Happy 70th Anniversary Grandpa & Grandma

If my Grandma, Virginia, were still alive, today she & my Grandpa would be celebrating their 70th anniversary. They were married only 4 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. I am certain that their marriage was happy yet somewhat sad occasion with such a national tragedy. They had loving marriage, filled with seven children, two of which unfortunately died before the age of two. My Grandma went on to be with Lord nearly 20 years ago, from kidney failure. We all miss her dearly, my Grandpa especially. We will be spending the anniversary with him so that the loneliness is not so difficult to bear. I can only say, please cherish your loved ones while they are here & never lose a chance to tell them how much you care.

God bless,
Sarah Grace

Remembering Pearl Harbor

It was 70 years ago on this very day in December that the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was perpetrated, mercilessly taking the lives of 2,390 Americans. The onslaught was the final straw that broke the camel's back & made it a certainty of our involvement in World War II. My own grandfather may have been there, if it had not been for a car accident that prevented his entering the service. We must always remember those who sacrifice their lives for our freedom.









God bless,
Sarah Grace

A Happy Thanksgiving & A Receipt

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
I hope that each & every one of you has had a memorable & pleasing day. Thanksgiving happens to be one of my favorite holidays of the year, what with the transitioning of the seasons & colors of God's wondrous creation.

My family & I enjoyed a lovely day for a gathering of the clan, albeit somewhat small of a gathering. We dined on the usually thought of fare: turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, & cranberry jelly. My grandfather & brother do not like turkey, so we have a dish of shredded beef, as well.

As of July, I began changing my eating habits towards a vegetarian way of dining. I have since been experimenting with many different receipts from varied cultures. In the process I began creating receipts that were inspired by something I had read or simply because a combination of certain ingredients seemed appealing.

I received a book from the interlibrary loan a few weeks ago called Veganomicon that contained a receipt for Sloppy Joes made from lentils. I was unable to remember what exactly went into said Sloppy Joes, so I used what my mother calls my great-grandmother's French cooking influence & winged it.

Below is my receipt for the Lentil Sloppy Joes, which by the by, are equally delicious over rice or mashed potatoes, as on a bun or slice of bread.


Lentil Sloppy Joes
3 cups brown lentils
4 cups water (for boiling lentils)

Sauce:
2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup ketchup
2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 to 1/2 cup raisins (depending on how you like raisins)
2 1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 pinches mustard powder
2 pinches ginger powder
1 tbsp blackstrap molasses

The lentils are boiled covered for about 25-35 minutes, depending upon the age of the lentils. Most of the water is boiled off by the time that the lentils are tender with just a slight chew to them.
In a separate pot, simmer the tomato sauce, water, & ketchup for a couple minutes, stirring so that it doesn't burn. Then begin adding the rest of the ingredients. After the lentils are done, pour them into the sauce, stirring in lentils. Let everything simmer for a couple more minutes, then serve on as a sandwich or over rice, mashed potatoes, or as a side. Whatever you choose, it is a comforting dish.

God bless,
Sarah Grace

Halloween....Not So Harmless

I was raised to believe that Halloween was a day that glorified Satan, witchcraft, & sorcery. But as I have been gaining in years I see more & more people, even Christian, who allow their children to parade about in costumes of witches, wizards, demons, ghoul, ghosts, etc. saying it is only a fun diversion for the children & they will feel left out if they can not take part with their friends.
Halloween has been commercialized to make it feel like just another harmless holiday, but why should children be allowed to participate in a day that gives Satan & his evil spirits honor?
Why must parents be asleep to the truth of what they are really allowing their children to do?
Most parents would be appalled if their child wanted to smoke, drink, use drugs, or have intimacy before marriage because they are doing things that are harmful to their bodies.
Some of those same parents allow trick or treating on Halloween. Why should the parents care any less about their child's soul? I think people need to take a step back & reevaluate their decisions concerning Halloween.

Take today & celebrate Jesus Christ the giver of life, not Satan. My family calls today Hallelujah day & we use today to pray for others & against Satan & his demons.

Have a God blessed Hallelujah day,
Sarah Grace

He Is Always Near

Sometimes when everything around me seems to be falling apart at the seams, I tend to forget that I have a friend who will help me to repair those seams & put the pieces back together or just plain start anew.
When the day is long & I am worn through, my friend will be there to uplift me & give me strength to continue. My friend will stick by me closer than a brother ever could.
Who is this friend?
My loving Redeemer, Savior, & Friend, Jesus Christ. He will always be near my side through thick & through thin, for He said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. I know that my Lord never will lie & that His Word is true. So when I need a shoulder to lean on, He is always near.
My Mother loves the poem Footprints in the Sand, which I think is very true.




God bless & have wonderful weekend,
Sarah Grace

Fall In Love With The 1930's

A few weeks ago I did a post on 1940's styles that would be lovely for autumn & I know that the styles of the 1930's would be lovely for this time of year also. So below I have a few photos of the fall/winter styles that I think would be wonderful to recreate.


A simple, yet lovely frock with an equally lovely coat. Very nice if made up in a tropical weight wool for the frock & a medium or coat weight for the coat. The frock would be nice made in a silk for a special occasion gown, just lengthen the hem to floor-length.



This photo is from a catalog, showcasing some of their wool fabrics for winter. The colors are wonderful. It helps to understand what colors were considered fashionable at that time (not to mention that the two coats shown are simply elegant).


This frock would be a great fall/winter or even spring/summer piece, depending upon what fabric was chosen. The neckline is something I think would be very flattering & would draw the attention upwards to the face. A great addition to the wardrobe.



