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Category Archives: America

Leaves, Susie Cooper and A Plate

In the front of the cookery book, Giving Thanks, that I used for one of yesterday’s recipes, I found some pressed leaves that I had collected in Massachusetts some years ago and had forgotten all about – a delightful surprise.

Having sent the Welsh dresser to the auction we have some sorting to do and decisions to make about what to keep and what to give away. I love both of these pieces, a Susie Cooper plate and one plate from a dinner service belonging to Mum and Dad. Susie Cooper China was one of the most successful and prolific designers that the UK ceramic industry has ever seen. Her career spanned from 1902 to 1995 and covered some of the most recognisable periods of the Twentieth Century.

Susie Cooper serving dish

No 7507

Mum and Dad sold the rest of this dinner service when somewhat impoverished but for some reason, this one is still with us. Perhaps someone will recognise the maker.

6 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on November 26, 2021 in America, New England, Photography, Postaday2021, Uncategorized

Tags: ceramics, Susie Cooper China

Reflections, Thanksgiving and Pecan Pie

25 Nov

What a beautiful start to my morning as we sang with this view of the Penryn River.

It’s Thanksgiving in the USA and in solidarity with family and friends in America, we cook up a storm of a Thanksgiving dinner using some family recipes. We’ve cooked a small turkey crown with and cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, using our beans and recipe from the book “Giving Thanks’ bought in Plimouth some years ago, mashed potatoes, kalettes with shallots and bacon, stuffing and gravy to be followed by Pecan Tart for pud.

Happy Thanksgiving to family in Atlanta, Hawaii, Seattle and Phoenix and friends in Flagstaff, Vermont and Sacramento. Also to all my blogging friends- Happy Days!

Pecan Pie

10 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on November 25, 2021 in America, baking, Celebration, Cornwall, environment, friendship, Happiness, Penryn, Photography, Postaday2021, Uncategorized

4th July and Pasty Party

04 Jul

Happy Independence Day to all our friends and family across the pond.

There was a Pasty Party this afternoon at the allotment, the first time all the allotmenteers have been able to gather together for many, many months. Here is my lovely neighbour delivering the orders.

We’ve had a lovely weekend with Daughter No 1. How precious these times are after such a long time apart.

1 Comment

Posted by mybeautfulthings on July 4, 2021 in America, Photography, Postaday2021, Uncategorized

Rhododendron, Bouquet and A Kachina

25 May

Walking up from town in the rain today, we were stopped in our tracks by this beautiful Rhododenron in a neighbour’s garden.

I picked this little bouquet in our Suffragette garden this afternoon to take to friends where we were planning on tea and cake in the garden. The rain drove us indoors yet again but we had a lovely time together. It’s so good to be able to spend happy times with friends again.

We’ve found a new place for one of our Kachina dolls. This one is a Cricket and we bought it in the Heard Museum in Phoenix in 2016. For more information on Kachinas, check out this post.

5 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on May 25, 2021 in Arizona, friendship, nature, Photography, Postaday2021, Uncategorized

Tags: Hopi Kachinas, Suffragette Garden

Camellia, Pears and A Proverb

29 Jan

The white Camellias on our walk are still lovely.

Also on our walk we came across this box of free apples and pears. We happily took some pears and this afternoon I have poached them in vanilla for desserts over the next few days.

Last time we were in Arizona (too long ago) I bought a little book of Native American Proverbs. I like the one on the cover and this one below (and many more ) from inside.

“Be kind to everything that lives.” Omaha

And, excellent news, I received my letter from the NHS today inviting me for my vaccine. I booked immediately and get my shot tomorrow and my 2nd dose on 18th April. Shortly after that I’ll be able to hug family if/when they can visit.

8 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on January 29, 2021 in America, Photography, Postaday2021

Tags: free food, Guy A Zona

Catkins, A Gift and A Happy Story

23 Jan

Catkins, a sign of Spring on our bright and brisk walk.

A friend popped round on her walk today so that we could swap books and she brought me some beautiful sea glass too. So, I now have new red glass and some sea glass and I need to get back to work.Thank you so much, H, much appreciated.

The following lovely story came my way today and I thought you’d like it too, Dear Reader.

3 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on January 23, 2021 in America, environment, Kindness, nature, Photography, Postaday2021

Tags: Joe Biden

Inauguration Evening Dress, Sky and Snowdrops

22 Jan

This beautiful embroidered dress is such a gentle reminder of the positivity and sincerity of the First Lady. I love too that she is a teacher.

