Love Warms Every Nest...Show and Tell Friday/Happy Pink Saturday!!

Hello, my sweet friends! Thank you so much for coming by for a visit today! I have noticed that I love to decorate my home with things from nature: birds, bird nests, bird houses, chicks, eggs and bunnies. I think this is because I am a nature lover and gardener. I especially wanted to show you my new shelf, "Love Warms Every Nest". It was painted by Ruth Ann Sebestia, an artist on E-bay. I love all of her work and think she is a very wonderful artist. I have placed some vintage bottles on the shelf and above the shelf, I have displayed some of my vintage plates. The first picture is a pretty painting by Christie Repasy. I love to "fluff" my nest with her paintings.

Beverly from "How Sweet the Sound" asked us to share a favorite holiday memory for "Pink Saturday". A Christmas memory that I have is from my childhood. I grew up in Carlsbad, New Mexico. My dad was a potash miner who worked for the Potash Company of America. Potash is a mineral used in making fertilizer and for explosives. Every Christmas the Potash Company of America would host a Christmas party for the miner's children. We would be invited to the local theater and be treated to a movie and cartoons. The movie was usually a western with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. After the movie, we would see several favorite cartoons such as Donald Duck, the Chipmunks, Tom and Jerry, and Mickey Mouse. When the movie and cartoons were over, Santa would be waiting at the door to greet us as we were leaving. He would always hand us a large Christmas stocking filled with candy, nuts, fruit, games, and other treats. This was a highlight of the Christmas season for all of us children. I would have so much fun when I got home looking at all the things I had received in my stocking and eating the Christmas candy, nuts and fruit. It is these kind of memories that make Christmas such a magical time of the year.
I am participating in "Pink Saturday" so graciously hosted each week by Beverly from "How Sweet the Sound". Please visit Beverly and all the "Pink Saturday" participants by going here: http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/
I am also participating in "Show and Tell Friday" so graciously hosted each week by Cindy from "My Romantic Home". Please visit Cindy and all the "Show and Tell Friday" participants by going here:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

I hope you have had a beautiful week and are looking forward to Christmas and a visit from St. Nick. May God bless and keep you!

Oh, Little Star, You Hold so Many Memories!!!

The above star was on my parent's first Christmas tree in about 1936. So, it is a little over 70 years old. My mother told me she thinks they paid about ten cents for it. It has hung on every family Christmas tree since 1936. My parents were married during the Great Depression so they had very little material things. My mom told me that my daddy worked all one autumn digging up tree stumps from a farmer's field so that they could afford a winter coat for my sister. What my parents lacked in material wealth, they had an abundance of wealth in what really matters: love and devotion for each other and for their family. After my parents went to heaven, I made sure that we carried on with the tradition of our Christmas star. When I put up my tree each year, the little gold star is the first ornament I put on. It always has a place of honor on our tree. This little star has seen the ebb and flow of life and the love that a family has for each other over these past 70 years. When my grandchildren come for Christmas Eve each year, I show them the Christmas star and tell them the story of our mom and poppie and the love they have for each of them. My dear sweet friends, thank you for letting me share the story of our Christmas star with you. Let us also think of the star of Bethlehem that led to our Savior and have thankful hearts for His love and the love of our family and friends. Blessings to each of you!

The Sandwich sisters of Corsicana, Texas

In the early 1900's, there were two sisters by the name of Sandwich who lived in Corsicana, Texas. They were well-known for their beautiful hand-painted china. During World War One, soldiers passing through Corsicana on the train would buy the lovely china that was so expertly painted and then ship it back home to their mothers or sweethearts. I am fortunate to be able to own some of these wonderful pieces of china. The blue forget-me-not large cake plate and smaller dessert plates along with the blue candlesticks covered in pink roses are the pieces I own that were painted by these sisters. I actually have six of the dessert plates. I really love these pieces because I know they were lovingly painted and then owned and loved by someone before me. They have a history with others and this makes them even more special to me. I also wanted to show you one of my favorite pin cushions and a prized dresser set. The dresser set consists of a tray, hair receiver, ring box, and perfume bottle. These sit on my vanity, and they are some of my favorite hand-painted china pieces. Thank you so much for taking the time to come by today. I am always happy to be able to share some of my favorite things with you. I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving and are looking forward to Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends.
I am participating in "Show and Tell Friday" hosted each week by our friend, Cindy, of "My Romantic Home". To visit Cindy and the other participants, please go here: http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
I am also participating in "Pink Saturday" hosted each week by our friend, Beverly, of "How Sweet the Sound". To visit Beverly and the other participants, please go here: http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Welcome sweet friends!! Please come in for a cup of tea!!

I am so glad you could stop by for a visit and a warm cup of tea!! I have one of my cheerful red chairs just waiting for you. Don't you love these cute embroidered kitten pillows? I think they are so sweet. I have one of these pillows on each of my red chairs. I have a plate of delicious cookies for you fresh from the oven. I have chosen one of my favorite handpainted pots with creamer and sugar. All three are covered in pretty pink roses. You might also notice my baby shoes. These were mine that I wore as a little girl. They are made from felt and are close to 59 years old. You also see a vintage tea and toast set also painted with roses. On the back of each piece there are these words: "Original-Designed Handpainted (1945) Irene M. Marshall of California". What is amazing is that Mrs. Marshall is now 95 years old and still painting!! And last, notice the sweet vintage angel picture made by my friend, Amy, of "Bunny Rose Cottage". I hope you have enjoyed your tea and cookies. I know I have sure enjoyed our visit together. May you and your family have the happiest of Thanksgiving Days. Today I am participating in "Tea Things Tuesday" so faithfully hosted each week by Kim from "Shabby, Pink and Pretty". Please visit all the other tea participants by going here:

http://shabbypinkandpretty.blogspot.com/

I am so thankful to have the opportunity to tutor at the school from which I retired. I love the children and love to help them with their reading skills. They bless my heart with the love they show me each day and with their enthusiasm for learning. May you have a beautiful week with those you love and hold near to your heart.

