What is Good, Pure, and Lovely

As we are always looking for ways to better ourselves and keep the blog on an uplifting note, I would lke to show you some interesting sites for the month of May, that I enjoyed.

There is a new "Mantel of the Month" here http://www.enchantedtreasures.com/mantel-of-the-month/?month=5&year=2007

Take a peek inside some rooms here http://www.enchantedtreasures.com/dynamic/?page=3

and a new suite of the month herehttp://www.shabbysuite.com/articles.php?article=18

And, there are always the Make Mine Pink Boutiques, some of which have rooms in them, and they are not all pink, either. http://www.makeminepink.com/boutiques/ It relieves stress to at least see the opening pages which often feature charming cottages.

For the cream, read this fantastic article http://www.makeminepink.com/articles/?which=13

I am always so encouraged by pretty rooms, even though I haven't achieved it altogether in my own home.

The picture, I think, is from Karen's Whimsey, called "Lady With Flowers" a copyright free graphic.

As I wanted to keep this entry on the "lovely" theme, I have to say that the movie about Mrs. Beeton, who wrote the first book about household management, was sensational in a negative way, and highly speculative, based on a book by Kathryn Hughes. For more information about Mrs. Beeton, go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_Beeton. Like many modern writers who pretend to know the Victorian era, Hughes has portrayed Beeton and her husband as though they were from the 1960's rather than the 1860's. It seems few people can understand the moral tone of the times, so they have to bring the era down into the gutter with our own times. One reason so many young women love the Victorian era, is that it had an appreciation of love and loyalty that our era does not. This film doesn't hold a candle to "North and South," which I reviewed here http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/Lady_Lydia_Speaks_2/A_Story_to_Warm_Your_Heart1002786.shtml

When I see the fruits of women like Esabella Beeton, I always recall a scripture that says, "Can pure water and poison water come out of the same stream?" I get tired of the vilification of our ancestors and our forebearers who actually contributed more to the good of society, most which has trickled down to inspire and improve us today. I found the film hard to watch and I found it a pity that many people will sneer at the Victorians even more, after watching this film. It should not be taken as a real biography or a serious historical documentary.