Easter Flowers plus Miss Ella and the Goodbye Lie Diaries

Apparently, angels can sleep anywhere ... 
note the angel above on the old rusty fireplace grate

    The Easter lilies are in bloom again.  

     That is a direct ripoff of the calla lilies are in bloom again, Katharine Hepburn's famous line from the 1937 movie, Stage Door.  It may be several weeks past the blessed holiday of Easter, but any time a flower blooms, it is miraculous! And these wonderful lilies bloom annually, with no effort on my part. This is another miracle! - jmm 

***

The Goodbye Lie Diaries
Late 1880s
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Miss Ella Dunnigan

Miss Ella writes: Oh, how lovely, Jane Marie.  In my time, my lilies have already bloomed. Ours are planted by the front steps to Dunnigan Manor.  They are so welcoming during the Easter holiday activities. Every other year, I lift some of the ever-increasing bulbs and give them to neighbors and friends. What a delight it is to take a slow buggy ride around town to witness so many of them in bloom. 
     Your sleeping angel is very precious, indeed.  She tells a tale of silent and safe contentment as she rests beneath the heralding flowers symbolizing purity, hope and the renewing life of spring.  Her placement is perfect.

*****

Miss Ella is matriarch in the Dunnigan family. Featured in each of the novels in Jane Marie Malcolm's  The Goodbye Lie series, she is the backbone of the clan, but don't tell her husband, Michael. 

Hands of Love plus Goodbye Lie Diaries-Entries by "The Girls"

Present Day
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida

     To me, this is a perfect picture of love.  It came about when I saw my Bruce's hand print on our blanket where he had straightened the bed covers, smoothing the wrinkles in the nap. Like a refreshable Etch A Sketch, our granddaughter, Ava, and I have drawn pictures in this same nap, at our annual Grammy Camp. And so it came to me to place my hand on this most impressionable blanket, along side that of my dear husband's.  I had to photograph the result and share with you other romantics out there.  💑  Jane Marie

****************************

*The Goodbye Lie Diaries

Late 1880s

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Breelan

Breelan writes - At the sight of this powerful image, romance with the man I love fills my entire being.

Carolena

Carolena - To discover his hand print and then compliment it with your own, tells a story of love for a lifetime. 

Marie

Marie - Ahh ...  I want a good man of my own ...




****************************

     The Goodbye Lie Diaries on this blog are written by the  The Goodbye Lie series characters, themselves, and what characters they are! Set in the late 1880s on Amelia Island in north Florida, these girls are siblings in the Irish Dunnigan family. Each sister has a distinct personality and look and each has a novel telling her own story as part of the series.  Read the tales of the Dunnigan girls as follows: 

Breelan- The Goodbye Lie
Carolena - Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow
Marie - Amelia Island's Mark of a Man
             (brother Pat shares this novel)

   The Dunnigans welcome you to their family. Hang on tightly! There's a whole lot of bouncin' goin' on!
                        -Jane Marie Malcolm (author and close friend to the Dunnigan clan)

Grammy Camp - Paintbrush Dolls

Granddaughter Ava's Bride Doll

     A big part of our annual Grammy Camp is all about creating. Last year, we made dolls from perfume bottles. This year we made these fabulous dolls from paintbrushes. They are fashioned with odd trinkets from my lifetime collection of stuff in my craft boxes.  Here is how we made ours:

You'll need:

Paintbrush from the Dollar Store
Glue
Paint of your choice to cover the brush handle and bristles, optional

Grammy's Irish Doll

Face - large(about 1") clear glass button-rounds-trace a circle on paper, draw a face and glue it to the back of the glass button with clear glue
Trim - glitter, ribbon, flowers, buttons, shells, rick-rack, fabric etc. 

Simple or fancy, make your paintbrush doll as a gift, as an ornament, door hanger, wall art, etc.  Remember, no two will be alike and it's relaxing me time or time with the kids, plus it's just pure fun!

