting quite big at this point, is in dire need of a name...or maybe it's just that I want it to have a name. Everything needs a name...just ask Anne of Green Gables...

While we were gardening the other day...the wild violets were everywhere. Along the hydrangea bed..


...squinting in the sunshine...


That was it!  ...Violet...the rabbit would be a she...and her name will be Violet (I haven't checked her hindquarters to be positive...and with those sharp little fingernails, I'll pass...so, we're calling her a she:)
Well, I was quite satisfied with a name that seems to suit her...the rabbit...

So of course, the next order of business was to do some landscaping around her home....


Husband, Tim, cleaned out her house (which meant we had to lift and carry to driveway), raked the area where it sat,  and put fresh timothy hay downstairs and recycled pet bedding upstairs in her loft. We put the house back in its spot 'neath the big hack berry tree with the ivy creeping up, I set the old chair with a pot of angel ivy, and the rabbit planter with the pansies next to it.

It looked much better, but it just needed one more thing.... violets!

Today, as I went outside to get some Vitamin D, via sunshine, for my long bones...I took a little basket and trowel to the hydrangea bed where I had spotted the huge quantity of purple blooms...


Aren't these just the sweetest little flowers?

Here they are in the little wheelbarrow from little mr. mcgregor's garden...


Yes, by now my endorphins have kicked into high gear, and I am experiencing the sheer joy that is a result of play and sunshine and digging in dirt...best therapy in the wide wide world.

Off we go to Miss Violet's with a pretty basket...


She sniffs...which is what she does, remember?



And with her approval, I commence planting...


I made sure they wouldn't be in the way, when it comes time for another house cleaning...
and I think they look perfectly perfect in every way...



And so does Miss Violet "Sniffy" Bunnybun.....there, now, every one's happy.

I went back around with the garden hose to give everything a good soaking, in case that rain doesn't make it down our way, and made sure I used my pink watering can to sprinkle the new little flowers as gently as I did the hollyhocks, just transferred to the "nursery" in front of the bed that will be their future home, once they're a little sturdier....


I caught a glimpse of our first rose bud, in the little knock out rose "tree" by the front fence post...

Now it is officially spring, here at Grammy's House...
Rose Water Cottage.


A "Peter Rabbit Birthday Tea Party"... for big girls

I told my mother the other day...."I don't think I was quite finished with childhood. There was too much school.... with all those books, and dissecting frogs, and learning chemical charts..." I continued..." If I could have stayed home and learned to sew and draw and paint and garden and knit and needlepoint and bake....I would have been so much happier."
Turning 50, that number so many women dread, gave me a license to return to the things I loved so much as a child, without feeling the need to explain.
So when a dear sisterfriend, just last week, arrived at this landmark age, I decided we would have a tea party for two....
This is how we turn 50 at Grammy's House...

Fix up a pretty basket of goodies...filling with all those little things your friend loves...add lots of tissue paper and bows...


Pull out the paints and make pretty handmade cards...or anything else handmade, for to give a part of oneself is the only truly wonderful gift...


Take advantage of the occasion as motivation for cleaning and decorating...


Books by Tasha Tudor provide inspiration for vignettes...indoors...


and out...these are the eggs I acquired from Tasha Tudor and Family last spring.  They are blown quail, goose, and duck eggs, decorated by Natalie and the girls there at the Rookery, with German gold Dresden trim, velvet ribbons, and pretty tassels...


They are only hanging from my little tree on the front porch on these mild sunny days. 
Windy, rainy days..they will have to come inside.

Bring the outdoors in...an old watering can...in Peter Rabbit blue...holds lovely silk hydrangeas and roses (until the real ones bloom:)

Set a pretty table...


Susan Branch used books as a centerpiece for one of her dinner parties...I was moved...I had never thought of it. The sweet quilt give the table a cozy, inviting feel, and I love looking on the books about Beatrix Potter...the colors are so soft...


So I painted the little place cards with soft colors, as well. I thought the little leaf dish (which, for now, we'll call a cabbage/lettuce leaf since a rabbit is sitting atop:) was perfectly perfect ...and I only had two of them...even more perfect!

Enough playing around with the decor...it's time to get cooking...

Carrot Cupcakes (recipe by Susan Branch) are what we shall serve with tea...this isn't High Tea...and we are watching our calorie intake these days...so these yummy, delicious, packed-full-of-goodness cupcakes are just the thing...with, of course, the decadent cream cheese frosting, which we refuse to factor into the count...


She also offers the Peter Rabbit Cupcake Kit in her webstore...along with the Peter Rabbit napkins to match.

I commence with the gathering and combining of ingredients...and then onto the tedious part...grating the carrots...the old fashioned way (no room in this tiny cottage kitchen for a food processor, so I'm the food processor:)

As I'm measuring out the baking soda and baking powder with these precious heart-shaped measuring spoons...I think of my precious niece who gave them to me as a Christmas gift a while back. She is now on a long long road to recuperating from Gillian Barre ...it has been debilitating, but her will is strong and her faith is stronger.  She is a dear young woman who needs our prayers.


