Christmas Turnip

The Kiss of Death for me (besides men wearing aftershave!) is the red double heart on the spine of a library book that says:  romance.

Because, let's face it, I have enough that doesn't happen to me without finding out that my bodice will ne'er be ripped and my heaving bosom shall remain, well, heaving.

Generally, when I indulge in the guilty pleasure of a romance novel my suspension of disbelief suffers a serious poke in the eye from the first pages.  How any of these things could happen just strikes me as beyond absurd.  And all with legs shaved, plump raspberry lips and a man whose visage rivals that of the Greek gods.  Oh, and he's rich and loyal, too.

  Right. 

Which is why, when I picked up Lauren Willig's The Mischief and the Mistletoe (based solely on how taken I was with the cover art-judge a book, much, Mimi?) I had no great expectations.

But I do adore Austen so I thought it would be fun to have a light Christmas read.

Well, let me tell you, I couldn't have been more wrong about those red double hearts!

It is proving to be a most delightful read!

A Victorian Yuletide setting, characters you dearly want to become friends with and some razor sharp, tongue-in-cheek humor that will keep you reading to the last page and sighing because it came to an end!

Oh, and simply begging Turnip to escort you to the next Frost Fair!

If you are taken with Austen and hilarious characters and long for the smell of a sticky Yule pudding......

read this book:  now!  :)

There are many more Willig books in this, the Pink Carnation Series.....and I can't wait to read them all!

Actually, I must read them all as I can't bear to leave this wonderful Victorian world that 

Willig has brilliantly created!

Oh, and why Christmas Turnip?

Well, you'll have to read and find out for yourself!  ;)

Trust me....Turnip will make you fall in love with him on every single page!

(Really, who doesn't adore a man who has embroidered pink carnations on his waistcoat.....?)

;)

Merry, Merry!

And a Happy Christmas read!

Much love,

Mimi

Hoarfrost

Hoarfrost

by Fox c. 2012

I bear in memory 

strolling Yule streets

sodden hem stiffening with rime clinging to boots

packages tucked in my old basket

some freshly wrapped in brown paper from the shops

an enchanted evergreen bough brushed my cheek 

as I passed Old Willf selling chestnuts

 on the street corner

and I wished it were you.

created for Mr. Knowitall's

G-man 55

FRIDAY 55

and

submitted to

REAL TOADS

Imaginary Garden with Real...Dolls.....

MUNDANE

Once, long ago, when I was very young,

I was told to put my imagination away.

It won't do , they said, to speak of fantastical things;

of dancing with goats and a yellow dog which sings.

And hats are not for ponies as that is very strange.

 The rules say you must be ordinary. 

Silent.

Normal, like us.

My brother paid me a dollar not to speak.

I took it.

~MF 2012

Today's REAL TOADS challenge is a Doll Challenge and what wonderful dolls they are!

I was drawn to the particular doll pictured here-absolutley LOVE the creativity of the artist!- but I urge you have a wee peek at the rest of the creations over at Real Toads-and some of the writing they inspired as well.

How magical that they they will be infused with this special life!

Thank you so much for sharing!

Have a creative day!

~Mimi

REAL TOADS

Hi, my name is Mimi......

Hi, my name is Mimi and I am a Vintage Lace Addict.

Yep.  And I don't want to stop, either.  

Rehab would do me no good.  ;)

Discovered this lovely piece (in my size!) yesterday at the thrift store.

It never ceases to amaze me the sorts of things people will part with.

I intend to pass from this world buried under a pile of fragile, yellowed, beautiful lace.

You will need to pry it from my cold, dead, vintage lace-mitted hands.

But in the meantime, I intend to wear it!

All of it!

As much and as often as possible!

Thankfully, because of my lifestyle and the nature of my work, I have (and create!)

many. many opportunities to wear my treasures!

Though I will have to wait until the winter passes to give this baby an airing I'm happy to know she'll be waiting to be shown off to the world once again!

And I intend to do her proud!

Now the search is on to find the perfect Victorian rose fabric to create a bustle to match the accessories!

Ain't vintage life grand?

:)

(boots non-vintage/hand sewn chapeau by Hatty Bunratty (which is me!)

Have a lovely day my kindred vintage hunters!

