Saturday, July 31, 2010

Busy as a Bee

I'm back. I had a really relaxing time away. The spa was fantastic. I got the most wonderful facial. My skin feels awesome. It was hard to come home but at least I'm refreshed and ready to start my week off with 110%. I'm eager to visit all of you and see what you've been up to while I've been gone.

I had to run to the grocery store and picked up the best honey, Savannah Bee Co. This is fabulous honey. And I really like the bottle. It's perfect for a unique gift. Who doesn't love honey? I've been putting it in my fruit smoothies and substituting it in my tea instead of sugar. Yummy!



I was thinking of putting a little bee theme gift basket together for a friend of mine. As I started clicking away on the computer I came across these little bee treasures. Aren't they great? I love bees. My favorite are the Royal French Bee. After living a few years in New Orleans they sort of stuck with me. Anyone else a bee or honey lover?






Wednesday, July 21, 2010

One Moment Please.....




One of the best things we can do for ourselves is rest. Sometimes I just need to slow down and catch my breath. I'm going to take a little break from blogging and catch up on my rest. I've started by scheduling a little "ME" time at the spa. I hope that you all are enjoying your summer and I look forward to catching up when I get return.









"Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

"Show me a worrying person and I will show you a person who does not know how to releax." ~Albert E. Cliffe

"Take rest, a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." ~Ovid

Saturday, July 17, 2010

More Fashion

I found this collage that I really like. The 1920's fashion theme is beautiful. However, I would do things a little different. I used this as my inspiration.

Wouldn't this make the perfect summer outfit for a casual afternoon picnic or outing?









Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Historical Home Wednesday - Six

This afternoon I have chosen to make Historical Home Wednesday on the Nemours Mansion. Oh my goodness. This is truly a magnificent estate. The Nemours Mansion makes my top 10 favorite homes in the United States. Not only is the mansion itself incredible but the gardens and ground that surround it are just as amazing. Once you finish reading my post you'll know what I'm talking about.



The Nemours Mansion was created by Alfred du Pont in 1909. He got the name "Nemours" from his great-great-great grandfather, Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours, a French nobleman, writer, economist, and government official. Pierre was also the father of Eleuthere Irenee du Pont, founder of E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company. E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, commonly referred to as DuPont, is an American chemical company founded in 1802. They specialize in gun powder and is currently the world's second largest chemical company in the world.

Dupont Gunpowder Wagon



Eleuthere Irenee du Pont had fled France with his family to United States during the French Revolution. In 1802, he used capital raised by importing gunpowder machinery from France. He started his company only two years after he migrated to Delaware and started a mill, Eleutherian Mills, where he manufactured gunpowder. He noticed a market of gunpowder in North America and quickly became successful after marketing to the U.S. military. He became extremely wealthy during the Civil War by supplying large amounts of gunpowder to the Union Army. Yes, my Southern friends, he helped the Yankees. What can I say, he's French. Today the Eleutherian Mills is considered a National Historic Landmark and can be visited by the public.

Photo of E.I. duPont founder of DuPont company



Alfred DuPont was the middle child and first male of five children to Eleuthere Irenee du Pont II and Charlotte Shepard Henderson. His father was the son of the infamous Eleuthere Irenee du Pont who founded the family's gunpowder company. Alfred often accompanied his father to the mill and on business trips. At age 13, both parents became ill and died within a month of each other. When the relatives planned on splitting Albert and his siblings up the children refused and armed themselves with guns, axes, and rolling pins. Their relatives agreed not to split them up but sent them off to boarding school instead.

Photo of Alfred DuPont




Alfred studied mathematics, chemistry, shopwork, and German. He was an excellent boxer and became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at MIT. In 1884, he went into the family's business of manufacturing gunpowder. He started in the lowest postion and eventually worked himself up as the nation's top powder men. He himself registered over 200 patents for the company.

Alfred married Bessie Gardner in 1887. They had four children. They traveled to Europe a lot at the request of the U.S. Amy's request. He was eventually promoted to the assistant superintendent of the Hagley and Lower Yards. In 1902, upon the death of Eugene du Pont (President). Alfred was proposed that he become the chairman, but the other directors considered him too young (he was 38) and inexperienced. In fear of the company being sold Alfred enlisted his cousins for help. They had no cash, but surrendered their shares to reorganize the company. The young men were able to save the company.

I'm not sure why but Alfred divorced his first wife, Bessie, in 1906, and married Mary (Alicia) Heyward Bradford, the following year. As if that wasn't scandalous enough, she was his second cousin and a divorcee with a child whose husband worked at the factory. Most of the family frowned at his behavior and fell out of their good graces. Alfred and Alicia had three children but only one survived infancy.

Alfred ignored the criticism and gossip and catered to his new bride. He built her an outstanding new home in 1910. It built upon 300 acres in Wilmington, Delaware, five story mansion, 77 rooms, 47,000 sq ft, with a huge library. The estate was named Nemours Mansion.







Can you imagine entertaining in this house? It's more like a museum than a house.













I would love to get my hands on this car. Oh, what a wonderful vintage Rolls Royce. I'm going to have to go with late 20's or early 30's. I'm not positive but by the grill and headlights I know it can't be earlier than 1925. One thing I know for sure, it's a beautiful car.





Thanks for stopping by and sharing in my love for Historical Home Wednesday.





Monday, July 12, 2010

Safari


I'm completely envious of a great couple we know. They just returned from an African safari. Oh, I've been dying to go on a trip to Africa ever since I was a little girl. My great aunt lived there for two years and brought back all sorts of pictures, wooden carvings, and stories. She was an English Professor and taught at one of the private schools many years ago.

I've also had other friends who have taken the opportunity to travel to Africa. Not a single person has returned with a negative report. We actually have a dear friend from South Africa that lives in Houston. I adore his charming accent and love to visit him. He's such a joy and has so many interesting stories the foreign country. I've already told my husband that I want him to take me on a African safari for our 10th Anniversary. Oh, I could only imagine seeing the elephants and antelopes roaming through the plains. I always thought that the Texas Hill Country sort of looked like the African plains. At least from the pictures I've seen of Africa. However, the only thing you'll see in the Texas Hill Country plains is a Longhorn or cow, LOL.






Now this is what I call tent camping! Our friends told us that the luxurious tents come with everything you would find in a hotel room, equipped with A/C, down comforters, the works. This is the type of camping a gal can get use to, LOL.






Friday, July 9, 2010

Vintage Summer Fashions




I really love the fashion style of the twenties and thirties. I love the hats, gloves, jewelry, etc.























What fashion era do you love? My other favorite era of fashion would have to be the fifties? The dresses are to die for.