Jo's Virtual Housewarming Party

This is a group blog from all of us. 

Blame it on Mercury retrograde--the planets decided to mess with the Wenches, and we've had to reschedule today's post by Candice Hern (Part III of her great series on women's fashion magazines).  So heads up:  Candice will appear this Friday. 

And today?

Well, as you know, our nomadic Wench, Jo, has moved back to England, and she'll be settling into her new house (photo below) in Whitby on October the 2nd.  So the Wenches got together and threw a virtual

housewarming party for her.  We had so much fun today that we decided to open it up to our readers!  Feel free to let your imagination run wild.  Post your virtual housewarming gift (click on "comments" at the bottom of this post.)  While you won't be able to include pictures, you can use your fertile imaginations to describe your gift, or provide a link to a picture of the gift.

To get you started, here's what some of the Wenches (and 1 lowly administrator) have given to Jo:

Pat Rice:  An elegant, wood-paneled library and a comfy leather club chair to go in it.

 

Mary Jo Putney:  Along with Pat's library, I offer this velvet cloak to keep her warm as the icy winds blow in off the North Sea. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne Gracie:  I send her a walled secret garden [and gardener], so she can have a lovely wind- free place to sit in the sun and read, or snip herbs for her cooking or simply be.

 

(That's the "gardener" on the left)

 

 

Andrea Pickens/Cara Elliott:  Jo, here's a little something for exploring the North Sea coastline. [and your own personal Horatio Hornblower to captain it]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sherrie Holmes: a butler, a maid, and a cat. The butler will keep your household running smoothly, the maid will keep things tidy, and the cat will keep your lap warm.

Now it's your turn!  Money's no object, since these gifts are virtual.

Comments

[liz m]

Since paranormal is hot, I'm going with her own personal ghost. One with insider knowledge of a lost treasure at the breathtakingly lovely Whitby Abbey, and the freedom to reclaim a nice casket of Saxon treasures. "What, this old thing?" she'll say lightly "Oh, it's been in the family for ages - shoulder clasps are sort of our signature look."

[Candice Hern]

"Mercury retrograde" is polite WenchLanguage for "Candice screwed up." I got the days wrong, thinking my blog was for Friday. *smacking forehead* Many thanks to Sherrie and the Wenches for covering for me.

As for Jo and her new house, I think I'd better offer up a grand old Georgian tallcase clock, with moon phases and a calendar. That way she won't do something stupid like I did today! And maybe it should be equipped with chimes that play the 1812 Overture! :-)

[Jo Beverley]

My goodness, how lovely! Especially the gardener. :)

The house does come with a gardener (just every two weeks) but I doubt he'll look quite like that.

As for sailing the North Sea, however, I think I'll need to practice on a boating lake before attempting that.

Thank you, thank you.

Jo :)

[Anida Adler]

Here's a virtual indoor swimming pool for you (heated, of course) with a life subscription to "Sexy Pool Cleaners R Us".

[Nancy]

Axminster carpets, Staffordshire pottery, and and a shawl from Paisley.

[Patricia Rice]

I love the ghosts! Can we put them in the library? And really, with gardeners like that, who needs to know what time it is? Lying by the sexy pool "G" and watching the cleaners at work may guarantee Jo never looks at a clock again!

[theo]

Is that really a picture of the house? I'm so jealous! And however did you manage sunlight? ;-)

Well, since the house is quite large and I only see two chimneys, my housewarming gift to you is a closet full of beautiful antique quilts (still very usable), several thick down comforters and a nice big bed warmer for those oh-so-chilly English nights.

But you have to promise to get up at some point and write!

Candace, don't feel bad. I've thought for a long time the 'retro' posts we sometimes get a chance to revisit here are done for the same reason. ;-)

[Julia Justiss]

What a beautiful house! Congratulations on your move back "home!"

Since Anne already beat me to the garden and gardener, I'll throw in an Aston-Martin or BMW roadster (latest James Bond model,) small and swift to navigate those twisty English lanes, and Sean Connery to drive for you, since after your time in the States you may have forgotten you must go left round the roundabouts. He'll also ferry you to the coast to meet Horatio for your sailing lessons.

Enjoy!

[Gillian Hanhart]

I thnk a beautiful jewelley box for all the Whitby jet bracelets and broaches one can get in the area.

[phyllis clark]

A gift for Jo - only a large four poster bed with brocade hangings to keep out the winter winds with lighting from above for reading in bed and multiple soft pillows for lounging while that maid brings her hot chocolate in bed.

