Thanksgiving Reality Show

And in 2012, we gather together to ask the Lord's blessing.

Here's how it really happened.....

Today's school children are typically taught that the first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 although there is little evidence to connect the gathering with our modern Thanksgiving Day.  Please read on!

The true story of the Pilgrims begins in the early part of the seventeenth century.  The Church of England under King James was persecuting subjects who refused to recognize it's absolute civil and spiritual power. The King did not grant his subjects the freedom to worship as they pleased. Death was typically the penalty for challenging the Church of England's ecclesiastical authority.



A group of members of the English Separatists Church - a Puritan sect - eventually could no longer tolerate this persecution and fled to Holland seeking religious freedom.  They established a community in Holland but became disenchanted with the Dutch way of life and after twelve years around 40 men agreed to make a pilgrimage to the New World where they could worship God according to their own beliefs and consciences. (Additional reasons for their departure from Holland are noted in Of Pilgrim Plantation by William Bradford.)


Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor by William Halsall 1882

The Merchant Adventurers agreed to finance the voyage, and after a series of false starts, on September 6, 1620 the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England with 102 passengers including Separatists and men hired to protect the interests of the stock company. A long and perilous journey insued that included strong winter gales, leaks to the ship, birth of a baby, and the death of a sailor and a young boy who was a servant to the passengers' doctor. 
The Pilgrims entered Cape Cod in the early morning of November 11 and anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbor.  Over the next month and a half they sent out exploring parties to seek a suitable place to build their colony.  While the Mayflower lay off shore the colonists wrote the Mayflower Compact, drawing from the teachings of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, that established laws for all members of the settlement. William Bradford was the primary author.  The laws were equal for all and freedom of religion was implicit.

The Mayflower arrived in Plymouth Harbor on December 17 and on December 21 the first landing party arrived and selected the site for their settlement which would be known as Plymouth. The winter ahead would test their courage and strength and claim 46 lives but their faith and passion for freedom remained strong. 

When the spring finally came Indians taught the settlers many skills to survive in the New World including how to plant corn, use dead fish to fertilize the soil, and skin beavers for coats.  Life improved but was far from prosperous.

The "first thanksgiving" in the fall of 1621 was simply a gathering over a period of three days for the purpose of expressing gratitude to God. The settlers invited Indians Massasoit, Squanto and Samoset along with 90 of their men.  Their "feasts" included fish, berries, duck, geese, venison but probably not what we know today as turkey.  The word "turkey" in Pilgrim days referred to any sort of wild fowl.

The next part of this story, and an important part of this story, is often omitted in teaching the history of the Pilgrims.  The original contract the Pilgrims had entered into with their sponsors in London called for everything they produced to go into a common store and each member of the community was entitled to one common share.  Everything would be distributed equally.  In essence everything belonged equally to everyone. 

This system of collectivism and communal property rights with everyone receiving the same rations whether they produced anything or not simply did not work and the Pilgrims did not prosper.  Half of the Pilgrims did not work and depended on the others to provide for them.  There was no incentive until, thanks to the leadership of William Bradford, the power of free enterprise was introduced. 

In the spring of 1623 Bradford, who was now governor of the colony, realized that bad economic incentives rather than lack of farming knowledge or bad weather was preventing the prosperity of the colony. As he wrote years later in Of Plymouth Plantation, collectivism

"was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort.  For young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children without any recompense."

Bradford introduced a new system in which each family was assigned a plot of land to work and manage.  Each family was permitted to market its own crops and products.  They were free to set up trading posts and exchange goods with Indians.  The result according to Bradford in Of Plymouth Plantation, was "very good success" because "it made all hands industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been."  

While the Pilgrims still faced difficulties, thanks to the power of capitalism, they never again starved.  Successful commerce enabled them to pay off their debts to the Merchant Adventurers and attracted more Europeans to the New World.

As Nick Gillespie and Meredith Bragg in Reason note, on Thanksgiving we should "give thanks to the true patron of this holiday feast:  property rights."

On October 3, 1789 George Washington signed an historic proclamation entitled"General Thanksgiving" that set aside Thursday, November 26 as

"A Day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

There were numerous thanksgiving observances throughout the colonies in the years proceeding Washington's proclamation yet this was the first Thanksgiving designated by the new United States government. Most previous thanksgiving days were set aside for fasting and prayer. The states periodically had set aside days of thanksgiving to celebrate a military victory such as the thanksgiving held in December 1777 across the thirteen colonies to commemorate the surrender of British General Burgoyne at Saratoga.

