A Delightsome Life

Home and Garden Thursday Features

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Thank you very much to all who participated last week in

Home and Garden Thursday!

I continue to be thrilled by many of you that

I have come to know over the past year and

to find some new friends! Each of you did a fantastic job!

I am also heartened to see that those participating are getting more

and more visitors as time goes by! Thank you so much to my

readers and to the readers from each one who shares this party for

coming on over and paying these wonderful bloggers a visit!

There's so much inspiration and talent shared through blogging!

Here are a couple of the fabulous posts:

Poppy at With A Dash of Color assembled a fantastic Winter White tabletop vignette! I love the keys, the tulips in the teapot-with lace, and the toile candle she created. She is also participating in the Linky Follow blog party – there are many! If you are considering joining Linky Follow – it is a great tool and this party is a marvelous way to find your fellow Linky Follow bloggers!

Robins are definitely a welcome sign to gardeners of the onset of spring. I have seen several in our gardens and have read a number of your posts celebrating their arrival. You will find on Bluebell Woods, however the most charming of Robins – those fould in Britain. They are a sweet, little bird with a heart-shaped red breast – oh, how I would be completely charmed to see them in my garden.

Reader's Choice:

I know many of you are dreaming of your spring gardens. So am I. I am dreaming of the roses, the herbs, the bulbs…Jann Olson from Have a Daily Cup with Jann Olson shared pictures she took of a garden tour – beautiful gardens and another wish by many of us – to have chickens in the garden. To me that’s so romantic – so cottage.

Sometimes through blogging we are given the opportunity to do one of the things the LORD has charged us with doing. One of them is to bear one another’s burdens – no greater way than to pray for another. Kathe with an E shared her pride in her family and the struggles their currently going through with her terminally ill Father. All through this she continues to charm her home to bring encouragement to herself and to her family – thank you Kathe- yes, life does go on.

postscript note:

I truly appreciate you all for participating and visiting. With all the amazing blogs and all the fun blog parties out there I am completely honored by your presence. Thank you to for patience. Last week I was unable to leave messages with all the blog posts I visited. My husband and I spent the better part of the week attempting to save the life of my Father-in-Law's calf. Unfortunately late Friday night he passed away. My heart hurts - he was so beautiful and tried very hard himself. This is why I didn't follow my childhood dream of becoming a Veterinarian- too tender-hearted.
I am working on catching up with all the things I had set to do. I truly do appreciate all you who have shared your experiences - we learn as we go.

Well done everyone! I look forward to those of you who will
rejoin us tonight and for all the new participants!

If you were featured this week, feel free to grab the

Home and Garden Thursday

Feature button below!

Thank you again for participating, commenting and visiting!

I look forward to see what is in store for the next party!

The post and Linky to the party will be up at 6 pm EST this evening.

It is the third Thursday, so I will be sharing a post on Cooking.
I promise you it will be sweet!

I'd love to see you participate this evening...you may share

whatever you've been working on this or last week.

I wish you all the most Delightsome day,

A Return to Loveliness

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Love Letters

After my parent’s death, my siblings and I went through the things stored in my parent’s attic. In an old black military trunk alongside my Dad’s Navy uniform were bundles of letters tied with ribbon. During the several months my Dad was out to sea my parents would keep in touch through letters.

When I saw these letters, to me they seemed sacred. These were private thoughts and wishes shared between two lovers.

Someday, I am sure we’ll get together to read these letters.

But, for a while, we’ll hold them dear.

For Centuries, correspondence bearing a familiar handwriting and perhaps perfumed with a signature fragrance were anticipated sending the receiver to a private corner to take in the words from the heart of another.

One of my favorite books is a compilation of love letters from Stonewall Jackson to his wife Anna. 'Beloved Bride', shows the tender side to a man known for his ‘iron will and stern self discipline’. Stonewall Jackson was a man of deep abiding faith in God and maintained tremendous integrity.

Despite being in the deep throes of war, Stonewall Jackson made time to write long, tender letters of his love and devotion to his wife, Anna.

This would be a lovely tea time read and a wonderful book to share with sons as an example of a strong, Christian husband.

I too have kept all the cards and letters my husband has given me over the years. They’re stored in boxes and tins in my wardrobe. Perhaps someday, my children will go through these letters and see the deep abiding faith in my husband and be comforted by the deep love we share for one another.

'43-2001

'39-1997

To Mom and Dad – I miss you very much.

To my Dearest, I thank God for you and love you deeply.

A Return to Loveliness

is a blog party I host celebrating

bringing loveliness into our lives and into our homes

as well as celebrating Tea Time

To Join

simply publish a post, copy the URL specific to this post

and apply to the LINKY provided below.

I am joining these Delightsome Tea Parties:

Tea Time Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Tea Party Tuesday
Tuesday Cuppa Tea Party
Friends Sharing Tea
Teacup Thursday
Simply Sweet and L.A.C.E.

Thank you for visiting and participating,

Wishing you a very Delightsome Valentines,

Design Shuffle - Guest Post

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Glorious Garden Rooms

Hello, everyone! I'm Mari from Design Shuffle, a fabulous site that brings together designers and design lovers to showcase projects and share inspiration from the world of interior designs. I'm delighted to be visiting A Delightsome Life today as a guest blogger. I so enjoyed Kathy's post on the Wardian Case. She inspired this look at eight glorious garden rooms. Flowers and interior designówhat could be better than that? Please enjoy!

