Showin' Tellin' and Jingle Bellin'

That song from the 50's just won't let me alone today. It's called "At the Hop" . Danny and the Juniors sang it. Do you recall?

Let's go to the hop

Let's go to the hop (oh baby)

Let's go to the hop (oh baby)

Let's go to the hop

"To the MMP Christmas in July Hop"

It all started Saturday. Miss Sweetpea Pittypat came on over from her Emporium with a load of goodies for Christmas in July at Make Mine Pink. Now, we all agree Miss Sweetpea is the sweetest bunny ever to live in Harrington Woods. And she has outdone herself. So sit back and enjoy the pictures of some of her dreamy creations. By the way, I think Chunky Bunny and Miss Sweetpea would make a great match. Alas, she is not willing to leave Harrington Woods even for a day, even to meet Hunky Chunky.....Oops, back to subject, and here we go to the pre-Hop Hop.

And last but not least, there is that old Andy Williams Christmas Classic;

The Holiday Season

It's the holiday season

With whoop-de-doo and Dickory dock,

And don't forget to hang up your sock,

Cause at just exactly 12 o'clock,

He'll be coming down the chimney down,

He'll be coming down the chimney down,

Coming down the chimney down.

MERRY SHOP HOPPIN TO ALL

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!

Hurry to The Secret Garden Before the Secrets Out

Do you remember the story of "The Secret Garden". Do you remember the motion picture version starring Margaret O'Brien and Dean Stockwell? The whole film was in black and white, until you entered the splendor of the garden. Then the scene burst into vibrant technicolor. That is what happened to me as I was looking for items I loved for Pink Friday's Garden Path. When I saw this "Pretty Porch Pouch" by Dianne of Mama's Pocketbook, everything else faded to black and white. There is nothing I would rather have than this Pretty Porch Pouch hanging on a chair, over a fence, sitting on a bench, or anywhere in my garden as long as it is within my sight. I was thinking what a great Garden Party gift. Use the pouch as the centerpiece, then give it away at the end of the party much to the delight of the one who receives it. But I must caution you, if you think giving it away would be easy, I would beg to differ with you, lol. Just click on any of the highlighted areas or the purse itself and go straight to Mama's Pocketbook, where Dianne is waiting with a garden of earthly delights. Thank you Dianne, your work is always inspiring me.

Cottage Violet's has a few little items to share for Pink Friday - The Garden Path, too. I will picture one here and the rest are to be seen at Cottage Violets. Also, I have been working on a whole new line of tags using Fairy Tale Buttons from Cindy at Angel Heart Designs. I hope you will check back for their premiere. I do not think they will disappoint, lol. This little photo will serve as an entrance to the rest of my story, which is a little information about the author of the Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett. Please visit often.

Frances Hodgson Burnett emigrated to Knoxville, Tennessee from Manchester, England in 1865. She had lived in the slums of a then Victorian England (due to the early demise of her father), and emigrated to America to find a better life at the request of an uncle (living in Tennesse at the time). When Frances was 18, her mother died leaving Frances with four siblings to support. That is when Frances started writing. She wrote serials for the leading ladies magazines of the day, Godey's Ladies Book and Harper's Bazaar are two of those magazines. She married a doctor from Washington DC and you would think this is where she lives happily ever after. Oops, not to be. After 25 years of marriage, she divorced her husband, and married her business manager. The second marriage lasted only 2 years. During the 1890's she spent most of her time in England, but came back to America in 1909 after becoming an American citizen.

She was quirky and tempermental. She attended in person the Golden Jubilee celebrating 50 years of Queen Victoria's reign. Although her books were celebrated and famously popular, Frances was often talked about and scandalized in the press.

