When I started piecing together the laundry room, I knew I didn’t want expensive things because of the huge amounts of dust and lint that finds its way on all the pretty things that have to be dusted. So, here is what I came up with:
Photo Box $2.00 + Stencil $2.00 + Paint $1.50 = Rooster Decor
Then, you have this. Simplistic, Easy, Inexpensive and Chic, I think.
This is my prayer for America:
Then you shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, “Here I AM”.
“If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness. If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall shine in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you shall Build the old waste places; you shall Raise Up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. Isaiah 58:9-12
Praise God!
This gown drew me in and I can’t understand why I was compelled to buy it for my antique booth. Perhaps, the story it must contain fascinates me. It is surely from the early 1800’s and costly since the entire gown is lace. I know the gown was before the Victorians because blue was chosen for purity not white. It is a gorgeous blue lace that no longer exists in today’s fashion where only natural dye processes could achieve the umber of blue-gray with a black base. Oh, it has been reworked for certain with a zipper instead of the incredibly delicate and lengthy silk covered mother of pearl buttons. A different type of lace was added to the bottom to make it longer. This is where you can tell the differences in age and quality between the two laces. The lining was replaced and tulle was added in place of the extensive hoops and private under things of the period. Notwithstanding, the seamstress who refurbished the gown was highly skilled. While the gown was not offended by its modernization, I don’t know of anyone with a waist or arms so tiny that could do it justice. Keep in mind in the photo below I had to leave the back open to fit the dress form a full six inches to get the dress to fit over the top and couldn’t fasten it after it was on the form.
Now I am on a roll and finding all sorts of photos of wedding gowns. Blue was the prominent color and even today could make a comeback. I would consider it; especially considering, I had black floral bridesmaids dresses, big hair and very poufey long veil. (I am considering that which I just wrote about considerations!)
Queen Victoria is the one who started the whole white wedding gown thing because, before the Victorians, blue was the color of purity as the one on the left. Notice the detail work accenting the gown and the delicate lace at the sleeves. Lace was very costly back then. This gown belonged to a practical American bride who was not compelled to follow the British tradition of black; but, was more practical and would use the gown as her absolute best dress. It is circa 1880’s.
During Queen Victoria’s 63 year reign which constituted the Victorian era from 1837 to 1901, her husband, Prince Albert died. From that time, in 1861, she wore black. Honoring the Queen’s mourning , Victorian Brides chose to wear black wedding gowns as seen below. Notice what is in the hand of the bride. I believe it’s a bible or prayer book. This photo was taken in Illinois and would have been an upper middle class American around the 1860’s.
Below is Queen Victoria and her Prince Albert. They had nine children together. Her gown was pure white with her royal robes in fur and of course a diamond tiara or rather the real thing – the Crown of the Queen of England.
My sons love this soup and it is special to me because my mother made it. I still have her handwritten copy which has yellowed with age and use over the last thirty years. My mom passed away this year on St. Patrick’s Day. I miss you mom! Recipe to follow and the finished product. Yummmm!
Gallagher’s Cheddar Cheese Soup
Ingredients:
1/3 Cup Peeled and Sliced Carrots
1/3 Cup Sliced Celery
1 Cup Chopped Green Onion (tops and all)
2 Cups Water
1 Medium White Onion Chopped
1/2 Cup Butter (2 Sticks)
1 Cup Flour
4 Cups Milk
4 Cups Chicken Broth
1 Jar (160z) Kraft Cheez Whiz
1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 Tablespoon Prepared Yellow Mustard
Bring first three ingredients in the 2 cups water boiling for 5 minutes in a saucepan. Drain and set aside until broth is ready. Saute white onion in butter in your large soup pot. In the meantime, have milk and broth blended and bring to a boil in microwave or another sauce pan. Whisk flour into the onions. Stir milk and broth briskly into flour onion mixture with whisk. Add Cheez Whiz, Cayenne, Mustard and Salt and Pepper if desired. Stir until blended then add vegetables. Serve in Bread Bowl or alone.
“Excuse me, ma’am, could I borrow some clothes?” That’s how it all started and now we have Scarecrow Man in the front hall wearing my husband’s clothes all the way down from his hat to his boots.
