Wednesday Treasures: "An Island of Calm"

Good Wednesday Morning!

What started out as a typical Wednesday morning, hunting for "treasures" to share with you, as is the norm for many of my blog posts, one thought led to another, and it ended up being something totally different than what I thought or planned.  

In removing all of the Christmas decorations, I started looking around for something different to fill the blank spaces until the next holiday, and of course Tea Time is always a background theme for my home.

So here above we have a couple of my favorite dolls, Valerie and Anne of Green Gables, sitting down for a little tea party. I've had Anne of Green Gables tea parties before:

"A Kindred Spirit", Pamela's Victorian Cottage Has a Very Special Visitor, Diana Is Invited to Tea, A Merry Heart is Good Medicine,  to name a few...

but this tea party took a different turn. As I picked up the book that you see on the table above, 

"If Teacups Could Talk", by Emilie Barnes and paintings by Sandy Lynam Clough,

I turned to the page below and the story entitled,

"Fill Me with Serenity...Islands of Calm in an Ocean of Chaos"

Wow! Did that ever speak  to me with all that is going on in our country today! Who doesn't long for an "Island of Calm" in the midst of all this chaos around us these days?

(painting by Sandy Lynam Clough)

The story goes on to talk about how you could always "grab a quick cup of tea", or "heat a mug of water in the microwave" and "plunk in your teabag or stir in some spiced-tea mix and carry the whole thing back to your desk to gulp while you work."  But the author goes on to say that if you do that "you'll miss one of tea's most beautiful benefits...the blessing of slowing down to enjoy it."  You will miss the "opportunity to stake out an island of calm serenity in the chaotic ocean of daily life." (Emilie Barnes, "If Teacups Could Talk", page 11)

So I began to think about this...

And as I looked around my home "office space" (office sounds so stark and busy and unfriendly...I need to think of another name for this space where I create and enjoy looking out at Still Waters Pond while I write to you... maybe you can help me come up with a better name)

(I just took this picture as I was writing to you...this is "hot off the press!")

And as I looked around my little room I noticed this picture hanging on the wall that I have had forever. It was a greeting card from someone that I liked so much I framed it and hung it on the wall...

My own little "Island of Calm"

and here below is what I felt led to create for us just now to bring this thought even closer together:

And this became my prayer as I thought more about this today:

"The Serenity Prayer"

But then I wondered, where in the Bible could I find some words of serenity and peace and understanding in the midst of the chaos of our world's current events?  And the 37th Psalm seemed to fit the overarching need of my heart today...and perhaps yours as well.  I recommend reading the whole 40 verses, but I have only included the first 11 for you here today:

Psalm 37:1-11 

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

And wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,

And your justice as the noonday.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;

Do not fret—it only causes harm.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;

But those who wait on the Lord,

They shall inherit the earth.

10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;

Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,

But it shall be no more.

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,

And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Can you see the theme of "The Serenity Prayer" in this Psalm?   I do...I see Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom throughout these words of King David.  The Serenity Prayer is a wonderful way to sum it all up, but getting into the meat of God's Word is what truly gives us peace (Serenity), courage, and wisdom.  

So that is where my "Wednesday Treasures" hunt led me today. I hope you are able to find an "Island of Calm" in this chaotic world today.  Perhaps a cup of tea would help, but spending time in meditating on God's Word provides the best results.   

May your day be filled with Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom...

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)6 

"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.