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.

Monday 27 February 2012

Tea Time Tuesday



"If only, the violet mused, I were the finest flower in the world, just for a little while..." ~ The Violet - Johann Wolfgang Goethe {1749-1832}

Hello friends and welcome to the last Tea Time Tuesday of February!

Prince Edward Island has a blanket of snow on the ground but Spring is definitely in the air and I am so looking forward to it!

I am in a lavender/violet kinda mood today so I have set the tea table with white, cream, and just a hint of lavender.

Wee spicy bouquets of fluffy/frilly carnations lend a graceful touch to the table.



A heart wreath of lavender.


I am using my little frenchy teapot as it goes well with all my other pieces. It is filled with Bigelow's Cranberry Apple. A sweet sachet of lavender hangs from the handle.



I am also using my Sadler teapot with its spring time blooms. Tulips, crocuses, and irises as well as other pretty posies adorn this lovely teapot made in England. This teapot was a win I received from Wendy last Fall.
With Spring in the air, I thought it worked well on the table too.  This pot holds Earl Grey tea.



Violet teacups are ready to sip your tea from. My favourite is from Royal Albert's Flower of the Month series; February Violets.


This teacup is just so pretty and very dear to me as it was a gift from my hubby's aunt who has since passed away.

The teacup below is one I brought back from New Brunswick. Their provincial flower is the violet.



On the table you will also find a pretty cake plate sprinkled with violet pansies...



...which holds sweet crescent rolls under a cloche. Recipe is below.



My vintage silver spoons....


And a small creamer by Maxwell and Williams.





The tea table is simple and elegant.




Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds
On the heel that crushed it.



"Let us gather for a greeting
With our teacups filled with tea
And I'll tell you how important
Your friendship is to me." ~ Alda Ellis - Hats Off To Tea











Which teacup would you like to sip your tea from?



I almost always bake from scratch but today I opted for something quick and easy like these Cinnamon and Chocolate crescent rolls. Hubby loves them! 




Cinnamon Sugar Crescent Rolls
I tube of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Unwrap and separate. Butter them and sprinkle on a mixture of cinnamon sugar. Roll up and bake according to directions. Enjoy.

Chocolate Crescent Rolls
I tube of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Spread with Nutella and bake as directed. Enjoy.

One could also spread them with jam or sprinkle on grated cheese, etc. The possibilities are endless!

Thank you for coming for tea and remember on March 19th, I am hosting my Spring Tea.



Celebrate~ The Splendor of the Season ~ Spring Tea ~
A tea party to share all your pretty spring china, birds/birdhouses, bunnies, eggs, whatever Springtime means to you. I am looking forward to seeing all your lovely tea tables!

" I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." ~Jeremiah 29:11

Do you have a favourite teacup/teapot or mug you would like to share? I would love to see it! If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too: hot apple cider, hot chocolate, lemonade, iced tea or coffee, punch. No alcoholic beverages please. The TTT button on my sidebar is available for you to use in your post or place on your sidebar if you wish. A poem, tea quote, or scripture verse would be more than welcome! Please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants.

I am joining the following parties as well~

Sherry~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home
Cielo~ http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/
Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness
Marty~ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
Table Top Tuesday
Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
 Teacup Tuesday
Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday
Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday
Ruth~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Bernideen~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/
Friends Sharing Tea
Miss Spenser~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/
Teacup Thursday




Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Friday 24 February 2012

Are You A Paul McCartney Fan?

Were you a Beatles fan? I was and my favourite Beatle was Paul.
I had his posters all over my walls when I was in my teens.

I left the Rock music behind years ago and these days, I prefer easy listening music; mainly Christian music, instrumental, and smooth jazz.

This afternoon my hubby and I were in the car, on our way into town to run some errands when he shoved in a CD. The music which started to play was very relaxing and the voice sounded familiar.


Hubby asked me who I thought it was and I kept thinking, I know that voice. It sounds like McCartney, but it can't be him, because he doesn't do jazz.

Being a lover of smooth jazz, I took to it right away. It was classy and relaxing. Finally, I said, "It sounds like Paul McCartney, but it can't be him because he doesn't do jazz."
Hubby grinned and said, it was Paul and that was his new CD.

What a treat! The old songs like, "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," "The Glory of Love," and "Bye Bye Blackbird," are just some of the songs on this new CD.

Apparently Paul McCartney has been wanting to do a CD like this for years. I'm glad he finally did!
If you like smooth jazz and you are or were a McCartney fan, you're going to love this new CD he has just released!

You know, I still like Paul McCartney. When he was on the Island a few years ago, he sat right down at a piano in the Hotel lobby where he was staying and began to play. The people there loved it and him. He's a very nice bloke!

