Antique Blue Monday

Over the past few Blue Mondays I've been viewing everyone's interesting pictures of antique china. Pictures of blue glass, blue plates and bowls, blue patterned cups 'n saucers, bunnies, and blue candy dishes; so I thought you would enjoy seeing this elegant blue/white china pattern for my today's Blue Monday entry.

Can you imagine what was served in the gold edged tureen? Soup? Or maybe a hunter's rabbit stew? Notice the silver candlesticks with beeswax candles. And the old glass stemware resting on a white damask tablecloth.

The dining room table is set permanently for a formal dinner in this Regency-style cottage built in 1837. It's now a historic museum. The waves of Lake Ontario used to lap at the end of the garden, but today a highway stands between the property and the water. The name of the house is Colborne Lodge, and it's located in High Park on the west side of Toronto.

More Blue Monday photos and stories can be found by visiting:

http://www.smilingsally.blogspot.com/.

Don't forget to leave a comment.

Tickle Me Pink Saturday

Give a gal a single Pink Rose and if she knows a smidgen about the language of flowers she'll get the message. She'll know you're talking "pure love". We all know that true love can have its ups and downs, its happy and painful moments. The rose has been chosen as one of the flowers to symbolize true love. Its sharp thorns contrasting with soft velvet petals and sweet perfume conveys a mixture of pain and pleasure.

When was the last time you received a rose? Tell me its color and I'll tell you its meaning.



A tickle me pink ball gown made of pink feathers. Would you wear it? Maybe if you're going to a costume ball as a pink Cinderella going to meet the prince. Or Gypsy Rose Lee. Remember her? One thing's for certain, heads will turn when you make your entrance. Now give us a bump and grind and don't forget to comment.

Two little bears--one chocolate, one vanilla--all snugly, submerged in a swirl of pink feathers. Oh, so warm and toasty on a cool November Pink Saturday. Don't you want to scoop them up and take them home?

Before you dash off, leave me a comment and then visit Beverley for more Pink Saturday. http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com.

Orchids

Orchids grow in almost all parts of the world. Some species cling to cold mountainous cliffs where clouds drench them in dewy mists. Others hide out on the shores of secluded Canadian Lakes. The orchids that we consumers are more familiar with are the orchids raised by florists. They are the tropicals, the epiphytic orchids that grow on the rough bark of trees in steamy rain forests. The cattleya orchid is one of these (see photo). In the Language of Flowers the orchid's meaning is Beauty.

Delightful Daisy

The DAISY IN FLOWER LANGUAGE means: Innocence.

When ordering flowers, ask the florist to include daisies in a bouquet or floral arrangement. This charming and simple flower is especially suitable for celebrating a new birth. The pristine white petals of the daisy and its sunny yellow center is perfect for all occasions. Folk legends associate the flower with children. If you are looking for the perfect birthday bouquet to take to a young child's birthday party, choose daisies.

Here is Some Daisy Lore:

American daisy flowers originated from the Engish daisy, a much smaller flower. The settlers brought daisy seeds with them to America. Soon the flowers sprang up in newly plowed farm fields. They spread and became so numerous people began to call them weeds. Cows would chow down on them resulting in bitter tasting milk.

In Sweden people are rather fond of the daisy. To them, the daisy's white petals reminded them of the stiff white collar worn by their church ministers. So they called the flower "priest's collar".

Daisy used to be a popular name given to girls. Families with lots of girls often named them after flowers: Daisy, Rose, Violet, Iris, Pansy, etc.

Remember the old song A Bicyle Built For Two?: "Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true, I'm half crazy all for the love of you." The flower was also used by lovers to divine faithfulness by plucking the petals one by one while saying, "she loves me, she loves me not".

Poppies For Veterans Day

This photograph showing scarlet red poppies resting on a soldier's jacket
is titled "In Memory". Remembering our veterans past and present
this November 11, 2008.

Remember to thank a veteran and his/her family this Veterans Day. Flowers, especially poppies, symbolize our feelings as we remember brave soldiers fallen in war.

Wear one of the little artificial poppies the Legion sells. Pin it on the left side of your jacket to honor and aid our vets on Veterans Day--Lest We Forget. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War 1914-1918. November 11 is also known as Poppy Day, Remembrance Day, and Armistice Day in countries all over the world. So, thank a vet with flowers this Veterans Day.

Flanders Fields is a region on the French-Belgian border where the scarlet red flower grows like weeds in farmer's fields. Many of the fallen are buried there. Do you recall the poem "In Flanders Fields"? Many of us memorized it as schoolchildren.

MORE ABOUT POPPIES:

Iceland Poppies are a popular perennial. Gardeners find this long-blooming plant the best for color variety. The little black seeds that bakers sprinkle on top of rolls are poppy seeds. Decorating buns and bread with poppy seeds goes back to Roman times.

