Tea Time Thursday #97

I was surprised when I looked at my blog that I hadn't done a TEA TIME THURSDAY blog post for quite awhile. I am happy to be getting back to my weekly posts this New Year. My quilting friend Nancy, gifted me with these two wonderful tea towels that she made for me. She does lovely embroidery work...done by hand. I was just thrilled.

Don't you just love them? I do. She is working on a set of towels for her two daughter-in-laws. She is doing one for each month, seasonal towels, and they are adorable. She said she really had fun making these two for me.

 Last week I put my red transferware dishes in my hutch after Christmas. I have only been collecting it for a few years...nothing matches but then hunt is fun.

This is my most recent addition. I found it last summer at a sale. It is called Harvest and is marked USA. It's nothing special, but I like trio sets and it was only $1 for the set.

I enjoyed this tea sent from my friend Melinda who lives in Vermont. YUMMY! I am so blessed by friends who know how much I love tea and all the goodies that go with it.

My hubby renewed my subscription to TEA TIME as a Christmas gift. I think I'll enjoy that cup of tea and read my magazine. It's been a busy day. Tomorrow I will be setting up the displays for Jim's antique and collectible show, so I need a little R&R tonight.

TUESDAY TREASURE~Little Red Riding Hood

Oh it is a nasty winter day here in Oregon! No snow or ice but wind and cold and wet rain! I helped Jimmy set up the last display for the upcoming Antique and Collectible show in Clark County this weekend. I actually had a bit of time to catch up on paper work and made a big pot of veggie soup for dinner.

I get to go to so many Estate Sales and am blessed with lots of treasures for my Etsy shoppe and there's always a treasure or two for Linda Lou. I decided it might be fun to share a goodie or two on Tuesdays, when possible. I am trying to work my way back into blogging, so this can be a fun adventure for me.

I found this adorable little cup and saucer at a sale. It's child sized or demitasse sized and I love it because it is pink. There are no markings on the cup or saucer, but it has a great image of Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf in granny's bed!

Some Fairy Tales can be scary! I did a bit of research and found that this story comes from Europe. It was first published by Charles Perrault in France. Of course the story was also published by the brothers Grimm in Germany, The stories morph and change a bit over the years, but basically, the sweet Little Red Riding Hood is off to take bread and cakes to her ill grandmother. Her mother warns her to go right to her grandma's house and to stay on the path. Of course, she talks to the foxy wolf and delays her trip to pick flowers. The wolf is able to get to grandma's house first and he gobbles her up. Then he hops in her bed and pretends to be Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother! When she arrives, the clever wolf tricks her and gobble her up too! Luckily, a woodsman comes along and rescues the two from the wolf's tummy and they fill him with rocks and he dies. The woodsman (or sometimes a hunter) skins the wolf. Little Red Riding Hood learns her lesson and all is well.

Being a Tasha Tudor fan, I remembered that of course she had published a Fairy Tale book. This is the edition that I own.

There are many wonderful vintage images to be found. I adore children's literature and especially enjoy vintage images. Here are just a few to enjoy.

As you can imagine, there are many Little Red Riding dolls. I really love this topsy turvy doll from 1890. I would love to own her!

I hope you enjoyed my little exit from the real world into fairy tale land for a bit. My mom was so good about reading to us when I was growing up. I think I owe my love of stories and books to my mom. Stay warm, grab a cup of tea and read something fun.

My blogger friend BERNIDEEN has added a blog party on Mondays. Do pop over to see her fun and beautiful blog...join in on the fun. 

Sunday Thoughts...Prayer

A dear friend of mine gifted me with this wonderful coffee mug for Christmas. I just love it and it has caused me to think about prayer. It has been one of those seasons where my own family has needed prayer. God has been good to answer prayers for my dad. I am so thankful for all who remembered him and my family.

Praise time! Dad was cleared by the doctor on Wednesday to be able to live on his own again without the extra help from Senior Helpers. My sister and I met with the management of his retirement home on Friday. They too released my dad! He was so happy when we gave him the happy news. I have been feeling so thankful and so relieved and very blessed.

Long ago, I made a promise to myself that if I told someone I was going to pray for them, I was going to follow through. I decided with the New Year that I wanted to write down names and how I will be praying for those who need prayer.

