Tea, Cake and Antiques

Oh my, what scrumptious goodies we served at the Women's Club Fall Antiques Sale last week.

 I just had to try a slice of pumpkin cake with my tea!.  Nancy, who served me, was the proud baker of the very cake I chose!  She  explained, "That is The Old Witch  And The Polka-Dot Ribbon Cake".
"Say what?   What is that?", I asked,  and she told me it was a recipe found in the back of a children's storybook.

                                                       

Old Witch's Magic Nut Cake
"When the kitchen is finally empty, Old Witch makes her magic nut cake
 to enter in the carnivals"s baking contest." the book says.

  This cake recipe is on the back cover and it is moist and delicious!
These vintage linens and dishes were typical items for sale in my booth.

" Wow!  It's delicious, now  tell me about this book", I said, and the next day she brought her signed copy and showed me the marvelous drawings. Nancy met the authors, went to many booksignings, has a  treasured collection of their out-of-print  books, and loves to read them to her third grade pupils, especially this title.
.

 This one  written in 1970 by Wende and illustrated by Harry,
 and is one of 21 children's books written by the Devlins.

The authors were husband and wife, Harry and Wende Devlin, from North Jersey. What impressed Nancy was the artwork in these  out-of-print children's  storybooks. There were lots of houses, and their own seven children beautifully portrayed in these delightful stories, published by Parents Magazine Press.  He was an award-winning cartoonist, architectural artist, and talented illustrator. and  she a portrait artist.  They combined their talents in 1963 to write the Old Witch series. You must visit their website to see more of their extensive work! www.harryandwendedevlin.com

 Now I know from personal experience as a mural-painter working with my partner that it's not always easy to create art together, when you have different styles!  I am very intrigued by this amazingly talented couple!   Parents of seven children!!!

Later a customer claimed that she makes the best cake ever,  a Paula Deen recipe, called , Gooey Cake".  There's a double-chocolate version and a pumpkin one.  Recipes are on her website, www.pauladeen.com, and www.foodnetwork.com.

Paula Deen's Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake, from www.pauladeen.com

But it seems that June's cake is the  Vineland Women's Club"s  all-time-most-requested-everyone's-favorite, the Italian Love Cake!   Layers of chocolate cake, mousse, and Mascarpone, I think.

June's Italian Love Cake

I told her she should serve it to some rich, handsome, eligible bachelors.  See if it works!

June was dressed-up for a Women's Suffragette's Parade in Woodbury, N.J.

  June once tasted this cake at the club  years ago.   She just loved it , but when she later asked about it, no one remembered it or who made it.  Then one day she saw an article in the Atlantic City Press about an out-of-business Egg Harbor Township restaurant who's specialty was this mysterious cake!  There was the recipe!  She was so excited!  Now she often bakes this cake, as her own signature dessert.!

My booth had lots of tea things, teacarts, linens, dishes, glassware, and other vintage treasures!

Joan's forget-me-nots  teacup,    made in England

Adderly teacup and saucer

My pretty hankies

Vintage Bakelite Radio

Cute little Chintzware Sugar and Creamer

Milkglass Hobnail Sugar and Creamer

 







I didn't make much money this weekend but I certainly enjoyed being with my friends and sharing tea, stimulating conversation, and eating cake! 

Happiness is not something you get, but something you do.                                          ---Marceline Cox


While there's tea there's hope.    ---Sir Arthur Pinero


"It's always teatime..."   the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

image from www.magicmooonlightfreeimages.blogspot.com

I am so thankful for all I have, and for my blogging friends. 

 I wish you a truly wonderful time of sharing Thanksgiving with your loved ones!

Blessings, Linda

I am building my nest again!

   I didn't mention it, waiting until I could speak of it with more grace, but I had a difficult move this past summer and am only now getting comfortably settled in.  I'm adjusting to a very modest home, but I am grateful that God has provided it and I am  determined to make it a love-filled, comfortable, cozy place, a warm and inviting haven.
 I am building my nest again!
 All the materials I'm using are: Love, joy, peace,  patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians5:22-23) *
  Also,  I must have flowers, music, books, and old things!

