Monday Meanderings

Historic home living is an ongoing search for answers. When God blessed us with our 1890 Victorian cottage six years ago I was ecstatic (I had stalked the house for ten years prior:). Because her condition was less than favorable when the previous owner acquired her, a complete gut job was needed and thus,

very little of her original interior remained.
Over the years we have been thrilled when stumbling upon any remnant of her original history.

I treasure any scrap of the past found in the yard whether it's shards of old bottles or marbles. Two of my favorite pieces are the bottom of an old coke bottle marked 'Beaufort, SC' and a cobalt blue marble. 

These items were discovered when hubby and Casey Chucta repaired the front porch years ago. The glass shards are proudly displayed in the kitchen window.

But yesterday was the big find!

Hubby crawled beneath the house and found...

a completely intact Coke bottle marked 'Beaufort, SC' on the bottom!

Of course, it is now housed with the other treasures.

This new piece of the puzzle leads me to wonder, were the bottles thrown on the ground under the house when the men were constructing the middle addition in the early twentieth century or were previous tenants fans of Coca Cola? Perhaps one of the former owners worked at the Coca Cola bottling plant in the early part of the last century.

Regardless, it is fun to imagine how and why these things are connected to the history of our home.

Hopefully we will find more treasures in the years to come to answer these questions and lead us to new discoveries of our home's hidden past.

Blessings from The Parlor:).



Kramer Chronicles Revisited-Still Life

Hey, it's me Kramer.

I just woke up from a nap.

Give me a minute to put on my 'catitude.'

 

That's more like it.

My mom's obsession with Scarlett was scary enough but you should see her latest distraction.

It's a real eye-opener!

 

Yup, another one of her obsessions-art.

Dad surprised her with a still-life print from a favorite artist (Linda Shepherd).

She had this frame in the consignment shop and brought it home so she can frame the new print-just what she needed-another project.

I mean, it's a nice picture I suppose, but it was missing something...

 

 a cat!

I really think the addition of a fine furry feline makes this picture much more interesting, don't you?

Take a closer look,

I really think I'm on to something here.

I can see the painting hanging in the Louvre,

Kramer, the still-life

 Of course, a more natural "curious cat" pose might suit this picture better.

Now all I have to do is contact the artist and let her know that she needs to paint me into the picture.

Let's see who the artist is...

Calvin! Get out of the picture!

It doesn't need a dog!

Much better.

Now this is a great still-life worthy of great artists like Picatso, Leonardo da Kitty, Mary Catssat, Toulousse-Laucat, and Vincent van Cat!

Hmmm...I might be here for a while.

Could someone please get me some milk while I wait?

Until next time,

Purrs and Meows,

Kramer aka famous portraiture cat and art critic



Kramer Chronicles Revisited-Going Bananas

Well it's me Kramer, still waiting for my mom to pay attention to me.

This is really getting on my nerves which means I only have one option...

 

to relax with my catnip banana.

 Yes, you heard me right-I said catnip banana.

Any cat can play with a catnip mouse but how many can say they have a catnip banana?

 

 First you roll around on it.

 

 Watch me play 'air guitar'.

Catnip fever, doo doo doo, catnip fever, da da da da!

 

 Oooh...everything is spinnin!

Where's that banana?

 

 Oh no, I 'm seeing two toys now.

 

 Maybe if I fall down, I mean lay down, for a minute the double vision will subside...

 

 Yikes, something moved!

I better attack it!

 

 Oh, look at that cute little paw...

 

 look at cute little me...

 

Hmmm...I'm feeling a bit tired all of a sudden. 

 

 Ahhh, I just need to take a little nap...

 

 Boy, it's bright in here...

who turned up the lights?

 I better rest a bit until this headache goes away.

 

Until next time,

Purrs and Meows,

Kramer

Tea is for Teddy Bear!

In 1903 one of the first jointed 'teddy bears' made its debut in NYC at a small toy store.

However, on the other side of the pond in Germany, the Steiff Toy company was making its own jointed teddy bear. 

Margarete Steiff was born in Germany in the year 1847 to a loving family. At eighteen months of age she contracted polio which crippled her legs and right hand. This was a devastating blow in an era where a woman's main purpose was to marry, run a household, and raise children. 

Despite her handicapping condition, Margarete thrived.

She refused to accept her limitations and insisted on attending school with her friends and siblings. They would place her in a wagon, transport her to the school house, and a woman who lived next to the schoolhouse would help her into the school room.

Margarete learned to lead friends and siblings in play so that she too could participate.

She took up an interest in sewing, requesting sewing lessons which her parents discouraged due to her handicapping conditions. Marguerite persevered and took the sewing class and became a talented seamstress. With her newly developed talents she went on to start her own business creating flannel petticoats and other garments.

One Christmas she made a few stuffed elephant pin cushions as gifts for family and friends. Oddly, children took a fancy to the small plush items which inspired Marguerite.

Her business of stitching flannel petticoats morphed into making stuffed toys for children. 

The Steiff Toy company was founded and run by Margarete Steiff in the latter part of the 19th century. Her nephews lent business support further advancing the company.

Margarete's company motto was

 "Only the best is good enough for children."

In 1903 the Steiff teddy bear was released and quickly became a worldwide sensation that continues to this day.

Such great success from a woman in a wheelchair who refused to say 'I can't' but instead pushed forward, worked hard, and established one of the most famous toy companies in the world for more than one hundred years.

 

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26 (KJV)

 

Blessings from The Parlor!

The Haunting of Monroe Manse,

my third novel, will be released nationwide on January 31, 2017. But there is no need to wait! Copies are now available direct from my publisher at the following link:

https://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-68237-705-5

Discover the mysteries that lurk within the walls of one of the most notable historic homes in the Lowcountry of SC...

Blessings for a hauntingly good read from The Parlor!