Presents and Other Fine Things

Well I wish I had my camera on me today because my parents took my husband and I out to lunch at a local Tea house for my birthday. It was quite a surprise because my lovely sister Janeen had me thinking she was going to have a tea party at her house. I kept saying, can I invite this person or that person and she'd say, well, I think it would be ok. All the while my parents were going to be footing a bill that was meant for just 4 people. LOL.. Then to top it off, my sister got that nasty cold passed down from her little ones and she couldn't go. My husband thinking he was going to visit with my dad at Janeen's house decided to come at the last minute. I ended up not inviting more people and it was just four of us after all. HAHA. I wanted to share with you the gift I received. Now, for those who don't know me, I totally love the Anne of Green Gables series. My middle name is Anne...(with an "e" hehe) so we are kindred spirits. Anyway, I had this set in VHS but I lent it out to someone YEARS ago and I can't remember who and I never got them back! So I have been wanting the set on DVD for EVER but didn't want to spend the money and guess what!!!!! My parents and sister got it for me! Aren't they just fabulous?!

Second, I stopped over at my friend Laura's, Our Scented Cottage as she has a new on-line Victorian store where I bought myself these lovely, lovely tea light lamps. I put some battery operated flickering tea lights I found at a craft store in them and they are just wonderful. Please check out her blog for some fantastic Victorian lovelies. But be careful because this one purchase put me to redecorating my WHOLE HOUSE, I even put up some new curtains........

I used to have a bunch of Old West photos up here, the kind wear you dress up in costume, but when I got these tea lamps I redecorated and the best part was I already had everything stashed here and there and my wonderful sister who has that decorating eye helped me stage this Victorian look. What do you think?

Here is a close up of the night version, it is so beautiful at night, really.

Can you make out the white and pink? Looks like white clouds in a pink background.

The lovely beade work is pink, white and clear. I just love it.

Here is a better picture of them. My camera doesn't like to focus close up but if you could see it you'd see that the wooden stands have some very detailed carving on them.

These are my Other Fine Things. This is my English Tea Clock as I have named it. It works but I just don't have a battery in it. When I have a tea party I just set the time to what ever time my party starts. Lol

My flash got in the way but it says on the bottom of the clock "By Special Appointment to THE QUEEN" very fitting for my dining room wall. Actually, the Queen is a personal friend of mine and she thought I would like this clock so she gave it to me. I mean she has so many of them anyway what is one less......(and if you believe that....)

This picture was on my dining room wall but I moved it to above my fireplace. Boy, did it change the room. I have very high ceilings and the picture before was just too small. They are not English dogs but the picture reminds me of an English hunting setting.

Last but not least, this is a personal favorite. This is an actual photo of Princess Caroline of Monaco. I was doing a fund raiser years ago and I wrote to her for an autographed photo and she responded and I am happy to say I won the bid!!! Again, because of my flash it's hard to see but the photo came in a beautiful beige matting that she signed in calligraphy pen. Not a reproduction. It also came with a nice card that I keep behind the photo.

Thank you for sharing my presents and other fine things. Have a wonderful weekend!

OH, one last thing....many of you asked when my daughter Jackie is getting married. It will be this October. She has enjoyed reading all the comments on her dress so thank you for making her feel special.