Some wonderful goodies in my mailbox!!!

Welcome to Bunny Cottage!! Thank you so much for coming by for a visit. I received some wonderful treasures in my mailbox this past week. The first package was from my friend, Amy, of "Bunny Rose Cottage". I had seen this beautiful vintage angel wall hanging that Amy had created and had to have it. It is decorated so beautifully with roses, glitter, vintage millinery and a lovely rhinestone brooch. She had wrapped the package so beautifully as well with a vintage tag and one of her handmade paper roses. She included some special surprises for me: a tiny pink Christmas tree, another of her vintage tags, some "wish" tickets and a sweet note with a bunny on the front. Amy and I both love shabby cottage style and like to decorate our homes in a similar style. She is a wonderful artist who is always creating something lovely. She has five young sons that she cares for each day. She and her husband, Chad, leave each other love notes and go out on dates which I think is wonderful! Please go and visit this sweet girl. You will be glad you did. You can find Amy here: http://bunnyrosecottage.blogspot.com/

The next thing I received was a cute French poodle card from my friend, Koralee, of "Bluebird Notes". She wrote me a special note inside and even included some pretty stickers and a wonderful music notes/ birdnest tag. Koralee is a sweet mother of three girls and resides in Canada with her husband and family. She is a schoolteacher so she holds a special place in my heart. I am so thankful for dedicated schoolteachers who love their students and try to help them each day to be successful. Please visit Koralee and her beautiful "Bluebird Notes" by going here: http://bluebirdnotes.blogspot.com/

The last thing I received was a total surprise. It was a cute glittery pumpkin made by my nice friend, Char, of "Someplace in Thyme". She sent it to me "just because", and I just love it! Char is an excellent seamstress and makes the most gorgeous Christmas stockings and pillows plus lots of other treasures. Please visit her by going here: http://someplaceinthyme.blogspot.com/

Well, I feel like Christmas has already arrived for me!! I am so thankful for all of you my friends that I have met here at Bunny Cottage. Your kindness and love shown to me mean so much. Have a beautiful Thanksgiving week!

Happy Pink Saturday!!! November 21, 2009

Hello, sweet friends, and welcome to another fun Pink Saturday so graciously hosted each week by our own Ms. Beverly from "How Sweet the Sound". In my first three pictures, you see a powder box that belonged to my sweet mother. I love the pale pink color of it and the romantic raised image on it. I have it sitting on my vanity. The next four images are some of my favorite hand painted rose pieces that I purchased from e-bay: a pink heart and two cupcakes. I think they are painted so softly and so sweetly. The next three pictures are of my new chair cozies made by my friend, Jil, from "Say it with Roses". I posted about these just two posts ago so if you want to go back two posts you can see how they look on my dining room chairs. I am in love with them!! Next, you see not a Thanksgiving turkey but my pink hen. I fell in love with her the minute I saw her. I especially love that bling on her!! I always like to close with a vintage image. As our hearts turn to Thanksgiving, we realize how much we have to be thankful for! I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving season as you enjoy spending time together, eating, watching football, playing games and fellowshipping together. Please visit all the Pink Saturday participants by going here: http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

What is in a name?

Hello, sweet friends. Today I am participating in Sares' party "A Rose by Another Name" in which we are to speak of names and their meanings to us. Sares is a very sweet and talented lady who loves home and family. You can visit her at "Loveleigh Treasures" and see all the other participants for today's party by going here:

http://loveleightreasures.blogspot.com/

My first name is Vicki. I think this was a pretty popular baby boomer name as there were always girls in my school with the same name, maybe just spelled differently. I must admit I have often wished my name was "Victoria". It just sounds a little more romantic and glamorous. But, Vicki, I am. The name chosen for me by my sweet parents. However, my middle name is a little more unusual. My middle name is Zane. I thought maybe I was named after the writer of western books, Zane Grey. My dad loved to read westerns. Or I knew there was a wealthy man in our community who was named Zane. Maybe I was named after him. My mother burst my bubble a little when she said she had just seen the name in the newspaper and liked it. I am happy to say that my little granddaughter, Maggie, is carrying on with the name of Zane because this is her middle name as well. My maiden name is Smith. Although this is a very common name, it represents my dad and his dad and all of our Smith ancestors. And so, of course, this is a very important name. Actually all of these names are important because they are mine. The names I have been called since birth. My parents taught me at an early age that a good name, a name that could be trusted, was of utmost importance. So I learned that your name is not as important as the person who is behind that name.

Perhaps the most important name is the name of mother. I am so proud to be called that by my sons. I am also thankful to be blessed with wonderful daughters in law who love my sons and grandchildren and care for them daily. My grandchildren call me "Gee" (pronounced with a hard G). I had thought of all these cute names they could call me, but my first born grandchild, Jake, called me "Gee" and that is who I now am to these precious children. I am also called sister, aunt, friend and teacher. I am thankful for these titles as well.

I am closing with the most important name of all to me: the name of Jesus. As we begin the Christmas season, I am trying to keep Him in the forefront of all the celebrations, because He really is the reason for the season. In my younger years, I occasionally sang a special in church. One of my favorite songs to sing was "Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know". Here are the lyrics:

Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And He’s just the same as His lovely Name,
And that’s the reason why I love Him so;
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

I hope you enjoyed learning my many names. I so enjoyed our visit today. Wishing you and your family the best of holiday seasons!!