Another frock that would be a great staple in the wardrobe, perhaps the new Little Black Dress. If you were to add different accessories it could be made to look like an entirely different frock.



This coat is called the Swagger coat. I would assume because when you wear it, it makes you feel so smart & stylish that you swagger about,:). A wonderful coat to wear with casual or dressy outfits.



If I ever would want a nightgown that was form fitting, then I would make this clingy creation. Make it up in silk for luxuriousness, cotton or linen for practicality & constant use. It is a very flattering cut.



This coat is very stylish for the 1933-36 time range. The wonderful thing about this coat is the full sleeve with fitted cuff. The brown fur collar & matching muff are eyecatching.



A nautical inspired lounge or beach wear ensemble that would be great for the lady who wears slacks. Made in linen it would last for ages & stay cool during the heat of the summer.



A bias-cut 1932-34 frock with fabulous shaping by the use of the piecing. Lovely done in a medium linen or tropical wool. Lengthen the sleeves for truly frigid areas.



The green frock in this photo is my favorite of the two. The contrast of the white & the green is striking. When a white collar & cuffs are added it really sets an outfit off. I have a piece of fabric that would be perfect to reproduce the green frock. Maybe someday I will have the time to attempt it:).



This last photo is a good example of the transitioning of the style of the 1930's into what became the 1940's. With the double-breasted buttons on the blue it reflects military styling, but also is slimming. Worn with warm leggings, it could be an attractive fall frock.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend & enjoys the changing of the seasons.
God bless,
Sarah Grace

Fall Fashion Ala The 1940s

I think it is always interesting to look at the clothing that was worn in different periods for the changing seasons, so this post is a compilation of a few of the 1940s autumnal fashions.

Myrna Loy, who happens to be one of my favorite female actresses from the Golden Era (1930s-1940s), is wearing a lovely suit ensemble with an adorable chapeau.


This Simplicity pattern is a fine example of the lounging suit, perfect for the cold evenings when all you want to do is curl up with a captivating book & a cup of steaming hot tea.



The title says it all, accessorization is key to making a small wardrobe seem endless.


A photo I found online taken of a young woman entering her freshman year at university. Her outfit is comfortable, while still be in style.


A very flattering style with the gathering on the bodice & the pointed waistband. Lengthening the sleeves & making it from a tropical weight wool would easily carry this lovely frock into the blistering cold months of winter.


The newly popular, but not yet widely worn, pant suit. Pants were questionable for women still, even in the 1940s (some question them even now). I personally don't wear pants, but I thought it might be of some inspiration to others that do.


An adorable mother-daughter matching sweater set! I simply love the color & the sleeve length. A wonder way to add warmth when there is a slight nip to the air.


A fabulous coat that would serve many age levels & could double as a maternity coat. The styling is timeless & could easily be worn with modern attire. Would be great made from a wool outer & a silk lining.


Do any of these coats look familiar? The styles & lines are very similar to some of the coats today, which are advertised as a NEW style. LOL! It just goes to prove that the fashions of the past will repeat themselves again & again.


If you owned all of the pieces in this image, you could mix & match to make dozens of ensembles. With three jacket/skirt combos, one blouse/skirt, & a vest/skirt the possibilities are endless.


I hope you were all inspired to try something new that might have been old :), for your upcoming fall/winter wardrobes.
I plan to do another post on 1930s fall/winter garments soon.

God bless & have a wonderful weekend.
Sarah Grace

Remembrance of Our Soldiers, Past & Present

I apologize for how late this post is, almost a week past the date, but I have not been well as of late, so I failed to post anything on Sunday. A friend emailed me the below story & I think it is very touching. I would also like to apologize for the lack of photos of any sort, as my computer will not allow me to load them at present.



Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned

seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will

get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats,

totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Petawawa.

We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan.

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for

five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch

would help pass the time...

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch.

‘No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks.

I'll wait till we get to base.

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch.

I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all

those soldiers.'

She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a

soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my

seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she

asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first

class.

'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man

stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five

dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at

the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the

numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand

and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the

Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once,

someone bought me a lunch.

It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the

passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six

rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in

my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.

Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something

in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another

twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base.

I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars.

It will take you some time to reach the base.

It will be about time for a sandwich.

God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These

soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of

meals. It seemed so little...


A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made

payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and

including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'

Psalm 23:1-6: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Have a blessed week,
Sarah Grace

Happy Belated Birthday Beatrix!

On Thursday, July 28th, 1866 Helen Beatrix Potter Heelis was born. It is hard to believe that it has been 145 years since my eternally favourite authoress/ illustrator was born. With her imagination for such loveable & memorable characters & her breathtakingly beautiful illustrations, it is hard not to get lost in the world of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, or Jemima Puddleduck. Her tales draw the reader into a time long since past, with such animation of idea, that one becomes a part in her world. I long to be even half as accomplished as Beatrix in the arts of pen & drawing. Happy 145th Birthday Beatrix, may your tales continue to be beloved by the generations to come.

God bless,
Sarah Grace

Elegant Lady's Closet Giveaway

Over at the Royal Daughters of the King blog, they are having a giveaway for Sense & Sensibility's Elegant Lady's Closet ePattern. I would love to win this, as I have long wanted all of the patterns from S&S, but never enough free falling leaves from the fabled money tree to afford them. Mrs. Chancey's patterns are fabulous & the results always stunning. If you have never done so before, go to the S&S website www.sensibility.com. It is a lovely place to visit. www.royal-daughters-of-the-king.blogspot.com is the site where the giveaway is taking place.

