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.

Friday 29 April 2011

Pink Saturday

Hello everyone and welcome to another Pink Saturday with our hostess Beverly - http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Hope you are in the pink today! I had some pink mini carnations and thought they would look nice in my tiered stand.



 A close-up of the pink fluffy, frilly flowers. Aren't they purty? Can you smell their spicy scent?


 A close-up of the birdie perched on top.


 A pink frosted cupcake with one of the carnations on it. Yummy!


Would you like some tea with your cake?


A sun drenched pink tea just for you. This is one of the photos I shared for my tea party this past week.


Well, those are my pinks for this week. Thank you for visiting; I sure enjoy having you stop by! I hope you all have a fabulous pink weekend. Please join me next week for Tea Time Tuesday.

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Thursday 28 April 2011

Home Sweet Home Party

Hello friends and welcome to Rose Chintz Cottage~

For today's Home Sweet Home party, I have three items to share with you.

Some of you may have already seen these but for those of you haven't....

A wired teacup which I'ved had for years-


I decided to decorate it over the weekend.

I took a bush of red geraniums, some florist's foam, and cut the back off an old helium balloon and created this floral teacup. It perks up any room!


An Eiffel Tower votive holder which I've also had for years was given a makeover too. It was a rusty brown colour to begin with. I was torn with this; to paint or not to paint!


....I painted! A can of white spray paint and this is what it looks like now. I think it looks nice in this teacup vignette.

And a plate holder which was black...


I painted a soft white. It now looks pretty holding a Rose Chintz plate and a yummy carnation adorned cake.


Thanks for visiting. I am joining Sherry's Home Sweet Home party~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/ 


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Remembering A Great Man - David Wilkerson May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011

I am saddened, yet rejoicing, over the passing of Rev. David Wilkerson, founding pastor of Times Square Church and World Challenge, Inc.

I was barely out of my teens when I first heard of this great man of God, David Wilkerson.
I was staying with my Auntie P when I read his book, "The Cross and the Switchblade." He was to have a profound impact on my life and that of my hubby. We always considered him to be a mentor.


David Wilkerson was a country preacher in Pennsylvania who was called to New York City in 1958 to minister to drug addicts and gang members. It was out of his deep love and concern for these individuals that he wrote, "The Cross and the Switchblade," which was later made into a movie by the same name. 

He founded World Challenge, Inc. in 1971 and Times Square Church in New York City in 1986.

His heart was broken over the prostitutes, pimps, runaways, drug addicts, hustlers, and X-rated movie houses he saw as he walked down 42nd street one night at midnight.
Out of his broken heart, a ministry was born.

My heart goes out to his family. The world has suffered a great loss but he will be remembered!

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones." ~ Psalms 116:15


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Monday 25 April 2011

Tea Time Tuesday

Springtime, flowers, and tea; what a delightful combination!

Hello dear friends and welcome to my 65th Tea Time Tuesday.


I hope you all enjoyed a lovely and meaningful EASTER weekend. My little grandson got baptized on Easter Sunday morning so it was very special for us. Afterwards, the family gathered together for a potluck dinner to celebrate. It was a lovely Easter Sunday celebration!

My tea post today is all about sharing our unique tea things. Now, I don't have anything really wild, just a wee bit out of the ordinary.

So, make yourself comfy and join me for a pot of tea and some dessert in the den.

NOTE~ It was just brought to my attention that Pam at Breath of Fresh Air, who co-hosts with Wanda Lee of Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday, is very ill with Strep throat and Scarlet Fever. Please pray for our dear blogging friend, Pam, that she will get well soon. 


I just got Victoria's Gardens of Bliss and I am swooning over its lovely contents! Hubby is out working on the gardens even as I prepare this and I am just filled with awe over the beautiful blooms and ideas I am finding in the magazine.

The greatest gift of a garden is the restoration of the five senses. ~ Hanna Rion

I like to create delightful floral displays in unique containers. I enjoy flowers as much as a cup of tea. Even better, is to enjoy them at the same time!

Tea is liquid wisdom; just add water.

My pink carnations from last week are still fresh enough to use in my tiered dish and I thought they looked wonderful with my first cup of choice! The carnations still have their spicy scent and their colour is still a delight to the eye. I love how pretty they look in this! A little birdie sits perched on the top and he is admiring them as well.


I have several of these tea-for-one sets and I thought I would start off my share today with my Cream Lace one. Although it's not what you would consider very unique, I thought it looked pretty with the pink carnations. As you already know, if you've been following my blog for any length of time, Cream Lace is made by Skye McGhie and I love most patterns made by this company.



The stamp on the bottom of the cup.


My first unique teacup is a creamy coloured wrought iron one!


I have had this for quite some time, long before Michaels started to carry them!

It makes a wonderful receptacle for a plant or some flowers such as this geranium.


Next is my giant teacup and saucer with a rooster strutting his stuff on it. The cup and saucer are separate pieces just like the real thing.

This came from Michaels with the flowers already in it. I got a good deal on it so I purchased it, flowers and all, about three years ago.

It will make a great planter and sometime I will plant something cute in it.

This is my newest acquisition, a little blue demitasse cup.


It is a German cup but made in China. It was quite pricey but I had my eye on it for quite some time and finally treated myself. It has a stamp on the bottom which reads IHR, Ideal Home Range. There is also a little gold emblem on the inside of the cup. Perhaps Johanna @ Silber Rosen - http://silber-rosen.blogspot.com/ knows a little about this company?

I didn't have a blue teacup and I thought this one was rather cute! A beautiful shade of blue and trimmed in gold. It is the colour of the sky on a bright sunny day which is why I think I was attracted to it.





I've saved the best for last! 



