Happy Tuesday sweet friends! Spring has arrived in all of its glory. There is so much beauty to see and discover if we only open our eyes to the wonder of God’s creation!
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Psalm 119:103
EM and EK both love books and are always thrilled for someone to read to them. I started reading to both girls when they were babies. When Ella Mae was about two I began reading Beatrix Potter to her and we started watching videos on YouTube of Beatrix Potter-The World Of Peter Rabbit and Friends. I enjoyed them as much as she did. We still watch them and she has become quite a fan of the 23 Original Tales. The Tale of Peter Rabbit remains her favorite and we are celebrating Peter in the Sunshine Cottage!
This past Christmas we bought Ella Mae a Gund Peter Rabbit! He moved from her bedroom to the Sunshine Cottage. He is the centerpiece of our little tablescape honoring Beatrix Potter’s most popular book!
The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published in 1902, was Beatrix Potter’s first book. One hundred and nineteen years later the classic tale of naughty Peter Rabbit’s escape from Mr. McGregor’s garden still delights children all over the world.
Top left – a lovely book, The Art of Beatrix Potter
Top right – preliminary pencil sketches and finished illustration in pen-and-ink and water color of Mrs. Rabbit, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter.
Bottom left – cover of the first edition 1902
Bottom right – the fourth page of a picture letter written in 1893 to six year old Noel Moore, the son of her former governess.
Last year after Easter, Pottery Barn discounted their Peter Rabbit dishware and of course, I had to buy a set of four salad plates for my granddaughters. The set has four different scenes depicting naughty Peter in Mr. McGregor’s garden!
A setting for two was placed on the butcher block counter in the Sunshine Cottage! A couple of Welcome Spring Mr. and Mrs. Bunnies hopped up to join the party. The pair of bunnies have been a part of my Easter decor for years and I love their fancy frocks!
A moss runner provides the perfect garden setting for the bunnies to play! Peter had no problem finding carrots to munch on while Mr. McGregor wasn’t looking!
Mrs. Rabbit had four little rabbits, – Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. “Now, my dears,” said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, “you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden. Your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.” Naughty Peter disobeyed and went straight away to the garden!
Rabbits have been a constant sighting at our home in the country. But last year was the first time I had seen them in the garden. I was out watering one morning and a rabbit jumped out from under a dahlia and scared me! I didn’t know it was there and I screamed and ran. I felt so foolish when I saw it was just a rabbit. I was sharing with Ella Mae that I was getting aggravated that the rabbits were coming to the garden and eating my flowers and plants. With a concerned look on her face she said, “PJ you’re not going to make a pie, are you?” I got so tickled because she was so serious. I reassured her there would be no rabbit pie.
Aren’t these the cutest plates!
Looks like Peter is wreaking havoc in the garden!
More favorites are The Tales of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-Duck, and The Flopsy Bunnies!
I have loved to read since I was in first grade. I will never forget my Daddy taking me to the public library when I was seven years old for me to sign up for a library card. I was so proud of that library card. During the summer months the Bookmobile would come to our neighborhood. I always checked out the limit and would finish them and return for more the following week. I still love to read and so far have read eleven books this year, if only I had more time. Do you enjoy reading?
When Emma comes, the first thing she will do is get a book from the stack I keep for the girls. She goes to my chair and points and says, “sit, read to me.” I love reading to my girls…I hope it will instill a life-long love of reading!
Ella Mae is in K-4 and she has begun reading. I have read so many of the books over and over to her that she has them memorized. She sometimes will read “How To Be A Princess“ to Emma! After all they are both princesses.
Thank you for indulging this grandmother, I am having so much fun. In about six weeks, we will welcome a baby boy!! I hope he will enjoy reading more than his Daddy did!
