Let Life Sing!

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Spring Quiet

 (Photo by Animalia)

“Here dwell in safety,
  Here dwell alone,
With a clear stream
  And a mossy stone.

“Here the sun shineth
  Most shadily;
Here is heard an echo
  Of the far sea,
  Though far off it be.”

~ Christina Rossetti

(excerpt from "Spring Quiet")

Remember These?

Available at Tumbleweed Cottage on Etsy!

                                                               

Beauty was painful with these rollers!

Pink and Gold Sparking Tissue Holder

    
Happy Pink Saturday!  I thought it might be fun to take a walk down memory lane today with a few items that might have been found in a lady's boudoir during the '60s.  First up is a vintage pink plastic wicker curler basket.  I found it at Tumbleweed Cottage on Etsy, and it is available for sale, ladies! This one probably held the HUGE plastic rollers, shown in the second pic, that we used to get the perfectly straight hair.  I remember hanging my head off the bed the night before school pictures. Getting no sleep was a small price to pay for the possibility of having "the look."  I couldn't find a pic of the pink ones I owned, but these purple ones are fab!  Next we have the pink plastic, complete with golden stars, tissue holder.  A must for every girl!  PINK!!!  What would we do without that color?  It's always been in style!  (Photos from the Web)

To check out more Happy Pink Saturday posts visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound!  Thanks, Beverly, for another Happy  PINK Saturday gathering!

Kite Flying Weather!

 The sun is shining on this March day, but the wind is raging!  It's whistling a tune, trying to outdo Spring's sweet, gentle song.  Great weather to fly a kite!  These vintage fabric kites are much more charming than the plastic kind at the stores.  I found these at Poppytalk.  Wonderfully inspiring blog.  Searching for kites made from fabric, I came up with lots of quick, easy patterns.  Is it a good day for kite flying where you are?
  (Photo from Poppytalk)

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold, 

When it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

~Charles Dickens

Sweet Cameos

These chocolate cameos featured on Country Living's site are "sweet" in taste and charm. They would be perfect for soap making, too!  The mold can be purchased online.  Just click here! (Photo by Country Living)

Benches

"Oh, the stories one bench could tell!"

Millie's Bench

On this bench sat...

A giggling, thirteen-year-old writing in her diary, 

A blushing, young lady reading a love letter,

A young couple, Jack and Millie,  making wedding plans,

A proud, young mother watching her toddler at play.

A grieving daughter recalling her Mother's touch and her Father's strength,

A best friend whose tears were falling over her childhood friend's diagnosis.

A silver-haired woman whose face was gently lined,

A widow named Millicent.

On this bench sat...

Millie.

(Words and Photo by SummerGyspy)

The Pansy of Osaka

This morning I potted this small sampling of  "johnny jump ups" from my pansy garden.  I love the blues and purples and bright oranges.  I decided to do a little research on the pansy.  I found that it is the flower of Osaka, Japan.  On this Sunday, let us remember those who are suffering and will continue to weather so many challenges in Japan and other areas touched by the earthquake and tsunami.  I look at my small pot of pansies a bit differently now, just as I'm sure all of the world thinks a bit more solemnly about nature's power since last weekend. 

Haiku My Heart

It is just a field,

Its day has long passed for gain,

Yet, treasures lie there.

If you read the previous post, you'll find that this was a week for traveling back on some roads of my childhood.  This particular field is located at Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama.  The Grotto is a pilgrimage attraction for the Catholic faith.  Brother Joseph built many small shrines from bits of glass, seashells, and cold creme jars during the 1930's -1950's. It is an amazing place to visit.

At one time a college was thriving on the grounds.   The college closed many years ago.  Though a prep school is there now, so many things have changed about the landscape. My dad was the farm foreman there back in the 50's and 60's.  Then, the vast expanse was dotted with bales of hay which my dad took so much time to harvest for the livestock.  The fields also produced vegetables for the students' meals.  As the foreman, my dad worked 6 days a week from 7 in the morning 'til 5 in the evening.  He never complained.  

This week when I visited, I saw the barns and other building on the campus in disrepair, no longer used.  The roofs are falling in.  I couldn't help but think to myself that no one knows ....no one knows the stories these acres and acres could tell.   But, I do.  I lived a few of the stories back in the day.

Click here to enjoy more heartfelt haiku on Rebecca's blog

Memories of Hobbit Cottage

I took a day trip to my hometown yesterday.  My good friend Donna came along for the girls' day out!  My childhood memories are nestled in the rolling hills of north Alabama.  First, we did the usual tour of my old junior high and high school.  The high school is in the process of being renovated.  What I had remembered as bright and shiny has become old and rusty.  So, it is definitely time for a face lift, though I hope they don't "overdo" it.  So many  memories on those paths between buildings.  We fretted about homework, giggled over the cute guys, and dreaded the first bell of the morning ringing. We drove by my little elementary school, and it was in session even during this Spring Break week for most of us.  The area had gotten so much snow and ice in January and February that Spring Break for them must be make-up time.  I remembered the days of dodge ball and school plays.  The building seems so small now. It loomed large when this once upon a time little girl started first grade there and spent the next five years in the little private school with only ten classmates.

Next, we set out to visit a street that was dear to me.  It was the street where my Great Aunt Ora lived.  Her house has been "redone."  So, it really bears no resemblance to the stately white Victorian gingerbread that I recall.  The one thing that is remaining though is the old front porch swing.  There is a glimpse of it in the picture below.  Aunt Ora's neighbors were the Greens.  They were an older couple who owned the cute cottage shown in the other pic.  Donna and I agreed that we each wanted a cottage just like this little "hobbit house."  The side courtyard is the cutest.  As a little girl, I wanted to go inside that house so badly, but my Aunt Ora, who was always one for good manners, told me that the couple was elderly and did not welcome many guests, if any.  That was 50 years ago!  The present owners didn't seem to be home yesterday, but one of these days, I must go by and knock on that door when they are there to give me a tour!