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Monday 20 February 2012

Tea Time Tuesday


"I love things that bear the touch of time, chips and all - they're more beautiful than perfection." ~ Ballerina Quoted in Victoria magazine


Welcome to another Tea Time Tuesday friends~

With Valentines Day behind us, I am looking forward to another special day; the first day of Spring!

We got a fresh blanket of snow over the weekend and all is white outside my window but that doesn't hamper my dreams of green grass and robins eggs.

So, on March 19, I am hosting, you guessed it, another theme party! Let's Celebrate~ The Splendor of the Season~ Spring Tea.

Spring is less than a month away and since Spring is my favourite season, I have to celebrate it, right?



I will share more about my Spring Tea next week. You are welcome to take my button if you wish.


Do you like my roses? A bouquet from my hubby for Valentines Day.


I tucked the roses into my little frenchy teapot and I think they look tres chic!

For today's tea I'm using my Rose Petals teacup made by Maxwell and Williams.



I thought it looked lovely with my roses and it also holds a nice amount of Stash Green Chai tea.



Sometimes I like to play when setting up a tea vignette. Today's tea was one of those times.




Here I've used a white crocheted table cloth with a candle lantern.


Then I tried using a simple tea-stained doily with the Eiffel Tower. My little frenchy finial plays a part in the vignette too.


Which do you like better; the candle lantern or the Eiffel Tower?



Remember the tea kettle - it is always up to its neck in hot water, yet it still sings. ~ Unknown


A snowy white jelly roll filled with lemon is just the thing with a cup of tea.



I was visiting another blogger friend  a few weeks ago and she was talking about storing teacups. I have quite a few teacups as I'm sure many of you do, but it has never occured to me to share how I store them.

The following photos are ways in which I store mine. I hope it is helpful to those of you who have wondered about it.

This is one way I store them, in plain sight or hidden away in a cabinet. Arrange four teacups on top of their stacked saucers and tuck the handles into the cup next to it. This keeps them neat and they also look nice.


The cups in case you were wondering are: Maxwell and Williams' Rose Bud, Royal Albert's Old English Rose, Gracie Bone China's Rose Chintz, and the lovely green teacup is made of porcelain and was handpainted by Amy @ Vintage Porcelain Art~    http://vintageporcelainart.blogspot.com/. I had won it in her Giveaway a couple of years ago.

If you have three teacups you want to store or display, try this one.


Or this way; similar to four only using three cups.


Maybe you prefer a display like this, under a cloche.





Glass cloches were originally used by Victorian Gardeners to protect delicate seedlings. These miniature greenhouses are perfect for forcing bulbs or displaying your cherished possessions.

Do you have some storage solutions which I haven't mentioned? I would love for you to share them with us!

A tea caddy by definition is a small container for tea leaves, or in my case, tea bags.  



"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." ~ Psalm 118:24


Have a beautiful day, dear friends. It is simply lovely that you have come for tea today.



Do you have a favourite teacup/teapot or mug you would like to share? I would love to see it! If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too: hot apple cider, hot chocolate, lemonade, iced tea or coffee, punch. No alcoholic beverages please.
The TTT button on my sidebar is available for you to use in your post or place on your sidebar if you wish. A poem, tea quote, or scripture verse would be more than welcome! Please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants.

I am joining the following parties as well~

Victoria - A Return to Loveliness
Table Top Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Tea Party Tuesday
Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Friends Sharing Tea
Teacup Thursday
Home Sweet Home





Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Saturday 18 February 2012

Today I'm Thankful For...

Hello dear friends~ I hope you all had a lovely Valentines Day.

Today, I'm feeling very thankful for the many blessings in my life. 


January was a hard month! My hubby had some health issues and has just returned to work. My oldest son also was having some health issues and he will have to have surgery in May.
And my DIL suffered a miscarriage.

Yet, through it all, we've seen God working and we've seen answers to prayer.

The day before Valentines Day, I had an appointment with my surgeon concerning the results of my surgery which I also had in January. Many of you might remember that I had asked for prayer.
I am happy to report that my doctor had good news for me; I don't have cancer. Everything was benign.

Now, after a year of tests, biopsies, and surgery, I am ready to get on with my life.


Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. - Oatman


Today is a new day and I thank God that my future as well as my family's is in His hands.  Whatever our circumstances, we can trust God to take care of them.

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you." - Psalm 55:22

Because God cares about us, we can leave our cares with Him.

I will be joining Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays. Please stop by and visit her and all the inspirational posts others have to offer.


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

My Offering for Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday everyone!

If you love the colour pink, then why not stop by How Sweet the Sound for some pinkness

I enjoy making wreaths and I've made many over the years.



This is just a simple little wreath I made using silk hydrangea flowers which I glued on to a willow wreath.
I had made it for the linen closet door some time ago and  I decided to take it down and use it on the coffee table. I set a crystal bowl holding a candle in the center of it and it gives me a whole different look; a nice change!