Washington's proclamation was the first official presidential proclamation issued in the United States.  Lost for 130 years the original document, written in long hand by William Jackson, secretary to the President, and signed by George Washington, it turned up at an art gallery auction in New York in 1921.  Dr. J. C. Fitzpatrick, assistant chief of the manuscripts division of the Library of Congess, purchased the document for $300 for the Library of Congress National Archives where it resides today.

On October 3, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for the observance of the last Tuesday of November as a national holiday.  A late November Thanksgiving became a permanent celebration ever since.

In 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the holiday to the third Thursday.  This change was motivated by his desire to extend the Christmas shopping season but this change was unpopular and in 1841 it was changed back to the fourth Thursday and sanctioned by Congress as a legal holiday.

Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford 

Mayflower Compact 

When Work is Punished 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

God Bless America

"The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.  To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God."

A selection from Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

God Bless America
 

Setting the table for a Red White and Blue dinner party

Honor Our Veterans

 Each year on November 11 we have the privilege of honoring all American veterans. America is blessed with the finest military men and women in the world.  Thank you to all Veterans who have served the United States of America and her citizens throughout our history and today. We are deeply grateful for the sacrifices you and your families have made to keep us free.  We are also proud of your honor and courage and the example you set.

There is sometimes confusion between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.  Memorial Day which is the last Monday in May is a day to remember and honor military men and women who died in the service of the United States. Veterans Day honors all those who served honorably in the military, both living and dead. Thank you Veterans for keeping the United States the Land of the Free.  God Bless America and God Bless our Veterans.

Elon University students discuss the issues

Round Table at the Town Table

In October well informed Elon University students participated in a non-partisan Round Table at the Town Table in Elon, North Carolina. Dr. Troy Kickler, Director of the North Carolina History Project, served as moderator for the lively discussion.  Students discussed many issues facing the United States including the $16 trillion debt, the fiscal cliff, the Constitution and social issues.

Even though the election is over -- hopefully all Americans will continue to stay informed and diligent about the pressing concerns we face in our country.  Our future and that of our children and grandchildren depends on it.

Keep the Round Table Going?

While Round Table at the Town Table was a one-time event we think the concept could continue year round.  There is a model already in the works called LIBERTY ON THE ROCKS Networking for Liberty.  Liberty on the Rocks chapters are,  according to the website,  "social and educational networks that bring liberty-oriented individuals together (regardless of political affiliation) in order to expose ideas, promote free markets and limited government, provide activism opportunities and offer encouragement to individuals who desire freedom in America."  

Currently there are chapters in ten states plus Washington, D.C. and Canada. You'll see from the website how to start a chapter, job opportunities and how to start a book club. 

Liberty on the Rocks


We Need a Lesson on George Washington 

Guess which President of the United States does not have a library devoted to him?  The answer:  George Washington.

Fortunately something is happening to remedy this sad situation.  Last year construction began at Mount Vernon on The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington and the opening is planned for 2013.  George Washington’s Mount Vernon is now focused on reaching The Library’s Educational Objectives.

According to Susan Magill, Vice President for Advancement at Mount Vernon,

“We live in an age when knowledge of Washington is at an all-time low and he is becoming less and less an integral part of American society. . .Our nation’s best example of character and leadership is becoming more and more a distant icon…With every passing day, the nation forgets more and more of its history – especially as it relates to the Father of Our Country.”

She continues,  

“Our educational priorities – from the elementary school to the ivy-covered university – are failing America.”

Mount Vernon already owns 47 books that belonged to George Washington along with hundreds of his hand written letters plus important papers from the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  The educational objectives include gathering additional important letters, manuscripts and books from around the world. This effort will preserve the life of Washington and reach out to educators and students to help restore teaching about Washington to its proper place in the education of American youth.

A new generation of researchers and Americans will have the opportunity to learn about the character, patriotism and leadership of our first President.  Why is this important?  Susan Magill answers this by saying, 

“He is relevant to each new generation because certain character traits reflected by Washington – strong moral values, undaunted courage, solid and consistent judgment, unabashed patriotism, and his complete commitment to what is best for his nation – never go out of style.”

If you are interested in learning more and perhaps supporting the effort philanthropically please go to the link below.

 George Washington's Library

Happy Birthday Lilly!
November 10

Belk in Jacksonville celebrated Lilly's birthday with a cake

Lilly loves to entertain in her lush and wild garden and her birthday party is a perfect occasion to enjoy the amazing pink and green colors of her tropical paradise.  She likes to keep the menu simple and offer bakery-bought cupcakes each decorated with a candied flower.

