~ Summer Apple Egg Salad ~

* Mash six hard boiled eggs
* Add a heaping teaspoon of honey mustard
* Add a heaping teaspoon of mayonnaise
* Add a dash of salt
* Slice and dice a red delicious apple into tiny bite-sized pieces & add to salad
*For extra zing, add crushed walnuts

L.J.W.

My Darlings,

I write as though my fingers have wings this day. My heart is full of joy, and my soul doth rejoice in God my savior.

Today, My Prudence, I have received your lovely letter and my stamp holder. My dear, how sweet of you to think of my correspondence! My new postage stamp holder sits next to my table of letters, and happily it obliges me! Our darling Guinny will grow to love her new book. Books are always a treasure in our home, especially those which are hard-bound. These are a gift indeed! I have been reading it a bit myself this day, and I admit, I'm yet a child at heart!

In honor of "Tea With Jane Austen," I have sewn a few lavender scented tea bag sachet pouches! These are lovely for little girls as they pretend to take tea in their mother's china tea cups! They smell of lavender and chamomile, and the ribbons and buttons are the strings and tags of a tea pouch!

Among my important items of note, I wish to extend a warm and joyous welcome to our newest member, Georgiana! Please, Lady Georgiana, you must send us post with haste and introduce yourself to our society, as the ladies of the north country will yearn to know you!

Ladies, I must make haste. This very evening, Lady Nancy Grandquist is visiting our parish for a very important gathering of ladies. It is our annual conference, and Mr. Wordsworth was able to take the evening off and care for the children so that I might attend. I must set my curls and I must tuck a little lace...

My dears, my love to you all.

With Joy,

Lucinda Jane Wordsworth

A New Member.

Ladies please help me in welcoming Georgiana Elizabeth Fitzwilliam to our little society.

"Ava & Guinevere"

"Come, my friend, and let us sit by the water's edge... the bridge awaits... and we oblige... let us rest our feet for a moment. Then, fair friend, we shall take to the grass again and we'll follow the sun's path as it beckons us with noontime fancies..."

L.J. Wordsworth

Guinevere's Flowers

"Once, when I was very little, me feet became curious... One step.. two steps... ten bare toes telling tales of prickly grass... Maybe if I fall to my bottom this tickle will go away... Will someone hold my flowers, please?"

by Lucinda Jane Wordsworth

Dear Ladies,

Just a gentle reminder that this year's theme for Kindred Spirit week is 'Tea with Jane Austen'. I can scarce believe this glorious week has crept upon us this quickly. The celebration will begin May 24th and conclude on May 30th. For the newest members of our little society this is a week to celebrate your kindred spirit sister. You can send a card or note by post with well wishings that remain with the code of the society. A small gift or token of appreciation is also acceptable.

I leave you with a heart full of anticipation for this week,
Prudence Darling Prescott

Blue Sky

My Dearest Ladies,

I am writing to easy my heavy heart. I will set you at rest, I, my Andrew, and family are all in good health. I am heavy for I long to out of doors this fine Tuesday. The sky is a blue I think I haven't seen since I was but 12 years old. As I look out it is pleading with me to come out and enjoy the beauty. But alas I have much work to be done this very day. I am plotting, this very moment, to somehow escape for a cup of tea in my garden unbeknownst to anyone. I dare say I will be caught but there is a sliver of me who doesn't care.

Daringly Scared,
Prudy

My Dears,

As the last rays of sunshine dance with the evening breeze, and the branches oblige with a wave offering, I sit by my desk with quill in hand and give thanks for this lovely Sunday. It has been a day of rest in the Lord.

After our service today, the ladies of the parish gathered for our monthly sewing circle, and I enjoyed their delightful company immensely. We talked of baby names, and I shared with them "Cordelia Elisabeth," my name of preference should Mr. Wordsworth and myself be blessed with another daughter one day. I sewed a baby bonnet for a young mother-to-be in our parish, and I then hastened home to spend the remaining afternoon with my children.

We scampered outside for several hours with Grandmother Kathryn, and followed with a drive to Willow Marsh Farm with Grandmother Rose to purchase fresh cow's milk. Grandmother Rose prefers the fresh farm milk to the local grocer's milk. It is a bit pricier, and some may say not prudent in such times as these, but the drive is lovely and the children enjoyed themselves.

My children are now in the washtub and I must hasten to a close. Bedtime is upon us presently, and I will retreat to a quiet evening, whilst I await the return of Mr. Wordsworth.

I am obliged to catch up on some of my letters, and a baby quilt awaits some sewing ... this gentle evening may render itself a willing partner to my mild ambitions ...