Thank you so much for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Good Morning Pam. I’m a long time fan of Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter. I love your sweet table in the Sunshine Cottage. How wonderful your’re instilling a love of reading to your grand girls and you can enjoy Peter Rabbit together. I had to chuckle at the EM’s concern that you were going to make a pie 🙂 I’ve jumped out of my skin when a bunny hops out from underneath a shrub startling me too. I only wish Peter and his friends wouldn’t eat the flowers! Happy / Hoppy Tuesday. ♥
Thank you Mary. I hope you win the war with your rabbits and they choose to move elsewhere. Enjoy your day. Looks like we have three days of rain and possible severe weather on Thursday ☔️
How sweet and fun to play with your granddaughters with books and dishes! I love EM’s Gund Peter Rabbit, and the dishes were the perfect purchase to enjoy these spring tales. So cute that EM was concerned you’d make a rabbit pie. 🙂 Nothing better than bestowing the gift of reading to little ones!
Bestowing the gift of reading opens ups the world for little one. Enjoy your day, Rita!
Those plates are so charming. I can just imagine the wonderful snuggles and book readings in the cottage.
Yes, Penny there are lots of snuggles!
Lovely post, fun rabbits and you made a great score on those plates. At some point, those of us that live in more rural areas have all be startled by a rabbit.
Thanks Carole. Enjoy your day!
What a wonderful post, Pam! Peter Rabbit was one of my favorite books! Have a great week.
Thanks so much Katie. Wishing you a wonderful week!
What a delightful, whimsical setting to greet the morning! EM and EK are so lucky to have a grandmother who reads to them (although I am sure you feel like the lucky one!). We have rabbits that I have threatened to make into a pie also. Please tell Butch all is right with my world because Mr. and Mrs. Goose have made their annual nest at the pond and started setting last Thursday.
Thank you Roxanne and I will share with Butch. Have a lovely day!
Pam, I love Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter so much. Your new plates are very special. The girls are so blessed to have you read to them and pass on the love of reading. You are making memories that will last a lifetime. Beautiful bunnies and wonderful displays. Brought joy to my morning.
Yes, making memories to last! Thank you Dianne for your sweet comments. Happy Wednesday!
What a delight this morning. After all when I grow up I want to play in your cottage with the princesses too. Steiff bunnies live in a room made just for my grands and great grands. I fully do not want to ever grow up. Playing in everything makes it fun. And so it goes.
Alice, how I wish you could come to play…wouldn’t that be fun? How many grands and great grands do you have?
Pam I have one grand and two great grands. It’s so sad that they live in NC and me in Boulder. Social media keeps me up to date but nothing can fix the distance. Can’t believe what happened at King Soopers. Just to go about shopping for food has now become not safe. Now there are security guards outside our stores. God help us.
Yes, God help us. What a tragedy, our world needs Jesus.
Good morning, Pam. The cottage is a lovely and happy Bunny retreat. I know the girls love it – all three of them. Such a special place.
Pam, there is a quote that has remained with me, although I can’t remember who wrote the words. It goes something like this – “Richer than I you will never be, I had a mother who read to me.” So true, and yes, I love to read. Have a wonderful week and enjoy the sweet, sweet cottage.
Thanks so much Sandra. Yes, we love playing, reading, singing, and dancing! I love that quote, Sandra…thanks for sharing. Happy Wednesday!
Good morning, Pam! I know those precious girls are going to love this table. It is adorable! I have always had a soft spot for Peter Rabbit. My oldest son’s nursery was decorated in the Peter Rabbit theme. Just last week, I was cleaning out a closet and found the baby bedding set. It brought back such sweet memories. I’m so sentimental…there are just certain things I can’t part with. I know you are over the moon with excitement to be welcoming a sweet baby boy to your family soon. Happy Spring, my dear friend!
Thank you Shannon. It is so hard to part with special things. Happy Spring to you my friend!
I wonder if Beatrix Potter had any idea how popular her books would be down through the ages. I loved Peter Rabbit’s story as a child. I read them to my grandchildren now ages 29, 25, 23 and 20. We also had some videos which we watched over and over. My favorite was the introduction to one video. Someone portrayed Beatrix writing the story of Peter Rabbit and mailing it to her publisher.
