Old-Fashioned Victorian Home

This past Tuesday morning I set out on a day trip down the coast with my friend Karis and her mom. The weather was bright and warm and they let me get some driving practice in. We went to several fabric shops and enjoyed the beautiful colors and patterns!
Just about lunch time we stopped at an old Victorian house that Karis and her mom had seen on a previous trip. When I drove into the driveway I just stopped and stared. It's such a great big rambling place! Thankfully I brought my camera with me, but the battery was low so I only got pics of the inside.



The Captain Nickel House was built in 1874 by former sea Captain Albert Vinal Nickels for his wife Elizabeth and their 5 children (and they had 2 more children while living there). It was turned into an Inn in the 1980's and was very successfully used not only for tourist's Summer holidays but also for weddings and special events.

Besides being quite grand there are so many features about this house that makes it special. There are so many windows and a few are well preserved stained glass! A few large bay windows add charm to the two down stairs parlors, and the parlors also have marble fireplaces! Brick walk, huge front porch, horse figurine lamp posts, a bench, arbor and fountain featuring a statue of Triton. The gingerbread trim on the front porch and on the eves of the house have a flower and star design which is very unique.

In the backyard there is a rather large fountain and a path down to a small beach area. The view is lovely, a perfect setting for relaxation! The house has been for sale for about a year now, and before that it was rented out as apartments so the landscaping and some of the paint needs a bit of work. But the view of the harbor stretching out to the sea is spectacular!

Above is a view of the back of the house from the path that goes down to the beach. From this angle it looks a bit like a sea captains ship with the rounded three story veranda and widow's walk and cupola on top. Behind that great veranda is a spacious ballroom adorned with chandeliers beautiful wall sconces and polished wood floors.

I did get a chance to go inside this empty house and found that the previous renters left it in a bit of disarray. It does need some TLC! Even though we could never afford such a large place, my friend and I enjoyed entertaining the idea of fixing it up as a Bed & Breakfast and Conference Center. It would be so much fun to decorate the rooms and rent them out, and also open the Inn up for pastor's and missionary's families. The ballroom is the perfect size for Bible conferences, home church meetings, concerts, plays, contra dance balls, small weddings or birthday and anniversary parties! There are two parlors, two libraries, countless bedrooms and bathrooms, a huge kitchen and a great mahogany staircase.

We three ladies had such a special day and visiting the Captain Nickel House was the highlight of the day for me. It's so much fun to scheme and dream!

I love the above photo because I can just imagine a group or ladies in Victorian bonnets and bustles or a neatly groomed beau standing on that front porch waiting to call on the ladies of the house. I love old-fashioned things and Victorian homes just fuel my imagination! I even have a story idea brewing.

I pray you are having a blessed Lord's day!

Love,

Miss Laurie :)

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name,
O Saviour of mankind!

O Hope of every contrite heart,
O Joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah, this
Nor tongue nor pen can show:
The love of Jesus, what it is
None but His loved ones know.

Jesus, our only Joy be thou,
As Thou our Prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our Glory now,
And through eternity.

-Words: translated by Edward Caswall, 1849 from a Latin Hymn written in the Eleventh Century
-Music: by John B. Dykes 1866

Sorry I haven't posted lately. I've been working on a few period film reviews but haven't finished them yet. But yesterday I had a ladies day out driving and going to thrift stores. I found a lovely hymnal from the 1940's which is so full of lovely old hymns and just wanted to share one of those with you!

I pray all of you have a blessed Lord's day!

FF Day 8 - Because It's Fun

I know the Feelin' Feminine Challenge ended yesterday but Miss Bea and I were all dressed up for church so we decided to take a few photos just for fun. (This will be the last, I promise! It's high time to get back to regular posting!)



Miss Bea's Blouse: Pink blouse with dark brown tee underneath. Pink blouse was a birthday gift she got to choose at Kohl's.
Miss Bea's Skirt: Simple jean skirt, probably bought at Sears.

My Blouse: Purple tee (same as Day 5) under black 3/4 length sleeve sweater.
My Skirt: Black floral skirt, bought on sale at K-mart last spring.




My Hair: Curls! I curled the bottom with my hot rollers and then put a simple barrette in to keep one side out of my face.




It was cold and windy outside, but we were still having fun! :)




Since we were having a photo shoot out cat Gertrude didn't want to miss out. She's such a sweetheart.

Hope you're having a wonderful Lord's day!

