Book Bliss

When I come across old books at a thrift store or tag sale, I calmly, (yeah right), walk over to check them out. Hoping the price on them is good, that the covers are interesting and unique--they usually are, and most importantly, it is a title I am especially interested in. This is pure bliss and I love every moment of scouring shelves and stacks for the perfect ones.
Oftentimes I find so many I am endeared to, I take them all, with barely a thought as to where they'll be stored, or displayed. Will they be mine -- or will I give them away, can I give a certain one up, will someone else love it as much as I do, etc.
Lately, I have been collecting my fair share.....and more! Sometimes, this is what "following your bliss" looks like~
Dozens of old friends sitting patiently on my desk. Each one chosen and brought home for good reasons. I am officially besotted with each and every one of them! Should you want to share in the spoils, please visit the bookshop, and take a lovely piece of history home with you.

September Song

I stir in the summer, but awaken and breathe in fall.

Very Slowly

This is the wallpaper that is currently on my desktop, taken in late July. These last final few weeks of summer need to be let go of very very slowly, as fall's charm and exquisiteness will soon overtake summer's splendor.For now, pinks and blues penetrate the heart, while the hibernating ruby and amber blooms of the trees must wait their turn. Whether summer, or fall...

"Earth laughs in flowers"
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bend in the Road

Summer is ending, and that means changes and new beginnings. Sometimes changes are of our own making, and sometimes they are forced on us. They can be scary, but also exciting and joyful. We all need a "bend in the road" from time to time. Even the weather changes, but eventually settles back down again.
I really like this picture because if you look at the road there are tracks on it - meaning someone has been that way before. It may be new to you, but others have gone down that road. Many possibilities and opportunities await, as of yet unknown. There are beautiful things to see as you make your way along the road, and although you cannot see behind the bend, your view is clear as you take it a step at a time.
The thing that is so wonderful about change is that it is gradual and transforming, just like a leaf in the fall that goes from green to red, or green to orange, or green to yellow. Where will the bend take you? What will you become? Will your growth be red, yellow, or orange? All is well, for you will become what you are meant to be, one bend in the road at a time.
There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse! As I have often found in travelling in a stagecoach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position, and be bruised in a new place.
~Washington Irving

Do You Ramble?

..if not, then you should!








Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.
~Henry David Thoreau

Something Kindred

Something kindred speaks to me~

When I discover a 19th century artist/art I've never heard of or seen before...this one is by Alice Barber Stephens


When I learn of an early American or British author, who is obscure and not well-known now...this one is Brander Matthews, (what a face!) He looks a little like Charles Dickens!

When I walk in formal gardens that share their secrets and beauty with anyone who cares to walk them. Their color and variety is impressive.

When I see a stack of old books on the shelf with their faded covers and yellow pages. I can spot an old one a mile away --practically!

...white daisies, poetry, antiques, fine art, walking London on my own, dreaming of Yorkshire and the Lake district, anything Victorian or Medieval, words put to music well, French script, birds, and seeing horses run wild. This could go on and on...

The Wren's Gift

This is a free vintage image from THE VINTAGE MOTH

Sky Beauty

The sky is beautiful year-round:

The skies; pale pink pastels,
Rich, blue, firmament, brimming with life,
Flocks, in formation patterns,
White, falling down as icy raindrops.

The summertime night sky is no exception. We have gone from a night time thundering sky filled with thread after thread of white lightening offering flashes of eternity; to a dark, mild, and starry sky so quiet you hear eternity... all within a few days time. I could never choose between the two, I love them both. Both get me to stop what I am doing inside, step out into the night firmament, and be still.

If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yes, those starry beauties smile and wink right at you, if you watch long enough. As soon as the sun takes her final bow, they are there, waiting...arriving one-by-one and very slowly, until before you know it the whole sky is a silent symphony playing right before your eyes, just for you. A symphony that plays every night of the year for free.

Photo is from How Things Work

Smitten With Charlottes

Being so smitten with Frozen Charlotte's recently, I bought this pretty necklace. Isn't she gorgeous? If you are also smitten with Charlottes, check out this lovely shop. She features many unique and original, vintage Frozen Charlotte pieces.

Colors of Summer

Stunning!

Infinite Gravity

Summer is slipping by so fast I can hardly believe it. I have been in hibernation for days and plan on staying there! For now, purple mountains are my walls, and a fanciful and changing sky my ceiling. The earth under my feet is my carpet, and freshly watered flowers fill the air with sweet perfume.
I don't plan on going anywhere that will take me too far away. I am glued to the beauty and contentment I am surrounded by. This is summer's finest offering - an infinite gravity that holds us in, and offers rest.