These are two huge, gorgeous Crepe Myrtle  trees
 next to my screen porch!
 Next summer,my transplanted hostas, coral bells,
 and other shade plants will be growing  along the side also.

 It has a really nice kitchen!  I love being able to cook for those I love.   I  have big plans to bake for and with my family, especially with the holidays coming up!  

I love my vintage brown transferware dishes for fall.
 It's Windsor Fruit, and it blends beautifully
 into my red and white kitchen color scheme. 

Isn't it fun to use pretty old china and glassware? I don't have this whole set, just a few pieces. But I like to use different table settings all the time.
  Just placed some pears and apples in an old amber Depression Glass bowl.

  Love baking those pumpkin muffins, pies, breads, and apple pies and crisps!
 So many great fall foods to make with the bountiful fall fruits!
  Ah, it makes it feel like home, the baking scents, the cooking aromas.

At least I found some of my cookbooks!
I still can't find lots of things!

Just draped a fall gourd garland around my chippy, shabby-chic mirror

A collection of old mirrors, an old chair, and bookcase, still evolving.
The wall was dark brown paneling, until I primed it
 and painted 2 coats of creamy white paint.

My old bookcase, made by Gunn Furniture Co.  in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from 1890-1920

This bookcase has lift glass doors, some are missing but I don't care!   I love to change up the collection displays, and  vignettes to go with the seasons.  I stuck some pumpkins and gourds on my green pottery collection.

This small plaque, from my daughter, Julie, says it all!

Not my Dream House!

This is not a lovely seaside cottage,  or a big old farmhouse where I could raise  some chickens and alpacas.  It's not  a character-rich Victorian where I could showcase antiques, and use my wicker furniture on the porch, nor is it a brand-spanking new house with the most modern, state-of-the-art fixtures and features.   But it's a good, sound home, that I could afford in a safe community, with good neighbors, and pretty yards. It's close to my kid's and grandchildren's  homes! 

 I will love decorating it and making it my home and I am so very thankful for it.  God is good.

 I wish you love, peace, and joy in your home!

Love, Linda

 

I  often visited www.littlebirdieblessings.blogspot.com,

 and read 2 books that helped me during my difficult move. 

  After The Boxes Are Unpacked, by Susan Miller and The Bible

 

He is happiest, be he king or peasant,

who finds peace in his home. ---Goethe

I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage,

with my books, my family and a few old friends...

letting the world roll on as it likes, than to occupy

the most splendid post which any human power

can give.                           ---Thomas Jefferson

'By the Bay'

  What has my friend Maureen been so excited about lately?    I had to go find out!   She has been spending much of her time working with a group that has been restoring a historic bayside area including the shipping sheds and wharves and  a 1928 oyster schooner, A. J. Meerwald, N.J.'s  Tall Ship.
She invited me to the very first "2nd Friday-'By the Bay'.  What a delightful evening! Mingling with local artists, tasting oyster stew and other seafood delicacies, and more delicious homemade refreshments! Enjoying folksy guitar music on the dock, and learning something of our rich  maritime history in South Jersey!

A model of the A.J. Meerwald in the museum.
 She wasn't in port, because she was in
a schooner race in the Chesapeake Bay this weekend!
for her history and details, go to www.ajmeerwald.org



Maureen in the museum shop, with lots
of  bayshore artwork,  local crafts
and pottery, and souvenirs

Ted  had a cup of grog

I saw exquisite artwork by Anthony Thompson and others.


