Sunday Favorites An Inspirational Alphabet

Sunday Favorites is a new weekly event hosted by Chari at Happy to Design. It allows us to revisit favorite posts and give current readers another chance to read and enjoy them.
Here is a post from October 5, 2007. I hope it will be of interest to many other bloggers.

Today is Friday again, and not a day too soon! My post today is an inspiring abcedarian which prescribes relief for daily ills. I hope many will find some comfort and challenge in these words.

Remember to take your vitamins every day

Anxious- Take Vitamin A
"All things work together for good for those who love God,
who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Blue- Take Vitamin B
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is
within me, bless His Holy name." (Psalm 103:1)
Crushed- Take Vitamin C
"Cast all your care on Him, because he cares for you."(1Peter5:7)
Depressed- Take Vitamin D
"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)
Empty- Take Vitamin E
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with
praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name." (Psalm 100:4)
Fearful- Take Vitamin F
"Fear not, for I am with you, do not be afraid,
for I am your God." (Isaiah 41:10)
Greedy- Take Vitamin G
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, will be put unto your lap; for the
measure you give will be the measure you get back." (Luke 6:38)
Hesitant- Take Vitamin H
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of
the messenger who announces peace, who brings good
news, who announces Salvation, who says to Zion,
'Your God reigns.'" (Isaiah 52:7)
Insecure- Take Vitamin I
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."(Philippians 4:13)
Jittery- Take Vitamin J
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."(Hebrews 13:8)
Know nothing- Take Vitamin K
"Know this that the LORD is God, it is He that made
us and not we ourselves. (Psalm 100:3)
Lonely- Take Vitamin L
"Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."(Matthew 28:20)
Mortgaged- Take Vitamin M
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is
made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Nervous- Take Vitamin N
"Never, no never will I leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
Overwhelmed- Take Vitamin O
"Overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)
Perplexed or puzzled?- Take Vitamin P
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the
world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
Quitting- Take Vitamin Q
"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."(1 Corinthians 16:13)
Restless- Take Vitamin R
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7)
Scared- Take Vitamin S
"Stay with me, and do not be afraid; for the one who seeks my
life seeks your life; you will be safe with me." (1 Samuel 22:23)
Tired- Take Vitamin T
"Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall
run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
Uncertain- Take Vitamin U
"Understand that I am (the LORD). Before Me no God was
formed, nor shall there be any after Me." (Isaiah 43:10)
Vain- Take Vitamin V
"Vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.(Acts 5:16)
Wondering what to do?- Take Vitamin W
"What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, and to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)
Exhausted?- Take Vitamin X
"Exercise thyself rather unto godliness." (1 Timothy 4:7)
Yearning for hope?- Take Vitamin Y
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)
Zapped- Take Vitamin Z
"Zealous for good deeds." (Titus 2:14)
From web site: http://www.alighthouse.com/prayervitamins.htm

Have a lovely week!

Friday Show and Tell – Pears and Apples

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by the very talented Kelli at There is No Place Like Home

Since the 1990’s I’ve had a couple items that my middle sister really likes, and she keeps asking me if I’ve found any for her. They are two blown glass pear figures that were made in Italy. I bought them at an Ethan Allan Gallery that was shifting to become a Pennsylvania House store.

They are in a mottled peach color with green stems, and measure 9" tall x 6" across.
The sticker on the bottom reads "Handcrafted in Italy/ Expressly for/ Ethan Allen"
I also bought two bright green apple figures and one yellow lemon figures, from the same Italian series. I let my sister have the lemon and one of the apples. Here is the apple I have left; it measures 6" tall x 5 1/2" across:

Have any of you seen these glass fruit? I would like to learn more about them, and even find two more pears for my sister to have.

Thanks for stopping by today. Your comment is most welcome. Visit more Show and Tell at There is No Place Like Home.

ABCs of the Word - P

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s theme letter is P

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God..
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6,7 NIV

What a tremendous promise...this is what I hope we can each experience in these times.

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

clipart - DoverPublications.com

Tablescape Thursday – Clear Crystal With Blue and White

For this week’s table setting I decided on using clear crystal with blue and white for a cool summer look. Touches of yellow bring additional bright notes.