This glorious garden room looks like a huge Wardian case doesn't it? An antique table and chairs offer the perfect spot for Sunday brunch or formal dinner amongst the luxurious plants.

A golden sunburst mirror serves as a dramatic focal point amid masses of greenery and pure white blooms in this elegant yet comfortable garden room.

This glorious garden room provides a hidden retreat in the heart of a cruise ship. I love those amazing "garden gates."

A great example of creative decorating ideas, this eclectic living room is given the feel of a beautiful garden room with the addition of plants and colorful floral pillows. Are you getting any great living room design ideas?

A cottage porch turned garden room is all decked out in wicker and gorgeous pink blooms. The vintage mirror collection adds a bit of glamour. Don't you wish we could see more of that wire chandelier?

What a glorious garden room this is. With doors and windows flung open to the surrounding wooded garden, this little house offers the perfect place to curl up with a good book or dream the day away.

Anyone thinking French bistro here? Black and white awning outside, iron dining table and chairs surrounded inside by potted trees and masses of bloomsóall make this one more glorious garden room.

One of my favorite kitchen design ideas, an ironwork vaulted ceiling with hanging lanterns makes this beautiful space feel like a garden room. Of course, the potted greenery and fresh-cut flowers enhance that notion. I'm in love with that grand range and massive hood.†Images†1†|†2†|†3†|†4†|†5†| 6†| 7†| 8

Weren't these rooms just lovely? For even more inspiration, head on over to Design Shuffle where you can tour the history of interior design and connect with Boston interior designers and more!

Thank you, Mari for this gorgeous post on Glorious Garden Rooms. I am completely Delighted!

I am sharing this post with these Delightsome Blog Parties:

Show and Tell Friday
Feather Your Nest
Inspiration Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Friday at the Charm of Home

From One Girl's Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:56:00 +0000

Sweet Treats for a Guest

I shared with you earlier that I had made a couple of pillows from two little girls dresses. My daughter recognized the checked patter in the pocket pillow. I had intended to make another heart pillow out of the bodice, but seeing the scalloped top I got another idea. I saw that this could be made into a sweet little bag. I then thought I could take the same measurements from the other pocket on the skirt of the dress to make another tote/purse.

Then I realized these would make sweet bags to hold goodies for a guest. I took the ribboned band at the waste, included a couple of inches of the skirt to create a bottom ruffle to the pocket bag. I stitched together the bottom and the sides and added one of the tie-backs as a strap. I placed a towel, washcloth, gel soap, body butter, toothpaste and a toothbrush in the purse. In the pocket I put a bar of chocolate and some tea bags.

In the smaller, bodice bag I placed a couple of books,
stationery and a pen.

All set and all ready for a potential guest.

The heart pillow is filled with lavender and the pocket pillo can hold the guest’s cell phone safely nearby for calls or for an alarm.

From one little girl’s dress I made three things that could make a guest feel comfortable and welcomed.

I am sharing this post with these Delightsome blog parties:

Home and Garden Thursday with Update

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:07:00 +0000

Update:
I apologize for the delay in announcing the
NOVICA winner. I had this post ready to go
save the winner announcement. At 5 pm
yesterday my husband and I went to my
Father-in-law's farm to nurse a baby calf
that hadn't nursed since being born Monday.
We worked with him through the night. He
regained some strength and I will be checking
on him today. Thank you so much for your
participation. Winner to the Giveaway is
publicized below.
Relaxed Rose Gardening

2nd Thursday - Gardening:

This week roses are definitely on my mind. I am awaiting the arrival of a bare root rose my son ordered for me for Christmas. I am so excited – I still don’t know which one he chose!

Could it be Pierre de Ronsard or Eden rose? This was on my wish list

In everything I try, I am what I call an enthusiastic amateur – so any advice or tip I may share I have gleaned from those who I admire and who have proved themselves to be knowledgeable in their field.

Most of us who garden want roses. Rosarians who tout specific ways to plant and care for roses can intimidate some rose gardeners. I was one such timid gardener. I have learned however, take a deep breath, relax, know the basics and give it a good try. Roses are pretty hardy and if they’re healthy to begin with will survive our some time mistakes. Just learn from these mistakes and go on.

Roses are to enjoy.

The Columbus Park of Roses was awarded America's Best Rose Garden in 2010.
You can find a searchable list of Rose events on the American Rose Society website.

The first tip I would share would be to know your growing zone – the first and last frost dates. Caring for your roses can be dictated – not liking that word in a ‘relaxed’ post – but it fits- by these dates.

A GIS map can be found here where you can locate your cold-hardiness zone down to the county level

Location, location, location.

Roses need at least 5 to 6 hours of sun daily.

Choosing an open area is most ideal.

For some roses, filtered afternoon sun

–especially in the heat of the south – is ideal.

Prepare a good bed for your rose.

Soil preparation will make a great difference in the health and the vigor of your roses. Know your soil. Here in the south we have a variety of soil challenges – there’s a divide in our county – sandy areas and clay areas. Amending both these soils with organic material will bring the needed nutrients and allow for proper drainage. Amend your soil early will also allow the growth of micronutrients – one thing you will learn –

roses don’t like wet feet (roots).

