BEAUTIFUL APPLES FOR CHRISTMAS

My Sister sent me the most fabulous Christmas Gift.

These are Gourmet Apples from a company called Mrs. Prindables.

Here is a link to their website.

www.mrsprindables.com

This is truely the most delightful gift I have received in a long time.

They are wonderful and of course since my Sister sent them to me they are even more special.

I have displayed them here on some of my Limoges Plates and a beautiful bowl.

I'LL HAVE A BLUE CHRISTMAS

This is my Blue and White Christmas. Our Family Room is done in white, blue and silver. It adds a nice frosty feeling to our Christmas Holidays. There are lots of Snowmen in my Family Room.

MY PIXIE DOLL FROM THE 60's

This is one of my favorite little girls. She is actually a large 1060s doll and she stays out all year but I especially love her all dressed up for Christmas.

A SWEET SPARKLING CHRISTMAS

This is my smaller village. These are paper mache and I hand painted and decorated each of them. They are all done in beautiful pastels. I added tiny little cake topper people and all sorts of things to make my village. There is also a larger vintage pink christmas tree on my mantel.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE UNDER THE TREE

Christmas Village under tree

The Church came from Target. They have some beautiful paper houses this year. I just have to have this beautiful PINK Church. The 2 houses are hand painted and decorated by me. I added beautiful glitters, trees, snowmen, santas, beads and so much more. I love how they turned out.

MY PINK CHRISTMAS TREE

More Decorating

My pink tree

DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas

Well not yet but I am decorating.

Vintage Pink Angel circa 1960s

U2 CONCERT MORE PHOTOS

Below is a picture of the stage while City Of Blinding Lights was being played. The screen dropped all the way down and lights flashed in each of the screen segments. It is hard to describe but it was fantastic.

Below shows the lights from inside behind the screen. This was also during City Of Blinding Lights.

Screen back up

U2 CONCERT PHOTOS

Picture below shows the top of the stage while U2 was playing City Of Blinding Lights

Below is a picture of the top of the stage again.

Below is a picture of the Crowd right before show time.

U2 CONCERT - PHOTO OF STAGE BEFORE CONCERT

OCTOBER14,2009 U2 IN CONCERT

U2 in Concert

14 October 2009

As it turned out my husband came home from school a month early. He was suppose to graduate from the Officer Course on 30 October 2009 and he actually graduated on 30 September 2009. I was so happy that he was coming home sooner and then I realized that he would be able to go to the U2 Concert with me. Everything worked out beautifully. Eric and I traveled to Houston, Texas and we stayed at the Candlewood Suites. If you have never stayed at one they are fabulous. They are true suites and have everything you could possibly need right in the rooms including beautiful kitchens with granite counters that are fully stocked with dishes.

Anyway the trip was wonderful and our room was fabulous. I took a nap and then we got up and got ready for the concert. We ate some dinner and called a taxi to take us the the Reliant Stadium. We figured that would be easier than trying to park. The Reliant Stadium is beautiful and so BIG. Once we got inside I was shocked at how enormous the U2 360 stage was. It was really amazing and you are definitely in awe of it when you see it.

The first group out was MUSE. They are a group from England and they have done some of the Music for TWILIGHT. They were actually very good although I am not real familiar with them. They had a nice sound and I enjoyed them quite a bit. There was a 45 minute break between MUSE and U2. Then finally about 9:00 PM U2 came on and it was phenomenal. The show was so much more than I could ever have expected. They were wonderful and their set included 23 songs. Now imagine singing 23 songs inside a 2 hour period. I do not think I could do it and those guys had to be worn out. They put on a unbelievable show. They never slowed down in anyway. They sang and moved about and made sure that the entire audience was involved in the show.

Bono was as always absolutely wonderful and he manage to make sure that he let the Humanitarian side of him reach out to all of us. He is a good man, filled with compassion and he always makes sure that people are aware of important issues. When U2 plays you can feel the love and beauty in all things but you can also feel the pain and sorrow of suffering but always this is revealed to you with one message and that is the message of HOPE.

U2 was in a word "PHENOMENAL" and I still can not hardly believe I actually got to see them. It was a fabulous evening with my beautiful husband and the guys that are U2. Thank you Bono, The Edge, Larry and Adam. I love you guys.