Blue and white placemats and matching napkins are a gift from my youngest sister. They are made from "Porcelain" by Waverly. Squared silvertone chargers hold Royal Tudor "Orchid" by Grindley dinner plates, topped with clear Arcoroc crystal "Fleur" plates.
Napkins are folded in a fan shape and placed in ceramic daffodil napkin rings.
The flatware is Oneida "Raphael". Clear goblets – Vendange from France. Blue goblets – "Virginia" by Fostoria. Here is a view of one place setting: [Note: the chargers are a soft silvertone, though they are photographing as something else!]

One corner of the table holds a yellow ceramic pitcher is on crystal and "Orchid" dessert plates.

The centerpiece includes a blue and white pitcher by Godinger set on a white runner with two yellow napkins underneath for a hint of yellow. Clear crystal candlesticks by Oscar de La Renta was a graduation gift from friends in 1988. The pair hold white taper candles with blue design.

Clear crystal tulip votives hold yellow lemons and pears

Four crystal crystal salt cellars with tiny spoons contribute to the sparkle.
At another corner a clear glass divided dish in apple shape sits on a yellow ceramic pineaple trivet. A clear crystal butter dish is nearby.
Since I have only four of the napkin rings, for the settings at the ends I put the napkin under the glass plates and added an "Orchid" bowl.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope your found the tablescape pleasing. Do visit again soon, and please leave a comment.
Be sure to visit our hostess Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more Tablescape Thursday posts.

Three or More Tuesday – Literary Character Dolls

Three or More Tuesday is sponsored by Tam at The Gypsy's Corner. Do visit her for more participating posts.

Dolls were always a major feature of my childhood years. I loved to dress them, play with their hair, and set them up in domestic settings I contrived. Recently I foound myself with a few dolls which are characters from books.

My Three or More today is just a sentimental collection consisting mostly of items I found in thrift shops or otherwise very inexpensively.

The first one I got was a 12" Linnea cloth doll which I found in a consignment shop. Her smiling face is so appealing. I love art and art appreciation and art history. Thus this doll is very much like the young girl I once was, who enjoyed visiting places about New York City.

The book which introduces Linnea is "Linnea in Monet’s Garden" by Christina Björk and illustrated by Lena Anderson.
Here is the Publisher’s Weekly review: "Linnea, a fresh-faced European girl with a mop of black hair and a white smock, gives a solid lesson in art history in the gentlest way, through a first-person account. Her story is like a scrapbook, reliving a trip she took to Paris and Giverny to learn about Monet's water-lily paintings. Airy, light-filled watercolors showing Linnea in Monet's environment are juxtaposed with period photographs of the artist and reproductions of the paintings themselves. The focus is always on the specific. Monet's brushstrokes are examined (Linnea terms them "splotchy").

A section is devoted to expressionism: "Even stone walls could shimmer sometimes." Also included are Monet's biography, a family tree and a brief guide to Paris. But, it is the sense of being there, and Linnea's own enthusiasm, that carries the book."


I learned about the sweet little French girl, Madeline, from a program on television, an animated feature titled "Madeline’s Christmas." It was based on the book of the same name by Ludwig Bemelmans. I was captivated with the little girl and her upbeat personality, her creativity, and take-charge attitude. Here is the 7" vinyl doll with her own cup and saucer.

At a thrift shop I found a copy of the book, "Madeline’s Christmas" by Ludwig Bemelmans, and two videos, "Madeline" and "Madeline at the Dog Show: A Story about Bravery," both narrated by Christopher Plummer.

While attending a convention of the American Library Association in Dallas, TX I came upon a publisher’s booth for the American Girls Collection. I was attracted to the concept of introducing girls in different periods of American history. Each doll has a six-book series, beginning with a Meet… volume to introduce the character.