Follow planting instructions for the roses you receive –
bare root – soak then prepare a wide hole creating a conical mound in the center for the roots to rest upon. The depth of the rose depends upon where you live – whether the grafted union is soil level or above. Here in the south it can be above. Bring the soil back around the rose – holding it as you do until there’s enough for it to stand without support. Add some water and allow it to drain. Add more soil then more water.

What is the key to happiness in a garden? Mulch.
A several inch thick layer of mulch applied 2 or 3 times a year means fewer weeds, less water stress, less heat stress, richer more fertile soil and healthier plants. You may use decomposed bark, pine needles, peat moss or any weed-free material.

The right cut – pruning.
This is where most rose gardeners may become intimidated. Remember, healthy roses are forgiving and roses need pruning. Cutting back roses encourage new growth, this is when knowing your last frost dates is important –if you prune too early, encourage growth prior to the last frost, there could be damage to the new growth.

Here, it is a good thing to know your rose. Is it an old rose, a climber, a tea rose, a one-time bloomer or a repeat bloomer. Pruning will be different for each type.

options to pruning Tea Roses

Old roses do not require the stringent pruning other roses may require. Old or Heirloom roses bear roses on branches formed the previous year. Pruning after blooming is ideal. The basics to pruning is – timing, remove dead or damaged canes, deadhead and shape to allow for air circulation and pleasing structure.

Climbers – are not true climbers in the sense of clematis or wisteria – climbers need support. Good twine or raffia is a good choice to secure your rose’s canes. Wrap the twine or raffia in a figure eight around the support and the cane will provide a neat support. Spring pruning is an ideal time when the canes are more supple and can be trained into the shape you desire. Right after the first flush of flowering is the ideal time for major pruning of climbers to work on thinning and training the rose’s structure.

With Teas and Hybrid roses, early spring is the ideal time to prune. You should work with the natural shape or pattern of growth of that rose. Roses that bloom repeatedly through the summer and fall bear flowers on new growth therefore an early to mid spring pruning encourages maximum new growth. In warmer climates such as California and Florida a very early pruning in January or February is ideal.

Don’t over care where you prune, but know that placement of the pruning gives you differing results. Pruning off the tip of a cane can stimulate growth just below the cut. Pruning above buds that face outward from the bush’s center encourages your rose to make a more expansive, healthier framework of branches.

Feeding your rose.

While reading Celia Thaxter books I found she relied heavily on manure. She did her winter rose care – applied a generous amount of manure around – not touching – the rose then in the spring spread this manure to the edge of the rose’s branches.

Other nutrients-materials you can use include – products specifically formulated for roses – or a home-made fertilizer composed of two parts bone meal, one part rock phosphate and four parts wood ash.

Knowing your area also includes knowledge of pests and disease. With our heavy humidity in the summer, I contend with black spot. Bayer has produced a comprehensive fertilizer/disease treatment that is applied to the ground and becomes systemic to the rose. You can use other – natural remedies as well. Know that when you have black spot take care to remove yellowed leaves on the bush and those that have fallen. Clean your pruners as you cut so as to not to spread the disease.

In our area Japanese Beetles are our pests. They attack in the summer – my treatment is to visit the roses in the morning with a cup of soapy water. I tap the bush encouraging the bugs to drop into the soapy water. I am not a fan of the hormonal treatments – to me they attract more bugs to my garden. Proper treatment of the soil specific for grubs help take care of these pests in that stage.

Tools you will need in caring for your roses include:
gloves – long, leather ones (gauntlets)

help protect you from the rose’s thorns; pruning shears, bypass shears –which cut like scissors make clean cuts and don’t crush the stems; loppers allow you to cut thicker canes; a pruning saw allows you to cut old, wooden canes.

This winter, if you haven’t done this already, is a good time to care for your tools. This is what I do. Check for loose screws, clean with sand paper, sharpen, sterilize with alcohol and apply oil to prevent rust.

1. Leather gloves

2. Pruning shears

3. Loppers

4. Pruning saw

5. Gauntlets

The most important thing is to relax, enjoy your roses they add so much to your garden and to your home. I believe they also add to your well-being. Their beauty and fragrance fills our hearts and minds – lifting our spirits.

The winner to the NOVICA Giveaway is
Linda at A La Carte

Thank you to all who participated!

Guidelines for H and GT Party:

1. Be a follower of A Delightsome Life through GFC, Email, Feedburner or other Social networks.

2. Please text link back to ADL or post the Party Button, so that your readers can join in/or find the other participants.

3. Home and Garden Thursday encompasses everything! You may link up and share your DIY, home décor, furniture refinishing, paint projects, craft projects, thrifty finds, gardening tips and photos, your recipes – anything Home and Garden related. Share your favorite post of the previous week!

4. Please link the URL specific to the post you are sharing – not your blog’s URL.

5. Please visit other guests, just as you would at any other party, leave some comments and perhaps make a few new friends!

On Wednesday morning, I will post features from the previous week – two of my favorite and two reader’s favorites.

The H and GT Party post will be published each Wednesday evening at 6:00 EST using Inlinkz.

