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Thursday, April 9, 2020

Hard Times





Dickens wrote, "The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again."  This is just one of the inspiring quotes found at this link of twenty beautiful quotes by Charles Dickens on kindness and gratitude at Goalcast.com. We are reminded of so much we are grateful for in these times and at this season. And it has been so wonderful to hear from old friends over the last few days of blogging. So many of us feeling and experiencing the same things. 



 It's been good therapy to put a little post together too. I was lucky enough to find these adorable little flower pot napkin rings at a thrift shop long ago. I only learned later that they were originally from Pottery Barn. They are my favorite for spring. I'm a big proponent of "use what you have." Probably more because I get attached to things than because of being frugal. But lets face it. If you are a collector like I am you already have plenty to choose from.





These sweet bunny plates get so much attention whenever I post them. They are from a long past season by Magenta and sometimes turn up on Etsy or Ebay. I really enjoy them at Easter or other special occasions. Who doesn't love a dressed up bunny? And the lettering takes them over the top.





I use my everyday things for every different holiday, only dressing things up with accessories like flowers, cards, and natural elements found right outside and which change with the seasons. I already take up so much storage with china and linens that not much room is left over for strictly seasonal decorations! I did a big purge of a lot of Christmas decor this year and I'm so glad.




For a while, at least for now, we can follow the old adage:

Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
or Do without.

 Calvin Coolidge was quoted as saying “Eat it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do without” (Later, the phrase became more popular with, “Use it up.”)

Here's a great link from My Joy Filled Life of forty ways to do just that.






If you're looking for something of substance to read this week, try Hard Times by Dickens. It's free to read online in its entirety by the Project Gutenberg at this link. Maybe you want to just take a peek at it. It's the shortest Dickens novel which he wrote in his own hard times. Sales of his weekly periodical were low, and he hoped this novel, released in installments, would increase circulation. And it worked! A synopsis is found at goodreads here.

Ruskin said that "Hard Times should be studied with close and earnest care by persons interested in social questions."






  There are also interesting quotes from Hard Times on goodreads at this link like the following:

“Do the wise thing and the kind thing too, and make the best of us and not the worst.”
― Charles Dickens, Hard Times






So here we all are just trying to make the best of things. 

The best of us. By being home.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Jacqueline

PS Thanks to those whose comments are still not posting or have no links back to answer. You must log in with Chrome to leave a comment. Thank you!



13 comments:

  1. I love your Easter tables-cape. This is so beautiful and uplifting. I hope that we are all learning to "eat it up, use it up and wear it out. Thank you and happy Easter.

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  2. Love the bunny plates. I found mine a few months ago on “Mercari”

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  3. So glad to see your sweet post and know that you are o.k. during these difficult times. Love all the precious Easter plates and linens. Take good care xx

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  4. What a lovely gathering of pictures. I am lusting over the bunny plates, they are wonderful I have never seen any like them before. Thank you for sharing all of this loveliness with us.

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  5. Those flower pot napkin rings are so adorable. I always enjoy your posts. Stay safe and well. Happy Easter!

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  6. I always smile when your email comes in that you have a post. Love seeing the pretty always in your posts.
    Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Easter. Love those plates and little garden pot napkin rings.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  7. So lovely Jacqueline! You have surely lifted my spirits with your beautiful Easter post! I adore it all!

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  8. Lovely sentiment, and I love the napkin rings also. I love the neutrals and low key decorating for this holiday. We are so stressed, more just seems---frantic and desperate, and I'm not willing to go there. Have a great weekend! Sandi

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  9. Jacqueline,
    Such a lovely, serene and tranquil post.
    Perfect timing. . .in these hard times.
    You know how I love bunnies. . .and those plates are adorable!
    Easter blessing to you!
    Pat

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  10. Adorable post as ever...Happy Easter and Happy Pink Saturday!Congrats on your featured wonderful tea set.

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  11. Pretty post for Easter, Jacqueline. I especially like the bunnies on your table...they look real!! Have a blessed weekend. xo

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  12. I am so in love with your bunny plates. It's all just beautiful (as always) Jacqueline. I loved each photo and word.

    Hard times indeed. I will need to check out that book.

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