Grammy Camp - Crowns Abound! - Goodbye Lie Diaries - Marie Dunnigan Writes

    Grammy Camp is an annual event at Stately       Martha Manor (named for our Martha Bear teddy bear).  Since my granddaughter is a mini-me, can anything be more fun than our shared interests in crafting, photography, music, food, humor and just about every subject there is?
     This day we created crowns.  Ava and I love crowns.  There are endless ideas and styles online, and the picture shows our happy efforts.  Here's how we made lace crowns.
     Oh, I have to tell you that most of these crowns are 40 years old, although we made them today. Why?  There used to be a fabric store called Cloth World that sold "penny-a-yard lace."  I think their limit per day was $1.00.  They had the sale quite often, so I still have hundreds of yards of lace left.  I've used the different styles of lace to edge pillows, blankets, quilts, christening gowns, bibs, curtains, dresses, vests, wedding decor, costumes, placemats, dog coats, just about anything you can make by hand. As a child, my Barbra used to say, "Not Cloth World again, Mommy."  hahaha  Little did she know, that decades later, her daughter and I would be creating treasures together with that very lace. 

Lace Crowns

You'll need:

(WE FOUND THAT THE THICKER THE LACE, THE MORE GLUE IT ABSORBS AND THE STIFFER and STURDIER THE CROWN WILL BE. This is what you want.)

Rinsed out metal can or plastic whipped cream container (Cool Whip-type)
Old newspaper to keep your surface clean
White glue and water or fabric stiffener from Walmart or a craft store
Old paintbrush of some kind
Lace- the thicker the better
Different sized cans to keep the crown round
Parchment paper
Plastic wrap
Spray paint (optional)
Jewels, fabric roses, ribbons, etc., to decorate
Bobby Pins or thin ribbon to tie under the chin or behind the hair to secure the crown if worn (optional)
A human head or a pet or doll or the corner bedpost, etc., on which to place the finished crown.
We went online for directions and this is what we ended up doing.  It worked well.

1. Cover your round cans with a layer of plastic wrap.
2. Pour 3 parts glue and 1 part water into a clean container you can throw away and mix well or use store-bought fabric stiffener.
3. Determine the size of crown you want, add a half inch to cross the ends over and later glue. Cut your length of lace, trying to match the pattern in the back where you'll adhere the ends.
4. Dip one length of lace at a time into the glue.  Holding one end at the top over the can of glue, run your thumb and first finger down to the end to get the excess glue off. Lay the glue covered lace flat on the parchment paper. 
5. Using an old paintbrush, make sure the glue is even on both sides and the holes in the lace are open. Let dry.
6. When dry, paint more glue onto both sides of the lace. The lace will soften again from the glue. Move the wet lace to the plastic covered can, overlap the lace and pin in place.  Let dry.
7. With a dull knife and the help of an adult, slip the knife under the dried round lace to remove it from the can.  If it's still not stiff enough, paint on more glue and let dry on the can again, to keep the round shape.
8. Once dry and stiff, hot glue the ends, overlapping slightly. 
9. Spray paint a color, add glitter, weave a ribbon through the holes of the lace, add a bow, add jewels, silk flowers or leave as is.  The lace, itself, is pretty. 
10. Give as gifts to your favorite princesses or queens and save one or two for yourself because you are royalty in your world. Let everyone know!

***

The Goodbye Lie Diaries

Late 1880s
Fernandina on Amelia Island

Marie Dunnigan

*Marie Dunnigan writes: How beautiful! I want to be a princess, too.  If I ask my mother, Miss Ella, perhaps she will share a piece of lace made by the sisters at Saint Michael's. I am sure Peeper has glue. Should she not, she can make some sort of stiffening potion that will work. I can use one of Daddy's blueberry wine jugs for the round to pin the crown on and trim with a sparkling broach.  I am so anxious to begin, I will find Mother, straight away, and inquire about the lace.  Thank you,  Miss Jane and Ava. The result of my efforts will be most regal, I'm certain. 

*Marie Dunnigan is the youngest adult sibling in the family.  Some may describe her as self-involved. She seems to learn from her mistakes, at least sometimes. Marie is featured in Amelia Island's Mark of a Man, set in north Florida in 1898, part of The Goodbye Lie series. 

Hollywood Hearts - It's May!

It's May!  It's May! Those are the opening lyrics from Camelot's The Lusty Month of May, a cleverly written tune by Alan Jay Lerner (1918-1986).  There are many versions of this wonderful song from the popular Broadway musical on YouTube, including a recording by Julie Andrews, but this link below is from the  1967 movie with Vanessa Redgrave singing.  Enjoy! 

Camelot's The Lusty Month of May

Family Friendly

Look what I came across on the internet concerning this blog:

Google Safe Browsing

GraciousJaneMarie.blogspot.com

Website status	Safe
:-)  🙋	Jane Marie

Bible Plants plus Goodbye Lie Diaries - Peeper

Present Day

Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida

    My friend, Donna Lind, loves to garden. She

has shared her efforts with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida, with plantings mentioned in the Bible. Below, find a few of the photos I took to show you. Situated near the entrance, in a flower box, beneath a large wooden cross, each has a corresponding sign beside it, giving its name and the bible verse where the reference can be found.  Thank you, Donna. With the Internet, the whole world can enjoy this wonderful project of yours. -                                                                Jane Marie

***

Late 1800s

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Peeper

*(Grandmother) Peeper writes: Ooh, sowwie!  I will be adiggin' some holes and puttin' in some Bible plants, too, just ta remind me of the Good Book.  I will plant 'em near the path between our Dunnigan Manor and Duffy Pace sos every time that nasty Aunt Noreena walks over ta get some of  Miss Ella's treats or mine, she will see 'em. If we're lucky, just a mite, she will trip on a root and fall inta one a the prickiest ones. Alright, Lord.  I take that back. But maybe she might shut her mouth and not be so hateful, bein' reminded of the Word and all. 

*Peeper is heavily featured in the Southern Fiction series beginning with The Goodbye Lie, set on Amelia Island in Victorian times. She really doesn't like anyone referring to her as grandmother because she doesn't want to be treated in a delicate fashion.  Read all about the silly interaction between  Peeper and Aunt Noreen, next door. 

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Belleek Irish Pottery - Miss Ella

Late 1800s

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Miss Ella writes: We just had a package delivered. My sweet sister-in-law, Katie Lawrence from Washington, D.C., sent Michael, well really the whole Dunnigan family, a lovely biscuit barrel, covered in hand painted shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day. It is made by the Belleek Pottery Company. I have heard nothing but delightful things about them and everything is true. This jar is so lightweight and delicate, how did it make it to our doorstep without a

*Miss Ella

chip or crack? You have to know, Grandmother Peeper will claim it as her own the moment she spies it. That is fine with me because she will keep it filled to the rim with her delightful biscuits. I must dash off a note of thanks to Kathleen, next thing.

***************

Present Day
Fernandina Beach, on Amelia Island, Florida

Jane Marie writes: Imagine my surprise when I first heard of the Irish pottery given to you in your time.  I, too, was recently gifted with the very same biscuit barrel!  I don't know its origins as it was presented to me by relatives who don't know its origin either.  They were readying a family home for sale, discovered this and thought of me.  If I've never mentioned it, the Irish is alive and well in me.
     Hmm ... Since my family doesn't know its origin, might it possibly have belonged to the Dunnigan clan from your day and got somehow separated from your family to end up in mine? Oh, I like to think that.  By jingo, that is just what happened.  I'm sure of it. Well, pretty sure.  Anyway, I like the idea and will tell the tale.
     I did a bit of research on Belleek Pottery and found the factory opened in County Fermanagh in Ireland in 1857 in the village of Belleek. According to their website at www.belleek.com/, it is Ireland's oldest working fine china/pottery factory. Their process takes 16 people to handle each new piece.  If there is a flaw of any kind, it will never be sold. Thus, perfection is their watchword.
     Watch this video to see how they do it: Belleek Pottery Made in Ireland  

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

from The Dunnigans of

The Goodbye Lie Series  

and Jane Marie Malcolm and Family‎

*Miss Ella is the matriarch of the fictional Dunnigans  on Amelia Island, Florida. Known for her grace and kindness, she is the culinary supervisor for Aqua Verde Passenger line, the family business.