At this point, Scout is at my feet, dodging my every move around the cozy space, so I finally set her on the rocking chair in the corner, where she can keep watch...and not be underfoot...
Not happy at first....

She eventually settles in and ends her pout. Silly girl!

Now to add the finely chopped walnuts....


I then add the fluffy, snowy white coconut...

This red pyrex bowl is the only original wedding gift my mother still has/had...for she has "loaned" it to me.  It has seen a blue million yeast roll recipes...and that is why Mother agreed to let me "borrow" it. I promised that, along with her recipe...handwritten by her...I would learn to make those delicious homemade yeast rolls and carry on the tradition.  We always had a honeybear  and tub of butter that was passed around the table. With a scoop and a drizzle, whipped into a creamy concoction, on those hot from the oven rolls, we experienced absolute heaven!

After the golden raisins and crushed pineapple is added and stirred, the cupcake cups are filled two-thirds full....

While we're waiting for the yummies to bake, I'll tell you a little bit about my recipe box.  On one of Susan's posts a couple of months ago...she was having a giveaway for an old wooden recipe box, filled with interesting old recipes along with some of her own...lyrics to a favored song, a sweet note card, and colorful hand painted recipes were included and had me mesmerized.  I had saved scribbled recipes and thought that I should have recopied them to be much neater, but never got around to it. I had recipe cards that were so old and faded, the ink faded from drops of water...you get the idea...
But now, I realized I could embrace all of that, and decided to search out a large wooden recipe box, old and used, to be my little memory keeper.
My dear husband called to me from the computer, for he loves to do searches...."how about this one?"
Perfect!
It now holds quite a collection of memories...

When dear Miss Sue posts a recipe on her blog...and they are all delicious...I copy it down and then create a pretty, illustrated version to go in my box. It serves as continual practice with watercolors and new techniques I'm always trying out...
It also holds a handkersniff lavender sachet, so that I always remember how fragrant the kitchen was, the first time I combined the ingredients for the Victorian Lavender Cookies with Rose Water Icing...from my friend Laura at The Scented Cottage blog...

I painted a new set of 5 x 7 recipe cards since the box was too large for the other set I had made...leaving them dwarfed by the recipes...goodness...it is supposed to be the other way around...

I couldn't believe I still had a recipe I copied from a magazine in 1982, when I was a young bride with a brand new job as a medical assistant....I was a terrible cook, starting out, and was trying so hard to improve in my domestic skills. Again...if I hadn't had to go to school....sigh....


This is my all-time favorite...The crock pot recipe for Spaghetti Sauce from one of my dearest friends in the world. She gave it to me when I was expecting my first child, Matthew, and I would put it together early in the morning, before going to work...and have a wonderful meal in the evening. This of course, only after the morning, noon, and evening nausea stage had passed....

I even remember the old fountain pen and blue/black ink I used to write the recipe...The pen had been my mother's. After finding a trunk filled with all her old notebooks and journals, written in fountain pen blue/black ink...I wanted to be just like her and write everything with that same color ink, using an old pen. Things haven't changed a bit...still love my fountain pens...

So, will you look at your old recipe box a little differently now? It is your very own memory keeper...something you can pass down to your children...which I have now started doing. For now, I have just made color copies of recipes from their grandmothers, aunts, and family friends....someday, they'll get the originals...

Since the cupcakes are now filling the kitchen with the most wonderful aroma, and the timer shows only 8 more minutes...it's icing making time...


Look at all the prettiness in that bowl...no calories there...my goodness, no!

Add 3 teaspoons of this...using the pretty heart-shaped measuring spoon...


Whip it up and try hard not to lick it all right out of the bowl...for you'll need every little bit to spread on these...


Oh, this is when a "sniff" button would be so handy!

Here's how they look, sitting pretty on the 3 tiered server I came across at the Country Charm Antique Mall down the street...



Girlfriends, kindreds, sisterfriends...young and old...need a good tea party every now and then...whether it's to celebrate a milestone, a birthday, a birthday that's a milestone....take a day and play. No stress allowed...much twirling around puppies and kitties in the kitchen required...lots of smell good candles to mingle with the aromas flowing from the kitchen...and pretty music playing (songbirds on a  CD serenaded us)  No serious conversation permitted and only hugs and kisses when you part...
The bliss that follows a day like this, is worth every ounce of effort and relaxed planning...remember..no stress!  Start thinking about someone who needs a special little celebration just for them.  We just have to take care of each other...and we wind up with a blessing, as well.


After my sweet sisterfriend departed...and still on a tea party "high"...I took out the new package of lace trim for cabinets...and in the blink of an eye, peel and press, here are the results....


It makes everything in the old cupboard even prettier....



I always loved seeing trim like this in china cupboards and shelves in farm and cottage kitchens, and now that I have this sweet kitchen, with glass cabinet doors...I had to search. On Amazon.com....I found this vinyl lace trim. It's durable and washable and gives just that extra little touch of hominess.

Well, I'm off now to water the growing things before the lawn mowers come this afternoon. Have a wonderful, blessed, spring day, dearest friends....