The following is taken from a Facebook post this morning:
“Dr. Jill Biden’s Inauguration Evening Dress had flowers from all 50 States plus the US territories embroidered on it, with the flower of Delaware sewn near her heart and the other flowers branching out from it. What a lovely message from a lovely woman.

ETA: “Inside of the coat, representing the lifelong calling and service of Dr. Biden as an educator is a hand embroidery on the lining with a quote from Founding Father Benjamin Franklin:

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”’

The materials used were existing available fabrics to minimize the impact on the environment.”

Pictures from designer Gabriela Hearst. Jessica Bustamante

The skies were so beautifully blue today, the moon already risen and the apricity so lovely – until the black clouds came over and the hailstorm swirled around us with the sharp hail bits stinging our faces!

In St Euny Graveyard, on our route down Church Lane on the way to the Great Flat Lode, the Snowdrops are blooming.

9 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on January 22, 2021 in America, Cornwall, embroidery, environment, flowers, nature, Photography, Postaday2021, quotations

Tags: Delaware, Dr Jill Biden, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, Gabriela Hearst., Inauguration

Mittens, Storm and A Sticker

20 Jan

What a day! We watched the inauguration of Biden and Harris and found it very moving and full of hope for the future and we loved the poem, The Hill We Climb, by 22 year old Amanda Gorman, a ray of sunshine, from her words to her yellow coat, as my SIL said. You can find out more about this remarkable young woman here. Another lovely thing was seeing Bernie Sanders in his wonderful hand knit mittens.

“To anyone watching the U.S. Inauguration events today, I’d just like to point out this iconic knitwear moment, and also say that this photo is the Berniest thing that ever Bernied. No understated classic black leather men’s gloves for our Bernie Sanders — he went for warmth and practicality, and I bet he has the most comfortable pair of hands of anyone there.

Bernie Sanders’ chevron and diamond patterned mittens were made by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Essex Junction, Vermont. She gave them to him over two years ago and he began wearing them on the campaign trail during his run for presidential nominee. They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles.” Taken from a Facebook post by The Knitting Needle and the Damage Done.

Storm Christoph is far worse for our friends in the North, Here it is wet and windy but we have no flooding.Our Sailors’ Barometer has been overflowing to tell us that the storm has been overhead.

Our friend, who winter swims with her pals, The BlueTits, has this delightful sticker on her car as we saw on our walk today.

3 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on January 20, 2021 in America, Celebration, knitting, Photography, Postaday2021

Tags: Amanda Gorman, Cornish BlueTits, Inauguration, Jen Ellis, The Knitting Needle and the Damage Done.

Breakfast, Hugs and A Flag

13 Dec

Since our first visit to America some 40 years ago, I have loved their breakfast of waffles with maple syrup and crispy bacon. Now we have a waffle machine and I can make us that delicious breakfast!

These strange days when we aren’t allowed to hug – and we saw lots of friends yesterday in the market and delivering Christmas cards whom I wanted to hug – this turned up and says it all. In our heads and hearts, we are hugging with delight!

On our walk today, we saw an interesting flag comprising of several different flags. From the top left we identified the flag for Wales, then Scotland but what about the black and white stripy one? I think it’s the Breton flag. From the bottom left is Cornwall’s flag and the Isle of Man but the orange, white and green one? Wikipedia tells me that it is the flag of Ivory Coast. Seen from the other side, it would be green, white and orange, the flag of Ireland. Should one read a flag from the pole? Puzzling. Can anyone help? It would make sense for it to be Ireland, all the Celtic countries. Not sure about the swirly bit in the middle.

12 Comments

Posted by mybeautfulthings on December 13, 2020 in America, Food, friendship, Photography

Tags: Celtic flags, covid rules

Weeding, Rainbow Colours and Progress

08 Nov

We’ve spent several happy hours at our allotment today, weeding a bit more and planting some Osteospermum which we have had in pots at home over the summer.

The next door plot has some amazingly beautiful Rainbow Chard. I’m tempted to grow it just for the winter colour but neither of us like eating it so there doesn’t seem much point. We need to grow plants we like to eat!

These photos came my way today with the words: “Rosa sat so Ruby could walk, so Kamala could run. “So delighted by the election results in America, so relieved, so happy for all friends, family and citizens in the US. I especially love the last picture.