Saturday, February 12, 2011

Mosaic Monday: True Love



"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Do you know the story of Elizabeth Barrett Browning? Elizabeth Barrett was just shy of 40 years old, and an invalid, when her volume, Poems, rose to prominence in England. It inspired the poet Robert Browning, who was six years younger, vigorous and worldly. They met in 1845 and thus began one of the most famous courtships in English literature. Their courtship and marriage was carried out secretly, because of her father's disapproval, and in 1846 Browning carried the invalid poetess off to Italy, where they lived for the remainder of her life.

Valentines and hearts and flowers are ubiquitous today, and they serve to remind us of all that is sweet and pretty; but this is true love, not the Hallmark version. "I love thee to the level of every day's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light..." And after all, isn't that what love is all about?

Happy Valentine's Day, dear bloggers!

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.



50 comments:

  1. Perfect poem for a beautiful day! And such a romantic story! With gorgeous pictures to go with the words!

    Happy Valentine's Day!

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  2. Happy Valentine's Day, Mary! Lovely post and poem!

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  3. Mary, I didn't know the story of the Brownings...it is lovely and inspiring. Happy Valentines Day!
    ♥, Susan

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  4. Beautiful pictures to highlight a special day!

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  5. Love your tea cup, heart...and the old books! And the story of Elizabeth? I did NOT remember that! How neat and perfect for today! I love it! I'm joining you today! Happy Mosaic Monday! ♥♥♥

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  6. Lovely post - I did not know the story of the Brownings, thanks for sharing.

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  7. Photos and quote are beautiful Mary, a wonderful tribute to love and Valentine's Day.

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  8. Lovely, lovely story. That is true love, not the silly, flip thing that is fashionable now.
    My true love might be tea and books though. ;)

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  9. Beautiful cup and the photographs of it on the books are wonderful! Love the story of the poets. I did not know that. Romantic!
    Sherry

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  10. Hi Mary!
    I did not know these facts about Elizabeth Barrett Browning -- truly fascinating and so romantic that her true love came to her this way. Your photos are gorgeous.
    ♥Happy Valentine's Day!♥
    Pat

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  11. Hoooooooooow romantic! I love it!


    m ^..^

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  12. I love this poem! And the pictures, as usual, are just stunning!

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  13. Totally in love with your photos for this post. I would so buy those for Valentines cards. Beautiful!

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  14. I've always loved Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I had a school chum named Elizabeth Barrett, and she was the one who introduced me to her namesake's poetry. ::Jill

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  15. Oh, my, these are the most beautiful, romantic photos...just precious! Thank you so much for hosting Mosaic Monday. I love to post here.

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  16. Such a beautiful post for a beautiful day. Hope you have a happy one. Blessings
    Qmm

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  17. Thank you for hosting, sharing the romance and
    the story of Elizabeth Barrett Browning !

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  18. Pure, simple and noncommercial...What is not to love about a love like that.

    Blessings Kelsie

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  19. Hi Mary
    The poem and your photos have created a romantic post for Valentine's Day. I think I like the first picture best - dreamy comes to mind.
    Hope you have a romantic day yourself tomorrow.
    Judith

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  20. What an incredible love story and beautiful photos!

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  21. stunning, as usual, with just a himt more love.

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  22. Thank you for hosting the linky party!
    And thank you for reminding our hearts of all the beautiful way love speaks.
    Love the images.
    Have a blessed day!
    Ginny

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  23. My favorite poem, your post is lovely. Stop by my blog for dessert if you're hungry! LOL!! Have a wonderful evening and Happy Valentine's Day.

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  24. LOVE IS IN THE AIR...
    Loved the story of the Brownings.
    Thanks, Mary, for hosting.

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  25. You've posted one of my favorite pieces of poetry. I read it at my sister's wedding.

    Happy Valentine's Day to you, Mary.

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  26. beautiful pictures and post!
    Happy Valentine's Day Mary.

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  27. Such beautiful images for this special day.
    Happy Valentines Day, Mary.

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  28. Beautiful photos...love them all! My favorite is the book with the texture...
    Happy valentines day!

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  29. Mary I love how you are incorporating your beautiful photos with patterned paper. It makes for a very elegant composition. V

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  30. Mary, you've made me all smiles, now. Elizabeth Barrett Browning is my favorite poet! I did not know this beautiful story, though! HOW romantic!

    Hmmmm, is there a book???

    Love, Me xo

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  31. you have such a wonderful way of putting beautiful photos and beautiful words together. And thankyou for the story of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I love the first pic but can't go past those cannas!

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  32. What a beautiful cup and stillife setting!

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  33. Mary, this is such an elegant, heart warming and beautiful post. Thank you for blessing us today.

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  34. I would never be able to tell you which photo I like the best! They are all exquisite! I♥EBB:)

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  35. this is the first time i have played mosaic monday...what a beautiful idea! i think your romantic photos are so incredible..so happy to have found your blog..

    happy <3 day...

    *jean*

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  36. Hi Mary!
    happy Valentine to you!
    Best wishes,
    AnnA

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  37. Gorgeous photos! And the composition is fantastic! So pretty and soooo romantic. Happy Valentine's Day! Kit

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  38. Being a Lit. major you would have thought I would have remembered that story...thanks for sharing such a lovely poem to accompany your beautiful pictures. Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!

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  39. No, I did not know the story of the Brownings. But it's a lovely one.

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  40. What a beautiful post. Your teacup is beautiful and I love the heart pendant. Its always nice to be reminded of the great loves stories.

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  41. Oh Mary, what a gorgeous post! Love the bokeh lights on the teacup saucer ... oh, like pearls ... :)

    Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day. xo

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  42. I just love the softness of your images. Very inspiring!

    ~ Debbie
    Beyond the Dog Dish

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  43. Truly beautiful captures! =)

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  44. Ooooh, your photos are so pretty! I love this theme, as I love making mosaics. I have several on my blog. Thanks for hosting. I linked up.
    xo,
    Sena

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  45. Beautiful, Mary! I love the "true love" line you shared. It's so very true! (I hope your new business venture is going well...)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!