Candlemas!

   Anything for a party! Right? That's what I say. And  that's what I'm doing, having a party. Even though I am not Catholic, it should not stop me from celebrating one of there holidays. One thing I do know is,I love cake and having people in to eat it . So having a party today, the day of Candlemas, is a very good thing.
      The old saying is, eating cake the day of la'Chandeleur will bring a year of happiness. It is traditional to eat cake in parts of Europe to celebrate the Candlemas. Each family member prepares and cooks a cake while holding a coin in one hand. This is believed to assure wealth and happiness until the next Candlemas celebration.
   Candlemas  is a Christian Holiday celebrated annually on Feb.2nd. It celebrates three occasions,according to Christian belief. The presentation of the Child Jesus. Jesus first entry into the temple and the Virgin Mary's purification.(mostly in the Catholic church.) Candle lite during Candlemas also symbolize, Jesus,  as the Light of the World. The snow drop flower is often called the Candlemas Bells, because they often bloom early in the year. It is sometimes believed that bringing these flowers into your home.purify the house.
   February 2nd is Candlemas Day. Also referred to as-"Fete de' la' Lumier" - " Cake Day." Another one of those pagan winter celebrations with similarities to Ground Hog Day.On this day, winter ends or strengthens.

 

   Ground Hog Day, is a holiday celebrated on Feb.2nd in the United States and Canada. According to Folklore if it is cloudy when the ground hog emerges from its burrow, on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter is over. If it is sunny, the ground hog will see it's shadow and retreat back into it's burrow and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks. Early American references to ground hog day can be found in a diary entry, date Feb.4th ,1841, by a Berks County Penn.storekeeper, James Morris.
   The 2nd day of February was called Candlemas- the day on which, according to the Germans, the ground hog peeps out of his winter quarters and does his thing.And in Scotland the tradition may derive from an English poem.
    As the light grows longer
    The cold grows stronger
    If Candlemas be fair and bright
    Winter will have another fight
    If Candlemas be cloud and rain
    Winter will be gone and not come again
    A farmer should on Candlemas Day
    Have half  his corn and half his hay
   On Candlemas Day if thorns hang a drop
    You can be sure of a good pea crop.

   Some say that Ground Hog predictions are 75 to 90 percent right. Well, the ground hog was sure to see his shadow here today. It is bright and sunny. I am paying him no attention, I am moving forward with the hope of an early spring.

   Because of the reference of eating cake,  Queen Marie Antoinette also comes to mind. Let them eat cake, is the traditional translation of the French phrase."Qu' ils mangent de la brioche." This phrase was supposedly spoken by the young Queen to the peasants when they were hungry and crying, we have no bread. This was the reason for the end of the reign of Louis XVI. There is no real proof that the Queen ever said this, but for some reason, it has traveled down through time. And the whole Royal family lost there heads.
    French tradition  says it is also a day to do a lot of fortune telling. It was customary to hide a gold coin in one cake. Who ever gets the slice of cake with the gold coin, will have good fortune throughout the year. All this made me notice a pattern. Food and fortune telling, sounds good to me. Can you see I like Cake. I have engaged a fortune teller. The famous, Ms, Susie. She will be on hand and for a few coins will read your palms, cards or do a trance. I have called her on may occasions when I needed to make a major decision. She is good, I stand behind her. I would never want to stand in front of her.

   I have cakes, champaign and  gold wrapped candy coins. It will be a fun evening and you all are invited. Just drop by, I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will  be there to great everyone with a jump and a kiss. Oh yes, did I mention, it will all be in Candle Light.
   Have a great Ground Hog-Candlemas Day, where ever you are and what ever the Ground Hog did.It's never to late to make a cake and call your friends.

The Royal Family!

Staffordshire figure of the young Victoria and Albert.

Queen Victoria at her wedding to Albert. She wore a white dress, making that the choice for brides form that day forward and is still ,to this day.

  Queen Victoria of Great Britain was born in 1819 and died in 1901. She was the daughter of Prince Edward-Duke of Kent, 4th son of King George III. She inherited the throne at age 18-after her father's three older brothers died without an heir.Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg and Gotha in 1840. She had 9 children and 35 grandchildren. Her off springs married into the Royal and Noble families across the continent, making her the,"Grandmother of Europe." She reigned 63 years and 7 months. so far the longest reigning monarch of Europe. She was the last British Monarch of the House of Hanover. her son, Edward belonged to the House of Saxe-Coburg.Latter the British monarch took on the name of, House of Windsor, when the Saxe-Colburg name sounded too German. Queen Victoria lost 2 sons, one daughter, her husband and several of her grandchildren , before she died. Victoria was the foundation stone s upon which today's modern monarchy is based. Not only has her direct descendants occupied the British throne, but their large family has insured that there are over 500 descendants in Germany, Sweden, Spain,Russia, Danes and Romanian, all with some sort of claims to those thrones.The 19th century was a turbulent time for Royals of Europe. Several thrones were toppled by waves of republican  fever that sweep across the land, but the British throne survived..

