Springtime in Paris- Ahhhh, the Market Rue Cler

Make Mine Pink is starting an exclusive event called Pink Friday. It is a once a week themed shopping event, and you are invited. Today's event is SPRINGTIME IN PARIS. One of the loveable bunnies who helped take over my website is one Duchess Delphinium Hammersley. Well, she thinks she knows everything about Paris. Let's just say, sometimes we doubt her veracity, lol. So we pretended she went on a shopping trip in the spring, to Paris, and returned with the lovely treasures you are about to behold. Being a proper lady, the Duchess would never travel without a matching hat and purse, together with her ever present gloves. So travel on over to Cottage Violet's and see what the Duchess picked for her Springtime in Paris adventure.


And don't forget to see coordinating items at Little Pink Boutiques like the Shabby in Pink boutique (click above) and Janet's Creative Pillows (click below). Everywhere you look today there will be a French flavor in the air. Ooh la la, and enjoy your journey to the City of Light (La Ville-Lumiere)

And for a good time this weekend rent "An American in Paris" with Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron.

P.S. Oscar Levant from my last post is also in this movie as Gene Kelly's piano playing friend. Isn't it funny how everything ties in. Real life is like the Kevin Bacon game, lol.

Au revoir mes amis, Theresa

The Rose Speaks of Love Silently, In a Language Known Only to the Heart

Oh goodness, it's Show and Tell Monday already!! Well, I have a lovely subject today, and guess what, it involves English China. You are not surprised, right? There is a beautiful Hammersley pattern name Grandmother's Rose. I am pairing up several pieces with famous rose quotes. So sit back and read the quotes, enjoy the china, and dream to your hearts content. I think there is a kinder gentler world in all of our minds. A place we escape to, and long to live in. On this memorial day I would like you to think of all the roses that have gone before, and as you look at the roses, remember, with love and respect, those who have served and are serving, our great nation . Men and women of the military, this ones for you..........

But he that dares not grasp the thorn Should never crave the rose.

Anne Bronte

The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.

George William Curtis

God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December.

James Matthew Barrie

Yet, O thou beautiful rose! Queen rose so fair and sweet.

What were lover or crown to thee, without the clay at thy feet?

Julia C R Dorr

Note: This is dedicated to Cindy the Clay Queen of Angel Heart Designs. She is an artist extraordinaire, and person sublime. From clay she fashions beautiful roses. Please, take a look.

But friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

And since I always find that life is fraught with humor here is one last quote to touch the funny bone, and hopefully, leave you laughing..............................

Roses are red,

Violets are blue.

I'm schizophrenic,

And so am I.

Oscar Levant

The Time Has Come, The Walrus Said

Do you remember the old rhyme, " The time has come," the walrus said, "to talk of many things,"? Well, I have adapted that rhyme to my Show and Tell. Here goes:

"The time has come, the Walrus said," to talk of many things,

Of shoes and snuffs, and candle wax,

And bone china that rings."

Oh, the pretty violet's will surely quench the flame,

A pretty snuff of china , Victorian Violets the name.

Hammersley sweet "Minuet" a pretty floral snuff,

Will make us forget the ships and kings, and other manly stuff.

Then a pretty patterned shoe,

Alas, my dear, will not fit you.

Next the stylish working boot,

Me thinks yon boot is quite a hoot,

And last a dandy's courting shoe,
With puppy on the toe,
To dance the golden night away
Thus end's my Tell and Show .

Whistles, Rabbits and Other Good Habits

It's Show and Tell Monday, and I am late, I'm late for a very important date. Oops, that was another book for another time. Right Lewis? Well, I want to show my Peter Rabbit Children's Ware, and tell a little of Beatrix Potter, writer and illustrator extraordinaire.
First I'll show you the cute little Peter Rabbit tea tile. Isn't it too sweet and I showed it to you "tout suite". eh!!!

And right next to it the 3 piece baby set. Made in England, of course.



And the Maid in England is one Helen Beatrix Potter. Born into a wealthy industrialist family in the Victorian era, Beatrix was practically raised by her Scottish nanny. Beatrix attributed her vivid imagination to the Scottish nannies belief in witches and fairies. She had an acute love for nature and animals which accounts for her sheep farming and preservation work in the Lake District in England. There is a whole museum amusement type facility in Windemere (Lake District) called "The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction". Just a little note: If you are ever staying at the Ritz Carlton Naples Beach in Florida, take the children because they have a full blown Peter Rabbit Tea. Isn't that too cool? And I really want to see the movie "Miss Potter" with Rene Zellwigger.
Okay, I'm done for a bit with that. Let's move on. I have the most amazing thing to show you. Well amazing to me....It's a Hammersley Fine Bone China WHISTLE!!!! Woohoo, you heard it right WHISTLE. Isn't this the sweetest thing? I couldn't wait to snag it when I saw it. It's one of those treasures that will be hard to put on Cottage Violets. The picture shows front and back. Sorry about the quality of the pix, I am in a hurry to get this post up before it turns Tuesday on me. lol. Now you really could whistle in style while you work....

