Aunt Hazel's Advice ~

My Aunt Hazel 1952

I think she looks like a movie star in this photo!

January 14th was my Mom and her twin sister's birthday. Mom passed away in 1998, but Aunt Hazel is still going strong at age 87. She lives alone in her own apartment, takes the Senior's bus 2 or 3 times a week to go shopping, does all her own cleaning and cooking, etc., loves to read true crime novels and watches CNN and HLN religiously. Her only complaint - her right knee has been giving her a lot of pain, so she's considering knee replacement surgery.

Aunt Hazel January 16, 2012

Aunt Hazel has been through a lot in her 87 years; divorce, the death of her eldest son, the passing of her parents, several of her beloved brothers and her twin sister. I called her on her birthday and we talked for over two hours! I asked what life advice she'd give and she said "just know that everything has a way of working out and don't dwell on the past. Life changes, and you have to learn to change with it." Then she said her son had called and also asked her what she attributed her longevity to; she told him "taking things one day at a time...and kindness." I said, "really? Kindness?"  She answered, "well, yes...just being kind to everyone and not getting upset over every little thing. I think kindness goes a long way."  I thought this was well worth sharing.

Outside her apartment January 16, 2012

To say I admire this woman is an understatement! I hope I inherit her genes, strength and wisdom!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to: Potpourri Friday at 2805

Woman Thing: The Link Party at Whimsical Musings

The Classics

Hello Everyone,
Thanks to my friend Patti's blog, "They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To,"  I found out today is one of my all-time favorite actor's birthday - Clark Gable. He would be 111 years old. In my mind, of course, he'll always be "Gone With the Wind's" Captain Rhett Butler, that scoundrel from Charleston who was expelled from South Point - and not received by any respectful family in South Carolina! If you enjoy old movies, you'll love Patti's blog! She knows more about classic movies than any person I've ever met in my life! Her blog is full of fascinating information, photos and movie reviews. In Patti's words:

"Classic movies are not just antiquated films from a bygone era...rather, they are beautiful, well-acted, well-written gems that ought not to fade into obscurity. Truly, Hollywood just doesn't make 'em like they used to!!! I hope you'll discover some must-sees by your visit here." 

So, Happy Birthday, Clark Gable, King of Hollywood - and thank you, Patti. To visit "They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To," click HERE.

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

A Confession and A Cup of Tea

Hello Everyone,
I have another teacup to share with you, but first - a confession! A few months ago, I visited a blog where the owner wrote about her love of collecting rocks. She had a goal of collecting a rock from every state in the U.S. I wrote to her and offered to send a rock from my state of Ohio. Well...I'm embarrassed to admit I accidentally deleted the email with her address and consequently forgot whose blog it was on. So, please - if you're the rock collector and reading this - or anyone knows who the lovely blogger is that collects rocks, please email me and let me know! Thank you!!

Now...on to my teacup! On one of my previous teacup blog posts, someone left a comment asking "where do you find these?" Well...here is a photo of just a tiny portion of the shop where I've purchased several (and at a very low price!) As you can see - things are piled on top of each other! It's not exactly tidy - but those are the places that are fun to explore!

This teacup was manufactured by Elite Works in Limoges, France. It has a delicate pink rose pattern, with gold trim around the rim and handle.

When the company first began producing porcelain in 1892, they simply used the mark "Elite France."

The backstamp on my cup says "Elite Works Limoges France" and is a light red color, which dates it to between 1900 - 1914. The company used the color green to mark pieces manufactured between 1920 - 1932.

"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." Henry James

Now, it's time for a cup of tea and the SAG Awards! I have to see what everyone is wearing!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to: Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

              Teacup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations
             Teacup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites
                      Tuesday Cuppa Tea with Antiques and Teacups

                     A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life

Miss Spenser's Blog

     What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
     White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage

         

             

Mixed-Media Collages

Hello Everyone,
Today I'm sharing two mixed-media art collages I made this week. I've always loved this vintage photo of my Grandmother, so I decided to create a collage around it (using a copy of the photo, of course.) I've added vintage buttons and vintage lace, glittery pink seam binding, paper flowers and scrapbooking embellishments.

My grandmother was born in 1904, and I believe my Mom once told me she was 16 in this photo, so it was taken around 1920. Wasn't she beautiful?

This is my "Dream of Paris" collage. The Paris scrapbooking page is glued to a piece of chipboard. I then added bits of cheesecloth, vintage buttons, and a key. The Paris-Eiffel Tower torso tag came in a shabby chic art kit that I purchased from Cindy Adkins' Whimsical Musings Etsy Shop, which can be found by clicking HERE. The whole collage is lightly "frosted" with copper-colored glass glitter.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I'm linking this to:

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound
Woman Thing: The Link Party at Whimsical Musings

Until next time,

Cindy