31st 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday'

Welcome to the

31st 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday'

Friendship is a cozy shelter

from life's rainy days.

As I have toured various sites in Blogdom there is no doubt that Christmas is on everyone's mind .Such amazing and creative displays in every genre and colour.  If you are lacking direction you will soon find something to inspire you.


We have had the tradition of decorating the tree, the mantle and the house on the first advent. Today (Sunday) is first Advent. But alas, everything is subject to change, even this most anticapated tradition. The main area of our home is to be painted and the painter is a week late in starting.  So instead of festive decorating we have been un-cluttering the house, hoping for an early start this week.  Anticipating the fun of next weekend. 

At church today, as the first candle of the Advent wreath was lit we were reminded that it signifies "Hope" It is that hope that once anticipated, and now anticipates anew, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world.


How many rainy days have you experienced in your life? Who gave you shelter from the wet and cold on the darkest of nights?   A friend?  A friend who recognized your pain, because they had felt it too.  With a friend by your side you can Hope ..rise from the ashes, heal and create a new persona by the Grace of God.  Then it is your turn to provide shelter to someone else on their rainy day. Compassion takes root, and blooms when our hearts break with those things that break God's heart too.




Kelita has made her successful career of songwriting and singing of healing and hope to inspire us to do the same. Last week we attended her "Heart of a Woman" CD Release Benefit Concert. Proceeds to assist survivors of the child sex trade in Cambodia,
a charity near and dear to her heart.


A chorus from one of her songs:

Bella

                                                                     

Kindred spirits                                                                                                        

Knit together

A tapestry embroidered with shame
But healing love will mend the broken hearted
And saving grace change your name

Kelita Haverland/Heart & Soul Music
Click here to hear Bella or here


 I thank you for your patience as I finally come to the explanation of the theme of my 'Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday'.  Not that of Christmas, yet, but a time of preparation for  the season of Hope. My centrepiece is an orchid that was one of many that decorated the stage that night to symbolize the hope and healing there can be for these children, in Cambodia and in us. 

I searched for china that complimented the

colour of the orchid and had an Asian feel.

Simplicity and elegance.

The serving plate actually is displayed with other plates in my guest room.

But for this occaision (after I will wash it) I will  press it into service.

The plate is hand painted by an aunt of my mom's

at the turn of the last century.

We think she purchased the plate

while travelling in Europe and brought it home

to paint.

A mother of pearl dragonfly has settled for a rest

by the milk and sugar

After every rain the sun appears

A peacock placemat under the orchid.

There was only one left at Homesence and

I just knew I would need it someday!

I may place it under the Limoges serving plate

As you gather at the tea table I hope and pray

that it is a place of 'shelter from the rain'.

I encourage you to meet the other guests and

enjoy your time and may it be a blessing.

Ready and waiting for you!

As you settle in, meet and greet, I will go to the kitchen and see what tidbit or two we can nosh on. (I'll post recipe later in the week)

"It is not that we have possibility in ourselves, but that God is a God of new things and so all things are possible"  Dennis Bratcher

 (Isa 42:9, Mt 19:26, Mk 14:36)

  Bella

                                                                           

I hope you come often and invite your  friends to come too.

Next week, I hope for a touch of Christmas, at Tea.

( the link for that other weekly tea party with Wanda Lee is  @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/// ).
~ I encourage you to stop by and savour another cup of tea while you enjoy her pretty vignettes. (no calories)


Mr. Linky will be joining us soon at the bottom of the post.
We don't want to miss a single teacup or teapot!


As always we cherish your comments and partipation in our Tuesday meme.

You would be warmly welcomed if you choose to become a follower.

Welcome to,

Tuesday Tea Time In Blogland!

These are the links to the other oh-so-delightful tea parties and tabletop parties that I attend.

I invite you to drop in. Many thanks to those who faithfully host each week.They are hosted by lovely creative ladies.

~ Hope to see you there!!