God bless & have a lovely day,
Sarah Grace

Independence Day

Tomorrow is Independence Day, the 4th of July, & for me this day means spending time with my family & sometimes friends, partaking in delicious food, enjoying each others company, & then after the evening has come, watching the brightly shining fireworks display that flashes over the corn fields near my Grandfather's home. But Independence Day means so much more. It represents the past, present, & the future of our nation. The trials & the joys we have persevered to overcome through the years. The pains & sorrows that have been brought to families to retain the freedom we so cherish & desire. Our past defines our future. Mr. Winston Churchill once said: "The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see." I believe he was entirely correct. If we do not know of our past, then we are not prepared for the future.
Below are two pieces, one of poetry, the other of music, that speak very well in my opinion of Independence Day.
Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State!
Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on the fate!
We know what Master laid the keel,
What Workmen wrought thy ribs of steel,
Who made each mast, and sail, and rope,
What anvils rang, what hammers beat,
In what forge and what a heat
Were shaped the anchors of thy hope!
Fear not each sudden sound and shock,
'Tis of the wave and not the rock;
'Tis but the flapping of the sail,
And not a rent made by the gale!
In spite of rock and tempest's roar,
In spite of false lights on the shore,
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea!
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee,
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee, - are all with thee!

From The Republic from "The Building of the Ship"
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I have heard how Christians long ago
Were brought before a tyrant's throne
And they were told that he would spare their lives
If they would renounce the name of Christ
But one by one they chose to die
The Son of God they would not deny
Like a great angelic choir sings
I can almost hear their voices ring

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

Now the years have come and the years have gone
But the cause of Jesus still goes on
And now our time has come to count the cost
To reject this world, to embrace the cross
And one by one let us live our lives
For the One who died to give us life
Till the trumpet sounds on the final day
Let us proudly stand and boldly say

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

To the Lamb of God who bore my pain
Who took my place, who wore my shame
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

Lyrics from I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb.


God bless to everyone & their families,
Sarah Grace

My Most Humble Apologies...

I wish to apologize for the rather long absence. I unexpectedly spent some time at my Grandfather's house, helping with laundry, cooking meals, cleaning house, etc. while my uncles, with my Grandfather's supervision, planted the fields. I had a great time, but he unfortunately does not believe the internet to be something of any value. He believes it to be one of the evils of modern invention, LOL. I pray everyone has a wonderful week before Independence Day arrives. Summer is an excellent time to rejoice & marvel in God's stunning creations of life. As a new passion & hobby, I have planted a somewhat small garden, with several heirloom seed varieties: Tomatoes, pole beans, bush beans, black-eyed peas, bush peas, spinach, red beets, turnips, kohlrabi, carrots, acorn squash, golden zucchini, cushaw squash, garlic, & sweet potatoes. I pray daily for a bumper crop. I hope everyone has a fabulous Independence Day with their family & friends.

God bless,
Sarah Grace

Thank You Mama

Today is Mother's Day, a day to stop & thank our mothers for all of the selfless acts they perform for us throughout our daily lives. I think sometimes we take our mothers for granted, I know I have. So, not only today but even on ordinary days, stop & show your appreciation for your mother just being there for you through thick & thin. Tell her you love & appreciate her, make her a card , cook breakfast, or just give her a hug to show her how much you care.

Proverbs 31:28 & 31: Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

God bless to all & have a lovely Mother's Day,
Sarah Grace

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

There is a song that the group Avalon have on their Christmas CD called We Are The Reason. I know that it is on a Christmas CD, but I believe that the message holds true for Easter even more so. Jesus truly is the reason for our lives, our very existence. Below are the words of the song. As you read them, remember what Christ Jesus went through for us all, that we might have eternal life in heaven with Him.


As little children we would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys we knew we'd find
But we never realized a baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

We were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost, He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by we learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves and what that means
On a dark and cloudy day, a man hung crying in the rain
All because of love, all because of love

And we were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost, He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

I've finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do, every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him, for Him

And we are the reason that He gave His life
We are the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost, He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live
He is our reason to live

Don't You know that you are the reason
That He came oh, He came to save us
When He gave His life for us, He suffered and died

To a world that was lost He gave
Everything that He had He gave
To show us the reason to live

Don't you know that you are the reason
That He came oh He came to save us
When He gave His life for us, He suffered and died

To a world that was lost He gave
Everything that He had He gave
To show us the reason to live

Don't you know that you are the reason
That He came oh He came to save us
When He gave His life for us, He suffered and died

To a world that was lost He gave
Everything that He had He gave
To show us the reason to live

I hope you all have a blessed Easter week with all of your families.

God bless,
Sarah Grace

Blast From The Past: 1930s

I really like the idea of a Blast From The Past post twice a month or maybe once a week, as I have so many vintage images that I think should be shared with others. Below are eight lovely 1930s period images from patterns, magazines, etc. that I have collected over several years. I hope you enjoy them & can use them for inspiration for future projects.

This photo is of a lovely hairstyle of the early to mid 1930s & very flattering to the facial shape of the model, known as the Debutante Wave, a style seen in many films of the era.




The below pattern is from the Hollywood Pattern line that was very popular during the 1930s & 1940s, from what I can tell. This particular one is modeled after a dress that Claudette Colbert ( Love the sound of her name) & is a day dress that could be worn for visiting, shopping, or even tea, with a front bodice insert & a yoked skirt, it is simple & could be worn even for a business outfit for modern if done in a solid fabric. By the by, Miss Colbert is sporting a very chic style for the early 1930s.


