What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Come and Share a Pot of Tea

"Come and share a pot of tea,
My home is warm and my friendship's free."
~If Teacups Could Talk~
Emilie Barnes



Hello Dear Friends~

I'm writing this on Tuesday afternoon~but you won't see it until Wednesday morning, since I already posted something earlier today, and I don't want to "overdo it" with too many posts in one day!

I just couldn't wait to write again, because I had such a lovely tea time this afternoon...and I so wanted to share it with you, my "long-distance friends" in blogland!

"There is magic in long-distance friendships.
They let you relate to other human beings 
in a way that goes beyond being physically
together and is often more profound."
Diana Cortes
The Art of Tea and Friendship
Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together


It was another rainy afternoon here...for which we are most thankful...so I cannot complain of the rain! As has become my new tradition here lately, I awoke from my nap and wanted a cup of tea! Some days I just fix an ordinary mug of tea and let it be...but today it seemed right to bring out the dainty tea things and savor the moment!

"A combination of fine tea, enchanting objects
and soothing surroundings exerts a therapeutic effect
by washing away the corrosive strains and stress of modern life...[it] induces a mood that is spiritually refreshing...
[and produces] a genial state of mind."
John Blofeld
The Art of Tea and Friendship
Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together


I remembered that I had this lovely old tole painted tray (from my parents' home!) way up high on a shelf in my dining room

(this one below is a different one, but the green one above was up on the same shelf)

and I had to do some fancy stepping and reaching to get it down without calling on anyone to help me, because I knew they would not see the value of such a venture and 

would most likely refuse to help. (You know how men are when it comes to tea parties...)
I managed to do it without straining or lifting anything heavy or breaking anything, but let's just keep that between you and me, okay? ~ 



Anyway, as I said, this beautiful old tray came from my parents' home and has been around for many years...it seemed a shame to keep it up so high where I couldn't use it...so most likely it will be staying within reach for a while (because I can't get it back up on the shelf without help! And I'm not going to tell anyone that I got it down by myself...or I'll be in big trouble.  Not supposed to do anything too strenuous since my surgery...but this didn't hurt a bit...just don't tell on me, okay?)



"I wish we could sit down together,

and have a cup of tea,
but since we can't,
when you have this one,
I hope you'll think of me."
Author Unknown
The Art of Tea and Friendship
Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together




I love to use special tea cups and tea pots when having a quiet tea time. The blue Hall Teapot belonged to my Grandma Mursch (paternal), and is a treasured favorite. The sweet teacup and saucer with the bluebird and flowers was a gift to me from a dear friend who was down-sizing and moving to a retirement home, and she wanted me to have her mother's tea cups. 

(You can read more about this special gift HERE).


"I like to..think about the houses and the drawing rooms, 
the kitchens and the cupboards where the teacups were kept.
And the people who cared for them and what they thought
and felt and loved and lost.
For as a wise French writer once said,
"The reconstitution of the past is a delicate pleasure of which 
one should not be deprived."
~Geraldine Holt
If Teacups Could Talk




As I sat there sipping my tea I enjoyed watching the rain gently falling down and the birds still coming and going in search of a dry seed or two...



This juvenile male cardinal is still getting his new plumage, so he looks like he is molting...but he's very young. Soon he will sport bright red feathers just like his father.

Proverbs 8:6(NKJV)

"Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips 

will come right things..."

About the time I was putting away my tea things, my hubby went out to get the mail, and brought back in this lovely card, which came to me from a dear friend in another state. I've been trying to reach her for a while on the phone, but she is traveling a lot and we just haven't been able to connect. However, she'd heard that I'd had surgery, and sent this beautiful card with a delightful note to encourage me to Get Well Soon!


"I'm sending you love and tea,
To warm your winter's day.
Think of me as you pour your cup
and all the good things we would say.
If we could be together now
instead of miles apart,
We'd sip our teas and memories,
The sweet warmth fills the heart."
Susan Young
The Art of Tea and Friendship
Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together


Such a perfect ending to an extra perfect day!

"Somehow, taking tea together encourages an atmosphere
of intimacy when you slip off the timepiece in your mind
and cast your fate to a delight of tasty tea,
tiny foods, and thoughtful conversation."
Gail Greco
The Art of Tea and Friendship
Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together


"May this tea be steeped with love
For friendships sent down from above."
Sandy Lynam Clough
The Art of Tea and Friendship
Savoring the Fragrance of Time Together


I hope you'll join me again for tea real soon!

Quotes from the book The Art of Tea and Friendship, published by Harvest House Publishers.

Quotes from the book If Teacups Could Talk, by Emilie Barnes, also published by Harvest House Publishers. 

 These are two of my favorite books about Tea!