Christie

Journaling Spring...Susan Branch Style

I am an avid follower of Susan Branch's Blog 
(the artist/illustrator/author/recipe queen and much more).
She inspires so very many 'girlfriends' to follow their dreams, 
make home a wonderful place to be, 
and to find time to jot down the memories of their lives as they happen. 

This is my tribute to her, for inspiring me to continue with my journaling efforts. 
Thank you, Dear Sue.

Spring has come extra early this year, and extra fast, 
and I can hardly document its progress fast enough.

I have always loved journals...all kinds...and for all different interests...
and I had happened to make a purchase from Amazon.com 
of a great little moleskin watercolor sketch book.  
It has been the perfect size to record spring...
especially since this is our first spring in our little cottage, 
and there are surprises all around.

Our Weeping Cherry tree, in the front corner of our little postage stamp-sized yard is like a little bouquet God gave me to look upon, and remember how much He loves me...


This Singer sewing machine, circa 1920, was a gift from my mother and dad...
because THEY love me so much...


So when I sit down to piece this quilt I've been working on...I am wrapped in love...

I pick a small twig with the softest pink blossoms and commence sketching and painting...


The blossoms are pressed within the pages a few days later.

The update on the Bradford Pear tree, through my sunroom window....it looked like snow....pear blossom snow...


The petals completely covered the driveway...it was beautiful while it lasted...and now we have green..


And my Amen Corner is cheering the arrival of Spring...


You remember Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, don't you? And now sweet Chicky-chick has joined the 'corner'

I have a journal I purchased when we moved to Rose Water Cottage last June. 
I like to have guests sign and/or leave their good wishes,
 I tuck ticket stubs from the concerts we've attended at the old Franklin Theatre, 
and have now begun to use it as a dinner party journal, as well, 
after seeing Susan's post of the one she uses and has had for many many years.
This was a journal entry from last fall, when we took Xavier to a train exhibit at Cheekwood, here in Nashville....

Grandaughter Kyleigh spent the night with us, and when she saw my journal, she wanted to make her very own entry...


When Xavier came for his next visit, and saw Kyleigh's entry....yes, you guessed it...he wanted to make his own...


And then, just last week, I entered our 'family night'. We try to have these for the ones who can come, and always cook their favorite comfort foods. 
Again, thankful to Susan for tips on things to include in the entry...date, weather, time, guests, menu, topics of interest, special memory...


This, from a few weeks ago, is entered in the journal I use for the grandkids...things they've said, that are quite profound, or funny, or thoughtful....always precious and priceless....


I love Susan Branch's collection of stickers and embellishments, for I don't always have time to sketch a little drawing. This next entry is from last fall.  I made it, after Tim and I had to bite our tongues to keep serious faces as Xavier 'waited on me'...


He is quite an imaginative and animated little fella, and I could squeeze him to pieces when those big blue eyes over his freckled little nose look my way...so serious...oh my goodness, there's nothing better!

This is what the journal looks like on the outside....I just love it...


Another author/illustrator I admire and look to for inspiration, advice, and friendship...
is Jeri Landers. 
Her blog, Hopalong Hollow Gazette, 
is always pure joy, and she includes a link to her process of writing books.  

When I was beginning my journey of writing and illustrating, 
I took notes of the supplies she used...
paper, watercolors, mechanical pencils, 
even the wonderful journal she uses for sketching and taking notes as she plots a new book. 
Had to have one....needed all the inspiration I could gather around me....


I loved the waterfall and the trees embossed in my favorite shade of green. 

This is the mess I create on the inside...


It's where I work through the ideas for the story...scribbling, scratching out, more scribbling....
until it takes form. 
Thank you, Jeri, for sharing your process with us!

The other morning, I was at my art table...still in my p.j.s, Scout curled up asleep in my lap...


I couldn't keep my eyes away from the window...looking out over all the things sprouting, shooting, springing...
So, in my jammies, leaving Scout on the porch to have a sunbath...


....I took my camera to snap a few photos to share with you....


Tim and I had noticed this patch of 'grass' days before, and then, all of a sudden...on the first day of spring, there were blooms...tiny little 'bells'.... what are these tiny little sweet flowers? Please tell us, if you know...


Here's the iris bed...can hardly wait to see my favorite purple ones...the color of my wellies.


And the ivy we set out last year is making its way toward and up the big hackberry tree...


One of the six hydrangea bushes (out of the seven we set last summer) is producing foliage...
and I am ecstatic to meet those big moppy-headed blooms...


Pansies that have hung on through the winter...


....and the hollyhock sprouts are out of the kitchen garden window and sitting on the table between the back porch rockers, awaiting planting as soon as they have acclimated...


Last summer, I was privileged to meet, in person, a dear woman who had been visiting my blog. 
Once she realized we lived only minutes away from each other, 
we arranged to meet at a sweet little bakery in town, for coffee. 
She gifted me with a copy of the beautiful Victoria Bliss Gardening issue. 

Tucked inside was this lovely, handwritten note that I treasure...


