Breath of Fresh Air: November 2011

Sunday, November 27, 2011

The 83rd, Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday: Blue And White Tea Time:

Welcome to...

83rd 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday'

"Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration
is being wreathed in smiles."
~Author Unknown

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."

~Norman Vincent Peale

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 inspiration you will soon find something to spark your creativity. When you have finished your decorating, please share with us.

Special invitations

'Embrace The Season ~ Christmas Tea', on Dec., 5th

Join dear Sandi

Christmas with Victoria

Join Kathy on December 6th

'Gingerbread Christmas Tea', party ~ December 12th,

Join Wanda and I

I warmly invite you to relax in a comfy chair for a while, with a cup of piping hot tea and reflect on the wonders of this season. I am going to set the tea table and mix up a sweet treat to nibble on as we compare notes on preparing our hearth and home as well as our hearts for Christmas.

"Christmas is a gift of love wrapped in human flesh and tied securely with the strong promises of God. It is more than words can tell, for it is a matter for the heart to receive, believe and understand."

Unknown

The beginning

I focused the lens on the teacups and then refocused
on the snowflake.
It was an interesting experience.
Just as in life, you see what you focus on.

From a much earlier post

I love the reflection of china in a mirror.
On the practical side the mirror protects
my tablecloth from a drip of milk.
Pretty and practical.

Four blue depression glass plates and tea is for two.

What is that about?

One plate with vintage lace under it

You could also use paper doilies, too

OR ....between two plates

A tidbit or two

The table is almost ready.

A Christmas song to enjoy with your tea, if you wish.
http://www.heavenlynight.org/

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

So simple and not overly sweet.

Wife Saver Macaroons here

If you have a moment to linger I invite you to stop in to The Silken Purse

to see what my co hostess, Wanda, has for us to savour.

The more the fun!

We don't want to miss a single teacup or teapot!

*************

As always, we cherish your comments and participation

with our Tuesday meme.

~You will be warmly welcomed if you choose to become a follower!~

Welcome to,

Tuesday Teatime

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.

~ Hope to see you there!!

Our own tea's are marked with an asterisk*

~ *The 112th, Tuesday Tea For Two @

http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com

~ *The 83rd. Tuesday Tea For Two @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com
and also @ http://breathoffresh-air-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com

~ Tuesday Teatime with Lady Katherine
~ Teatime Tuesday with Sandi
~ Teacup Tuesday with Martha
~ Teacup Tuesday with Terri
~ Tuesday Tea Comin' Home
~ Sweetology's Tuesday Tea's
~ Tea With Friends with Angela
~ Teacup Thursday with Miss Spenser

Also:

~ Tabletop Tuesday with Marti
~ A Return to Loveliness with Kathy
~ Angel Wings and Apron Strings

Other favorite places I may visit this week:

Wow Us Wednesday with Kim

~Tablescape Thursday with Susan

Time Travel Thursdays at Brambleberry Cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday with Debra

~ Inspiration Friday

~ Home Sweet Home Friday

~ Foodie Friday with Michael

~ Farmhouse Friday

~ Feathered Nest Friday

~Sunday Favorites with Chari

*************

Thanks for joining us for

Tuesday Teatime

In Blogland

our dear fellow blog friends!

~Wanda Lee's computer has sadly crashed, so she has not and will not be able to post and/or visit you dear folks to leave any comments for awhile.., A basic explanation, a warm 'hello' and a Mr. Linky link* are at the ready and await you on her blog posts today for Tuesday's teas. ~ If you would kindly wish to also offer her a word of encouragement and support and say, 'hello', to her as well, I'm certain that it would be much appreciated. ~ Many thanks in advance.~

Cheers and hugs from Pam and Wanda Lee; ( Wanda Lee is the other half of our weekly blog tea party meme; 'Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday'.., @ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com

Sunday, November 20, 2011

The 82nd, Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday, Blessings:

Welcome to...

