Valentine Couples and Trivia

I have one pair of red and white Staffordshire dogs. They live in my kitchen window.
I think they are very much in love. Watch as they steal a kiss.

    In three more days it will be Valentines Day. A real Christian Holiday,invented  to celebrate several Saints, with the name of Valentine. Somewhere, through time, it has become a Holiday for lovers. Much like other holidays, it has taken on that commercial  feeling. As soon, if not before, Christmas is over, all the Valentine stuff hits the shelves in our retail stores. It used to be mostly cards, then came flowers, thanks to the floral industry, and then candy, again thanks to the candy industry. I see things that are very tasteful  and taste good, others  are in very bad taste and even down right scary. To each his own, the words of my dear mother. Who's to say? I am sure what I like, would mean nothing to the next man. Some men will give there wife's or girlfriends candy, flowers, a night out ; where others, might chose a pair of naughty underwear or a tattoo.I fear the worst: but to them, it is the best.

Prince Lepold from Austria and his bride.
Life size bisque bust.
Dining room mantle.
Rumor was they were very much in love.  

    When I was in grade school, I loved  Valentines Day. My mother would buy me a box of Valentines at the dime store. There was an assortment. I would carefully go through them and seek the best one for the girl I liked best. Usually they were addressed and taken to school and on Valentines Day, there would be a party. Our room mothers made a cake, candy and punch. My teachers always had a big decorated Valentine box that all the individual cards were placed in. One person got to hand out all the cards. They were opened one by one as we enjoyed the refreshments. I kept my cards for years. In the fourth grade my teacher had a drawing at the end of the party and gave away the big Valentine box..I won it, and it was the best thing that had ever happened to me. The next year I took it back to school and let everyone else enjoy it. For years I kept that  box and all my Valentine cards  in it. When my mother passed and we cleaned out her house, I found that old Valentine box. I had a weak moment and threw it out. I wish now I had it to share with you all today.

Italian ceramic,"love doves." In the summer they  are on the screen porch. I have lots of wild doves and the sweet sounds they make seem like they are coming from these two.

   In the spirit of the Holidays,
   I looked up a little Valentine Trivia to share with you today.

A German couple in Court Dress. Down River Parlor mantle.

   Teachers receive the most Valentines cards, followed by students, mothers, wifes and then, sweethearts.


   Children ages 6 to 10 exchange more than 650 million Valentine cards with classmates, teachers and family.

    Approximately one billion Valentine Cards are exchanged on Feb. 14th, each year.

    This is the largest seasonal card exchange next to Christmas

One of a pair, English Pink Bristol vases, Down River parlor .This pair of love birds seem to be at odds. Or else, she is playing hard to get?

   Hallmark cards have over 1330 different Valentine cards to chose from.

   110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered with in three days time period for Valentines

   The red rose was a favorite flower of the God Zeus and the Roman Goddess of love.

German, Meissen Court Couple. My favorites. They are so elegant and seem to be so refined. Ladies Parlor mantle.

   Red rose stands for strong feelings

  The state of California produces 60 percent of Americans roses. But, the vast number used  for Valentines, 
   will come from South America.

  15% of women send flowers for Valentines
  73% of men send flowers for Valentines

  More than 35 million heart shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentines

Romeo and Juliet, most famous lovers of all.

   70% give cards, 49% call on the phone,7% go out to eat, 33% give candy and 30% do all these things

   The city of Verona, Italy, where Romeo and Juliet lived, receives 1000 letters addressed to Juliet each
   Valentines Day.

A French couple in love. Sevres. Ladies Parlor pier mirror shelf.

   3% of pet owners give there pets Valentines

   The most fantastic gift of Love ever given was the Taj Mahal in India

    Two towns in United States are named Valentine. Valentine, Nebraska, pop. 2842  and Valentine,Texas
     pop. 185.

This couple, in love, are in the Master bed Room.

     My funny Valentine is a very popular song written by Chet Black

     Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet  and so are you. Most famous Valentine verse written

A romantic Couple. he is giving her a song bird. They are French bisque . Ladies parlor.