Another Hollywood Pattern, this one with Ginger Rogers, a very talented singer/dancer/actress of the 30s & 40s. The style of dress is very popular for 1933-35ish & is made with a yoked, button front bodice,an option of either short puffed or somewhat full bishop sleeves, central panel skirt that has side pockets & opens down the back. It would make a fun summer dress, if made up with the short puffed sleeve option.


This is a Simplicity pattern from 1936-38ish, beginning to show the transition to the styles of the forthcoming 1940s, with shorter skirts. The style for this pattern is the start of the shirtwaist dress which was worn abundantly in the 1940s & even 50s & 60s. It has a fitted bodice, short cuffed sleeves, slightly narrow skirt, & is front opening. Would make a stylish house or work dress.


This pattern & the one below would be great for church, town, etc. They would also make wonderful summer dresses, with the interesting details that each possesses.


This dress or the one above would also make lovely Easter Sunday dresses.


This pattern is for an evening/bridesmaid gown & a stunningly simple wedding gown. Either would be fabulous done in a silk satin, charmuese, or duchess satin. The simple lines cut on the bias would be perfect for a woman who wished to use rich fabrics & keep the dress relatively low on frills & furbelows.


A lovely mid 1930s nightgown that would be lovely in cotton, silk, or linen for summer.



Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart & lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him & He shall direct thy paths.

God bless & have a joyous weekend,
Sarah Grace

Praying For Japan

Hello to everyone,
I would like to bring to the attention of those who might not know, about the disaster in Japan. After the earthquake & subsequent tsunamai last Friday, many lost their homes, their families, & even their own lives, wiped out within a matter of a couple minutes. Because of the tsunamai, nuclear reactors in Japan are damaged & leaking radioactive particles. The reports have been stating that unless the reactors are cooled & the damage repaired, they could explode, possibly causing worldwide radiation exposure. I believe that now is the time to pray. Pray for comfort for those who have lost everything. Pray for wisdom for the officials & the people trying to give aide. Pray for protection for Japan & the world from the radiation. Most importantly though, pray that Japan, its inhabitants, & the world, find the one true Comforter, Jesus Christ. Please pray for all & whatever else God might put on your heart.

I know that this might not be the most joyful of posts, but I believe that now is the time to pray for those that have lost & those that are lost. I pray that soon the reports will be those of good news instead of bad.

1 Thessalonians 5:17: Pray without ceasing.

Philippians 6:18: Praying always with all prayer & supplication in the Spirit, & watching thereunto with all perseverance & supplication for all saints.

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; & lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, & He shall direct thy paths.

God bless,
Sarah Grace

Mary by Sarah Grace Kuhlman

Hello all,
The Jane Austen Made Me Do It Top Ten Finalists have been announced. I, much to my disappointment, did not make the final cut. But I am very happy for those whose stories were what the judges were looking for. The contest had many magnificent stories & those who won rightly deserved it. I would like to thank those who created the contest for giving many an opportunity to flex our creative muscles, so to speak. I look forward to the next contest. In the meantime, I would like to post my own story submission, Mary, which was inspired by the lesser known epistolary, Lady Susan, although the plot is not similar, just the idea of relating the plot through letters. I know there is always room for improvement & I may attempt to brush it up in the future. Let me know your opinions & what you like or dislike in it.

Letter 1

Mrs. Stanton to Lady Waldegrave

Brighton
My dear Madam,
I wish to prevail upon our relationship as cousins to recommend my eldest daughter ,Mary, as a suitable companion for yourself. She is quiet & intelligent with a great love for reading & an eagerness to be of assistance at all times. Mary is desirous of a situation that could best prepare her for a future position as a governess, though I can not conceive why. She is barely sixteen, but is of a mature & affectionate disposition. It will be a matter of some grief to lose her, but knowing though that she will be of service to you will ease my pains over the loss. I pray that your response shall fulfill her hopes.

I am Madam,

Your most humble servant,

Mrs. Anne Stanton

Letter 2

Lady Waldegrave to Mrs. Stanton

Elkston
My dear cousin,
It gave me great pleasure to receive your letter. I must presume that you became knowledgeable of my looking into the matter of acquiring a companion from our mutual acquaintance, Mr. Morgan. He really is a rather dreadful man, never ceasing to speak, except to draw breath. On the subject of your daughter, Mary, she sounds as if she would make a splendid companion & I would be delighted to employ her services. You may tell her, if she applies herself, she may make an rather amiable governess, perhaps even for my own daughter, Mrs. Charles Holt. I am enclosing the fare required for the coach. I shall expect her here within a fortnight.

All my love, etc.,

Lady Charlotte Waldegrave

Letter 3

Miss Stanton to Mrs. Stanton

Elkston
My dear Mamma,
I arrived at Elkston safely day before last. Lady Waldegrave is a kindly, warm-hearted woman, very handsome in appearance, but one would not be remiss in calling her quite stout. She dresses in the latest fashions, diaphonous creations of silks, laces, & velvets. Her lady's maid does her hair in masses of curls, some pinned upon her head & others cascading onto her shoulders, but the maid on all occasions adds a single rather tall feather. The style is not to my taste, for I feel it to make one appear rather ridiculous & overdone, like a peacock amongst chickens. Though I should not speak so forthrightly of my new employer, for she has received me into her home with the utmost civility. The room that I am to use for the duration of my employment here is quite spacious considering my position is as a companion & not a guest. The furniture in my chambers is quite adequate in appearance, but very plain beside the furnishings of other apartments, although it is a far sight above the servants quarters. Do not think me to complain of my present situation, for it is far beyond what I could have imagined to be bestowed upon someone in such a pecuniary position as myself. I only attempt to give examples of how things are at present. I am most grateful to yourself, for corresponding with Lady Waldegrave on my behalf & to Lady Waldegrave for giving me a opportunity with so little to recommend me. Give my love to Catherine, Susan, & James.