Queen Victoria's daughters. Victoria (Vicky) Adelaide Mary- Princess Royal , married Frederick III of Germany. 1840 -1901
  Alice Maud Mary, 1843 -1878  Married Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse 

Albert (Bertie) -Prince Albert and Victoria Mary- Princess Royal , as children, Victoria's two oldest children. Albert became Edward VII upon Victoria's death and he married Princess Alexandra of Denmark. 

     

Queen Victoria's children.

   

Victoria ( Vicky) and Alice Mary, Princess Royals, Queen Victoria's two oldest daughters.

    In Staffordshire, England, great pottery companies had srung up everywhere.. Pottery of all kinds were being made. Some where marked, while others were not. All this pottery soon became known as, "Staffordshire." Mainly for the town instead of one particular company. Most of the  Staffordshie statues collected today were manufactured in factories during the Victorian Period, mid and late 19th century. This period was named after the reigning Queen. Every body wanted everything like Victoria. Images of the Queen were loved and highly hunted.Few people ever really saw her and newspapers were for the well to do. The Staffordshire factories began making images of the Queen and her family. The statues were made inexpensively and sold for reasonable prices to the middle class. They would have never been found in a Royal home, even though the Royals were one of the favorite subjects. Queen Victoria and Albert were some of those favorite subjects, from there wedding ,there  children and older age. I have always been drawn to the Staffordshire figures of the Royals. There is something more romantic about them. Staffordshire figures are often made fast and are somewhat crude. hand painted by un-trained artist, they can take on a folk art feel. Damages and manufacturing flaws are much accepted on these figures and usually do not effect the price. They were almost never marked. Some of the newer figures do say Staffordshire, but that is a clear mark that they are newer. I think these figures are one of the joys of the 19th century. What would history have been like without them? I wonder if any of you out there have any? If not, it would be a fun collection for you to start. They have come down in price and can be found very reasonable. Don't just settle for a reproduction, when the real are out there and there is no comparison to the real thing. I love them and I am sure you will to.
    My Royal family resides on the mantle in my kitchen. Victoria and Albert and some of there children are there to greet me each day. I wish you could come and see them soon and take a tour.  You are welcome anytime, I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will always meet you with a jump and a kiss. Thanks for coming by for a visit. Please take time to leave a comment. I  sure would appreciate it, after all that makes all this worth while.

Close up of Albert, Prince Consort.

Queen Victoria .

One of Queen Victoria's daughters, carrying a purse. maybe this is where Queen Elizabeth picked up that habit?

Strategical Vision.

BEFORE: This is how the doll house looked when I  first brought it home.

AFTER: This is how it looks today. 3 coats of fresh paint and a new foundation.

     If you are reading my blog for the first time, you may not know that I took on a new project this year. It is a Second Empire styled doll house. I bought it for myself  as a Christmas Present. It was a kit, but was already assembled. It had lots of issues and needed a major over haul. I have been doing that these past weeks. It is kinda a sad look at my boring life. Living in a small town does not give you lots of options for entertainment. The nearest movie theater is miles away and for other amusements, like the Art Museum, Botanical Garden and so on, one has to drive 70 miles to St.Louis. I have a little gift/antique shop that I go to everyday. It also serves as my office. I have my computer there and do my blog and Etsy online shop there. Some days  I have no customers, on most week days, very few. Weekends are busier and during special events, we do better. Well, as I said to pass the hours away I took on the doll house project.

   I introduced you all to it at the end of December. Since then I have worked like a mad man and have made great progress.I would like to share with you some before and after pictures of the house. I hope you enjoy them, When it is all done it will go to live in the library at, My Old Historic House. Until then it is always  available for viewing at my shop, Richard's Great Stuff, in downtown Historic Clarllsville,Mo..Come anytime and we can also walk one block down the street and see the house. I always have the lights on and Sissy Dog always meets you with a big jump and a kiss. This weekend in Clarksville is Eagle days. people come from far and near to watch, count and study the American Bald Eagles, that come here every winter to fish in the Mississippi River. We hope for large crowds and I hope that some of them will stop by my shop and  spend some money. I have one bus tour of 30, signed up for a house tour on Saturday. I look forward to showing another group my old house. It is very rewarding, especially when you hear that first,"WOW!" And then there is that usual question, some one always asked."Who cleans this place?"

BEFORE: This is the attic bed room when I got the doll house. Ain't it pretty?

AFTER: This is the attic bedroom today. I made the bed spread and canapy from some old lace. All the furniture came from Nancy's shop. Kate's Attic

This fireplace mantle came with the house, it was dark mahogany and I painted it white. I wanted the attic bedroom to have a somewhat Shabby Chic look.Right in style of todays trends.

BEFORE: Library, don't you love the wallpaper job?

AFTER: The library today. I made the curtains out of an old lace handkerchief. My niece gave me the globe and it is actually a pencil sharpener.

