I've Knitted My Very First Samples of Victorian Knitted Lace Edgings & Work Update

Hi everyone...I pray that you all have a really great weekend. I have to to work today (Saturday)...so I'm working on this post early to make sure it gets published on time :) :)  I mentioned awhile back that I'm making some lace edgings for my bookcase. I like lace and all sorts of beautiful vintage things. So in an effort to beautify my home and make it more feminine and romantic, I thought lace edgings would be a good place to start :) :) :)

A couple of years ago, I purchased this book at a local used book store. It's written by Nancie Wiseman and published by Interweave Press. The book might be out of print now. You'll have to check that on-line somewhere. However, I'm sure there's a copy to be found in a used bookstore somewhere. I purchased this copy at Smith Family Bookstore in Eugene, Oregon. It was about $9 and worth EVERY penny.



At the time I didn't crochet...so this was just perfect and it reminded me so much of Victorian/Edwardian things and Anne of Green Gables...so I just had to HAVE the book :) :) :) In short, this book is a really nice collection of genuine Victorian era knitted lace edgings by Blanche Beau...the woman you see pictured on the front cover.   She kept everything in a really neat notebook, that was eventually inherited by the author of this book!!!  So I thought I'd make up some samples in various patterns and colors to decide what I like best!!!

The first two samples I knitted in dark red...because I LOVE red.  The third sample is knit in pink..which now upon reflection, is much brighter than I originally thought it was ;) :) :)  I do have white crochet cotton...but I decided to start with some color!!! There will definitely be some white samples to choose from as well!!!


I've completed two different styles of lace edging and am working on the third (in pink)..Here is the first one, it's called "Mrs. R's Diamond Lace" on page 41.  This one was the most difficult since it was my first. I literally started and ripped it out about three times, before I finally got the rhythm right.  I haven't "blocked" this yet. I'm not sure if I will.  I'll definitely press it with an iron to make it lay flat...The scalloped edging should be a little pointier...at least according to the photo in the book...so I'm not sure what isn't being done correctly. No matter...I LOVE it..and it's definitely homey/vintage looking :) :) :)

Next is the "Rose Point Lace" on page 46-47. This definitely will need to be blocked or pressed or both...Still, I'm very happy with the result and although I LOVE the red, this might look better in white. The plan is to knit up some samples, display them on my bookcase and then let you decide which style of lace looks best. Then I'll knit a bunch of that!!!

Last but not least....because I'm still knitting is this really nice "Maple Seed Lace" on pages 70-71. So far this has been the best one in terms of the look as it's knitting. There are quite a few YO's (yarn overs)...that is part of what helps create those lacy parts...but the overall affect is really beautiful!!!! Somehow I think I was born in the wrong generation..but then again, no, God's timing is perfect...and how that and my love of vintage stuff fits together...I'm not sure yet, other than to help make my home a haven!!!



Pictured below are all my samples together...with the fabric in the backdrop that I'll use as the shelf liner fabric. This was formerly my fitted sheet on my bed. I did wash it first...but I don't believe in ironing...well, only if I absolutely have to :) :) This is part of a Shabby Chic bed set...called "Cherry Blossom" You won't even see this fabric once I attach the lace edging.  I don't want to use tacks on my bookcase, so I thought this would be a good alternative. It's part of an idea that I dreamed up of how the overall project should look when it's finished. So we'll see if this turns out or not. Oh, I also included that wire/rose ribbon I purchased at a yard sale last weekend.  I'm not sure what I'll use this for...Any ideas?

That's my Victorian knitted lace edging project thus far...I hope you like it. Do you already see a lace edging that you like best? My bookcase has 5 shelves plus the top...so I'll be knitting or crocheting three more styles of lace.

Tales from the Pear Tree
I have some sort of sad news to report. Today was my day off and a coworker called me during her break to tell me "They completely shut down our department today"..WHAT?????  That's so bizarre since management told our supervisors only YESTERDAY that we'd have more work and we were doing a great job. I did receive a call from one of my supervisors today about this...it is very discouraging.

Well, I can't really comment more on it at this point and I WON'T name the company I work for...but I will say that I feel like something smells really rotten here in terms of integrity. Many of my coworkers feel the same way, too. We're going to be split up and some will go into the business division setting up phone appointments. Others will stay in inbound/customer service calls. I am choosing to stay in the latter...doing only inbound calls/customer service.

Arrgghh..I won't complain anymore...Just pray for me to not lose heart in the face of what seems like a lack of integrity.  I still have to do a good job as unto the LORD regardless of what goes on around me!!! So pray for a good attitude. I am grateful to still be working, because it's keeping a roof over my head :) :) :) Okay, enough "pears" today!!!

So I've been busy working on my knitted lace edgings. I do need to get my quilt out and start working on that too. It's been awhile...so I'll be working on some time management skills...to help me towards that end!!! Life has once again thrown me a curve ball...but that's okay...God is good...and somehow He'll use this for His glory...I'm sure of it!!!...the how, I'm not sure about...but I know that HE is faithful!!! That's the news from Oregon today. Love and hugs, Heather :)

Heather's Photo Challenge for Saturday ~ September 4th, 2010 till Friday ~ September 10th, 2010.

Happy Friday everyone...the weekend is here.  I don't know about you, but I've never been so glad to be home!! Here's my installment of photos for my 365 day photo challenge.  Oh, check out Practical Simplicity Photography on my right sidebar.  Miss Antoinette is the one who inspired me to take this challenge. It's been fun...

Oh, I'm going to post photos of the lace edgings I've been knitting. For a first try, I'm quite pleased with myself. So keep your eyes out for that!!!!




Saturday ~ September 4th, 2010 "Mums" the word...


Sunday ~ September 5th, 2010 This photo was taken around 8 a.m. this morning while on the way to the grocery store with my father. I did not retouch this photo. It was actually just slightly brighter than it appears in this picture. I just love how the rays of sunshine peak through the dark clouds.

Monday ~ September 6th, 2010 This is actually a local cemetery..but the grounds are so lovingly tended...


Tuesday ~ September 7th, 2010 The Woolworth Building..Oh, I took this photo at a slight angle while in the car ;) :) This has been around since the 1930s if I'm not mistaken...

Wednesday ~ September 8th, 2010 It rained today and there's a mountain here that is completely covered up by the dark, heavy rainclouds!!!

Thursday - September 9th, 2010 This photo was actually taken yesterday..in the afternoon, after the clouds had lifted and from a different viewpoint...but you get the idea of how heavy the clouds were this day.

Friday ~ September 10th, 2010 I have no idea what kind of flowers these are..but I see them EVERYTIME I go to the grocery store. They're so simple and pretty :) :) :)

Tales from the Pear Tree
Work is going well so far...yesterday there as a meeting with my supervisors and marketing to discuss the future of our department. It looks like we will continue through October. There might be a break inbetween where we take inbound orders...at least until it gets closer to CHRISTmas :) :) :) So I'm very grateful to still be working...so are my coworkers :) :) :) We love our little department..and I get to work with some very hard-working women.

Oh, on another note, I had a meeting with my team leader...and I'm doing well. My stats are good and that makes me happy :) :) :) I'm working hard because it's not just my job, but I want everyone in my department to continue working!!! We provide so much more than just product...so I always have that in the back of my mind when I'm sitting at my computer :) :) God is good to me...and while I"d love to be a stay-at-home mommy some day...I'm grateful for my job that keeps bills payed...and let's me buy fun crochet cotton for Victorian lace edgings :) :) :) Oh, I'll post photos of those tomorrow!!!

That's the news from Oregon today. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

My Ninth Tea Time Tuesday & Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday for Tuesday ~ September 7th, 2010

Happy Tuesday everyone....Yeah, I'm so excited about Tuesdays because I get to have "tea" in various parts of the country and continent!!!  Everyone has such lovely tea things.  It's really neat to hear all the stories.

Oh, goodness, okay, so if any of you read yesterday's (Monday) post, you know about all the fabulous yard sale finds that I purchased, including a cup :) :)  Well here's a little reminder of some of the things I purchased, including the cup and the table cloth that everything is sitting on.

Here's my teacup/coffee cup, a small canning jar with cool metal latch-hook thingy, yellow shelf (with hooks that aren't visible here) and the nice white cotton fabric/lace table cloth :) :)

My dad and I were actually out driving around Saturday afternoon.  Although come to think of it, I think we were actually coming home from getting some coffee at The Human Bean.  We saw this sign that said "yard sale"..and I wanted to stop.  My dad didn't think it was still going because frankly....most yard sales stop at about 3p.m. or 4 p.m. We decided to check it out anyway and it was in full swing.