  This is a painting of Eastpoint Lighthouse, in Cumberland County,built in 1849. It fell into disrepair, then was later restored 
 and is a very popular local artist subject. It is also a place where the Monarch Butterflies stop before their Autumnal Journey to Mexico, and this can be quite impressive to observe.  To learn more about the lighthouse history and tours, please visit www.njhs.org/links.html 
 or email the Maurice River Historical Society, at eastpointlighthousenj@yahoo.com

Photo from nrm.wikipedia.org/wiki/File oysters_in_circle_on_plate.jpg

 At the Raw Bar on the dock, we watched oysters being shucked and we could buy a plate of 6, for $6.00!  For more fascinating information on New Jersey oysters, visit www.cumauriceriver.org/downjersey/maritime , and www.jerseyseafood.nj.gov

Knot work being  taught by Horace Whitfield
 When I tried to make a square knot,
 He told me it turned out to be a "granny knot".
I thought he was kidding me!

A section of the lovely mural by Rudderow
in the museum


Each month there will be themed events, on the second Friday evenings, at the shipping sheds and wharves
 in Bivalve, Port Norris, N.J.
 They are also presenting children's programs.
Details and directions at www.bayshorediscovery.org
856-785-2060 ext 100

 That was a really fun and educational evening! 
 Who knew I lived near such an interesting place!
 Love, Linda

Three Days A Week

At least three days of the week, I am playful. I laugh a lot, sing all day long, and dance freely.

  

At least three days a week, I have fun. I learn new things, I see clearer, I feel hopeful.
At least three days a week, my faith is stronger and I have bigger dreams and aspirations.

I am confident, sharing what I know and teaching what I've learned in life.
I feel loved, appreciated, truly honored.
I make a difference, and there are little eyes looking up to me, following my example.
I take my job very seriously. It's a most important job,  oh, I'm still parenting although my kids are way grown-up, I am helping them parent!.
I am now becoming the matriarch, gradually inheriting this esteemed position after being silently, subconsciously  tutored throughout my lifetime, by my sweet mother, mother-in-laws, and grandmother's excellent examples, triumphs and mistakes.   I must be sometimes strong and firm, sometimes soft and  tender. Someone small totally depends on me, so I must be wise and gentle too,

.
 Because, at least three days a week I spend with a dear little child,my grandson.
And the other four days of the week I go about my business, working and playing, growing and learning,  day by day, finding a balance and  purpose in my life, praying for God to show me the way to do it all and let His love shine through me.
 I know I am so blessed, and that the best is yet to come.  Being a grandma is the richest, most satisfying role I've ever had in my life!.

image from http://shandalin.com/store/fall-pumpkins-bears-clipart-p-289-html

Enjoy the little ones in your life and have a very happy fall season!

                    Blessings!  Linda

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

(I was just singing this!   I loved Mr. Rogers!)

The sun came out,  Friday, after so many rainy days!  Tommy just  couldn't wait to get outside for a stroll around the neighborhood!

We saw lots of pretty flowers!  Some are just at their peak, others are finished and going to seed, but summer's not over yet!  I want to savor every last sweet minute of it!
"Look, Tommy, see how pretty the flowers are?"



Did you ever see variegated morning glories?

" Listen, Tommy, there are some birdies!  what do the birdies say?  "Tweet, Tweet, Tweet"
Oh my, that sounds like a big doggie barking!  What does  the doggie say?,  'woof,woof'

Uh, oh!  Somebody dropped their trash here. Grandma will pick it up and put it in our recycle can. Isn't is a shame that some people litter?  I want your neighborhood to be safe, clean, and pretty, so we will clean up."

Sadly, we found all this litter within a half hour .

  Wow, Tommy, those are grapes growing there!  That's what they make jelly with. Grandma will cook jams and jellies with you when you get bigger, just like my mother did, and I did with your mama.

Concord grapes, grow wild in South Jersey

     Oh, there is another flag!  It's so good to see our American flag, isn't it pretty?

 Counted 23 flags in this little neighborhood!   "O'r the Land of the free, and the home of the brave!"