We are kindred spirits, Mary and I, in every way. 
When we realized our shared love for the movie/book Cranford...we were delighted.  
When she saw my last post, highlighting the sweet Snowdrops, she made a request.  
I went to gather some of the petite blooms and found there were only two left...out of all those patches...only two!  
Aha! One for me, one for her....for pressing, the way the sisters did in Cranford...



and at last it is entered in the journal..


 I begin the entry of the tiny mystery flower...


And here it is, completed...


At first, my main purpose for this sketchbook was to document the blooms.
I have now learned, it is a lesson in patience and in studying minute details that I never took time to notice...
finding just the right shade of paint....
and I realize what a novice I am. 
But I keep sketching ...and painting...and eventually there will be improvement. 
Embrace the journey....
embrace ...the...journey...

The other evening, before the sun set, I stepped outside barefooted, 
feeling the cool grass, (feeling a bit like Tasha Tudor)
and snapped a photo of the dogwood in the opposing corner of the front yard, 
as its buds were beginning to open...


...a reminder that Resurrection Day will soon be upon us.

The Tulip Poplar in the center of our yard (which is our state tree:) was boasting small buds that will soon form yellow tulip-like blooms...


and another photo of our weeping cherry...


A tiny wild violet (one of many that dot the front yard) in the rose bed....


I will close this post with one of my favorite journals...not just because its one created by Susan Branch...but because it is my Gratitude journal....


It reminds me to stop...for just a minute..each day...and write down what I am thankful for, 
whether it's something small, like pizza with a nephew, 
or something incredibly miraculous...
an answer to prayers...


So today, I am thankful for the spring bouquet from our Heavenly Father...
visits from you, my dear kindreds...and a precious woman, Susan Branch, 
who writes heartfelt posts reminding us of how grateful we should be for the ordinary...
the simple things..that make life so special.
Happy Spring!


This bouquet is made up of our tulip poplar, weeping cherry, and the dogwood tree in the neighbor's yard after a spring shower.

Blessings, friends....Have a wonderful weekend!

Snowdrops and Violets and Freckles on Children

.....these are a few of my favorite things....

The first wild violet of spring, was spied this week.  Its tiny purple petals made my heart skip a beat.
I opened my new watercolor sketch book and made my first entry...


The lenten rose, blooming along the path to the backyard, and the snowdrops, abounding as well, and a cluster of blossoms from the pear trees, became a tiny bouquet, along with the violet....


I later pressed the soft petals between the pages of the sketch book...


I then remembered the shamrocks found and pressed last year, in the pages of a Kate Douglas Wiggins book....

Inside the book was a sweet remembrance...


Each time the rain showers end, there is more color, buds begin to open a little bit more....
And here is the Bradford pear outside my window in the sun room...in all its glory...


This is my favorite season of all...when all things become new.
The hollyhock seedlings are ever-reaching for the sunshine streaming in the garden window...



Our grandson Xavier came to spend some time with us, and it was decided this would be a perfectly perfect day for a visit to Mamaw's farm.  As she was recuperating from a fall and anxious to be out in the garden...we brought a bit of the garden to her. 
A sweet poesy of snowdrops and lenten roses....


The lovely old book, Poetry of Flowers, revealed "Snowdrops bringeth hope and spring." The poesy was fashioned in a similar manner to that of our friends Dianne and Sarah at Corgyncombe Courant.  In the movie Cranford, Snowdrops were the gift to a young girl, by her suitor. Such sweetness in one tiny flower, nodding the message of hope and spring.

We arrived at the farm, greeted sweet Mamaw with hugs and flowers and the old book, for her perusal in the days ahead... and then Xavier and I were off to gather daffodils for his mommy...

He stops for a pose beside the bright yellow blooms...



In the bright sunshine, the sweet freckles on his nose make this Grammy smile...


We are so thrilled to find a few violets peeking out from the dried leaves.

This old farm has seen generations come and go...for it was the home of dear Mamaw's in-laws.  Many of the daffodils we see today were planted over 100 years ago.  We are fascinated by the passing of time evidenced by an old cedar post....


and an ancient door on an out building, with its ancient hinge...


I ask Xavier to stand there by the old door, and even he is curious, "Grammy what's in there?" We save that adventure for another time, and he smiles sweetly, holding the bouquet of flowers for his mommy..


...and there, again, are those darling freckles on that cherubic face.  He has my heart, in every way,  even sharing my love for old doors...

I head back inside to visit and knit and share stories, Xavier follows Ted the dog as he plays around the yard, and wonderful husband takes shovel in hand and tackles the 40 year old hydrangea bush.  For the second time, we are transplanting some of it to our home. The last transplant went to the house with the "marshmallow tree" where it continues to thrive...and now this one will be planted outside our front window. 
The bare stalks are just beginning to reveal their fresh green leaves....


We water and fertilize and receive spring showers with grateful hearts...and pray...


and wait with great anticipation for those glorious blues and purples and pinks to decide who will take the lead on this lovely lady standing humbly beyond the curtains of Grammy's House.

