Do Not Rob the Little Violet

The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily

do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm,

If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose,

Spring would lose its loveliness.

Therese of Lisieux

I have a certain fondness for violets. Violet's mean faithful in the language of flowers. A cottage epitomizes a certain cozy, warm, way of living or life. At Cottage Violet's we try to live up to our name and evoke feelings of warmth and comfort when you walk through our webby doors. We faithfully bring you lovely china, tchotchkes, and crafts that would fit into any cozy cottage. Here is a little assortment of violet quotes and violet pieces to show you what we mean. I have chosen to showcase Hammersley Victorian Violets china today.

***Please, have a hankie at the ready. We wouldn't want someone to catch you with drool on your screen.

Stars will blossom in the darkness, Violets bloom beneath the snow.

Julia C. Dorr (from "For A Silver Wedding)

Winds wanders, and dews drip earthward; Rains fall, suns rise and set;

Earth whirls, and all but to prosper A poor little violet.
James Russell Lowell (from "The Changeling")

The violets prattle and titter, And gaze on the stars high above.

Heinrich Heine (from "Book of Songs")



Cold blows the wind against the hill, And cold upon the plain;

I sit me by the bank, until The violets come again.
Richard Garnett (from "Violets")

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And last, but not least, we can thank our dearly beloved Mark Twain for this closing quote:

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"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."

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If someone has wronged you, please, forgive them today and let the fragrance of your love and forgiveness be shed abroad. It will come back to you in ways you never even imagined. Our Holy Saviour said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." If He can forgive the cruelty he suffered, I can forgive the petty little complaints I have nurtured and grown.

Have a beautiful blessed day,

Theresa @ Cottage Violet's

Don't Worry Be Hoppy

Come on everyone sing with me:

Here is a little song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don't worry be happy

In every life we have some trouble

When you worry you make it double

Don't worry, be happy......

I think we all know the Bobby McFerrin song: Don't Worry Be Happy. Now, I am one happy girl. Andie of Brown Bee Designs, a little stitcher girl extraordinaire, was stitchin' and I hopped right on over and won the object of my affection: A Spring Pinkeep....woohoo, and here it is, nestled in among my other luscious pin keeps.

And here it is again.

Thank you, Andie. Here is Andie's blog where you can check out more of her wonderful wares. http://www.thebrownbee.blogspot.com/.

I usually don't choose bright colors for projects. I don't know if I was born bland or just kind of kept leaning that way until I fell for pastel. However, these times call for a little pop of color (trite decorator phrase, lol). That being said, here are some tags I created that exhibit more of a Boho feel. So, look at these tags and "Don't Worry, Be Hoppy!!!"

Celebrate Moments and Share Memories

Enjoy Fun And Family

Stay Enthusiastic and Just Dance

A scripture is running through my head today. "For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day." So, if I believe and am persuaded, what does that leave for me to do today. Don't Worry, Be Happy!!! I hope you will do the same.

Kind Regards, Theresa

Proud as Punch and Tickled Pink

I finally pried open the pocketbook and updated my blog look. I am pleased as punch, and tickled pink. If I were young this picture would be of me, as I gazed upon my new banner. Not only am I celebrating a new look (for the blog, lol), I am celebrating my 36th wedding anniversary. Of course, I was a child bride (not). Let's see, I bought two new blog looks, another shop on Shabbylane Shops (Miss Violet's on the Garden Court), a spot on Friday Flea Markets (also Miss Violet's), and had steak for dinner. Now, that is living large. You know the old bible verse, Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow...... I decided if God can't take care of me, (and I am sure He can), I might as well go down having the time of my life with the best people on earth (that is you). I don't mean to be flippant, but I suspect if we were not told by the news media every five minutes that we were going to self destruct shortly, we would carry on as usual, our feet firmly planted on fallow ground. I was over at Magnolia Pearl's blog and read if I may quote from Robin, Miss Magnolia Pearl herself:

"When I sit on my porch sipping hot tea, I listen to the birds singing as they know nothing of the economy and the sorrows of the world; or do they? I think they know that God is optimistic if he made the sun shine yet another day. I'll take my cue from the birds and sing as long as the sun continues to rise and shine."