My Love,
Lucinda

"The Kindred Spirit Society Pledge"

~ I solemnly pledge to speak and write of things pure and good ~

~ I solemnly pledge to regard my Kindred Spirit Sister above myself ~

~ I solemnly pledge to take a few moments a day to rest and consider the lilies of the field, and the goodness of God ~

~ I solemnly pledge to uphold my Kindred Spirit Sister in prayer, to encourage her, to lift her up, and to cherish her ~

~ I solemnly pledge to find joy in the Society, to promote its well-being, to add to its purpose, and most of all, in all things to give thanks, for this is the will of God ~

Lucinda Jane Wordsworth,
founder of the Kindred Spirit Society, est. 2008

Today I must launder my linens... my washboard needs replacing, but we've had plenty of rainfall which is fortuitous... The air is a bit damp for drying, but the day is long...

Lucinda Jane

Josephine,

You simply must stop at the new sweet shoppe near the Spa of Ballston when you next visit. The spring waters are medicinal and have been proven to have aided with tuberculosis, the Medbury Inn is a home away from home, and the sweet shoppe is divine, carrying all the tastiest french truffles! I do hope that Mr. Wordsworth and myself are able to stay at the Inn very soon. We do so enjoy the spa waters... and the sweets!

"Cordially,"

Lucinda

Pray tell, Precious Prudy, have your Plush Peonies bloomed along your Primrose Path?

Patiently, I wait for June's Purple Promise...

~ Lucy ~

Pew Dolls...
... while in sweet song you raise your voice to our Lord, and the little ones wiggle 'neath your arms, hiding under pews... surrender your hankie to their little hands... tying a knot for a head and a knot for each arm... with reverent hush, these little dolls quietly spill from the pew... with brave spirits, they swing from baby's hand... they speak not a word... while they are cradled in dimpled hands amidst the joyful sounds of praises...

~ Lucinda Jane ~

"Grandmother's Hands"

... Once upon a time, they mixed vanilla with milk, to coax me to drink... they sewed my first coat and frocks... these nurse's hands earned wages which purchased wooden puzzles and dolls for three granddaughters... they were the hands that taught me to sew when I was only five years old... these... my grandmother's hands are full of hope and promise...

~ L.J.W.

"Heirloom Baby Bonnets"

With Mother's hankie, tuck a little lace, add a dash of ribbon and two little buttons... a stitch here and there... a baby bonnet...

Years from now, tug away a few stitches, press out a crease or two... a bride's handkerchief. A gift from generation to generation...

~ Lucinda Jane Wordsworth

My Little Lady Guinevere, 1 year ago...

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord heard my petition..."

Guinevere Katharine Blythe,
May you grow in grace, beauty, and the fear of the Lord. May you bring honor to your family, joy to your friends, strength to the weary. One day, may you wear your mother's veil...

Greetings, My Dears

My Dear Friends,

I write to you in haste, as the duties of motherhood and home are pressing upon me this day. I have but sought the heart of my two dear friends, Prudence Darling and Josephine, and sweet words of friendship and promise have lifted my soul this very day.

As I sit by my window, calling to mind the image of my children splashing in the bird bath, just moments ago, I am slowly finding an inner peace. I felt an urgency to sit with quill in hand and pen these thoughts.

Today, at this moment, I needed to be your friend, Lucinda Jane. And my dear friends, Prudy and Josie, I am excited about our society.

My soul has been much weary this past fortnight, and I thirst for a moment of refreshing, by the Spring of Friendship.

Where, pray tell, is Lady Jocelyn? Please urge her to make haste and pen her thoughts.

Until we meet again, my friends, God Bless you and keep you safe...

With Warm Regards,

Lucy

Welcome To Our Little Society

Dearest 'Of Lace and Lavender' Ladies,

I greet you with the warmest of greetings. I trust you are in the best of health and that you find all of your family in good health as well. As I was taking a stroll in my little garden this morning a wonderful thought sprang into my heart...we need to start a Blogging Bee! I do enjoy our times at dear sweet Marie's house and of course our gatherings in Lark Hall BUT dear ladies I wish to have more time to share our thoughts, ideas, recipes, and anything you deem interesting!

I want this blogging bee for ALL of us to share so I will provide you with the secret password to sign all of your correspondence with. This Bee is open to all BUT they must respect the ways of the Society. I want to thank our Lucinda Jane for starting our little society as well as her approval of our little blogging bee.

I leave you with a heart full of anticipation,
Prudence Darling Prescott