There's My Show and My Tell. Now I am off to see all the treasures you have on your blogs. I am always in awe of the creative force behind all your blogs. TaTa Girls, see you at the Lake District, (a girl can wish can't she)..................

Vintage Vavoom and Romantic Homes

I am so happy to have the chance to donate a little basket of goodies to the Vintage Vavoom Tea Event at Paris in a Cup in Orange California on May 17th, 2008. Here is a link to read all about the event, Vintage Vavoom . I've included some little pictures below, and am so excited Make Mine Pink gave us this opportunity. Vintage Vavoom is a book published by Romantic Homes, one of my favorite magazines. I hope all you California girls get to attend the tea. What a fun time. Also, I would like to give an Honorable Mention to Desi of Romantic Homes who patiently answered all my questions. Thank you Desi, and I have included a little something in the package just for you. Here are the pictures of the basket and its contents:






Here's the basket, and next to it the lovely Hammersley Victorian Violets Demitasse




And then we have the tags (gotta have tags). My own branded Cottage Violet's s Tags and the cute little Violet Stall Girls tags. Both have plenty of room on the back for sentiments.




And one must have a napkin (very vintage,very chic). As a little taste of my hometown I added a bag of Dewar's Peanut Butter Chews, a local favorite and the yummiest. Last, but not least, I added a silver spoon. We were not all born with silver spoons in our mouths, but everybody ought to possess one.... Once again thanks, Romantic Homes Magazine and Make MIne Pink for giving me this opportunity. Regards, Theresa

Salute to May Flowers: MMP Shop Hop for Mum's Day

Now don't jump right to the pictures until I explain. I live in a desert climate where fall, spring, and winter are short seasons. We usually jump right into summer from any angle. So I thought I would present my favorite May flowers in another way.

Have you ever heard of the language of flowers? In Victorian times it was a way to state your case with flowers. Many an aspiring beau used flowers to let their beloved know exactly where they stood,(or wanted to stand). A trifling bouquet could keep a flagging relationship off the rocky shoals of separation. Many a girlish tiff with one's best forever friend was patched and mended with a fragrant tussie-mussie. I hope we can bring this endearing practice back. We have natural flowers, silk flowers, paper flowers, and on and on.

Today I choose to use flowers that never need watering (well an occasional wash, lol). Or a little humidiy in the china cabinet once in a while. You are way ahead of me aren't you. China, ooooh my favorite, and the amazing flowers that adorn our favorite accessories.

Let's start with (hmmmm) Violet's

Violets mean "faithful"

This is a Hammersley fine china pomander with lovely Victorian violets.

How about the Blue Cornflower

The Blue Cornflower stands for "Hope in Love'

Be still my beating heart, isn't that too sweet!

This is a Hammersley Blue Cornflower Trinket Egg. Lovely for little keepsakes.

Then there is the Yellow Rose

The Yellow Rose stands for "Friendship"

This is Royal Albert Tea Rose pattern. This pattern is so cheerful. It is just right for a fun, lasting friendship

How about beautiful delicate ivy.

Ivy stands for "Fidelity"

We don't hear much about fidelity anymore. But I think it is a word just waiting to be revived, remembered and revisited.

I love this Pink Rose

Pink Rose stands for "Grace"

This is Royal Albert's American Beauty pattern. Isn't is lovely? I think God had a hand in this pattern, because He has definitely cornered the market on grace.......

Simply breathtaking are the Yellow, Coral, and Pink Roses.

This pattern is Hammersley's Morgan's Rose.It always makes me think of the pirate's of old and how we've romanticized them. Henry Morgan was the King of Pirate's. He was cruel and a true leader. But I wonder about his tender side. I think of him when I see this pattern, because I am a romantic goose.

Here's a little diddy I made up for this pattern:

He sailed the seas, but ne'er forgot,

Her standing there in sweet repose,

He bade her wait 'til he returned,

Twas none so fair as Morgan's Rose.

And last, but not least, here is a whimsical, and oh so fun teapot of the garden variety, it's pedigree in doubt, lol. But you will notice a big Red Raspberry on it.

Raspberry stands for forgiveness.

So, as a fitting end to this post, I am asking your forgiveness in having to have read this long,long post on a subject I have great passion for. I hope the read was worth the time. Please, don't forget to tell your friends about all the fun at Make Mine Pink

Regards, Theresa