Victorian Britain, Household Management And An Ode To Olde Fashioned Marriage (According To Me)

Hello dear friends, 

I'm going to prattle on about (my) nuanced non-ecclesiastical Victorian version of housewifery minus the engrained subtlety of suffrage. I remain old-fashioned and dignified as a lady with manners, self-confidence and (as Mary from Downton Abbey often said) "knowing her own mind". If that sounds like your cup of tea, well then, you've stepped to the appropriate spot. This will not be a post about how we must remain subjective to our husbands, downtrodden, and subservient. If you choose to be this way, that is perfectly wonderful (as a somewhat startling confession, I was this way for decades with my previous husband), and I would never scornfully judge you for how you choose to live your life.

The Victorian Prairie Bonnet And The Value Of Rest

I'm still convalescing. {Hey, even if I weren't on the mend I still spend a copious amount of time in bed.} I love my sleeping room, and I make no apologies for it. Do you like to sleep or lay in bed, to rest and relax? You can ask my mum I've loved sleep since birth. {And yes, if you're curious as to why I write like I'm British it's because I've spent these last two months immersed in my pronunciation course. And my teacher admonishes me to consistently write and speak British English which will create an exceptional accent.}

Faffing, Pottering And Plans For Our Victorian Workers Cottage Of 1851

 Oh my! I have so many things to share. I've been busy as a bee. I've had an outpouring of little Women/Mermaidling bespoke painting orders, and in between painting and fine-tuning the manuscript of The Tale of Sawyer Lamb, I've been labouring on endless undertakings at the cottage. From cleaning the chicken coop and run to clearing out the old garden, and sewing some new work (1850's) dresses I've been quite active. Since becoming severely dehydrated, I've been convalescing. Whilst sitting in my bed, I took a gander at a few Instagram feeds from the explore page, and I rightfully cannot fathom how these youthful mums have the stamina and ability to churn out so much content. I even made a small mention to my mum yesterday while having tea, and she retorted with," Raquel, you used to be that hyperactive when you had your four small children too."

How I Use Beatrix Potter And Tasha Tudor's Philosophy To Manifest My Dreams

"Life isn't long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege even to be alive. Despite all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is. Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think about what you would think. The wonder of it!"

— Tasha Tudor

May Days And Swimming Through Mothering Guilt

I had a massive inspired moment as if God precisely reached down and placed within my mind the ideas that were quite rapidly pinging as fast as I could type. I wish I could explain in detail what occurred with my authorship and the beautiful experiences that are springing forth in my life presently, but rather, I have no words. The best I might describe it is such as this: Have you ever felt this deep knowing and desire about something. Perhaps you've been moulding your dream into place for quite some time, and then there comes that moment one day, and it feels as though it has popped and you suddenly know with certainty your place and that all you'd hoped for you can see coming to be a reality? Precisely, that is what occurred at the weekend for me.

Cartering About And Mr Sir Barbaric's Zucchini Bread {The Beatrix Potter Way}

The Beatrix Potter Way!

Everyone should have a hero! Don't you agree? One that they look up to just well enough to inspire them to reach for the stars and their hearts desires. We all can find ways of discovering those lovely souls that inspire and expand one's way of thinking. That's precisely what Beatrix Potter does for me each day. I find each day that we are surely capable of finding our happy place? We find something that pleases the punch out of us and milk it for everything it's worth. That's also another way the law of attraction works and brings our desires to us tenfold. Everyone pretty much knows that if you find joy in something and you keep practising that thing that brings you joy, it grows and becomes more substantial and durable.

Remaining Steadfast Regardless Of Ridicule

Have you read this post yet? If not, read it first. Then come back to this one. It'll make better sense. Trust me.
Go ahead. I'll wait.

Okay, now I can get on.

