The fat turkey

'There never was such a Christmas dinner as they had that day. The fat turkey was a sight to behold, when Hannah sent him up, stuffed, browned and decorated. So was the plum-pudding, which quite melted in one's mouth;' Louisa May Alcott Little Women

Christmasdinner

However you're spending the day today, festive love x

adorned a belle

We're still enjoying arranging and decorating our home. Warmth's latest find from Ebay is a wonderful bureau. It holds books, but open it up and there is space for stationery and to write letters.

'Amy's chief delight was an Indian cabinet full of queer drawers, little pigeon-holes, and secret places in which were kept all sorts of ornaments, some precious, some merely curious, all more or less antique. To examine and arrange these things gave Amy great satisfaction, especially the jewel cases; in which, on velvet cushions, reposed the ornaments which had adorned a belle forty years ago.' Louisa May Alcott Little Women

ornaments

I can't imagine Aunt March having any furniture like this, but I can imagine Amy admiring and desiring an such a piece.

in the old-apple tree

Today is the last day of term, last day of our academic school year. I don't quite have three months off but this is how I'm feeling.

"Three months' vacation! how I shall enjoy it!" exclaimed Meg, coming home one warm day...
"What shall you do all your vacation?" asked Amy...
"I shall lie abed late, and do nothing," replied Meg, from the depths of the rocking chair. "...now I'm going to rest and revel to my heart's content."
"Hum!" said Jo; "that dozy way wouldn't suit me. I've laid in a heap of books, and I'm going to improve my shining hours reading on my perch in the old-apple tree..." Louise May Alcott Little Women

lie abed

I intend to be a bit of Meg and Jo - lying abed late reading.

The June Roses

We've come back from holiday to find the roses resplendent, not just in our garden but in neighbours as we along the pavements.


"The June roses over the porch were awake bright and early on that morning, rejoicing with all their hearts in the cloudless sunshine, and like friendly little neighbours, as they were. Quite flushed with excitement were their ruddy faces as they swung in the wind, whispering to one another what they had seen; for some peeped in at the dining-room windows, where the feast was spread, some climbed up to nod and smile at the sisters, as they dressed the bride, others waved a welcome to those who came and went on various errands in garden, porch and hall, and all, from the rosiest full-blown flower to the palest baby-bud, offered their tribute of beauty and fragrance to the gentle mistress who had loved and tended them so long." Louisa May Alcott Good Wives

Mischief going on

An unusual peony quote, but one nonetheless and straight from the mouth of the formidable Aunt March.

"But what is father's friend saying, to make you look like a peony? There's mischief going on, and I insist upon knowing what it is!" Louisa May Alcott Little Women

peony

This has made me think. If I was to look like a flower which would I choose? Although I love roses I wouldn't want the thorns so maybe a peony. Some days I can be all neat and tidy and then gradually more and more relaxed changing in shape. I could also be a variety of shades of pink and coral. What flower would you choose?

Castles in the air part 2

Thank you for your thoughts on castles in the air - wonderful daydreams. In the final pages of Good Wives the theme of the sisters' castles in the air concludes.


"And yet your life is different from the one you pictured so long ago. Do you remember our castles in the air?" asked Amy
...
"Yes, I remember; but the life I wanted then seems selfish, lonely and cold to me now. I haven't given up the hope that I may write a good book yet, but I can wait, and I'm sure it will be all the better for such experiences... said Jo
...
"My castle was the realized of all. I asked for splendid things, to be sure, but in my heart I knew I should be satisfied, if I had a little home, and John, and some dear children like these." said Meg.


"My castle is very different to from what I planned, but I would not alter it, though, like Jo, I don't relinquish all my artistic hopes, or confine myself to helping others fulfil their dreams of beauty.

daydream

Perhaps our real life is better than our castles in the air.

Castles in the air part 1

Castles in the air

When you read these words what do they mean to you?
I have now read two books this year with references to 'castles in the air'. Half way through writing this post I saw a sign 'Look up to see the castle in the air'. I don't think I'd heard it before, and feel I've slightly missed out. Do you know where it originally comes from? Do you know of any other books that refer to this phrase? Am I being particularly dense and ill read/unknowlegeable in not knowing it? Was it a phrase of a particular era?