Eastlake Front Door turns One Hundred Four

It is true...I confessed it...we purchased the Eastlake Front Door with twist doorbell...and a precious little cottage was attached...
There you have it...I love old doors...all kinds...and I have photographed them for years, whenever we travel to historic towns.  If only they could talk....

On Wednesday...an awfully spring-like day, I decided it was the perfect day to begin the project of painting the front door. I had decided on the color while painting the teeny tiny Pie and the Patty Pan book ...


Duchess is standing at Ribby's door ...her soft blue-green door...that's it! I knew what color I would use to turn our Eastlake Front Door into a precious cottage door...

Off to fetch paint...with tiny book in hand (Not the teeny tiny book..the original tiny book:)
I searched the paint chip/cards and came upon the exact shade, and what a name it had...Topiary Tint. Could it be any more perfect?

Wednesday morning was a bit chilly, so while I was waiting for the temperatures to climb, I set to the enjoyable task of bringing spring into the cottage.  We had recently acquired the solid maple love seats from my parents, and the fabric was worn from years of enjoyment.  The reupholstery project is on the back burner so I came upon a way to improvise.  The flea market find of vintage damask table cloths and our 2 feather down comforters were laundered, fluffed, and spritzed with a wrinkle release product. After much tucking and retucking, and spritzing, and smoothing...this was the result...


I pulled out the sweet pillow covers that I had purchased last summer, to slip over wintery fabric. I also brought in my oversized pillow for added comfort. The soft vintage chenille spread acquired last fall is a perfect throw on these chilly mornings. Scout loves our knitting time and the soft chenille...


I was so tickled to receive 3 sets of knitting needles from my Aunt Lea ...who purchased them in 1966 upon our return from Africa. My parents served as missionaries there, for two years, and Mother learned to knit, while there. She taught my aunt to knit, once we were home and settled.  Mother had given me her collection of needles years and years ago...somewhere along the way though, and much to my dismay, I lost track of them..gave them away...I'm not even sure, now, for at the time, I had no interest in knitting... So, thankfully,  I now at least have the same type of needles that she had used. Here, I am using one of the sets to work a dishcloth...

Here are the three sets...


Last night, I completed another dishcloth, using the size 8 red needles, which is really the perfect size for the cloth. The silver needles are a size 5, and that cloth seems just the right size for holding the handle of the tea kettle once it begins to sing...from happiness..


and it hangs from the perfect spot, close by...

 (Yes, I left the clothespins holding up the crocheted pillow case curtains...when you reside in a cottage...things like this look so charming)

The time was now perfect to open the front door and commence preparations. As there were many bubbles in the existing paint, I "popped" them...here is what I found....


 ....just hang on...it gets worse...


....my sweet Eastlake Front Door, turning one hundred four, was talking to me...
"Oh, I am so embarrassed...do you see what my former owners did to me...it is truly a travesty, don't you think?"
I answered, by proceeding with the heartsickening task...


"Oh, my good gracious, sweet door!" I was gasping at each pull of paint revealing the garish blue paint. No wonder the neighbors had been pulling in the drive over the past several months, thanking us for all we were doing for the little cottage, formerly referred to as "the sad little cottage" in dire need of TLC.

As I had no idea what a mess this would be...and lacking the time and energy and resources for a full renovation...
I covered the entire mess with a coat of Kilz ... and then added a bit extra, over the worst parts.
It was a lovely breezy day, which contributed to the quick drying.  It was time to apply the Topiary Tint.
The door was restored to storybook cottage sweetness (a great name for a paint color, I think:) and a few things arranged on the front porch, completes the project...


I slipped out this morning to catch a photo in the morning sunshine...


And then had to show you how exciting it is to watch things sprout in our kitchen garden window 'garden'....

I had buried little holly hock seeds into the potting soil, a 1/2 inch into the soil, several days ago.  Yesterday, they made their appearance and today, I could see the seed cover being pushed up by a couple of the sprouts. No matter how many times I have viewed this miracle, from kindergarten paper cup projects to witnessing outdoor flower pot sprouts each spring ...it never ceases to amaze me. Heaven help us to never lose that child-like wonder....


The birds are singing out my window...the cardinal redbirds are announcing their beauty..."Purty purty purty"... and all is right with the world...here in our little world at Grammy's House, the cottage attached to the door that turned one hundred four.

Have a wonderful weekend, kindreds,
Christie

Quilts and Handkersniffs...

It is winter...still...so the bed gets piled higher and higher with quilts.

I found this jewel...in all the soft 'Peter Rabbit colors'...at the flea market last weekend....


...along with this one....


and, as they were purchased together...the dealer made us a bit of a deal. I was simply ecstatic to find such treasures in one fell swoop!

This is a close up of the Dresden Plate...


I cannot tell you how long I have 'longed' for quilts with these soft colors, from years gone by. Those old fabrics and patterns call to my heart.