The couple was really late getting it set up and they really had a ton of stuff for sale...clothing, toys, full sets of dishes, literally everything it seemed.  The couple wasn't the most friendly I've encountered, so I won't comment any more on that...BUT I did see this sweet little cup all by itself and it was just $1...that's it. So I just had to snap it up. 

I did notice an awful lot of toys..and I also noticed the sweetest little girl standing next to the couple. She wasn't saying a word...but I wondered if those were her toys that they were selling along with all the other things.  It wasn't really clear...but I did wonder about that. The little girl was precious and I was wishing I had a daughter of my own. Maybe someday...Lord willing!!! Oh, I digress, okay back to the subject of tea :) :)

 I wasn't planning on looking for any tea things. It just happened to be there so I bought it. It's a lovely cup.  If I hadn't seen it, I would have shown some more repeats and included some more stories :) :) :) Here's the lovely teacup.  Although with the way it's shaped, I could just as easily drink coffee from this.

This is the same design on the opposite side of the cup, too.

The backstamp reads Est 1876 / Elizabethan / Staffordshire / Hand Decorated / Fine Bone China / England.  You know I always have to check out the backstamp on anything I buy now...thanks to you lovely tea ladies :) :) :)


This the really sweet flower design on the inside rim of the cup. Oh, I do find those "secret" details are what really seem to make the cup...at least for me at this moment :) :) Oh, did you notice the really subtle light green trim around the rim of the cup? 


That's my small....but mighty teacup for Tuesday :) :) :) I already have an idea "brewing" for next Tuesday!!!  

Tales from the Pear Tree
Lesson #1...NEVER sign up for extra shifts when you don't know what your dad's work schedule is going to be....grrr...Okay, trying not to grumble because both of those pick-up shifts are only 2.5 hours long.  However, I did repost them for giveaway and no one has picked them up. So I'll be waiting almost 2 hours to start my shift tomorrow and waiting at least an hour for my dad to finish his shift....aggghhh.  Okay, I need to remember to be grateful and not forget that this means more money in my paycheck :) :) :) I will bring my crochet lace project with me to keep me occupied!!!

Pray for my dad that he'll remember everything he learned in training.  He works so hard...and it's a new computer program this year, too. 

Well, that's about it for this evening. I need to get some beauty sleep!!!  Have a great week everyone!!! That's the news from Oregon. Love and hugs, Heather :)

Party/Give Away At Prairie Flower Farm & Super Cool Yard Sale Finds!!!!

Happy Monday everyone....I hope you all are having a great Labor Day weekend..and for my international friends...I hope your weekend is also a good one :) :) :)  Oh, there's a really fun party/giveaway over at Linda's Prairie Flower Farm.  I posted a link to the giveaway on my right sidebar here...right at the very top, so you won't miss it :) :) :) Check it out and join in on the fun..There are 5 different ways you can enter, so check it out...and ladies, if you've been following Prairie Flower Farm for any length of time, you know that Linda always hosts a good party. She knows how to make any occasion special!!! I've already entered....you should, too!!!

Oh, I found some really nice yard sale things last Saturday, plus one item on Sunday.  So let me show you what I found. Oh, yes, I do promise to show you all these items in action and all decorated one of these days...but I figure, I should snap up these items while their available and so inexpensive. The decorating/painting can always come later ;) :)

My dad and I were going to the grocery store for something Saturday morning and we saw a yard sale sign, so we stopped.  It was mostly childrens clothing and baby things, which if I had either, would have been a real score...but I'm still single. However, there was one item that caught my eye. It was a pair of twin white sheer panel curtains...not very long...but long enough and wide enough to cover the living room windows. These only cost $1 for the two panels TOGETHER. These will give my dad and I a measure of privacy, while still allowing us to open the blinds and let some light in!!!


Awhile back I talked about how my dad and I had to get the car battery replaced. That resulted in us eventually stopping by a yardsale where I found a lovely white cotton/lace table runner thingy..which I used to top my dresser drawer. Click here to see a photo of the cotton lace thingy. Well, I went to another yard sale last Saturday in a nicer part of town and saw this table cloth that matches perfectly. I'm not sure what kind of lace this is. I don't think it's very old, since I do see this quite a bit at various department stores..but it's PERFECT and I love it!!! This is a rectangular table cloth and it only cost me $2.  It smelled like a dog had done some business on it, literally.  So I did wash it BEFORE taking a photo and posting it here. Now it smells really good!!!


