Friday, March 30, 2012

Tasha Tudor Inspiration

A post on a forum inspired me about Tasha Tudor and I got my books out last night.  I have a few old ones but most are newer books.




I didn't realize I had so many of her wonderful books. I especially love the Heirloom Crafts book.



Hubby bought me this one for an anniversary gift several years ago. It is Pumpkin Moonshine, Tasha's first book in publication. This is a 2000 edition.



I was so surprised to find that it was signed by the author. Isn't Frank a darling? I was so excited I jumped up and down and read until midnight!
 
Like Tasha, I like to think of myself in 1830, a simple time where life seems slower, more kind and it completes me.
 
Blessings,
Pam

How Do You Make A Boiled Egg Primitive?

...like this.  They are displayed in a sponged yellow ware dish on my old cutting board along with a vintage pewter salt shaker.





Here's a close-up.



And another.



Frank and I are preparing for an Easter musical at our church and we set the table for the Last Supper scene. Frank insists that the men eat at the table for the visual effect and we make these 2000 year old Chinese Tea Eggs.

I even plan to use the shells in an art project as I can't bear to throw them away!

If you want to make your own, here's how:

Boil your eggs.
When done, gently tap them with a spoon all over.
Place them back in the water in their cracked shells.
Add 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 TBS. of loose tea, Chinese Five Spice (Or your own concoction of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg) and some salt.
Simmer two hours.
Remove from heat until cool.
Peel and serve or leave in shells in the original egg container in the refrigerator for a few days.

They are delicious and...they look prim enough for The Last Supper!

Monday, March 26, 2012

One Of My Favorite Things



I recently posted a repro doll my hubby gave me and thought I would post this one, too.

Estelle is one of my favorite things. She is named after my paternal aunt and Estelle is a wax over paper mache' English doll. She was made in the first half of the 1800's and has a slit in her head on the top where her real hair ringlets are inset. She has wonderful glass eyes and her hands and fingers are a finely woven fabric. Estelle's shoes are stitched of leather. Her dress, I believe, is not original but is vintage lace. She sports a pink satin belt and a golden brooch.

Her face is crazed from years of humidity and cold but I love her just the same. She was another anniversary gift from Frank. He knows how to treat me right!

It pleases me to save these dollies and to protect them, much like God saved me and protects me with His Spirit.

If you are tattered and torn and crazed tonight, know that the peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Happy Birthday To Me...(Well, it isn't my birthday!)

...this month, or next month, but hubby got me this wonderful early gift. I feel like the luckiest girl on the planet!

As a reenactor...my name is Rheema Rispanti. I was born in 1810 in the olde country of Rumania. We migrated to the United States and my wonderful grandmother, Anna Christiann, made this doll for me patterned after those dolls she had in the late 1700's. I have named her Anne.

Here is her perch on the guest room washstand. She likes it here among the woolen curtains and coverlets, the grainsack pillow cases and the porcelain bowl.


I just love the detail of her little fingers and hands. I am used to hardworking hands for a woman's work is never done on the homestead. Anne plays a wonderful harpsichord with her long, delicate fingers.


Anne's little face is scarred and worn, not perfect by any standards, just like me, but she is loved.

I do hope you have enjoyed this little trip with me. Frank got the 22 inch doll on eBay which was made by artist Daun Rochelle of Florida. If you get a chance to own one of her dolls, go for it! The quality is amazing and Anne will have a permanent place in my home and in my heart.

I guess a girl can have a birthday everday if someone loves her as much as Frank loves me!

Friday, March 16, 2012

A Taste O' Ireland!




...as I was collecting the items for our traditional St. Patrick's Day meal, I stumbled across this wonderful specimen...

It is what mama always called an Irish Potato but this one is special...it is in the shape of a heart! Here I have pictured it in a bed of clover, but tomorrow this 'heart' will go into the boil pot with a corned beef brisket, some carrots and cabbage to celebrate the love of family and the country that gave us part of our rich heritage.

Frank and I both celebrate our Irish Heritage through the Burke and O'Neill families.

Erin go bragh!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Here Came Peter Cottontail...

...hopping down my bunny trail! And here is what he left.

I don't do a lot of Easter decorating. Closer to that time I will open the Holy Bible to an appropriate scripture, set up a candle on a stand along with a beautiful bisque china lamb that I have. I just wanted to set out a few Easter things for the Grands and thought you might enjoy.

Here's Buddy and Sissy Bunny. They stopped for a minute in the old vegetable carrier on the toy trunk.
















A feathered nest basket holding a spiced egg in the Jelly Cupboard.
















My Williamsburg sheep. He is my favorite.
















Mr. Rabbit running with a basket of daisies across the Jelly Cupboard.















Sharing a homespun egg among some crockery.
















An ostrich egg with a resin bunny and a velvet flocked bunny on the right.
















Guarding the carrots on the Dining Room table.
















Homespun eggs on a trunk.
















I like to move the bunnies and chicks around for my granddaughter so you might see some more later.

Thanks for looking.

Remember...the eggs and baskets and candy are nice and fun but only One Savior has given His all that we might live whole and complete.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

A New Bowl, A New Day



Last Saturday we went to town. Remember folks saying they would 'load the younguns up on th' wagon and go to town'? We live about 40 minutes out of a larger city and gas prices have forced us to limit our town going. Anyway we stopped by the Salvation Army store and I found this wonderful pewter bowl to go along with my repro and vintage pieces. I think it looks wonderful decked out with dried pomengranates.


I am tired of 'collections' of things and am really trying to eliminate those groups of collections. I use everything that I own for theater, reenacting, school and church productions, holiday meals and celebrations. I just love using original things, as long as they are not going to get damaging wear. The new pewter fits the bill for serving without the danger of lead poisoning!


The goblets are vintage as is the little footed cutting board. The candlestick was made by one of the Meaders family potters. The towel is a real huckabuck and does not get used.


Well, it is a new day too. I love new days, new opportunities. I especially love sunrise and the light that it sheds on this new day God has given us. Between us, my next favorite time of day is dusk. The day is done, the sun is setting, birds are scampering for their nests, my mind is at rest, my soul is at peace.


Well, gotta get the laundry finished and work on supper. Thanks for stopping by for a little visit.


Blessings beyond what you can ever imagine.