God Bless,
Miss Laurie :)

Until Then

I've had a fabulous week and am praising the Lord for the Christian fellowship of sweet young ladies this week! I always think of Christian fellowship as a little taste of what we'll experience in heaven.
Below is a hymn that I heard on BBN radio today and just thought I'd post the words on this beautiful Lord's day.


Until Then

My heart can sing when I pause to remember
A heartache here is but a stepping stone
Along a trail that's winding always upward,
This troubled world is not my final home.

The things of earth will dim and lose their value
If we recall they're borrowed for awhile;
And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble,
Remembered there will only bring a smile.

This weary world with all its toil and struggle
May take its toll of misery and strife;
The soul of man is like a waiting falcon;
When it's released, it's destined for the skies.

But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I'll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.

-Lyrics and Composer: Stuart Hamblen, 1958

FF Challenge - Day 7

Hello! Today is Day 7 of the April Feelin' Feminine Challenge! I can't believe it's actually the last day! This challenge has been so much fun! It's been wonderful to have so many other ladies taking the challenge at the same time and to be able to encourage one another during the week.

I want to thank everyone out there who commented and encouraged me during this past week. You are all such a blessing and I praise the Lord for you!

My Saturday outfit is very simple and comfortable. It's been a fairly quiet day and I'll probably just go out and do some shopping with my family later. It was windy and chilly so photos were taken in my room using the self timer on my camera. Sorry they aren't that lovely but I chose the best from the bunch.




Skirt: Just a jean skirt bought at a thrift store, I have two of the exact same skirt.
Blouse: A magenta/redish cotton shirt I also bought at a thrift store. I thought the sleeves were cute.
Shoes: Black slip on sandals, bought on sale at Kohl's last summer.




Hair: Washed, blow dried and a silver headband thrown in it. I couldn't think of anything special today so I just made it easy. I like this headband because it is nice and wide on top and doesn't hurt my ears. It also ties underneath my hair so it kind of looks like I'm wearing a scarf.

I pray you have a blessed weekend!

In Christ,

Miss Laurie :)

FF Challenge - Day 6

It's Day 6 of the April Feelin' Feminine Challenge!
It's been kind of a crazy day here. I've been at home all day and have been cleaning the house from top to bottom and fixing dinner in preparation for having guests over.
It was rather short notice but I'm so excited that my aunt, uncle and baby cousin are coming for dinner and bringing my other uncle who we haven't seen in 2 years (he's in the air force).

So here quickly is my outfit for today:



Skirt: Jean skirt bought on sale at Fashion Bug
Blouse: White floral 3/4 sleeve blouse over top of pink tee and bright pink tank top. Not sure where I got either of these, maybe thrift store?
Shoes: Pink flip-flops, will probably put on warmer shoes later but these were great for cleaning.




Hair: Two French braids tucked under. Not very exciting and it sort of looks like yesterday's hairstyle but I really wanted to French braid because my hair was damp and felt like it needed to be braided. Yes, some days my hair tells me what it wants to do! :)



Me in my newly cleaned room!

Well, I've really got to go finish up some cleaning and dinner preparations. I'm hoping that later I might be able to post a couple pics of my baby cousin. He's just a couple of weeks old and is wicked cute! (in Maine "wicked" means good)

Thank you all for all your encouragement this week! I'm sad to see this Feelin' Feminine Challenge come to an end so soon!

God Bless,
Miss Laurie :)


P.S. As promised, baby picture!

Miss Bea is holding our little cousin CJ who was born on March 23rd. He's the first cousin born on my dad's side of the family and he is such a handsome little man! :)

FF Challenge - Day 5

I can't believe it's Day 5 of the April Feelin' Feminine Challenge already! Just two more days to go!
Today was a quiet day spent at home. It was fairly grey outside today but our forsythia bush is now in bloom!



My Skirt: Flowered cotton skirt, bought on sale at Walmart a few years ago. I love the comfort and beautiful colors.
My Blouse: Lavender with floral embroidered short sleeves. I bought this new and on sale at Big Lot's last weekend. I wore the green one I bought on Day 1.
My Shoes: Brown slip on sandals bought at a thrift store a few years back. They are old but comfy and they add about an inch to my height which is another reason I love them! :)




My Hair: Tried my hand at the partial crown braid which Miss Courtney posted a video tutorial of on her blog. I found her video very helpful because her hair is a similar length to mine. I'm afraid my first try at this hairstyle looks more like two French braids put into a bun, and because my hair was very dry (braids usually work best on my hair when damp) it was all falling out by the time my photos were taken. Oh well!




My second attempt at braiding turned out a bit better. I was also able to tuck the ends under instead of forming them into a bun as I did the first time. I rather like this style and look forward to trying it again sometime.

