At Home With Venetia~ An Inspiring Program From Japan

Dear Friends,

When I am frazzled and need a little encouraging, I crave slow-paced, peaceful programs to calm my nerves. A few years ago I stumbled across this one from Japan, and it is my absolute favorite (and really the only) television program that I watch.

Venetia Stanley-Smith was born in England, but now resides in  Kyoto, Japan. She loves using herbs and natural fibers in her everyday life, and each episode features either a specific herb or local artisan.

I hope you will enjoy watching "Venetia," too!

Love,
Marqueta

A Most Happy Thanksgiving to You

Dear Friends,

It looks like this pilgrim isn't having a very enjoyable day, but I hope the same won't be said of you and yours! The image is from a Farmer's Wife magazine I purchased from eBay several years ago. I love reading old magazines and domestic manuals, to learn about the lives of women. It makes me feel like I've traveled back in time for a visit!

Love,

Marqueta

A Leafy Family Walk

Dear Friends,

The rains and winds have been sending all the lovely autumn leaves to the ground, so we knew it was time to take a walk to enjoy them before they were gone. The only rules were that you had to scuffle through the leaves as much as possible, and you had to collect the nicest leaves for your nature journal.

Some of us decided to ride scooters, which it turns out make great leaf scoops if you drag them behind you!

The sun made stained glass out of the leaves.

Nothing is as satisfying as the scent and sound of crunchy leaves underfoot!

Looks like the neighborhood has a new batch of kittens!

And finally, a photo of a photographer to end our leafy nature walk.

Love to you,

Marqueta

The Art Museum

Dear Friends,

Last weekend we had planned to go for a nature walk to enjoy the colors, but Mother Nature had other plans! It was drizzly and not nice for a walk, so we went to the local art museum instead.

They were having a display of photographs featuring servicemen from the Vietnam Era, which made us grateful for all the sacrifices made by others so we can enjoy the freedoms we have.

There were a few flowers hanging on in the grounds,

And a few colorful trees, in spite of the rain.

We enjoyed the "wonder room" display  of various collectibles and natural objects.

Thank goodness there was a little spot for children to play in, and explore books on art.

There were many works of "modern art" that made us feel better about our own art skills, but there were also beautiful original portraits of early Americans and landscapes that made us want to practice more~

Overall, we enjoyed spending time in peaceful, beautiful surroundings that others had made to honor those who create art, which is truly a gift from our Creator.

Love,

Marqueta