Simple Discoveries

I came across this picture on Ebay. I find a lot of interesting things on that site. The thing that caught my eye was the tiny, pink purse in the hand of this substantial woman. And her face looks so peaceful - serene.. This portrait was colorized by the photographer to add a bit of contrast. I'm not sure of the technique but the effect to me is dream like.

This metal heart-shaped trivet came to me years ago. I search for items that look as if they've been made for someone special - the folk heart collection.  I was walking through Riley's Antique Store in Greenfield. I walked right past this heart and then it was as if I saw it in hindsight. I did a double take and stepped back. It hung just above eye level, on a display rack, almost out of sight. If it weren't for some weird, intuitive vision, I would have totally missed it. I assume that it was made to be a trivet. Yet, it might also be a love token from a gifted tinsmith, who put a lot of time in on this heart, for the one they love.

Words of Love.

Remember the story I wrote about earlier concerning that beautiful, Cuban, wedding blouse?  It was a gift from my thoroughly awesome, sister in law - Linda McKibben Johnson.  I failed to mention in that story how she also gave me this antique tapestry.  This tapestry came from an old trunk that had belonged the mother of her Grandma Mary. It measures about 3 foot square and dates back before 1918. Titled "Ode to the Bride," it offers a slew of witty, and sometimes, strange wedding advice. 

Ode to the Bride

Sail forth into the sea of life.

O gentle loving, trusting wife.

And safe from all adversity

Upon the bosom of that sea

Thy comings and thy goings be.

Surrounding the lovely bride - a group of interesting tips:

"Marriages are made in heaven."

"Young man when you marry, be sure that your wife can at least make bread,

and don't forget that it's up to you to furnish the dough."

"Domestic happiness, the only bliss of paradise that survived the fall."

"Before you marry, beware, for it is a knot difficult to untie."

"Before you marry have where to tarry."

"A man is not to be known until he takes a wife."

"A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple."

"If thou wouldst marry wisely, marry thy equal."

"The first bond of society is marriage."

"He that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin."

"Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, and half shut after."

"There is no paradise on earth equal to the union of love and innocence."

"Man's best possession is a sympathetic wife."

"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing."

"A spaniel, a woman, and a walnut tree - the more you beat 'em the better they be."

"Marry your son when you will, your daughter when you can."

"Can't get away to marry you today, my wife won't let me."

"Gee whiz I'm glad I'm free, no wedding bells for me." 

                    

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Remember my last post - the tiny wedding cup and saucer? I have a collection of wedding anniversary cup and saucers. And in the process of collecting those, someone gave me a love mug. Now, the collection of love mugs number around 65. The mugs shown here are two of my favorites. Especially the sixties -hippie influenced one with the dove. I found it at a yard sale, just sitting on a table amidst the minutia of yard sale items. Perfection in every way!