Check out Essentially Lilly to find the wonderful menu and recipes for a unique Pink And Green Thumb Birthday Party. Preferring a jungle to a garden Lilly thought it would be fun to give friends and family an opportunity to plant additional green ferns, pink flowering plants and evergreens that she can't get enough of.  She instructed her guests to "bring their two green thumbs" instead of gifts and roll up their sleeves to plant the shrubs and jungle flora she had purchased for the occasion.

Lilly paper dolls come with multiple outfits

Guests signed their names and wrote messages on little copper tags attached to stakes which marked the spot of each gardener's contribution to Lilly's jungle. 

And if the birthday party is for a little girl - she'll love Lilly paper dolls.  And grown up Lilly "peeps" will love playing with them too.

Born With A Silver Spoon...
Gifts for the  Little Miracle

A Girl's First Pearls

An American girl loves her pearls!  Whether purchased new or inherited a strand of pearls is a must for every jewelry box.  An add-a-bead pearl necklace is a favorite gift to celebrate the birth of a little girl.  One tiny pearl on a gold or silver chain continues a tradition as American as the flag.

I love the ritual of buying a new pearl to celebrate a birthday, Christmas and that special occasion.  Its more than a purchase.  It's a beautiful pink box wrapped in shiny paper.  It's tradition, love of home and family, Christmas morning. It's a little girl's party dress, candles on her cake and a lovely young lady all grown up. 

As our little girls grow so do the size of their pearls.  Most start with size four mm pearls - perfect for our three year old daughters, granddaughters and nieces to wear on special days such as a wedding or playing dress up.  I usually add fourteen 4mm pearls and then finish the necklace with 6 1/2 mm pearls.  When the strand is complete the small pearls are on either side of the clasp.

It's never too late to start an add-a-pearl necklace.  It is a perfect gift for any occasion.  I started my niece Laura's necklace to celebrate her "sweet sixteen" birthday.  

I arrived to visit my little granddaughter who was not yet dressed for the day.  We headed upstairs to pick out clothes  after her mother left for errands.  She chose her "princess dress" which her mother lets her wear on special occasions, such as a grandparent's visit.  We pulled out the pretty pink box where she keeps her pearls and she lifted her hair so I could attach the clasp on her necklace.

We talked about the day she would be a beautiful bride wearing another princess dress and a lovely strand of pearls.  I hope that day doesn't come too soon.  There are so many birthdays and Christmas mornings to savor with our little princess and so many pearls to buy before her "happily ever after" story comes true.

Add A Pearl The Original Since 1915


 http://www.classygirlswearpearls.com/







Beatrix Potter, Silver, and Monograms

Americans have a deep appreciation for England.  We enjoy the history, literature and art, castles and country manors,  and tea time.  Most American children have at least one of Beatrix Potter's books and that book is often a favorite. While Beatrix Potter was a prize winning breeder of Herdwick sheep, a conservationist and successful farmer she is best known for her beloved children's books such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit.  

Born in Kensington in 1866 Beatrix acquired a love of the English countryside, nature, and art at an early age.  Her family spent many of their holidays in Scotland and later the English Lake District where Beatrix cared for small animals and observed their habits. She discovered her artistic talent at a young age as she spent hours drawing the animals she cared for as well as insects, fungi and imaginary animals.  Educated by private governesses Beatrix had few friends as a young girl and spent much of her time with her brother Bertram who shared her delight in drawing their pets and creating stories.  Their parents endulged their passion by allowing, according to a Beatrix Potter website, "rabbits, mice, frogs, lizards, snakes, snails and a bat" in the house. 

Beatrix honed her artistic skills and had some success as an illustrator.  In 1901 she self published The Tale of Peter Rabbit.  A year later Frederick Warne & Company published the book with Norman Warne overseeing the project.  Norman and Beatrix developed a friendly and productive working relationship agreeing that Peter Rabbit would be in color and that the book would be small to fit easily in the hands of children.  By the end of 1902 28,000 copies were in print and eventually Beatrix and Norman became engaged.  Sadly he became ill and died before they were married. 

In 1905 Beatrix bought a Lakeland farm in Sawrey called Hill Top.  She continued to write and illustrate children's books for many years while also finding success as a farmer and conservationist.  Top Hill scenery provided inspiration for many of the illustrations for several of her books including The Tale of Tom Kitten and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck .  She left over 4,000 acres to the National Trust through her estate.

While Beatrix was English much of the world came to love her beautiful books including Americans.  The books blossomed into a huge industry with merchandise including the the charming cups, plates, bowls and figurines that are favored gifts to this day for new born babies.