The 82nd Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

pub 1897 Johnson Oatman Jr.

Have you had a busy week? .....Sometimes, my imagination dramatizes my day to day life. I imagine my chaotic, challenging life as a tropical storm/hurricane in the great ocean. Once I pause and draw near to God, in times of stress, I gain perspective and see it as it really is "a tempest in a teapot".

I researched the well-known phrase in Wikipedia. Tempest in a teapot (in American English), storm in a teacup (in British English) is an idiom meaning a small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion.[1] There are also lesser known variants, such as storm in a cream bowl, storm in a hand-wash basin, tempest in a glass of water,[2] and storm in a glass of water.
Both the American and British phrases are long preceded by Cicero's Latin "Excitabat enim fluctus in simpulo".[5] The phrase, translated literally, reads: "He was stirring up billows in a ladle".[citation needed]

More reason to sit a while in a comfy chair with a friend and catch up on life's adventures. It is not merely sharing a cup of tea but the experience that becomes the salve to the soul. Whether I choose to set a traditional table, with linens, flowers and candles or simply offer a favorite teacup, it is the act of other centredness that redirects my focus and calms the storm in my mind, bringing my attention to a more positive place.

I am grateful for early morning light

and how it plays

I used a small mirror under the cream and sugar to protect the linens

But I discovered how the sun, mirror and crystal played together

So much fun for the photograher

The silhouette of these three pretties compliment each other.

What can I do with them?

Glass plate from Home Sense, there was only one

$2.99

Add a petite crystal vase

My mom's milk glass dish

I remember it as the peanut dish at bridge parties

Now to peek in the cupboards and find something

sweet or savory to serve in my new dish

M-mmmm Harvest Pumpkin Muffins

(recipe below)

A special guest is invited to watch over us

Offering pearls of wisdom if you choose

Which teacup do you prefer?

With the American Thanksgiving being celebrated on Thursday, November 24th, it only seems appropriate to reflect on what I am thankful for. Life is full of wonderful things and may I say, small miracles if you look for them. I invite you to join in the fun!

I am thankful for:

1. God’s unending grace in my life

2. Opportunities that challenge me to give my utmost

3. The smell of fragrant tea steeping

4. The warmth my hands feel holding a cup of tea on a cool autumn day

5. Friends that share a cup of tea with me, and warm my heart

6. I am thankful for the many friendships as unique as my teacups and always room for more

7. I am thankful for the many colours of each season that Nature brings

8. I am thankful for my family, with their big hearts and all of their wonderful quirks

9. I am thankful for the good health we are blessed with

10. I am thankful for each new day, so that I may see and experience God’s blessings as I try to walk with Him.

What would be on your list?

Take a moment to "count your blessings one by one". You'll feel the richer in spirit for it.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

This recipe was passed on to me from my daughter, Kristina. These muffins are now one of my favorite healthy fall treats. Whip up a batch of these over the weekend, then freeze a bunch to serve over the next few weeks when guests drop by or add as a new breakfast item. Enjoy waking your taste buds up to fall with these muffins!

Harvest Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup honey

1 egg

1 cup pumpkin, packed solidly

1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Preparation

In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg; set aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter until light; beat in honey, egg and pumpkin. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until just blended; stir in walnuts.

Spoon into 12 greased or paper-lined 2-1/2 inch muffin cups. Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove muffins from pan to wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 12 servings or 18 mini tea sized servings

TIP
To get more nutritional bang for your calorie buck, you can substitute whole-wheat flour for all-purpose flour — and if you can find it, organic raw honey is your best bet. I used half of the amount of honey and it still was sweet.

We thank all who are so generous with their time and willing to share their treasures with us. We invite you to take a moment to enjoy the vignettes and special tea treasures that the lovely tea ladies want to share, compliments of Mr. Linky!..,

If you have a moment to linger I invite you to stop in to The Silken Purse

to see what my co hostess, Wanda, has for us to savour.