How Sweet The Sound

What's My Question Wednesday

My question for today is ...

What is the most spontaneous thing you've ever done

The Pillow Parade

Two of our favorite ladies, Kari & Kijsa are hosting a Pillow Parade today.

I've got my diet Pepsi (I know it isn't Diet Coke), and I'm heading out for a day of fluffy, soft, embellished and gorgeous pillows.



Let's walk around and see some of the pillows in my home.  Today I'm just showing you a few.  I love, love, love pillows, and I've never met a pillow I didn't like.  I really think we need to consider buying another home so that I can have more pillows.

Pillows on the sofa in the family room.


Pillow on a living room chair.


Another chair in our living room.


Living room sofa.


Fun pillow thrown on the floor in the living room.


Our bedroom.


Antique church pew on our upstairs landing.


Let's have a pillow fight.

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Be sure to come back tomorrow for What's My Question Wednesday.

Blue Monday Pitcher

It's Blue Monday.  Be certain to go visit Sally and everyone that has the blues today.

Today I am sharing this blue pitcher which is on an antique oak table in our foyer.  It is something my mother purchased years ago, and it was hand-painted by a china artist.

Be certain to stop by tomorrow.  I'll be participating in Kari & Kijsa's Pillow Parade.

Our Father

Please visit Spiritual Sunday to fill your heart with joy.

To me, these are some of the most powerful words ever put together.  And, in case you haven't figured it out yet, I am a true fan of Charlotte Church.

Pink Saturday - March 7, 2009

Happy Pink Saturday!

Today I'm celebrating something special!

365 in 365

My pink contribution for this Pink Saturday is this hatbox and what is contained within.

You see, I started my blog in March 2006, but I shut it down for a few months in late 2007.  March 8, 2008 I began posting once again, and today marks 365 posts in 365 days.  And, I am having a giveaway to celebrate.  The winner will receive this hatbox and everything I've enclosed.  But, what is inside is a surprise.  Right now there are five things inside - two things are breakable, one thing has a wonderful fragrance and all five items are things I love.

To be eligible to win, you must leave a comment on this post by midnight Thursday, March 12.  I will only draw from those commenting on this post.  I will draw the name of the winner on Friday, March 13 - which will make it a lucky day for someone.  The winner's name will be announced on Pink Saturday, March 14.

 

This week we have one hundred fifty-seven (157) participants in Pink Saturday.  There are sixteen new participants this week, and you will find them at the bottom of the list.  Let's all take time to welcome them to Pink Saturday.  It seems that so many of us have fun with the color pink.  I hope you are all enjoying this as much as I am.

Please take the time to visit other participants, and leave a comment to let them know you stopped by to enjoy their pink.  Pink Saturday is about having fun, and giving us a chance to meet others in the blogging community.  That is why it is important that we get out and visit each other.  I promise you it is worth the effort because you will not only see lots of pink, you will meet incredibly nice people.  Please refer to my post dated January 8 for more information about Pink Saturday.

Please remember that my reminder e-mail stated I needed your plan for participating today no later than 8 a.m. EST yesterday.  If you don't see your name and link here it is because I did not receive your plan for participating by that time.

I want to thank those of you that take the time to leave me a comment.  I love reading what you all have to say.

Here are our Pink Saturday participants:

*Beverly at How Sweet The Sound

*Jeanne at Backyard Neighbor

*Cami at From The Heart *Deborah at Pictures, Pots and Pens

*Diane at A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words

*Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly *Melissa at MCC *Mo at Mo's Cottage

*Stephanie Angelic Accents

*BJ at Sweet Nothings

*Connie at Living Beautifully

*Deb at Posted From Home

*Fitty at Fitty's Pinky Rose Cottage

*Gabriela at Gabriela Delworth's Blog

*Judy at Vintage To Chic

*Karen at A Scrapbook of Inspiration

*Marina at Only Cute Things *Shirl at Shirl's Rose Cottage

*Kari & Kijsa at Kari & Kijsa

*Nancy at My Crafty Little Page *Sue at Lagniappe

*Carolyn at Wings of Eagles

*Dana at The Stone Rabbit *Shayla at Diary of Artist Shayla Perrault Newcomb

*Ann at Anne Fannie's Green Acres

*Betty at She's Sew Pretty *M at Tales From An O.C. Cottage

*Kady at Life on Bonnie Lane

*Karin at Creative Chaos

*Lorena at Rose Chic Friends

*Shelia at Note Songs

*Glennis at Dove's Today *Kathy at Welcome To Mimi's Garden *Theresa at Take A Sentimental Journey