Last night Jeffrey arrived home, and I was in the thick of my British English classes. He said rather smug," Oh golly, I didn't think you were so serious about learning British. What if you begin speaking so well and never talk like an American again?" In which I replied," Oh, that's most assuredly my expectation, angel! And gleefully excited with my best British accent, I replied:" Are you having a go at me, darling?"

Harvesting Mustard Greens, Sewing Tasha Tudor Work Dresses and Victorian Garden Planning

Did you know that you can freeze fresh vegetables and bring them out months later and they're as fresh as the day you picked them from the garden? It's quite right. When my darling children were young little sprites, and my time was restricted for venturing out to the village market, I'd buy all that we needed from the grocer, bring it home, divide it up and freeze it, (such things as meats, milk, dairy, fresh garden vegetables & fruits). As you know, being a mum of 4, tending a small farm and being a homemaker is much much labour. So anything to assist in bearing up daily laborious pursuits was quite welcomed. Last month I washed some collards and mustard greens. I had picked so many that I decided to freeze the remaining batches. On Monday I decided to make them in the crockpot. I also made some rice, baby lima beans and dog bread. It's nice to put something on to slow cook, especially if there's much garden work to be done for the day.

Hunky-Dory At The Cottage

How was your easter? Ours was a delight, just as expected. I did have a mishap with my peasant bread. I killed my yeast, and I had to begin again. But I always say, it's okay that things like that happen, I know what I did to kill the yeast, so no high degree of harm was done. You simply start again.

April Showers At The Cottage, Little Women And Victorian Poultry

I thought today would be a lovely day to share with you a few things about my art.

{Because everyone wants to know that, right? {Smile} I'm going to pretend you were all cheering me on after that question like those animated cartoons with the humans in a stadium background with no faces. Ya know, cause baby has conversations with self, pretends to answer self after asking self questions. Don't blame me, I have no real physical friends since lockdown, and someone's got to be my quarantine guinea pigs. Lucky you. No really though. This IS MY life 24-7, I'm just saying it's because of COVID-19 so that you won't feel pity for me. Err... Welcome to my life.}

I Am The Next Beatrix Potter {According To Abraham Hicks}

Good day, Dear friends, 

I had the jolliest of a good time during holiday. I have now returned with an ingenious, most important, way to account for even more expansion with my online diary/blog. I also spent the better portion of 2020, carving out a more accurate depiction of what I desire for my spiritual voyage. My desire has continually been that I want you to come, settle in with me, have a cup of tea and chat.  However, I also have the desire to bring thought to a new Sphere. There are many delightful websites that cover the topic of spirituality. However, I myself was beginning to grow bored. Have you? Now, don't mistake me, and I'm admittedly in tune with everyone having their own journey, it just seems that once folks get to a specific place with the law of attraction, if they don't manifest large desires, they become disillusioned. They begin to believe that the LOA doesn't work. Also, as I was contemplating this for myself and receiving feedback from others, it tuned me into the frequency of wanting to expand in my knowledge even further to uncover why this was transpiring. If not for myself, but to also share with you. As I was in meditation a few days in a row, I came upon a video that set me right. I realised what was happening and why some folks would complain of manifestation barriers. I know I have discovered the answer. I want to share a few categories that many who know or semi~practice the Law of Attraction tend to fall into. 

Diary | Why A Victorian Christmas And My Daily Thoughts This Week

My Dear friends, 

To begin this post, I first wanted to tell you that I published another new podcast episode. I publish podcast episodes every Tuesday, in which I named them "Tales on Tuesday." Cute, huh? You can skedaddle to my sidebar and tap the podcast link. If you don't mind, and you have a free minute, I would love it if you gave me a review on iTunes. It really improves my analytics and increases my ability to get more advertising. Yes, in which, that means I get paid. It's how I make my living, ya'll. So, thank you in advance, dear friends. 

Living Like A Victorian Lady, And My Active Pursuits For The Week

I've been collecting pieces of nature to use for our little Victorian Christmas this year.  In the Victorian days, much time was spent in preparation for the holiday. There were foods to cook, gifts to hand-make and confections to bake.