      As we all prepare for this special day, keep in mind, what you are trying to say. If it is just a friend or family member, lover, wife or husband, mother, father, sister or brother, it is very important to say, " I love you!" One can never hear this enough. It makes us smile, feel good and want to love back. . I hope you all  get lots and lots on Valentine card. I hope you send a few in return. Remember, to get, one has to give. We never, never, can do enough to show how much we care.

RS Prussia, hand painted bowl, with a swan pair. This is the most romantic of all. Library book case.

   Please come by soon for a tour of, My Old Historic House. I will always leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will meet you at the door with a jump and a kiss. Get out there and buy those cards, candy and flowers. Share the love and, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.
 

         .Cherubs have always been a big part of the celebration of Love and Valentines Day.

French Severs Couple on a lamp in the ladies Parlor

May I have this Dance? Library

Hand Pained german Ice Cream bowl with two couples on a picnic. Dish pantry, dining room.

Napoleon's wedding to Josephine. Old Paris Vase. Master Bed Room.

            This French Brass fireplace screen is the most romantic of all. Two cherubs are building a fire.
                                                                     Gentleman's parlor.

    My shop neighbor and good friend, Marcia, is having a kissing booth  to raise money for stray dog care. This is her Grand Dog, Shotgun. Sissy will go take a turn after a bit.Kiss,Kiss!

Queen of Love and Beauty- Part 2

Large German Meissen Figure group of the Goddess Hera and her attendance. 

  Sunday I did a Pre -Valentines Day post about women in Mythology that represent  Love and Beauty. The first post was all about Queen Aplrodite.She has been called the Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty , Pleasure and Procreation. I have a statue of her in my entrance hall. I placed her in my entrance hall, on a pier table, that is against  a wall of Lee Jofa Toile wallpaper, that has her images printed on it. The Toile pattern is called, Allegorie A L Amour and it is in a nice red and gray color. The ceiling in the entrance hall is also painted red, making this room the perfect setting for Aplrodite and a Valentines post.

Hera talking  to a cherub

A Angel looks on.

   Today I am doing the second part of that blog and it is all about Hera. She was the Greek Goddess called the Queen of Heaven.She was very powerful in her own right and even more so when she married Zeus, the mighty King of the Olympian Gods. The Goddess Hera, ruled over the Heavens and Earth. She was responsable for every aspect of existence, including the seasons and the weather.
  Honoring her great capacity to nurture the world, her very name, translates as the, "Great Lady." Our word galaxy comes from the Greek word, gala, meaning, "mothers milk."  The story is that the Milky Way was formed from milk of Hera's breast, and when drops fell to earth, lilies sprang up.She was also worshiped as the Roman Goddess, Juno, the month, June, was named after her. It is no wonder that June is the most favorite month for weddings.
   It is because Hera's great beauty, especially her large eyes, that she is linked to sacred animals. The cow and the peacock. The cow symbolizes the Goddess Hera's watchfulness over her subjects. The peacock symbolizes her luxury, beauty and immortality.
 The Goddess Hera blessed and protected a woman's marriage, bring her fertility , protecting her children and helping them find financial security. Hera was in short, a complete woman, over seeing both private and public affairs.
   When Hera married Zeus , they had a honeymoon that lasted 300 years. After the honeymoon, Zeus went back to his old ways  of raping and taking any woman he desired. This caused Hera to go to Earth and wonder around among the mortals, like a lost soul.Zeus finally woed her back and a second wedding took place.
   The goddess Hera represents the fullness of life and affirms that we can use our own wisdom in pursuit of any goal we choose.
   Just like Queen Aplrodite, I also have a statue of Hera. She is also in my entrance hall with a back drop of the Allegoric Toile wallpaper. The paper also has images of Hera. The staue is made in Germany by the Meissen Factories. This is a very large and impressive piece. Meissen can be quite expensive. I placed it by the front door on purpose. I have told all my family, if the house is on fire, get that Meissen Statue first, Sissy Dog Next and then worry about me. I figure I could grab it on the way out. Heaven forbid we ever have to find out. This is one of a few pieces ,that  I have a special insurance policy on.The figure group  has Hera,  angels and  cherubs. There are also maidens tending her. It is very beautiful. It is an oval shape, just like the shapes in the wallpaper. On the wallpaper there is Hera, maidens, angels and cherubs. it almost looks as though the paper was designed for this statue.