Visit the Website of the Royal Canadian Legion for their tribute to our veterans.

Blue Houses

How would you like to live next door to this house? Or across the street? If you did, every time you look out your window to check on the weather, you'll get an eyeful of three shades of blue. Toronto has its share of unusual looking homes. I think this one should be on the TV show called "Weird Homes".
Did I hear you say you like the house? That's OK. After all, it's Blue Monday. Wait. . .before you decide, here's Blue House # 2.

I'm not sure what the white spear over the entrance symbolizes. Could it be a warning of what could await you upon entering? (lol). That's a mighty sharp point!

The blue houses--# 1 and #2--stand next to each other and, whenever I drive past, I think How Mysterious. Who lives there and why did they paint both houses blue? Notice also there are no flowerbeds. Unusual. Could it be that flowers planted in front could hinder the curb appeal? I have fun pondering over the blue houses and hope someday to learn more about them.

Want more Blue Monday fun photos? See them at: http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/. Happy Blue Monday folks.

Be sure to drop by tomorrow, Tues. Nov. 11th, to remember a vet on Veterans Day.

Haunted Pink Saturday

For Halloween, I went on a group ghost tour to get in a spooky mood. One of the haunted stops was the Elgin Theatre on Yonge Street in downtown Toronto. I took this photo of the stage and the fire curtain, a lovely rose-pink color for Pink Saturday.

Our tour guide, who was very entertaining, told us about a theater patron who, back in 1924, became ill during a performance. Probably back then the show was either a silent movie or a vaudeville act. According to his story, the lady left her seat and made her way to the rest room. Still feeling ill, she decided to go home. Unfortunately, she didn't make it and died in the elevator. Ever since then the elevator has a reputation for doing strange things, like stopping between floors. The guide believes that Elevator #1 is haunted.

Want to know more about the theatre? Lots of information available. Do a Google Search here on the blog. For more Pink Saturday photos click on the Pink Saturday button or visit:
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com.

Wednesday's Flower - Anemone

I'm already planning next year's flowerbeds and am reserving a spot for this beauty, an Anemone. Fell in love with it when visiting Sandra's garden and took this photo. The native people called the wildflower "Daughter of the Wind" when they observed it dancing in the breeze. (from anemos "wind") .

Anemone is a tall plant--grows to about waist high. It has been cultivated as garden flowers. They are available at your local nursery. Look for them in the spring.

IN THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS: anemones have a few different meanings:
Expectation (Waiting to see you), Forsaken (Hey, why did you drop me?), and Frailty (let me take care of you).

So, next time you order a bouquet from the florist, ask that anemone be included in the bunch. You'll be sending a hidden message to the recipient. (Order flowers On Line on the Google Custom Search Box).

Greek mythology has a sad tale about anemone. Also, there are predatory animals called Sea Anemones. Check it out on Google Custom Search, here on the blog. Have a great Wednesday!

Blue Monday Handbag

I met the young lady in a shop when we were checking out our purchases at the same counter. My eye was drawn to her trendy handbag with a name--"Baby Phat". Since it was blue and she was dressed in faded blue jeans and a light blue jacket, I told her I take photos of things blue. I think she thought I was a batty old thing, but she got in the spirit of Blue Monday and I snapped the photo. For more Blue Monday fun, click the Blue Monday button. Or visit our hostess Smiling Sally at http://www.smilingsally.blogspot.com.

Pink Saturday Shopper

I admired this gentleman's bright pink sweater and thought what a nice contrast it made with the lime green bananas he was reaching for in this photo.

I wish more men had the nerve to wear vibrant colors. Does having grey hair give a guy more courage? Is he saying to the world, look I don't care what you think, I've always liked pink and it suits me so I'm wearing it shopping. And, after I get these bananas, I'm buying a bouquet of pink roses for my wife.

Red Wine and Apples: All Hallow's Eve

Red Wine and Apples: All Hallow's Eve

A marvelous History of Halloween.

A Spooky Fun Display

I read that a lot of folks want to dress up like Sarah Palin for Halloween. Oh, come on now, she's really not that scary. I think this young glamorous mom in the photo-- with her friend in the tree and the "baby" in the carriage-- wins the prize for scariness. Look closer, it's a mannequin and she's part of a fun lawn display that a freaky neighbor creates every year. And it's all in fun folks. Don't fall for the nonsense that the Toronto District School Board is trying to foist upon us. They want to change the name to Black and Orange Day! What's next--Green and Red Day for Christmas? I hope not.

I snapped a photo of this doorway to get you in the mood for the big night. This particular house has the best display I've seen anywhere. They've also done up the front lawn with ghostly things that dangle from trees and have lots of bats on strings twirling in your face, and skeletons in open coffins, you name it. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!