A Delightsome Life

Home and Garden Thursday

Post schedule will be:

1^st Thursday – Home Décor

2^nd Thursday – Garden

3^rd Thursday – Thrifting or Crafting

4^th Thursday – Recipe or cooking tips

5^th Thursday – Anything Goes

I look forward to seeing your inspiring posts!

I am joining these other Delightsome Thursday blog parties:

Home and Garden Thursday Features

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:03:00 +0000

Thank you very much to all who participated last week in

Home and Garden Thursday!

I have been honored and thrilled to see so many of you that

I have come to know over the past year and to find some new friends!

Each of you did a fantastic job!

I am also heartened to see that those participating are getting more

and more visitors as time goes by! Thank you so much to my readers and to the readers from each one who shares this party for

coming on over and paying these wonderful bloggers a visit!

There's so much learn and to appreciate from one another...

Know you are a blessing!

We have such a generous community!
There's still time!
You can enter the
NOVICA Giveaway until 5:00 pm today!

Here are a couple of the fabulous posts:

This post by Linda at Beautiful Ideas reminded me of one of the reasons I began blogging. I was a lurker for

a couple of years and the camaraderie I found shared among the bloggers made me want to become a part of this community. One of these dear, inspirational bloggers was and remains Carolyn from Aiken House and Garden. Linda, in her post reminisces over her wonderful visit to Carolyn’s home, which she relates in several posts –her gorgeous gift from Carolyn and a breathtaking slideshow of teatime photos shared by Carolyn. Set yourself a cup of tea and delight in this wonderful post – posts.

Someday when I grow up I want to have a good camera. I have learned so much over time from great blog photographers and have tried to apply their knowledge and gift in my photography. It’s just plain fun. Carmelina with Creative Carmelina gives clear tips you can apply in your picture taking – some of you know these tips – some may glean a good deal. Go on over – be like me – soak up this information like a sponge – another gift of being in this wonderful community.

Reader's Choice:

Along with the gentle spirit in our blog community, the wonderful tips shared to make blogging more enjoyable, we have those who share their gift of design thereby spurring a flurry of us who find what we have in our homes to create inspiring vignettes. This was what you enjoyed when you viewed Poppy’s blog, With a Dash of Color. She not only created a gorgeous vignette, but she also had fun with her camera and graphics found at our friend’s blog – Graphics Fairy.

We are going to end this Home and Garden Feature post on a sweet note, one from Sweet Romantic Notions. Valentines is just a few days away and creativity in blogland is blossoming. Shirley created these extremely adorable clipboards any one of us would enjoy having and using – wouldn’t they just bring a smile to your face as you are doing your daily work. These cute vintage images are just wonderful.

Well done everyone! I look forward to those of you who will
rejoin us tonight and for all the new participants!

If you were featured this week, feel free to grab the

Home and Garden Thursday

Feature button below!

Thank you again for participating, commenting and visiting!

I look forward to see what is in store for the next party!

The post and Linky to the party will be up at 6 pm EST this evening.

It is the second Thursday, so I will be sharing a post on Gardening.

I'd love to see you participate this evening...you may share

whatever you've been working on this or last week.

I wish you all the most Delightsome day,

Staying Connected

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:26:00 +0000

Grab a seat….have a cupcake

I have spent the morning combining my blogger account to the Google+

account in lieu of the upcoming changes to Google Friends Connect.

You can read about it more here.

Here’s a few things I have done:

1. switched/combined Blogger to Google+ profile

2. added a page to my Google+ account

3. added Google+ badge to sidebar

4. opened email feed through Feedburner

5. sent a newsletter through GFC to followers sharing

new ways to connect.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience blogging and using Blogger. I just love the K.I.S.S. principle. Just keep it simple for me so I can focus on what I love to do! But all of these changes and new ways to stay connected and figuring out how to set up accounts, find widgets, figure out RSS and Feedburner can drive one away from the computer and to the cookie jar or to bake!

Do you feel like this lovely blood orange I squeezed to make these cupcakes.
Here's the recipe - the fragrance will perk you up!

The bottom line is we put a lot into our blogs and want to continue to keep the connections we’ve made over time. I am completely honored that this week through GFC I have reached over 1000 followers. Each one of you is important to me. I don’t want to lose our connection. And, I don’t want to lose the list of blogs I have been following.

Also, I am thinking about transferring blogging platforms – or providers – have you? Would you publish your own or go to another provider?

Daunting thoughts!

Have another cupcake.

So I am attempting to make every avenue available.

I just read Heather’s post on At The Picket Fence. She and other bloggers along with Brent Riggs were instrumental in creating a new subscription platform. She has also outlined a detailed, well written Linky Follower 101.

I plan to spend some time there today myself.

The morning started out quite foggy –

I generally love the fog – (not in my head though)

but, the sun is out. I am going to enjoy the day!

If you're joining Linky - come on over and follow!

I'll follow back!

The same with Google+

Thank you once again to all who follow, visit, comment and support

A Delightsome Life

Here’s to a long, Delightsome relationship,

A Return to Loveliness

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Roses – Messages of Love

'Wait not till tomorrow; Gather the roses of today'

-Pierre de Ronsard

Come, join me in a lovely cup of Rose Tea -
a blend of rose petals, valerian root and citrusy herbs - while we
contemplate the queen of flowers - the rose, heirloom roses
and some of the history of the Language of Flowers.