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BEFORE: This is the entrance hall as it looked when I got the house.  Notice the awful tile floor.

AFTER: This is the first floor hall as it looks today. I removed most of the tile, wallpapered the paneling and added wall to wall carpet in a Empire style.

BEFORE: Attic room.

AFTER: Attic room now.

This dress form came from Nancy's shop. She has more in other colors. Even a wedding dress one. Very reasonable

    My friend Nancy, who I have  mentioned many time before in my blog, has a shop 9 miles up the road in Louisiana, Mo. Kate's Attic and Mini Mall. Nancy is a auction goer. I have no patients for it.  Here while back she bought a lot of doll house furniture at an auction. Must have  been a doll shop, as a lot of things were  still in packages. Most of the furniture that I have for my doll house came from her. It is very reasonably priced. Call her if you are interested.. I'm sure she would work with you and ship. 573 -754 -4544.

    I found my doll house wallpaper and carpet on line. www.dollgousecollectables.com. They have a huge selection, especially for those wanting to do a doll house of the Victorian period.

  I hand made all the curtains and bed spread that you will see today. Yes, with a needle and thread. 

  Be sure and pay special attention to the ceilings. This is very typical of ceilings you would have found in a 1870 Second Empire Victorian house. 

   I hope you enjoy my progress. Remember, I love your comments, makes my little life a whole lot better.

BEFORE: Second floor hall

AFTER: Second floor hall. I am still waiting for more of the red and gold Empire style carpet to come. I wallpapered the awful wood paneling. 

This is the formal parlor today. I am still waiting for the carpeting. I am making burgandy velvet drapes for the back bay window today.

I found these little Dresen, gold paper, pieces on line. I used them for cornices. I am wild about them.

This is the finished dining room. I have no furniture for it yet. Waiting to find a good deal on just the right pieces. Notice the ceiling. 

Dining room window, I made the lace curtains and I added the Dresden, gold paper, cornice.

 AFTER: This is the master bed room on the second floor. I still need curtains and some furniture. I bought this little love seat from Nancy's shop. It was red and I re-did it in blue. 

What's up with that?

 Well it is 19 degrees here in Missouri and I just walked Ms. Sissy Dog. We walked to the shop where it is not a lot warmer, the temperature says 44. I was closed yesterday and turned the heat off. it is going to take a few minutes to warm up, in the mean time I hope my cold, old, fingers will work,
    When I give tours at, My Old Historic House, I often have some one, usually a man, ask, "what's up with all the farm animal things here?" I guess I have a few, more than I realized till I started looking about and talking pictures for this blog. I'm not sure what gets us to collecting certain things? I am sure that we get ideals from other peoples collections, magazine articles and various other sources, like BLOGS. I grew up on a farm, around lots of real farm animals, and as an adult I have learned to love things with a farm animal theme. Lots and lots of us collect chickens. I am not sure if people even think about them being ,"farm animals." I raised chickens as a kid, they are a lot of work and we usually ended up eating them. But, to this day, I just love anything to do with a chicken. Statue, dishes, fabric,art and so on and so forth. Just about the same, I guess, goes for cows, sheep, pigs and goats. yes, I love me some pigs. They are about the dumbest animals on the farm, always in the mud, yet in art they are so darn cute.

I'm sure you remember my cow creamer collection?

   The fact is farm animals in art has been around since recorded time. We find paintings of them in caves, on costumes from the early American Indians and even in the tombs of Egypt's Kings and Queens. Animals have been the  favorite subject of many an artist paintings. We find them in needlework and carvings on our furniture.

I found these on Ebay.

This beautiful couple was made in Italy and they are larger than life size. They life on my kitchen island.

"Bessie" is in my kitchen. She is life size.

   I guess there are many different reasons why we like them, I really don't have a good one, but, I know I am crazy for them. I'd like to share some from, My Old Historic House, with you today. They range from  modest kitchen items to rare and fine porcelain. I wish you could come by someday and see them in person. I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will always meet you with a  jump and a kiss. Maybe you can be the next person to say,"what's up with this, all these farm animal things?"
   Stay warm, be safe and keep on Blogging. Don't forget to leave a comment, they make me happy and it will get you one in return.

I have a large collection of Mary Alice Hadley pottery, all with farm animal theme.

 

Staffordshire kids with a goat.

Early  Staffordshire cow creamer.

Staffordshire sheep, kitchen mantle

I got this hen many years ago from the Eddie Bower Home Store in St.Louis.

This little ring holder is very early,1845-1860-Old Paris 

This German Dresden piece is in my Up River Parlor. 

This was my favorite Christmas card this year, It was from my Niece, Linda.

This statue is in my shop and is for sale. It is very fine porcelain.Royal Copenhagen .I love the soft colors. Email me, cottrellprissy@aol   or call 573 242 9688 if you are interested.

This brown and white transferware plate is in my pantry/laundry room

Another brown and white transferware plate.