Miss Spenser's Blog

Today, Sunday, March 30, is Mothering Sunday in England. This day was originally a religious tradition originating from the 16th Century when people returned to their mother church or dioceses for service during the Lenten period. It was also known as Refreshment Sunday, wherein it was designated as a day of relaxation from the normal rigors of the Lenten season. Children and young people, who were indentured servants at the time, were allowed to return home on this day to visit their families. Many would pick wild flowers along the way to place in the church or give to their mothers. Over time, the religious tradition evolved into Mothering Sunday, a secular tradition that honors mothers with gifts, flowers, and cakes, much like our American holiday in May, Mother’s Day.  Today, we would like to send a “Happy Mum’s Day” to one of our sweetest English friends…Ilse Ridgway!   Here is a lovely picture of Ilse and her husband, Alan. As many of you know, we ...

This past week we celebrated two birthdays! Zachary turned 19 on Saturday, the 22nd... and  Chase turned 21 on Tuesday the 25th.  Where on earth did the time go?  (Notice Zach playing the "one-stringed" guitar!)  Those easy days of PJ’s until 10 a.m. and Barney are gone…  now mornings are filled with rushing around and getting to college classes on time. I DO love them being adults; I enjoy the interaction with them, but in looking back, I miss those early years. Funny how it is though, I remember thinking those early years as hard, I was always tired! Ha. A reminder to myself to enjoy each day as it comes…  Left to Right: Zach, Grayson, Chase, and Miss Spenser Zachary’s Birthday Cake:  Chocolate Kaluah Cake (Recipe from Cookbook Vol. 1)  Chase’s Birthday Cake: Cinnamon Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting Barney is our cake-topper tradition with Chase because he loved Barney so much as a lit...

Hills as green as emeralds Cover the countryside Lakes as blue as sapphires- And Ireland's special pride And rivers that shine like silver Make Ireland look so fair- But the friendliness of her people Is the richest treasure there . We had a fun-filled Irish Tea weekend! Look at what one of our guests brought us! Irish Soda Bread! My favorite!  I love soda bread ~ I could eat the whole loaf by myself! Happy St. Patrick's Day!  

Doesn't  this Father and Daughter warm your heart!  For Valentine's Day, this sweet father brought his little princess to tea! They were the most charming pair! Here are some pictures this father granted us permission share with all of you!  Mom and I thought this little girl would have been a perfect fit in our family ~ her freckles and all! But unfortunately, her daddy did want to give her up! haha! 

Here's a fun post on the actors of Downton Abbey! Some actors I hardly recognize in real life and others I'd recognize anywhere! Have fun seeing how many you can name!  Recognize her? (Hope so!)  Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary! How about her?  Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes! (I thought she was tricky!)  How about this Beauty? Laura Carmichael as Edith Crawley  (They've had her beauty hidden for many of the seasons, but I felt she got to shine more in Season 4!)  Recognize this beloved character?  Joanne Froggatt as the darling Anna Bates!  Can you guess who this is??  Cara Theobald as Ivy, the kitchen maid!  (This one took me a while!)  Who's this Fellow? You Guessed it! Mr. Molesley! (Kevin Doyle) Recognize this Little Lady???  Fun Loving (and a little mischievous) cousin Rose! (Lily James) Recognize thi...

Happy Valentine's Day Tea Friends! Look at this sweet Valentine's we received! I love that my mom has always made Valentine's Day more than just a day for lovers, but a day to celebrate love of all kinds! Family Love, Friendship Love, Animal Love, truly all kinds of love! Quotes are one of my favorite thing to collect! So here are some of my favorite quotes in honor of this day of Love! A hundred hearts would be too few To carry all my love for you. ~Author Unknown   I've fallen in love many times... always with you.  ~Author Unknown   My whole heart for my whole life.  ~French saying used on poesy rings   "If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden." ~Attributed to Claudia Ghandi A Few for my Furry Friends: "The poor dog, in Life the Firmest Friend, the First to Welcome, the Foremost to Defend"  ~ Lord Byron "A house is not a home without...