For Fans Of Beatrix Potter

You can well imagine Kep's weary frustration when he returned to the barn after chasing the fox. His paws were sore and one ear had been ripped open when he tried to quarry Reynard under a thorn bush. But before he went off to have a bit of a lie-down and recover himself, he knelt down to peer under the feedbox in the barn to make sure that Jemima was safe.

Susan Wittig Albert's book titled The Tale of Hawthorn House (fourth in the series), is a delight from start to finish. Beatrix's Potter's stories have enchanted readers for a century. Now, fans young and old can enjoy Albert's Cottage Tale Mysteries, starring Miss Potter herself.

Although having Hill Top Farm to run, Beatrix and her animal friends are left pondering the possibility of fairy folk involvement in some utterly puzzling happenings...... For amateur detectives, this is delightful. Blessings..... Dee Dee

Her Focus Was Children.....

"Watering The Foxglove" by Jessie Wilcox Smith

I became familiar with Jessie Wilcox Smith when my children were young. Although enjoying her life as a teacher, she had an even greater fondness for drawing. Those of us who think highly of her work are ever so thankful that she went on to perfect her talent.

Jessie Wilcox Smith, was well known for painting covers of Good Housekeeping Magazine. For many years she was on the new stands and in countless homes. As she painted children in lovely little dresses and play suits, she set the trends for generations of children. Years of illustrations for top magazines led her to focus her work almost solely on children. Though she never married nor had children of her own, they became the center of her life. "Watering The Foxglove," is a lovely illustration showing the whimsical world of childhood innocence......

Mexican Sage....Late Summer

Interesting things are happening to the Mexican Sage in my garden. Each year, the Sage at some point is very tall,very full and lush. Tiny little white flowerets begin popping out all over the purple blossoms. I love how this plant, forced by the wind, sways back and forth as though in a rolling fashion. It is quite beautiful, but I know it is not for long. Mother nature will instruct the Mexican Sage when it is time for sleep, and it will soon, and all winter long......

Serious Little Readers.....

Sunlight poured through the window when Anne awoke and sat up in bed. A cherry tree was in full bloom, so close its branches brushed against the house. Anne was delighted-until she remembered she wouldn't be staying at Green Gables because she wasn't a boy!

I visit the Barnes & Noble book store often. These days, I head straight to the children's section. It's a beautiful thing to see moms and dads sitting in the floor surrounded by all sorts of wonderful books. I love that they read aloud to their children as though no one else is around. Today, I'm excited about collecting "Classic Starts" for some serious little readers in my life. As in all cases, before I give books to my grandchildren, I read them, making certain they will meet with the standards set forth by their parents. You can never take things for granted these days. Sadly, I have to watch for hidden subliminal messages, bad language and other promoted living patterns, not acceptable by our faith. I've just finished reading Anne of Green Gables, and even at my age I still found it charming. The end of the book has a section titled "What Do You Think?" To challenge the younger reader, ten questions are asked for discussion. Containing forty-three books in the set, I'm looking forward to reading every single one of them. Blessings....Dee Dee

Pray For Our Nation

Children's Bedtime Favorite

I find that my curiosity about writers of literature and poetry, sometimes leading to wonderful discovery. Eugene Field, most famous for the light hearted children's poem.....Wynken, Blynken and Nod, has afforded me great pleasure indeed.

No longer am I content for having read lovely poems, I want to know about the writer. In some instances I've been disappointed, finding them to have questionable life styles, even changing my feelings for their writing.

My research revealed Mr Eugene Field's father, attorney Martin Field, famous for his representation of Dred Scott, the slave who sued for his freedom. This case was referred to as the lawsuit that started the Civil War. Ah....what tangled webs we weave.....

Wynken, Blynken and Nod, skillfully written by Mr. Field, I think still delightful for "sleepy-headed" children.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod~Eugene Field

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night sailed off in a wooden shoe-Into a sea of dew.

"Where are you going and what do you wish?" The old moon asked the three.

"We have come to fish for the herring fish that live in this beautiful sea;

Nets of silver and gold have we," said Wynken, Blynken and Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song as they rocked in the wooden shoe.

And the wind that sped them all night long ruffled the waves of dew.

The little stars were the herring fish that lived in that beautiful sea;

"Now cast your nets wherever you wish, never afeared are we!"

So cried the stars to the fisherman three, Wynken, Blynken and Nod.

All night long their nets they threw to the stars in the twinkling foam;

Then down from the sky came the wooden shoe, bringing the fishermen home.

Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed as if it could not be; And some folk thought 'twas

a dream they'd dreamed of sailing that beautiful sea;

But I shall name you the fishermen three, Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes, and Nod is a little head,

And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies is a wee one's trundle bed.

So shut your eyes while Mother sings of wonderful sights that be,

And you shall see the beautiful things as you rock in the misty sea

Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three, Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

She Cared Deeply For Children

Louisa May Alcott cared deeply about the rearing of children, about high standards and role models, about morals and a robust work ethic. She deplored the rough, ill-grammared boys of Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: "If Mr. Clemmons cannot think of something better to tell our pure-minded lads and lasses, he had best stop writing for them."

Began the second part of Little Women, "Girls write to ask who the little women marry, as if that was the only end and aim of woman's life. I won't marry Jo to Laurie to please anyone."

~Louisa May Alcott

Tea Gardens

In the late eighteenth century, outdoor "Tea Gardens" became popular in England. Refined ladies and gentlemen could have tea with bread and butter, see and be seen by their friends and enjoy lovely entertainment by musicians such as George Frideric Handel. For just a moment, think on these times in comparison. I'm thinking of our Barnes & Noble Book Store, which houses a Starbucks Coffee Shop. It has been my observation, that such a place, one can comsume unlimited amounts of coffee along with bakery specialities, see and be seen by their friends and indeed enjoy a limited amount of entertainment in the form of "people watching."

I wonder....which setting would you prefer? Blessings.....Dee Dee

Poor Dear Mr Collins....

"Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future."

Elizabeth Bennett working away during Mr. Collin's proposal.........Pride & Prejudice

Chopin and Red Gladiolas

Russian pianist Mikhail Pletnev is heard throughout my home this morning. He is now playing Etude in C-Sharp Minor....by Frederic Chopin. Somehow the red Gladiolas seem happier. I know I am quite pleased. Blessings... Dee Dee

Honor Charlotte Appleton

I have always had a fondness for children's books. Beginning in early childhood, I had a passion for reading and can name books I enjoyed as far back as my kindergarten years. I enjoyed reading to my children and now my grandchildren give me opportunity to read children's books once again. Should you look at my collection of books you might just find a few vintage children's books. What has become of great interest to me these days, is not only wonderful children's books, I've become almost enchanted by talented book illustrators. In recent times, I've discovered Honor Charlotte Appleton, a British illustrator, born in Brighton on 4th February 1879. As seen in her illustrations, she developed a very delicate watercolour style that captured the innocent world of children, their adventures and life. I have so many favorites, but those shown here, are reminding me of what is happening in the lives of my grandchildren. "Home School" has begun and soon they will be learning all sorts of wonderful new things.

Plumeria

The Birth Of The Flower

God spoke! and from the arid scene

Sprang rich and verdant bowers,

Till all the earth was soft with green....

He smiled: and there were flowers.~Mary McNeil Fenolloso

I like that the Plumeria blooms in clusters. Once they begin blooming they continue on for quite a while. As the blossoms drop off, others replace them. This pretty thing, although having bloomed earlier in the summer, is once again producing gorgeous white flowers...... click on photos....

Ah....The Pleasures Of Tea

Preparing for an afternoon tea .....

I can just imagine myself sitting down at the head of the table and pouing out the tea," said Anne, shutting her eyes ecstatically. "And asking Diana if she takes sugar! I know she doesn't but of course I'll ask her just as if I didn't know."

~Lucy Maude Montgomery,

Anne of Green Gables

Rev George Austen

For Sunday's post, I thought it might well be of interest to note some interesting facts about Jane Austen and her father. Did you know that Jane's writings were greatly influenced by her Christian faith? Her father, Reverand George Austen, encouraged Jane completely in her love of writing and reading. She also wrote prayers for her father's services. In Jane's evangelical household, she would have observed higher standards of morality, reading of the scriptures, daily prayers including before meals. Her father would have preached salvation by faith. I hope each of you are feeling God's presence in your life this Lord's day....Dee Dee

Spools Of Friendship

I was invited to brunch at her home, offering sweet time together and unhurried conversation. Life just doesn't get much better when you have all the time in the world to discuss whatever it is you like, with a close friend. We spoke of current events, grandchildren, books we were reading, card making, knitting and finally sewing. When she brought out her old sewing box, I just knew I was in for some pretty interesting revelations. Look at a woman's sewing box and know some of her life's stories. Take my sewing box memories, for example, I have bits of pink elastic saved as reminder of my youngest daughter's ballet pointe shoes. A bit shabby but still sweet memories is an old cheerleader "letter S." Always having to search around for it, is the tiny wooden box holding my needles(given to me by my eldest daughter). My friend brought out all sorts of things from her sewing box and told me a few delightful stories. She generously parted with and gave me vintage spools of thread, knowing I would cherish each of them. Perhaps I'll be creative and use one or two. Most likely I'll leave these lovely old "spools" in my sewing box, as a reminder of her and our cherished friendship.