The other thing that has called to my heart for as long as I can remember, are soft ancient handkersniffs...as Mrs. Tiggy Winkle refers to them....and I am very particular about which ones I choose.  Many of you remember the story of the handkersniff that became Eliza's kerchief..(those who are new to my blog can scroll through archives to April '11 "meet the newest little residents at Grammy's House" and catch up with us, here:)  Well, I have saved the remainder of the sniff in my sewing basket, and then in the "portfolio" box I carried to the Publisher...


containing all of Eliza's tiny effects...


...and then, the other day, as I was perusing around blog land...this wonderful land I have come to love...
I found a new kindred, sewing handkerchief patches onto her linen blouse. The lightbulb atop my head, went off and sounded the alarm in my heart!  Julie Whitmore, whose blog is named juliewhitmorepottery...is a genius in my book! Please visit her and see what I mean. Her pottery with hedgehogs, as precious as Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, one of our dearest friends around this cottage...will have you bewitched. Her hollyhocks, forget-me-nots, foxes, and such are charming beyond imagination.
After a sleepless night, I awoke to plan my sewing project. I found a linen blouse I had owned for ages...so if it was a total failure, no major loss. But if it turned out well, it would be the sweetest article of clothing, ever.

I pod in my lap, to the side, and sewing materials, hanky patches cut, quilting thread in needle, I began...


I had never even attempted a button hole stitch, but Julie demonstrated hers...so I learned...


My heart patch was a little wide and squatty...but it did look awfully sweet with the Rose quilting thread.  I was on my way...

I was attempting to situate my pieces on my blouse as Julie had, but I just had to add an extra heart...


The hanky trimmed in pink, was found at the gardening shop in town, in her "vintage linens" basket...I raided it, of course!

These patches will be added next...


At this point...enter, stage right, little grandson Xavier, who has come to spend the weekend. All sewing comes to a halt, as he wants his Grammy to sit with him in the sun room as he rewaxes on the wicker daybed, feeding teeny bites of biscuit to teeny little Scout....


After catching up on his day at school, learning that Mrs. V had come to visit, wearing vegetable pants:)
I was able to resume my stitching...

I wanted you to see this beautiful spool of quilting thread, alongside my old tomato pincushion...

The green felt leaves are held on by the pins..poor old thing...and the pink ribbon would be sweet attached somewhere on the blouse. I'll have to do some experimenting.

So just one patch left...


Here's one last look at a button hole stitch, in case you're wanting to learn, as well...


The project was finally complete...


and we were off to bed....little boys don't think they're tired, but Grammys and Big Daddys know better.

This morning, I awoke to find a little boy had been playing in the kitchen...with Patty Patty and Tara Squirrel and Eliza and his cars and the teaset...only a little fella knows what this is all about...


Tara Squirrel came out to play at Patty Patty's home, when she heard all the buzz about Grammy's little books....Squirrel Nutkin, even though he is quite the rascal, is her hero...


Maybe you remember her from a post last spring, (Patty Patty and Tara Squirrel's Baking Day..April '11)...she and Patty Patty made thumbprint cookies in the old black cookstove....There, you will find Tara's story.

She is a little red squirrel, who like Squirrel Nutkin and his cousins, are becoming quite scarce...I read that on the bottom of my new Emma Bridgewater Red Squirrel mug.

Here, they are enjoying a tiny tea party...


Our day began, after coffee of course, and I commenced stitching on another project....a very old, very worn, soft linen pillowslip, with tears...the hanky scraps used as patches would be adorable.

I had left the tomato pin cushion in the living room, so I had Xavier fetch one I had purchased at the Bella Rustica Barn Sale last fall...


Isn't it darling?...an icecream dish with a hanky and a sparkly bird ornament.

This is the project completed...


Ms. Julie, I can never thank you enough for planting seeds of inspiration. I can't wait for the flea market next month...I'll be making a bee-line for the booth with hundreds of these dear old friends.

There is just something about those colors and patterns.... I even have a handkerchief portfolio for my greeting cards...


...it holds the newest set of recipe cards I just completed, along with the instruction booklet pages for Eliza's Mouse Making Kit...soon to be printed..


The "portfolio" came from victoriantradingco.com and held 16 vintage look handkerchiefs. The mouse making kit will contain one or two of them..
Here, you can see some of the work I'm doing on my little kit, a wooden box, which will have paintings of Eliza affixed...

Of course, Scout is my big helper...she insists on making her nest right in the very middle of my lap, to ensure that all work is difficult for me to manage...but look how sweet she looks. Who could ever fuss at this little bundle of preciousness?

Xavier has played hard and helped Big Daddy bring in groceries, so as a treat, he receives a bowl of fresh strawberries...


and rewaxes on the quilt on the wicker daybed...there's just something about those colors and patterns and soft old fabric...


Please make a visit to my friend Julie Whitmore and tell her I sent you her way...

Have a wonderful remainder of your weekend.
Blessings,
Christie

Oh, it's so good to be back!

At long last....
I have so much to share with you...surprises popping up ...

 ...in the most unexpected places....

and along the path to the backyard...

sweetness in bloom...



....this beautiful Lenten Rose was almost pulled out last summer, due to Grammy's lack of knowledge on the subject. My goodness, what we would have missed if our dear friend hadn't pointed out with great excitement, what we had here on this sweet little path.

