Sunday Thoughts on Father's Day

This little plaque sums it all up for my Jimmy. Oh, how he loves his little Otto and thanks God everyday for the gift of a grandchild.  Otto is almost 3 years old now. He stayed over night with us on Friday and he is one funny little boy. What a joy.

The old Italian Papa has been waiting for a ripe tomato and finally had one ready. So Otto and Papa went out to "pick" it and "eat" it.

It was all pretty exciting for the two!

It's been an emotional weekend for us with some family issues going on. Little Otto was the best thing that happened this weekend. Jimmy sings him a song when he puts him down for a nap. Otto didn't want his song when I was getting him ready for bed, but then he jumped up into Papa's arms, hugged him around the neck and wanted his song. It was so very precious! It was the best present a grandpa could ever wish for...what a gift. What a gift from God our Otto is.

Happy Father's Day.

Hitty's New Quilt

I love this book! It's such a charming book about the life of a little wooden carved doll. It goes through her first 100 years.  As a doll person, I had to have a Hitty doll. Most of my friends in my Tasha Tudor group have a Hitty doll too. Mine is not a hand carved version, but I like her face and she is quite fine.

All the illustrations are done in black and white. Here she is in her little cradle with a quilt.

A few weeks ago, I found a little quilt kit on Etsy. I thought it would be fun to make it for my Hitty.
It's a very small quilt.

Here she is, sitting on her  finished little quilt. I love the colors.

I'm not a hand quilter, but one of my Tasha friends encouraged me to  quilt the little quilt by hand with a simple criss cross pattern. It's not perfect but I did have fun giving it a try. It looks cute with the handwork. Actually, the most difficult part was the binding, as it is really tiny. The finished quilt is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2".

I found the cradle a few years back and it just happened to be the right size and all for Hitty. It's pretty close to the one in the book. So I made some bedding for her to match the quilt and she is quite happy with it.

She's snug as a bug in a rug! 

Thursday Treasures....Compliments of a Friend

I received a package the other day from my good friend LaVonne. It wasn't my birthday, it wasn't Christmas, it wasn't a gift exchange, so what could be in this box weighing 14 pounds?
Last summer she had a very magical season with farm helpers and guests. Every Saturday, the gang would go to garage sales and they would have great adventures. Little did I know, that I was joining in the fun each week as they went on the hunt. She was collecting strawberry items FOR ME and they all joined in the fun. Whenever someone would see a strawberry themed item, they would yell out "strawberry"! She kept the goodies in a box all winter, waiting for the season to come around to send me my package. Can you believe all the treasures? I was so surprised and I must say, delighted.

A closer look at some of the fun things in the box from Montana! I really liked the clear glass strawberry bowls.

Can you see the little metal plate hiding with two Strawberry Shortcake dolls?

That's a strawberry kitchen timer along with a strawberry stamp for shortbread cookies and a bar of sweet smelling soap.

I have never seen strawberry tea light candles! One of her guests made me the potholder and I adore the vintage tablecloth.

Paper goods were in the group of  items too...such cute little notecards.

I adore this photo album!

I could believe she found another beautiful strawberry cup and saucer! Now I can have tea for two!

This is the cutest little ceramic strawberry, perfect for jam or jelly.

I had to laugh at this one...a mouse trap. LaVonne actually sent this one to Jimmy. Too funny!

This adorable pink glass punch bowl with matching cups is for my dolls. Can you see the strawberries in the pressed glass? Oh, how I love this gift!!!!

Flip flops too...who knew????

This is a long homemade frock made from a very cute strawberry print fabric. Too bad it didn't fit as I could have worn it and had a good laugh. I guess LaVonne put it on at the garage sale! She is a riot and it made me laugh to imagine her having fun.

How do you thank your friend for such an unexpected and delightful package? Thanks so much...you are so fun and a great friend. 

Tea Time Tuesday #116

Happy Tea Time Tuesday! The weather has been stormy today with thunder and lightening along with wind and heavy rains. We seem to flip back and forth between cold and hot this season.

