Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Home......Where Love Grows


My daughter Amy always dries her roses,
 and I love them,  especially when there are no fresh ones.
 They seem to go perfectly with the old tarnished silver, and tattered doilies.


Time to make the house feel romantic, with Valentine's Day approaching!
I finally had to give up Christmas, I was the last one holding on to it.
  Just put decorations away.


"Somehow taking tea together encourages an atmosphere of intimacy
 when you slip off the timepiece in your mind and cast your fate
to a delight of tasty tea, tiny foods, and thoughtful conversation."
                                      --- Gail Greco

 I love to make cups of tea for him and me on these chilly winter evenings,
 seems to "set the scene" for a pleasant chat..  We must take time and energy
(away from our blogging) to care for those we love, and nurture our relationships.



                              Of course, I haven't been baking lately,
                                           since we had too much over the holidays,
                                                              but I do keep some little treats hidden
                                                    and bring them out to surprise him.

This was part of my booth at a marketplace where we tried
to sell vintage items and old books last summer.
We talked about my newest business venture, selling  on Etsy.
  There have been so many discouraging  unsuccessful attempts to sell in our area,
 so I wanted to try online.   We will also be participating in the
Atlantic City Car Auction next month selling Auto Literature. 
 Last weekend we were selling at a swap meet in Allentown, Pa.
   I enjoyed the Farmer's Market  there!  Lots of Amish food vendors also.


Beautiful produce at Allentown's Farmers Market
A lively mural at the Farmer's Market, Allentown, Pa.
You know I have a thing for murals, right?

Tea and roses, and dreaming of growing roses come summer!
                       "Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful
                         for beauty is God's handwriting- a wayside sacrament. 
                         Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky. in every flower
                          and thank God for it is a cup of blessing."
                                                                    ---Ralph Waldo Emerson


My man, with his car magazines and prints

Barbie's convertibles


Yesterday, my neighbor gave me a set of Thomas Kindkade's
Foundations of Family Collection.   This one  represents  Love



i


I looked closer at it and was delighted to see this one's called
  "Teacup Cottage"





My heart is touched that she would give me something so lovely,
as I've only know her a short time.
It really helps me fill my home with love,
when I have such meaningful gifts to display!



Another treasure I found recently, is Susan Branch's books and art work. 
More and more, I am seeing that I need to surround myself with this nurturing
 kind of material.   I have her book,   Girlfriends Forever,  a homemade book from
 "The Heart of the Home",  written in 2000, and it is wonderful!
 Chock full of her loving sayings, recipes, lifestyle ideas and endearing illustrations.
  She teaches us the "Art of the Home", where love grows.
  One charming picture of a cottage  has a caption saying,
" 'Wherever the teakettle sings for happiness, that is Home',
 quote by  Ernestine Schumann Heink".
I want to show you the page from the book, but I don't have permission. 
You would love her website!  www.susanbranch.com
I hope your home is a place where love grows!
a little treat from Vintage Feedsacks

Love, Linda

12 comments:

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

I love the passage you posted from Emerson..so true...Have a wonderful day enjoying family with a cup of tea...

Unknown said...

This is such a sweet post! :) I hope your selling starts to pick up really soon! Have you had much success on eBay? I sold fudge like crazy through the holidays on there but am wanting to get into more vintage and handmade things. I've got a few things up...guess I just need to get busy! :)

My homemaking link-up weekend is going on now and I'd love to have you participate!

Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Sarah Coller

Holly said...

Hi Linda~ You have some lovely things! I hope you have much success online!
I enjoyed visiting your place.
hugs!

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

I like to dry roses, too...if you hang them upside down they stay a little bit straighter.

We are in PA too! Your blog is very pretty. Thanks so much for stopping by mine!

Micupoftea said...

Happy Blogging Anniversary! Just had my 1st anniv. on Thanksgiving. We have several things in common....I JUST put our Chrsitmas stuff away too, love teatime and tea cups, TKinkaid, Amish Country, Farmers Market & Murals! I painted a mural on my daughters' bedroom wall.

Gentle Heart Homestead said...

Hello Linda,
thank you visiting Vintage Grace and becoming our latest follower - I am now following you, too :-)
What a lovely, feminine blog you have!!
The quote from Emerson is really beautiful and your Thomas Kinkade gift is very special. What a sweet surprise for you!
Happy belated Blog-Anniversary.
blessings...Trish

Little Birdie Blessings said...

Hi Linda, thanks for your kind comments. You always are uplifting to me. What a beautiful Valentine post. I'm happy you have someone to share your time with. We used to do paper shows and flea markets, antique shows etc. so your photos of the booths bring back some memories. Thanks again for all that you share, and for taking the time to comment on my posts. ~ Abby

Debbiedoos said...

Happy Blogging Linda. What a very sweet post. I love your little hidden treats too, we all need a stash. Thanks for sharing.

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

Linda, thank you very much for visiting my blog. I loved having you stop by otherwise I might not have found your lovely blog. I have been to some markets in Amish country and enjoyed them very much. That mural looks so much like what I remember about the area. Your tea setup is very pretty. You are correct that we should make time for family even when life is so hectic. Good luck with your Etsy shop. I hope you are very successful. Please come to visit me on my blog again. I like meeting other bloggers.-Shannon

Linda O'Connell said...

Hi Linda,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Please sign on as a follower! I will do the same for you. I am trying to gain followers, so please pass the word to friends. Your blog is delightful. Wishing you success on ETSY.

Heather said...

Hi Linda! I love your cottage decor and the vignettes with the teacups look so inviting and cozy!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!! Best of luck with your Etsy shop!

Heather @ http://www.settingforfour.blogspot.com

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

I adore Susan Branch's books and her website!

Dried roses do seem to go with tarnished silver and doilies - beautiful!