"Let's walk down to the pond and see if the ducks are there.  Look, Tommy, they come right up to you, because you are so nice to them!  What do they say?  'quack,quack,quack'  "

 "That's a mimosa tree.  I love the little feathery flowers! They are soft and smell pretty, don't they?"  I swish one across his cheek, then hand it to him.  He sticks it in his mouth, of course. "When Grandma was a little girl, she used to sit up on a big, low-swooping branch of a Mimosa tree with her girlfriends, and sing Beatles songs, and watch for lightning bugs."

Mimosa

 Oh, it feels so good, walking, and talking with Tommy. It is indeed, one of my life's "Simple Pleasures".   I want to teach him all I know, and show him everything.  I know he's taking it all in, and he's looking all around and smiling!  Soon, his baby-babble will become words, and giggles, and little songs, and then he will become a little question box, and  then  he'll be going off to school___way too soon!.  But I just want his  sweet, simple baby-days to last forever, even though I know they won't, and they are going by way too fast!  "If they could just stay little 'til their Carter's wear out!"  Remember that jingle?............................  Nah, you're too young!



Visit http://alittleofthisandthat2.blogspot.com9p)simplepleasures.html/ and see other blogging friends simple pleaures!

Thomas, at 13 months


Maybe when I was younger, I was eager to see my kids grow, but now I wish I could slow time down!
These are the best days of my life!  And I truly think that becoming a Grandmother is the best thing that ever happened to me!   One of my most important roles, and most rewarding and meaningful jobs.  What joy!   


 "Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old"  ----Mary H. Waldrip 
                                                                                                  

  Love, Grandma Linda
                     

Travels with Ted

   Traveling recently in the south, seeing the bucolic countryside, city skylines,  and other fascinating places as we rode from New Jersey to Florida, was just the thing I needed, after a difficult move this summer.  New faces, new places, "a change of scenery"! 
  As soon as we got over the bridge, Ted would begin pulling into Waffle Houses all along the way, every time we needed a coffee break!
 


Ted can't resist the friendly, fast service  at Waffle House whenever we stop to refuel !

    

Sign looks vintage!   The American icon, Waffle House, Inc.  began  50 years ago, in 1955,
 with kitchens out front in full view, preparing good, inexpensive food, cooked to order. 

 

Picture of founders Tom Forkner, and Joe Rogers, then and now, continuing traditions
started 50 years ago. Joe said, "We're not in the food business, we're in the people business."

Ted gets his kicks out of stopping at all the Waffle Houses.  I am content to read, soak up the scenery,  and explore antique shops and book stores.
  We indulge in good meals each evening, and  I enjoy swimming  in the motel pools along the way.  The journey soothed my tired   soul! 
Isn't it refreshing to get away for a little while, and combine a little pleasure with a business trip?  

 pretty sweetpea  pattern, Calcough, made in England



A lovely assortment of Roseville Pottery

Good Heavens!  I sure am glad I don't have to use one of these!

Crown Trent, made in England, converted into a hanging planter

some verdant Depression Glass



 verdant Virginia landscape

I met the sweetest ladies, coming from a Red-Hatter's luncheon, and we chatted awhile and admired antiques in one of the many charming antique shoppes in Selma, North Carolina.

Southern Belles

 The  beautiful  Tallahassee Capital Building has red and white- striped awnings
Spanish  moss drapes the huge old Oaks at curbside

 French Poodles, knick-knacks of the fifties.   Poodles are the world's most misunderstood dog.
 They are "Master of all trades, and one of the finest companions any human could ever hope for."

    In Tallahassee, more antiques, and work for several days.  I got to swim each day after work, and finally got some blissful rest in a gorgeous suite!
    Then a pleasant two-day ride home,with beautiful sunny skies.   Hard to believe, that not too far away there was a raging storm taking lives and destroying property.   Traveling an alternative route home, to avoid Hurricane Irene, we were anxious to get home and make sure everyone was okay!  We passed convoys of tree-specialist trucks and disaster-remediation vehicles heading north on the highway to help.  Some motels were full with evacuquees.
   Thankfully, we didn't have much damage!  I pray for many who still endure the aftermath of the storm.

    Now, why is it after a nice trip like that,..... I am ready for a vacation?