Hearts and Dinosaurs

When my boys were little, we would each decorate a brown lunch bag with our name a few days before Valentines day...Covered with hearts and Valentine greetings, they also included dinosaur and G.I. Joe stickers, giving some uniqueness and individuality to each persons creation... Truly Masterpieces!!! (from a Mothers point of view) The seven bags were taped onto the chair rail in my kitchen... Each of us would address a Valentine and slip it into the bag for every family member. ...On Valentines day I would fill them with candy, nuts and little treats....Time passed and legos and action figures were boxed away. Footballs, gym-shoes, backpacks filled my entryway... I insisted we still celebrate Valentines Day...There was an occasional "Mom, you got to be kidding" truly good sports they tolerated a memory their Mama treasured. So, a brown paper lunch bag was decorated by each of them as teenagers...each one with his name and a quickly scribbled heart, I seem to remember one that was identified as "Joe The Great"...to hang in the kitchen...on the chair rail...for Valentines Day!

Grace and Kindness Meet

This little list comes from a late-nineteenth century book entitled "Correct Manners" A little bit of nostalgia that I hope you enjoy! Nineteenth century courtesies that were valued enough to be written down to be remembered. However after reading it I sadly realize I often fall short....choosing not to berate myself or make excuses, I think today I shall remember the grace...kindness...consideration expressed by another woman many years ago.

Never break an engagement when one is made, whether of a business or social nature. If you are compelled to do so, make an immediate apology either by note or in person.
Be punctual as to time, precise as to payment, honest and thoughtful in all your transactions, whether with rich or poor.
Never look over the shoulder of one who is reading, or intrude yourself into a conversation in which you are not invited or expected to take part.
Tell the truth at all times and in all places. It is better to have a reputation for truthfulness than one for wit, wisdom, or brilliancy.
Avoid making personal comments regarding a person's dress, manners, or habits. Be sure you are all right in thee respects, and you will find you have quite enough to attend to.
Always be thoughtful regarding the comfort and pleasure of others. Give the best seat in your room to a lady, an aged person or and invalid.
Ask no questions about the affairs of your friends unless he wants your advice. Then he will tell you all he desires to have you know.
A true lady or gentleman, one who is worthy of the name, will never disparage one of the other sex by word or deed.
Always remember that a book that has been loaned you is not yours to loan to another.
Mention your wife or your husband with the greatest respect, even in your most familiar references.
If you have calls to make, see that you attend to them punctually. Your friend may reasonably think you slight them when you fail to do so.
Be neat and careful in your dress, but take care not to overdress. The fop is almost as much of an abomination as the slovenly man.
If wine or liquors are used on your table or in your presence never urge others to use them against their own inclinations.

Tea and Me

Brewing a pot of tea is like a ritual for me. In the afternoon when it is time to take a break from sketching new patterns or sewing I can sit back and savor a cup. Top shelf over the stove is my tea cupboard ... Earl Grey, Orange, Chamomile, maybe English Breakfast?....I tend to have my favorite often...Mint with honey. The sound of my tea kettle whistling is somehow comforting to me...the whistle reminds me its time for a break to stretch my legs...or on a nice day to walk along my garden. Today my cup of tea is a perfect moment to be thankful that I am toasty warm! As I peek outside the wind gusts and snow seem to be tossing the poor birds around. Whistling tea kettles must be a simple reminder of my home, as two of my sons asked for tea kettles that whistle when they got married...Tea in a china cup is extravagant...in a mug comforting...It warms the heart as well as takes the chill off an Winter afternoon.

Unconvential meets Scentimental

Satins that feel like a rose petal....Cranberry and black satin in a form fitting bustled design for an unprecedented bride....Unique as the bride who dreamed about a gown that would express her individuality! Inspired from a Godey Peterson antique magazine....created as a custom order.

Jenny's Hands

Jennifer Caroline Johnson Salmonson....my grandmother was born on May 23, 1894. One of fourteen children she knew how to make do... One hundred and one years later we said goodbye to her. I remember how beautiful Gram was to me....She smelled like ponds cold creme and fresh bread and egg coffee. I have yet to see a house as clean as her magnificent Victorian. The walnut wood always was polished to a high sheen and on holidays decorated. The tulips and daffodils she planted were tucked in vases through out the house. The dining room table was laden on Easter with hams, pickled beets, deviled eggs, rutabagas, scalloped potatoes, green beans, and creamed peas.... her homemade Parker house rolls.... Her spice cake, cinnamon rolls, coffee cakes and doughnuts were staples that I grew accustomed to. Her hands ...always crocheting lace for sheets, baby blankets and pillow cases...her knitting was so fine I still have never seen anyone who could compare. When she was old her hands still held a grace to them... I remember on Easter Sundays her impeccable taste...White gloves, pale suit, stylish hat with a little net on it and spectator shoes. When we walked into church I was so proud of her... Treasured memories of a little girl who is now a Grandmother.... I hope my home reflects the many memories my Grandmother gave me.