Right then and there I decided to be optimistic and happy for each day God gives me and America. I hope you are happy and blessed, too. Heck, you can only fail if you never try again. So, stop and smell the roses and then get back to work, cuz our Lord has big purpose for that life of yours.

Oh. and a big shout out to Debbi of Marionberry Cottage for the great blog designs on both Cottage Violets and Miss Violets. Here is her banner. Click on over and see her lovely shop

Smoochies and blessins,

Theresa

Heartwarming and Homecoming

First, get out your handkerchief. I have a short little story for you that will warm the very cockles of your heart. I sold a teapot (yes, this Colclough Ivy Leaf Teapot).

But that's not the heartwarming part, even though my pocketbook, being sadly neglected, was warmed. Then, I received an email from the man (yes, I said man) who bought it. "How soon can you get it to me?", says he. "Priority mail is taking about two days, is that soon enough?", says I. Here's the heartwarming part (handkerchiefs at the ready). He writes back to tell me that the shipping time would be fine. His mother's birthday is at the end of February, and she is from England. The teapot to her set got broken, and he is buying her the teapot for her birthday. Whew, talk about a Hallmark moment. All hail, all hail to men who love and respect their mother's. He went out of his way to make a memory for his dear mother. What a guy!!! Oh, footnote, he wrote to say the teapot was perfect, and he was happy.........

Now on to Homecoming. I have joined a new little web mall called "French Cupboard". Yes, I know I am an ardent anglophile, but my English china feels so at home in the "French Cupboard". I think my wares (always wanted to call the merchandise: wares) fit right in and bring my cozy cottage feel and a certain "joie de vivre" to the lovely elegance of French style. So all you "bon vivants" come on over and enjoy the "French Cupboard". Click on the picture and it will take you there, easy does it.

Hey, while you are over there check out a magazine called "Porch". It is a lovely compendium of pictures that draw you in and take you on a journey; blogger style. It is really worth the read, or should I say look. Click on the picture and you will be magically transported over there.

And here's a little quote to give possibilities to your day:

It is never too late to be what you might have been.

George Eliot

By the way, did you know George Eliot was really a woman, who wrote under a nom de plume so her work would be taken seriously. No, seriously!!!

Here's praying for huge blessings to overtake you today,

Theresa

T'Was None So Fair As Morgan's Rose

Hi , it’s my birthday tomorrow and I want to talk about it. Yes, stutter and drool and talk about it. I am speakin of my love of Hammersly English China, especially a pattern known as Morgan’s Rose. Having reached this august age, I cannot be still. I must indulge my fascination for this passion of mine. This china involves sight and sound and touch. The beauty of the roses, the pleasant ping when tapped, and the coolish delicate feel of fine china in one’s hand. I could sit and look at it for hours. There are so many shapes and sizes. I wonder who was chosen to create the look and feel of this pattern. I wonder if God knew how I’d appreciate it, so He let them fashion the cups in the quatrefoil style. Can you tell I’m hooked. Well and truly, HOOKED! I have even written a poem dedicated to this pattern. So here’s the poem and here’s the china. I think you will agree this is a fabulous pattern.

Captain Morgan was a cruel and ruthless man

Who made his living from the sea
He was hard and cold, an unfeeling bloke

But Rose could set him free

He never figured on the Lady Rose
Who touched his blackened heart,
And made him think of better days
Before he’d made this start

Now he’d signed a pirates pact,
And his honor bade him go,
A soldier of fortune was his lot
True love he could not know.

The Lady Rose thought him kind
And loved him with her heart,
And head, and life, and soul it’s said
But denounced his pirate’s art.

So, 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

Thank you for indulging my fancy on my special day!!!