With love, etc.,

Mary Stanton

P.S. I am enclosing a letter for Catherine.

Letter 4

Miss Stanton to Catherine Stanton

Elkston
Dearest Catherine,
How are the family truly doing? Mamma, I know would not wish to worry me & glazes over the truth at times. How are Susan & James keeping up with their studies? I pray you will not have too much difficulty in the task of temporary governess until my first chance to come home & see all you dear ones again. I will send you a portion of my earnings when Lady Waldegrave gives me my wages. Please be certain that Mamma does not squander it on foolish flippery. Hide it away if you must. I trust you will make certain the funds are spent wisely. Now enough talk of money, I wish to tell you of Elkston. I do believe it is the loveliest estate in all of Etonshire. The grounds are magnificent, with massive ancient oak trees, lushious gardens bursting with flowers of all varieties & colors, & impressive stone edifices. The estate is a handsome centuries old stone masterpiece with two menacing stone lions upon either side of the front entrance. Upon entering the foyer, one's eye is immediately drawn to an immense chandelier, which, when lit takes your breath away with its beauty. There is a vast winding staircase not far from the front entry, with thick red velvet carpets leading upstairs to upwards of some fifteen rooms & there are twelve rooms for various uses downstairs. My chambers have a simply stunning view of the gardens & from this vantage point, dear Catherine, you could capture its true beauty with your artistic eye & your talent for painting so true to nature. Lady Waldegrave will make quite a good employer, I believe, for she has shown me great kindness & compassion thus far. Elkston & Lady Waldegrave are well & good, but I do so miss home & my family. Do stand by your promise & write to me often.

With great love, etc.,

Mary Stanton

P.S. Give Susan & James a hug & a kiss for me tonight.

P.P.S. Please keep me in your prayers that God will help me to do my utmost for Lady Waldegrave.

Letter 5

Catherine Stanton to Miss Stanton

Brighton
My dearest Mary,
We all miss you desperately & long for the day we might see you here again. James inquires of me daily when Mary will be coming back to us, but no matter the times I have explained it to him, his seven year old mind can not grasp why it should take so long or why time can not go at the speed he wishes it to. Every night when I tuck him into bed, he insists that I sing Mary's song. Both Susan & James are doing very well indeed in their studies. Susan is showing a slight disinterest in the classics. She proclaims she would rather read something thrilling, by which I have found, she means those insipid novels that far too many young girls are filling their heads with these days. Please, can you suggest a method of getting her to read more appropriate books? James has progressed in his studies beyond what even you could believe possible. Mamma is in good spirits after reading your recent letter & imagining what a grand house it must be. I am seeing to the accounts as best I can, but I do wish you were here to help me. Lady Waldegrave & Elkston sound simply grand. I do envy you your view, but nothing of the other duties you have. Upon receipt of your last letter, I gave Susan & James the requested hugs & kisses.

Love from us all, etc.,

Catherine Stanton

P.S. You know you are always in my prayers.

Letter 6

Miss Stanton to Catherine Stanton

Elkston
My dear Catherine,
I have been at Elkston for a fortnight & it has become my second most treasured place in all of Christendom. Lady Waldegrave has continued on in her manner towards myself, just as she began. Her Ladyship is, I believe one of the most amiable & genuine people it has been my pleasure to be acquainted with. She never does put on airs or behave affectitiously towards anyone, whether he be of any consequence or none at all. Being as I am employed as her companion, it befalls my duty, to aid in her correspondence (She has praised "my fine penmanship"), read to her for hours on end (Thank heavens she likes several books that are not sermons, though a great deal are theology, old sermons, & the Bible), fetch small trifles, assist with her needlework. These are but a few of the tasks that I am daily charged with. When I am not performing any specific task & Lady Waldegrave has drifted off into slumber, I am allowed to do as I wish. Frequently I choose a book from her extensive library. Though she does not enjoy them very much, she has all of the classics & a vast many other books of varied subjects. Her Ladyship has told me that her son William, is the reason for this enormous collection of books. He lives but for to read, so she has said. When I inquired whither he resided, she informed me that upon her death, Elkston would go to him & that he resided there, but of late, he was in London on business. Her Ladyship does not know whence he will return. From what I have gathered, he is a very intelligent, kind, & sensible young man, which is what every young man should be. As to Susan, I shall enclose a letter for her. On the next post I shall send a letter for James of congratulations & encouragement for his improvements in his studies.

Give everyone my love, etc.,

Mary Stanton

Letter 7

Miss Stanton to Susan Stanton

Elkston
My dear Susan,
I miss you terribly & long to see you again. Catherine has informed me that you have been reading novels. You know all too well where I stand on such druthery. It clutters your intellect with filth & foolishness. I know you must imagine that I am being rather prude about this matter, but your mind is something that must be cultivated with the proper tools. The classics, theology, history, these will improve & empower your mind. Those novels you choose to read are not fit for anything except fodder for the fires. Please, I beg of you Susan, make another attempt at good, sound literature & keep your mind open to the possibilities. I am glad to hear that in other respects, your studies are doing quite well. I pray for you daily.