My dear friends, 

Pour some tea and let's have a little visit. I am hoping you have awoken to receive my newsletter. I sent one that I thought would be short and sweet, give you wee little snippets of things I haven't written about during the week on the blog, so that It's not information or news that you've heard of already. I don't know about you, however, for me personally, I have always disliked receiving emails from most companies, and even blogs too. They seem to feel as though they are attempts to sell me something. I am all for being a businesswoman, although, I am the kind of person that I don't want things crammed down my throat, nor do I want you to send me the same rubbage that I have already seen on your blog the week prior. If I'm reading 'your' blog weekly, I genuinely don't need you to send me links to all of the posts that you wrote. I have read them already, Brenda! {smile} Call me pernickety, but that's how I feel. So, anyway, that's' why I sent what I thought was a fun newsletter. Not super long, tedious, or sales pushy and I hope you enjoyed it. If you didn't receive it, please check your junk or trash folders. I haven't had but fifty per cent of recipients to open their email, so I am assuming my emails are collecting dust in your junk/trash files.

This Halloween Was About Something Deep In The Waters

As I was glancing over the last post, I realised how much I have missed you, ladies, in the past few days. I think I told you a few weeks ago, that I was going to be in the dentist chair getting a root canal. Well, that's where I was on Monday, and my poor mouth has been quite sore. I musn't complain about it though, as I know, I am indeed appreciative that I have the financial means to have the procedure. 

Victorian 1890 Cotton Walking Skirt And Blouse

My dear friends, 

I am up bright and early once again today, happy as a clam and excited to begin sewing on my newly favoured wardrobe. Do you recall that I told you that once I started packing for our move that I was going to donate the rest of my 'modern' clothing? And what better time to do that than when you are moving, no? Well, that's what I did, and It's made me have to sew more clothing. No more putting it off, or I'll be walking around in my delicates, eeekkk. {smile}

Victorian Views Of Nature's Autumnal Countryside And My Tasha Tudor Halloween Costume Preparation

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases which means if you click through and buy, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.  

My dear friends, 

Since the gardener and I have been nesting in our temporary home, I have concentrated on my photography skills. Since I don't have a home to maintain, like "a lady of the house", I have the time to really give my undivided attention to learning techniques that I wasn't previously focused on.

As you can see, I finally ironed out some time to bake some Pumpkin Wedge Scones. Thank you to my dear friend, JoeyLeah, for the recipe; however, I ruined this batch; even though the photo looks scrumptious, I had to make another batch after this one. I also added some sugar crystals; they always make things taste better, don't they? 

Aren't my momma's Blue Danube dishes beautiful?

Pleasurable Elements About Tasha Tudor {And Apple Torte Recipe}

My dear friends, 

I thought today would be a lovely time to spend a few minutes sending out some inspiration in consideration of living a joyful life. To relish in the simple, quiet moments of what I am presently pondering.

How To Care For Your Hair The Victorian Way

My dear friends, 

I have wanted to do this post for quite some time. However, all things accordingly tend to give way at the surface edge in perfect timing, yes?

Mermaids don't live by watches, as the human folks do. {Smile} We do, however, use sands of an hourglass. 

Transforming My Life Into A Victorian Lady

My dear friends,

As I have contemplated about what to write, I thought that to keep you abreast of what manner of pursuits I have been experiencing is a delightful way to share on this here ol' blog. For some reason, I feel more connected to you ladies in this atmosphere. I'm curious if I'm the only one. For us to be real friends, we must share life experiences, yes? 

Pottering About With The Stafford's

My dear friends,

I am still in my nightgown, sitting up in bed with our snuggly down feather blanket, very excited about the Autumn season upon us. I have been resting since arriving home yesterday from all of the scheduled events of a funeral. I have heard that funerals mentally and physically wear you out, I believe that sentiment wholeheartedly.