I think it adds a touch of Spring.



The little book was a gift from a friend. I had never heard tell of the artist, Carolyn Shores Wright, until I received this. I had seen her work before but never knew who she was.


This is just one of the darling examples of her work.


The artist's work is accompanied by lovely poetry and scripture verses; a very nice little book for the coffee table.


I don't know about you, but when I first got a computer, I didn't have a clue how to use it. In fact, it intimidated me something awful!
One of the first things I learned to do was to apply an animation to my emails. My aunt and I used to send each other emails almost every day and we always sent cute animations with them.

This was one of the first ones I ever used. As you can see, there is lots of pink in it.


I now have it on my sidebar as a reminder of how far I've come. I also have a quote underneath it.

"Live your life while you have it. Life is a splendid gift - there is nothing small about it." ~ Florence Nightingale

Thank you for visiting today and please visit Beverly for lots more pink. I hope you all have a delightful Pink Saturday weekend.

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Testing. Can you tell me whether or not the word verification thingy is off now?

Hello again bloggers. If you read my previous post, you know I was looking for help regarding the word verification thingy.

Would one of you kindly let me know if I have succeeded in turning it off?

Thank you so much.

Blogging used to be a really fun pastime but it is getting less and less enjoyable with all the changes they're making. I wish they would just leave things alone!

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.
Sharing from my heart~  Sandi

Can Anybody Help Me?

Good morning blogging friends~

Do you find the word verification thingy time consuming and difficult to read? Last night it took me three tries before I finally got it right on someone's blog. 

I don't want it on my own blog.  Can someone please tell me how to turn off the word verification thingy? I can't find it. Thanks for your help.

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Monday 13 February 2012

Valentines Day Tea Time Tuesday

"Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, Love, thou art every day my Valentine." ~ Thomas Hood



"Life is a journey, and love is what makes that journey worthwhile."


A warm welcome my dear friends. Today's tea is in celebration of Valentines Day so do come in and make yourselves at home. The table is set and the tea is just about ready.


Romance is in the air. Can you feel it? With Sweethearts Day upon us, one can find hearts and flowers, cards filled with sweet sentiments, and chocolate everywhere, maybe even some sweet little love birds.




"Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it." ~ The Bible - The Song of Solomon


Valentines Day and roses just seem to go together. Aren't my red roses gorgeous?



The world is a rose; smell it and pass it on to your friends.~ Persian Proverb 


Today I have my tea table set with an assortment of china patterns. As much as I adore soft pastels, I decided to do a mainly red and white theme today. 



I have chosen a red table cloth with a lace one over it.




I am using my Burleigh Victorian Chintz teacups with mismatched Skye McGhie saucers, Victorian Chintz tea plates, and my Gracie China Valentines teacup. 



                     





The hearts teacup is serving as a plate stand for my melt in your mouth cookies.



I'm using my Cream Lace teapot today. This pattern is by Skye McGhie which you've seen before. I think this teapot is so romantic with its Fleur de lis and lacy edged rim.



The creamer is also Cream Lace.




Sugar cubes are in a heart shaped candy dish to add a bit of whimsy.



Hershey's Kisses fill the tiered stand.... Hmm, I see there are a few missing!


...and heart shaped cookies are ready to munch.





"Tea is a time in which we were perfectly contented with ourselves and one another." ~ Charles Dickens


I have baked a Chocolate Torte for our tea today. Layers of rich chocolate fudge cake, whipped cream, and cherries; a delight to the eyes as well as the taste buds!



Cake, cream, and fruit; a delectable combination. Yum!
Bake a chocolate cake in a tube pan and split it into three layers when cooled. Fill between each layer with whipped topping and cherry pie filling. Makes a lovely dessert.



"The daintiness and yet elegance of a china teacup focuses one to be gentle, to think warmly and to feel close." ~ Carol and Malcolm Cohen  



Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.








A Valentine card for you....



"If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give." ~ George MacDonald





I hope you are showered with lovely sentiments, flowers, chocolates, and Love this Valentines Day. And remember to treat your sweetie like a king!



Do you have a favourite teacup/teapot or mug you would like to share? I would love to see it! If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too: hot apple cider, hot chocolate, iced tea or iced coffee. No alcoholic beverages please. The Tea Time Tuesday button on my sidebar is available for you to use in your post or place on your sidebar if you wish. A poem, tea quote, or scripture verse would be more than welcome! Please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants.

I am joining the following parties as well~

Simply Sweet and L.A.C.E.
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness
Table Top Tuesday
Tea Cup Tuesday
Tea Cup Tuesday
Tea Party Tuesday
Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Friends Sharing Tea
Home Sweet Home
Teacup Thursday


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi