Teacups in the Garden

Friday, September 6, 2019

Classical Time Travelers-A New Homeschool Blog

I'm streamlining Teacups in the Garden, which means that I've started a new blog devoted to all things homeschooling: Classical Time Travelers!

I hope you like the new look over there! (hint-It's very Texan!)

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Laurie's Bespoke Fashions-A New Sewing Blog

My life has been full of changes, and with that comes changes to my blog. While streamlining this blog, I will be moving sewing posts to a new location, Laurie's Bespoke Fashions. Meanwhile I will also update photos (that were corrupted by my old account) and freshening things up.
Other new blogs are on the horizon.

Sunday, September 1, 2019

New HSLDA Online Academy Discount for the 2019-2020 Academic Year

Perfectly Planning Homeschool

Are you looking for more out of your high school curriculum? Online courses are a great way for your students to learn how to prepare for deadlines, develop friendships, and improve computer literacy, all without leaving home. HSLDA Online Academy, a division of HSLDA, offers live, interactive courses online as a way to encourage families to continue homeschooling through high school and help them prepare their students for success. The Academy offers 36 different courses in English, Math, Science, Foreign Language, History, Government, and more.

Each course is taught from a Christian worldview by experienced, Bible-believing instructors and includes a weekly live, interactive session with the instructor. This session allows students to ask questions about concepts that may be difficult for them to understand on their own, while encouraging accountability and self-discipline, and live sessions are recorded, giving your students the flexibility to catch up on any missed work. Classes are filling up quickly. HSLDA members save $50-$100 on tuition.
Do any of your students take classes through the HSLDA Online Academy? If so, you can get a discount by typing PTXVN2G in the "coupon" field.

Sunday, March 31, 2019

The Adventures of Das-Audi and Van-Go-The 2019 Edition

One of my favorite things to do is to go sightseeing to lands as of yet unexplored (at least by me). Most days that means I'm reading a book, but once in a while I actually get to go somewhere new. As much as I enjoy going to new places, I especially enjoy traveling through time.

My first adventure of 2019 happened to be my very first journey to Military through the Ages, a yearly event in Jamestown, Virginia. Stay tuned for more on that (I've got over 100 photos to process, but this should give you a hint into some of the fun.) I've got several stories to tell!

I shall also catalog the rest of our adventures here, my photo journal. Stay tuned!

Thursday, February 14, 2019

A Page for an 18th Century Valentine's

Once upon a time, John escorted the lovely Margaret to a dance. After he returned her home, he found her glove in the carriage which prompted an exchange of verses.

John wrote to Margaret:

"Taking 'G' from 'Glove' leaves 'Love'

Tis that I offer thee."

Margaret replied:

"Taking 'P' from 'Page' leaves 'Age,'

And you are too old for me."

A few months later they were married, during which time they continued to exchange verses.

And now for the rest of the story:

John Page grew up at Rosewell Plantation, which was considered the "Best House in Virginia" in the 18th century. He attended the College of William and Mary with Thomas Jefferson. Page served as governor of Virginia (1802-1805). Later he served in the US House of Representatives (1789-1797). He also served as Delegate to the Virginia Assembly (1781-1783, 1785-1786, 1788, 1797, 1800). From 1776-1779 he served as President of the Virginia Council of State.

Margaret Lowther was a poet from New York. She met John Page, a widower, when he served in Congress (then located in New York City) in 1790.

John Page was also a poet who wrote about political issues, such as Shay's Rebellion and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom).

After Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence, his friend from college, John Page, wrote, "We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs the strong?"

Last autumn I got to visit John Page's home of Rosewell Plantation. Read about his home and family, here.

Friday, January 4, 2019

Autumnal Harlequin Quilt Top

From November 2015...

For my October birthday, in 2015, I decided to quietly enjoy the day with some seasonal fabrics. I dug out all the autumnal colors to inspire me as I thumbed through my quilt books. My heart grabbed on to a certain Harlequin pattern...

This lovely batik became my focus fabric...

Then I agonized which colors to pull out for the other diamonds...

Firmly decided, it was time to sew! (Or should I change more colors around?) Decisions, decisions.

With the quilt top sewn, it was time to make the quilt sandwich...

Then the hand stitching to bind all the layers together began...

Before I knew it, it was Christmas. I put it away to work on the following autumn. I'm actually still handquilting this. It's a project that I now have stored away until autumn. How lovely to keep warm underneath while stitching away...

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Sewing Dresses, Tote Bags, and Hats in 2018:A Year in Review

With plenty of fabric in the stash, I resolved to end the agonizing of decision making and actually sew! All fabric and patterns were in the stash. I only needed to resupply various notions. I did sew a few other garments that I threw out in discouragement. Below are the ones I quite enjoyed sewing and wearing.

1960 Dress in Blue Embroidered Gingham ...dug out from the time vault