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Miss Ella's Simple Salad

Late 1800s

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

    

     Miss Ella Dunnigan writes:  Everyone about town is aware I plan the menus for our Aqua Verde Passenger Line of ships.  My staff and I do our utmost to make our passengers' travels a safe yet exciting sea adventure and that, too, is the case with regard to their taste buds.  Sometimes, easy to prepare food is just as appetizing as elegant.  This is the case with my Simple Tomato Salad.  Four ingredients and you have a healthy delight to serve on board your personal boat or yacht, on a picnic or at your dinner table.

     As is the usual, I want to express my thanks to Jane Marie for photographing her version of my salad. It does look tempting. Find how she made it, below.

Miss Ella's Simple Tomato  Salad

You'll Need: 

(Guestimate the quantities of ingredients as to how many people you'll be serving.)

Tomatoes - chopped or Cherry Tomatoes- halved

Walnuts or Pecans- in pieces

Sharp Cheddar Cheese (jmm used 2% fat), Colby or your favorite cheese- in bite-sized pieces

Salad dressing - (jmm used Avacado Ranch)

Toss all the ingredients and serve chilled.  Individual servings may be prepared by the bowl or salad plate. If tomatoes are out of season where you are, tuck this recipe away or splurge.  (Cherry tomatoes were less expensive here in Florida this time of year.)

This would make an easy Valentine side, too!

***

Miss Ella Dunnigan

     Miss Ella, the Dunnigan family matriarch, and prominently featured player in Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie series, is the nearly perfect mother of  the family. Held in high esteem on Amelia Island, Miss Ella is gentle, loving and a thoughtful soul. She would rather turn and run than get "into it" with nosy, nasty Aunt Noreen who lives next door. But Miss Ella's backbone turns iron when need be. ( PLEASE don't tell Aunt Noreen I wrote this reality about her. )     -jmm



May I Recommend?

    I had the most scrumptious potatoes at a pot luck luncheon.  I was told the recipe was on the back of the Simply Potatoes® bag located in the refrigerated section of the local grocery store.  And there it was. Since it called for chopped onions and I was short on time,  I bought their Potatoes O'Brien® version, with green pepper and onion included. All I can say is the result is YUMMO!

 ***Cheesy Hash Browns***

You'll need:

1 bag of Simply Potatoes O'Brien® or your own shredded potatoes with chopped onion
 3/4 cup sour cream
 1 regular can of cream of chicken soup- I used the healthy version.
8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese - I used 2% sharp cheddar.
1/4th cup melted butter- I  used Earth Balance organic spread.

Mix all the ingredients.  Spread in a 9"x 11" pan or 2 quart casserole sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  Bake for 60 minutes  at  350° F. Cut into squares and serve for Sunday dinner or anytime.  It would go wonderfully with eggs at breakfast, too.  Think I'll run by the store tonight and get the ingredients to make more!
     Enjoy,   Jane Marie

2017 Annual Christmas Letter

Somebody else's Christmas Cactus

     Here is another of our annual appalling          

appealing family Christmas letters.  Hope your year was filled with events and quotes as great as ours!

 

Mother tried out for the community theater production of Little Mermaid.  She will play the coveted role of seaweed.

 

Auntie instructed Son to put up the trellis for the wedding ceremony.  He readily agreed, adding, "What’s a trellis?"

 

Uncle asked, "Who was the last one to brush?"  “Brush what?” came the reply in unison. That happened in May.

 

Father warned: "Don't go in there.  He's got The Crud and he'll take us all down with him."