God Bless Us Everyone, Theresa

Don't forget to visit us at http://www.cottageviolets.com/

Roses are Red, Violets are Purple, Pancakes are Better, If You use Maple Syrple

I guess you could say I'm not a cherub and frou frou sort of girl (although there is that one place in my heart, lol). I am more of a "Blondie and Dagwood", or "Lucy and Desi" kind of girl. I go for the one-liners, the pratfalls, the hold-your-sides-from-laughing-so-hard kind of Valentines. Now, I will confess that anything innocent and cutesy also takes my fancy. Then again, Lucy was always involved in innocent destruction and Blondie takes cutesy to a level heretofore unknown to man. Sex may sell (as the advertisers say), but I prefer a time when your mortality wasn't based on your morality (if you get my drift). I've really wandered far afield, when all I really wanted to say was:

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Every purchase from Cottage Violets between now and January 31st will include a free Valentine (and they are CUTE).

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Make 'em laugh

Make 'em laugh

Don't you know everyone wants to laugh?(Ha ha!)

My dad said "Be an actor, my son

But be a comical one

They'll be standing in lines

For those old honky tonk monkeyshines"

Now you could study Shakespeare and be quite elite

And you can charm the critics and have nothin' to eat

Just slip on a banana peel The world's at your feet

Make 'em laugh

Make 'em laugh

Make 'em laugh

Make 'em...Make 'em laugh

Don't you know everyone wants to laugh

My grandpa said go out and tell 'em a joke

But give it plenty of hoke

Make 'em roar Make 'em scream

Take a fall Butt a wall Split a seam

You start off by pretending

You're a dancer with grace

You wiggle 'till they're Giggling all over the place

And then you get a great big custard pie in the face

Make 'em laugh

Make 'em laugh

Make 'em laugh

Make 'em laugh

Make 'em laugh

Don't you know... all the...wants..?

My dad...They'll be standing in lines

For those old honky tonk monkeyshines

Make 'em laugh

Make 'em laugh

Don't you know everyone wants to laugh?

Make 'em laugh Make 'em laugh Make 'em laugh!

(from Singin' in the Rain, lyrics by Arthur Freed)

Use It Up, Or Wear It Out, Make It Do, Or Do Without

I love the old rhymes and sayings. The title of this blog is a particular favorite of mine. Here in the valley of Kern County we are a hardy bunch of pioneers. Some came because of the dust bowl era, some came during the depression, some pioneered the west, some came with the discovery of oil. My mother came during World War II from San Diego with her widowed mother, and my father was born here to a Southern Pacific Railroad Engineer and his wife. The saying has been a mainstay in my life, and during these uncertain times it will stand me in good stead. Most of us who craft still know the old ways. We know how to clean, to cook filling food from scratch (plain food I call it) and some of us still remove the buttons from the worn out clothing. We can plant and tend a garden, and drive an old stick shift if we have to (are there any left?). We know how to entertain ourselves without stepping a foot off our own property. We rely on God and His goodness. We still pray with thanksgiving, and seek God to heal our land. I must admit I am not a progressive thinker, but somewhat simple and single minded, lol.

I think that is one of the reasons I so love Andie at Brown Bee Design's pinkeeps. They remind me of another time. A time when precious resting minutes were spent stitching treasures filled with love and artistry. This is the same love that Andie puts into her work. I ordered another pinkeep that says "Do Much" to go along with "Promise Little"(see post below). More old sayings that hold a ton of information with very few words. Words that make you go "Hmmmmm". Words that make you think.

And speaking of words, I have posted another story in Gabby's Bunny Tails on my web site, Cottage Violets. Here is an excerpt from the heartwarming Thanksgiving story,

"As usual I ran to the window to check on the snowfall. I love snow in all its white fluffiness. As I lifted my curtain and looked down I saw an imprint in the snow. It was the shape of an angel. Careful to be quiet lest I disturb mother, I ran to find H. Harriet to explain to me that form in the snow. She came to my room and pulled back the curtain, “Miss Gardenia, it looks as though the angels have been resting in the garden. How the Lord must love you to send you an angel to rest outside your window.”

Please read the whole story at Cottage Violet's under Gabby's Bunny Tails if you are so inclined. The girls love to entertain you, and the website is always ready and waiting for your arrival.

Here are few pictures of the new necklaces (charms) on the site, and some Pinwheels crafted with handmade buttons from Cindy Houot at Angelheart Designs.














Have a beautiful, blessed Thanksgiving,
Theresa @ Cottage Violets