Oh! And just so you know...this handy picker-upper-grabber is what I used, along with a very light weight step stool, to reach up and grab that tray off the shelf without having to stretch very far or climb very high.  I wouldn't recommend it for something breakable, but since the tray was metal and actually had a handle I could grip, this worked out just fine.  But it's still our little secret, okay? Okay!  Have a blessed day my friends!!  Go drink some tea!!


The End.

16 comments:

  1. What a lovely Tea post, Pamela. I just love that you enjoy tea, I felt like I was there with you as I drink my cup of English Breakfast tea. I love all your teacups and dolls. Your garden is growing and looking good. I do hope you are taking care of yourself and I won't tell on you if you promise not to be doing things you aren't suppose to do...OK!
    Hugs, Sylvia

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sylvia. Okay, I promise...well...at least until there is something else I really "need" with no one to help me get it...Ha Ha! Yes, I'll be good, I promise. I do wish you could come and sit with me while I prepare a pot of tea! Maybe someday!!!! Have a blessed day and ((hugs)) to you too!!

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  2. Those grabbers are so helpful! I loved a peek at all your pretty china. The tole tray is so pretty. How lovely to have a pretty tea time once in awhile. I'm like you, usually it's just a mug but this was very special! Thank you for sharing.

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    1. I'm so glad you could join me! I'm sorry we never did connect before you moved away from here. Who knows, someday I may come visit you in the mountains! That would be delightful! We are finally getting all the rain we should have had months ago. So thankful for it. I think the drought is definitely over!
      Have a joyous day!

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  3. I would love to visit with you over a cup of tea! Yes, this coffee lover would love some tea. Maybe you would allow me to visit your Secret Garden and we could praise God together for a little while. The good thing about long-distance friendships is it gives us something sweet to think of. Loved all you pictures and verses and scriptures!! Hope your day is happy and blessed.

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    1. Oh Thank you Mary! How I would dearly love to do just that! I wonder if there is tea and/or coffee in heaven? Maybe there we will all gather and have a big tea party! With Jesus as our host! I guess there will be the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and much feasting and joy...so whether or not we get to meet here or not, we have so much to look forward to in the future! There will be much singing and praising there as well!!! But, if in the meantime you could come visit here, we would definitely sit in the Secret Garden and pray and praise the Lord together. Joy Joy Joy!

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  4. I wish we could sit down together and drink tea or coffee :-) Love your photos! Wjat a beautiful blue teapot.

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    1. I would love nothing more than to do just that, Ariella! Should you ever find a way to come visit here, it would be my greatest pleasure to do just that! Have a blessed day my friend across the sea!

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  5. Thank you, Pamela, for inviting us to your lovely tea party today. I really felt as though I were right there with you! I'm not a huge tea drinker, but if I keep reading your posts, which of course I will, you may make a convert of me yet!
    Blessings, and keep healing!

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    1. Oh Martha, I would SO love to have you grace my tea table. I can always fix coffee if you prefer, but there is just something so therapeutic and pleasurable about tea time with a dear friend. Thank you for your visit here today. I so enjoyed your post about Henry the Hero Cat! What a story! I hope he is feeling fine now. God bless you all! Hubby too.

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  6. Pam, thank you for the invitation to a most lovely tea party. Your tea cups and tea pots are so cute. For what it's worth, I do believe that tea is good for our body's overall health. That said, please be careful and don't overdo as you heal! (The grabber looks to be a useful device, especially for those who are "vertically challenged"!) Prayers continue for your healing.

    Blessings!

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    1. Thank you Kim. I would love to have you sitting here with me having a cup of tea! And yes, I do believe it has positive healing virtues. I am being careful. Today I didn't do anything unusual or strenuous at all...and drank my tea from a mug. The grabber is a very handy tool for picking up socks on the laundry room floor that fall between the cracks, for picking up litter/trash, anything that you don't want to stoop over for or reach to high for. A very handy device! Especially right now! Thank you again!

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  7. I enjoyed this quite a lot and hope I get to have tea with you again sometime.
    You are a wonderful hostess with lots of lovely words.
    I use a reacher since I am disabled because of spinal damage. I need one for everything!
    They are really handy as I can't bend at all.
    Thanks for tea!!

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    1. Oh my goodness, Annie, I did not know this about you! Thank you for your thoughts and comments...and you are now in my prayers as I think about you not being able to bend at all...raising a family...painting such lovely pictures...you are amazing! May God bring strength and healing to your spine. I have had back surgery and a spinal fusion, but am thankful that I can bend...and can walk. I pray that God will bring healing to you.

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  8. I can keep your secret! :) It was a lovely tea party and I sure enjoyed all the photos! You take care though!!

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    1. I am trying to behave. Hubby is cracking the whip on me to rest more and stop doing impulsive things...He might as well give it up...I am what I am...getting bored and need a "project". LOL. I'm glad you enjoyed the tea party. Maybe someday we will have a real one in person...

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.