[Jane George]

Just for Jo- an adorable if somewhat opinionated pony. He comes with a cart and fully staffed stables. :-)

[Anne Roller]

How about a rare Chinese Chippendale style sofa, designed by Scottish craftsman Thomas Affleck. Big enough for you and the cat - and probably the butler and the gardener as well! http://books.google.com/books?id=ohX43SqBSmoC&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=affleck+sofa+cliveden&source=bl&ots=FPJrJ1pWQX&sig=96g3syQuvA-z7PLswW7ZxRK6DxE&hl=en&ei=HpG7SqaiAsnflAfcrICJDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4#v=onepage&q=affleck%20sofa%20cliveden&f=false

[glee]

I'm thinking a lovely teapot and not-matching but complimentary teacups and saucers would be just the thing. Happy Birthday, Jo, and good wishes for your new home.

[Binnie Syril Braunstein]

I would like to offer Jo a wonderful Aga stove, which has that nice feature of keeping a kettle warm. And some of those covered china mugs with the matching covers, to keep your favorite beverage warm. And perhaps a gift certificate or two -one to whatever place near or far that serves cream tea (sigh) and one to a bar or pub that serves whitebait, which we definitely don't get on this side of the pond. Happy settling in, Jo.

Binnie Syril

[Martha Andrews]

I would give you home sunshine in the winter (with warm cups of hot chocolate), Cool shade from aged tres and the songs of birds in the summertime, but most of all, contentment and happiness in your new home.

BUT just enough "un-contentment" of your characters urging a new book!

What a beautiful house !

Martha

[Chèli]

Since she already got a butler, maid, and gardener, I will send the world's best cook - her speciality is scones that melt in your mouth and leave you feeling as if it floated onto your tongue.

She makes everything else including homemade jams and jellies - and yorkshire pudding. of course!

Jo, thank you so much for all the wnderful hours of enjoyment you have given to all of us. Enjoy your new home!

[Louis]

For you, Jo, all the Tiffany lamps you desire to light up your chair for reading. Oil or electric as you need.

Gorgeous house.

[catslady]

How about her own jet so she can visit whenever she wants :)

[liz m]

Oh no! Someone has taken her Anglo Saxon treasure!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/sep/24/staffordshire-anglo-saxon-gold-find

Well, that means we're going to need a dashing jewel thief to hide in her wardrobe.

[Dory Codington]

Pair of Candelabra
Elegant neo-classical style with tapered stems, circular foot, with fluting, acanthus leaves, tied ribbon bows, beading.
circa. 1785-90

[Heidi Hamburg]

I see a small conservatory or sunroom around the corner of the new house, so I think I'll fill it with a tangle of greenery and a pair of deep wicker chairs with fat cushions.

[Patricia Barraclough]

A bright sunny kitchen with a breakfast nook looking out into the lovely garden. Lots of counter space and cabinets. A big refrigerator, double oven, and a cook to keep it all running smoothly.

[Ranurgis s]

To keep your feet extra-cozy, I'd like to offer you two pairs of mukluks. Also, in order that you don't forget your erstwhile homeland: a Canadian flag.

[Ranurgis s]

Oh yes, I do realize these are not quite in the same style with your new home. However, you can always keep them hidden in some nook or cranny which only you will see.

[Jo Beverley]

Thank you, everyone, for all the wonderful gifts. Chez Beverley is going to be superb!

Jo :)

[Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe]

So sorry to be late for the party! But I bring gifts---vintage champagne and smuggled French brandy to stock the wine cellar, a faux fur throw for curling up with either and dreaming in front of the fireplace, and a priceless Georgian silver tea set for your teetotaler friends. Have a lovely time moving home!

[Anne]

From me, a leather bound copy of the first printing of "The Midnight Ghoul of Castle Cruel" by A Lady and A Gentleman, published 1819.

[Anne]

May you make many wonderful memories in your new home. :)

[Sue]

I think a body for the library is in order and a parlour maid with a past. I love, love, love Whitby and am so jealous. Don't forget to vist Ravenscar, there used to be a great used book store there.

[RevMelinda]

Dear Jo, my gift for your new home is a labyrinth. You can choose your method of installation -- either an inlaid wood floor design, for all-weather walking:
http://absentofi.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/labyrinth-floor.jpg
or an atmospheric outdoor garden spot:
http://www.stlukesmethodist.org/attachments/wysiwyg/53/garden.jpg

Many blessings to you in your new home!

Yours,
Melinda

[[email protected]]

I am giving you an extra hour each day, the time of your own choosing. Enjoy your new home. Jan Dunlap

[janice dunlap]

I am giving you an extra hour each day, the time of your own choosing. Enjoy your new home. Jan Dunlap

[Laura]

Hello, Jo,

Congratulations on your new home! It is absolutely lovely.

Gifts to you of joy in your new home and with your family and friends. Lovely scented, sudsy soaps, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates and more bubbles - i.e., more champagne (no such thing as too much).

Best ~ Laura