My nice full skirt is perfect for twirling or practicing my curtsy.

Hope you're having a lovely day!

God Bless,

Miss Laurie :)

FF Challenge - Day 4

Day 4 of the April Feelin' Feminine Challenge. Today was a beautiful warm sunny day! So my family and I took a drive (I got to practice quite a bit of driving, that much closer to getting my driver's license).

Here's a clue as to where we went:

Can you guess where?

There were loons there in the water....

If you guessed the beach you were close! Down at the very end of Bailey's Island, Maine is a place known as Land's End. Looking out to sea it seems as if the land ends and there is nothing but ocean everywhere.

It was the perfect day for a walk near the water and a picnic lunch. We sat on those rocks and enjoyed fellowship and yummy food.

Mr. Seagull wanted to share our lunch too. He's a bit on the stout side because he is constantly fed by tourists or eating their leftover scraps.

Short sleeves were perfect on this warm day!

My Blouse: Orange floral tee with white tank underneath for modesty. Bought at Goodwill two weeks ago and was brand new, this is the first time I've worn it.

My Skirt: Just a comfy jean skirt, perfect for walking and climbing on the rocks. Same skirt as Day 2.

My Jewelry: Blue beaded wrap bracelet and a silver fashion ring just for fun.




Hair: Just put up in a clip so it was out of my face. Makes my longer hair look like it's in a short pony tail.




My dear friend Karis enjoyed our time by the water as well. It was so much fun having her along and showing her Land's End for the first time. The Christian fellowship was delightful!




One last view of the sea, stretching on and on forever. It simply was a lovely day!

I pray you have a nice day as well.

God Bless,
Miss Laurie :)

FF Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 of the April Feelin' Feminine Challenge! It's a dreary and drizzly afternoon here so I took some "self-portraits" inside. My outfit wan't much today, it was my hair that took quite a bit of work.



Blouse: Short sleeve blouse with long sleeve tee underneath for modesty and warmth, both from Walmart.
Skirt: Jean skirt found at a Goodwill store a few year ago.
Shawl: Thin cotton shawl/scarf bought on sale at Walmart.




Shoes: No shoes today, just a pair of comfy house slippers, bought at K-mart. Keeps my feet warm and sort of matches my outfit.




Jewelry: Turquoise beaded dangle earrings.
Hair: My attempt at a Regency up-do! My "ribbon" is actually a headband. It's a bit more messy than I'd like but this is my first official time trying this 'do. There's so much hairspray and so many curls and so many bobby pins! The back ended up lower on my neck that I wanted it, but I'm fairly pleased with the results. It would have been so much easier to do this if I had eyes in the back of my head! :)

Below are a few more pics of my Regency up-do and two quotes from the Elisabeth Elliot book I'm reading.

'What sort of world might it have been if Eve had refused the Serpent's offer and had said to him instead, "Let me not be like God. Let me be what I was made to be - let me be a woman"?' - Let Me Be A Woman, Elisabeth Elliot

"The special gift and ability of each creature defines its special limitations. And as the bird easily comes to terms with the necessity of bearing wings when it finds that it is, in fact, the wings that bear the bird - up, away from the world, into the sky, into freedom - so the woman who accepts the limitations of womanhood finds in those very limitations her gift, her special calling - wings, in fact, which bear her up into perfect freedom, into the will of God." - Let Me Be A Woman, Elisabeth Elliot

I pray that my ladies out there are encouraged to day to be the feminine woman that God has created you to be. God has created you a lady with a distinct purpose in mind. One of the best ways you can honor your God is to be the feminine woman He has made you to be!

Praying you have a blessed day.

In Christ,

Miss Laurie :)

FF Challenge - Day 2

Hello everyone! It's Day 2 of the April Feelin' Feminine Challenge. It was a true Monday, not really frustrating just sort of a blah day. After taking a walk this morning with a friend and my mom and sister I was quite worn out. I wore pants on the walk (I know, I know...) and it took me a couple hours of lounging and doing some Bible courses before I got motivated. Oh well, I told you this was going to be a more relaxed effort on my part. My outfit is pretty simple today.

Skirt: My favorite comfy jean skirt I bought at Sears a coupe years back
Shirt: I bought this cute cotton blouse at Goodwill just last week. This it the second time I've worn it and it's already a new favorite! Because it's a bit low I wear a white tank top underneath.
Shoes: Mary Jane slip-ons from Walmart, cute and comfortable can't be beat! :)

Jewelry: I bought these new at Goodwill for 98 cents! They sort of feel like they're made of porcelain and have such a pretty flower design.

