Easter Lambs in Daffodil Meadow

I have always loved this card.  It is from my Sister's collection.  There is something so sweet and ethereal about this pastoral scene.  I hope you are all having a wonderful Easter week.

Blessings and love to all.

For Unto Us a Child is Born

I was looking through my cyber file of ephemera, and found this lovely card, sent to Dad, Mumsie and our family.  These days, Christmas cards are rare.  I'm so glad my sister Clytie took the time to scan this wonderful old card.

Please know you have been missed and you have been in my prayers. 

Merry Christmas, dear ones.  May God bless you with His joy and peace.

Best Wishes Under Lamp Light

I love this card.  It came from my sweet Grammie.  It reminds me of her--delicate, sweet and a light in my life.  I am not sure where or when this card was printed, but it's elegant length, beautifully crafted flowers and detailed lamp are pure beauty to the eye.

Have a lovely day and treasure those people in life who inspire you to become a better person.

Happy New Year!

This is such an unusual card.  I'm not sure how old this vintage piece is, but the detail of the drawing is spectacular. 

I had heard the name of Simon the Just, but didn't know much about him until I looked him up.  He must have been an amazing fellow.  From what I read, he is mentioned in the Talmud, Josephus and the Second Book of Maccabees.

It is said Simon earned his name "the Just" because of the piety of his life, his benevolence toward his compatriots, and because he watched over the welfare of his people.  He was a spiritual man who longed to see his country prosper.  He is said to have rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, which had been torn down, and is responsible for repairing the great Temple of the Jews.

According to legend, when Alexander the Great marched through Palestine in the year 333, Simon the Just dressed in priestly robes to ride out to greet him.  When the Monarch saw the High Priest approaching, he descended from his chariot and bowed respectfully before him.

The Greek king was criticized because he had bowed to Simon the Just.  But Alexander the Great silenced the complaints of his subjects, saying his act of respect had been intentional.  Then he told of a vivid vision in which he had witnessed the High Priest proclaiming Alexander's victory over his enemies.

I love the stories of history.  

Happy New Year, everyone! 

Best Lovin' -Guest Heart Thursday

I have a ton of wonderful old Valentine cards in my collection.  I love looking at them, and sharing them here.  Though I believe I have posted this card before, I do so again today because looking at this one made me smile--and it seemed perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Basket of Forgetmenots

I do not remember where I found this lovely basket of forgetmenots, but it seemed the thing to post today.  I love these flowers--they are just beginning to bloom in our area.  I saw some down by the river last week.

Have a lovely week, everyone!

Roses For Dad -Guest Heart Thursday

I've been missing Dad a lot this past week.  Sorrow sweeps over me at the strangest moments.  This is our first spring without him.  Somehow the daffodils as they nod their smiling faces touch me.  I remember Dad's delight in the flowers.

Since this is Guest Heart Thursday, I wanted to include a heart.  I found a scan of a heart card I sent to Mumsie years ago.  Sissy sent a copy to me and I'm sharing it with you today.  I miss Dad and there are sometimes I want to fly  home and hug the daylights out of my Mums.  We have been so blessed to have such great parents.  Have a lovely day, everyone. 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

It's a Pink Train - Happy Pink Saturday!

When my sweet Gramma Gladys moved to Washington, she left boxes of her old cards with me. This is one of the most intriguing and so perfect for Pink Saturday--I have to admit, I've never seen a pink train before--and this one is just delightful! Happy Pink Saturday!

If you'd like to see what Pink Saturday is all about, click on the icon in my sidebar to visit Beverly's page. You'll be glad you did!

Happy Easter!

I love this card--the beauty of the flowers and then there's that egg. If you look closely you can see there's a little chick's beak cracking the shell.

New life, new growth, new beginnings. There is always hope!

HAPPY EASTER!

Sparrows Bringing Good Cheer

I love the rhythm and pattern of this delightful get well card. The artist caught the beauty and grace of these birds beautifully.