Her three most famous books are: The Secret Garden, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and A Little Princess. All three books found great success, and later found renewed acclaim as they were made into hit movies. The Secret Garden starred Margaret O'Brien and Dean Stockwell, Little Lord Fauntleroy starred Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney, A Little Princess starred Shirley Temple and Arthur Treacher. Frances Hodgson Burnett died in 1924 at the age of 74 in New York City. Her books are famous, but she is one of the least celebrated authors to have such great classics to her name. The pictures below are of Frances Hodgson Burnett on the left, and the 1911 cover version of The Secret Garden on the right. I hope you will consider reading these classics. They are well worth the time. Regards, Theresa

What Is It About Feet Pictures? Let Me Show and Tell You

You know, I see more feet pictures these days. There is even a coffee table book with feet that represents a cross section of the United States. Working feet, dancing feet (my favorite, lol), baby feet, cowboy feet, FEET. You name the feet, they have them. My A/R clerk at work got married a year and a half a go. She's a budding photographer. She excitedly asked me if I wanted to see the wedding pictures she took (that didn't include her). Great, I said. Well, the first thing I see is a picture of all her maids and ushers feet (barefoot). She looked up, and said, " I just have this thing about FEET." So, I have jumped on the bandwagon feet first, lol. My dispatcher wears flip flops 24/7. I have heard rumors that her bedroom slippers are fuzzy flip flops. Anyhoo, Janet at Janet's Creative Pillows, (one of my favorite Pink Sister's of all times), had a wonderful marvelous, flip-flop pillow for Pink Friday's Beach Cottage theme. Well, my dispatcher was having a birthday so I just scooped it up ASAP. Here it is in all it beachy glory. Thank you Janet, it was the perfect gift......

The feet from left to right, my boss's granddaughter's feet (she's subbing for her aunt, who is the boss's daughter and ready to give birth at any moment , excitement building), next the general manager's wife's feet, next the birthday girl's feet, and last but not least my little sister (well, ex-sister-in-law, but true blue friend after 30 years and definitely a sister to me). By the way, as you can tell she isn't wearing flip flops, but we are equal opportunity photographers, lol. Also, you don't see the asst. dispatchers (son-in-law, husband of pregnant boss's daughter) feet. Reason; they are too darn big to fit in the picture, and his pink tennies clashed with our theme. I guess our opportunities are not that equal. hahahahahahha, can't help it.
These next two pictures are of my present from Janet of Janet's Creative Pillows. She gave me lips!!!! I have been asking my husband for lips for years (like I could afford them, hahaha), but alas tis not to be. So, I decided, when I saw my scrumptious lip pillow, that I would put it on my inspiration board. Who knows, maybe God will send an angel to plump up my lips for me, lol. Hey, you may laugh but it could happen. I believe, I believe, I believe. Good thing God has an enormous sense of humor.

Now, for the last, but not least, picture. Pink Friday's theme is The Garden Path. So, let me take you down the garden path (snicker,snicker, can't help it). Here is a little foretaste, foretaste of the offerings available at Cottage Violet's this Friday. So mark your calender, and MMP and my site, and shop til you drop in an Earthly Garden of Delights. Tis waiting down the garden path, and you have an exclusive invitation.

Here is a short excerpt from one of my children's books.

" Safe beneath my garden walls,

I've gathered bunnies, bears, and dolls."

You are invited, too!

Regards, Theresa

And The Winner Is - SILENA

I went to that random counter everyone talks about and put in the numbers 1 and 30, and it chose 16. I counted down sixteen names and there was dear Silena of the Enchanted Valley Boutique. Congratulations, Silena . You have won the first ever Cottage Violet's blog contest. Contact me and let me know your e-mail address. Since you are a sister member of MMP, I would love to toot your horn a bit. Silena's website is truly enchanting, she's a girl after my own heart. She obviously loves to shop for her customers, and pick just the right treasures.

It's Pink Friday- Romantically Roses over at MMP and here are some of Silena's gorgeous offerings. This is a lovely box with silk ribbon accent. Oooh-la-la

This is a tres' chic 5X7 painting of roses on canvas. Someone's very talented!!!!

This is just too beautiful for words. It is a platter and sugar/creamer in the rare Mikasa pattern called Country Roses. It is a rare find, and Silena knows quality when she sees it.

Click on any of the above pictures and you should go right to Silena's Pink Friday Page on her website. Enjoy looking at Silena's treasures. I know I did. You will find just the right item.

Remember, it's Independence Day, and Freedom has never been free. God Bless You and God Bless America, Please!!!! Thanks, Theresa