Homeward Bound

The light is what guides you home, 

the warmth is what keeps you there. 

Ellie Rodriguez

A pleasant Spring day outdoors-

perfect for some gardening 

and a cup of tea. I just discovered

straw bale gardening on Pinterest, and stepped out onto our patio to look for a good spot to place a bale. 

Brambly Hedge by Royal Doulton


There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.
Jane Austen

For charm and whimsy you can't beat Royal Doulton's Brambly Hedge beakers and teacups! I sipped a bit of Assam while dead-heading Pansies and drawing up gardening plans.

Assam is located on both sides of the Bramaputra River in India.

I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world. 

George Washington

Home, the spot of earth supremely blessed,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.
~Robert Montgomery

See the mouse in the basket?

Where thou art – that – is Home.
Emily Dickinson

sharing this post with~

Freedom Fridays
Pink Saturday
Crafts A La Mode
Share your Cup
Clever Chicks Blog Hop
Make It Pretty Monday
Idea Box

The Crows and Ravens Call

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
To-morrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
To-morrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow,
Make the day seem to us less brief.

Robert Frost

I feel like I blinked and September was gone. With College Girl going back to school our days not only gained structure but picked up speed!  And now that the last wave of Indian Summer heat seems to have departed (fingers crossed!), a steaming pot of tea is more welcome than ever. Time to unpack my favorite Fall bone china beakers, pull out my quilted tea cozies and deck the house with pumpkins, scarecrows and my favorite inky-black feathered friends. There is something about ravens I find so fascinating. They are much larger than crows and have a different beak and tail shape. They can mimic spoken words like parrots, and they rarely squack while flying as crows are wont to do. Can you imagine how happy I was to find an October calendar in the shape of a raven? At Christmastime I display a collection of Advent calendars but I had never seen one for Autumn in the shape of a bird!

I found this wonderful fellow at TJMaxx, one of my favorite stores. Cool, eh? There were only two of them on the shelf and the minute I spotted them I put one in my basket. Score! Each day at breakfast College Girl moves the key to the next key hole with a little reminder from me. I'm happy she indulges her crazy mom! (I actually think she likes her crazy mom and how much fun I have with each season -haha- I am such a kid at heart) My teacup this week is a cherished Brambly Hedge beaker which holds more tea than a teacup. On the front of the beaker is sweet little Primrose. Are you familiar with Jill Barklem  and her stories about the mice of Brambley Hedge? Run, don't walk, to your nearest library or book store to see her charming illustrations and whimsical stories if you are unfamiliar with this wonderful children's author!

Is it just me or do you notice that tea tastes better from a lovely cup? :)

     Berries and brambles and home made pies!

Primrose has quite an adventure in the Fall Story, but I won't spoil it for you~ You'll have to pick up a copy and share it with your niece or grandchildren. Or maybe, like me, you will curl up on the corner of the sofa and enjoy it by yourself with a hot cuppa.

sharing this post with~
 Mosaic Monday
Artful Affirmations 
Rose Chintz Cottage 
Marthas Favorites 
You're Going To Love It 

Friday's Child

Friday's Child

 

I am sharing a special cup this week that I bought soon after College Girl was born! It is a charming beaker-style porcelain cup with images of children and animals on it. You guessed it...our sweet girl was born on a Friday~ 
 

The cup is decorated on the front and back with a pastoral setting.

I found this Birthday Mug by Royal Worcester in a gift shop that carried children's clothing.

There are Foxgloves, Sunflowers and Hollyhock growing near the door - some of my favorites - and two friendly cats sharing the yard with ducks and geese.

                   The rim has gold plating~

Here is my second crop of Sunflowers! I originally planted two packets of seed around the yard in early May anticipating cheery yellow blooms by August. To my chagrin, slugs devoured every last seedling. Unwilling to admit defeat, I bought a long portable planter and more sunflower seed. I move the planter once a day so it gets the most sun possible. I am looking forward to seeing the golden flowers soon since our summer weather lasts until mid October.

Thinking of all the families and emergency personnel affected by the horrendous event in Colorado~ Lifting them in prayer!

sharing this post with:

Marthas Favorites 

Artful Affirmations 

Rose Chintz Cottage 

Mosaic Monday 
Make It Pretty Monday 
You're Going to Love It 
Antiques and Teacups