The Touching Garden

Royal Albert's American Beauty

Have you ever thought how much fine bone china can resemble a garden? First, there is spring, with a lush vista of flower patterns, ivy in the shade, roses in the sun, peonies, iris, and all the colors of the rainbow. Then there is summer, with its bold sunflowers, fruit or vegetable patterns,  and all the bright cheery designs that thrive on sunshine. When autumn shows up the wonderful world of color turns to oranges, deep reds, forest greens to match the changing of the seasons. And last but not least Winter where white reigns supreme, and all the Christmas patterns take center stage.

I think I express myself through the china patterns I choose. I would be hard put to choose one season over another. In spring I favor Royal Albert's American Beauty, Colclough English Ivy Leaf, and Hammersley Victorian Violets. The summer is my time to enjoy Hammersley Cornflower, Royal Albert Tea Rose, and Hammersley Thistle. Autumn brings a new feel with Hammersley Morgan's Rose, Royal Alberts Old Country Roses, and Hammersley Fruits and Nuts. What would the Christmas season be without Hammersley Grandmothers Rose, and again Royal Alberts Old Country Roses because Old Country Roses offers so many Christmas variations.

 English fine bone china is never far from my heart or hands. Simply put, I love English china.I love the cool touch, the smooth feel. Here are some photos of patterns I favor. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. My little shop, Cottage Violets is always open for your viewing pleasure. Please stop by and browse to your hearts content.

Colclough's English Ivy Leaf

Hammersley Victorian Violets

A selection of Hammersley Cornflower

Royal Albert Tea Rose

Hammersley Thistle

"Touch has a memory"

John Keats

In parting, here is a little quote from me

Only when I behold our Lord will I see something more beautiful than English china

Theresa Winter

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

Blessings, Theresa

The Patterns of Our Life

"Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

The last of life, for which the first was made. "

Robert Browning

I had an epiphany! Fine bone china resembles our love lives. So many patterns, and colors to entice the eye. When new, china is shiny and sparkly awaiting a journey to its first home. Lovingly wrapped it arrives, and we are instructed to "Handle With Care". We are in awe of its numerous shapes and sizes. We lovingly place it within view so that we may keep our eye on it. Sometimes we  lose interest, and the china languishes in the dust. As in any good relationship there are mishaps and miscalls. So it is with china, a little rim chip, a hairline fracture  or two.  Some lives are harder, others are easier.  You will find china that has been meticulously cared for, set on a shelf, wrapped in cotton so to speak. Then there is everyday china, slight scars on its surface from daily use. Character marks that may devalue its worth in the world's eye, but not so with the one who lovingly handles it without regard to the use marks on its surface. I have vowed that I will treat my relationship with my husband as we grow older just like I treat my fine bone china. I will remember that his heart is fragile no matter what the exterior looks like. I wil not discard him if he has "character marks" or wrinkles in his packaging (lol). I will lightly tap his soul and listen to the beautiful ringing sound that tells of his worth to our Saviour. I still love his pattern after 39 years, and will "grow old along with he, for the best is yet to be".

Following you will find several patterns from Miss Violet's Tea Cupboard at "Cottage Violets". If you haven't traveled the violet strewn lane of Harrington Woods lately, click on over to Cottage Violets and find a pattern for your life.

For age is opportunity no less

Than youth itself, though in another dress,

And as the evening twilight fades away

The sky is filled with stars invisible by day

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

So if you think your best days are behind you, look up and see the stars!'

Blessings, Theresa

Nurture ~ The Art of Tender Care

I was thinking of the word "nurture" today. Here is the definition:

Nurture: 1. take care of a young thing - to give tender care and protection to a young child, plant, or animal helping it grow and develop.

2. encourage somebody or something to flourish - to encourage somebody or something to grow, develop, thrive, and be successful.

3. keep feeling - to keep a feeling in the mind for a long time, allowing it to grow or deepen.

