ladylike – Elizabeth Smillie

yesterday evening

July 10, 2010 Elizabeth

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”

-Laura Ingalls Wilder

Yesterday evening was a quiet time, just the four of us enjoying playing and being together. John sent me outside to take a walk after Emma was down. He stayed with Ian, and I took a stack of letters to the mail box.

It was a bit sticky outside (it seems to hardly ever be dry during July/August), but cool enough to be pleasant. And so pretty.

I’m so glad John told me to go out.
There is something about being out of doors that is refreshing for me. And John knows this.

As I walked I decided that when I get old I want to be the old lady on the street who has the garden that is overflowing with a profusion of old-fashioned flowers.
I want to spend my time tending it, being with my family, building into their lives and the lives of the younger women around me.

I want to wear the slightly funky but ever so lady-like clothes.

I want to have pretty dishes to use everyday, especially when others stop in for coffee and something sweet.

In my old age I want to celebrate and enjoy the simple and sweet things that make up the days.

And if it is going to happen I need to cultivate that contentment and joy now.

feminine prettiness

February 2, 2010 Elizabeth

Back in November, when Emma and I went to California to visit Gramma and the rest of the family, Mom pulled out a few of Gramma’s old hats that she used to wear to her ladies’ meetings. We tried them on, Gramma wearing a lovely royal blue feather one for quite a while.
It added a bit of lovely fun-ness to an otherwise emotion filled day.

Anyway, all that to say, I really like those pretty little hats. They’re not the sun hat type, not meant to protect you in any way, just to be pretty.
My head is a tad bigger than most womens’ (apparently), and I have had a hard time finding any type of hat that will fit (and it’s not the hair that gets in the way – the hats really won’t fit).

I stumbled upon this veil this evening, and it was so pretty.

Kind of expensive since it is a bridal veil, but so lovely. I would love to wear it to church …

I don’t want to stand out or distract anyone from worshipping (having them wondering why the redhead is wearing a veil when they should be pondering other things is not my intention!) or anything, but it would be pretty. And oh, so feminine. Wonder if I could pull it off?

image from onelittledove

six weeks old

April 10, 2009 Elizabeth

pretty new dress, originally uploaded by Lizi Beth.

She loves: baths, being held, movement, music, foot rubs, and being swaddled (such a girl!). Our little one is tipping the scales at 11 pounds 4 ounces, is (very occasionally) sleeping 6-7 hours at night, has graduated to size 2 diapers and has developed a distinctive “hungry” cry.

adorably precious

April 3, 2009 Elizabeth

“May Flowers”

I ran across the artwork of sarahjanestudios this evening, and just love it. She sells prints and greeting cards with delightful images of children and animals on them, all with a slightly French feel. The images are simple and have such soft colors; they remind me of the books Pat The Bunny and Babar. So delightful. Love them.
The greeting cards are smaller than the art prints, but so much cheaper. Wouldn’t it be fun to order a few to frame?