In My Brilliant Career written by a very young Australian and published in 1901.
'With aunt Helen, however, I was content anywhere, and build a castle in the air, wherein one day she and I were always to live together - for ever!' Miles Franklin My Brilliant Career

In Little Women (published 1868) there's a whole chapter titled 'Castles in the air'
"Wouldn't it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true, and we could live in them?" Said Jo


Meg "I should like a lovely house, full of all sorts of luxurious things; nice food, pretty clothes, handsome furniture, pleasant people, and heaps of money, I am to be mistress of it, and manage it as I like, with plenty of servants, so I never need work a bit. How I should enjoy it! For I wouldn't be idle, but do good, and make every one love me dearly."

luxurious

Jo "I'd have a stable full of Arabian steeds, rooms piled with books, and I'd write out of a magic inkstand, so that my works should be as famous.... I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, - something heroic or wonderful, - that won't be forgotten after I'm dead. I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all, some day. I think I shall write books, and get rich and famous; that would suit me, so that is my favourite dream."

books

Beth "Mine is to stay at home safe with father and mother, and help take care of the family."

home

Amy "I have lots of wishes; but the pet one is to be an artist, and go to Rome, and do fine pictures, and be the best artist in the whole world,"

Roma

Can you answer my questions?
What would your castle in the air be?

Old-fashioned, fragrant flowers

Now to America and as it's the month of March it had to be from the March family.

'As spring came on, a new set of amusements became the fashion, and the lengthening days gave long afternoons for work and play of all sorts. The garden had to be put in order, and each sister had a quarter of the little plot to do what she liked with... Meg had roses and heliotrope, myrtle, and a little orange-tree in it. Jo's bed was never alike two seasons, for she was always trying experiments; this year it was to be a plantation of sunflowers... Beth had old-fashioned, fragrant flowers in her garden; sweet peas and mignonette, larkspur, pinks, pansies... Amy had a bower in hers... very pretty to look at, - with honeysuckles and morning-glories hanging their coloured horns and graceful wreaths all over it; tall white lilies, delicate ferns, and as many brilliant, picturesque plants as would consent to blossom there." L.M Alcott Little Women

garden

Which sister's garden would yours be most like?

 Mine would, or will hopefully have Jo's experiments, Meg's roses, Beth's sweet-peas and Amy's honeysuckle.

Genuine Happiness

As it's Valentine's day and Florence Finds Book Club this month is Little Women here's a quote from L.M. Alcott. Mother March sensible and loving as ever on the question of Meg marrying John.

"I'm not ambitious for a splendid fortune, a fashionable position, or a great name for my girls. If rank and money come with love and virtue, also, I should accept them gratefully, and enjoy your good fortune; but I know, by experience, how much genuine happiness can be had in a plain little house, where the daily bread is earned, and some privations give sweetness to the few pleasures;" L.M Alcott Little Women

simple

Energy and Goodwill

It's been on my New Year's Resolution list for a few years and finally I can tick it off. I've made pastry, short crust pastry. Somehow I happily make choux pastry but short crust - eek... So it was okay - it didn't look very aesthetic in the tray, but once the filling was in, it was cooked it tasted okay.

'...something more than energy and goodwill is necessary to make a cook.' Louisa May Alcott Little Women

daydream kitchen

I definately need more than energy and goodwill with pastry. Any tips to encourage me to persevere and make again?

Mothering Sunday

'I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished and good; to be admired, loved and respected; to have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send. ' Louisa May Alcott Little Women
I'm not a mother but my mother has two daughters. I'm not sure what her wishes were for us when she first held us in her arms. Did she hope we'd be beautiful? I think probably 'admired, loved and respected.' I thank my parents for our happy youth. I know she wished us to be wisely married and for me that was a wish she waited a long time for. In fact I often think that she worried about me meeting the right man far more than I ever did. But then she didn't know about the possibilities that filled my daydreams, I just shared the tears when those hopes were over. And now she can relax. And thankfully the sorrow we've shared as a family and with friends.
With love this Mothers' Day x