I saw a beautiful little bird's nest with baby birds in it on facebook today. It seems that each year the same birds start a nest in the same crook of the tree. In my mind's eye I saw the little mother fussing over the eggs, then fussing over the little birdies, and finally loving them enough (or doing what comes "nature-ally") to kick them out of the nest. I could see those little scrawny necks stretching to the limit for a bit of worm or nourishment. Then little wings stretching out for the first time, sometimes interferring with brother or sister nest mates stretching. Then a tentative hop to the rim of the nest for a peek at the wide world, with a quick jump back to the center in fear of that same wide world. Then a gentle nudge, and oops here we are, airborne hoping we can make it back to the safety of the nest. But wait, something kicks in and we boldly stretch our wings and it happens. We begin to soar, higher and higher, with that giddy feeling of freedom.

As you can see I changed from third person to first person in my narrative. It became so personal to me. I wonder if it's personal for you? Like me, do you desire to soar, to be free, to reinvent, renew, thrive? Well, I firmly believe it's possible. Like the old saying goes: God isn't finished with us yet!

Do you desire to write? Pick up that pen. Paint: swing that brush. Sell china: dust off the cup and saucer! You have a reason for being, don't let fear hold you back. Fear of success is just as big as fear of failure. I'll believe in you, and you believe in me. Let's soar with no fear of flying at all!

Here are pictures of some Hammersley bird china demitasse that inspire me. I hope you like them too.

And last but certainly not least a couple of quotes to keep in mind

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams

H. David Thoreau

God gives every bird his worm, but does not throw it in the nest

P.D. James

        And please remember as you nurture someone else you are touching      God's heart.

       " For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and     do minister." Hebrews 6:10

These are all  African birds from a series by Rowland Ward, Nairobi Kenya, for Hammersley China

Blessings, Theresa

The Fine Art of Tapering Off

My candle burns at both ends, it will not last the night,

But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends, it gives a lovely light

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Who doesn't love candles? They are a beautiful luxury for us. They speak of love and light, and times gone by. We are still mesmerized by the flickering flame. You can look into the flame and see a reflection of times gone by. Candles are ever present in literature and films, used as props or eloquent metaphors. We are saddened when we hear "some one's flame has gone out", and instructed not to "hide our light under a bushel". There are times when every good candles needs to "taper off", so why not use a Hammersly fine bone china Candle Snuff. You will find them at Cottage Violet's .

For a slight change of subject I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. For Christians ,(I fit in that category) Resurrection Day is the most important day of all. The day our Lord laid down his life for us. Here is a little picture of an Easter basket filled with my favorite collection of pinkeeps. They were made by Andie Bee (Andrea Ferguson) of The Brown Bee Designs. She is a little maker girl full of spunk and gypsy longings.Visit her once in awhile for wonderful surprises.

"There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of even one small candle"

Robert Alden

Easter Blessings, Theresa

OMGosh, I Am Mr. Mom!!!

Do you remember the movie Mr. Mom? He lost his job, wallowed in self pity, let it all go, found himself, organized his surroundings and his life, and in the end regained all he had lost and more.

Yup, that's me, well, without the Mr. title. I quit my stress permeated job (circumstances personal), cried, wallowed in self pity, yelled at God, made a mess of the holidays, came to grips with it all, and found myself. The self I had lost several years ago when I felt the gentle nudging that all was not well with my soul. Do you remember when he drives into the school entrance, and someone yell's "You're doing it wrong!" MMMhmmm, that was me. I was doing it wrong, trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. How about when he tells his son he needs to give up his little blanket or he'd end up strung out on comforters. That was me telling myself, give up the stress or you'll end up strung out on stress, and I was! It took two months of weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth to realize I am now where I want to be. Back in partnership with God, nurturing a faith that was sadly neglected. It's a new year, and my circumstances haven't changed, but my life has. Faith renewed, I am looking forward to a year of learning, prospering, working, and most important of all, learning how to BE! I hope all of you have learned your lessons faster than old me. I was always do, do, doing. Now I want to spend some time learning just to BE.

Here's a bit of whimsy for you:

To be is to do ~ Plato

To do is to be ~ Socrates

Do be Do be do ~ Sinatra

What do you choose?