No wonder the rose is considered a messenger of love.
In the 19^th Century there were over 6,000 different kinds.
According to Thomas Christopher,

author of In Search of Lost Roses,

‘not all these roses were available at a given time, but still, a century ago gardeners took for granted that they would have access to roses of all sorts of sizes and colors, from tiny five-petalled roses very little from the wild species, to huge, petal-packed puffs as much as six inches in diameter’.

Thomas took note that in the beginning of the 20^th Century, nurseries consolidated and rose producers were reduced to a few giant firms limiting themselves only to the best sellers.

Wild Ginger

While restoring a garden in New York, Thomas discovered a garden plan that included a number of roses with names he was not familiar with. Thus began his search for Lost Roses and the encounter with people and organizations out to preserve historic roses found in old cemeteries, farmhouses and old towns.

'Roses outlive both houses and gardeners. Keep your eyes open
whenever you find yourself any place time has passed by'.

To imagine the long hours searching and then identifying
heirloom roses, to me is truly a labor of love.

"For the flowers have their angels... For there is a language of flowers. For there is a sound reasoning upon all flowers. For elegant phrases are nothing but flowers."
Christopher Smart – Jubilate Agno

Over the years, many authors have written and listed the language of flowers. Two women are credited with introducing the language of flowers to Europe, seigneur Abry de la Mattraye and Lady mary Wartley Montagu.

The language of flowers originated in oriental countries for instance Turkey. Initially, they were not intended as they sometimes were used, for a romantic purpose. As best can be surmised, the language of flowers was for the purpose of memorization. The name of the plant or flower was associated with another with similar sound –

"Its spirit consists not, as might naturally be supposed, in the connection which fancy may trace between particular flowers and certain thoughts and feelings. Such an idea never entered the heads of the fair inventresses of the oriental language of flowers.

They have contented themselves with merely taking a word, which may happen to rhyme with the name of any particular flower or fruit, and then filling up the given rhyme with some fanciful phrase corresponding with its signification... Thus, for instance, the word Armonde (Pear) rhymes among other words with omonde (hope); and this rhyme is filled up as follows: Armonde - Wer banna bir omonde;" (Pear - Let me not despair.)."

The book Le Langage des Fleurs by Charlotte de Latour has been credted to be the harbinger of an abundance of language of flowers books. Thereby a number of the lists created agreed whether they originated from France, England and America.
'I sent thee late a rosy wreath, Not so much honoring thee,
As givit it a hope that there It could not withered be'.
-Ben Johnson

We are the beneficiaries of such rich history, the propagation of flowers, of roses, the creations of gardens and the ascribing names and meaning to all flowers. Today, we view the language of the rose, especially a red rose – as a message of love. Whether initially intended as in the several Languages of Flowers books, I’ll take the romantic view and meaning any time.

A Return to Loveliness
is a blog party I host each week celebrating
Victoria Magazine and Tea Time.
To Join
simply, create a post, publish this post and copy the URL
specific to this post.
Apply the URL to the Linky provided below
Please link back to this blog and visit as many participants
as you are able.
It is fun to share and to make new friends.

I am sharing this post with these blog parties:

Tea Time Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Tea Party Tuesday
Tuesday Cuppa Tea Party
Friends Sharing Tea
Teacup Thursday
Simply Sweet and L.A.C.E.

Wishing you the most Delightsome day,

further reading and some images from February 1990

Victoria Magazine and 'Flowers the Angel's Alphabet'.

Victorian Influence

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:55:00 +0000

Popularized during the Victorian Era, the Language of Flowers expressed the giver’s sentiments towards the recipient.

In that era, flowers adorned nearly everything. Today we enjoy vintage décor, china, jewelry and stationery bearing beautiful images of flowers – conveying messages.

Women would wear flowers in their hair, men in their lapels and it was quite common to give a bouquet of flowers to a loved one or to a friend giving wordless expression

of the thoughts of the sender.

With this in mind, I was thinking of the meaning of the flowers that are adorning my garden this early spring.

Daffodils represent chivalry, crocus=represent cheerfulness and gladness, iris represent faith, wisdom, promise in love, wisdom and valor and hope, Christmas Rose/Helleborus represents relieve my anxiety and snowdrops represent hope.

It is such a lovely thing – to ascribe meaning to the lovely flowers that grace this earth – especially if they’re meant to express love and cheer.

I think I would like to learn more about flowers, flower combinations and their meanings.

I am sharing this post with

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Sisters

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:10:00 +0000

The LORD blessed me with two Sisters.

This month they both celebrate a birthday.

The bond of siblings was made all the more clear

when we had to compose the funeral for our brother.

There were five of us and I am the eldest.

He was the middle child and meant so much

and at the same time something different to each

one of us.

One person observed at the funeral that

I have taken the role of Mama – both our parents

passed away several years back at an early age.

My sister Pam is the joy in the family and my sister

Mindy is the heart.

Siblings are the longest relationship you’ll have in

your lifetime. There is a lot you share that weaves

its way through time creating a strong bond

of love, of understanding and of knowing.

I thank the LORD for the many rich blessings

He has given me in my life.

Most of all, I thank Him for the Hope and knowledge

that through His love and sacrifice – the bond,

the love we share today will last forever.

