Monday, July 8, 2013

Spending Time with the Granddaughters

My granddaughters, Brooke and Isabella, have been staying with me since Saturday night. We've watched four American Girl movies together, which I enjoyed as much as they did.

Today they wanted to go to the swimming pool and water slide, so I took some reading materials along to keep myself occupied while they played in the water.

One of the books in my book bag was Mrs. Sharp's Traditions.  It was a gift from my daughter-in-law in 2006.  Originally published in 1990, it was revised and republished in 2001.  Mrs. E.F. Sharp is an imaginary character brought to life by author Sarah Ban Breathnach's imagination, after she acquired a trunkload of Victorian women's and children's magazines from an antique store. It is Mrs. Breathnach's hope that the customs and traditions of the bygone Victorian era can be revived through Mrs. Sharp's inspiration.  


In the forward the author relates that every antique shop contains remnants of  domestic life from those who've lived before us... the evidence of traditions from another time.

During Mrs. Sharp's era, nurturing a family and pursuing the domestic arts of cooking, decorating, handicrafts, and family recreational activities were not burdens, but a woman's most rewarding achievements. 

And as you might guess, tea is mentioned in the book - "Ceremonials for Common Days."   Maybe the girls and I will have a tea party tomorrow.


"Memory is the library of the soul."

It's a great book full of activities for family fun, based on the premise that if you want to make the world a better place, you must start with your own home.


6 comments:

  1. How special to have your two Granddaughters over! I've never seen an American Girl movie. My only Granddaughter never really was interested in the dolls. Hope you have a tea party with your girls soon!
    Hugs..Nancy

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  2. I think a tea party for your girls is a great idea! My granddaughter (and her mommy) visited me over the weekend, and she had great fun playing with my plastic tea set. At 14 months, she's not quite ready for tea parties yet, but we are setting the stage for the future!

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  3. Oh wow, someone gave me a copy of that book years ago but I've never really read it! Must go look through my shelves and find the mentions of tea!

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  4. I do believe I have this book somewhere, but haven't looked at it in a long time. Thanks for the reminder. I need to find it and read again.

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  5. Enjoy this precious time! Makes me homesick, in a good way.

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  6. Enjoy your special time with the granddaughters!

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