Remembering Ribbons

Ribbons and Laces for Very Pretty Faces by Edmund Blair Leighton

Ribbons are such a feminine piece of our past…

Their popularity was proven by the fact that people

used to sell them as a business by themselves.

A Basket of Ribbons by Christen Brun

(Though not always successful…) 

Would you like to reinvent the ribbon in your dress? 

They can be used as a headband...

They can be worn around braids, woven through braids, or tied to ponytails…


This young lady uses a thick one as a sash around her collar.

Ribbons by Pati Bannister

Here are two more examples of hair adornment.

I think they are beautiful and feminine!

Ribbons today...

Incidentally, today the pink ribbon has taken on a new meaning and is associated with breast cancer awareness. This started in 1991 when the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed them out to runners in the New York City race for breast cancer survivors. The pink ribbon was adopted as the official symbol of breast cancer awareness the following year (in 1992) by the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint produced a silver commemorative breast cancer coin in 2006 with Queen Elizabeth on one side and an enameled pink ribbon on the other. 

In future posts, we shall take a peek into the past and see how the women

in history wore these lovely strands of color along with some historical meanings.

Remembering Ribbons: Biblical Times

Remembering Ribbons: Medieval Times ~ Reformation
Remembering Ribbons ~ Regency Era
Remembering Ribbons ~ Victorian Times

Linked up with: Deep Roots at Home

Lighthouses & Lamplighter Giveaway!

Grace Darling and Her Father by William Bell Scott

Where every parting agony is hushed,

And hope and fear mix not in further strife.

"But courage, Father! let us out to sea-- A few may yet be saved."

The Daughter's words, Her earnest tone, and look beaming with faith,

Dispel the Father's doubts: nor do they lack
The noble-minded Mother's helping hand

To launch the boat; and with her blessing cheered,

And inwardly sustained by silent prayer,

Together they put forth, Father and Child!

~ An Excerpt from the Poem Grace Darling by William Wordsworth

The painting above by William Bell Scott depicts the Victorian Era heroism of Mr. Darling and his daughter Grace that we read about in our "Portraits from the Past" last month. William Wordsworth even penned a poem to commend the bravery of these lighthouse keepers written about here. The keeper of the lighthouse had quite a job on his hands. Such responsibility weighed on them for lives depended upon their illumination!

Did you know that the family of Robert Louis Stevenson were lighthouse architects? His grandfather is responsible for building the largest one in Scotland with the opening of these words,

"May the great Architect of the universe complete and bless this building!"

It seems like lighthouses were the topic this month in my home! We just finished reading the Lamplighter Publishing book titled, Saved at Sea by Mrs. O.F. Walton and I thought it would be fun to offer this little treasure as a *G I V E A W A Y*. To enter, you just need to answer the following questions by leaving a response in the comment box. Winners will be announced this Friday the 17th so be sure to check back so I can get the appropriate email and address of the winner. One entry per person please.

Questions for the wives, mothers and maidens:

• Who is your treasured heroine in the Bible?
• Who is your favorite Christian heroine of the past?

"The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

the LORD is the strength of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?"

~ Psalm 27:1

Saved at Sea by Mrs. O.F. Walton Written in 1879 and republished by  Lamplighter Publishing, this is a sweet chapter book for ages 8 - 12 years of age or would make an excellent family read aloud.

"On the lonely island the lighthouse stands, warning of impending danger and providing light for seafarers in the frightening world of the dark turbulent seas. But even as they keep watch, old Sandy Fergusson and his grandson Alick can’t prevent the raging storms that lurk ahead."

Birdie's Lighthouse by Deborah Hopkinson (4 - 8 years of age)
A fun, picture book about a young girl based on a true story.

You can read the short biography of Grace Darling here.

Linked up with the following:

Handful of Heart Monday's

Domestically Divine Tuesday

Raising Homemakers

Wise Woman Link Up

Deep Roots at Home

Godly Princess Unit Study

To be honest, I never nurtured the "princess" stage in my daughter's life. I was convinced it was too much pampering when a true servant of God was about service and not being served. However, when I came across the books below, I begin to see the word "princess" in a new light. A princess could also be a daughter of the King... the King of Kings! This is the message worth teaching and below you will find some ideas to conduct a Godly Princess Unit Study fit for a Daughter of the King…

Subjects covered are purity, service, hospitality, marriage, manners, etc… all through books about the princess.