My granddaughter and her little brother had a Beatrix Potter themed nursery. So we have 3 generations of Beatrix Potter fans in this family. I suspect my mother was one too.
Nancy, thank you for your sweet comments. Your four grands have wonderful memories of you reading to them. I know the Beatrix Potter themed nursery was beautiful. Three generations that all have enjoyed Beatrix Potter’s Tales! Happy Wednesday!
Pam, The Sunshine Cottage is beautifully decorated. The plates are so pretty and the stuffed bunnies are adorable. Love the tea towels and glasses too. It’s wonderful that the girls love books and that you read to them. I know you enjoy your time with those precious girls. I chuckled when Ella Mae was concerned about the making of a pie. She’s an intelligent, sweet little girl! Bunnies jumping out from the shrubs would be quite a shock. I would have yelped too! We’re back in the rain through Thursday. Be safe as these spring storms can pack a punch! Have a wonderful week. Clara ❤️
Thank you Clara for your sweet comments. It is a joy to share my love of reading to my girls. We are expecting severe weather tomorrow. Stay safe ♥️
Oh Pam, how fortunate EM and EK are to have such a theme sensitive Grandmother – you have truly created a storybook atmosphere for them in the Sunshine Cottage and delighted this little girl’s heart still enchanted by the film Miss Potter. It led
me to one of the most beautiful books about her. Your joyful and whimsical setting is a study in symmetry and those plates could not be left behind at PB. No should I or shouldn’t I ? there. Thank you for reminding us of the wonder of reading, especially to children…. another world that opens doors to us and closes doors best left unopened. Today at the cottage has
been very special… bless you.
Nancy, thank you for your warm comments. Reading to a child opens their mind to the wonder that surrounds them. Thank you for your lovely visit!
Oh Pam!!! How darling this post is! I am loving everything. The love of reading to the gorgeous Peter Rabbit salad plates!
And to think EM was worried about Rabbit Pie! How darling.
Your Sunshine Cottage is the perfect place for a lovely seating for you and yours.
Happy Tuesday and enjoy your Princesses! A Prince is coming soon!
Yes, a Prince is coming soon! Thank you for your sweet comments and visit. Happy Wednesday!
Dear Pam, I just enjoyed everything about this wonderful post. So delightful to read today and girl, loving all of your rabbits and pretties. You always make everything look magical to me and I feel as I am there. Love that you read to those girls. My youngest grandgirls love books and I take every opportunity to read them a story when I can. Wanted to say “thanks so much” for checking on me sweet lady. Meant so very much. Hugs and blessings to you. Cindy
Thank you sweet Cindy. Being a grandmother is truly the best! Take care of yourself!
Darling post, Pam! I love Beatrix Potter and all her characters. How special to design a tablescape for the girls with special plates and stuffed bunnies. They are so cute. Your tablescape is very attractive.
Reading is a special bond that will be a lifetime pleasure for them and it is for you also.
Thank you Bonnie. I love reading to them. Have a lovely day!
Thank You Pam for sharing this delightful Peter Rabbit display. Vermont Country Store catalog has a few Peter Rabbit items to purchase. We love to read,our favorites are history ,historical novels,clean romance, cozy mysteries, religious and re-reading children’s books. it seems many boys and men do not enjoy reading that much.
HAPPY EASTER
Joan,Marilyn and Marion
Thank you Marion, Joan, and Marilyn. I have perused thee Vermont Country Store online. Thank you for sharing what you like to read! Reading opens up the world!
We are indulging you? Oh, no! You are indulging us! I loved hearing the stories of your love of reading and how the girls seem on the path to share that joy. And then there is Beatrix. Oh, isn’t she just the best? I love her. And I just adore how you celebrate Peter Rabbit with this beautiful space.I adore every detail (especially those great plates) and your stuffies are adorable. Every detail, every bunny (even your outdoor friend) is a joy. (I’m with Ella Mae about being relieved there will be no rabbit pie!) I might have to come back here often just to look at this one and smile!
