In Drawers and Cupboards

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" 
                               ~Robin Williams

What a lovely day! I spent the afternoon with my Mum at the spring show for Honey B's at Home run by the wonderful Barb Brown whose blog I have listed in my favorites: The Buzz. It was so exciting to see all of the work that she has done in the past few months! She is truly talented and so willing to share her creativity with others. Stay tuned for pictures of our purchases from the sale! For today though, I have pictures that I took on a whim when I noticed that so many of the little drawers and cupboards around my home house lovely objects that I don't see everyday. Have fun glimpsing these little hiding places and I hope you have a fabulous long weekend!

Tea Time

"There are few hours in life more agreeable
than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
                                   ~Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

     What a busy weekend and now I feel like relaxing, but of course I can't because a new week has started! Oh well. Lucky there are some things readily available in life to soothe the senses and calm the spirit. In the winter time I love a cup of herbal tea with a cookie in the evening. I'm not sure if it's my English ancestry, my Mother was born in Yorkshire, or the fact that my Nana is a Naturalist and encourages the drinking of herbal tea as a remedy for many ailments, but I think it is very comforting. Now that it is spring my fancy turns more towards melons and popsicles, nevertheless today's photos are of some of my favorite pieces of 'Tea Time' china - tealess - but no less pretty. Enjoy!

Go ahead and DREAM

   I was sitting at work during a slow hour today and paging absent-mindedly through a magazine to pass the time. Turning one page there was a little article about a couple starting a bed and breakfast - without much interest I started reading it. The photograph of a picturesque little white house provided the backdrop as the writer told of her and her husband's journey from vague dream, to the purchase of the house and subsequent painstaking renovations, to their first guests. It was a charming story that appealed to me in some unknown way. When I reached the final few paragraphs of the article the author talked about the rich rewards of pursuing her dream and working through the difficulties and set-backs which were by no means easy! There were times, she said, she wanted to let it all go but persevered in spite of the trials and doubts until their was success. She wrote in her conclusion, "So go ahead---dream, follow your passion and if that dream doesn't work, try another one." I couldn't believe my eyes started to prick! I laughed inside as I sat behind the counter of the store I work in and tried to keep tears from leaking out. I don't know if something inside of me wanted permission to dream or responded to the simplicity of the message in her story. Dream and then try. Don't give up or be afraid to work hard. Difficult doesn't mean impossible and the reward is always there for the people who hold tight - hearts open and ready to receive. I smiled as I read the closing line of this lady's story - words by Henry David Thoreau:

"Live the life you have imagined."

I've shared a few of my passions with you already, but today I wanted to give you a little peek at one of my first loves: drawing. I have been drawing since I was a toddler and it has always given me incredible joy. To share it with others in some way has always been one of my dreams. Below are some photos of my sketchbook and a few drawings I have done with the materials that I love to use. I hope you like them, and most of all I hope that you have passions and dreams that inspire you to create and act and live fearlessly!

Chocolate Pots

"The conversation consisted of empty pleasantries, for the most part. Then the tea tray
arrived, and I was hard put to keep my countenance. For there, right in the center of the
tray, was a perfectly beautiful blue porcelain chocolate pot."
                             ~ "Sorcery & Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot" by
                                 Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer

   What a busy weekend what with my sister's birthday, Mother's Day, and the general upheaval of weekend activities! Before I say something about the subject of this post I should mention the contest that recently closed at the lovely blog French Laundry. It was called the "Show Me Your Romantic Prairie Style Photo Challenge" and involved the submission of photos that reflected everyone's personal take on the beautiful book by Fifi O'Neill. I submitted three photos and while I didn't win the challenge one of my photos and a link to my blog was included in the 'Honorable Mentions' post at French Laundry yesterday. A big thankyou for the inclusion and I highly recommend a trip to French Laundry to see the wonderful photos and posts both recent and past!
   For today I want to show a few photos of my mother's collection of chocolate pots! The quote above is from a book that was my favorite as a teenager and involved a magical chocolate pot and two young regency ladies uncovering a plot revolving around it! I loved it and bought both of the sequels! Towards the end of the 18th Century the drink we know as 'Hot Chocolate' became popular in Europe leading porcelain manufacturers like Limoges (a favorite of mine) to create specialized pots and cups just for serving chocolate! Today the pots and cups have become very collectable. My Mum started collecting chocolate pots when I was quite young and over the years has gathered a pretty array that she uses throughout our house to hold flowers or simply as display pieces. The photos below are of a few of my most favorite pots. I hope you like them!