PICTURE - TIFFANY AT BALLET

Although she would never do so now, there was a time when Tiffany was in Ballet. She took four years of Ballet as a matter of fact. She was really not much for dancing even then so she mostly just smiled and looked really cute for us. I did not exactly approve of this outfit but it was what was chosen for her second Recital. She was adorable though.

PICTURE - FIREMAN'S BALL

My Father-In-Law was a Fireman (Fire Chief) and he invited us to attend a Christmas Fireman's Ball. We had a great time. My Father-In-Law had just retired a few weeks earlier. From Left to Right: Laura (Eric's Sister), Homer (Eric's Dad), Eric and of course me.

2005 MILITARY BALL

2005 Military Ball

This is from the Military Christmas Ball 2005.

 We were in San Antonio, TX for this one. 

Hugs, Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

PICTURES - 2006 CHRISTMAS BALL

2006 Christmas Military Ball

This was taken at a Military Ball in December 2006. We stayed in Corpus Christi, TX for a nice long weekend.

I wore a lovely soft pink dress with black lace.  This was my Cinderella dress and one of my favorite dresses I have ever owned.  I figured I would have my Cinderella dress before I get to old to wear one.  

We has a lovely time at the Ball and in Corpus Christi.  

Hugs, Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

MUSINGS - AND HE CAME HOME

My husband made it home from the Middle East on May 14th. The girls and I met him at the Airport. The girls had made WELCOME HOME signs for him. He was very tickled when he saw the signs. I simply went straight into his arms and kissed him. I was so happy to see him when he finally came into view. I had waited a very long time for that moment. It wasn't anything overly special in terms of how we came back together but when we touched it was everything and so much more for me. I held his hand and we walked to get his luggage and all was right with the world again. I was in the one place on Earth that I most want to be. I was in my husband's arms. I love him more than I could ever express in words. I am lost without him and I am found when I am with him.



I Love you Eric.....



When we were dating I gave him a card that said "I just found the most wonderful place in the whole world". Then when you opened the card it said "and it is in our arms" and that has never changed for me.

U2 IN CONCERT HOUSTON

I am so happy because I just purchased two tickets to see U2 in Houston on October 14th. This is my chance to see them and I just could not let it pass me by. U2 is my favorite group and I have waited a long time for this. I have no idea who is going with me because my husband will be away in school but I am taking someone and going. I am there......

IT DOESN"T TAKE MUCH

During hard times such as we are facing now, we tend to feel powerless and afraid. Things come at us that we feel we have no control over. This can be very hard for some of us but there is something that helps. There is always someone less fortunate than ourselves and we can always do our part to help. When buying groceries we can buy a little bag extra and drop it off at a food bank drop off. It is an easy thing to do and it feels good. We can empower ourselves through our selfless acts of generosity and kindness. This even in the face of all that has happened to us lately. There are many other ways to give this is just an example. Please give to those less fortunate and I promise we will all be better people for it.

POETRY - VALENTINE'S DAY COUPLETS

Poetry - Valentine's Day Couplets

I recently wrote these two Valentine's Day couplets and I thought I would share them. Photo of my tiny red roses from my garden.  

In Love, our hearts compose

Music, lovely as a rose

As our love grows

So does the rose

I wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day filled with Love and Hope.

Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

OF INTEREST - CITY OF BLINDING LIGHTS

I should start out by saying that I am a Liberal and a BIG U2 fan. I have always listened to their music and they are my favorite group. I admire Bono (lead singer) and the group. Their songs are filled with inspiration and feelings. Bono has a tendency to write heart felt songs about our world that inspire and cause us to remember the trials and tribulations of others. He has the uncanny ability to help us walk a mile in anothers shoes, so to speak, and end by reminding us that there is always HOPE.


During the Obama campaign a song titled - The City Of Blinding Lights was used as a backdrop. This song is by U2 and was inspired by a trip that the group took in 1980 to New York City. Later after 9/11 U2 once again came to New York for a concert. Bono said that when the lights came up he looked out across the crowd and he could see the tears in their eyes and he was tremendously inspired by the emotions that came pouring out of this group of people.