 

The doorbell rang. "Who ordered this kind of pizza?  I hate mushrooms so I ain't paying.  Granny, it’s for you."

 

"Who wants a white Russian?"  “I don't, but I'll take a furry Frenchman."

 

Uncle Tree-tree talks into the TV clicker and replaces the batteries when he can't change the channels. It keeps him busy and away from the garbage can.

  

It rained so hard the apple pie was good.

 

Father cut the grass and his toe nails, in that order. 

 

Cousin Skin bought a ticket and wore a sneaker.

 

The pool was not cleaned this year.

 

“Anybody got any TUMS?”

 

A feather was on the sidewalk.

 

Ants carried off the cat food.

 

Mother sewed on a button then removed the blood stains with her spit.

 

Brother got a new one.

 

The cat coughed up a pickle.

 

The timer on the sprinkler got reset.

 

The oven burned the chicken. 

 

The repairman made two trips to plug in the toaster.  He wears a uniform and is Father's nephew.

 

Friday's newspaper was thinner than the bacon.

 

Sometimes we didn’t dry the dishes.

 

The stairs still need watering.

 

The chimney smells funny.

 

Merry Christmas
from all the crew and characters at
Gracious Jane Marie and
Amelia Island Novels Blog

Quick Beef Stroganoff

     I heard somewhere, "It is better to wear out than rust out."  And I agree, but our lives do often seem hectic and we may forget a thing or two. (That's why there are sticky notes in my world. )

     One thing we must remember to do is feed the family- like they would let us forget?  So, I am always on the look-out for quick and easy recipes that are delicious.  This Beef Stroganoff has been around our house for a couple of decades. Give it a try! 

Quick Beef Stroganoff

Brown and drain any grease:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• Garlic powder to taste
• 1 medium onion, chopped finely (optional)
• Flat noodles or pasta            

Add, stirring over medium heat until hot clear through:

• 1 can “healthy” mushroom soup (regular is fine, too)
• 1 cup regular, non-fat or light sour cream
• 1 three ounce can of mushrooms, drained (or larger can if you love mushrooms) - fresh mushrooms taste even better, but should be added with the onion so they can be cooked through
• 2 tablespoons ketchup           
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Serve over flat noodles or pasta.

P.S.  This recipe was first posted on my Gracious Jane Marie website a long while ago.  It's so good, I thought you might like seeing it again or discovering it for the first time.

Enjoy!
            Jane Marie

The Goodbye Lies - Peeper-Perfect Purity Almost

Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida 
Present Day

   Jane Marie writes:   My friend, Johanna Eversole, showed me this photo of a Great Egret she'd taken here on Amelia Island, Florida and let me share it with you. She and her son occasionally cast a net for shrimp.  This beautiful birdie, she kindly calls Freddie the Freeloader, watches for them and accepts any of the tidbits they offer. Not only is this creature pure and perfect, but smart. 

Here is a link for more info. 

***

Fernandina, Florida                                         

Late 1800s

     Grandmother Peeper writes:  I seen one a them birds aflyin' the other day.  I admit to it.  It was a pretty thing, but sure as a croakin' frog can wake the dead at night, them egrets fly high up and let loose, if ya understand my meanin', and it always lands on the clean clothes ahangin' on the line.  That's the way of it.

The Goodbye Lie Diaries- What are they?
     Through the magic of electronics, the characters in my Goodbye Lie Series set on Amelia Island can talk to me from the late 1800s and I to them.  It makes for some interesting conversations.- Jane Marie

Bless This House by Perry Como

Please take a moment during this special time of giving thanks and listen to Bless This House

by Perry Como. Written in 1927, the melody is gentle then  powerful and the words leave you counting your many blessings.

Thank you to YouTube, as always.

From the Author of The Goodbye Lie Series

I now understand the definition of a labor of love. 

