Lovely Summer Breaks

"She was so thankful for the softness of her lavender~fragrant bed, and so delighted with the lovely freshness of her chintz~hung room. As she lay upon her pillows, she could see the boughs of the trees, and hear the chatter of darting starlings. When her morning tea was brought, it seemed like nectar to her."-Frances Hodgson Burnett from Emily Fox-Seton

sigh, this is the world I really long for, on these beautiful summer days. You know, the white curtains billowing in the wind, a lovely room in a French Manor, a sweet maid from the local village who cheerfully brings you a cup of tea and draws your bath. After breakfast, perhaps a stroll to the village, shopping for a new bonnet, visiting with friends later in the garden...okay, so I most likely read too many romance novels in my life.

In reality my days start with coffee in the office once I'm dressed, answering emails and phone calls and everything else that has to do with FrenchGardenHouse.com. Later my day could include meetings, appointments with Antique Dealers, Auctions, shopping trips, photo shoots etc etc. It seems that every day is crazy busy, which I love! I do, however, try hard to take ten minutes in my day to steal away to a favorite corner of the garden and enjoy a restful cup of tea (or iced tea if it's really really hot) in the garden on these summer days. The birds sing, and everything just smells so wonderful out there, and I try to relax and take it all in.

Today I went in the garden, my little Edme (by Wedgwood) teacup in hand (my all time favorite, there's something about the color of creamware and the shape of that cup, making it perfect) and sat on the little cement bench next to the fragrant Rose Geranium. I took two of my antique books with me (late 1800's) and wanted to share some of the exquisite chromolithographs with you.

Both were printed somewhere in the late 1880's, and so stunningly beautiful, the flower prints are still as fresh and crisp and color-laden as the day they were printed. Illustrated and "poems arranged by" Susie Barstow Skelding. Please enlarge these, they are stunning!

This first book is called Flowers from Dell and Bower. When I purchased it sight unseen at an auction, I was a little disappointed by the condition, the pages are loose here and there. But never mind, this made it the perfect "keeper" for me to enjoy.

No one could illustrate flowers like those Victorian Ladies. Every little leaf, every petal has been carefully laid down on the paper, so that it's almost like looking through a magnifying glass.

Violets were particularly loved by the Victorians, street side vendors sold little bunches of violets to "gentlemen who wanted to impress their lady."

The other book is entitled Flowers from Hill and Dale. It is in much better condition, with only one of the illustrations loose.

I love each illustration, and the poetry is so very beautiful, and Victorian! I can imagine young ladies dressed in their summer "whites" sitting on lawn chairs reading out loud to each other on summer evenings.

Sweet Peas

and the Morning Glory so dreaded by my English neighbor!

I hope you've enjoyed my little ten minute break from work with me. A good cup of tea is just what I need in the afternoon when I'm getting a little "waning energy", and looking at something beautiful is just the thing to carry me through the rest of the work day!

My good friend Karen Eileen is having a give away. She is giving away a gorgeous bottle with a Heart Milagro, in celebration of her 100th post. Go over and visit, and enter your name. You will love her as much as I do, I'm sure!