Blessings....Dee Dee

Butterfly Gardening

Brushfoot Butterfly.....

Milkweed.....

Photos...Google Images

It takes so little effort, in the Florida garden, to attract butterflies. When a beautiful butterfly passes by, I always stop for just a moment to watch. I am so fascinated with these delicate little creatures, I've made effort to provide for them and learn all that I can about butterfly gardening.

http://www.floridagardener.com/ a wonderful source of information, refering to butterflies as flowers floating in the air. In order to attract them to our garden, we did have to turn it into a sort of magical backyard paradise. A garden with butterflies is a healthy productive garden. By attracting these little insects, they provide the service of pollinating the flowers. The Florida Gardener remined me that by design, butterflies are flyers and it is not possible to create a permanent home for them...we simply provide a way-station where they can stop to refresh themselves. By my providing the appropriate plants and flowers, they get carbohydrate-rich drinks they need for energy, and I get to enjoy their momentary beauty. Blessings....Dee Dee

In These Troubled Times

This is my wish for you. Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendship to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.

~Author Unknown

Old Movies and Heart-throbs

As a young girl, I liked nothing better than watching movies. I knew the names of most of the "movie stars" and could probably name each film they had starred in. My girlfriends and I loved exchanging movie magazines and we talked amongst ourselves as though we knew these actors and actresses personally. Attached to my bedroom walls were photos of my favorites movie stars. At thirteen years old, if you had asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have told you "I want to go to Hollywood and become a famous actress, just like Doris Day." I still like old movies, and once in a while I get to see an old favorite actor, like Clark Gable, who once upon a time was one of my "Heart-throbs" (an unusually handsome movie star who plays romantic roles....the object of one's infatuation). Tonight I am watching, on TCM, Test Pilot. .....Ann and Jim, a pilot, meet and are immediately attracted to each other, although each feigns disinterest. They spend the day together, eventually flying off together and getting married. This is only the beginning. The movie from 1938 was nominated for three Academy awards. With a great cast, starring Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy, how could it not have been. The reviews warned it may be too exciting and not for young children. Ah yes......I am still infatuated with handsome Clark Gable. I read that director Darryl Zanuck, having watched Gable do a screen test, said this.... "His ears are too big and he looks like an ape." Well...Mr. Zanuck sir, I beg to differ with you......

Domestic

My handmade cards....

It is true, I am quite the domestic(one devoted to home duties and pleasures). Recently, I had conversation with a close friend of mine on this subject. Planning good nutricious meals, putting fresh clean linens on the beds, laundry completed, and clean floors, all give us a certain amount of satisfaction. Once household duties are completed, I feel entitled to pleasure. It is then that I take great delight in all sorts of creative endeavors. Today, I am making and sending out "greeting cards." My August calendar is chocked full of birthdays and anniversary date reminders. So, without further ado, I've got lots to do.... Blessings....Dee Dee

Australia's Vogue

The September issue of Australia's Vogue, features four different covers with Cate Blanchett, all in celebration of 50 years for the magazine.....David Dowton, of London, has credit for the cover's illustrations. Cate Blanchett has never looked more lovely. I am somewhat intrigued by Mr. Dowton's work and felt it most worthy of sharing......

Late Summer Views In The Garden

Solarized photos of Crotons, Palms and Hibiscus....

Late summer, finds the Crape Myrtle's branches hanging heavy with berries, remains left from beautiful pink blooms. The Crotons are at their peak and the Hibiscus still making a good showing. Afternoon shadows are somehow landing at different angles, all conducive to the pleasantness of what is our garden.

Originals, I Call Them....

Self Portrait by Lily....(*Note: lip gloss)

Mermaid....by LilyDinosaur In The Trees....by Ethan

A Summer Rain Storm (*Note:palm tree fronds swaying in the wind) by Ethan

You are invited to an "Art Exhibit," the invitation said. Originals I call them, all signed by the artists. They hang in a place of honor in my home, for all to see.....on the refrigerator. I see potential, can you? Blessings....Dee Dee