Old Tombstones

I have a thing for old cemeteries. Whenever I visit an historic town I search out church "graveyards".

Recently, we were in Charleston, South Carolina and I snapped these pictures in a very old churchyard.

I have seen many tombstones with angels on them, especially in New England, but these, with what appear to be portraits, really caught my eye. They were grouped together in one area...the oldest part of the cemetery. The stones were in bad condition, so it was difficult to read them so I could not tell if they were related.

I'm guessing these stones were carved using a portrait of the deceased. To me, they are works of folk art and are so beautiful.

Perhaps it was comforting to those who came to visit these souls, to see the likeness of their family member or friend right there in front of them as they paid their respects.

If anyone knows more about this type of tombstone, I'd love to hear from you.

                                                       Happy New Year!
                                                              Robyn                

Since posting these photos I was able to find out that these tombstones are, indeed, called portrait stones. However, they are not true likenesses of the deceased...more like a representation. Carvers used "portraits"...often carving the same signature face over and over...the same one for men, woman and child...only changing details to suit the individual being depicted. So, although they are called portraits, they were not meant to be a true likeness of the deceased.
This info was found in the essay, Early American Gravestones, by Jesse Lie Farber

I love tobacco...the color, that is.

One of the first things my husband did for me when we moved into this house was to put small shelves above the doorways on the sun porch. It gave me a lot of space for "stuff". These two shelves are changed fairly often..this is how they look now. The header above is a shot of them too.

Can you tell by the pictures what colors are dominant in this room? Black and tobacco are so good together! Anyone else like this combo?

And of course a few pieces of pewter are always a good idea.

...early flax thread, quince slices in a jar...

The "stuff" we gather to display together is often an odd group...but when the colors play well together..it can work.

                                                    Enjoy the day,
                                                        Robyn

Days Eleven...and Twelve

I'll be finishing the Twelve Days of Christmas Tour today. Hope you have enjoyed the pics and will come back to visit soon.

This is how our home will look tomorrow night. Every year the Boy Scouts sell luminary bags as a fund raiser and just about everyone on our street buys them. The scouts provide the bags, sand and votives. After dark we fill the white paper bags with sand and a votive candle...then place them along the sidewalk. When the candles are lit the whole street glows...and it really is something to see! They will burn for twelve hours and sometimes they are still going in the morning...one year all twenty four of our bags were still glowing on Christmas morning!

            And no...in all the years we have been doing this...I've never seen a bag burn!

Wishing all of you and yours Happy Holidays!

God bless us...every one!

                                               Enjoy these special days,
                                                           Robyn

Day Ten

There is nothing like the glow of a candle...every evening we light several around our home. It is especially lovely at Christmas time.

I love the patterns that dance on the walls when this very old lantern is lit. It does, however, have one drawback...it's a bit "pungent"...o.k....it smells...like a campfire. But...I fire it up anyway...and it only happens after I blow the candle out...and only for a short time. The beautiful pattern makes it worth it.

It does make me wonder where this little tin beauty spent its time before it came to our home.


                                                      Enjoy the day,
                                                          Robyn

Day Nine

  

Way back in 1994, I made this tree skirt and this runner from old wool blankets. I still love the look of them...especially the red and brown combo. They have become part of our Christmas tradition.

                                                              
                                    "All hearts come home for Christmas"  

                                                       Enjoy the day,
                                                           Robyn

Day Eight

 A few random shots of Christmas

                                                              Birds....

                                                                  

and angels...

and Santa

                                            
                                                   ...and RED tulips!
              
                ****************************************************************************

                    
 I must have been a very good girl because...

...yesterday this wonderful box of goodies arrived at my house from Suzan of "old grey mare". It is full of lovely creations...a cone with a little tree, gift tags and a very handsome snowman.

 I was lucky enough to join her terrific blog...and won this milestone follower gift.

Once again, Suzan...many thanks!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Day Seven

 Shooner redware is one of my favorite things. This tiny Belsnickle is on the shelf in my kitchen, next to my father's baby cup. This shelf holds several small Shooner plates and a few small Belsnickles.

                                                            
 I love this fraktur angel and would like to hook him some day. These santas are small... only three to four inches tall.

                                  

                    If like me, you are a drinker of those fancy Christmas coffees, but are not a fan of the high cost and even higher calorie count...here's a little treat.....................

                                      
 This is what I've been using for fuel lately. The coconut milk eggnog is not as thick and creamy as usual stuff...but it has a lot fewer calories and zero cholesterol...zero! I put it in my morning coffee and throw in two of the peppermint taffies and I'm good to go. It is so yummy! I'm hooked and have started hoarding the nog because it is a seasonal item. Now that crunch time is here I'll be downing this stuff all day!

                                                         Enjoy the day,
                                                             Robyn

Day Six

This handsome fellow keeps me company while I hook...he's tattered, and torn, and noble...and the very best tobacco color.

Sorry to say I have done little hooking lately...but a new year is coming...Resolution #1

...and the view isn't bad either...I see red!

Enjoy the day,

 Robyn

Day Five

                                                
                I am not normally a fan of glitter on my flowers...but something about this beautiful poinsettia said...take me home.

                                                                      
                            Just the right amount of "bling", don't you agree?

                                                                            
                                      A little fancy here and there is good.
                  

                                                          
                                                          Enjoy the day,
                                                              Robyn

Day Four

                                                        
                                                       Plain and simple...

          Enjoy the day,
          Robyn

Day Three...a few of my dollies

Her are a few of the dolls I make for a little shop in Dade City. I try to use early fabric and hand sew as much as possible.

I don't use patterns, so each doll is one of a kind.

Boxed up and ready to go find new homes.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Day Two

A few random shots around the living room today. Like many of you, I collect stone fruit. The colors are so gorgeous...especially in candle light. One of the best deals I ever got was three pieces for a dollar each...don't you love it when that happens!

                                                      
  This little fellow came from Germany and is in very good condition. My heritage is Pennsylvania German and I am always happy when I find a candy container I can actually afford.        

                                                           
We are book people. A few years ago we had bookcases built in the living room because we had books stacked everywhere. I still have several shelves to display goodies but the books seem to be multiplying.

Around the same time, I slipcovered my wing chairs and couch in white duck. I wanted a less formal look and I knew I couldn't just start over...I brought the look "down" with slip covers, a simple linen swag curtain, and stoneware lamps. At Christmas time I bring out the red wool blankets I've collected for years...just can't get enough of that red!

See the tree? Still not completely decorated...a work in progress.

                                                                    

                                                                            


                                                               Enjoy the day,
                                                               Robyn

Twelve Days of Christmas...Day One

Good Morning!

Over the next twelve days, I will be posting photos of our home decorated for Christmas. I hope you will drop in and say hello.

The sign above came from an inn in New Hampshire. It is large...36x14...and hangs on our sunporch...the room where we spend most of our time. It's a bit of a mess right now so you'll see it later on the tour.

Looking into the dining room from the sunporch.

Dining room

...a new toy

...a peek at the living room.

We have lived in this little house for twenty two years. It was suppose to be our "starter" home but over the years we have become quite attached to it and stopped even thinking about ever leaving. It has a traditional look...something you don't see often in Florida. We have two beautiful live oaks in our front yard, and the land our subdivision is built on was a pine forrest so huge, old pines are everywhere.

We have made many changes to our home over the years and made many memories here...it is truly home.

Hope to see you tomorrow for Day Two.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn