Arlington...

Thanks to Uncle Paul for sending me the story about the wreaths at Arlington this morning. If anyone would like me to forward it to them, let me know. My intention in writing this blog was just to write about things that are pretty and things that are fun, a kind of cheery hello to friends. However, every once in awhile I must say something serious. I am so grateful to live in this free land. I am grateful for the soldiers whose remains lay beneath these stones and for all of the other soldiers who have laid down their lives for their friends. I am also grateful for many families that I know who have done without a family member for long stretches of time even during Christmas, so that a soldier might serve their country. God bless our brave Soldiers and their brave famililes this Christmastime.

This will be in someones stocking...

Still no sign of a coat. I would rather keep the old one through another season with the sleeves a tad short than purchase one neither of us will like, but I was happy to find this cute sweater. :)

Great Quote...

Celebrate people who are in your life-- past and present, close by as well as far away. Thank eveyone who contributes to your sense of well-being and joy, whether you know them personally or not. Every day, think of all the people who help make your life so rich and rewarding.

Alexandra Stoddard from Things I Want My Daughters to Know (One of my favorite books...)

Pretty in Pink...

This is also a beautiful and really fun room from Domino as well. It sort of reminds me of this sweet woman who lived in our town before she died. She was so nice to let me photograph her home and art collection. She was a tiny little person and she had a tiny little kitchen like this one. Her cottage was a little doll house and whenever I pass her home, I'm sad that she's gone and no longer there. I think that she would be happy that the new owners are looking after her roses and making everything even more beautiful.

Look at this beautiful room...

See it on Domino.com Love the colors!

Favorite Granny Chics...

Granny Chics can be found at the great yard sale on the World Wide Web, Ebay. I like to type in vintage anything and I often come up with something fun. Look at this cute fabric which I found by searching vintage +bluebird... one of my favorite searches.

A Jacket for Charity...

I love this style of jacket, and we've had it several times. I like the pink one that Lands End had the best (sold out) and I like the price better than this one (J Crew Kids). Has anyone seen another pink quilted jacket, it's a long shot but... I'd really like it a bit brighter and a bit cheaper.

OH Chwistmas Twees Oh Chwismas Twees....

This is the tree of this cute girl I know. She put it up herself. :)

Don't miss Alicia's review of The House of Seven Gables...

See it on the Pineapple Snow Blog.

The Box I Finished today...

Says inside...

We shall find peace. We shall hear angels. We shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.

Anton Chekhov

Available for $25. Let me know if you're interested. :)

Christmas House Pictures...

Just a few of the favorite Christmas things at our house. Did I say that I love Mexican Paper Flowers?

Great Quote...

How full of the creative genius is the air in which these are generated! I should hardly admire more if real stars fell and lodged on my coat. Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity: so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand.

Henry David Thoreau

Happy Snow Day!!!

Fun Book....

Listen to these tapes while you wrap your gifts. This is a really fun little Christmas book.

Love this little book...

See it here.

New Love Boxes I Finished Yesterday...

Granny Chic Book of the Week...

I love this old book. It's a little old fashioned (in the weird way) in places, but mostly it's old fashioned in the good way. The book gives advice like: don't wear tight shoes, you can't be charming if your feet hurt. Hilarious, but still true.

Charm is a word that has some negative connotations now, but in this book it means sincerity, kindness, generosity and ettiquette. It was originaly published in 1938, but no culture has needed it's advice more than our current one.

As you read, you may have to edit for content. For example:"There is scarcely an hour that passes in which someone doesn't do something for you. It may be the grocery boy . It may be the mailman. Most of all it will be the people with whom you work and live. Do you stop to realize the humanity of these givers of good things that make your life comfortable? Your telephone operator, your stenographer, your maid, your laundress, the man who tends your garden (I wish....), the chauffer who taxis you? What is your attitude toward them? Are they mere scenery, something you paid for and so needn't be aware of? You can't afford to think so. Your attitude toward those who serve you reflects your attitude toward everyone else. Charm springs from warmth, not etiquette."

I don't have gardener, (dang) or a chauffer (no biggy, I love driving) but I have a hundred people who help me accomplish the things I want to do. How would you like to be the kid at the UPS store that does my laminating? Poor guy. I should tip him, but I hope that I thanked him very kindly anyway. I sure appreciate that he made my Christmas card so shiny. I love shiny. I need to do this better. I get so distracted thinking about other things, I often don't even look the cashier at the grocery store in the eye and say, "Hello". Bad manners. I am going to do better.

Anyway, (rambling, sorry) this book is just silly in places (the parts about bathing), but it has some great points. Enjoy!

Great Quote...

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship, it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him, and is willing to trust him.
Emerson

Crossing Delancy...

I love this old Romantic Comedy with Amy Irving. Hurray! It comes to DVD in Feb. See it here.

Love this little dress...

See it here.

Dorothy Draper...

CBS Sunday Morning featured a story about Dorothy Draper a few weeks ago and now I am seeing her everywhere.

In an introduction to her most famous book, Entertaining is Fun, Carleton Varney writes, "It was not uncommon to see a Dorothy Draper-decorated room with aqua-and-white striped walls, vibrant "lipstick red" carpeting, and curtains made of a flowery chintz; pink, violet, and red roses entwined with vibrant green leaves and aqua blue ribbons on a sparkling crisp white background." She is known as the first proponent of what we now call "eclectic." She believed that is was fine to "mix periods" and she certainly did that. She was one of the first people to make decorating a profession. She was the Martha Stewart of her time; she was extremely talented at creating a recognizable brand and selling it.

After seeing, the story on Sunday Morning, I was interested to learn more about her style. However, this is glamour dressed up, not the comfortable "Granny Chic" that I love, but it is a lot of fun.
See part of the CBS Sunday Morning story here.