The doll, Addy, presents a story of a life in a time of transition. The American Girls website states, "Addy Walker’s story begins as she and her mother are escaping slavery to find Addy’s father and brother, who’ve been sold away. But their escape means leaving Addy’s baby sister behind—her cries could cost them their lives. Once Addy takes her freedom, can she re-unite her family?"
"The Addy book series present "stories of growing up in 1864 Philadelphia."
This 7-inch vinyl doll is Addy dressed in her escape to freedom outfit.
I found these three books at the thrift shop:
"Addy Learns a Lesson: A School Story" (Book two)
"Changes for Addy: A Winter Story" (Book six)
"Addy Studies Freedom" from the American Girls Short Stories series

I bought this cute little doll because the design is based on the long popular Raggedy Ann doll. She is 5" tall of cloth with a vinyl head. Her hair is of fabric strips instead of the customary yarn hair.
This book tells the story of the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and of their maker, John Barton Gruelle.
"Raggedy Ann and More: Johnny Gruelle's Dolls and Merchandise" by Patricia Hall.
I chose this other book because I love tea parties and books about tea parties: "Raggedy Ann’s Tea Party"by Laura Francesca Filippucci.

Thank you for stopping by and viewing my literary character dolls and related books and videos. Please come again soon and do leave a comment.

Blue Monday – Tea Accessories

Blue Monday is sponsored by our gracious Sally at Smiling Sally.

In looking around for a blue topic, I noticed a blue tea bag holder and thought, “Ahh, blue tea accessories...” I enjoy drinking and serving tea, so I did find several blue accessories. So here we go…

First is a tea caddy tin, which I bought at a local antique shop. It is for Earl Grey tea, one of the most popular black tea blends. It is printed with the name ‘Earl Grey’ and features Oriental style scenes having to do with the cultivation of tea.

The little caddy is three inches tall and is for loose tea. The lid reads "Crabtree & Evelyn/ London/ Fine Teas."

These tea tins held tea bags for green tea, sold at Wallmart.
Just inside the kitchen door a tea towel hangs on the microwave cabinet. This linen towel is decorated with teapots.
A white tablecloth embroidered in blue, is shown folded in quarters.
A deep blue tea cozy is made of blue cotton printed in white and lighter blue flowers. It is lined in solid blue.
Here is a tea bag holder and a dessert spatula for serving tasty treats.
A set of four tea bag holders, in a teacup shape, are by Spode.
I am happy you visited today, and would enjoy reading your comment. Enjoy more Blue Monday posts at Sally’s blog, Smiling Sally.

Tablescape Thursday – Setting for Soup and Sandwich

This week’s tablescape began with the tablecover. I knew I had bought this in about 2002 to use on the deck. I also got 4 cloth napkins that coordinated with it. Once I got it out and noted the red binding on the hem, and the red border of the napkins, I realized that I have very little red in my tablesetting accessories.

I settled on the vintage Wedgwood "Edme" dinner plates, cream soup and stands, and bread and butter plates. The flatware is just a silverplate mixture. These pieces take care of a simple lunch of cream of broccoli soup and tuna salad sandwich in an artisan bread roll.
The cream dishwares look nice against the backdrop of the print in the tablecover.

I found a red ceramic tomato, and a pair of red ceramic salt and pepper set shaped like tomatoes. Ceramic banana napkin holders pick up the background color of the tablecloth. The red border of the napkins pick up the red edging on the round tablecloth.

Doing this late Wednesday night I had no time to get anything like flowers from stores; I just had to use what was around the house. So, the centerpiece is a Knowles "Fashion" covered dish, set on an Edme saucer, on top of a pale green wire frame.
The goblets are "Evesham" for the Royal Worcester dishes. I have 3 goblets each with the cherries, oranges, blueberries, and pears. So I used two each of the red cherries and the blueberries, colors that picked up the napkin border.
Green café chairs with white vinyl seats provide seating.

It is always great to participate in Tablescape Thursday and discover what combinations can be made with things I own. Thanks, Susan for hosting this delightful weekly event.

Be sure to visit Susan’s blog, Between Naps on the Porch for more Tablescape Thursday posts.

Outdoor Wednesday – Yellow Pansies

This has been a very busy day with home tasks and errands. However, I just wanted to share the bright color on the front steps at Oak Rise Cottage. Yellow is one of my favorte colors for flowers and I love pansies.

Have a wonderful rest of this week, and do stop by again soon.

See more Outdoor Wednesday posts at Susan’s blog, A Southern Daydreamer.