Mrs. Sharp's Traditions

Book excerpt: Here you will meet Mrs. Victorianna Sharp, a noted 19th-century 3literary domestic,2 and the delightful creation of Sarah Ban Breathnach1s imagination. Guides readers month by month through the year, encouraging them to turn away from the stress of modern life and embrace the enduring pleasures of a gentler, more reassuring era. From organizing a New Year1s Day open house to arranging a midsummer strawberry regale to reviving traditional holidays like May Day or Martinmas, Mrs. Sharp is on hand to offer an abundance of joyful simplicities and seasonal suggestions that will enchant and engage everyone. Full of heart and insight, this sourcebook reveals century-old customs and rituals for bringing a family closer together. Full-color illustrations.