One Tidbit Coming Up

Been thinking....My husband says that when I say this that it will usually cost him money!! He can rest assured that it won't this time...As I put together my thoughts for my blog I included that I would be sharing "Tidbits". It occurred to me Hmmm, What the heck is a tidbit, Reallllllllly? A word of wisdom?....folklore remedies?....quotes from the Farmers Almanac?...unsolicited advise from the person in front of you while your standing in line waiting for you prescription? So I went right to the source! Websters says it is a choice piece of food or a choice or pleasing bit of information! Being that I love both (food a little more) maybe its time to share a recipe...Can't help myself....cooking is right up there with loving the Lord my family and sewing!

If you were fortunate enough to freeze some rhubarb Hallelujah!! If not, please consider this for Spring....You will become legend in your family!

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Pie (make two hide one)
1 Cup sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract(so much better than imitation!)
3/4 pound rhubarb cut into one half inch slices (about 3.5 Cups)
1 pint fresh strawberries, halved
1 unbaked pastry shell for a 9" pie pan (splurge! buy yourself a pretty one)

In a large bowl beat sugar, flour, egg and vanilla. Fold the rhubarb and strawberries into in and pour into the pie shell.

Topping
3/4 cup flour
1/2 Cup brown sugar
1/2 cup oats (quick or old fashioned)
1/2 Cup cold butter

Combine the topping by cutting with a pastry blender or a knife, until it is crumbly. Sprinkle over pie.

Bake at 400 for 10 minutes then reduce heat to 350 and bake 35 minutes longer.
NOTE:
We like our pies a little on the tart side, so I usually only use 3/4 Cup sugar in the rhubarb mixture !!Cool and stick in the ice box (sounds so ol fashioned) and then enjoy!! YUMMO

Southern Nights

Every single time I make a gown I hear myself saying..."Oh, this is my favorite!" I love this fabric! It looks like it was made just for this design...This gown was a custom order sewn for a museum curator in the South. She will wear it while giving tours of a Antebellum home....While I was working on her gown she dashed off an email and said a gown had been donated to the museum from 1863 and it was identical in the design that I was sewing!!! Wouldn't it be incredible to step back in time for one day...

Not Your Mama's Jacket

Gorgeous one hundred per cent silk opera jacket....shirred cuffs and collar and buttons in the front side....totally a statement glamming up jeans or standing on its own for a evening out...

Best Friends

Sometimes best friends show up in the most unlikely places! My backyard became the perfect winter wonderland with a family of snowman!

Juliet Necklace

A necklace worthy of a poem....Available in my store Shades of Wyldemor

I Look for no greater prize
Than your soft voice.
The steadiness of your eyes
Is my heart's choice.

I have never been rich before,
But divine
Your step on my sunlit floor
and wealth is mine?

Anne Campbell

A love Story

Swans ............simply take my breath away. Their grace and beauty is so often captured in poetry...photos and mementos of love...I had to include the antique Valentine swans...

I heard a true story from a woman who owned a pair of swans. A love story...She told me that swans mate for life...Her two swans were attacked and the females injuries were so severe, she passed away. The male swan mourned her for several days with a sad cry. When she shared this with me...I couldn't help but shed a tear... I still think of it each time I see a swan.

Dreamy Lace

Lace so fine....perhaps spun by an angel...Little girls twirling on Christmas Eve...

Old Roses....

This was one of the first gowns I made inspired from a Godey Peterson Magazine. A gorgeous apricot printed fabric in roses and vines...Valentines often bring roses...I have little self control when it comes to roses...I have over one hundred planted in my back yard and still find it difficult to walk past a perfect rosebush with a single flower beginning to unfold...I have rose scented oil, rose wallpaper, rose wall art, blankets and the prettiest rose pattern tea pot....I can't help but think of how my trellis and tea rose will stop me in my tracks!

Creamy Silk Cuffs

Gorgeous ivory silk and soft white lace each are fashioned into slip on cuffs....what a great idea to glam up your simple sweater or add a soft touch of elegance to a jacket. Take a peek at my store and you can find them as well as a few more styles....They remind me of the softness yet sophistication I find in the fashions from the thirties and forties! When my son got married this past summer I looked at dresses at stores, but I just kept getting drawn back to the designs reminiscent from years ago. I adore historic prints, patterns and vintage! I am starting to feel totally inspired to sew again after taking a break over the holidays,hmmmmmmmmmm...thinking of something in red!

Nutcracker and giggles

The Nutcracker ballet... Little girls in Victorian Dress performing a treasured ballet...

A Perfect Winter Saturday

I am longing for Spring but once I saw this vintage card it conquered up memories of cold winter evening in Minnesota walking to the skating rink...boots crunching on the snow and the air so cold it made your eyes water...Gliding across the ice with your best friend and catching snowflakes on your tongue...

Valentines Day is just around the corner....Glittery hearts...Candy Hearts....Handmade red construction paper hearts with a note that says if you will be my valentine check the box!

Welcome Friends!!!

January and a new blog....I loved my former blog....had many good friends whom were followers...Sadly I tried to make a few changes and inadvertently did an upgrade that put me over my head in the blog world! I found out I need to keep it simple! So...out with the old and in with the new!

My wish for you is every time you visit you smile!