There are a couple of yellow stains, which I'll need to treat with some sort of oxygen bleach.  Most of it came out when I washed the table cloth.  Some of the lace needs to be repaired, but all in all, I really love this style of cotton lace...I mean LOVE it!!!

Next you see a close-up photo of some more of the treasures that I found at some of the other yard sales that day..Here's a close-up of a yellow shelf with hooks, two hand-painted wooden hearts (so cute and reminds me of Donna Dewbury), a pad of writing paper, a vintage small canning jar with a super cool latch hook thingy on top, AND this lovely teacup/coffee cup...In the background you see my Nestle Tollhouse Cookie Tin propping up the yellow shelf...AND you see a glimpse of this powder blue fabric. That's a quilt with matching pillow sham that were also purchased at a yard sale!!!


Let's see...Here is the cost for the various items...I probably should have grouped them by what was purchased at each yard sale, but  I forgot...so here goes...

$3 - for the yellow shelf, the two handpainted wooden hearts, AND two spools of beautiful flowery wire ribbon (not pictured here)...purchased at one yard sale

$1 - for the vintage small canning jar with latch-hook metal thingy. It was the only thing at this sale that I thought was really interesting and cute. I'll either use it for spare buttons or spare change. Not sure which,yet...

$1 - for the teacup/coffee cup. I'll share more about that on Tuesday..

$0.25 - for the pad of writing paper. So cute...and I have just the perfect friend to write letters to with this paper :) :) Oh, the lady at the yard sale where I purchased the stinky, but now clean/beautiful white tablecloth wanted $0.50...and I said I'll give you a quarter..she said okay...

This next item is just a little round tin.  I bought this at the same place I  purchased the craft ribbon and yellow shelf. It was only $0.10. This would make a cute storage tin for buttons, too. If you have any other ideas for this, please let me know!!! I have no real "use" for this...but it was so cheap and I LOVE vintage anything...including vintage vegetable advertisements!!! Or maybe this looks like seed packets...


Here's another wooden shelf I found at another sale.  I don't remember which yard sale I purchased this at...but it was cute and really cheap. No wait, this was at the same sale where I purchased the round vegetable tin AND the craft ribbon. So now I'm wondering where I got the yellow shelf at...yikes...I'll make sure and take better notes for next time...In any case, this shelf was about $2 I think.  It's unfinished, but polished wood.  I do plan on painting it at some point...but for now, it'll need some good hooks or l-shaped thingies to attach it to the wall!!! You also get a glimpse of that wire craft ribbon and a better peak at the powder blue quilt with scalloped edge.

I thought that wire craft ribbon was so lovely...truly beautiful floral prints and both spools were practically new...so I just had to have this.  There's a perfect craft project just waiting for some of this ribbon :) :) Here's a close-up of this cute pad of floral stationary, too!!! I really do love letter writing and receiving actual letters in the postal mail....!!!


Here's a close-up of the two handpainted wooden hanging hearts that were purchased at the yard sale where I found that floral wire ribbon.  They're beautiful. The lady who was hosting this particular yard sale was a really talented/crafty lady. I think she painted these herself. In any case, I'm a huge fan of Donna Dewbury's One Stroke Painting show on PBS...so this reminded me of that. I'd love to be able to paint like this one day!!!


Here's a better picture of those two hearts.  I realized the lighting in the previous photo was just a tad too dark. Don't you love the paint strokes and all that pink?  It's pretty and feminine!!! This was part of that $3 deal with the shelf, the ribbon and the tin.


Here's a close-up of the yellow shelf with the hooks.  I thought this might look cute in the bathroom...but I'm thinking of putting it in my room...not sure yet.  Oh, I'm definitely going to paint this. The yellow is nice, but I love pinks and blues. This shelf looks like it's got a finish on it. Can I paint over this or would I need to sand it first and THEN paint it?