Peter Rabbit/Beatrix Potter


Visit Hill Top

Visit Beatrix Potter Gallery 

A treasure trove of gifts from The Buttercup

Any baby can be "born with a silver spoon..."  

And a silver rattle, a silver cup and a silver brush and comb set. A sterling silver or silver plated baby gift is a timeless treasure.  Most silver gifts can be engraved with the baby's monogram, initials, date of birth or a special message.  Silver spoons can be ordered in the mother's pattern if desired.

Silver baby gifts are rich in tradition and set the stage for a lifetime of collecting and living with silver.  As much as possible, silver should be appreciated and not tucked away in a silver chest or tarnish proof bags.  Daily use of silver that is cleaned with soapy water and occasionally rubbed with a cloth will keep silver shining.  It will only need occasional polishing.  

Silver baby gifts can be found at many good jewelry stores.  I frequent Morrison Smith, The Buttercup and Tiffany and Co. in Charlotte - all great American stores.  Tiffany, founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young in New York City in 1837, still publishes it's famous "Blue Book" catalogue that usually includes silver for little ones. 

Nowadays silver can be ordered on line from many sources.  Pottery Barn Kids stocks pewter gifts which can be ordered on line.  (Check out Pottery Barn Kids American series for growing children!)

If you ever have a chance to visit Natchez, Mississippi be sure and stop by As You Like It located in the carriage house at historic Stanton Hall. They have beautiful silver including inactive and obsolete sterling patterns.  They also sell silver polishing products and tarnish prevention products. My favorite is their own silver polish which is known throughout the South and beyond. 

As the Tiffany website says, "Good things come in small packages. Silver spoons, porcelain plates, bunny banks—these are a few of our favorite things for baby."

As You Like It Silver Shop for baby gifts 


Tiffany Gifts for Babies


potterybarnkids Gifts for Babies

Let’s Get Practical

What if I told you that your beloved new born could amass a fortune of $24.8 million by age 70 by investing $50 a month for 19 years?

Check out the link below to The $50 A Month Millionaire by Bill Staton, MBA, CFA and Mary T. Staton, MBA, CEO of Staton Financial Advisors and find out how this could be possible.    

Let me break down this example a little further.  According to the Statons' “$50 a month (beginning at birth and earning 13% annually) will be worth $43,161 by the time the child turns 19.  If no more contributions are made and the money continues growing at 13% (taxes excluded), it will be worth $2.2 million at age 50; $7.3 million at age 60; and an astonishing $24.8 million at age 70."

While you might be doubtful due to the recent poor performance of many stocks the Statons’ point out  that Standard & Poor’s index of 500 stocks grew at 9.9% annually (price appreciation and reinvested dividends) between 1925 and 2010, an 85-year span.  The Statons' theory is based on highest quality stocks which “outdistanced the overall market by some 40% annually over that 85 year period.”

In their guide Bill and Mary describe in detail how to put your children or grandchildren on the path to becoming a millionaire.  The Statons' are extraordinary Americans who are successful entrepreneurs and generous philanthropists.  They want to share at no cost the guide with one million people in their altruistic desire to help other Americans achieve financial independence by investing in some of American’s finest companies.

Here are a few tips from the Statons’ playbook but I encourage you to follow the link and read the booklet their own words:

• Invest in companies who consistently raise dividends year after year.  (I think its fun to buy stock in companies with whom the children are, or will be, familiar, i.e. for us Duke Energy, Wal Mart – you pick).

•  You can buy stock directly from many American companies at little or no cost.  At the time of your initial purchase you can enroll in the company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP).  When a cash dividend is paid it will be reinvested for you in the company through whole or fractional shares. 

• Many companies let you get started with as little as $25 if you enroll in a monthly purchase plan.

•  If you can invest $250 each month, for example, consider purchasing stock from five companies with an investment of $50 each.  I like to diversify the companies – perhaps retail, energy, food or beverage and so on.

Since these are America’s finest companies we tend to hold on to what we have.  There are times to sell however as the Statons’ point out in their guide. 

Do it yourself investing the Staton way is fun, easy and doable on just about any budget.  I had a marvelous time taking my eight year old to a Duke Power shareholder’s meeting.  This is a great way to teach children about business and investing and grown ups can learn a few things too!

Remember no results are guaranteed and always consult with your own advisers before investing!

$50 A Month Millionaire

Smiling at the Memories
Goodbye To Summer

Summer.  Just say the word and images of good times and beautiful sights and sounds scroll through our memories.  For me it's the ocean at sunrise and sunset, long walks on a Carolina beach, memorizing the sounds of the breaking waves, seafood feasts and spending long summer beach days with the people you love.
  

