Veterans Day Poppies

I remember little red poppies made of paper that people would wear when I was a little girl on Memorial Day. I didn't really know why they were used but did understand that their purpose was to remember veterans of the wars. Last night when I was watching the news, there was a very interesting story about an art installation in England that caused me to do some research on this topic as we celebrate Veterans Day today.

This poem that inspired the wearing of these little poppies was written by Colonel John Mc Crea who was a Canadian military physician in WWI. He noticed the red poppies blooming in battlefields in Flanders. Two ladies who were very touched by the poem, started to sell paper poppies to raise money for the veterans....Anna Guein of France and Moina Michael of Georgia. In 1922, the little red poppy became the official memorial flower in America.

Here's the entire poem...

This is the 100th year anniversary of the beginning of WWI in England. That's the reason for this Tower of London project.

Artist Paul Cummins designs the red ceramic poppies and set designer Tom Pipers put it together at the Tower of London.  The project is called BLOOD SWEPT LANDS AND SEAS OF RED and is made up of 886, 246 red ceramic flowers remembering each person who died during the First World War. It is amazing to see all those lives represented by a red poppy in one place.

I don't think I will ever look at a poppy without thinking about this Veterans Day and these red poppies. What a wonderful memorial and yet, this is just one country. It is quite sobering when you think of all the other countries that lost their citizens to war...the first WW and all the conflicts that have happened since. Take time today to be thankful for all of those people who gave their lives for our country and for us.

An Early Birthday Tea

Two of my dear friends, Lynda and Nancy, wanted to take me out to tea last Saturday for an early birthday treat. My birthday isn't until December. We went to a new tea shoppe in Hillsboro OR called Tea's Me.
It's a nice little place, neat and tidy. The little waitress took this picture and I'm sorry it's a bit fuzzy but I think you can see we are having a lovely time.

My friends treated me to the Royal tea and everything was very yummy. I liked the apple scones with apple butter.

The shoppe offers many teas as you can see on the "tea"wall. I chose the Holiday tea which was a black tea with almond and vanilla. YUMMY!

Thank you Lynda and Nancy for taking me to tea. It is always a treat and so much fun.

Tasha Tudor First Friday Book Review~ TASHA TUDOR'S SEASONS OF DELIGHT

I am not going to even go into why I haven't been blogging lately~I have just had one of those years when I am too busy and seem to have too much going on in my life. I can't seem to find enough hours in my days to keep up with it all. So, I will try to finish up this year getting back to my blogging but no promises.

Today is the first Friday of the new month of November. Did you see the beautiful full moon last night?
I like to present a small review of a Tasha Tudor book each month. I haven't been to faithful with that one either.

I love this little simple book. It's a pop up book titles Tasha Tudor's Seasons of Delight. It was first published in 1986 by Philomel Books of NY. It was written by Tasha and shows Tasha's home and farm in Vermont. It's very sweet and I love the graphics. Her home, Corgi Cottage, pops up on the page shown below. It's very detailed and gives you a pretty good look at the lay out of her house and surrounding areas.

I like the Autumn pages showing geese flying, kids jumping into piles of leaves bobbing for apples, pumpkins and apples! Her last sentence states..."Thanksgiving Day ends the season with a fancy gathering and a traditional feast."

On the Winter page, her home pops out covered in snow and if you pull the little tab, Tasha herself churns her butter.

The last page shows the decorated Christmas tree, lots of children, Tasha with a corgi on her lap and a marionette show.

The book also features Spring and Summer pages. It's a typical romantic look at the farm life through Tasha Tudor's eyes. There are 12 pages and it measures 8.6" x 8.6". Very enjoyable.

Our Tasha Tudor Facebook page~Take Peace~is working on an Ornament exchange for St Nicholas Day which is December 6th. I volunteered to set it up this year. It will be "A Dolls' Christmas" theme and I think it is going to be a very fun event.

Aurora Colony Quilt Show

One of my very favorite fall activities is the Aurora Colony Quilt Show in October. It's hard for me to wait for this excuse to drive out to one of my most favorite places. I like this show because it's a nice blend of contemporary, vintage and antique quilts. Anyone can enter any type of quilt and the visitors get to vote for their favorite quilt...fun! Of course, the setting of the museum is so perfect for quilts.