With love, etc.,

Your sister,

Mary Stanton

Letter 8

Mr. Waldegrave to Lady Waldegrave

London
My dear Mother,
I am soon to be concluded with my business here & I hope to be at Elkston within a fortnight. I pray you are well & have not had any further sick headaches. I presume that your companion is of adequate capabilities, for I have not heard of your seeking another. How are Louisa, Frederick, & the children? I have not heard any news from them since prior to my departure for London. I do hope all is well with them, for as you recall, when last they wrote it was to tell of young Frederick's having a dreadful cold. I will be bringing quite a few books that I purchased & presents for you & the children.

Love, etc.,

William Waldegrave

Letter 9

Miss Stanton to Catherine Stanton

Elkston
Dear Catherine,
The entire house is in a state of quiet frenzy! The gardeners are ascertaining that the grounds are impeccable, which they were aforehand, the maids are scrubbing, starching, polishing, ironing everything in sight ( I should not be surprised if they attempted to scrub, starch, polish, or iron me next!), & the cook is busy creating endless confections & delicacies. Why all of this scurrying about, you must wonder. I shall tell you. Lady Waldegrave's son, William is en route from London, on his return journey home. I do pray he is not as exacting as all of the present employments imply. For if he were, it must assuredly detract from the attributes Lady Waldegrave claims to his character. Lady Waldegrave is most pleased & anxious to see her son, for he has been away some two months.

I miss you all,

With the greatest love, etc.,

Mary Stanton

P.S. I am enclosing the afore promised letter to James.

Letter 10

Miss Stanton to James Stanton

Elkston
My dear little James,
I wish to congratulate you upon your accomplishments & encourage your further application to your studies. You are excelling far beyond what I could have possibly hoped. I am quite proud & very pleased with you. You are growing into quite a young man. I know you will do all you can to help Mamma & your sisters.

I love you,

Mary Stanton

Letter 11

Lady Waldegrave to Mrs. Holt

Elkston
Dear Louisa,
I pray that little Frederick has gotten over his cold by this time. How are dear Charlotte & Lydia? I do hope they have not caught Frederick's cold. Did you receive an invitation to the Stanhope ball that is to be held in a fortnight?I received mine day before last. I went to Mrs. Winthrop's yesterday & chose a new silk length & was measured for a lovely new style with a crossover bodice. Mrs. Winthrop promises to have it completed several days before the ball. I took my companion with me to Mrs. Winthrop's & I came to find out that she has remarkably good taste in gowns. I requested her opinion of the silks Mrs. Winthrop spread out before me & Mary chose the exact silk Mrs. Winthrop suggested & the one I loved most. Mary is an excellent companion, exceedingly helpful & willing to do my bidding. She is a very pretty little thing too, with hair that is such a lovely shade of golden brown, deep blue-grey eyes that one feels could peer into one's soul, possesses a face that one might call cherubic & a form small, lithe, & very graceful. Mary's voice was meant for reading, her tone following the mood of the subject, it is very soothing & I must confess that it has on more than one occasion caused me to drift off into slumber. I do wish you to meet her on your next visit ( Which I pray you will make soon).

Love to you & the children, etc.,

Lady Waldegrave

P. S. William will be returning from London in a fortnight or less.

Letter 12

Mrs. Holt to Lady Waldegrave

Edgeton
Dear Mother,
I am most pleased to inform you that Frederick's cold has nearly vanished. Neither of the girls contracted any symptoms & are in exceptional health. Frederick will not be able to come with us, as he can not be spared from the office, when we come for a long overdue visit. I did indeed receive upon the exact day the post delivered your letter. I am most certain that your new gown will incite a high degree of envy amongst the ladies & admiration from the gentlemen. As to my own gown, it shall be on a far less grand scale. I have chosen a very pretty shade of blue silk with a slightly darker shade for trim. Mrs. Winters is to have it sent by special messenger upon completion. I am surprised at your willingness to be seen with your paid companion & to ask her opinion on silk, when she has likely never seen silk in her life, so her opinion should not have been asked, especially in the presence of Mrs. Winthrop, who happens to be one of the most gossipy women in Etonshire. I caution you not to put your confidence in her too readily. I am pleased to hear William will soon be journeying home. I do pray he does not bring any diseases back with him from London (Such an awful, filthy place that). We will be arriving at Elkston within less than a fortnight.

Love, etc.,

Louisa Holt

Letter 13

Miss Stanton to Catherine Stanton

Elkston
My dearest Catherine,
I have news. Lady Waldegrave's daughter, Mrs. Holt has arrived from Edgeton but two days ago, with her three children, Frederick, Charlotte, & Lydia, for a visit. I have the distinct impression, that for reasons unbeknownst to me, she does not approve of me as companion to her mother. Mrs. Holt is like her mother in that she too is stout, but there the resemblance ends. She has piercing eyes that when she is angered become almost black, dark brown hair frizzy with curls, & small, narrow lips that always appear to be pursed with displeasure & disapproval. Her children are shockingly kind to me & I like them very much. Another visitor arrived the day after Mrs. Holt & the children, Mr. William Waldegrave in the flesh. Mr. Waldegrave possesses numerous traits similar to his mother. I have only had the pleasure of his acquaintance for one day, but I have seen him show forth attributes that are truly pleasing in a man; kindness to all who are about him, compassion for other's concerns, generosity of spirit to any in need, a love for family & those dearest to his heart, & an inexpressible desire to be jovial whenever the situation warrants. Add to the aforementioned traits, a very pleasureable appearance & an eloquent method of speech, when all are combined, the result is Mr. William Waldegrave, indeed a very fine specimen of a man. Upon the occasion of our introduction, when he extended his hand to grasp mine, the moment our fingertips touched a sensation, one such as I had never felt before, raced up my arm & straight ways to my heart where it gave a simultaneous leap & flutter. I do believe he felt a similar sensation, for his eyes showed forth the mirror of my own emotions at that moment. It only lasted a brief second, but seemed far longer, then we released our grasp & withdrew our hands. Please reply promptly with your thoughts of what took place & how I should proceed.

