Sunday Wisdom

"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,

but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Proverbs 14:31, NIV

Blog Tea Party fit for a Queen

I've been thinking with all of the brutally cold weather and snow this winter that it was time to think about something warm:).

What's the best thing to do when it's cold and snowy outside?

Have a tea party of course (or at least start planning one:)!

I have decided to host a blog tea party in honor of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24th.

I realize this is a couple of months away but I thought it would be nice to plan something while we are all confined to the warmth of indoors.
I have been reading this book by Arthur Lawrence Merrill about Queen Victoria's life.
I have always been something of a fan of Queen Victoria and her reign
(I know-big surprise:).

I knew something of her wonderful contributions before but I have learned so much more reading this book.

Many people might not realize that Queen Victoria was mother to 9 children.

Of course with the recent release of the movie Young Victoria many people are aware of her romantic love story with her beloved husband, Prince Albert.

This portrait by Thomas Sully is one of the most famous of the Queen.

The Queen's coronation.

Queen Victoria was a woman passionate about her people, family, children, and animals.

She was something of an activist, you could say, for children, animals, and the poor.

This picture is a group of the Royal family at Balmoral, her Scotland home.

The more I learn about Queen Victoria the more I respect not only her but the amazing things she did for society.

She was a kind, intelligent, passionate woman with great faith and respect for all those in her service and the people of her dominion.

Please join me for a blog tea party on May 24th to celebrate her legacy.

I will post more about this as the time draws closer and I will also post interesting facts about her life and reign.

In honor of the compassion she showed both people and animals I would ask that your tea party benefit one of the following:

Local Food Bank-ask tea party participants to donate canned goods to their local food bank.

Children's Shelter-donate supplies to your local child abuse shelter

Animal Shelter-donate supplies/food to your local animal shelter

I will post more about how to sign up and participate soon:). Until then feel free to start planning and letting others know about it!

Hope to see you at tea:)!

Random Thankfulness

This post has two purposes:

first, to test out posting pictures in a larger format (I figured I'd use random pictures),

and second, to thank all of you!

To begin, I chose a picture of Kramer being his usual cat-itude self:).

Many of you have commented that you would like to see my pictures larger and I sincerely thank you for your kind suggestions (not to mention I really appreciate your visits to my blog and your taking the time to share suggestions with me:)!
Included in this thank you are pictures of lovely papers that Rosalind from
http://the-papergirl.blogspot.com/
sent to me.
Some of the papers are from her stash...
while others she made herself.
I can honestly say I have never seen such beautiful hand-made paper as those precious pieces she shared with me.
I can't wait to make something beautiful with them!
Thank you Rosalind!
This antique glove box was a gift from my dear friend Christine for Christmas.
I had admired it and the little sneak went back after we left the antiques store to buy it for me:).
The details of this lovely box seemed like good subject matter to test out larger pictures:).

I also thought I would share some of the Valentine's that I made for family and friends this year.

With my new camera I am trying out all kinds of photo collage stuff.

Thanks to all of the amazing artists whose blogs I visit who provide such inspiration as well as instruction on how to create beautiful things!

I used vintage buttons on all of the cards.

Finally, to all of my friends in blogland that visit and leave kind comments-

THANK YOU!!!

Your kindness and gracious words, whether it be about my pets, house, or whatever I post, always warms my heart:).

You are truly treasures each and every one of you!

Terra Cottage-Dining Room

Welcome to the dining room at Terra Cottage.

It's a small space, 10x10.

The table may look small but it actually opens to a full size table with the leaves stored within the table itself.

It's a great space saver:).

Details of the vignette atop the china cabinet.
Gingerbread peeks out from behind pink roses.
No Victorian home is complete without gingerbread:).
This particular piece of gingerbread divides the living and dining rooms.

Hubby designed and created this tile floor at the back door which stands up well to the dirt that we, and the dogs, traipse in from the gardens.

Detail of the scrollwork on the china cabinet.

Close-up of the ornately carved table leg.

Instead of using a matching set of six chairs we have three pairs of chairs

(that kinda sounds like a Dr. Suess book-'they have three pairs of chairs at the table by the stairs':).

Each pair has it's own look.

A cherub graces each corner of the swag above the French doors. The cherubs were purchased at a local discount store for a few dollars. The swag is several yards of discontinued fabric at a big box store for $1 a yard. I sewed the gold fringe to each end, draped it across the doorway, and added tassels and the cherubs. For a few dollars and a little bit of time the overall look works well in a Victorian home.

Attention to detail is key in creating the look you want-right down to the door knob.

A pair of vintage sconces frames the buffet. These were a steal at $40 for the pair at a local antiques store. I added the globes and crystal dangles and voila-a functional set of Victorian style sconces to add a little romance to the dining room.

Thank you for joining me in the dining room. Please feel free to stay for some wine and cheese:).

I also wanted to thank all of my blogland buddies for your very gracious and kind comments-it is such a blessing to have such wonderful friends!

Remember-it's not the size of the house that makes it liveable-it's the amount of love found within!

Sunday Wisdom

"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

for "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Romans 10:10-13, NIV

Kramer Chronicles-Mardi Gras

Kramer is something of a literary cat.

He has recently been honored by being included in the literary gato society, a very elite group of blogland literary kitties.

Here he is choosing from many of the books in our library

(he selected "Of Mice and Men").

But more about his literary pursuits later.

He wanted to celebrate Mardi Gras first!

Now I realize Mardi Gras was this past Tuesday but Kramer didn't have the proper attire.

He was very disappointed that he had missed it but I promised I would find him the proper attire to celebrate.

He was thrilled when I came home with a feathered mask!

He was very pleased with his handsome self all ready to celebrate Mardi Gras!

Here he is on his throne-King Kitty of the Mardi Gras!

I'll have some catnip please!

Hmmm...maybe he had a bit too much catnip:).

Oh yeah, he's toasted.

Once the dogs saw how much fun Kramer was having, they wanted to join in on the fun.

Calvin models the mask before em'barking' on some dog treats:).

Calvin after he had some dog treats!

Kasey is not as excited about the mask.

She'll wear anything for dog treats:).

OK, enough pictures already! Where are the treats?

Lizzy modeling the feather mask.

Obviously she had a rawhide chew in addition to the dog treats!

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to keep a Jack Russell quiet long enough to snap a picture of her in a feather mask using only one hand ?

Ok, so bribery works!

Well, back to the books.

Kramer the literary cat has enjoyed his Mardi Gras celebration and is ready to read.

Visit Kramer and his other literary kitties at

http://theliterarygato.blogspot.com