Read Aloud Chapter Book Suggestion: Dear Princess: A Book for Girls by Mary M. Landis (Though this book is geared towards girls in their teen years, with it's easy to understand writing and practical illustrations of life, I think girls of all ages will glean some gold from this book. It is written by an Amish/Mennonite woman and is very conservative which I appreciate in this day and age. With that being said, the author does include some teachings on head coverings/adornment which you may or may not share the same conviction in. Consider it a good time to discuss those interpretations with your daughter.) About the book:

"Jesus is calling our dear, young girls to heaven's purity. He wants every one of them to be a princess--a child of the King. Does your heart sing? Do your lips smile? Are you happy, joyous, and lovable? These are characteristics of the King's daughter, our dear Princess.  Dear Princess addresses every young Christian girl as a princess of her King.  Dear Princess is a "how to" book that is written to lead Christian girls step by step into victorious Christian living--that happiest, most satisfying and joyous life that the heavenly Father has planned that His children shall have. It will be one of the more worthwhile books in the library of the princess." - Dear Princess: A Book for Girls 

Picture Book Suggestions for Younger Girls (though older girls will enjoy as well) : The True Princess by Angela Elwell Hunt, The Princess and the Kiss: A Story of God's Gift of Purity by Jennie Bishop, The Princess and the Three Knights by Karen Kingsbury, A Little Princess in the Making: A Royal Guide to Becoming a Girl of Grace, by Emilie Barnes, Princess Tea Parties: Royal Gatherings for Little Ladies by Michael Sparks

Suggested Activities:

I would suggest reading together for a half-hour a day from the above chapter book and having your daughters do some of the listed activities below each day according to their abilities.  Include all work from this study separately in a notebook/binder or composition book for each young lady. Don't forget to let them decorate their own covers with pictures of royal items, stickers or clip art! Encourage them to be creative.  By the end of a few weeks you will have a nice collection of "Godly Princess Scrapbooks" to cherish as an educational keepsake which will be full of verses, ideas and inspiration.

Spelling/Vocabulary for Younger Princesses:

1. princess
2. hospitality
3. royal
4. obedience
5. kingdom
6. castle
7. coronet
8. crown
9. responsibility
10. daughter

Bible/Penmanship: Copy Psalms 45:13-17 into your scrapbook in your best writing making sure to use all the proper punctuation.

Pharaoh's Daughter Receives the Mother of Moses by James Tissot

Bible History/Research: Try and list as many princesses as you can from the Bible. This might be a challenge because you may have to think outside of the box (for example, Pharaoh's daughter is a princess because pharaoh basically means king, Michal is King Saul's daughter, Tamar is King David's daughter, Athalia is King Ahab's daughter, etc... ).

The Daughter of Herodias Dancing by James Tissot
(Another princess in the Bible though NOT so godly)

Bible History/Research/Character/Thinking Skills: When you are finished with the list above, divide it between godly and ungodly women and alphabetize them. 

Bible History/Language Arts/Character Building: After making the lists above, write a short essay on your favorite princess in the Bible and explain why you chose her. What are the qualities that attracted you to her?

Sarah by James Tissot

Bible History: We read in the Scriptures that Sarai is given a new name:

"And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her." ~ Genesis 17:15-16 KJV

Her new name means, "princess". Write a short essay explaining why you think she received this new name?

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement." ~ 1 Peter 3:3-6

Discuss with your daughter that you are a daughter of that same "princess" when you trust in God.

History: Choose a godly princess of the past to research and write a short report on her life and why you think she was a special woman.

Geography: Print out a blank world map and label where each of these princesses of the past were from below (and any others you know of or are using in any of these activities) using a map key and color coding. For instance, label Russia, color it pink, make a map key with a pink square and write next to it, "Princess Anastasia ~ Russia" (Use a different color per country.) ~

• Princess Anastasia ~ Russia
• Princess Kaulani ~ Hawaii
• Princess Victoria ~ England
• Princess Pocahontas ~ Modern Day United States (Native American Princess)
• Pharaoh's Daughter (Princess who found Moses) ~ Egypt

Literature/Language Arts/Silent Reading Titles:

• For girls 9 - 14 years of age, read "A Little Princess" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. When you are finished, write a short essay which explains the type of princess you found in Sara Crewe.

• For girls 14 and up with a more advanced vocabulary and a more challenging read, try The Princess Adelina: An Ancient Christian Tale of Beauty and Braveryby Julie Sutter. When you are finished with the book, write a short essay regarding the "godly princess" qualities you found in Adelina.

Language Arts: Read the poem, The Royal Princess by Christina Rossetti. Discuss with your mother what you think this poem is about. Write your own poem about a princess.

Michael Despises David by James Tissot

Bible/Character Study/Research: Michal, the daughter of Saul was a princess and was given to David as a wife. Read about Michal in the Old Testament. Write a short report on Princess Michal. Why do you think she reacted the way she did to King David when he was giving glory to God? Do you think she truly loved David? Or do you think it was God that she lacked love for? Did she behave like a "true" daughter of the King of Kings?