The cup was a real deal and I literally just happened to see it all by it's lonesome. however, the rest is a secret...wait until Tuesday :) :) :) You can see that this canning jar is not much bigger. I did do some research online and saw similar canning jars. It is missing a rubber ring or something that should be layered inbetween the jar and the lid. Oh well, this won't be used for canning...that's for sure :) :)



Now for some reason I forgot to post a photo of the whole entire quilt...but here's a glimpse of the detail. it's beautiful. I think it's a queen-sized quilt...or maybe king-size. In any case, I purchased this at the same yard sale where I found the white table cloth...and it too smelled really bad, like a really bad dog smell. There was a matching pillow shame...and both of this lovely scalloped edging. So both of those I washed promptly on  Saturday before photographing them. I'll make sure and post a proper photo later this week.  I wasn't looking for bedding...but when I saw this and realized it was good quality and the price was outstanding, then I bought it. Why? Like flowers, you can NEVER have too many quilts...so this beautiful quilt and pillow shame were only $8. This would have cost quite a bit more if it had been purchased new.


Sunday rolled around and my dad and I went to the grocery store around 8 a.m. to pick up the Sunday paper. I always look for coupons. This is what the skies looked like yesterday morning. This photo in particular reminded my dad and I of when God spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai....:) :) :)

On the way home, my dad noticed a yard sale sign. He tried to hide it from me because he didn't want to to stop there. No luck, mister...so he graciously turned the car around. This was a yard sale in a nice neighborhood, which meant the items for sale would be nice and indeed they were :) :) I found this lightweight comforter for just $5...with satin trim!!! This is GREAT. It's a mix of 100% cotton shell with polyester lining...normally I dno't like polyester...but this will be very easy to care for!!! LOVE IT!!! So does my dad!!!


Phew, this was a really long post today. Thanks for hanging in there and letting me share all this super cool yard sale stuff :) :) :)  I've really developed a habit for nice things at inexpensive  prices...Oh, and I just discovered Craigslist.  Lots of yard sales are advertised there. So next time I go shopping, I'll make sure and map out a route!!!!

Have a great week!!! I'm cleaning up my room and getting rid of more junk...mostly unnecessary paper etc...and getting back into doing regular Bible study along with my Bible reading :) :) That's the news from Oregon. Love and hugs, Heather :)

Scripture Verse Sunday for September 5th, 2010

My photo challenge for Saturday ~ August 28th, 2010 till Friday ~ September 3rd, 2010.

Hi everyone....Happy Friday. The weekend is here. Do you have any plans for the Labor Day weekend? I have nada planned, other than to relax and do nothing.  I need a little time to recover from working the phones :) :)

Here's my photos for this weeks photo challenge. If you missed last week's photos...click here.

Saturday ~ August 28th, 2010 I believe this is a crepe myrtle.  These are right outside the building where I work. They are just so bright and beautiful!!!


Sunday ~ August 29th, 2010 It actually rained today...for a little bit. We didn't receive the usual summer rainstorm...however, this was wonderful. It was a nice relief from the heat :) :) :)

Monday ~ August 30th, 2010 This is where the story ends.


BONUS PHOTO for Tuesday ~ August 31st, 2010.  I couldn't find anything for today. So this is a photo of one of my pillow cases...LOVE THE RED SATIN :) :) :)

Wednesday ~ September 1st, 2010  First signs of fall. Isn't it beautiful. Every leaf looks like it was handpainted.

Thursday ~ September 2nd, 2010  This is a favorite spot that I love to look at and take photos of when I can...Do you notice that dark red bush in the center? It's another sign of fall/winter :) :) :)

Friday ~ September 3rd, 2010 (Photo actually taken yesterday). This German Shepherd belongs to the father-in-law of one of my neighbor's. He's a HUGE dog...the size of a horse...I'm not kidding...He stands all the way to my hip and he's very wide and very long. He's such a sweetheart of a dog...just a sweetie pie and so very gentle. He came over to greet me :) :) :)

 

Tales from the Pear Tree

Work has been good this week. I've been doing mostly inbound calls. That's always a little bit easier since people actually WANT to talk with me :) :) Either way, I really enjoy my customers for the most part :) :) :) 

 

Oh, apparently, I'm much better at selling peaches over the phone than was previously thought.  I was one of the top two peach sellers last Tuesday. So I came home with a really nice prize yesterday that included Wolferman's Maple Almond Signature English muffins, summer sausage, baklava, cranberry citrus tea cake, dark chocolate cherries.  My dad wants the citrus cake...and I'll have the baklava and there will be peace in the household :) :) :) Oh, it was the best prize I have won this season :) :) I LOVE it...

 

Those english muffins are yummy and the size of tuna cans...no kidding..They're super chubby...just the way I like my English muffins :) :)

 

My shoulder seems to be doing better...but it's a weird mix of feeling much better when I'm at home and hurting again when I'm at work. I suspect it's the chair I sit in. 