A little while ago I had won a three footed teacup from Martha @ Marthas Favorites ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/   I had shared it with you before but today, I am showcasing it with some beautiful hot pink tulips. Don't they look wonderful with the teacup?

  
I love the florals and the sponged on gold! Isn't it pretty? I love the little feet too!


The cup and saucer are two different patterns but the colours are alike so they go together. Love the iridescent finish on them!  Thank you to Martha for her wonderful Giveaway!


Next week I will show you the teacup my hubby gifted me with for Easter.


Two thousand years ago, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" {John 14:6} and His Word is true today. We can count on it no matter what comes our way or what new ideas we encounter. As you sip your cup of tea, just as people have done for centuries, remind yourself that God's Word stands the test of time and serves as your foundation in every situation. {Excerpt from Tea Time With God}

Thanks for joining me today. Now I'm going to take a look at all your tea things. Have a wonderful day everyone!

I am joining the hostesses of the parties to my right on my sidebar.

Kathy ~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/ - Victoria- A Return to Loveliness

Marty~ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ - Tabletop Tuesday

Martha ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/ - Teacup Tuesday
Terri ~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ - Teacup Tuesday

Wanda Lee ~ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/ - Teapot and Tea Things
Pam ~ http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/ - Teapot and Tea Things
Wanda Lee ~ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/ - Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee

Lady Katherine ~ http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/ - Teatime Tuesday

Donna ~ http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/ - Tuesday Tea

Donna and Miss Spenser ~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/ - Teacup Thursday





Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Saturday 23 April 2011

Spiritual Sundays


Hello friends and welcome to another Spiritual Sundays with Charlotte and Ginger. Please visit these lovely ladies to be refreshed and encouraged. http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

Today I would like to share the following by a favourite author of mine, Max Lucado.

HIS NAME IS JESUS

HIS BIRTH
Jesus...
He could hold the universe in His palm
but gave it up to float
in the womb of a maiden.
Christ became one of us.
and He did so to redeem all of us.

HIS MISSION
Jesus...
The man...
who spoke with such thunderous authority
and loved with such childlike humility.
The life of Jesus Christ
is a message of hope,
a message of mercy,
a message of life in a dark world.

HIS DEATH
Jesus...
The palm that held the universe
took the nail of a soldier.
On the eve of the cross,
Jesus made His decision.
He would rather
go to hell for you
than go to heaven without you.

HIS RESURRECTION
Jesus...
the moment He removed the stone,
He removed all reason for doubt.
Christ's resurrection
is an exploding flare
announcing to all sincere seekers
that it is safe to believe.

-Max Lucado

We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. I John 2:1

Happy Easter to all my friends everywhere and God bless you!

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Friday 22 April 2011

Pink Saturday Easter Weekend

A Happy Pink Saturday Easter Weekend~

Hello sweet pinkie friends and welcome to another week of my pink offerings for Pink Saturday. This week is special because we're celebrating EASTER.

 

My Easter basket came early this week as I was treated to a wonderful surprise a few days ago!
A few weeks ago, I had won Celestina Marie's Giveaway. You are all familiar with this talented lady, right? If not, then please take a moment and visit her blog ~ http://larearose.blogspot.com/
She has lots of eye candy and she is one of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet.

The box arrived filled with styrofoam pebbles and pink petals. Underneath it all was the most wonderful surprise! Wanna see?

When I opened the box, there was a lovely scent coming from inside it!
This is what she sent me~
A very pretty box wrapped in a delicate pink frenchy paper. It was so pretty that I hesitated to open it! I love anything with a French theme; Eiffel Towers, fleur de lis, Paris, etc.


It was accompanied by the pink tissue wrapped gift and pink cello bag there beside it. And they were tied with lovely tulle. Celestina has such a romantic touch, even in her gift wrapping!


The top of the pretty package held a sweet pink rose and it was tied up with tulle also. There was a little sachet filled with lavender. That is where the lovely fragrance was coming from. It too was adorned with a pink rose.


Attached to the pink gift was a pink cello bag with this sweet bunny tag all trimmed up in pink. The glittery tag is trimmed with pink ribbon, roses, and a pink crystal droplet. Pretty?

I unwrapped the pink gift and to my wonderment, this is what I found! *sigh*

Enchanting! The sweetest little pink basket trimmed with lace, a pink bow, and Celestina's gorgeous hand-painted pink rose.  When I opened the basket, the other side of the lid was painted with her precious little rose bud and her signature. I am so loving this!

Nestled in tulle, inside the basket, was a darling pink Easter egg all sparkly and wrapped in lace. It was presented in a sweet sachet bag as well. This dear lady doesn't skimp on anything.

I remember when I took tole painting years ago, my instructor always stressed finishing your project beautifully inside and out. Celestina has certainly done just that.


It truly is beautiful! Celestina's signature roses were painted on both sides of it.  Can you see the sparkles?

All of these lovely things were extra surprises she had gifted me with. And they're all pink! Aren't they scrumptious?

The actual Giveaway was this darling ceramic bunny~ Isn't it adorable?

 Celeste's pink roses are painted on both sides of the bunny. 

She's all smiles because she knows she looks good and she has hopped into my house just in time for Easter. Even the top of her head is decorated with pink and green crystals as well as lace and pearls. She's a very lovely bunny!

Fabulous giveaway! Thank you Celestina! I'm so happy you picked my name! I shall treasure these always!
I hope you will take a moment and visit Celestina Marie Designs ~ http://larearose.blogspot.com/

Thank you everyone for visiting today and thank you Beverly ~ http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/  for hosting Pink Saturday so faithfully. I know it takes time and patience to host a meme every week. Wishing you all a Happy Pink Saturday and A Very Happy Easter!

Please join me next week for another Tea Time Tuesday.

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Good Friday Blessings

Remembering His sacrifice...


But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed. ~ Isaiah 53:5


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi