Pay It Forward

The day has finally arrived!
For those of you have participated in Pay It Forward----
THANK YOU!
I posted this picture and gave you all a week or so to guess what the object was. We have had several great guesses and TWO hit it right on the nose. Here is the original post that I posted back in April. Our world of blogging is really just a remake of an old tradition. Please read the following and you will know without a doubt what the above object is.

Years ago I used to read a massive amount of romance novels. I loved the historical ones. The traditions and the way of life have always fascinated me. Pictures of ladies in fancy dresses concerned only about what they would wear to a ball, tea served in front parlors, men gallantly rushing in to protect a lady--who wouldn’t love to disappear into this world. But alas, those are days gone by. Or are they?
I started blogging a short while ago. Something about the whole blogging process was bringing something of those days of old to mind. When I started someone told me to make sure I visited plenty of blogs and make sure to leave comments. I thought how strange, why would that be so important? I then found out that when you leave a comment on a blog, the polite response is to acknowledge the comment with a return visit to the site of the commenter. Then it hit me, I had taken a step back in time. What we call comments are really just calling cards of days gone by. Here is a little history.

“The use of calling cards was perceived as "high style", carried by "well-to-do" ladies and gentleman who made a point to call on friends and family on specified days of the week or month. The term "Calling" or the verb "to call" was a common Victorian term for making a visit. The card was left at the door, or in the front parlor in a silver urn, basket or "Card Receiver". These receivers were placed to hold cards for the family, whether they be home or not. Cards left reminded the family of who had called, thus requiring a visit in return.
A lady would start making calls immediately upon arriving in town. This would notify everyone that her family had arrived. The card was conveyed to the mistress of the house, who would then decide whether or not to receive the caller. Out of respect, no questions or inquiries as to the whereabouts of the residents or the mistress were asked during the initial visit.
If the mistress was 'not at home', it was a rejection of the visitor. A reciprocal card may be given to the caller, but if none was given formally, this generally indicated less desire to further the acquaintance. However, if formal calls were given, there was hope for the relationship to grow.
Formal calls were made following ceremonial events such as engagements, marriages or childbirth, and also as acknowledgment of hospitality. After a specific event, it was courteous to make a call within a week for all condolences and congratulations.
Standard practice of all calls were returned the same as presented. Example of a call, a card with a card, within one week, or at the most, ten days. If a family was temporarily leaving the area, they wrote P.P.C. (pour prendage conge) on their cards when they called.”

Does all this sound familiar? We have actually been practicing what some would have called "high style living". We prepare an attractive entrance way for our visitors and leave a “tray’ for them to leave proof of their visit. If we know them, they can expect a return “call”. If new visitors leave appropriate "calling cards" that catch our eyes--they can be sure to receive a return visit. Some sites have lots of calling cards. These “homes” become the social place to be found. In a scary world it could be like stepping back into high school again. (Heaven help me--not again)
To our benefit, I have found only a polite society. Calling cards most often are returned and some that were received have been “Formal”, and relationships have begun to grow. I love this new neighborhood and its little traditions. I love being able to stop in and see who is home. Staying for a short while with those I am just getting to know and a little longer with those that I am familiar with.
Isn't it nice to know that we are a part of an old tradition? We are not so mod in our ways. Sometimes the ways of old are good. In those days it led to a community of people who knew what was going on in each others lives. It made friends of women who spent time with each other.
We need that so much today. I need to know that when life is good there is someone to share the details with. And, I need to know that when life is hard I have someone who knows me and cares about what I am going through. We need each other.

I thank God for my little social community. When you stop ---please, leave your "calling card". I promise to get back with you within the acceptable time.
And, I promise that in my home your calling card will not be rejected.
And if you are new to our little neighborhood, WELCOME!



Pictures are of old Victorian calling cards.

Pretty cool little piece of history isn't it?
I thought so.
Two girls hit the answer right on the head. Our dish is a calling card dish. It would have been left in the front hall and when ladies would come to call
they would leave their card in the little bowl.
So.......... to the two ladies who left the correct response- I will be sending off the following
PAY IT FORWARD rewards.
Please remember that the winners should also have a PAY IT FORWARD in the near future.
You may do whatever you like to pay it forward.

The first gift will go to Halfmoon Girl. If I remember correctly she does not care for coffee- so I make a little selection for her from my favorite store. There is an assorted selection of apple cider and two different types of tea. One is Peppermint tea and the other is a loose English Breakfast tea. Enjoy girl!

Next.
The other correct answer came from Holly of Crown Laid Down. She really impressed me with her research. She even found the web page where I found the picture to display for this contest. Way to go girl!
I am pretty sure that Holly shares my love for coffee. You will need some milk for this Holly--with chicory, it is pretty potent. This coffee would be used for our Cafe Au Lait-
half coffee and half hot milk.
Your coffee will also be coming with Beignet mix. If you have ever been to New Orleans you would have surely gone to Cafe du Monde. They are famous for their coffee and beignets. Beignets are square donuts topped with powder sugar-- I grew up on these. Just don't sneeze while eating them. And don't wear black.
Enjoy these with your family Holly.

I will be getting these all in the mail in the next few days.
Thank you guys.
This was fun!

Thank you for being a huge part of my life this past year. You are all very special to me. I thank God for brining you all into my life.
Looking forward to an incredible new year with you all at my side.