Heritage Dress ...

Each summer, 'round my birthday, Mother sits down at her Singer and in a flurry, she sews for me what she calls a "heritage dress." These dresses are white, and contain vintage or antique elements, blended with the new.

Last year, my heritage dress was made from a vintage white pillowcase that was given to Mother, with new ribbons added. Two years before, she added new buttons and ribbons to a white dedication gown that she wore when she was a baby ...

This year, my heritage dress is made from a lovely embroidered cotton that Mother purchased. She added some vintage lace that belonged to my grandmother Rose, and she lined the back with vintage buttons that belonged to my great-Grandmother Eva.

She breathed a sigh of relief when the dress was complete, and her smile could not be erased when the dress was donned and my hair was tied in a silk ribbon ...

A Visit to the Stables

Mother brought us to the stables today ...

We admired the early September flowers, rode the tractors, and visited "Duchess," a beautiful chocolate horse.

As siblings so oft' do, we managed to find ourselves tangled up in a bit of mid-morning mischief ...

There is something to be said of a lovely winding path, the shelter of trees, and fences that do not skirt us in ... but rather, remind us of how free we are to run where we will ...

Tea Towel to Toddler Tote

When I fashioned a brown damask print fabric clutch with bamboo handles, my daughter, Guinevere, requested one of her own ... For a fortnight, she inquired about the purse that Mother was going to make for her, and as every loving Mother would do, I began to consider what type of clutch I would create for her.

This dainty delight was crafted using a tea towel and embroidery hoops. The hem of the tea towel sufficed as a skirting for the front of the clutch. It rests quietly on her tea table, awaiting her morning embrace ...

Friendship Blooms & Tiny Tips

~ A friend came to tea today ... Stepping from the carriage, she cradled in one arm her beautiful baby girl, Nora ... Folded in her other arm was a delicious bouquet ... "For you" ... said she ... Such vibrant and stunning colors were they, I was quite sure they were from the hothouse indeed ... but no! To my delight, she gathered them from her garden that very morn.~

Songs for Theoden & Guinevere

My heart sings their songs; the ones they are yet learning to sing ...

...songs of a little boy, growing up so quickly ... ever learning and exploring, becoming a young character full of promise and steadfast faith; a warrior of truth and prayer ... loving and protecting family and friends ... dreaming of being a soldier ... growing in the power of a soft heart ... finding that integrity is not something to be attained, but that it lies within him ...these are his songs ...

...songs of a little girl, crossing boundaries between tea parties and tadpoles; beginning to pray and believe in God, loving nature and daring gravity... Her spirit soars and her feet dance to the music of life, drumming the rhythms of freedom ... as we gently teach her to walk in the ways of her Creator. ... yet, she pauses for the beauty of a flower, and glories in a new brooch for her dress ... these are her songs ...

These, and many more, will be their songs ... and for now, in this moment, as the wind scampers across their cheeks, and the sun kisses their knees, I stand here, nearly bursting with pride. I am so blessed. They are beautiful. They belong to God. He has given them to me to care for ... I will sing their songs until they sing them for Him ... and from then on, I will carry the melodies in my heart ... until my last breath ... for these are the songs we live and die for.

The music of our children.

Strawberry Soup

~ 1 pint of fresh strawberries, hulled
~ 1 c. whipping cream
~ 1 tsp. of honey
~ 1 tsp. of vanilla extract
~ 1 tsp. of lemon juice
~ 1/4 c. sugar
~ fresh mint
~ whipped cream (see "Summer Blackberries & Cream" for homemade recipe)

Combine ingredients in a blender, serve chilled in punch glasses with whipped cream and fresh mint.

Roses ...

It is known, in my circle of friends, that
roses
are my favorite blossom ...

What a delight
these pink roses have been
as they sweetly adorn my table.
They smile at me each morning,
they nod courteously in the afternoon,
and they whisper
"good evening madam"
before I retire ...

They know their time is short,
and while they are here,
they share the sweetest fragrance,
the brightest hues,
a graceful silence, and a silken touch ...

To be as the rose,
is to be a blessing to those in whose hearts we are momentarily placed ...

L.J.W.

This is the Refreshing ,,,

On Saturday last, my dear friends joined me for afternoon tea. And what a delight it was to fellowship, share the goodness of our Lord, and rest in one another's presence.

Our time together was as sweet ... Laughter echoed amongst us, smiles abounded, and generosity of spirit was to be found in our midst.

When the last teacup was gently tucked away, and the last linen folded, I gazed toward the window, where my crochet rose lace gloves lay. I smiled as I began to "sketch" the sunlight's kiss upon my tea gloves, and found refreshing and rest, knowing that another day was met with the grace of my Creator.

His mercies are new every morning ... His grace is sufficient for thee ...

Roses for Guinevere ...

~ Greetings My Dears ~

The little lady of the house,

Guinevere Katharine Blythe,

was in need of a new frock.

The weather has been unseasonably warm, and the poor little dear has been flushed with heat!

From the lightest and sweetest cotton, I sewed her first summer frock.