And may you find beautiful things to love!

xoxo

Desire

I want someone

to draw me like a French woman

and at long last

capture the pirate in my soul

Well, now I have.......

Well, I said I never would.....

and now I have.

The Journal of Violet Moorfields

Are you ready?

Enjoy!

The Willow Manor Ball 1812

THE WILLOW MANOR BALL

hosted by the creative Tess Kincaid from The Mag

You can read all about her FABULOUS Ball here

Willow Manor Ball 2012

ENJOY!

********

Taken from The Lost Journals of Violet Moorfields

For persons and events leading up to this e'en

What Happened at the Willow Manor Ball 2011

A few weeks ago

Violet Returns?

And so.........

October 28, 1812

Dear Diary,

The Day dawns!  

Restless night.  So excited about the Willow Manor Ball I could scarcely sleep!

Met the most wonderful and original persons of quality last year and am so much looking forward to their 

company once more!  It is strange, being alone here in this mansion, with only dear Runcible, my faithful friend and loyal houseman.

Started the morn with a lovely little tea party to fortify my spirits for the coming e'en.

Naught like elevensies with good friends to calm ones tattered nerves!

The Ball this year is said to be masquerade!

What fun!

Though I did have to turn down the kind offer of a loan from the twins, who reside 

in the cabin at the edge of the property.

One does hate to appear ungrateful......but, really, I don't see *how* my newly coiffed hair could accommodate such a look.

I don't think they were happy with my decision.....but it was hard to tell.......

I am thinking, black.  Yes, mysterious black for garb!

Runcible gave me a nod of approval.  He has always been partial to the darker hues.

I am so twitter-pated o'er my look that I scarcely feel a part of this world!

Yes.  I do believe this masque will do!

Date cancelled.  With very little proper warning, I might add.

Something regarding his sister and his *sick mother*

Oh, please.  Do spare me the excuses.

It is probably just as well since I haven't room in my life for a Mamma's boy.

Transport seems always an issue, what with being so far out in the country.

However, the Morose brothers, Jebadiah and Samuel, agreed to see me to the manor party.

Though it *did* seem to take us an age to arrive.

I blew kisses to Runcible and promised to be home.....early!

(Runcible is *such* a worry-wart when I am out on a jaunt!)

,

I arrived at the front gates and made my way in.

Tess does keep a lovely garden!

The party was already in progress!

It was a glorious affair!

Mister Linky, the doorman, kindly took my name and showed me in.

Everyone was having a wonderful time.  One family even brought their goat!

So adorable!

The magic show was amazing!

It left me quite breathless!

How *do* they accomplish such feats?

Dreadful!   There is a  rumor circling of a Bottom Pinching Chicken about the party!

And I fear to break the news.......he may have friends........  (*giggle*)

And so, danced on and on into the night as the Absinthe flowed............

Oopsie.

And so, the clock strikes midnight, signaling the end of yet another magical e'en...........

The Willow Manor Ball leaves me feeling somehow.....enchanted!

As though I am of another world..........

Thank you, Tess, for a magical time.............

I feel as though I shall dance on and on into the night.........

love, Violet

# FACEBOOK STATUS UPDATE

OCTOBER 28, 2012
Hey Guys-  Absolutely will not be able to make the Ball.
First, my invitation was somehow lost.  I found it underneath the pillows in the guest room of all places!  Then, apparently we've had a break in.  My china tea set was strewn about and every single gown I own left on my bedroom floor! 
My mask has completely gone missing!
And if that's not enough, there's crashing coming from the shed at the edge of the property
so we probably have a raccoon in there or worse, a skunk.....   *sigh*
The electric is flickering in and out, probably from this upcoming storm.
I called the guy to come look at it and they sent out a polite, rather well dressed man.
He's gone upstairs and hasn't come back down yet.  
He has very good posture.  lol
Can't imagine how much this is going to cost, but it's my own fault for moving into this old mansion in the middle of nowhere.   :p 
Hope you are all having a wonderful time.....(*sigh*)
Hey!  Remember last year when I found that old journal?  THAT's missing, too........ 
Oh...BBL......that electric guy is coming down the stairs.......
Have fun at the party!  Be safe!
*hugs*   Mimi
ps.  Why do you guys keep messaging me about chickens?