The Fisherman

He glides gracefully over our house several times a day. We live very near a river. He feeds there . . . sometimes.


Like when he's not feeding in our neighbors' ponds!

We stood outside and watched him glide from rooftop to rooftop, dipping into the backyards between. When he disappeared behind the next door neighbor's house, She says, "Honey! Go check the pond!" He ran. Sure enough, Mr. Fisherman was eyeing the nice plump froggies from safely atop the arbor.

Stinker.

Speaking of fisherman . . . do you mind if I take a minute from the usual womanliness of this space to brag on my husband?

Like my sister-in-law said, "Now that's a nice catch." Either one of them . . . both of them.

{Personally, though . . . I prefer the fellow.} :)

{It's a 40.5" Striped Bass.}

Vintage Easter Blog Hop

Dated April 8, 1917

March 22, 1913

I'm playing along with Joan, at Anything Goes Here, who is hosting an Easter Blog Hop. You'll have to stop by to see who else is playing! We're showcasing our vintage Easter keepsakes. Once again, my postcards are entirely from the collection that I inherited from Mark's Grandmother, Lucile Amelia Mathilda Johnson Seastrand. Isn't that the most wonderful name? And she was a wonderful woman. She used to sing Swedish lullabies to our children, {our son was her first great-grandchild} . . . ahhh, sweet memories. Grandma was born in 1898. She collected postcards throughout her childhood and youth. This is a portion of the Easter postcards in the album. Am I a lucky girl, or what?!

The little chickie and basket were also Grandma's. I'm pretty sure the chickie is felted. His little feet are paper wrapped.

March 22, 1907


April 6, 1917

This one must have been delivered in an envelope. No postmark, but it does have a very brief message, "Please write."

You know what this is! Isn't it the most wonderful chocolate mold ever? It's a double. {Look at the next photograph}
I bought it at a local Antique Fair last Fall, which, sadly, I hear was the last year. . . . sigh.

It was used in a locally very famous bakery for years. I bought it from the owner, who had recently retired.

Want to know something special about this beautiful dove card? In two days, it will be exactly 100 years since it was postmarked. Personally {you don't mind if I opine do you?}, I think that is just amazing! Just think of it!

The message reads,

"Dear Lucile,

Just a line to let you

know that I am still here.

To wish you Joy and

Easter Cheer.

Sincerely,

L.A."

Grandma did spell her name with just one 'L' in the middle . . . "because with two 'L's' it would spell Lu-silly."

Have fun searching out all of the wonderful Vintage Easter finds!

McMaster and Storm

I owe you an apology. I've been holding out on you. I haven't shared . . . oh . . . and I should have, but sometimes, you know . . . you have a delicious little secret, and you just want to keep it all to yourself for a just little while? So. Deep breath . . . here you go . . . Have you discovered this petite, chic boutique yet? Oh, Dear One, then let me tell you all about it . . . it's high time somebody did. They are hot, Hot, HOT!

I borrowed these photos from their page to share with you . . . they carry the most scrumptious delights . . . trinkets and baubles that you didn't even know you couldn't live without!

Kara and Darcy. These girls know their stuff.

I remember when their shop was featured in Country Living, and they have been much loved vendors at the Country Living Faire.

Where else do you imagine you are going to find these things? These and . . . Petite European Staplers and Angel Wings?

{spoon for illustration only, not included}

How difficult is it to find glassine bags? I don't know about you, but where I live, it's just not going to happen. They can't be found. {Believe me. I've tried.}

Because I care {really, I do!} . . . I have made note for you . . .

They sell:
{ photos from the top}
Petite Metal Rimmed Tags
Calligraphy Nibs
Teeny Tiny Burlap Twine
Teeny Tiny Envelopes

Fleur de Sel Procelain Bowl
Glittered and Grande Song Bird Tag {Which I'm drooling over!},

and . . .
Dresden Scraps
Italian labels
Petite Olive spoons, made of Olive Wood
Petite, Petite Scalloped Bon Bon Cups

. . . and, and . . . oh other goodies that you just must see! Now, I am going out on a limb . . . sharing my supplier . . . so you'll be nice to them won't you?

You will want to see what they have to offer . . . {really you will!} Go peek!

Oh! I musn't forget! Their blog! You'll want to visit their blog! McMaster & Storm



{You'll forgive me, won't you for mentioning one or two items that are currently out of stock? But they are wonderful, and really, truly worth waiting for . . . it is afterall, my favorite petite department store.}

Can you believe it?!

How is this for exciting news?! Crystal, of Vintage by Crystal is going to be on Martha Stewart's show! They will be making these dolls! Above! The ones in the picture! Isn't that the coolest thing!?

I suppose Martha actually discovered Crystal first, but I did accidentally bump into her while blog-hopping one afternoon a couple of months ago. I shot straight over to her Etsy shop and bought something! You remember this don't you?

This isn't her first visit with Martha. Jealous, jealous, jealous! Well, sort of, {as in, not really} . . . not sure I would want to be in that hot seat. {Can you imagine trying to keep cool and calm? . . . Eek!} But Crystal does it well! And she makes wonderful, beautiful, quality, old style spun cotton characters! And I am proud to be the happy owner of one beautiful little Spun Cotton Vintage Style Valentines Day White Cat Girl!

