Inspiration from afar...thank you Susan Branch
The F.O.S.B. (friends of Susan Branch) traveled to England this summer...all packed up and smuggled aboard the ship, by one very brave Girlfriend. Who, but dear Sue would invite so many guests? Thanks to her, I have been inspired in so many ways, and I am certain many of you have been, as well.
When we made it to Hilltop, and I spied all those familiar friends on the window ledge... I couldn't help but follow suit...
When she led us through Jane Austen's home, in Bath...well, let me just say...I was over the moon...and changes were occuring all through the house, beginning with a calligraphy station being arranged at my desk in the sunroom...
I pulled out nibs and ink and paper and a lovely old autograph book in order to practice my penmanship...
This gentleman had the most impressive penmanship, don't you agree?
The tiny vases of garden flowers scattered throughout Jane's home, were so sweet..I had to indulge...
The bedroom needed a little re-arranging to be able to enjoy the fireplace when the days turn cold this fall...
and the office needed a comfy spot for this Grammy to compose her blog posts...
(alongside my Jeri Lander's inspired table of nature finds)...
...and then, of course, there was all the hubbub of the Diamond Jubilee. When I found this British- inspired bunting, I could not leave the shoppe without it...
We enjoyed an early morning cup of coffee on the porch, by candlelight, and thought of those early morning walks Sue and Joe were taking, finding sheep and mourning doves and pretty flowers in the fields... And drinking from my Emma Bridgewater mug, I remembered the fascinating tour of Emma's charming factory.
Yes, dear Sue...you have no idea how much we appreciate your allowing us to join you on the inspiration journey of a lifetime. You broadened our scope ...exposed us to new ideas ...new designs..new ways of seeing things...encouraged us to bring a little of that English spirit into our own little worlds, and this grammy girl is grateful.
My little corner of the world is made cozier...
I am inspired to write prettier....
I decide that a sweet little table to welcome guests, is a perfectly splendid idea...(as well as wearing hats....all kinds...and often:)
isn't this sweet...
...like we're living in our very own tea room...in England...and there's a tiny little yorkie named Scout, who agrees...
There is also a little boy who comes to his grammy's house and is inspired, because she has been inspired. He gets his very own painting station...
He swishes his brush, pats it on the paper towel...just like Grammy...and dabs at the paint, and this is what he creates...
A rainbow...
and a pretty Robin, using all the right colors...
I don't know if I could be more proud of this little fella, who will enter kindergarten next week. Pray for him. Pray for me. Pray for his mommy. Pray for his teacher...that her energy will match his...
As chapters end, new ones begin.
Here at Rose Water Cottage Press, there are a few updates...
Pick a Pick a Pumpkin has been formatted, sent to the publishers, and we're awaiting the proof...once we know all is well, it will be made available on Amazon.com. Here is what the cover will look like...and we're excited to be able to include a couple of photos in the book...I wanted to show the real picture of "Hair full of corn"...
The next book in the series...Eliza has a Cousin...is ready to be scanned and sent to the formatter,
and I am working now on completing Eliza Celebrates a Royal Wedding.
It has helped that we have "vacationed" in England for 2 months and are now enjoying the Olympics taking place in London. ...
It will be dedicated to one precious baby girl...our granddaughter Sophia...who spent the night at Grammy's and watched the Royal Wedding with me.
Here she is, in her jammies last night,
looking at her Grammy'sThe Fox Family of Franklin.
This is what it's all about.
Thank you all again, my dear friends, for visiting, for supporting and encouraging with your kind comments,
and for your friendship.
Nothing in this world like kindred sister friends.
Have a blessed day,
Christie