A Victorian Author Reading At Whistle Stop Gardens And Tea Room

I promised an oath that I would show you photographs of my mermaid author reading at the tea room.

I have had a few more; however, I was so caught up in the twirling tizzies I forgot to take pictures.

I made the poke bonnet {above} from a thrift store find. I love the outcome, however,  after seeing myself in the pictures, I don't think the shape enhances my face as well as some of my other hats, so this will go back into the hatbox for safekeeping, because, well, It looks dreadful. 
At my author table, I let the little girls hold the merrymaid Scarlette Rose doll. The roses are what Oliver eats in the story, and the driftwood is his cane that he carries.

At each reading, I tell the back story of which is about me being a mermaid that's 246 years old. I have been landlocked for centuries, and wear very old~fashioned clothes. I salvaged from shipwrecked abandoned trunks. I wear gloves so that you can't see the webbing between my fingers. {smile}

I share the secret to know if a person is a real mermaid or not is by checking to see if she has webbing between her fingers and toes.

I have dreamt of writing stories all my life. I try to emulate Tasha Tudor and Beatrix Potter, {as you know} and I can't wait to publish my next books. Do you think I'll be able to bring Henny Penny to an author reading? She is a chicken, so I'm not sure how that would fair. Do you recall the story of when Tasha took her real crow {Edgar Allen Crow} to New York, and they had to leave him in the hotel bathroom? Now come to think of it, unless I have a lovely pen made for Henny Penny, she will have to remain at the farm. A miniature "Henny Penny's Hen House" would be quite charming though, wouldn't it?
There is no other place I would like to have readings than a tea room. Perhaps one day I will have little readings at my forever home and serve tea. It reminds me of the little marionette plays that Tasha Tudor would put on at her home, and I want to do that as well, except mine will be mermaid-themed gatherings and little orator inspired motivational speaking.

Not all of the little darlings wanted tea, so they enjoyed pink lemonade.

Here's another close up of my poke bonnet, emphasizing on the inside of the bonnet with trim stitching and pleated gatherings. I used quilting thread to sew the hat together.

Look how sweet they are. The parents have been so generous in buying my storybooks for their daughters to take home as a souvenir. This is how I make a living being an author. I am currently having teapots, cups and tea sets made from a company in England, {similar to Beatrix's} but with my story characters, of course, and I couldn't be more excited. Honestly, these are all dreams I've had percolating for years and I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. 

If you'd like to buy my book, feel free to follow the link {here} or swim to the sidebar and utilize the Amazon link.

Perhaps you'd like to know what my story the, "Tale of Merrymaid Scarlette Rose" is about, so here is a synopsis: It's a story about reaping what you sow. The Tale of Merrymaid Scarlette Rose is an American children's book that follows mischievous and disobedient young MerryMaid Scarlette Rose as she is chased about the water garden of Mr Sir Barbaric. She escapes and returns home to her mother, who puts her to bed after dosing her with tea. The tale is derivative of The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, except it's a little adventure about a mermaid.

I began working at Weeki Wachee Springs when I was 17 and began pondering the idea of a book about a mermaid. Hence, because I am a mermaid.

 My dear companion Sir Oliver Twistytopsy. He comes along with me to the readings because he's a character in the book. 

 Such pretty little place settings.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Always remember to dream a little dream. I am most sure of the belief that all of your dreams will come true if you dare to dream.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx