Share Tea with a Friend

Do you have a BFF that you love to share some time with? My BFF visited me from the frozen north a couple of weeks ago. She brought me this beautiful tea cup that she had found in an antique shop.

Yep, it's a beauty.

And while I love to enjoy a hot cup of tea, I found that I had a companion that matches it very well.

Such a lovely way to share tea with a friend :-)

Please join me as I share tea with these lovely ladies -

Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi

Martha's Favorites

Tuesday Tea for Two

Table Top Tuesday

Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday

and A Return to Loveliness

So many words

Do you enjoy reading a good book? Do you start reading a book and find that you can't lay it down? I don't usually have a lot of time to read just for enjoyment. But I've recently read these two books.

Fireproof is a novelization by Eric Wilson. The book is based on the screenplay by the same name. I found the book to keep my interest and was an easy read. I have not seen the movie, but the book gave me greater insight into what the screen version would be about.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp was a gift from my daughter. My daughter follows Ann on her blog and she thought her book would be insightful. While the book has some interesting points, I found it to be a little difficult to read. Ann does not write in a normal way. In her book she tends to leave off many words that would complete a sentence. It is almost like a partial thought. By the time I got to chapter 4 I had to lay it down. Now I have to say that I am the type of person who sees a typo in the newspaper. And although there were no typos, the missing words were a huge distraction to me. I am going to try to finish reading this book, as I think it has a lot depth to it.

What are you reading?

Words to Live By

Recently I've been wrestling with hearing the voice of God. I know that He desires to talk with me, but I feel like I have been listening too hard. I read this post and wanted to share it, as I believe with all of my heart that we have a Heavenly Father who hears us when we cry out to Him.

GOD WANTS TO TEACH US TO KNOW HIS VOICE!

Those who truly know God have learned how to recognize his voice above all others. He wants you to be absolutely convinced that he desires to talk to you—to tell you things you’ve never seen or heard before.

Not long ago the Lord showed me that I was still wavering about hearing his voice speak to my soul. Oh, I know that he speaks and that the sheep need to know the Master’s voice. But I doubted my ability to hear him. I spent all my time “checking” the voice I heard. And when it was too big or too mysterious for me, I thought, “This can’t be God. Besides, the devil can speak, too. The flesh speaks; lying spirits speak.” A multitude of voices come at us all the time. How can I know God’s voice?

I believe that three things are required of those who would hear God’s voice:

1. You must have an unshakable confidence that God wants to speak to you. You have to be fully persuaded and convinced of that. Indeed, he is a speaking God. He wants you to know his voice so you can do his will. What God tells you will never go beyond the boundaries of Scripture. And you don’t have to be ordained or have a Ph.D. to understand his voice to you. All you need is a heart that says, “I believe God desires to talk to me.”

2. You must have quality time and quietness. You need to be willing to shut yourself in with God and let all other voices hush away. True, God speaks to us all day long. But whenever he has wanted to build something into my life, his voice has come only after I have shut out every other voice but his.

3. You must ask in faith. We do not obtain anything from God (including hearing his voice) unless we truly believe that he is able to convey his mind to us and enable us to understand his perfect will.

Jesus said, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?” (Luke 11:11-12). In other words, “If you ask your heavenly Father for a word—a clear direction, a godly correction or a particular need—do you think for a moment he will instead let the devil come and deceive you?”

God is not a tease! He will not allow the devil to deceive you. When God speaks, peace follows! And Satan cannot counterfeit that peace. If you’re in a place of quiet and rest, convinced that God can speak to you, then you have an assurance that never changes. You can go back to God a thousand times and you will receive the same word—because it is truth.

David Wilkerson

Spiritual Sundays

Vintage Thingie Thursday

Many, many moons ago, I lived in the Big Apple. When I was young, but old enough to go places by myself, I would frequent the Museums that are scattered around the city. My favorite museum was one on the East side containing the Frick Collection. I assume that this was the name of the person who collected the art that was displayed.

Whenever I would go to this Museum, I would purchase a postcard of a favored piece of artwork. Here are a few .....

Mother and Children by Renoir

In the Garden by George de Forest Brush

Officer and Laughing Girl by Jan Vermeer
Young Woman with a Water Jug by Vermeer

Lady Milnes by George Romney
Countess of Warwick and Her Children by Romney

and two of my favorites


In the Meadow by Renoir
Lady Hamilton as "Nature" by George Romney

It was always such a pleasure to go into this gallery and look at these beautiful portraits.

And then there was this one.

I had the opportunity to actually see the Mona Lisa when it was on tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Unfortunately in my youth, I taped these postcards into an album, which has left the residue of the tape on the 25+ post cards. But I still treasure them as sweet memories of my time visiting these amazing museums and galleries.

I am joining Coloradolady for Vintage Thingie Thursday.

Icy Pink

I love pink. When I found this gorgeous tablecloth and matching napkins at the thrift store, I was over the moon. What excitement to share my table with these lovely linens and pink tea serviceware.

My very sweet hubby sent me these gorgeous pink roses. Yes, yes he is a keeper.