Hair: Simple today. Just braided, thrown up with a few bobby pins and covered with my old leather "cover thing". I wish I knew what the technical term for these are! My hair is so thick that it doesn't hold all of my hair so I just use mine to decorate.

Now I need to get some dishes washed and help start dinner. My parents are headed off to a conference tonight so we have to eat early and then I'll have some time to spend with my siblings. Hopefully we'll be able to play some board games and maybe watch a movie.

Hope you're having a good Monday!

God Bless,

Miss Laurie :)

P.S. There is something different about me today, care to take a guess?

FF Challenge - Day 1

It's Day 1 of the April Feelin' Feminine Challenge and what a beautiful Easter Day it is in my little corner of the world! It's just about 70 degrees outside, the sun is shinning brightly and a few daffodils are popping their golden heads up.
It's also a great day to wear beautiful feminine clothing!

Here's what I wore today.
Sweater: Almost a Colbalt blue color and 3/4 length sleeves in light weight cotton. I recently bought it at Goodwill for less than $5, a steal since it was in great condition and the tag has a more expensive brand name on it.
Blouse: You can't see it but this green beauty has floral embroidered short sleeves. I was very surprised to find this last night. The original sale tag still on it read was $28, but I bought it brand new at Big Lots for $7!
Skirt: Just a khaki LL Bean skirt, I wanted something prettier but couldn't find anything.
Scarf: This light floral gem I bought at Walmart last year and have rarely worn it. I just loved how it tied all the colors together so wonderfully!
Jewelry: Green bead wrap bracelet, cross earrings.
My Hair: Wild. I had wanted to curl it for church but after fixing a big breakfast I had little time to get ready. So it's just thrown back in a pretty side barrette.

Miss Bea might join me for some the challenge days this week. She always enjoys wearing a skirt but we'll see how it goes.
Today, Miss Bea wore her new white sweater over a green tank top that matches her floral print skirt. She had some pretty sandals from Khol's but according to her it's definitely barefoot weather!

Hope your day is as sunny and bright as our had been. Now I'm off to enjoy some jelly beans before going back to church. :)

Blessings,

Miss Laurie

A Bright And Joyful Easter!

After a sleepless night of tears and sadness over the loss of their beloved Master and teacher, a small group of ladies led by Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, made their way to Jesus' tomb while it was still dark. They brought with them herbs and spices to anoint his dead body with and worried how they might access him with the large stone sealing the grave. But the Lord knew they were coming and He had already taken care of everything. When they reached the tomb a sight met their eyes. Two Roman soldiers lay on the ground dazed, the bolder that had covered the tomb was rolled aside. Inside the tomb nothing but neatly folded grave clothes, and over all God had sent angels to proclaim to this frightened and amazed group of woman that their Savior was Risen Indeed!

"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.Come, see the place where the Lord lay. - Matthew 28:5-6

"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." - Luke 24:1-7

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures..." - I Corinthians 15:3-4

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

-Words & Music by Robert Lowry, 1874

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the proof that he had power over death and hell. Saving power exhibited to all of us who believe. We praise the Lord for His love for us! He is Risen!

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

- Words by: Charles Wesley, 1739

A blessed Resurrection Day to all of you! I pray you have an opportunity to sing His praises with other of like precious faith!

God Bless,

Miss Laurie :)

My "Jane Eyre" Hair

Usually I dislike posting twice in the same day but I just wanted to share a few photos of an Old-Fashioned hairstyle I just tried. The Feelin' Feminine web magazine featured a how-to article on dressing your tresses in a Jane Eyre style.

I really enjoyed trying this style and will probably play with it and try variations on this theme. Here's how "The Jane Eyre" looks on my head:





I made one adjustment to the directions when I did it on myself. Because my hair is shorter (it's now just about shoulder length) when I made the ponytail I had to pull my hair all the way through the elastic and make a bun with the whole "tail".
It's a pretty easy style to do and didn't use as many bobby pins as some up-dos often take. ;)

Highly recommended, give it a try! :)

Taking On The Challenge...Again

I know I just finished a challenge but I think I am going to try the Feelin' Feminine Challenge for the month of April (4th-10th). Miss Jenna at Feminine Farmgirl is hosting this month's challenge.

Why do take the challenge again?
Firstly, because it's Spring and I can start wearing shorter sleeves and brighter colors.
Secondly, because last time I did the challenge I was trying too hard. This time I want to do it mostly for myself. I probably will take photos but we'll see how many actually get posted (I think last time getting photos up was my main focus).

So, here we go. Anyone want to join me?