Blessings,

Theresa

A Band Of Angels

Picture a group of giggling girls in light blue skirts and white blouses. There is the requisite amount of skinned knees and ponytails. Red hair, blond hair, brunettes, and even one little cherub with almost ebony tresses made up the little group. Some are tall, some thin, some a little on the chubby side, some short, but a perfect band of angels nonetheless. Such was my little Missionettes group. I loved them and love them dearly still. They were all unique, showing such promise, and most of them not at the age when a Wednesday night church group was de'classe (excuse the poor punctuation marks, lol). We sang, we crafted, we talked, we prayed, we went to camp, we lived in each others lives on Wednesday nights and Sundays. I had them such a small amount of time. They filled a place in my heart that yearned for children, but more than that they were souls that God wanted to touch. I hope I fulfilled my edict from God to make an impression on their life's journey.

I know they touched me much more than I could ever touch them. Some were so brimming with life, it bubbled out of their pores. Others I am sorry to say were already world weary, which made me suspect dark secrets and home lives that were unthinkable and unspeakable. Love can have the power to crush, and it almost crushed me. I remember praying one time and feeling as if God was saying, "I didn't give those children to you, they belong to their parents, do the best you can with the time you have with them and leave the rest in my care. " I always remembered that, and tried to fill our times together with a path of fun and merriment, along with a sense of duty to others and definitely a path that led straight to the saving grace of God.

I have lost touch with many of the girls. One, I am sad to say, took her own life, oh so many years ago. It is still a dagger in my heart, a wound that won't heal. The past and pain she suffered with, all her young life, are no more. One prays for the best.

This is not meant to be a sad post, perhaps a little introspective. Okay, you caught me, a lot introspective.

I only said all that to say, sometime I see these girls as full grown ladies. They remember me which always surprises me, since our time together was limited at best. They introduce their children to me (some of whom are full grown now). I forget I was only 21 when I started the group and most of them were 10 - 13. Roughly ten years separated us, but the weight of responsibility rested on me, and it seemed more like 20-30 years in age difference.

Along comes facebook, and lo and behold, first one then another has friended me (much to my delight). So far six beautiful Christian ladies, former Missionettes, are on my friends list, and I am blessed that it is so. They are never far from my heart and mind. The last one found me just two days ago. She was the spunkiest little redhead with freckles. Smart and witty, always helpful and kind, I think of her as Pippi Longstocking, but with the added attraction of our Savior in her life.

I know we can not and should not live in the past. However, these girls, now ladies, are chiseled on the walls of my heart. Each unique, each talented, each loved unconditionally by God. I would love to hear your story if you care to leave a comment. I know you have touched lives too!

Thanks for taking time to listen to my heart today!

Blessings and blessings,

Theresa

Lovely Autumn: Time for a Sale

Autumn doesn't last long here in the desert valley. The raging heat turns to chilling cold in a nanosecond. The trees who dare to turn their leaves from green to red to gold are often confused. After they make up their minds to give us a glorious flaming show, the santa ana winds come to blow them all about. They land in obscure piles around cars and trash cans. Much to my dismay they often land in the pool along with the thorny spikes from the redwood trees. This is why we often take our decorating indoors. Cornucopias don't jump off the table and whirl themselves about. Charming autumn teacups stay in their saucers and provide us with a much needed "drap of tea" (scottich ancestry, lol).

In honor of this short lived season, Cottage Violets is having a SALE. What a sale it is! From now until Thanksgiving you will receive 30% off your purchase (not including shipping). All you have to do is type "autumn" into the discount code. Gabby and Miss Violet Teacake will be there to package and ship your purchases. Miss Violet Teacake always likes to add a treat or two so make sure you don't miss out.


Miss Violet Teacake, H. Harriett Hatrack, and Gabby will be adding many products during the next two weeks. Be sure to come back often and see what's new.

So settle in with your blankie and laptop. Do some window(s) shopping and make sure you type "autumn" in the discount box for 30% off your purchase.

Here's a little peak at an autumn Hammersley fine bone china cup and saucer.

"No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace,

As I have seen in one Autumnal face."

John Donne

Beautiful Autumn Blessings,

Theresa