 

Meanwhile back in Heather's regular life...oopps...my regular life...my dad and I went and did a little grocery shopping today. I bought some non-food items because it was payday and I really needed some new deodorant. In any case, we saw a yardsale sign and my dad went to stop there...just for moi :) :) :) I found one thing...but oh, what a thing...it was a set of two sheer w hite curtains that I can put in the front room window...to let some light in but maintain some privacy. I have neighbors not to far away...and we have a perfect view of their back porch and they have a nice view of our living room...or would..if we opened up the blinds all the way :) :) :) They're nice...but I just like a little privacy. Oh, the sheers only cost $1 for both of them together. What a deal :) :) :)

 

My dad wanted to buy curtain rods. I suggested we go "Depression Era" in our decorating and just use some pushpins and some heavy duty yarn, until we can afford to buy those. Apropos buying stuff, we do need a toaster, so I'm going to look around for a vintage one!!!

 

It's nice and hot again here in Southern Oregon.  That's the news from Oregon today. Extra love and hugs this weekend, Heather :)

My 8th Tea Time Tuesday & Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday for August 31st, 2010.

Hi everyone...

Phew..it's been a crazy couple of weeks. I just started back to work at a luxury fruit gift company a few weeks ago and things have been crazy and busy and crazy-busy.  For the next few weeks, I'll be repeating some tea things...but telling you some more stories behind each of these tea things and sharing some more Scriptures etc...at least until I can add more tea things to my collection :) :) :)

Here's where it all began...oh all those lovely tea cups and the siren call of "Let's have tea" :) :) :) You ladies are awesome...and now I'm hooked on tea :) :) :) That's okay...I've been so blessed by all of you :) :) This first photo is some of the tea things that actually belong to my grandmother.

This was part of my grandmother's wedding china. She had a full set for 8 people :) :)

My grandmother passed away in 1995...to cancer.  She went peacefully in her sleep and I miss her still...but I don't cry..not anymore...rather my heart still aches a little for the woman I loved so much and still do. She was a woman who loved Jesus Christ.  The day that she went home to be with Jesus Christ, it would have been her 53rd wedding anniversary.

Below is a close-up of the sugar bowl. I don't recall my grandmother ever actually using this, because she was very health conscious. Of course, I wouldn't remember sugar for my tea...but I DO REMEMBER a sweet....either a half of a Danish, a homemade cinnamon role or oatmeal molasses cookies... :) :) :)


I was thinking about all the teas I would have EVERY DAY when I spent summers with her. It's so random, because just today, I was sitting at my computer at work and trying to figure out how to sell peaches..and YES, they are very TASTY AND DELICIOUS :) :) :)...truly...but then all of a sudden I found my thoughts wandering to my grandmother.

We ALWAYS had tea around 3 or 4 p.m. as I recall...and it was special.  I remember sitting at the table having tea and staring out her window. She had a perfect view of the ocean less then a few miles away. After we'd had time to visit, she'd pull out her Bible and some of these Bible stories that her mother-in-law...my great-grandmother had written who knows when...I'm sure she wrote those back when God was a boy..but in any case, she'd always read one of those stories and we'd talk about it. What did we talk about? I don't remember. All I can recall is that each story always illustrated some principle out of the Bible.

Here is a close-up of the detail on the sugar bowl. This is the same vine/leaf with shell edging that you'll find on all the cups, dishes, saucers etc. Isn't it beautiful? I love the delicate detail. That is real bonafide Wedgwood china...

Oh...I love this sugar bowl. So cute and chubby and just plain beautiful :) :) :)

My grandmother would make me memorize Scripture...which at the age of 14 and 15 was NOT what I wanted to do..but I obliged, because she was my grandmother and I loved her :) :) Although as soon as the Bible lesson was over, I was away from the kitchen table quick...and doing other things...like looking at her family photos ;)

She felt that it was important that I commit God's Word to memory. She thought it was smart and would serve me well in adulthood. My grandmother was right..although I would not have admitted it at the time. I'm so thankful now for that foundation that she instilled in me. 