(Our own memes are marked with an astersik*):

*~The 59th, 'Tuesdsay Tea For Two' @ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

~ Tuesday Teatime with Lady Katherine @ http://www.ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/
~ Teatime Tuesday with Sandi @ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
~ Teacup Tuesday with Martha @ http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com/

~ Teacup Tuesday with Terri @ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

~ Tabletop Tuesday with Marti @ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

*~ The 31th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday', with Wanda Lee and Pam @
ttp://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/and http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/



Other favorite memes:

Centre Piece Wednesday with the Style Sisters
@ http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

~ Pearls and Lace Thursday with Doni
@ http://faithgracecrafts.blogspot.com/

~Tablescape Thursday with Susan
@ http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

~Foodie Friday with Michael
@ http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

~Sunday Favorites withChari
@  http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/


Mr. Linky is here; sorry we were late folks, Wanda is at, 'crunch time',  with her Christmas Carol production.., We don't want to miss a single teacup or teapot!



Glad you could join in!



Cheers and hugs from Pam and Wanda Lee. ~ Wanda Lee is the other half of our 30th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday' , blog party; (although she is currently on 'a partial blog break' , while she works on producing a Christmas Carol presentation and production, she'd love for you to say warm , 'hello')!.., @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/

Chocolate-Zucchini Tea Cakes

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!

May you feel blessed!

These are incredible!

Great chocolatey flavor

Quick to stir up and easy to make, a big hit!

Zucchini makes these treats nice and moist.

Chocolate-Zucchini Tea Cakes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 24 walnut halves
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely grated zucchini (from 1 medium zucchini)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup (3 ounces) bittersweet chocolate, chopped, or chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together butter, sugar, salt, and egg until combined. Add vanilla, zucchini, and sour cream and stir until incorporated. Sift flour and cocoa powder into bowl and stir until combined. Stir in chocolate.

2. Spray two mini muffin pans with cooking spray. Fill each cup with 2 tablespoons batter and top with a walnut. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, 15 to 17 minutes. Let muffins cool slightly in pans on wire racks before serving. (Store in an airtight container, up to 3 days.)

You can substitute pecans for the walnuts, or toast the nuts first for extra flavour and crunch ( I am wondering if I could glaze the walnuts first, (worth a few extra calories) and still bake them on the muffins. Any thoughts ???)


Prep: 15 minutes  Total: 30 minutes
Marthastewart.com: Chocolate-Zucchini Cakes with Walnuts - Martha Stewart Recipes

Suggestions:

You may make a few substitutions to make them a tiny bit healthier- Use 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour and non-fat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. They were still delicious.

Served at Tuesday's Tea

30th Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday:

Welcome to the,

30th 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday'

GRACE

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

TO OUR NEIGHBOURS TO THE SOUTH.

Every day is the right day to give thanks and appreciate all that God has blessed us with. Until we see how blessed we are, how can we have gratitude for more?



My mother's dishes, bought 50 years ago.

Always used for every celebration.

Three little birdies joined the centre piece

and Chinese lanterns from my garden

Birdies bought at The Dollar Store

Three pieces

One serving piece

Serving seasonal fruit and Chocolate Zuchini Cakes with Walnuts

Recipe later this week for Foodie Friday

                     They are small.  Take two!!

The coffee pot.

We never had a matching teapot, and rarely used this for coffee.

Would you use it for tea??

I love my swan and try to give it a presence and a purpose.

Whip cream with your cake?

Your place is set and awaiting you

Tea is served

'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday's;

( the link for that other weekly tea party with Wanda Lee is listed below @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com// ).

~ I encourage you to stop by and savour another cup of tea while you enjoy her pretty vignettes. (no calories)

As always we cherish your comments and partipation in our Tuesday meme.

You would be warmly welcomed if you chose to become a follower.

Welcome to,

Tuesday Tea Time In Blogland!

These are the links to the other oh-so-delightful tea parties and tabletop parties that I attend.