I live several miles away from my siblings –

I have since I was eighteen – but they're

always near, their always dear.

To my Sisters – I love you much –

Happy Birthday

I am sharing this post with

Seasonal Sunday

Inspirational Sunday

Pillows and Duvets

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:26:00 +0000

Two wonderful things came together for me.

Earlier I shared with you some good news about Goodwill. Several of you shared that you’ve experienced higher prices.

Also, I mentioned in my Home and Garden Thursday post

my desire to transform our Green Room into an ‘as Shabby

Chic as I can’ room.

So, yesterday I ventured out to our local Goodwill.

I was able to find several wonderful things.

I began my search in the linens and found this Duvet

with the down comforter still inside! I just love the rose pattern.

I also found a

Battenburg lace flat twin sheet and pillowcase as well as

A Battenburg lace pillow sham.

Upon closer inspection when I brought it home to wash, I discovered that this duvet is homemade from two sheets.

This charmed me.

Also, I received a bag of clothing and fabric that my husband and daughter will use to make quilts.

In the bag were two little girl dresses. I loved the colors

and immediately knew what I wanted to do with them.

I made this heart pillow, (which I filled with lavender and stuffing)
with one of the dresses and the pocket

pillow with the other.

Transforming our Green Room into a Shabby Chic room is

Well underway!
Postscript: I have made a few more changes, not ready to share but, I showed these pillows to my daughter and she exclaimed, 'that was my favorite dress"! She's now in college and this was a little girls size 10. The dress had been passed along to a family member who put it back in a bag for quilt making...serendipity.

Two other wonderful things happening at

A Delightsome Life

NOVICA Giveaway

click HERE

and

Guest Post scheduled on

February 10

from Design Shuffle

I am sharing this post with

Pink Saturday
I made the impossible Possible
Blog Hop
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Wow Us Wednesday

Wishing you the most Delightsome weekend,

A Breath Of Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:36:00 +0000

We really have not had a proper winter. There have been a few cold days, but for the most part it has been quite mild.

Yesterday, our groundhog Beauregard Lee did not see his shadow and predicted an early spring. Punxsutawny Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks until spring. A divided prediction, a divided country. This has been how our weather has been.

There is definitely a breath of spring in my garden. The daffodils are multiplying along with the hellebore, the snowdrops and the iris.

In my travels I have seen saucer magnolia in bloom, forsythia and quince.

It is actually warmer outside than in my drafty old house! We had someone come to discuss replacement windows last night. We’ve never counted and he shared with us that we have 38 windows. I have never been in favor of changing over, but my husband is looking at the bottom line. Well, now he has come to my side – the cost would be exorbitant. Not worth it.

The old wood windows stay.

I have a lot of work to do indoors and out, but I wanted to take a moment to share this breath of spring where ever you are.

This pile of bricks was part of the brick patio on the west side of our home. Remember, my
Rose Lipped Maidens post? We are still having water problems and Dearest is replacing all
the water lines himself.

Have you had opportunity to enter the

NOVICA $50 Giveaway

If not, go HERE.

Also, I am excited about another honor.

I will have a guest blog post by Mari from Design Shuffle.

Design Shuffle is a wonderful site for design professionals to showcase their work and for design enthusiasts to get endless inspiration.

The guest post will be published Friday, February 10

Thank you for visiting. I hope you've felt the warmth of the sunny early springlike day I am sending your way!

Wishing you a most Delightsome day,

Home and Garden Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Your Home’s Décor

And

Your Wardrobe

1st Thursday -Home Decor:

and
NOVICA GIVEAWAY
I have read somewhere that our color choices for our wardrobe can reveal the color choices we are drawn to in decorating our home.

I believe, for me that is a true case.

I love color. I am particularly drawn, however

To the color red.

As I sit here now, I am wearing a read sweater and

The red slip-on flats I typically wear. No matter what

Outfit I may wear, I am most likely to pair it with

red shoes and or a red purse.

To me, red is my neutral.

Even though I have toned down the color of the accessories in most of the rooms in our home, there will always be a touch of red.

In the kitchen,

I have this tiny wreath of cherries above an

Old spice rack with towels and aprons attached.

Above the cabinets, I have my French market basket, my large Ironstone pitcher flanked by two cast-iron roosters

And a swag of apples.

In the dining room,

Well she’s always dressed in red, but even in this room

The accessories tend to contain the color red.

In the family room, all muted in winter tones, there are

Touches of red.

In the green room, where I am planning to make this my as Shabby Chic as I can get with green walls – room, there will

also be touches of red.

Do you find this to be true for you? Does your color preference in your wardrobe reflect the color preferences in your home’s décor?

The Giveaway!

NOVICA

“There is a nation of artists throughout the world-
a village of carvers in Bali;
a family of ceramists in Brazil who have handed down their craft
from generation to generation;
a farmer in the Andes who hand-weaves alpaca sweaters.
It is a community of artists who have been isolated
For centuries by distance, time and geography-
Isolated from the very community of collectors seeking
Their unique, inspired, and undiscovered arts and crafts.
Now, finally, there is a bridge connecting our separate
Communities into one worldwide nation-
This is the  NOVICA  Nation.
A nation of people inspired by the arts and
Empowered by the Internet.
We are all members.’
I was offered the opportunity to purchase an item from

NOVICA
  to review for you.
NOVICA products and their artisans
My goodness, I have to admit, I spent several hours
And several days looking through the very many
Wonderfully crafted items made available through  NOVICA  to us!
I chose a beautiful tote – not only am I drawn to the color red, but I am also drawn to totes made of natural material.
This cotton tote with hand-carved coconut shell flower buttons simply appealed to me.

