The Victorian Parlor: November 2008

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Tea with friends

Enter into another world and another era at the L'il Peace of Heaven Teahouse. Two of my closest friends and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon of tea and conversation beneath a crystal chandelier and the steady gaze of a cherub. Just past the arbor outside trees are clothed in the blissful splendor of autumn leaves.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Fried Turkey!

Thanksgiving was not without entertainment! Darryl decided to fry his first turkey. One must understand the southern ways when it comes to food. If it is not pickled or barbequed then it is fried! First he had to figure out how to assemble the fry cooker. Then the turkey was cleaned and prepared for frying! Darryl set up in the back yard with everything that he needed-chair, towels, fire extinguisher, and oh yes, the ever important beer! Finally, the results he had worked so hard to achieve-he happily brought in the prized fried turkey! It was delicious!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our family and friends gathered around a table filled with good food and precious memories.

Before the table was set, Herbert the big honkin' turkey took center stage. Just before dinner was served the table linens, crystal goblets, and my great-grandmother's china graced the table awaiting the feast. Candles were lit and the food was served

making for a memorable day of talking and eating until we couldn't take another bite! The Lord has blessed us greatly! There is much for which to be thankful!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The Kramer Chronicles

I just had to share a funny incident that happened last night. In order to understand it I must first give some history. Kramer is a feral cat that arrived at our house over a year ago. He was a mere 3 weeks old on the rainy night that he sat beneath our bedroom window and cried. It would be another 4 weeks before we were able to trap him. Once this happened we searched diligently for a good home while we cared for him and helped him to adjust to humans. Little did we know at the time that we would be that good home! Nonetheless he is now part of our family. Oddly, since his exposure to cats has been practically non-existent and we have only dogs, he now seems to believe that he is a dog. Now that you have some history I will share last night's incident.

It was 3:00 AM and we were sound asleep (the dogs were kind enough to allow us to sleep in the bed with them). Calvin, who is something of a grump, was sleeping at my side. I was awakened by his low growl (not a vicious growl mind you but a little grumpy growl that he gives whenever he is, well, grumpy). I looked up to see that Kramer was sitting about two inches from Calvin just staring at him. Have you ever seen the commercial with the bratty little brother antagonizing the older sister with the ever popular "I'm not touching you!" while he holds a finger about 1 inch from her shoulder? Well that's what was happening here. Kramer was sitting there-not touching Calvin in any way-but staring at him as if to say "I'm not touching you! I'm not touching you! I'm not touching you!" Meantime, Calvin is growling. His growls, when translated, meant "Mom he's bothering me!" All the while Kramer is still saying "But I'm not touching you!" After some intervention Kramer finally left and Calvin went back to sleep.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Vintage linens...

are wonderful additions to any decor. In this case they have been repurposed to cover the well worn seat fabric of an old chair. The embroidered linen used to recover the foot stool was stained but with the damaged portion removed it now has new life. A couple of pillows and a bear dressed in an antique gown now grace this cozy seat. For a few pennies and some sewing time the cottage look has been achieved.