To see the summer sky
is poetry
~Emily Dickinson

Sarah, Plain, and Tall Article

Sort of a book share...

Article is from TV Guide

Something About Alice

A few weeks ago, I was thrilled to come upon a book filled with lovely "Alice in Wonderland" illustrations. Over 100 of them to be exact. There is just something about Alice - you have to love her. Here are a few of the charming illustrations from the past century that bring her to life from the pages whence she came from.



Curiouser and curiouser!

It's Not Trevi Fountain...

...but beautiful nonetheless. Toss in your coin and make a wish with me, so dreams can come true.
"If there is magic on this planet,
it is contained in water.
It's least stir even, is enough
to bring me searching to the window."
~Loren Eiseley

Frozen Charlotte

This is a poem about a girl who goes out in the bitter winter cold without a wrap on to keep her warm. Thankfully, we read this in July when frozen is as far away as can be. There are also other frozen Charlotte's, as you will see.

Young Charlotte (Frozen Charlotte)
by Seba Smith

Now, Charlotte lived on the mountainside,
In a bleak and dreary spot;
There was no house for miles around,
Except her father's cot.
And yet on many a wintry night,
Young swains were gathered there;
For her father kept a social board,
And she was very fair.

One New Year's Eve as the sun went down,
Far looked her wishful eye
Out from the frosty window pane
As merry sleighs went by.

In a village fifteen miles away,
Was to be a ball that night;
And though the air was heavy and cold,
Her heart was warm and light.

How brightly beamed her laughing eye,
As a well-known voice was heard;
And driving up to the cottage door,
Her lover's sleigh appeared.

"O, daughter dear," her mother cried,
"This blanket 'round you fold;
It is a dreadful night tonight,
You'll catch your death of cold."

"O, nay! O, nay!" young Charlotte cried,
And she laughed like a gypsy queen;
"To ride in blankets muffled up,
I never would be seen.

"My silken cloak is quite enough,
You know 'tis lined throughout;
Besides I have my silken scarf,
To twine my neck about."

Her bonnet and her gloves were on,
She stepped into the sleigh;
Rode swiftly down the mountain side,
And o'er the hills away.

With muffled face and silent lips,
Five miles at length were passed;
When Charles with few and shivering words,
The silence broke at last.

"Such a dreadful night I never saw,
The reins I scarce can hold."
Fair Charlotte shivering faintly said,
"I am exceeding cold."

He cracked his whip, he urged his steed
Much faster than before;
And thus five other dreary miles
In silence were passed o'er.

Said Charles, "How fast the shivering ice
Is gathering on my brow."
And Charlotte still more faintly said,
"I'm growing warmer now."

So on they rode through frosty air
And glittering cold starlight,
Until at last the village lamps
And the ballroom came in sight.

They reached the door and Charles sprang out,
He reached his hand for her;
She sat there like a monument,
That has no power to stir.

He called her once, he called her twice,
She answered not a word;
He asked her for her hand again,
And still she never stirred.

He took her hand in his - O, God!
'Twas cold and hard as stone;
He tore the mantle from her face,
Cold stars upon it shone.

Then quickly to the glowing hall,
Her lifeless form he bore;
Fair Charlotte's eyes were closed in death,
Her voice was heard no more.

And there he sat down by her side,
While bitter tears did flow;
And cried, "My own, my charming bride,
You never more will know."

He twined his arms around her neck,
He kissed her marble brow;
His thoughts flew back to where she said,
"I'm growing warmer now."

He carried her back to the sleigh,
And with her he rode home;
And when he reached the cottage door,
O, how her parents mourned.

Her parents mourned for many a year,
And Charles wept in the gloom;
Till at last her lover died of grief,
And they both lie in one tomb.


More Frozen Charlottes~
Frozen Charlotte Victorian dolls
The Folk Song




Frozen Charlotte Dessert (from Imagine Maine dot com)
To make a Frozen Charlotte dessert, line the sides and bottom of a springform cake pan (or other tin mold) with (24) ladyfingers. Soften a teaspoon and a half of unflavored gelatin in a little water. Whip 2 cups of heavy cream until stiff. Put the softened gelatin and 1/2 to 3/4 cup of sugar in a heavy pan and heat carefully until sugar dissolves. Flavor the whipped cream with vanilla or a couple spoonfuls of sherry or rum, then add gelatin mix slowly to cream while continuing to whip with a beater. Fill the lined pan with the cream mixture.
Freeze for several hours until set or overnight. Unmold and thaw slightly if very frozen. Serve with chopped nuts, more whipped cream, cherries, hot fudge sauce or fresh strawberries.

Read the history about the poem here.