This card is another from the vast collection of Cards our darling Grandma Jenny left behind. What a wonderful legacy for her children, grandchildren and great grand children!

A Garden Without Flowers

This is one of the wonderful cards our Grandma Jenny's best friend Ruth sent most likely in the late 1950's. This card touches my heart--I have such wonderful friends. Dear precious friends. I am so grateful for the fragrant friendship flowers in the garden of my life.

Life without friends would be like a garden without flowers.

So I have to ask--if you were a plant growing in a garden, what would you be? I'm thinking I might be a purple cauliflower combined with violets and a rose. . .

A Basket of Pansies for my Mumsie

Today is my darling Mumsie's birthday. What a wonderful lady she is! Some of you have had the joy of reading her blog. She is a talented writer, an author and a lovely person. Of course, if you'd like to read some of Mumsie's writings, you can find her blog in the sidebar of this blog under "Everybody Loves a Story." When you visit her, be sure to wish Mom a happy birthday!

On this day of Mumsie's birthday--I was remembering back over the years. Growing up, I did not realize the treasure she truly is. It took becoming an adult with children of my own before I understood her beauty and value.

Some of the happiest years of my life were when my family and I lived in Grammie's basement, next door to Dad and Mom. My husband made an office in the back of my parents home, and our two eldest children went to the school I attended as a child. It was a lovely two years. The children played in the canyons and fields where I played as a child. They found snakes beneath old boards. They made forts in the fruit trees. They loved the ponds with their flirty fish and numerous frogs.

Best of all, I got to spend every morning walking with my Mother. We shared daily quiet times, our hurts, joys and dreams. We laughed, prayed and cried together. What a wonderful time that was.

Mums is interesting and a LOT of fun. Her laughter is raucous, and unmistakable. I LOVE to hear her laugh. She is earthy, wise, compassionate and a little wacky. I treasure her insights. I enjoy hearing about her childhood. I deeply admire her ability to paint a story in words.

Though she has faced (and still faces) tremendous and terrible struggles, Mom rises above them with a beauty not often seen in this day and age.

When I was a little girl, Mumsie showed me the whimsical faces worn by pansies. Since then, I've always loved them.

So, here's a basket of happy pansies for my wonderful, wise, whimsical and wacky Mumsie! Happy Birthday Mums!

Get Well Wishes

This is another card from Gramma Gladys. What a beautiful card it is, delicately embossed with lovely details of hand-drawn gold and sparkling glitter. They just don't make 'em like they used to!

This card is particularly appropriate today, as our world faces a terrible pandemic. I've heard of such things happening in the past, but I have never personally observed it.

My heart goes out to all those who are ill and to their families. How frightening this must be for them. I am praying for those of you who have lost loved ones. I pray this terrible illness will be stopped before it can hurt anyone else. God bless you dear folks.

Snow White and Rose Red

I love the rich colors of this wonderful postcard. It is a reproduction of of an antique postcard, printed in the USA on 100% recycled paper, by the Evergreen Press in Walnut Creek, California.

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The postcard reminds me of the old fairytale about Snow White and Rose Red. The two lovely sisters, one blonde, one brunette, live in a cottage in the forest. Going about their daily activities, they keep rescuing an ungrateful old dwarf from certain death and danger. They also befriend a rather large and hairy bear, feeding and sheltering him through the winter. Turns out the bear is not a bear at all. He is a handsome prince who has been put under a terrible spell by the same dastardly dwarf.

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At the end of the tale, the bear pounces upon the grizzled little enchanter and eats him up! The spell is broken, the bear skin falls away, and of course, the just-released prince marries Snow White. He introduces Rose Red to his younger brother--and they all live happily ever after. (grin)

Fruit of the Vine

This is a very old card, heavily embossed, with an elegant metal finish. I do not know when or where it was published, but it is one which pleases my eyes with its rich, rhythmically balanced composition.