Labor Conquers Everything

Those of you who follow my posts know that I often share images of antique holiday postcards from my personal collection.  With Labor Day quickly approaching, I have a "Labor Day Souvenir" to show you.  

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Labor Day Post Card Series No. 1, Circa 1909

Labor Day postcards are somewhat rare.   I have a grand total of two that I have been able to locate for my collection.  There is a another card from the series pictured above that I included in my post from Labor Day 2011.  The companion card features Lady Liberty and if you are interested, you can read last year's post here.

I'd like to close this post with a prayer since a robust economy could make the world a better place for us all.

A Prayer for Workers

Prayer from United Church of Christ

Loving, Working God,

On this Sunday we ask your special blessing on all people who labor,

 either for pay or as volunteers, in jobs or at school, in the workplace or at home,

 in the U.S. and around the world.

We especially pray for your blessings on workers who do not have jobs

and for those whose inadequate pay does not allow them to live

 the full life you intend for each of us.

Creator God, help us to build a new world in the midst of the old.

A world where all workers are valued.

A world where those who clean houses are also able to buy houses to live in.

A world where those who grow food can also afford to eat their fill.

We pray for the coming of a world where all workers everywhere

 share in the abundance that you have given us.

We ask these things knowing that you give us the courage and strength

 to live out our faith in the workplace and the marketplace, as well as in the sanctuary.

Amen.

Until next time, live and love well.

This week I'll be sharing this post with

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Inspirational Shopping Guide

Do you have an on-line boutique?

Won't you join me in listing your business in this guide?

Until next time, live and love well.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Mushroom Houses

Charlevoix, Michigan is the home of some unique architecture.   Whole neighborhoods of homes feature stone exteriors, 

massive fireplaces and chimneys,

cedar shake roofs and wavy roof lines.

These homes are the signature style of Earl A. Young.

Earl A. Young grew up in Charlevoix 

and studied architecture at the University of Michigan,

although he never received a degree in architecture. 

His inspiration was Frank Lloyd Wright

 and he followed Wright's philosophy that structures

 should harmonize with their environment.

Young's legacy began in 1918 when he built

his own family home in this style of architecture

and continued until his death in 1975.

If you look closely at the photo below, 

you will notice this home features

a frosted cement chimney.

Each home was named by Young at the time it was built.

However, throughout the community they are

affectionately known as mushroom houses,

gnome homes, fairy dwellings or Hobbit houses.

These are just a sampling of the Charlevoix homes built in this style.

Can't you just imagine a fairy taking up residence in one of these?

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining 
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

Summer Blooms

It is hard to believe we are almost to mid-August.

It has been a while since I shared photos of my garden

so I thought it was time

to give you a glimpse of what is currently blooming.

Let's begin by walking down the path to our front door.

One of my favorite perennials planted in this area

is named Sentimental Blue Platycodon.  

Another view of this plant shows some of the flowers

just before they open.

At this stage, the buds look like balloons.

This season I planted quite of bit of the deep rose Verbena

 that you can see in many of these photos. 

While the flowers are charming when in bloom,

I have yet to see everything blooming at once.

Unfortunately, the bunny population

finds these flowers make a delicious supper.  

The flowers in front of the garden statue

is Opal Innocence Nemesia.

This is an annual in our area with a long bloom cycle,

from planting until we have a hard frost.

This truly was a carefree annual.

Rose Satin Althea Rose of Sharon will greet you

as you enter our back yard.  

This shrub was just planted last Fall

and it was slow to leaf out this Spring

so I wasn't certain it survived.

I was happy to finally see green leaves sprouting

and delighted to see it flowering now.  

Fragrant bottlebrush-shaped flowers

adorn the Ruby Spice Summersweet bush.

I have to be watchful of the bees who frequently visit.

Let's Dance Starlight Hydrangea has showy bright pink flowers.

The Endless Summer Hydrangea appears to have multiple color blooms on the same plant.

The bloom begins as a creamy white, 

turning to pale lavender and then a brighter purple-rose color.

The close-up photos that follow

better represent the color variation.

I enjoyed showing you around the summer garden.

Please stop by again.

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining 
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

Keepsake Bride Doll

Delicate white lace styled into a classic gown

Elegant attire for a bride doll that was custom made 

for a young lady who will soon be a bride

Dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes

with just a hint of a smile

A doll made to resemble the bride-to-be

when she was two years old

A floral wreath secures the veil

A bouquet with red roses

Accents for the exquisite gown

The sumptuous gown features embroidered net lace over taffeta

With accent medallions of venise lace

White Roses to signify a new beginning

The deep emotion of Red Roses whisper "I love you"

A wish for happiness expressed by accents of Baby's Breath 

The veil is like a cloud surrounding a crown

of shiny shoulder-length hair

A special doll that will serve as a focal point

for prenupital festivities 

and a keepsake of the happy event

Doll in the Looking Glass was privileged to play a small part

 in a family's very special celebration

Wishing Happy Ever Afters to the bridal couple!

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining 

Monday Marketplace at Common Ground
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!