There are buds on the Japanese Lilac we planted last summer,
white fluffy buds ready to burst on the Bradford Pears lining the drive...This is what I see of them through my lace curtains...


... and buds on the little dogwood in the front yard.
The roses have fared well and are beginning to put on new growth.
This spring like weather and rain showers, weekly, have everything ahead of schedule.
Mother brought me a bouquet of daffodils to church last Sunday....

(our own way of honoring my baby girl, Rachel Rose, born on 2-26-85 died on 2-27-85 and the daffodils were in bloom. So every year, when they appear, we remember.. )

such beautiful harbingers of Spring!

I have updated the sunroom.  As I spend long days and nights in this space, working on my little Eliza books and a line of greeting cards, I wanted it to be a place I couldn't wait to enter each morning.  So I did a little makeover on my big lampshade. ..

I hung old lace tablecloths as curtains, and brought a big comfy pillow with vintage case, for the wicker daybed. This is the most magical place to paint and create.  The light coming through the lace curtains in the mornings is dappled...inspiring the creation of sweet sentiments....


Which then creates a longing for tea biscuits and a cup of tea....


Before you ask...here's the recipe....



Which then brought about the creation of more greetings...


....best wishes...

and a final sentiment to the sweetness of a newborn babe....


I sat in front of the cozy crackling fire in the ancient fireplace, and thanked God for honoring my efforts...

And for the support and love of a wonderfully romantic husband...


In the Cottage Kitchen...
...all is well with Eliza and her friend Patty Patty. They each have their own "abode" as they were both acquiring quite a bit of belongings.
This is Patty Patty's home....


and this is Eliza's new home ...where Xavier is trying to situate her in Patty Patty's rocker....


They have been making "punkin pies" according to this sweet little grandson, and they are enjoying tea and cookies, as well.


He is pure sweetness, as he plays with the little friends Saturday morning, while still wearing his jammies....


He's grown so tall, he no longer needs to stand on his little stool.

He looks up and says, "Grammy, you know what Ewiza said?  She said they had a good sleep!"


Those big blue eyes melt my world!

He makes sure they have their reading material handy...


I created the little books by wrapping tiny craft store books with green scrap book paper, drawing the picture on tiny scraps of watercolor paper, using rapidograph to outline, and then painting pictures with watercolor.  Here are a couple more photos...


The Tailor of Gloucester is one of my favorites.

And then The Pie and the Patty Pan....


...and Squirrel Nutkin...


But of course, The Tale of Peter Rabbit is our favorite...


Speaking of Peter Rabbit....he's hopping up to the growing lettuce brought from Orlando by my brother..it's Flashy Troutback lettuce...as the leaves resemble a trout..


So I was inspired to put the kettle on...the 'antique rose' kettle...and waited for it to "sing from happiness...for that is home"...


...and prepared a pot of Paris tea...


...in the sweet little Jemima teapot, and poured the steeped tea into a dainty Shelley china tea cup (made in England).  Hot tea tastes even more delicious in a delicate cup. The pattern is called Rosebud...isn't that just too perfectly sweet.


This is Xavier's latest work at the chalkboard....it's the alphabet with pictures to represent the letters he knows...

Life is wonderful, here at the cottage, on this 29th of February, and we are leaping into an exciting future! More to come....
Have a lovely evening, my kindreds!
Blessings,
Christie

Hello Friends!

I wanted to post an update on our upcoming return to the blogworld....I have missed all of you terribly!
I am hopeful that my efforts to acquire more space for photos, through Google, have been successful. We shall see, within the next 24 hours. Please, please stay with me....cross your fingers and toes and say your prayers tonight, for I have so much to share with you!  These are incredibly exciting days here at Grammy's House, and I am thankful every day for each of you who check in on me and/or are keeping me in your thoughts.

Soon,
Christie

Googly-goo

Dear Friends,

I have missed posting, and now that I see so many of your sweet comments and emails, I must let you know there is a reason I have been away, temporarily..of course.

I am not the most computer savvy Grammy, so I was confused when I found I could no longer upload new photos to my blog unless I purchased more space. I could use a simple tutorial, if any of you have experienced a similar situation, and could ease my dilemma, in short and simple terminology and phrases.
I would be ever so grateful...as I have photos for 3 posts waiting in the wings for "take off"...

I can tell you, also, that Eliza's second book is well on its way...still sorting through avenues of publishing options.

Blessings, dear kindreds,
Christie

Cedar Displays and a Fraser Fir

I am so glad you all enjoyed the delightful adventure we had, gathering cedar...please know that all trees being cut down, were along fence rows and were needing to be cleared.

Please join me, as I take you along my journey of decorating our property with the portion of cedar we collected....

I brought out a wonderful piece, crafted by my talented mother-in-law.....


...Santa, looking through an old, old window....  I added the cedar swag, ribbon, and the little nest I had found the weekend before, in the friendly cedar tree.

I played around with my daughter's sled, some magnolia branches and came up with this display for the front porch....


I have discovered, a sprig of evergreen, pinecones, burlap and gingham ribbon make anything festive.