A crystal bowl filled with an abundance of shells sits on a rough finished marble counter in my kitchen. I limit myself to bringing home one shell from each beach visit.  I never have a particular shell in mind that I hope to find  but I'm drawn to shells in limitless shades of white.  Some of them are almost identical in color and texture to the marble counter top. 

Almost every day at home I pick up at least one of the shells from my collection and run my fingers over it to enjoy the cool textures both smooth and rough and smile at the memories.

We decorated our house with the colors we love at the beach.  Our kitchen and keeping room incorporate nature's beautiful greens, blues, whites and the orange and pink of sunrise and sunset.  

I lingered forever one summer day on the beach house porch watching a beautiful small green frog sit attached motionless to the porch railing.

 

It was well worth waking up early to be rewarded with this beautiful sunrise

Our back porch is a well loved oft used outdoor living room enjoyed year round.  A porch is nostalgic and conjures up happy memories.  We relax on wicker furniture enjoying a favorite beverage, the smell of freshly mowed grass and a neighbor's barbeque, sounds of children down the street playing, an occasional bark.

The porch is our dining room all summer long.  We  linger over a good meal around the table as the sun sets and the candles flicker and illuminate faces around the table. 

Summer breezes and open windows

Lillies ushered in the summer season

  Eventually fireflies and candles provide the only light and we welcome the night time. We keep several lanterns on the porch that can be moved about as needed as well as old candlesticks I have found tucked away in antique stores.

My husband and I enjoy the porch on Saturday mornings when we take our coffee and newspapers outside in the cool of the new day.  The porch also becomes a gentleman's haven  in the evening with good conversation and festive spirits.  These rituals won't change anytime soon.  We're loaded up on fire wood and just starting to enjoy the porch fireplace again.  Time to embrace the cool fall days and plant the pansies.

It's fun to have a Lilly that isn't pink and green!

Putting away the summer Lilly dresses!  Just visited the Charlotte Lilly store and couldn't resist a darling dress with black cats that is perfect for the fall.  Also checked out the sale rack and found a great fall dress (orange, like Lilly's fruit) half price.  

This summer at the beach I picked up a copy of Essentially Lilly A Guide To Colorful Entertaining by Lilly Pulitzer and Jay Mulvaney.  Welcome to the world of Lilly! The book treats it's reader to Lilly's personal and business history, menus and recipes, entertaining in the legendary Lilly style, beautiful - and of course colorful - photographs and drawings.

Lilly - back in the day - practically lived and entertained in the kitchen of her clapboard house long before that was commonplace.  Guests never knocked or rang the bell.  They just opened the green front door with the large "L" on it, hollered "Hey Doll" and found their way back to the kitchen or pool.
 
Lilly started her fabled career selling fruit from her husband's orange groves right out of her station wagon.  She later opened a small shop on the Via Mitzner in Palm Beach and sold her oranges there.  The Via Mitzner is a series of charming stores, courtyards and pretty fountains tucked away behind  the larger Worth Avenue shops.



The half price Lilly with boots and tights from Anthropologie.  Pink Kiel James Patrick bracelet with Giles and Brother bracelet.

A "wonderful old Swiss lady" made Lilly's shifts from bright colorful fabrics that would hide the inevitable stains after a day of slicing and squeezing fruit.  Lilly's friends loved her pretty dresses, which she described as "a cross between a chemise and mumu," and encouraged her to sell them in her shop.

Lilly, who always wanted to do something, went to Woolworth's and bought enough colorful fabric to make twelve dresses to hang around in her shop.   And with that "The Lilly"was born. The pink and green world of Lilly quickly became a legend when Lilly's friend First Lady Jackie Kennedy purchased a Lilly - made from kitchen curtain material - in the 1960's and subsequently wore the shift in a Life magazine article.

Lilly is not only a famous designer, hostess and Palm Beach socialite.  She is the beloved matriarch of her family and a generous friend who loves her "peeps."  Lilly is inclusive in her friendships cherishing an eclectic circle of friends who include childhood classmates, the grand dames of society, firemen, employees and newcomers to the World of Lilly. 

Lilly has dressed three generations of the girls in my family.  I still remember my first Lilly - a floral print skirt with Lilly's name discreetly tucked among the flowers. Isn't is wonderful to slip into a Lilly and become one of her "peeps"?  The world seems brighter with good times ahead.

Lilly Pulitzer

Kiel James Patrick

 Giles and Brother