Aw, thanks so much Jeanie for your sweet comments. Reading to my girls brings me much joy and play with them makes me feel like a child again. They both have wonderful imaginations!
This post makes my heart sing as Peter Rabbit and friends are among my favorite characters and bring back such memories of sharing their stories with my girls. Just as I knew it would, your potting shed becomes a wonderful background for your creativity.
Thank you Linda. I love reading to my girls and they seem to enjoy as much as I do!
Pam, I, too love Peter Rabbit!!!! I set a tablescape years ago with the Beatrix Potter theme. Today, I was in my dish pantry when I came across both Peter Rabbit and Alice in Wonderland dishes and I smiled. Even as grown-ups we never tire of reading these stories. I also love “the Little House on the Prairie” books and have to revisit them from time to time. There is magic to opening a book and reading of all the adventures of favored characters. My grands love to read and be read to…. which thrills me to no end.
I love the Sunshine Cottage set up for Spring. All the rabbits are adorable and paired with the salad plates make an irresistible attraction for EM and EK. These make for special moments that will never be forgotten by these two precious little girls!
God has so abundantly Blessed us both with wonderful families.
Psalm 127:3. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
Hugs and Blessings
Kari
I love that verse in Psalm, Kari. Thank you my friend for your precious comments and words of encouragement. God is so good!
Oh Pam, so adorable!!!! I know the girls must absolutely LOVE this, their pretty plates on display with those darling rabbits! I know you had a ball setting this up, it could not be any cuter! And that EM asked if you were going to make a pie, oh my goodness how sweet!!! 🐇🥕
Jenna
Thank you Jenna. Emma and I played in the cottage today and we had so much fun!
What a sweet post, Pam. Happy Easter to all!
Thank you my friend!
Oh, I just love these books, too! I used to watch the videos with Zach when he was little. I miss those days! The plates are just adorable! It is wonderful to see how much you are enjoying your little ones, and I can only imagine how excited you are to welcome the new one coming soon! God bless all of you.
I love the videos, Cheryl. Thank you!
Pam, this is absolutely adorable and I’m certain your princesses will love it! The rabbits are so cute and are such a fun element to the table. Who would not love this? Thanks for the smiles and Happy Easter!
Thank you Kim…Happy Friday!
I love everything! Those plates are fantastic!
Thanks so much Jennifer. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Pam,
I’ve never posted on your blog but read it every week and love your topics. All this fun talk about Beatrix and Peter Rabbit, I was wondering if y’all knew there is a movie about Beatrix’s life on Amazon Prime titled “Mrs. Potter.” Renee Zellweger plays the part and does a great job- a lovely movie. Have a blessed Easter- He is Risen!
Hello Vickie. Thanks so much for reading my blog. We haven’t seen the movie, but hope to soon. Another reader told me about it, and she also said it was lovely.
Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter, He is Risen! Amen and Amen!
The cottage is so sweet anytime of the year but especially now that Peter Rabbit has made an appearance.
Thank you Karen!
Love the Peter Rabbit theme in the Sunshine Cottage! Your grand-daughters are so lucky to have such an indulgent and enthusiastic grandmother. I used to love books as a child too. I always dreamt of visiting all those places in UK where my favourite authors wrote all those lovely books. And finally in 2019, I could go on a literary trail in the UK covering Beatrix Potter among other writers and poets like Jane Austen and William Wordsworth. We were lucky to be able to visit the cottage that Beatrix lived in and the Beatrix Potter Museum in the Lake District, which is just awesome. Your decor of the Sunshine Cottage today really reminded me of the museum. It must have been fun decorating it with the girls! Love it! 💕💕
Thank you for your sweet and interesting comments. How wonderful that you could go on a literary trail in the UK. Thanks for sharing your memories, I enjoyed reading!