It's funny when I think back on it now...because I don't remember a single word of what we talked about other than those stories from my great-grandmother. However, I do remember her telling me why she bought Bibles for all the kids in her Sunday school class. Some of the kids couldn't afford a Bible, some just didn't have them for whatever reason etc...but she wanted every kid to have a Bible and to read it :) :) :) She would paste a name plate into each one...it said "Ex Libris" at the top in fancy script.  How do I know this? She gave me one back in 1990..It's a New King James "Open Study Bible".  It's fantastic and has really great outlines. 

In any case, I do remember that and that always touches my heart even after all these years.  I've always wondered about those kids that she taught. She really did love those kids...that I remember very well!!! She loved them enough to tell them about Jesus and teach them the Bible :) :)

Below is the backstamp. I think this was the backstamp on the sugar bowl. I don't remember exactly. The backstamp itself is the same on all the dishes and cups...however, some of the "series numbers" are slighly different.

As a young teenager I had no idea about the long and impressive history of Wedgwood china. All I knew was that this was gorgeous and I loved it because it belonged to my grandmother's :) :) :)

Those are my tea things for today :) :) :) I spent a few years living in Europe in my early 20s. Three of those years I spent in Germany.  When my friends would ask me a question about something that would involve a long story or response...I usually replied with "Das ist eine Tasse Tee-Geschichte". That literally means "That's a cup of tea story". What that implied was, we need to sit awhile, sip some tea and have a long chat about whatever the subject happened to be...that was okay with me :) :) It was always a good excuse to have something good to drink and spend time with friends.

Oh, I'll be sharing stories from work from time to time and I' ll be calling these segments "Tales from the Pear Tree". So here goes...it'll look something like this..

"Kids...it's time for another episode of "Tales from the Pear Tree"....:) :)

I work for a luxury fruit gift company here in Southern Oregon.  It's been around for decades...75 years to be exact...and actually has a history going back further than that...:) :) :) In any case, the old department I worked in...outbound telemarketing...that department was eliminated over a year and a half ago.  It was just brought back a few weeks ago. I realize I sound a bit disjointed here...but there's so much to talk about and I only have so much blog space :) :) :)

In any case, one of the things I do involves calling past customers and asking if they'd be interested in any of our specials. It's great product...but it's not always easy to tell people about over the phone. Right now, it's peach season and we sell lots of Oregold peaches.  My job is not easy...and honestly, the only reason I do it is because it is what's available and it pays the bills...sort of :) :) 

However, I am blessed because at least half of the ladies and 2 guys that I work with are Christians...all different kinds...but all love Jesus Christ :) :) :)  In any case, this past week was especially hard because customers were mean, talking rude, being condescending etc... and honestly it made me cry this week.  I was frustrated because I get that people don't like telemarketers...but that's no excuse to be rude. So I thought that I will write a post on how to treat telemarketers...AND some tips on how to gently get rid of them while still being nice and polite :) :) I've learned a few things in this job :) :)

In any case, right now it's peach season and I've been selling peaches like they're going out of style!!! I was working that phone so much I was beginning to feel a little bit like a peach hussy...actually, I was thinking "peach harlot"..but "hussy" is probably a better term :) :) While in between phone calls, I turned to one of my co-workers...also a fellow Christian...and we were talking about how hard it was to get sales this one particular day. We'd only worked about half the day, but it felt like we were working overtime.  We both came up with the term "peach harlot"...and just started busting up laughing :) :) :) Oh, it was some welcome comedic relief, that's for sure...and now I can't stop laughing over it :) :)

I did read a verse the other day which I wrote out and put under the computer monitor...Ephesians 5:19...It's a good one...and I'll be gradually adding others. It helped me to keep things in perspective. I'm learning to pray for my customers more...something which I have not done enough of.  Today was easier :) :) Thank you Linda over at Prairie Flower Farm :) :)

Sometimes my customers are really funny...even the ones who "reject" my offers :) :) :) That's okay...I can handle the rejection :) :)  I'm blessed to talk with people all over the country and sometimes the place names are just really funny. My most favorite one of the day was a very sweet gentleman who was in "Truth or Consequences, New Mexico". Isn't that just about the funniest city name you have heard? I think so...really cute :) :)

Well, that's about it for the moment. I  still feel like I'm running around in circles...but that's okay. One of these days I'll figure it all out and be completely organized and sane...right?...hee hee hee :) : ) (Insert here great admiration for all my blogger friends who are married with kids..I don't know how you do it all :) Thanks for joining me for tea and stories.  That's the news from Oregon today. Extra love and hugs to all of  you, Heather :)