Discover-ing the personal-ities of the Irish Dunnigan family, the players in my Goodbye Lie series set on historic Amelia Island, Florida, has been all-enveloping.  As I walk the beach, with the Atlantic Ocean's cool waters washing over my feet, Breelan and Carolina and Pat and Marie, the siblings featured in the novels, whisper their secrets in the passing sea breeze. I can't help but listen as they tell their stories.  Sometimes they call me out for sharing too many of their personal details, but then understand the necessity of it.  Without those details, they would hold far less interest for me or my readers.  Their actions and reactions, their deeds and misdeeds are the result of deep and sometimes dark developments in their lives. I am fascinated, intrigued and just plain curious as to where their whispers will lead me, and in turn, the reader. Please join our band of beloved friends, the Dunnigans of Amelia Island. 
                                    - Jane Marie Malcolm  


#Fernandina, #Fernadinabook, #AmeliaIslandbook, #AmeliaIsland, #Irishdrama, #Irishfamily, #romance, #historical, #smalltown, #mystery, #passion, #comic, #island, #Floridanovel

Aunt Noreen's Favorite Song - Goodbye Lie Diaries

1894

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

     Aunt Noreen writes:  Oh, Jane Marie.  I heard you playing I Don't Want To Play In Your Yard.  How you are able ,in your time, to do this will forever be a puzzlement to me.  No matter, this is a new song in my time and I adore it. I only recently received my copy of the sheet music in yesterday's mid-morning post. I am thrilled to add it to my very large collection of such. Once I learn to play our square grand piano, this will be one of my first pieces. In the meanwhile, I will have Miss Ella play it for me.  She hits a wrong key occasionally, but then only our Lord is perfect.  Isn't that right?

Aunt Noreen

    You must be wondering just why I love this song so.  It is because it carries me back to my childhood.  The song tells the tale of  little girls who quarrel and make up and quarrel and make up.  As I think on it, my life is still that way.  While I have so very many friends, more than most other people, my friends can be so unreasonable and difficult at times.  I realize today this song still describes the spats caused by the now grown girls who attack me. I won't name names, but that adopted Dunnigan grandmother, who is short and fat and lives next door, never apologizes for her harsh words toward me, but the other women who offend me, usually do. They cannot endure their otherwise grim lives if I, Fernandina's true society-sophisticate, turn from them.

     Jane Marie tells me you should "click on the arrow in the picture" above and the music will begin. As you listen, think of me and the trials I live through because some women can be just awful.   

YouTube from Sheet Music Singer

words by Philip Wingate
composed by H. W. Petrie                               

Published - National Music Co., Chicago, 1894                         

                                               .

Aunt Noreen is a featured character in The Goodbye Lie series, an  Irish family saga in E-book and paperback at  Jane Marie Malcolm's Amazon.com author page here: The Goodbye Lie series

#sheetmusic, #grandpiano, #youtube, #AmeliaIsland, #AuntNoreen, #Peeper, #drama, #Irishfamily, #series, #novel, #beach, #romance, #mystery, #family, #touching

Meet Leona Visper- Goodbye Lie Player

The Goodbye Lie

Set in 1882 in the city of Fernandina, Amelia Island, Florida

Leona Visper

Leona Visper - Now she is somebody everyone wants to meet. Why?  Because she is known worldwide as The Songbird of the North.  With her blond hair piled high, glistening eyes  and a figure she is not ashamed to show off, Miss Visper has a voice of silk, which can lure men into her devilment.  However, she wants no ordinary men for they do not satisfy her.  Her men must have mountains more money than that in her own swollen bank account plus they must be highly regarded in society.  
     Additionally,  Leona doesn't much like being compared to other women, especially if they are younger. Because of this, she has few female friends. 
     Her master plan is to permanently land the richest male she can. She prefers him unmarried, but only because there are less tedious complications with a bachelor.  If he is handsome, all the better.  And she doesn't care what she has to do to complete her mission ... 

#GoodbyeLie, #AmeliaIslandRomance, #AmeliaIslanddrama, #Irishfamily, #GoneWithTheWind, #LittleHouseonthePrarie, #AmeliaIslandtrilogy, #smalltown, #Victorian, #Centre