I guess with all that had happened he saw that there was still hope and a resolve in the American people. That we had lost something but we intended to carry on and so we did. He wrote City Of Blinding Lights. This is the lyrics to the song. As you read them keep in mind that we lost so many that day, we were naive before 9/11 and we still rose above all that had happened and we came together.


The more you see the less you know
The less you find out as you go
I knew much more then than I do now


Neon heart, day-glow eyes
The city lit by fireflies
They're advertising in the skies
And people like us


And I miss you when you're not around
I'm getting ready to leave the ground


Oh you look so beautiful tonight...


In the city of blinding lights


Don't look before you laugh
Look ugly in a photograph
Flash bulbs, purple irises the camera can't see
I've seen you walk unafraid
I've seen you in the clothes you've made
Can you see the beauty inside of me?
What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?


And I miss you when you're not around
I'm getting ready to leave the ground
Oh you look so beautiful tonight...


In the city of blinding lights
Time...time....time...time...time...won't leave me as I am
But time won't take the boy out of this man


Oh you look so beautiful tonight
Oh you look so beautiful tonight
Oh you look so beautiful tonight


In the city of blinding lights,The more you know
The less you feel
Some pray for, others steal
Blessings not just for the ones who kneel, luckily




Hope you can see the beauty in his song..... U2 recently sang at the "We Are One" concert for Barack Obama. Bono is a Liberal and a Humanitarian. I was so happy to see U2 perform at this concert.


Also, this is one of my favorite songs and I just wanted to post the lyrics so I could have them and if you are so inclined you can read them too. This is a song by U2 and it is called So Cruel.


We crossed the line
Who pushed who over?
It doesn't matter to you
It matters to me


Were cut adrift
But still floating
I'm only hanging on
To watch you go down...my love


I disappeared in you
You disappeared from me
I gave you everything you ever wanted
It wasn't what you wanted


The men who love you, you hate the most
They pass through you like a ghost
They look for you but your spirit is in the air
Baby... you're nowhere


You say in love there are no rules
Sweetheart
You're so cruel


Desperation is a tender trap
It gets you every time
You put your lips to her lips
To stop the lie


Her skin is pale like gods only dove
Screams like an angel for your love
Then she makes you watch her from above
And you need her like a drug


You say in love there are no rules
Sweetheart
You're so cruel


She wears my love like a see-through dress
Her lips say one thing
Her movements something else
Oh love... Like a screaming flower
Love dying every hour


And you don't know if its fear or desire
Danger of a drug that takes you higher?
Head of heaven, Fingers in the mire


Her heart is racing... you cant keep up
The night is bleeding like a cut
Between the horses of love and lust
We get trampled underfoot


You say in love there are no rules
Sweetheart
You re so cruel


To stay with you
I'd be a fool
Sweetheart
You re so cruel.

MUSINGS - THOUGHTS ABOUT READING TO YOUR CHILDREN

I have always read to my girls. It started with my first daughter Tiffany. We read to her every night for approx. 7 years. We first started when she was very young and over time she began to read with us. Eventually, she took to reading on her own. She is now 12 years old and if I would purchase them she could easily read 2 300-400 page novel every two weeks. She absolutely loves to read. My youngest daughter is somewhat different from Tiffany and we did not start reading to her until about 2 years ago. Mostly because when she was very small she simply could not sit still and listen. Now she sits and reads with me and she listen to me. She follows her sister's lead and loves the bookstore. They both keep up with certain books that they like and when they are being released.


The point to all this is that I had always heard that if you read to and with your children than they will love to read. Having heard that in the past I thought, well they either will or they won't like to read. I simply had no idea that by reading to your child not only would they love to read but they would develop many skills way before other children. Reading develops social skills, a willingness to learn and a curiosity to know. Reading helps children learn how to spell, imagine, cope, develop better work habits and the list goes on and on.


I can not tell you just how important it is to read to and with your children. Reading is many things but it is also very inexpensive and the returns are invaluable. Both my girls are excellent students and they have large vocabularies. They are curious and imaginative. They are bright and enthusiastic learners. They have been given a gift that NO money could buy and one that will last a life time. For you see they have been given all the gifts that books have to offer and those gifts are many.


