Wishing You The Best !

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest

I truly wish each and every one of you, a New Year filled with much love, peace and happiness.
Your friendships have encouraged, enlightened, and made me laugh my frock off throughout this past year.
Here's to a 2010 filled with the same !
Cheers bloggies !
Jo
x

Have A Seat.

It seems every Christmas I spend most of my shopping days browsing the antique stores.
I like to buy gifts according to my own likes and dislikes, so it only seems natural that I tend to buy antique dishes, or unusual pieces as gifts.
It also gives me the opportunity to look around the shops and treat myself to a little treasure or two.

Today, whilst shopping with my daughter, we came across this wonderful old chair.
At first glance it appears to have belonged in a rectory of sorts, maybe even an old Manor House.
I'm not sure of the wood, possibly maple, or poplar.

I was smitten on impact, and proud to announce it has found a new "forever home".

Merry Christmas To All.

"May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;

The spirit of Christmas which is peace;

The heart of Christmas which is love."

~ Ada V. Hendricks

Wishing you and yours, a wonderful Christmas.

May you all be surrounded with much love and blessings.

Your friendships have been a true a blessing throughout the year !
Hugs to you all,

From our home to yours.......

Winter Solstice Begins.

Now winter nights enlarge

This number of their hours;

And clouds their storms discharge

Upon the airy towers.

Let now the chimneys blaze

And cups o'erflow with wine

Let well-tuned words amaze

With harmony divine...

~Thomas Campion

A Day at The Hermitage

Amidst all the shopping, and hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation, I took a much needed diversion this week, to visit one of my favorite historic homes The Hermitage.
Home of the seventh president of the United States ANDREW JACKSON
Term- March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1837
Andrew Jackson -

The front of the mansion

Back of the mansionGroundhog guarding his burrow on the grounds

Belted Galloway's on the farm

Three hundred year old cedar

Slave quarters View of the original log cabin used by Jackson

Andrew and Rachel's burial tomb

Renovation underway on the front of the mansion

The Tulip Grove built for Rachel Jackson's nephew.

Info credit: Wikipedia

It Is Christmas.

It is Christmas in the mansion,
Yule-log fires and silkin frocks.
It is Christmas in the cottage,
Mother filling little socks.
It is Christmas in the highway,
In the thronging, busy mart.
But the dearest, truest Christmas
Is the Christmas in the heart.
Author Unknown

A List Of Goodies.

Happy, happy Christmas,
that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days;
that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth;
that can transport the sailor and the traveller,
thousands of miles away,
back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!

~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836

I've made my Christmas list and checked it twice.

Lots of Christmas Crackers. Check.

Plum Pudding. Check.

Bird's Custard. Check.

Plenty of Yorkshire Gold Tea. Check.

Pickled Onions. Check.

Mince Pies. Check.

Cadbury's Collection Chocolate Biscuits. Check.

Sled: For snow, Christmas Day. Check.

"Timeshare" Oliver kitty,
requested his presence for Christmas Day. Check.

Tartan And Table.

Seems my table this Christmas will have a distinct Rabbie Burns flare.
There is something so warm and inviting about the color of Tartan, not as "stuffy" as some of the more formal tablecloths I've used in past Christmas's.

I'ts still a work in progress, needing the Christmas Crackers and few more pieces from England, which are a must have each year.


''Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it;

But we hae meat, and we can eat,

And sae the Lord be thanket.''

~Robert Burns (1759-1796),

A Different Christmas Poem.

In these days ahead as we go through the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparation, let us all pause and say THANK YOU to our men and women in uniform.

Without their service, dedication and sacrifices our lives would be forever changed.

May God keep you safe and bring each and everyone of you home to your families.

Be sure to turn off the PLAYLIST by scrolling to the bottom of the sidebar and clicking the LARGE round button.

Poem credit: Michael Marks
Video credit: Youtube/letsmix

From Opposite Sides Of The Pond.

Several months ago I was contacted by a fellow blogger, and Iowan expat, now living in the United Kingdom.

A reverse situation of my own.

She is new to the world of blogging, although you wouldn't know it.

Her images, not only of England, but several other countries, are breathtakingly beautiful.

If you like to see what "High Tea" at The Ritz , or Christmas in the High Street of London looks like, then pop on over to her blog, you will be delighted, as I am daily ...

She captures the true beauty, history and spirit of the Heart of England.

http://midwesttomidlands.blogspot.com/

Thank you for my visit "home" everyday !

Photocredit: Midwest to Midlands.

Mr. Toast's Tea.

Today is the event of the anticipated Mr. Toast's First Annual Christmas Tea, held in the snow-filled mountains of Aspen, Colorado.

It is planned to be the most magical of times.

Please won't you join us, there will be lots of delicious treats, and of course the very BEST of teas.

You may read all about it here....... http://goodteatoo.blogspot.com/

I'm running behind schedule, one of those unfortunate things I'm afraid.

However, I have notified our gracious host and he is most understanding.

I'll be wearing this tapestry gown, I hope you approve.

We have the accommodations booked, and shall be arriving shortly.




I'm delighted to bring all the guests a little Christmas gift, I hope you'll enjoy.




Oooh, I'll be bringing along a friend........
I do hope it's OK.



Lillibet