I invite you to drop in. Many thanks to those who faithfully host each week.They are hosted by lovely creative ladies.

~ Hope to see you there!!

  (Our own memes are marked with an astersik*):

*~The 58th, 'Tuesdsay Tea For Two' @ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

~ Tuesday Teatime with Lady Katherine @ http://www.ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

~ Teatime Tuesday with Sandi @ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

~ Teacup Tuesday with Martha @ http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com/

~ Teacup Tuesday with Terri @ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

~ Tabletop Tuesday with Marti @ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

*~ The 30th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday', with Wanda Lee and Pam @ http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/  and http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com

Oher favorite memes:

~ Centre Piece Wednesday with the Style Sisters

@ http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

~ Pearls and Lace Thursday with Doni

@ http://faithgracecrafts.blogspot.com/

~Tablescape Thursday with Susan

@ http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

~Foodie Friday with Michael

@ http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

~Sunday Favorites withChari

@ http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/

Mr. Linky will be joining us soon.  We don't want to miss a single teacup or teapot!

Glad you could join in!

Cheers and hugs from Pam and Wanda Lee @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com  ~ Wanda Lee, is the other half of, ' Tea Pot And Tea Things Tuesday';  she is currently on 'a partial blog break', while she takes the necessary time off to work on a production of A Christmas Carol; she'd love to have you pop by to say a warm , 'hello'!

30th Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Welcome to the,

30th Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

GRACE

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

TO OUR NEIGHBOURS TO THE SOUTH.

Every day is the right day to give thanks and appreciate all that God has blessed us with. Until we see how blessed we are, how can we have gratitude for more?



My mother's dishes, bought 50 years ago.

Always used for every celebration.

Three little birdies joined the centre piece

and Chinese lanterns from my garden

Birdies bought at The Dollar Store

Three pieces

One serving piece

Serving seasonal fruit and Chocolate Zuchini Cakes with Walnuts

Recipe later this week for Foodie Friday

The coffee pot.

We never had a matching teapot, and rarely used this for coffee.

Would you use it for tea??

I love my swan and try to give it a presence and a purpose.

Whip cream with your cake?

Your place is set and awaiting you

Tea is served

'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday's;

( the link for that other weekly tea party with Wanda Lee is listed below @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com// ).

~ I encourage you to stop by and savour another cup of tea while you enjoy her pretty vignettes. (no calories)

As always we cherish your comments and partipation in our Tuesday meme.

You would be warmly welcomed if you chose to become a follower.

Welcome to,

Tuesday Tea Time In Blogland!

These are the links to the other oh-so-delightful tea parties and tabletop parties that I attend.

I invite you to drop in. Many thanks to those who faithfully host each week.They are hosted by lovely creative ladies.

~ Hope to see you there!!

  (Our own memes are marked with an astersik*):

*~The 58th, 'Tuesdsay Tea For Two' @ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

~ Tuesday Teatime with Lady Katherine @ http://www.ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

~ Teatime Tuesday with Sandi @ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

~ Teacup Tuesday with Martha @ http://marthasfavorites.blogspot.com/

~ Teacup Tuesday with Terri @ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

~ Tabletop Tuesday with Marti @ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

*~ The 30th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday', with Wanda Lee and Pam @ http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/  and http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com

Oher favorite memes:

~ Centre Piece Wednesday with the Style Sisters

@ http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

~ Pearls and Lace Thursday with Doni

@ http://faithgracecrafts.blogspot.com/

~Tablescape Thursday with Susan

@ http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

~Foodie Friday with Michael

@ http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

~Sunday Favorites withChari

@ http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/

Mr. Linky will be joining us soon.  We don't want to miss a single teacup or teapot!

Glad you could join in!

Cheers and hugs from Pam and Wanda Lee. ~ Wanda Lee is the other half of our 30th, 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday' , blog party; (although she is currently on 'a partial blog break' , while she works on producing a Christmas Carol presentation and production, she'd love for you to say warm , 'hello')!.., @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.co





m/