In Church by James Tissot

Art History/Picture Study: Study the "princess" paintings on this post by the french artist, James Tissot, and write an "art review" on your favorite one.  Make sure to print out a small version of the painting you choose and paste onto your art review. Don't forget to include it in your scrapbook. James Tissot was a Victorian painter famous for attempting to make a series of paintings based on the Old and New Testament in his later years (His early work was of fashionable, Victorian women as shown above). He actually toured the Holy Land three times in order to get a better idea of the settings in the Scriptures. All the princess paintings on this post were painted by him.

Art: Younger girls may want to color this free, vintage princess coloring page (see above) with this link. What I like about this picture is that the princess is reading cookbooks!

Art: Older girls can sketch out some of their favorite princesses in the Scriptures. They can also add a short biography underneath each one if you choose.

Princess Flower

Science: Learn about the princess flower of Brazil. Sketch a copy of it to place in your scrapbook and diagram its parts. Also include on the sketch, the latin name, what it needs to survive, and thrive. For an easy science project, plant one in your back yard and record in a journal it's progress along with sketches of its growth.

Character Building for Younger Maidens (4-8 years): Read a chapter a day of A Little Princess in the Making: A Royal Guide to Becoming a Girl of Grace, by Emilie Barnes to your daughter and discuss the virtues together after each chapter with your daughter. Remind them to implement these graces in their daily lives.

My Favorite Picture Book for Young Girls!

Bible/Character Building for Younger Maidens (4-8 years): Read together The True Princessby Angela Elwell Hunt and discuss together this message of "service" to your daughters and how they can implement ways to serve in their life right now. Write a list and include it with the verse below. Make sure to title this paper, "The True Princess".

"But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." ~ Matthew 20:26-28

Biblical Purity: Read together the book, The Princess and the Kiss: A Story of God's Gift of Purity by Jennie Bishop. I would recommend this picture book for ages 6 to 10 years. This book gently presents the concept of purity to your daughters and a discussion is sure to follow.

Desolation of Tamar by James Tissot

Bible/Purity: Older daughters can follow this discussion of purity up by reading about Tamar here. This princess was wronged and we can learn a lot from this sad story.

Biblical Marriage: Read together the picture book (ages 6 to 10 years), The Princess and the Three Knights by Karen Kingsbury and have your daughters write a list of qualities they would want in a husband. Discuss them with your daughters along with the importance of choosing a godly spouse. Have your daughter copy out 2 Corinthians 6:14 and add that to your scrapbook page as well.

Home Economics/Hospitality: Using the book, Princess Tea Parties: Royal Gatherings for Little Ladiesby Michael Sparks, have your daughter host a tea party for your family. Make sure to try some of the recipes. Take pictures and create a scrapbook page of this event to add into your scrapbook. Copy and include the following verse from 1 Peter 4:9 to this section:  "Use hospitality one to another without grudging."

Arts/Crafts: Choose a few of the crafts from Princess Tea Parties: Royal Gatherings for Little Ladiesto do with your daughters. Take pictures of them and include in your scrapbook.

Foreign Language: Learn how to say "princess", "king", and "queen" in the foreign language that you are studying.

Finishing Up: For extra fun, when you are done with this study, perhaps you would like to print out this  merit card (pictured below and courtesy of The Graphics Fairy) to include in your scrapbook showing that your daughter has completed her course in being a Godly Princess, The Daughter of the King.

"The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.  With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought : they shall enter into the king's palace. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.  I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever."

 ~ Psalm 45:13-17

Linked up with the following:

Raising Homemakers

Wise Woman Link Up

Deep Roots at Home

Jubilee Singers

Jubilee Singers by Edmund Havel (1873)

I love the elegance in this victorian painting by Edmund Havel who was the court painter for Queen Victoria. This is of the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University during their post civil war, "a cappella" performance which was done for Queen Victoria in order to raise money for their African American school which was low on funds.

This group was responsible for sharing "spirituals" to the world which were the soulful songs of the south that were created and sung during their bondage about freedom from slavery and freedom in Christ. Most of the songs have Biblical references which were also used as codes for escape in the underground railroad.

Their name, "Jubilee Singers" was based on the Old Testament (Leviticus 25:10) where every fiftieth Pentecost was followed by a year of jubilee where Hebrew law commanded that all slaves be set free. This group was put together in 1871 after the war of the states and most of the students of Fisk were former slaves which truly made this name meaningful.

Questions for mothers and maidens:

• Do you know any spirituals? If so, comment below on your favorites. (I will be sharing my favorites in future posts.)
• Do you know what a cappella means?

There is a sweet picture book (historical fiction) about the Jubilee Singers titled, A Band of Angels by Deborah Hopkinson which younger girls may enjoy.