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