Read to your child, you will be happy that you did.

MY PRETTY BIRDCAGE

This is a very pretty birdcage that I got some time ago. I painted it pink and added all sorts of crystals and decorations to it. There is even a pink bird inside.

A PINK COAL BUCKET

This is one of those coal buckets with a shovel that I painted pink (of course) and added roses to it. I guess it goes without saying that I don't use it for coal but instead I enjoy it's beauty.

HOW TO CLEAN AN OVEN

Well here I am 45 years old and I finally figured out how to clean an oven. I am sure there are others out there that knew this secret but I thought I would share it in case there was someone who did not. Every once in a while you actually learn something while watching TV. Now I am by no means a TV person however, I do at times actually watch something. Anyway, they were cleaning a stove inside and out and they used a regular cleaning product like Fantastic and a scraper (razor blade type) and they made the stove and oven look like new. Now it takes some work but it cleans way better than any oven cleaner and it is not as hazardous to your health. Provided you are careful with the razor. I even managed to get things off that I had never been able to remove. I have never like those oven cleaning products so this is great for me. Even if you have a self cleaning oven you can still use it on your stove top and underneath your burners. It cleans fantastic and I did not scratch my surfaces. Now I do not know if it will not scratch any surface but it did not hurt mine. I guess it is the same as using it to scrape glass. By the way I actually used a green product and it worked great.

SOME OF MY PORCELAIN BROOCHES

PINK GLASS COLLECTION

I love pink glass and here is my collection. I have it displayed in a beautiful vintage cabinet that I have the buffet and dinning set to go with it. It was painted blue when I bought it. At some point it was professionally painted. The glass collection is from France. The brand was called Arcoroc and the pattern was called Rosaline. I always consider this glass to be from the 1960s although I believe they made it up until 1970s or 80s. I placed my favorite fabric behind the glass collection to show it off better.

SOME PORCELAIN LOVELIES

Some Porcelain Lovelies

This is a beautiful set of hand painted Bavarian porcelain.  There is a cake plate, creamer, sugar, salt and a pretty bowl.  Each is painted with beautiful blue flowers and trimmed in 22K gold. 

Next is a lovely Limoges large platter.  Delicately painted pink roses and trimmed in light blue.  This is one of my favorite pieces. 

And last but not least, my vintage Lefton tea set

 and egg cups.  The sweet little basket with birds in it is also a vintage Lefton piece. 

See you soon,

Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

SOME THINGS I PAINTED

CHRISTMAS HOUSES AND A CAKE DECORATION

Here is a picture of my paper houses. I sat them out for Christmas this year along with my vintage pink tree. I added a couple little figurines I had and even a girl in a blue dress that is actually a cake decoration. She looks cute....

STILL IN STYLE KELLY PURSES

I have an affinity for vintage purses. I mostly love the Kelly style purses. They make me think of Jackie-O. I actually use my purses and enjoy them. I get lots of compliments. When people tell me that they love my purse, they will ask where can I get one? I usually say from 1950. They always smile. Nice conversation pieces if I do say so myself.

A PINK CAGE FOR A PINK BIRD

A Pink Cage For A Pink Bird

I love finding neat things that are in need of some love and bringing them home to give them new life.  This is an old bird cage and stand that I found at a consignment shop.  It was in rough shape but I brought it home and worked some magic on it.  Now it is pink and is decorated with a beautiful pink beaded bird, beads, ivy, ribbon and crystals.  I love how it turned out.  I had to move it to take the picture but it sits by a chair in my bedroom.  

I just love my new bird cage and stand.

Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

BAVARIAN BIRD PLATE

Bavarian Bird Plate

This is a beautiful turn of the century (early 1900's) plate. It is Bavarian which is a hard paste porcelain that looks and behaves the same as Limoges porcelain. This one is beautifully painted by an amateur artist. The birds are stunning. This is one of my favorite pieces. 

Hugs, Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

BALLERINA WREATH

Here is a little pink vintage styled wreath. I added lots of glitter and pink Christmas balls. Then I placed it on a wooded spindle that I also painted pink. I place a beautiful Ballerina in the center and added bows. I love how it turned out.