Give my love to all, etc.,

Mary Stanton

P.S. Find enclosed a portion of my first month's wages.

Letter 14

Catherine Stanton to Miss Stanton

Brighton
My dear Mary,
I hope to caution you concerning Mr. Waldegrave. Remember your station & his. You must not give away your affections too quickly. I would presume that his family have expectations of his marrying well, to a woman of high rank or great fortune or both. Do not think that he prefers you unless he tells you that it is so. I am certain it would be far too easy to loose your heart to, what sounds like such an agreeable young man, but proceed carefully. Let his conduct be the guide for your own. I do not wish to put a damper upon your emotions, but to attempt to prevent any heartache in future. If Mr. Waldegrave deems to select you as his future life's companion, I will be most pleased to call him brother. But until such a time, take care, my dear sister. We all miss you severely & hope to see you soon.

Love from all, etc.,

Catherine Stanton

P.S. The funds you sent were put to proper use. Thank you from Mamma for your generosity.

Letter 15

Mrs. Holt to Lady Waldegrave

Edgeton
Dear Mother,
There is something I must address, the matter of Miss Stanton. She appears to be a somewhat adequate companion, but I would advise the questioning of her regard towards my brother. You likely have not noticed that she frequently looks at him & when he speaks to her, she often becomes flushed, giving her cheeks a ruddy tint. I could not ascertain if there was any reciprocating regard in William. I propose you keep a close watch upon Miss Stanton & William & how much time they spend in each other's company. I have brought this matter to your attention as I am concerned for my brother' s future & that he be not trapped into a promise that would do him great ill. Though she be the daughter of your cousin, her circumstances are a very undesirable connection for our family's standing in society. Think Mother, of how ill-fitting she would be in society. She likely does not know the proper etiquette for aforementioned affairs. Please just think on what I have said. The children & Frederick send their regards.

Love, etc.,

Louisa Holt

Letter 16

Miss Stanton to Catherine Stanton

Elkston
My dearest Catherine,
I appreciate the concern that your previous letter exuded & I will attempt to be more careful inasmuch as pertains to my regard toward Mr. Waldegrave. I am making an effort to hide what regard I do feel, but I have an intuition that Mrs. Holt is suspicious in regards to her brother. She made a rather blatant insinuation not long afore she left, about the family's expectations of his marrying exceedingly well, for rank or fortune, not love. Thank heavens she & her children (Who really were very nice, inspite of their mother's example) departed two days ago. I will allow his conduct to govern my own. Please pray for me in this matter, that God will guide me in the path I should take. All of you are in my prayers daily.

Love to everyone, etc.,

Mary Stanton

P.S. Susan, I do hope you are learning to love the classics, as well as literature in general. I love you & miss your sweet voice singing in the mornings.

P.P.S. James, I know you are growing up to be a young man rather quickly & I am proud of your present progress. I will miss my little brother when he is full grown. I love you & miss those comforting hugs you give when my spirits are low.

Letter 17

Lady Waldegrave to Mrs. Holt

Elkston
My dear Louisa,
I believe your worries are unfounded. Mary Stanton is a shy young woman, so it is natural, that when around a young man, such as your brother, she should become flustered & reticent, a reaction that might be easily misconstrued as affection. I think you are incorrect in assuming that just because her family is now in reduced circumstances that she would be foreign to the proper etiquette expected in society. You forget that both her father & mother were gentlefolk of good birth & were quite well off financially. No matter that she no longer travels in the same circles, Mary is as much a gentlewoman as you or I. I will brook no further discussion or dissent on the subject. I would be proud to have such a considerate, affectionate young woman as a daughter in law. Do you not recall that I was the daughter of a gentleman of reduced means when your dear father married myself? As to her capabilities as a companion, she is the finest example of a companion I could ever wish to have in my employ. She is sensible, respectful, courteous, intelligent, & desirous of being able to assist in any situation. William would be as blessed as she in the selection of a spouse. Now that you know my sentiments upon the whole, let us leave the matter lay. The Stanhope ball was a delightful event & your gown ravishing. Mrs. Stanhope far exceeded her previous efforts. All in attendance appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly & the music gave great pleasure to the listener. The dinner that was served was simply delicious, in my opinion. I truly enjoyed your recent visit. The children are growing so rapidly, I hardly recognized them. I do hope your next visit shall not be long in coming. I so wish that you, Frederick, & the children lived closer that we might see each other far more frequently. Give my love to Frederick & the children.

With all my love, etc.,

Lady Waldegrave

P.S. Give the children a hug & kiss from Grandmamma for me tonight.