My daughter Gina is coming home from Seattle tomorrow for a few days. My knee and my foot is still giving me a lot of problems, so I happily accepted her offer to help me with a few things. I'm afraid I need to be thinking of seeing the doctor. Today has been a hard day and I just can't sleep at night.

Anyway, I had a nice cup of tea while I posted this blog post from the little tea that Jimmy and I enjoyed last Saturday. We HAD to wish the Queen a Happy 90th Birthday!

I love to use my Queen's Silver Jubilee teapot...it is a favorite of mine. The spout pours well and the tea stays hot. It is trimmed in silver.

I made some raspberry drop scones for tea. I like making drop scones...easy!

My dolly and cream and sugar from last week's blog had to make an appearance for this occasion.

I just love this sweet cup and saucer celebrating the Queen's coronation. It's a Rosina and I love the floral design.

I really like the scallops on this cup and saucer. It's also made by Rosina.

I have been on the hunt for little plates for tea time . I was able to find a two of this pattern. This is a small size...bread and butter...but it works well for just a scone or small dessert. I do have a few luncheon sized ones and continue the hunt for a few more. I do love the hunt!

Happy Birthday Queen Elizabeth. I hope you are granted many more years of good health and many blessings. 

Sunday Thoughts This Evening

I'm sitting here in my living room with a happy heart. I had such a lovely Sunday and I am thankful for that. It's so peaceful tonight...pleasant weather, quiet neighborhood, no barking dogs...just a few birds chirping as the day ends. The days are long now as we find ourselves moving towards the Summer Solstice. Thank you Lord as I end my day and say my evening prayers. Bless my friends and family as we all begin a new week. Grant us peace, a good night's sleep and the strength we may need that only you can give to us. 

Thursday Treasures

Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday celebration to will be June 11th. She actually turned 90 on April 21st. This morning I shared a few goodies on my Tasha Tudor site for Dolly Thursday. These are some finds from a few years back.

I love the little Queen Elizabeth doll. She is all decked out in her crown and jewels.

She still has her tag, which is always an extra treat.

This is a sweet little children's book about the Queen's coronation. The two little American children make the queen a beautiful candle that is used in her coronation.

I love paper dolls. I picked this up at an estate sale. It is very fragile but I really treasure it.

I enjoy looking for king and queen things from England to use for tea time. These are my most recent finds.

Edward VIII wasn't king for very long, so it was fun to find an item from his time as king.

As I love red transfer ware, this was an interesting find. It is dated and marked CROWNED  June 26th, 1902. It features Edward VII and Alexandra . It is stamped on the bottom of the mug...Marked for Harrod's Ltd London.

I have been looking for a cream and sugar for all my royal tea items. I finally found a great one! it was made by Ansley to celebrate King George and Mary's Silver Jubilee 1910-1935.

I also found a little metal pencil box celebrating the silver Jubilee too. It's a very fun item for my collection.

It will be fun to see how the Queen will be celebrated on June 11th. God has bless her with a long life and a long reign.

Tea Time Tuesday #115 Rose Festival Time

Happy Teatime Tuesday! The weather is just a bit cooler today, so I feel a lot better. This is Rose Festival week in Portland, OR. Portland is called the city of roses and the Grand Floral parade on Saturday is always a treat.

I decided to share a few of my rose teacups for my blog post today. I just love anything with roses, as you can see in the photo.

If you have followed me for awhile, you have seen my rose teapot as it is one of my favorites.
It's pretty, it keeps the tea hot and it pours well.

This is my newest teacup and I adore it. It's a Paragon, which I love, and it was a bargain at $3.50. I think this was part of a series that had different soft pastel colors. Isn't the rose just so pretty?

A close up of some of my other favortites...pink and rose...you can't go wrong!

Of course I love linens! I have had this one for awhile too and I love it. Silk embroidery is such a beautiful art.

Happy tea day!


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