The tea service is set up on the tea cart.

Won't you join me today for a cup of tea?

Please join me in visiting these tea ladies for another serving of tea.

Tea Time Tuesday with Lady Katherine

Tea Time Tuesday with Sandi

Martha's Favorites

Tuesday Tea for Two

Table Top Tuesday

Tablescape Thursday

and Laura Ingalls Gunn is hosting her first High Tea Tablescape.

Have a wonderful day!

Words to Live By

Detours

When Pharaoh let the people go, "God did not guide them by the road towards the Philistines, though that way was the shortest.... God made them go round by way of the wilderness towards the Red Sea" (Ex 13: 17, 18 NEB).

The direct route would save time as well as wear and tear on the people, but God had something infinitely more important than economics in mind--He wanted the people to be able to sing the song of praise of chapter 15--"The Lord is my refuge and my defence...my deliverer. He is my God and I will glorify Him; He is my father's God and I will exalt Him" (Ex 15:2 NEB). They sang this song because they had firsthand experience of God's power and deliverance. Pursued by all the chariots and horses, cavalry and infantry of Egypt, they had passed through the Red Sea in safety and seen the enemy drowned. They would have missed this glorious lesson if they had taken the short road.

When we are puzzled by delays and detours, let us think about the great purpose of life: to glorify God. The lessons He wants to teach us "in the wilderness" are priceless means of providing us with a song we could not otherwise have sung: "In Thy constant love Thou hast led the people!" (Ex 15:13).

~ Elisabeth Elliott

Spiritual Sundays

Photo Friday

Yes, yes, yes, this is where we were last weekend! It was a bit chilly, but the waves and sky were beautiful.



I hope your week is warming up!

Vintage Thingie Thursday

My Mom loved to crochet. She made so many beautiful things. I am so blessed to have many of them to use around the house.

I always loved the pineapple stitching. Pineapple is a sign of Welcome!


I really love this pink dresser skirt. It's a lovely design and in perfect condition.

My Mom has been gone for many years, but it's such a treasure to display some of her beautiful hand work.

Joining Coloradolady at Vintage Thingie Thursday.

Tea for Two!

Valentine's Day is always a romantic holiday. My sweet hubby sent me these beautiful white roses. So it only seems appropriate to have Tea for Two.


I hope your Valentine's Day is a happy one.

Joining Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday

Sandi's Tea Time Tuesday

Table Top Tuesday

Martha's Favorites

Tuesday Tea for Two

Tablescape Thursday

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a wonderful day!

Words to Live By

For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing. Psalm 92:4 AMP

The best decision you ever made was to place your life into the hands of the One who made you—hands that worked with SKILL; hands that guided with WISDOM; hands that shaped with PURPOSE; hands that formed with LOVE.

God’s hands are more capable than a great surgeon;
More compassionate than a caring nurse;
More precise than a fine diamond cutter;
More creative than a master craftsman;
More powerful than a mighty warrior;
More dependable than a honest man’s handshake;
More reassuring than a mother’s embrace.

Your life is in His hands!

(Roy Lessin)

Spiritual Sundays

Photo Friday

Yes dear peeps, this is the next project on the list :-) Spring is coming!

SouleMama moment

A Valentine's Tea for Two

"I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh."

Elizabeth Bennet
Pride and Prejudice

Wishing you a most delightful tea filled Valentine's Day!

Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday

Sandi's Tea Time Tuesday

Martha's Favorites

Table Top Tuesday

Tuesday Tea for Two

Tablescape Thursday

Good ole Southern phrases

If you live in the south, there are certain phrases that are specific to the area. These are some phrases that I am familiar with. If you'd like to see more, check out Southern Talk: Phrases with Flavor.

I'm finer than frog hair!
This is gooder'n grits.
She's a tall drink of water
You're diggin your own grave

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
A body can't get a minute's peace in this house
Bless your lil' pea-pickin' heart!
Now don't that beat all!
Bless her heart

Yes, ma'am, is yes'um'

G - girls
R - raised
I - in
T - the
S - South

And finally, when you are talking to someone, it's y'all, but if it is plural it's

All y'all! :-)

Be Thankful

I received three Thank You notes in the mail one day. It was a delightful surprise, as I had already been thanked for a gift that was given. Yet receiving the Thank You notes in the mail blessed my heart.

This year I have purposed to write a note to someone every month. It's part of a challenge called

First, Fifth, Forever.

Letter writing has gone out of style. We can correspond with almost everyone via email, facebook or texting. But yet there is something special about receiving a letter or note in the mail. Addressed to ME! And even though I write to several friends, I decided that it would be worth my while to write to someone that I don't normally correspond with. As Suzanne put it on her blog - changing someone's life in an instant or forever, just by a little time and a card.

This month, I am sending a note to an older lady who just had surgery. She and her husband were wonderful friends and mentors. Maybe you would like to join me and be a part of this challenge. You could be the instrument the Lord uses to change someone's life. For an instant, or forever.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Spiritual Sunday