Did you know that when George Washington was just fourteen years old he wrote a little manifesto of good and polished manners entitled "Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour"? Well he did!
It's amazing to think that he was so concerned at that tender young age of teendom, about how to behave *this* properly in society...it's quite impressive.
I started keeping George's little book in this lavender planter a while back and now all of a sudden, red and lavender seem to be popping up everywhere...George did love color so I think he would be quite pleased with where his book is residing for the moment.
So many of these maxims seem very out of date for our society, but none the less, they do show a thoughtfulness for others in social situations and while reading (after chuckling a bit), you find yourself nodding your head and thinking that our social graces could use a tune up here and there...George style!
1st~ "Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present." (this one pretty much sums up the book)
12th~ "Shake not the head, feet, or legs; roll not the eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher than the other; wry not the mouth; and (this one is so important) bedew no man's face with your spittle by approaching to near him when you speak."
88th~ "Be not tedious in discourse, make not many digressions, nor repeat often the same manner of discourse." (yes...please!)
92~ "Take no salt, nor cut your bread, with your knife greasy."
(sounds like people used to use the tip of their knife to get salt from the little salt cellars that sat on the table...greasy salt would not be a good thing!)
110~ "Labour to keep alive in your breast that little celestial fire called conscience."
(I like this one)
I love this book for it's history factor and for the ability to have a peek into the mind and heart of our first president...when he was just a boy.
He has been a hero of mine since I first *truly* learned about him after a visit to Washingtom DC...I was star struck.
There was so much I learned about him that visit...so many facts that astounded and amazed me, he became a real person and I became obsessed with finding out as much about him as I possibly could.
After coming home from DC, I went to California and found out that the the Huntington Library was hosting an exhibit from Mount Vernon, I was in Washington heaven. It was as if they had removed every precious article, letter and piece of furniture from that special home and brought it all to Pasedena.
This book is the catalogue for the exhibit and it's a facsinating read. It brings Washington to life and removes so much of the myth that has over time, become his 'history'. After being a monument for so many years, it helps to turn him back into a man, as do many other fine books that are available to us now, I highly recommend purchasing one of these...you won't be disappointed.
It has turned into our tea cupboard and I don't think I could even consider putting a microwave in it now...maybe a small, vertical stackable shelf of some sort would be nice for more tea things...but no microwave.
The sweet, tiny little tea cup above was made for Mr.24 by our very special neighbor Miss. Kaitlyn when she was just five years old. In it is a little piece of chocolate that a friend brought back from Paris for us...I can't eat it, the wrapper it's too pretty.
Since this area of the kitchen ended up being coffee central, it only made sense to have the tea accoutrement's nearby as well. Being right off of the living room, dining room and the hallway that leads to the master bedroom (to the right), it makes for very easy access to a warm beverage without having to linger in the kitchen proper.
Still looking for the perfect pendants...
Eventually there will be open shelving on the tiled wall and also, more shelves in the glass front cabinet (those were supposed to be here six months ago!) We haven't added the open shelving yet because...hold on to your seat...this whole area might need to be torn out and replaced due to the
So for now...since we're really not big microwave users...tea things it is!
But I really don't mind.
My excursion started innocently enough...I was perusing the tea cup sections of 
and without any warning what-so-ever, I found myself immersed in an abundance of floral bone china that looked like springtime itself and I became completely enchanted and absorbed in the beauty of these delicate pieces of tradition. A petal of an idea started forming... that there just might be a new collection on the horizon just waiting to be gathered into a wonderful porcelain bouquet.
I found myself being drawn in to the charming and lush styles of certain makers...
This "garden" I was lost in was filled with a mixture of delicately sweet blossoms as well as vibrant and glorious blooms singing loudly that tea time with them would be a very happy occasion indeed.
My mother has had a beautiful collection of tea cups for years and one of my favorite things to do when visiting is picking which one to use when we have our coffee. I love that they are used...daily.
As much as I've always loved these tea cups...I've never purchased any of these dainties for myself. My infatuation with 
I imagined that Mary Poppins would have chosen this lovey set for her own particular use.
I wonder if the fact that I've been hanging out with the Bronte family in Victorian England and Brussels has anything to do with my attraction to these vessels from another era....
possibly....
or maybe I'm just ready for spring...for warmth...and the beauty that accompanies it. To walk aimlessly through a scented and abundant garden, breathing in the sweet air...losing oneself for a few blissful moments. For now though...during these gray, cold and melancholy days, a cheering escape amidst beautiful, flower laden cups will have to do, or better yet...
maybe even a nice cup of tea, enjoyed in one.
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