When it arrived it was more wonderful than I expected.
The size, feel of the fabric and the sweet buttons are absolutely lovely.

It is so large, I can carry several things while out shopping.

Along with my tote came a note from the artisan, Warunya, “You see, I am very proud of my work because I put lots of physical, moral and spiritual effort into it”.

“Coconut Flowers”

'Coconut shell flowers blossom over a green cotton canvase in an admirable design by Warunya. The tote’s bag’s natural materials include mango wood handles.'

Features a small internal pocket that closes with a button.

I am extremely happy with my purchase and
quite delighted with the vast array of products created by
Artisans worldwide provided through  NOVICA .

The Giveaway

The winner to this giveaway will be given a code
worth $50 to purchase anything they’d want through
NOVICA
I am happy to be given this opportunity
You will see the many wonderful choices made available to
You.

To Enter:

1. Be A Follower of A Delightsome Life through Google Connect, Facebook, or Feedburner – 1 comment

2. Grab and post on your blog the NOVICA Giveaway button - leave a comment telling me so.

3. Follow NOVICA on Facebook – 1 comment

4. NOVICA is promoting their accessories: follow one of the following hyperlinks and choose your favorite item.

Wallets

Women’s accessories from Peru

Women’s shawls from Indonesia

Men’s Indian accessories

Pearl dangle earrings

Sterling silver jewelry

You may visit each link for an entry.

The Giveaway is open from

Tuesday, February 1 through Wednesday, February 8

Winner will be announced in the next

Home and Garden Thursday post.

Guidelines for H and GT Party:

1. Be a follower of A Delightsome Life through GFC, Email, Feedburner or other Social networks.

2. Please text link back to ADL or post the Party Button, so that your readers can join in/or find the other participants.

4. Please link the URL specific to the post you are sharing – not your blog’s URL.

5. Please visit other guests, just as you would at any other party, leave some comments and perhaps make a few new friends!

On Wednesday morning, I will post features from the previous week – two of my favorite and two reader’s favorites.

The H and GT Party post will be published each Wednesday evening at 6:00 EST using Inlinkz.

A Delightsome Life

Home and Garden Thursday

Post schedule will be:

1^st Thursday – Home Décor

2^nd Thursday – Garden

3^rd Thursday – Thrifting or Crafting

4^th Thursday – Recipe or cooking tips

5^th Thursday – Anything Goes

I look forward to seeing your inspiring posts!

I am joining these other Delightsome Thursday blog parties:

Friday:

Home and Garden Thursday Features

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Thank you very much to all who participated last week in

Home and Garden Thursday!

I have been honored and thrilled to see so many of you that

I have come to know over the past year and to find some new friends!

Each of you did a fantastic job!

I am also heartened to see that those participating are getting more

and more visitors as time goes by! Thank you so much to my readers and to the readers from each one who shares this party for

coming on over and paying these wonderful bloggers a visit!

There's so much learn and to appreciate from one another...

I am painting more

sewing more

cooking more

and learning more!

Know you are a blessing!

We have such a generous community!

Here are a couple of the fabulous posts:

We've been talking about the increased popularity of our local thrift stores. Diane at Cozy Canandian Cottage shared with us one of those special finds we may come across from time to time. Yes, it is a hunt, but sometimes the hunt yields beautiful things. One tip I learned recently - shop Goodwill and other thrift stores early in January - people are preparing for their taxes and are more likely to donate items at that time. There may still be some gems out there!

One of the fantastic things about blogging is being introduced to ideas, people and a very many other things one may never have the opportunity to come to know. I am thrilled to learn a new craft idea, recipe or to be introduced to someone special. That is what Angie at Swede Dreamer has done in her post dedicated to the amazing artwork of Georgiana Lane Fine Art Photography. Truly, these are stunning photos...perhaps of places and things you may never see in person but can now come to love and to appreciate.

Reader's Choice:

We all have been there at one point, staging our home to sell.

That is where Sherry at No Minimalist Here is at. So you understand that being prepared for a potential buyer at any time causes one to keep the home decorated at a minimal point so that the prospect could envision themselves there. Sherry, has a clever solution to redecorating in such a situation - furniture swapping. If you haven't seen her fabulous results - you should pop on over!

Yes, I fell for these coquettish ladies too! Emily at The French Hutch shared with us her tips on 'Romancing the Home's Foyer' She has beautifully decorated her home with a French influence - you will love what she's done.

Well done everyone! I look forward to those of you who will
rejoin us tonight and for all the new participants!

I am very excited to announce that I have been given

opportunity to share a product Review and to

offer a Giveaway that will be attached to the next

Home and Garden Thursday post!

If you were featured this week, feel free to grab the

Home and Garden Thursday

Feature button below!

Thank you again for participating, commenting and visiting!

I look forward to see what is in store for the next party!

The post and Linky to the party will be up at 6 pm EST this evening.

