Special Wedding Day

Happy Wedding Day!
This very-proud-and-happily-American girl has a small part of her heart reserved for Great Britain. Been there twice, and neither time was long enough. So on this special wedding day I celebrate, as all good anglophiles will, a very British occasion and mark of history.

There may be scones and cucumber sandwiches in order later today, if I can get up enough gumption to prepare them. Maybe not. Five years ago, I toured Westminster Abbey and stood near the high altar steps - a beautiful setting for today, and all the memories are good. Here's to watching history right before my eyes.

Blossoms From a Bird's Eye View

Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Royal House of Love

London on the Brain

What with all the postcards posts and Royal Weddings happening this month in London, I just have London on the brain. This is an aerial view of London from NASA. Amazing, unreal, and stunning! Gorgeous, anyway you care to look at it! (Stay tuned for more London on April 29th)

Post From London

I adore London, there's no getting around it. Walking it's streets on my own was a dream come true. I long to go back one day, but until then, maybe this can tide me over - post from London.

The sender will write you a quote or saying on a postcard, and send it directly from London.

Like Marianne Dashwood, you'll be checking the post every day, wondering if it's arrived yet.

I wonder if she takes quote requests. For instance, a quote by one of the Brontes, or maybe one of the Inklings, would be nice. Either way, what a treat for those of us who long to be across the pond.

update:
Sadly, I never got the postcard I ordered :(
She sent another one and didn't get that one either! 


Photo by Missharry

Spring Rain

I breathe in strength from Your spring rain,
Dance on the rooftops of Your hope, again.
~Bookish Kind










Photo by Ivan Shishkin "Rain in an Oak Forest" 1891

Then Was Lancelot Sent For

Here is a link to some less familiar depictions of Elaine of Astolat, also known as, "The Lady of Shalott."
Elaine of Astolat or Ascolat is a figure in Arthurian legend who dies of her unrequited love for Lancelot. Also referred to as Elaine the White and Elaine the Fair, she is the daughter of Bernard of Astolat. Versions of her story appear in Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur and Alfred Tennyson's Idylls of the King. Elaine's story is also the inspiration for Tennyson's poem "The Lady of Shalott."(wikipedia)

And my favorite version by John William Waterhouse

Introducing "Retrench Now"

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Iron Beauty

This iron beauty was not meant to be a bookshelf, but that's exactly what she is now. I saw this photo from an online shop, and had to have her. Beautiful, practical, and functional come together in one charming package. Books not included, but that is not a problem!

Photo Credit - 51 Vintage Circle