Like I told Crystal, {in a comment on her blog} I have no right to be, but I am so proud of her! How exciting! How very, very exciting!

Tune in to Martha Stewart on Tuesday, March 23 to watch! In the meantime, run, do not walk, right over to Crystal's webpage, blog or Etsy shop. You'll want to see her beautiful craftings . . . before they're all gone!

~

Martha and I. . . we are of one mind. {giggle} But, we already knew that, right?

I'm All Over the Where

I have one of those precious days with so many wonderful things on my plate, that I'm having trouble assigning myself to any one of the delicasies spread out before me! A veritable banquet. I have several blog posts tumbling through my head. I have four new books! {count 'em, Four!} You wouldn't believe all of the wonderful blog posts that appeared in my reader overnight! {Two of my kids actually posted . . . shocking in itself. . . but I have already read those, and they are wonderful. You should visit. Zach Thinks Deep and Nevertheless, Elizabeth.} It is Piano Day. The happiest day of the week. The whole family is coming over to play today after school ~ until bedtime. What to do, what to do?

Would you like to know the back story about Zach's blog title, and mine? About two years ago, Alison May of Brocante Home, wrote about finding linens tucked away with notes . . . written in her Mother's hand, explaining the provenance of each wonderful piece. She dared us to write our history for our children, I do believe she even called it an obligation, at the very least it is a precious gift to them. She inspired me to make note of a memory that I wanted to share because of it's sweet and tender nature. They will always remember the remarkable, unusual, exciting stories that they have heard and overheard over their lifetimes, but the delicate wisps of our childhoods, the memories of the scents of the orchards, the feel of our Mothers' gardens . . . those things will be lost to time.

I dedicated myself to the task of putting pen to paper, so to speak, for my children. They loved it. They really, really did. It is a pleasing bit of accomplishment to know that you have passed a cherished life's moment on so that it will not be forgotten, for a generation at least. If you haven't yet begun this task, I highly recommend it. You will forever be glad that you did.

{I recommend leaving out some of the warts . . . it couldn't hurt to let little unpleasantnesses disappear.}

My daughter turned to her brother, "Zach. You have to set up a blog for Mom." He promptly obeyed. Needing a title {remember, this was just for us}, he named it after his own, Zach Thinks Deep {and let me assure you, he does}. My URL is The Wicker Patio, which, Zach told me, explains how he thinks of the comfortable and contented feeling of being in our backyard. {Be still my heart.}
I love them! Oh, how I love them!

Back to the post, Debbi, back to the post . . . {that little side trip left me all warm and fuzzy} Nevertheless, Elizabeth {my daughter} has embarked on a new artistic journey on her own blog. The adventure is just beginning, and her intention is to blog about her efforts to make time for art in the daily routine of a Mommy. You will love it. You should visit!

I would like to tell you that I'll get back to you tomorrow to list the amazing accomplishments that I feel I could tackle today, but I'm realistic, {right this minute at least, but on a daily basis . . . realistic is not a word anyone who knows me very well would use} . . . Today, if I stick to the task closest to my heart, I will simply shop and clean and ready this place for the onslaught that is Piano Day, and be contented. What a delightful way to spend a life! Oh, Happy Day!


And the title of this post, "All Over the Where"? It was my young son's effort at "all over the place", and you can be certain, in family speak, it has totally replaced the original.
Yup. I love 'em. To bits.

Image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

How Do They DO That?

How do they KNOW these things?

I took a Color Career Test, not because I'm looking for a career, just because it looked interesting . . . how much could my color preferences tell about me, afterall?

Like to see my results?

You're a CREATOR
Key Words: Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

Ummm . . . excuse me? How do they do that? Now if I could just convince an employer of these things, I might consider getting a job! Maybe I should print it out and carry it around, just in case some wonderfully bohemian and unusually generous, potential employer crosses my path. I'll be ready and armed with proof!

Want to check your own? Color Career Counselor It's scary.

The Color Wheel Image is borrowed from Krylon. I hope it's okay to use it here . . . they have an article on color at the link. You should check. Dear Krylon, If you are displeased, please don't get mad, just tell me and I'll cheerfully remove it.

Too Good to be True!

Sometimes, you run across the most wonderful things in Blogland! I follow the most gorgeous blog, French Larkspur . . . her photographs will just make your heart beat a little faster. {I know they make mine.} This week, in honor of March and the Spring that we all are so anxiously anticipating, she is holding a giveaway! It is a copy of the most gorgeous Jeanne d' Arc Living garden book, Franske Fornemmelser! {There are just times when you can't over use a word like gorgeous.}

Just a little tease . . . aren't the photos wonderful? {I knew it was time to redo my tired old back yard!} Absolutely gorgeous! Don't you agree?

Go! Scoot! Right now! Go leave a comment to enter! See how much I love you? {If I didn't, I certainly wouldn't tell you about it, and ruin my own chances of winning!}

If you win, you'll let me look at it won't you? I'll wear gloves.

~ much love!