I love this picture. The basket on the painted cupboard (very Aurora colony) is an Aurora Colony basket. I have yet to find one, but I hope to add one to my collection someday. Jim and I have found a colony chair and a small table, so we are on the hunt for the basket.

A close up of an antique appliqued quilt. So much work and can you see all the hand quilting?

This is a well loved doll blanket in a display at the colony. You know how I love dolly quilts!

This is a contemporary quilt that really appealed to me. The use of fabrics just gives it a vintage feel. It was very well done.

This is another new quilt and it was quite small, but so nicely done. I like the colors an the little star added in each corner.

This part of the show was in the other building with much more light and a different feeling. A group of hand quilters meet at the colony every Thursday morning. I wish I lived closer.

Notice the wallpaper...I love the design. I bought some note cards in the gift shoppe with this print...so pretty.

Sewing machines have come so far, but once, this was such a delight for the home sewer.

We always enjoy the music this couple adds to the many events at the colony. I have several of their offerings. The Christmas one is my favorite.

Another example of a bright and contemporary quilt. This one just made me smile. How could anyone be sad looking at this lovely quilt?

 Love these little ladies....very time dated with the the lavendar and yellow fabrics.

I know, I take a picture every year of the doll house, but I just love it.

The herb society was in the washroom, selling a few of their wares and sharing about their group. They have a great newsletter. They tend the herb gardens at the colony. They were selling a nice herbal tea..Emma's tea.

Jimmy is such a good sport to come with me. It was such a beautiful fall day, as you can see in this photo. These are the days you wish would last forever.

The little store in one of the cabins, is set up with donated goodies you can buy to help raise money for the museum. I always find things I can't live without...you know, fat quarters, patterns, embroidery kits.
I also brought home some great magazines to read through. Each bundle was only $1! I really enjoyed the Southern Lady ones. I haven't seen any of those for years.

Can't wait for next October!

Tea Time Thursday #51

This has been a year of unexpected events that have made it difficult at times, to keep up with my blogging. I love to blog and really enjoy my blogger friends so it is sad when life gets in the way. Yet, that is just "life"and we never know what each new day will bring our way. My husband's family planned and gave my mother in law Anne, a lovely memorial and service to celebrate her life. It has taken time to rest and sort out emotions. I am hoping to get back into my blogging once again. Tea Time Thursday seems to be a nice way to jump back in, so here I go!

I won't be able to decorate with my traditional fall things that I love this year, at least not for October. I may be able to put out my turkey things next month. Jim and I took the weekend off and got a lot of sleep. We went to some estate sales and I was just thrilled to find this beautiful teacup! The colors of gold, pink and burgundy just blend so perfectly in my tea room.

These new dark chocolate tuffles by Ghiradelli look like they were made for this teacup. Yummy!

I love the flow and movement of the leaves around the saucer.

The cup and saucer is a bone china cup, made in Enlgand and is made by Foley.

I discovered this little golden walnut about a month ago at an estate sale. Can you guess what's inside?

It's a tiny sewing kit! It holds a thimble, a needle, some pins, thread and safety pins. It can be worn on a chain around your neck too.

I had to pick up the new fall tea by Harney and Sons. I love the color of the tin this fall and the African Autumn herbal blend is very nice.

TIme for a cuppa with a nice pumpkin spice cupcake. I'm so glad that fall has finally arrived in Oregon and I can enjoy a cup of hot tea again. Happy Tea Time Thursday.

"To everything there is a season..."

This is one of my favorite scripture verses and it just seems so fitting right now. My mother in law, Anne Colantino passed away early in the morning on October 1st. As I read this verse again, it seemed so perfect. As a new month begins with the new season of autumn, a life comes to a close. Anne was blessed with 97 years of life here on earth. She was blessed with a lovely family who will celebrate her life this weekend in Illinois.
My daughter Gina and I will be flying back to the midwest on Saturday to join my husband who is already there. We would appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we travel to Illinois.

Life

Life....you never quite know what each day will bring. I haven't been blogging much lately or keeping up with all my lovely blogger friends. Lots of babysitting, helping my dad and waiting over the weekend to see if Jimmy needed to make plans to go home to Springfield, Illinois. His mom is failing and last night, he made the decision to book a flight and go home. So as Otto begins his new little life, we say good bye to Anne as she ends her's. She is 97 and has been blessed with quite a long life and a lovely family.