Even the Tulip Poplar Inn....


I removed the pumpkins and hay from atop the urns and added branches of cedar and magnolia.  I created big bows from a 6" wide satiny wired ribbon....


As the sun was setting fast... I moved the garden cart to the side of the house and filled it with the blue berry laden boughs and a grapevine wreath...


In its place, I brought out the vintage firetruck the grand children have enjoyed driving around back...


I then created a swag of magnolia and cedar to place over the front door...


It's all beginning to come together...and as I am walking inside, completely exhausted.... a woman pulls into our driveway. She introduces herself, tells me she lives close by, and just wanted me to know how much she and the others in our area have appreciated all we're doing for this little house.  I told her, this is our dream house...how long we have wanted a sweet cottage to love and tend to, decorate and enjoy!
Made my day, to say the least...and I slept like a baby that night.

Saturday brought the perfect weather to work on the back porch, for we enjoy this as much as any of the rooms in the house, and make it into a cozy, festive entrance....

I wound floral wire around the cedar boughs attaching them to the railing, added a string of clear lights, gingham ribbon and a gold mesh ribbon, as well.

I then try my hand at creating a sweet little vignette using the child size wheel barrow from England and the giant pinecones I purchased at our local craft store...


The baby buggy was next...an antique spotted by sister-in-law Mechelle...


I used artificial greenery for this display...and gave little Bushky Bushybottom his own sleigh to pull a tiny tree. (Xavier has named the squirrel after Jeri Landers' character in her book, of same name.)

Whilst I work, diligently, Xavier is working diligently, as well...he even asked for work gloves, too, as Grammy is wearing hers...


He is helping Big Daddy stack the firewood close to the back door....cold temperatures and snow flurries will be on their way, soon.

By that evening, we are pleased with the results of our efforts....






Inside, a festive table setting is prepared...I always imagine that Tasha Tudor would enjoy dining with us....using golden Yarrow, a red turkish table cloth (the kind she favored), and the blue willow dishes...


and the hutch, that was painted Modestly Peach, this summer, has had Christmas decor added, that blends beautifully with this unconventional color scheme...


On Sunday afternoon, Husband brings home the first fresh Christmas tree we have enjoyed together...
and I realize, this is the Fragrance of Christmas...


As water is added, and the branches relax over night, I begin decorating the tree...


With the tree reaching almost 10 feet in height...I am able to enjoy spacing the cherished ornaments, that they might be viewed and appreciated individually. I also realize, there is room to add the children's stockings, a favorite vintage Santa card,

a loved doll and book from childhood...


the hand painted ball from Austria...


the wooden Katie Wolfhart ornaments from Germany...


and even the first homemade ornament I crafted, after setting up housekeeping in 1980, as a young bride.


I had made so many of these, but over these many years, I was surprised to find one in the depths of the box of old ornaments.

Scout believes I might need her help unwrapping the Old World Christmas ornaments...especially the Yorkie....



Tearing up tissue paper is what she does best....but how can this Grammy stay upset...look at that face...


Eliza's tree is arranged in the kitchen by her wood stove, a string of lights for decoration, and a cooling rack of gingerbread treats....she's a happy little mouse....


With the Christmas music playing on the stereo, the fragrance of the Fir, I was compelled to commence baking....

Biscuits were in order, as I was warming up a portion of field peas cooked with a ham bone....and after perusing Susan Branch's book Autumn, I found a recipe for Farmhouse Biscuits....perfect!


My first attempt at "made from scratch" biscuits...I was so excited!

I then moved on, to fill the need of my sweet tooth, to Molasses cookies....using Sorghum Molasses.
Rum Truffles would follow, and all would be placed on the doilied cake stand, alongside my mother's delicious pound cake with dried fruit and nuts. Visitors enjoy a little treat, when they stop by...


I am finally seeing the light at the end of the decorating tunnel....


And it is then time to say goodnight...


It is hard to sleep, knowing that an enchanted fairytale exists in the next room...but...I eventually succumb to slumber.

The only thing that has been missing, in all of our preparations for the season that is Christmastide, is a fire in the fireplace...
Smoke billows into the room, at every trial run....what to do....

Tuesday morning the grate arrived. I could not contain my excitement, so the box was opened, directions read, everything in place....
Voila...we have fire...

Forever, and a day, I have longed for this...living in a little cottage and warming my hands before a cozy fire at Christmas.  Do you see the Tasha Tudor collection of Christmas books in the basket, there...all of them depict this very scene...but in a log cabin.  We were not meant to have a cabin of logs, but we have had the precious gift of a Victorian Cottage. How blessed we are.

So, this morning, after awaking to a chill in the house, I made haste to the wood pile, brewed a cup of coffee, retrieved my little Scout, and began our "knittin' time"....the time this little girl loves best....


She snuggles down for her nap...


And all is well, here at Rose Water Cottage...


and our prayer is that all is well at your cottage, villa, mansion, or humble abode. 

May God bless you, as we enter this season to celebrate the birth of His Son....our Saviour. 

Always~
Grammy Christie