My entrance hall with the Allegoric Toile paper and red ceiling. A perfect setting for Queen Hera and Valentines Day.

   I hope you can and will come by someday soon for a tour and see Aplordite and Hare in person. Of course I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will always meet you with a jump and a kiss. In the meantime,  if you read this and like it, please take a minute and leave a comment. I love getting them and I always give on in return. I hope you are getting ready for Valentines day. I am, I have Sissy's treats all ready. Keep on Blogging. Richard
 

The Meissen figure group sets on a pier table in my entrance hall, by the front door.

Queen of Love and Beauty!

Italian Capodimonte  porcelain statue of Aplrodite  being presented by a bunch of Putti.This is in my entrance hall.

   In honor of  Valentines day ,coming soon, I am doing a couple of blogs on the  two Greek Goddesses, known for there beauty and the symbol  of Love. The first one, the subject of this blog, is Queen Aplrodite.
  Saint Valentines day,  commonly shortened to Valentines Day, is a holiday observed on February 14th, each year, honoring one or more early Christian Saints, all named Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express there love for each other by presenting flowers, candy, cards or jewelry.  It first became associated with romantic love with the writings of Chaucer, in the High Middle Ages. Modern Valentines Day symbols include the heart shaped outline and the figures of cupid . Since the 19th century, hand written Valentines have been given way to mass produced cards. The first Valentine Cards on record were from 18th century England. Paper Valentines became so popular in the early 19th century that they were being massed produced in factories. Since the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards has declined.

A close up of Aprodite.

      Queen Aplrodite was a Greek Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure and procreation. Her Roman equivalent is Venus. According to myth,she was born when Cronus, cut off Aranus genitals and tossed  them into the sea. After which, Aplrodite arose from the sea. She had no childhood as she  was born as an adult and was very desirable. She is often depicted nude.Because of her beauty, other gods feared that jealousy would interrupt the peace among them and lead to war. So Zeus married her to Hephaestus, who was not viewed as a threat. Aplrodite had many lovers, both gods and men. Many lesser beings were said to be children of Aplrodite. She was so beautiful that doves, horses and swans where scared of her. She had a nack of making every man she meet, fall in love with her.

Close up of the Putti that are pulling Aplrodite.

This is my entrance hall wall paper. It is by Lee Jofa. The name is, Allegorie A L'Amour Toile. It is a perfect back drop to the statue of Aplrodite, as she is pictured on the paper. 

The hall has a red ceiling, how fun for Valentines Day.

View of the hall. 

      I hope you enjoy learning about Aplrodite. It is fun to know where all our traditions come from. Valentines Day is something most of us  have no idea where it came from or why we celebrate it. I had no ideal it was a real Saints Day. So we learn day after day. I always have fun doing research and posting on these fun subjects. I try and learn something new almost every day. I may not remember it, but at least I knew it once.
    I hope each and every one of you have someone special, that you can call a Valentine. I have my Sissy Dog. Just having her  is all I need and when I leave her for a few hours and come back, I think she feels the same way. I have in years past had many a Valentine Party. It was always fun and the menu was so easy,chocolate and more chocolate. Yum. But this year Ms. Sissy and I will have to go it alone. We will be at the shop and Sissy will have a big red bow.
   Come by any time soon for a visit. I will always have the lights on and Sissy Dog, with or with out a big red bow, will meet you with a jump and a kiss. If you like the blog, please leave a comment. You are sure to get one back in return. Also ,check back again in  a few days for the second part of this blog, when it will be all about Queen Hera, wife of Zeus.Until then, keep on blogging!

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?