Preparing for a move...

....it's never fun...weeding out things...has begun. 

A Big House, we've lived in, a Cottage we're buying. Where did all this come from?  Downsizing?...I'm trying!

3 weeks till we're moving, so daylight is wasting...to pack it all up, is surely exhausting!

News spreads to the Dormice...John Jacob is ready.

Eliza says, "John, will you pack and be tidy?"

"All of our things are precious possessions, made with great care and lots of affection."

Christmas wrappings are rounded up...

Dishes to disburse...

Teacups to be tucked away...

Like a bunny, I must hop!

For on I go to every room... and more and more I find....

shelves of Spring and Easter things...

books and books, galore!

In every single little nook...

I'm finding more and more..

...oh, my word, will you just look!

my books, I love to hoard!

So...

          Teacups and books... are all I shall be packing,

           If more than that is needed, I will not have a care!

          For in my nest, with tea and story, nothing will be lacking.

           The world may go on in a hurry, I shan't be with them there.

         A cozy cottage...with cushions fluffed and plenty,

          Will comfort tired bodies, and never leave us weary.

         The fireplace a-glow and dancing, what could be more enchanting?

          We'll drink tea for hours, 'til our eyes become bleary.

         We'll nod off to dream...dreams that are lovely,

          waking as moonbeams lay soft on the floor.

         Our prayers we will offer...prayers that are humbling,

          thanking our Maker that less shall be more!

                                      

Christie "Grammy" Ray

                                      

May 2011

A Saturday in Spring...April Showers brought flowers for May

After all the rain, floods, tornado warnings and horribly windy days, we finally have a wonderful gift! A gloriously warm, sunshine-y Saturday...the last day of April....and I simply had to fetch some photos of the lovely irises appearing against the fence, making a beautiful backdrop for the grape arbor, with its climbing, productive vines.

Look closely...do you see the baby grapes beginning to form?

The Tennessee state flower is the Iris, in the lovliest shade of purple...which is why I purchased my 'Iris' wellies... (Natalie..they are just the right color, don't you think?)

These bloomed on the prettiest day of the year!

This is another one I adore. It is the creamiest peach, and looks so pretty in the glass pitcher.

This Easter season, I was blessed to receive gifts and packages from dear family members. Once again, I have used my treasured art stand to display the two new books I received, which form the back drop of a sweet tea table still life.

Well, I must say, my little Eliza Dormouse shared that her sweet John Jacob has been ever so fretful to stay at their cottage in the baseboard aside the tea table...Scout pounces and hops about...ever-threatening their safety...and Scout believes she is having quite a grand time, playing with her new friends. I believe there has been a terrible miscommunication of intentions, but as their mistress, I think and think...until I have found the next most perfectly perfect spot for their home. Atop the mantel of the fireplace in the keeping room, I have found a lovely bit of real estate...slate rock for a front porch...the greenest of green topiaries, in tiny little pots....greenery that grows instantly over the cottage door (a sprinkle of glittery dust creates such things), even a welcoming wreath, hanging with invitation to enter,... and the Dormice are as happy as larks!

I think of all the pictures I've ever seen, of cottage gardens, cottage doors, cottage furnishings...and my imagination runs full speed ahead...searching craft closet, kitchen cupboards, and even the garden outside...and I find little pieces of this and that, forming a miniature "cottage world" for deserving little friends. What a delightful way to spend those extra minutes in the day...between the household chores, visits with grandchildren and family, errands that must be run...  I am glad to share the "harvest" of those moments.

Hippity Hoppity...Easter's on its way

Things are certainly "hopping" at Grammy's House...
Must prepare little "chicks" ornaments for Xavier's preschool class, Key Lime pie (made with fresh squeezed limes, goat cheese, and goat yogurt on a Mary's Crackers crust...mmmmm) for husband, and knitting projects for gifts, almost complete.

Here are a few of the special things I like to set out around the house for this time of year...

I love my little sheep pulling the cart of bunnies and eggs (a Bethany Lowe design, acquired on a visit to Savannah, GA).

Xavier has loved these little porcelain chicks since he was a baby...his Aunt Bonnie gifted us with a tiny Easter banner, bearing identical chicks, and he was so tickled how they matched.  The tiny little lustreware teacup is a new addition this year.

What a sweet surprise when you sip the last sip.
Checking in with "The Girls"... I see they are being on their best behavior and anxious for Easter Baskets..

Our excitement grew, as we heard news of hand-decorated Easter Eggs being made at the Rookery in Vermont...precisely the way Tasha Tudor created her lovely eggs, for Easters past. Upon their arrival, each presented in a sweet, be-ribboned box filled with protective straw, I was in awe of the tiny, meticulous details....dresden gold trims, velvet ribbon, hand cut victorian scrap papers of bunnies, flowers, birds, nests, and sheep. I am inspired to attempt this craft next Spring. Aren't they beautiful?
(They created a limited supply but you may check in to see if any are still available at tashatudorandfamily.com)

One last Daffodil bloom for this Spring....

I wish all of you a very Blessed Easter season....as we remember the precious sacrifice made by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.