It is the first Thursday, so I will be sharing a post on Decor.

I'd love to see you participate this evening...you may share

whatever you've been working on this or last week.

I wish you all the most Delightsome day,

Good News

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:38:00 +0000

Thrifting Becoming Chic

It is in the news, shopping at thrift stores such, as Goodwill has become a popular way to buy what you like.

In a down economy more and more people are finding household objects and clothing shopping at thrift stores to be more desirable. Thrift stores are recognizing this trend and are creating wonderful incentives.

At some Goodwill stores they’re offering Reward Cards

According to The San Francisco Chronicle, “In New York City shoppers are offered a $10 discount after spending $100 and in parts of South Carolina patrons are offered 25 percent off after spending $250.

Would you spend $5 to receive special VIP entry into thrift store sales? Some shoppers are receiving this incentive at a store called Housing Works for their “Power Hour”.

It can only get better from here, with discounts, loyalty programs, private shopping hours, frequent shopper cards and more shopping at your local thrift store will become quite ‘chic’.

Perhaps, if your local Goodwill or thrift store is not offering these incentives, you can point them toward these articles and inform them you’re more likely to shop more often and to tell your friends if they adopt such incentive program and join the Bandwagon to encourage more thrift store shopping.

Thrift stores, discount stores and more - I am thrilled that we as bloggers are ahead of the curve in creatively taking care of our homes and creative entrepreneurial efforts through Etsy, Ebay and the like.

This is good news!

A Return to Loveliness

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Wardian Case

Some of the most wonderful discoveries came bay way of happy mishaps. That is the case with the Wardian Case.

In the 1800’s London physician Nathaniel B. Ward pursued a passion for collecting insects and plants. One such plant was the fern. These ferns were susceptible to the harsh conditions of the polluted air in London due to industrialization.

On one excursion, it is recorded that Nathaniel Ward collected the chrysalis of a moth and placed it along with soil, fern spores and grass in a sealed glass.

Six months later, Nathaniel Ward discovered that the fern and the grass had thrived growing within this enclosed container.

Intrigued, Nathaniel experimented with sealed and glazed containers and ultimately designed several with specific instruction as to material – such as wood that would resist mold and decay as well as metals that would not rust.

This discovery transformed the transportation of exotic plant materials by ship all over the world. Whereas plants would suffer and perish under harsh sea conditions – under glass and over time using Wardian cases – plant material would thrive and survive their journey.

Today, we can be thankful for the Wardian case in bringing to us the wide variety of indoor plants we enjoy as well as bringing exotic plants historic garden.

Planting a Wardian Case by Martha Stewart

Wardian cases became the rage in the Victorian era where homeowners were now able to grow their beloved ferns as well as develop an adoration for growing orchids. Many styles were typified by their fancy ornamentation.

The precursor to terrariums and landscaping in miniature, Wardian cases are a boon to gardeners ,who during the winter months, yearn to watch the beauty of the growth and blossom of their plants – to bring indoors and to prolong their gardening experience.

Along with teatime – caring for one’s indoor plants – reading is a marvelous winter pastime. I am thrilled to share that I have been asked to review the book, Agony of the Leaves by Laura Childs.

A fan of mysteries, I was intrigued by the combination of tea, tea houses, recipes and the South referenced in these books. Laura has written a series of Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries and Cackleberry Club Mysteries.

I am using my beautiful botanical Kent Pottery teapot

and my Lenox Rose teacup.

My book arrived today, so with a lovely cup of Tazo Refresh tea, a warm cozy chair and blanket – I plan an enjoyable afternoon loosing myself in this book. I will share with you very soon more about Laura, her books and my review of Agony of the Leaves.

A Return to Loveliness

<a href="http://www.blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad86/KathyRansom/ARTLBTN200.jpg" border="0" alt="A Delightsome Life" /></a><br />
is a weekly blog party I host celebrating
Victoria Magazine and Tea Time.
To Join,
simply create and publish a post. Apply the URL specific to your post to the Linky provided below.
I am sharing this post with these Delightsome blog parties:

Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday
Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday
Artful Affirmations Teacup Tuesday
Sweetology's Tea Time Tuesday
Antiques and Teacups Tuesday's Cuppa Tea
Miss Spencer's Teacup Thursday

Bernideen's Friends Sharing Tea
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Wow Us Wednesday

Thank you for stopping by,
I wish you a most Delightsome day,

A story by Tovah Martin on Wardian Glass can be found in the 1998 issue of Victoria Magazine

This Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy A Delightsome Life) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:57:00 +0000

The Sweetest Story

This weekend, my husband went to my Father-in-Law’s ‘Hobby Farm’ to help them corral a female pig that had gotten loose. While there, he noticed one of the female goats off by herself at the deep end of the pasture – she was calling out from time to time. In this pen are several cows, goats and a donkey named Spirit.

For quite a while this goat wailed – she was in labor. Then at one point she let out a loud wail followed by another more urgent plea – my husband looked over and all of the cows, goats and the donkey galloped over to where the mother was.

these pictures were taken by my phone

They surrounded her. She let out another cry and out came this sweet little baby goat. They stood around for another brief moment then went about their way.

He said it was something to see – they understood and came to her to witness the birth of her baby.

The wonders of God’s creation.