The "Hobbit Cottage" from my childhood.

Side courtyard of  "Hobbit Cottage."

Great Aunt Ora's House

What are your favorite memories of places from your youth?  I encourage you to capture them today with a snapshot.  This trip was inspired by my friend Donna's visit to her old neighborhood last weekend.  She had told me how she and her daughter had visited her grandmother's neighborhood.  They had found that so much had changed.  Houses were gone.  Only grass stood where she and her family had enjoyed holiday gatherings.  Donna and her daughter took pictures of that which remains. Yesterday I realized that no matter how the facade of a house changes or the landscape around the dwelling disappears, no one can take the memories from the mind's eye of the child from so long ago.

No Sofa?

Checking out House Beautiful's site this morning, I saw in print what my heart knew all along.  No sofa is required in a living room.  I grew up in the era when there was a "formal living room."  That room was reserved for Sunday guests and very special gatherings.  Usually the French provincial sofa was covered in plastic to protect it until those special and very few moments occurred.  The everyday "living room" consisted of a fireplace with comfortable chairs.  My Aunt Ella, such a dear lady from the Victorian days, had a very chic daybed in that room. Comfy, comfy!!  Seeing this in House Beautiful this morning brought back some memories of earlier times when comfortable chairs, usually rockers were used around a warm fire for weekdays.  This one looks a bit more formal than I remember, but it works just the same! (Photo from House Beautiful)

It's An Irish Pink Saturday!

A tip of the hat filled with the best luck of the leprechauns to you on this very special Happy Pink Saturday.    You know the saying, "Everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day!"  Green happens to be one of my favorite colors throughout the year, so on the brink of St. Patrick's Day week, I am delighted to join all of my fellow pinks at Beverly's How Sweet the Sound to blend the pink and the green.  Those colors whisper SPRING, don't cha think?? Spring...filled with pink posies, rainbows, and the golden sun....AHHH!! Sending Irish Blessings to all who visit this little cottage! 

For more blending of the pink with the green visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. !

Haiku My Heart

Seize today's moments

With no remorse for having

Followed your heart's joy.

Click here to enjoy more heartfelt haiku on Rebecca's blog!
(Photo from Snuzzy Fun)

Up In the Trees Once Again!

WOW!  A fairy tale tree house cottage!  What is there not to love about this spot of Heaven? The ironwork on the deck is fabulous.  I love the arched doors and windows.  Truly a sanctuary for idle hours!  I'm amazed at  the size of the little cottage.  The lucky owner has quite an imagination!     (Photos from the Web)

The Trees are Getting Dressed

Yes, the trees know that Spring is getting ready to throw a celebration in just a few weeks, so they are beginning to put on some color!  Beautiful, vibrant colors.  The pansys cannot stand to be outdone!!!  As a cold wind blows this morning, nature is waving hello to Spring!!  Here are a few pics from my yard today.

To Do List

Spring break is almost here!  A break from the tutoring.  I know that my students are so excited, for most will be heading to the beach.  Though this morning's 30 degree temp gives the shivers, the weather man is promising the 70's by midweek.  I won't be heading to the beach for Spring break. (:    I have a mile long "to do" list, and I would love to be able to be able to cross through a few items by March 19th.  Spring brings such beauty and warm fuzzy feelings for nature.  It also brings lots of Spring decluttering and sprucing up a bit!  Do you have a "to do" list for the next few weeks that will help welcome Spring?

WELCOME SPRING LIST
Paint the "classroom"!  ( My home classroom where I tutor so needs this paint job!)
Organize classroom books and supplies AGAIN!
Wash window valances in classroom and clean those blinds!

Clothes Closet DETAIL!!!  (Donate, donate, donate)!

Pressure clean decks.
Paint decks.
Paint lawn furniture.

If one sliver of  time remains, begin organizing for a May yard sale.  This includes decluttering the basement!

Now, that is the SHORT list!!!

BE GOOD TO MYSELF LIST

I'm adding a few fun frills as a payoff for each task completed and a week well served! 


Spring flowers to sit gracefully on those newly painted decks.
A couple of new outfits to hang in my decluttered closet.

A beautiful wall hanging for my classroom.  This will give me a chance to dabble in my forgotten altered art!

For now, it's time to hit the books and attend an expo to market my tutoring service.  Have a blessed day!  Don't forget to include a few fun things on that to do list!!!

It's A Beautiful Pink Saturday!

Happy Pink Saturday!  Earlier in the week, I posted a pic from Country Living of a green bicycle that looked just like mine from the '60s.  I kept looking around admiring all of the colors available now for bikes, and I ran across this ladies' Schwinn!  Is it not gorgeous?  No bells or whistles, just class!!!  LOVE IT!!! 

For more Happy Pink Saturday posts visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.  Thanks, Beverly, for hosting this special event every Saturday!

Down a Country Road!

The sunshine just seems to bring out the country girl in me!  Hours of cruising down unpaved lanes filled my after school calendar many years ago!  A safe and peaceful world, free from a busy schedule.  When I saw this green bike on Country Living's site, a flood of memories overtook me.  Mine didn't have the cute red and white front basket, but OH, how I loved that bike!  (Photo from Country Living)

(Photo from Snuzzy Fun)