I do long to see her scamper among the white flocks in our field, and I hope to "paint" her portrait quite soon!

Ever Yours,
Lucinda Jane Wordsworth

The Finest Fabric

My Dears,

Whilst in search of the finest damask fabric, I traveled to the Park of Clifton, and browsed the linen shoppe with pleasure!

And, I left with a piece of the richest fabric with which to make my newest clutch. Of course, the bamboo was imported, and it suffices very well for a lovely handle.

As a final touch, I added an heirloom brooch, which affords the clutch an added elegance.

I will soon be in the shops of St. Charles with my kinfolk, and I was in much need of a new clutch!

After all, every fine lady carries a fine purse! ... and, it has been said, in my circle of friends, that I am a fine lady ... =)

Ever Yours,

Lucinda Jane

Spring Sock Bunny

My Dears,

As I prepared the children for this Easter Holiday, we colored and hunted for eggs, read wonderful stories, waved a palm branch from our window, visited a spring puppet show, and indulged in little treats of all kinds.

I also surprised the children with their very own stocking bunny!
I believe these little garden friends will add a spring touch to their nursery!

Of course, I had to carefully select the best stockings to use. I chose pale shades of blue, pink, white and even brown to afford the children a variety from which to choose!

I rummaged through my buttons and ribbons, and I simply asked Miss Rachel, our cook, if there was any rice in the pantry! We filled our stockings with rice, and then banded the top together where the foot of the stocking disappears.

We then tied off the neck of the bunny with a ribbon, and I added a white looped ribbon and button to the rear of the bunny for a tail.

We cut a line down the top of the stocking to create two floppy ears, and then I gently stitched the ears into a tubular shape, removed the banding at the top of the head, and stitched the tip of the head where the banding was.

It proved to be a wonderful craft ... and each year, when spring arrives, we will bring our bunnies out to play in the nursery ... they do sit so nicely ...

Tidings to all. Christ is Risen!

Ever Yours, Lucinda Jane Wordsworth

Rejoice!

Mother says, "Even children came, waving palm leaves as He passed by ..."

Mother says, "His journey was long, His cross was heavy, His pain was great ..."

Mother says, "His love was greater ..."

Mother says, "He rose again,
and His disciples rejoiced ..."

Mother says, "He is coming again, one day,
and that we must watch for Him, with our hearts."

I don't understand all of what Mother says, but I understand her smile, when she sings,

"Yes, Jesus loves me ... yes, Jesus loves me ... yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so ..."

Rejoice, Jesus is alive! Happy Easter!

"Ode to a Duchess"

For my dearest Prudence Darling, on the occasion of her thirty and fifth birthday,

With Love,

Lucinda Jane

You will spot her afar, by way of her fetching bonnet

You will hear her draw near as infectious laughter enraptures you

You will feel her heartbeat with the brush of her hand

You will understand her love for you by the sparkle of her eye ...


It is not by name or blood in our earthly state

that we find ourselves among royalty.

But rather, it's through our kindred spirits, and our heavenly heritage

that we joyfully reign in one another's hearts.


Let us away, my dear friend ...

A game of croquet? A spot of tea? A ramble in the meadow?

Any such frivolity will do, as my hand and heart are joined with you!

(photo taken by my 2 yr. old daughter, Guinevere ... 3/20, first day of spring!)

To My Valentines

My Dears,

Another year has passed, and my heart once again longs for the companionship of my dear friends, as a new year arrives.

As the Holidays quietly whisper 'farewell' and Winter remains with us, it seems these many days are gray and cold. Yet, in the midst of a tiresome New England winter, St. Valentine's Day arrives with cheer and splendor!

As is the custom of our day, I sit at my writer's desk and gently assemble valentines. With each valentine that I send post-haste, comes a heartfelt wish that each and every friend and loved one will feel a special touch of love this season.

Each envelope is labeled and sealed. I walk to the post. The envelopes are measured and weighed and sent on their way, and I think warmly of my friends.
I thank God upon every remembrance of you!

Longingly and Lovingly,

Lucinda Jane

Granny Scarf

Joined by roses, square upon square, my knitted scarf welcomes the passerby with her rainbow of warmth and cheer ...

Passing by the woman in the post office I am told how it reminds her of the old- fashioned knitted scarfs, and with a smile, I tell her that it is one!

A teacher at the school smiles warmly and reminisces of her days of knitting granny squares ... as she admires my new scarf ...

Everywhere I go, eyes brighten, and a conversation begins. My granny scarf is quite friendly, ever the pleasant companion!

In her company, I find that strangers and friends alike find renewed joy as they think of days of old.

And I muse quietly ... thinking of my friend whom I asked at a church sewing circle to knit me a granny scarf ... Is this what we as human beings long for? Friendships such as these?

I daresay, yes, it is!

Mother's China Hutch

Mother's china hutch is filled with many wonderful treasures ...

Amidst the roses and teacups, I happened upon a tiny doll, just bigger than my hand.

Mother says porcelain and china belong in the glass cabinet ...

But that one day, these treasures will be mine.