So why do I pray? God has asked me to pray. One of my favorite verses is " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6. Prayer lets me draw closer to my God, to communicate with Him~to spend time with my Lord. It gives me the opportunity to hold up my friends and their loved ones. I want to share their joy and be there to comfort them and praying for them opens the door to be able to do that. I become part of my community when I pray and that helps to be thankful for all of my many blessings.

I hope you have a good week ahead filled with blessings and opportunities to show those around you the love of Christ.

Freezing Rain and Ice!

 The beautiful snow of yesterday, turned to freezing rain and ice all though the night. Schools were closed and the people of Portland and the suburbs were asked to stay home. I was glad to do just that! I was supposed to help my dad pack up his Christmas, however, I didn't want to drive. We live in an area that has a lot of wind that keeps the temperatures down, so it takes longer to thaw out. I live about 22 miles from downtown Portland. Portland is a city of lots of hills and the town is split by the Willamette River. That means lots of bridges and which equals lots of traffic problems when the ice hits. Jim got out late this afternoon to take my Etsy orders to our local post office. We have another threat of freezing rain tonight...not as much moisture...but still more ice! UGH.

I have to say, it sure is nice being retired. Jim ALWAYS had to go to work no matter what the weather was. He was a pharmacist and everyone NEEDED their meds. My retail shoppe also had a contract postal station with PO boxes, so I always had to open the store for the mail.  My shoppe was about 17 miles away and I remember a few snowy days that took over two hours to get to work. Yes, I had to cross one of those bridges and often big semi trucks just couldn't make it and would block the freeway. I don't miss those days at all!

Since we were stuck at home, we decided it was time to take down our Christmas trees and decorations. We made a good dent in it. We had a nice tea time treat this afternoon. We were gifted a box of Walkers mince pies. What a yummy treat. I just zapped them in the microwave for about 20 seconds and they were perfect.

I love the snowflake design on the top of the little pies...perfect. That shine on the plate was from the sunshine that did peak through the window this afternoon.

Another chilly wintery night. I am so thankful for our wood stove. It sure keeps us warm. I am hoping that I get over to dad's tomorrow. I will be babysitting on Wednesday and back to bible study on Thursday. I am going to be patient and just finish up my home as time allows. My goal is to be all done by the weekend. 

A Snowy Epiphany Sunday

January 6th is the real date for Epiphany, but today is also known as Epiphany Sunday. My friend Natalie was the first to enlighten me years ago that the wise men did not visit Jesus in the manger. She always has her wise men across the room, with camels, traveling to see the baby Jesus...of course, they are coming from the East. I think of Natalie every time I see a manger!

I was thinking how serious these men were to follow the star and bring gifts to Jesus. We don't know if these men were kings, we don't know if there were only only three of them, but we do know they journeyed to see the King of Kings....Jesus. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh,symbolizing royalty, deity and death.

So what gift would give to Jesus if you were traveling with the wise men?
What gift would you give Jesus today?
Something to think about.

It's been a snowy day here in Troutdale. I think the winds have settled down a bit tonight. freezing  rain is falling now.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year! The end of 2015 was just so busy and full and despite everything, it ended quite well. It is always good to start a New Year. I love to have a clean slate. I love the thought of new adventures and plans and yes....a new plan book!

I haven't had a word pop into my head for the new year for a few years now, but the word JOURNEY seems to be waiting for me in 2016. So, JOURNEY it is. I am ready to see where the JOURNEY takes me this year.

Sunday Thoughts...the Christ Candle

Sitting here this Sunday morning in the quiet of a new day. I have been reflecting on this Christmas and Advent season that was so different than I had imagined. I didn't even finish the 4 weeks of Advent posts and just wasn't able to keep up my blogging.

Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I am filled with gratitude this morning when I realize God's hand in my life. He has asked me to do things that were difficult, yet He gave me the strength to go forward and helped me solve problems. He has repaired relationships during this season and grown my love for others. He has encouraged me to GIVE of myself and to COMFORT those around me.
He has given me a PEACE in my heart this morning.

I am thankful for GOD'S GIFT OF LIGHT... I am thankful for my Lord and my Savior.

I cherish this day in the dark of winter as I light the white candle of my wreath....the Christ candle.