*Wendy at Pink Slippers *Lara at Lara's Welt

*Susan at Suzie Button Creations *Bobbi Jo at Its Good To Be Queen

*Katie at Rose Breeze Boutique *Patricia at Coquettish Fleur

*Bernideen at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog

*Dawn at C & G Designs

*Donna at Party Wishes *Bette at Crafty Mammie

*Sally at Smiling Sally

*Stephanie at the Queen of Dreamsz~The Portal to a Vintage Collection and My Creative Journey *Debra at Pink Wishes and Shabby Dreams

*Jennifer at Jennifer's Petal Palace *Melissa at Charmed Life *Katherinellen at Welcome to Kat's Korner

*Kathy Kat Collects

*Llyn at Llyn M

*Charlotte at Charlotte's Weblog *Ellen at Sweet Memory Making Mom

*Laurie at Charming Designs *Marina at MilePebbles *Susan at Between Naps On The Porch

*Jennifer at Fancy That

*Kris at Vintage Window

*Stephanie at Lulu's Cottage

*Angie at The American Homemaker *CC at Lace 'n' Ribbon Roses

*Debbie at Quilts Galore and More

*Jenny at The Red Bulletin Board

*Robyn There Is Always Thyme For ....

*Elizabeth at Thoughts from an Evil Overlord *Denise at Hope Tree Studio *Gail at In All Thy Ways *Judi at Cranberry Blossoms

*Molly at Fleur de Bee *Patty at Magpie's Nest *April at the artchics *Erin at Fairie Moon

*Fifi at Fifi Flowers Design Decor

*Riet at quiltin 'n stitchin lady

*Ann at Life At Ann's Place *Lynne at Lynne's Gifts From the Heart

*Alice at Singapore My Home *Kandy at Pink Sugar Castle *Esther at Shabby Cottage Collectibles

*Sarah at Sarah Bella's *Ceekay at Thinkin' of Home

*Diane at Four Paws and Co *Ashley & Caren at kdottie

*Jorgelina at Todas somos reinas

*Susan at A Southern Daydreamer *Judy at French Laundry

*Lorri at Cute As Pie Cottage

*Marie at Romance and Relics

*Robin at Miscellaneous Thoughts ...

*Jenny at Suzanna's Antiques

*Mimi at Our Family Attic

*Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspiration *Sheri at Prim Rose Hill Studio *Tam at The Gypsy's Corner *Jane at Blondie's Journal

*Katherine at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor - she is having a giveaway

*Minnie at From Pennsyltucky *Sheila at The Quintessential Magpie

*Betty at Daydreamn World

*Deanna at Timeless Things

*Debbie at There's An Angel On My Front Porch *Elaine at Cafe Chatelaine

*Gina at Purdy Wallcovering

*Jennifer at sit-n-chat *Linda at Linda's Chatty Blog

*Loretta at House of Houben *Marion at That Shabby Pink Girl

*Rosemarie at Sugarplum Cottage *Sandy at Romantique Inspirations *Debbie at Mermaids of the Lake

*Irma at Irma's Rose Cottage *Jennifer at Livin' with Peaches

*Joyce at Light and Voices *Nancy at La Chambre Rose

*Terri at Lakewood Manor

*Cam at Framing New England

*Jill at Bailiwick Designs *Polly at The French Cupboard *Angela at West Virginia Treasures *Betty Jo at Digi Scribbles *Deb at Vintage Soul *Kristie at My Crazy Life *Molly at Molly's Country Memories *Tristan at Enchanted Revelry *Wanda at Pages From The Heart *Amber at Patchwork Angel *Amy at Keep'n The Sunny Side *Barbara at Purple Goat Lady *Carolyn at What Now? *Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage *Coty at Styling Gardens *Elyse at Cottage Tinkered Treasures *Jenny at Orange House Gardens *Kathy at Life in the Slow Lane *Kristie at Tres Belle - she's having a giveaway *Li at MyThoughtsMyVoice *Patti at Patticakes *Sheila at Sheila T's Scrapbook *Sherri at ~Design To Shine~ *Susie at 1st Floor Flat *Amanda at Jacaranda Cottage *Amy at Dogs of All Things *Barb at Bella Vista *Betzie at Time Enough *Deb at It's All Good *Dru at Garden of Dreams *Envoy-ette at It Could Be Worse! *Esther at es-presso *Evelyn at Throneroom Events *Gina Jo at Waterlilies, Fireflies and Friends *Heidi at HiHo Heidi's Diary *Kelley at Teacups and Ponies *LaVerne at Riverside Studios *Sara at luminous in my chaotic dreams (life) *Sylvia at Villa Extra *Terri at Blooming Ideas I hope everyone has fun with Pink Saturday.  Even if you couldn't participate today, be sure to go visit those who did, and leave them a comment so they will know you visited. Get Pink !!! It's not just a color, it's an attitude. You are welcome to use the Pink Saturday button to display on your blog.  I've been spotting it on quite a few of your blogs.  Do you have yours yet?  Our numbers are growing.  Pink Saturday is fun.

