Faith Family Friends

Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Saturday 29 May 2010

Happy Birthday Pink Saturday!

Today is Pink Saturday's 2nd Birthday and we're all helping Beverly to celebrate her pink event!There will be lots of pink balloons and pink cake to be seen throughout our blogs today.

A pretty pink embroidered cake which I got off the Internet, seems just right.......

My roses aren't in bloom yet so this is a photo from my last year's pink roses.

Now please come in and sit yourself down and we will have some tea. As you can see from the photo, my sofa is robin egg blue with pink flowers on it. There are also pink cushions and a pink throw which was hand made by my Auntie P on it.
These are some of the patterns of my china. As you can see, I collect a lot of pink!
I am serving tea in this pink floral teacup today. It is a set adorned with pink roses and other florals and I thought it would be perfect to take tea in today.
Please help yourself to the refreshments. There are warm Tuna Rolls served on my Rose Chintz platter and pink rhubarb pie and whipped cream served on a pink floral dessert plate.

Lastly, I would like to share this lovely doll which was gifted to me when we left our last parish. She was chosen especially for me because of my love of hats which I usually wore to our services.

As you can see, she has lovely long blonde ringlets and big brown eyes.


Her frock and bonnet are trimmed with a lovely pink satin ribbon. Pink roses too are found along with lace, pearls, and satin ribbon. Pale pink roses and pearls adorn the bodice of her frock.



A closer peek at some of the roses. She is a very well dressed young lady!

Well, folks, those are my pinks for this pink celebration!

Please make your way over to see Beverly and her party of pinkies. Click on the link or the Pink Saturday button on my sidebar. http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

I wish all my American friends a safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend.

See you on Tuesday for Tea Time Tuesday.


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Monday 24 May 2010

Tea Time Tuesday

Hello everyone and welcome to my 18th Tea Time Tuesday!


We Canadians just enjoyed a long Victoria Day weekend with wonderfully warm temperatures. We celebrated Queen Victoria's birthday and that of our reigning Queen Elizabeth's although Elizabeth's is actually on April 21st. It is regarded as the first long weekend of the Summer here in Canada and what a lovely weekend it was!


Many were out spending time in their gardens while others spent time at the beach, including ourselves. Still others went camping for the weekend. It was a perfect weekend, weatherwise!
Once Hubby got the yard work finished, we headed for the beach, and how exhilarating to sink my toes into the warm sand once again! I love walking on the beach and I also love to just lie down and watch the clouds drift by; so relaxing! We had our first burger and strawberry milkshake of the season at Shirley's which is a popular snack bar out at Brackley Beach. It was a beautiful weekend!


Now, on to my tea!
Today I am serving tea in this pretty tea pot. I have the matching salt and pepper shakers and the napkin holder as well which I will not share today.



This tea pot could also be used as a coffee pot because it is taller than most tea pots, and since I don't have any blue teacups, I opted to use my blue mugs.This tea pot has no markings of any kind, just a plain white tea pot with pinky-peach, yellow, and blue flowers on it, adorned with a blue ribbon and topped off with a blue cover.
Would you like to try a cheese biscuit with some apricot jam?
It is a perky little tea pot and since there is some yellow on the pot, I decided to share some of my daffodils. Nothing says Springtime better than daffodils and tulips!

There are many ways to enjoy teatime - formal, casual, business, cream teas, Christmas tea, tea served in a mug which I have done today, tea presented in a fine china cup, a picnic tea outdoors in the country, a cozy snuggled-up-beside-the-fireplace tea for two, an elegant tea on the lawn, or an hour of culinary delight in a stylish tea room.


However you choose to do it, try to set aside some casual time to spend with a friend or loved one for no other reason than to relax and enjoy a laugh, rekindle intimacy, help soothe each other's jangled nerves, or just to let your minds wander together among uncharted dreams. {Excerpt from Tea time With God}

"His soul shall dwell at ease." ~ Psalm 25:13

Thank you for joining me for Tea Time. If you would like to participate in Tea Time Tuesday with me, please let me know in your comment; share a teacup, tea pot, or some special china used in a tea. A short story, poem, or scripture verse would also be most welcome. Either of the two Tea Time buttons at the top of my sidebar are available for you to use in your post if you wish. As a courtesy, please link back to me so that others may find their way here to visit with my other lovely participants.
I wish you all a beautiful day and God bless you.

The participants listed below are in the order in which they started to participate.



PARTICIPANTS





Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Saturday 22 May 2010

Spiritual Sundays


The weekend is here once again and with the weekend comes Spiritual Sundays hosted by Charlotte and Ginger. Thank you ladies for bringing this event our way every week! Please click on the link to visit all the participants at SS this week. http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/


I don't know about you, but I have been bothered by the language coming out of some people's mouths; especially Christian people's mouths! Is it just me or are there others out there in blogland that are offended by foul talk?

The other day I came across this devotion and I am happy I did because sometimes I think perhaps it's just me!

This was penned by Dave Branon and I agree with him one hundred percent.

WORDS - DO THEY MATTER?

I heard a teenager from a Christian home declare, "My mom doesn't think swear words are bad." He then indicated which words she found acceptable - words that have long been considered inappropriate.

Society's standard of language has declined in recent years, but we don't have to decline with it. As we strive to be "very careful...how {we} live" {Eph. 5:15}, we should think about how to honour God with our words.

We please the Lord with our tongue when we show discernment. "He who restrains his lips is wise," Proverbs 10:19 reminds us. When we do speak, we are to filter the words that escape our lips: "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles" {21:32}.

It is important to use kind, positive words - even to address tough subjects. "A harsh word stirs up anger," but "the tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly" {Proverbs 15:1-2}.

Finally, avoid words that reflect poorly on who we are as God's children. Paul's admonition to "let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth" {Eph. 4:29} sets a strong standard for the righteous use of words.