Letter 18

Miss Stanton to Catherine Stanton

Elkston
My dear Catherine,
How is everyone faring at home? I am doing very well indeed. Lady Waldegrave recently went to the Stanhope ball & had a stunning gown made by Mrs. Winthrop, a highly sought after seamstress. A day before the ball, Lady Waldegrave brought a paper wrapped parcel to my room. Inside lay a dress length of the most beautiful pale rose organdy & a deep rose silk ribbon for a sash. Lady Waldegrave told me she felt selfish, what with her getting a new ballgown & so she decided when she saw the cloth, to buy me a dress length. Her Ladyship, after telling me the above details & receiving first my protestations & then my gratitude, proceeded to inform that she planned to have Mrs. Winthrop make it up for me. I immediately proclaimed shock & dismay at such an extravagance. The cloth & having it made up by Mrs. Winthrop would be too much, but Her Ladyship would not accept refusal. For she said it had to be completed within a fortnight, as there is an exhibit to be in town two days hence. Pray my dear sister, do not despise me too greatly for conceeding, but I could not restrain myself from accepting, for Lady Waldegrave can be at times a force to be reckoned with. I dearly miss everyone at home.

With greatest love, etc.,

Mary Stanton

Letter 19

Lady Waldegrave to Mrs. Stanton

Elkston
My dear cousin,
I must relay some very distressing news. Mary has been severely injured. Whilst attending an exhibit with me this evening in Etonshire, we were preparing to depart as we had viewed the exhibit thoroughly. As we stepped nigh the edge of the road side, awaiting our carriage, when suddenly a charging black steed hitched to a carriage came careening down the street. The appearance of such a sight, I believe, left us both slightly shocked & horrified, causing a temporary paralysis. Before I could even draw another breath the horse was nearly upon us. Mary reacted by pushing me out of the horse's path, but in so doing, losing a chance of gaining her own escape. The horse reared & Mary stood frozen with fright, & as the horse's forefeet came rushing down, connecting with poor Mary's head. Thank God at that exact moment our carriage arrived & the footman went for a physician post haste. We dared not move her, for she had been unconscious since the blow struck her. The physician arrived a quarter of an hour after I sent the footman to fetch him. He examined her & claims she has suffered a severe head injury & that he is not certain if she will live or not. I have been given the task of informing you & requesting that you come to Elkston immediately for the situation is indeed grave. I do believe my son William is infatuated with Mary & it would devastate him if she did not survive this. Pray God that she will recover speedily, without any complications. I am enclosing the fare for the coach. I pray you arrive soon.

With all my love, etc.,

Lady Waldegrave

P.S. You should be very proud of Mary, as she performed a feat of great bravery & selflessness in thrusting me out of the path of danger & not thinking of her own safety. You raised one of the finest young women it has ever been my pleasure to be associated with.

Letter 20

Mrs. Stanton to Catherine Stanton

Elkston
My dear Catherine,
As of yet, your sister has not awakened from her unconscious state. She lays there, her skin pallid, her breathing shallow, never making an utterance. Mrs. Waldegrave's physician has given directions for a solution that he prepared, to be administered every hour, by means of opening her mouth & dribbling liquid in, then massaging her throat to aid her in swallowing the mixture. He has stated that if we can not get plenty of fluids in her, she will become dehydrated & die. Lady Waldegrave, her maid, & I have been taking shifts so that the burdens not solely upon one. I feel so helpless, observing Mary lying upon the bed, as still as if death hovered above her, waiting, for I know not what. I beg of you, Catherine, to pray earnestly for your sister's complete recovery. Tell Susan & James to pray as well, but do not let them know of the severity of Mary's condition, for I do not wish them to worry overtly. Mr. William Waldegrave is relentless in his desire to be near Mary's side. If he be not by her bedside, he is pacing the corridor outside her chambers, he has been pacing to the point I believe the rug will need be replaced. Lady Waldegrave seems to approve & even encourage her son's attentions to Mary. Continue to see after affairs, as you well know how & give my love to Susan & James.

With love, etc.,

Anne Stanton

Letter 21

Miss Stanton to Catherine Stanton

Elkston
My dearest Catherine,
As the fact that I am writing to you attests, I am on the mend. I was utterly unconscious for nigh unto a fortnight, but one evening I regained consciousness & been recovering my strength since. That was a week ago. Two days after I awoke, William Waldegrave requested my hand in marriage. I lay there, believing my head injury had done damage to my hearing, but alas no, my hearing was in excellent condition & William has indeed proposed that we wed & as soon as might be. Once I realized that he was in earnest, I happily accepted, whereupon he went to ascertain Mamma's consent. I am most grateful for your prayers for my recovery. William was praying, as were Mamma & Lady Waldegrave. I believe that the physician thought I would never awaken, but I am certain that God must have a reason to have given me the gift of life, without your prayers I am assured that I would not have survived.

With all my love, etc.,

Mary Stanton

P.S. Mamma will be returning shortly to bring all of you to Elkston for the wedding.

Conclusion

After the previous correspondence was received, the communication ceased between Elkston & Brighton. Within a month after Miss Stanton's recovery, she was summarily wed to Mr. Waldegrave of Elkston & Mrs. Stanton removed herself & her children from Brighton to within a short distance from Elkston. Mr. & Mrs. Waldegrave enjoyed a leisurely wedding tour. Both respective families lived in harmony & happiness.


I look forward to new ideas for further writing & hopefully someday in the future, publication (if the Lord wills). Have a blessed weekend,
Sarah Grace

Blast From The 1940s Past

Hello all,
I have been seeing 1940s styles both originals & reproductions popping up everywhere lately, so it reminded me of the mass of vintage images that I have accumulated over the last two years. I would like to share them over several blog posts, that others might benefit from them as well. Below are just a few that I thought were lovely. Hope you enjoy & they inspire many beautiful pieces.

















God bless to all,
Sarah Grace