Today Was The Birthday Of

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I am a fan of the work of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  The works of Browning enjoyed great popularity during her lifetime.  Her most enduring poetry has proved to be "Sonnets from the Portuguese".  Elizabeth Barrett was born on March 6, 1806, near Durham.  She was the eldest of the 12 children of Edward Barrett, a man loved by his children even though he controlled their lives. Though she never received any formal education, Elizabeth was a reader, and she began writing poetry at an early age.  Elizabeth's youthful happiness was not to last.  In 1821 she developed a nervous disorder which caused headaches, weakness and fainting spells for the rest of her life.  The Barretts moved to London in 1838.  In the same year Elizabeth published her first book under her own name, The Seraphim and Other Poems.  She was hailed as a new poet of extraordinary ability.

Two years later her favorite brother, Edward, drowned, and this aggravated her poor health.  For the next 5 years she remained in her room and saw no one except her family and a few close friends.  In 1844, the publication of Poems secured her fame.  Such poems as "The Dead Pan" and "Lady Geraldine's Courtship" were popular with Victorian readers and won high praise from critics in England and the United States.

The most significant result of Poems was the beginning of Barrett's relationship with the poet Robert Browning.  Attracted by her praise of his poetry, Browning wrote to her in 1845.  Barrett's illness had led her to feel dead to hope.  Her progress out of this despair to joy can be traced in her letters to Browning and in her Sonnets from the Portuguese.  Because Elizabeth's father had forbidden any of his children to marry, the couple were secretly married on Sept. 12, 1846.  Mr. Barrett refused ever to see his daughter again.

The Brownings journeyed south to Italy.  Florence was their home for the rest of Mrs. Browning's life.  Her health was so improved that on March 9, 1849, she gave birth to a son.  In 1850 she issued a revised edition of Poems containing the Sonnets from the Portuguese, which her husband had urged her to publish.  Modern readers usually find these sonnets her best work.  On June 29, 1861, she died quietly in her husband's arms.

Tussie-Mussies and Reminders

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Tristan at Enchanted Revelry is having a giveaway.  And, let me tell you that he is one talented guy.  If you haven't visited him, go say hello.  And, maybe you will win his fabulous tussie-mussie, and maybe I will win.  I've got my fingers crossed.

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Just a reminder that Pink Saturday is only two days away.  Please e-mail me by 8 a.m. EST Friday (that's tomorrow) to let me know if you are going to participate.  Our numbers are growing, and I need your e-mail to help me manage.

Wondering what Pink Saturday is?  Please refer to the feature button in my right sidebar near the top of my blog, or review my blog post dated January 8, 2009.  And, please display the Pink Saturday button on your blog.

What's My Question Wednesday

My question for today is ...

What one place in the world would you most like to

visit?

It can be somewhere you have visited before

-or-

It can be somewhere you've never been.

And, why do you want to go there?

Just A Little Vent

We had some snow yesterday, and the place where I worked declared a severe weather day for non-essential employees.  (I wonder if they think declaring you non-essential is a "feel good".)  Anyway, I had a weekday at home - which is a rare event.

We waited until the roads were cleared late in the afternoon, and made a visit to the grocery store.  When we were transferring our groceries from the cart to the car, I noticed two men spot each other.  It was clear they knew each other, and they were glad to see the other.  They stood there in the parking lot having a friendly conversation.

And, it is that friendly conversation which caught my attention.  I really didn't hear what they were saying other than the fact that they peppered their conversation with extremely foul language.  Really!!!  I'm not very judgmental; say anything you want, but must you curse in public?!!!  It isn't like they were saying these words in anger, they were just chatting. 

The first thing I did was look to see if there were any children around.  I didn't even mention it to my husband.  I just shook my head to myself, and then got in our car.  But, now I'm telling you because I did find it annoying, and it is still bugging me.

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Be sure to come back tomorrow for What's My Question Wednesday.

Blue Monday - The Shaving Mug vs The Moustache Cup

It's Blue Monday.  Be certain to go visit Sally and everyone that has the blues today.

Today I am sharing my antique shaving mug.  I thought it was a moustache cup, but Gloria let me know that it is in fact a shaving mug.  Of course, I had to research this, and she is absolutely correct.  The shaving mugs often have the three holes for the soapy water to drain - as seen in this mug.  The moustache cup is a drinking cup with a semi-circular ledge inside, and it has one hole for the coffee to come through.  Makes sense!  Just goes to prove that you learn something new every day.  Thanks, Gloria.

My mug is German made, and it carries the mark Brandenburg over an anchor.  It measures 3 1/2 inches high.  Brandenburg is a state in Germany.  Remember I told you that I once collected porcelain and china pieces with a portrait, and this is one of those.

This view lets you see the portrait.


Here you can see the pretty shape of the handle.


And, this view lets you see the ledge used for draining.