To honour God in each part of life, use words that are pleasing and acceptable to a holy God.

The tongue can be a blessing
And the tongue can be a curse;
Say, friend, how are you using yours:
For better or for worse? - Anon.

WHAT WE SAY REVEALS WHO WE ARE


Please pray for our sister Debbie @ The Way We Are http://debsdailydribble.blogspot.com/
as she just received the news this week that she has breast cancer. Her prayer button is also on my sidebar.

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday everyone! Today is the day that our hostess Beverly throws a pink party and all of we pinkies get together from all over the world to show off our pinks. A wide array of pinks make their way across our screens, from flowers to jewelery, and from houses to teacups. It's rather interesting what we all come up with!
Today, I'm sharing another one of my many tea-for-one sets.
This one is rather chintzy and of course, it is pink!
Love the pretty pink background with pink roses sprinkled all over it! A few butterflies have made their way on to the set and I would rather they hadn't! I don't think the butterflies add anything to it rather I feel they take away from the prettiness of it. But anyway since it was a gift, I appreciate it, butterflies and all!
Here, nestled up to my pink dried roses, it has found its way on to a chest in the living room where I can enjoy it until I feel like having a cup of tea.

Now, that we've had some tea, why not make your way over to How Sweet the Sound http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/ for Beverly's parade of pinkies.
Please join me on Tuesday for Tea Time Tuesday and have a happy day everyone!
Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Tuesday 18 May 2010

Tea Time Tuesday


Welcome everyone to my 17th Tea Time Tuesday!

I want to thank you all for your lovely comments about my tea time post last week. I was debating whether to share it or not but you all seemed to enjoy it so I'm glad I posted it after all!



Can you believe May is more than half over? My, time flies when you're having fun!! My pansies are up and looking wonderful. I love how they bring life to the garden with their bright pops of colour. I think pansies are somewhat like daisies; they're friendly little flowers and their pretty little faces just seem to bid you a good day when you look at them!



Today's post will be all about celebration.... Celebrating life and love!


My sweet hubby had a birthday ten days ago and I didn't make him his usual apple pie, which he prefers to cake, I made him a Trifle instead and he loved it!

It is pretty and it is delicious! Using cake, strawberries, pudding, and whipped cream, I made this lovely concoction which I must admit, we enjoyed tremendously!


Would you like to try some? I guarantee you, it's scrumptious!
Let's light the candles....




The trifle looks pretty in my red-rimmed dessert glasses.


There was a lot of celebrating going on that weekend! Hubby and I celebrated our Anniversary and his Birthday, and it was also Mother's Day.
Shall I pour you some tea?


We have much to be thankful for, Hubby and I! We raised three adorable sons together and today we are so very proud of them all! Have you ever noticed that children are gifts that keep on giving? We have been blessed with four darling grandsons and another grand baby on the way.
They are all such little sweethearts! Each one is pure joy in our lives!



Life is sweet!



I realize I'm sharing my Rose Chintz again but it is vintage and a pattern that makes me happy. And since I'm posting about happy occasions, I'm sure you won't mind. I promise, I'll have something new to share with you next week!Perhaps you would like to try a Raspberry Oatmeal Bar or maybe I can tempt you with some chocolate. Am I being naughty? Tea and sweets just go together like sugar and spice, don't you think?


"It was probably a mistake to pursue happiness;
much better to create happiness;
still better to create happiness for others.
The more happiness you created for others the more would be yours -
a solid satisfaction that no one could ever take away from you." ~ Lloyd Douglas



Happiness is...Sipping tea with a friend.


"Thou hast put gladness in my heart." - Psalm 4:7


Thank you dear friends for stopping by to take tea with me. I always enjoy spending time with you!

Those of you who would like to participate in Tea Time Tuesday with me, please let me know in your comment. Just share a favourite teacup, tea pot, or china used in a tea. A short story, poem, or scripture verse would also be most welcome!
As a courtesy, please link back to me so that others may find their way here to visit with my other lovely participants.
Either of the two Tea Time buttons at the top of my sidebar are available for you to use in your post if you wish.

The lovely participants listed below are in the order in which they started to participate. Have a beautiful day everyone and God bless you!


PARTICIPANTS









Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Saturday 15 May 2010

Spiritual Sundays

Hello friends and welcome to my Spiritual Sundays post~ Oftentimes I share a short story or devotional but this week I would like to share this beautiful photo I got off the Internet which has a wonderful scripture verse on it. It inspired me to share just a bit about my faith.


These things I have spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." ~ John 15:11

One thing I have noticed in my walk with God, is that no matter what comes my way, no matter what kind of day I'm having, I have the joy of the Lord within me.

Most of you are not aware that twenty-one years ago, I was diagnosed with a form of Muscular Dystrophy which left me in a very weakened state for several years. I had to change a number of things in my life and I had to come to grips with my limitations. At one point I had to use a cane to walk. I did not know what the future held for me, but I did know one thing was certain: His joy was within my heart and it gave me strength.
His joy did not evaporate just because I became ill. His joy 'remained' in me even when I became ill.

The Word says, "The joy of the Lord is my strength," and I am a living example of that very thing. In the face of an uncertain future, God gave me His joy in the midst of the storm.

Now, twenty-one years later, I can walk without a cane and I am enjoying my life in spite of the hurdles the MD throws my way. Do I have joy in my life? Yes! Jesus is my JOY and He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by!


LIVING LIFE WITH AN ATITUDE OF GRATITUDE.

For more Spiritual Sundays posts, please visit Charlotte and Ginger at http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/
Have a beautiful weekend friends and the Lord bless you!


NOTE: Please join me on Tuesday for Tea Time Tuesday.
Sharing from my heart~ Sandi