Afternoon Tea Time and a New Perspective - One year later...

This was originally written almost one year ago (1/29/2017)...I like reading back over previous posts to see what I was doing this time last year...and if there is anything new or if I need to follow up on anything...and after reading this particular post I realized that I never followed up on what was so lovingly suggested to me last year by my hubby and several others...It all sounded so plausible and wonderful at the time...but like many great ideas it kind of went in one ear and out the other as soon as I closed the computer screen...That's sad.  It was a great idea. Praying that if God still wants me to do this He will help me get back up and try again...and not give up so easily.  That's all a part of this "renewal" project for 2018.  Being renewed to new life, new ideas, new dreams...and following God's leading to be/do all that He wants me to be/do. 

How about you?  Do you have any dreams or ideas that need to be revisited in this new year?  Can we pray for each other and encourage one another as we seek God's direction and trust Him to lead us in these pursuits? 

Thank you, all of you, who wrote such encouraging words last year. I am ashamed that I didn't follow up on this. Praying now that God will show me His plan. Amen.

Original Post 1/29/2017:
Yesterday I was thrilled to find this lovely little teapot at our local flea market.  I was drawn like a magnet across the yard to it as soon as my eyes rested upon it's loveliness.

As it turned out, I actually knew the couple who was selling it, and it belonged to the man's grandmother!  So that made it even more special to me.  I brought it home and cleaned it up and did a little research on the manufacturer of this sweet little teapot:

And I found out that the McCormick Tea Company in Baltimore, MD, actually contracted with the Hall China Co. from East Liverpool, Ohio to manufacture these pots back in the 1940's-90's.  This vintage teapot was most likely from the 1950's or thereabouts, which makes it at least as old as I am!

The teapot actually came with an infuser for loose tea, which was included with my pot...so I am thrilled that it came with all of it's original parts intact, with the exception of a little chip/crack in the infuser.

So naturally, a new teapot warrants a tea party, don't you agree? Since none of the men in the house were interested in attending an afternoon tea party with me, and since it was too blustery of a day to invite anyone over at such short notice, I decided to enjoy a little tea party with my favorite baby doll, "Baby Elva"...

Here she is, all dressed up in her pink party dress, which was actually my very own baby dress! So the teapot isn't the only antique at this party!

Anyway, as I sat here in my rocking chair, sipping Red Rose Tea from a sweet, delicate little bone china "June Bouquet" tea cup that was a gift from my Grandma "Elva" Mursch (yes, Baby Elva is named after my grandmother...and in honor of the March for Life/Sanctity of Life this week, click HERE for more on that story),

I picked up one of my delightful little books about tea time to read..."So Rare a Treasure" by Sandy Lyman Clough.  Sandy is a renowned artist as well as writer...and her claim to fame is her beautiful paintings of teacups and teapots and many other lovely antique treasures.

As I sat there reading and sipping tea and munching on a delicious store-bought "Chip's Ahoy made with bits of Reese's Peanut Butter cup" cookie, I was struck with a new perspective on something that I had been thinking about earlier today.

This morning my hubby was talking to me about my blog, in particular about the new series that I'm writing, "The Secret Garden Chronicles", and he was encouraging me to think about writing a series of small devotional style books---perhaps E-books...and his idea was that they didn't have to be 365 pages long with a devotional for every day of the year, which is what my goal had always been but I'd given up on because it was too exhausting...but that perhaps I should just put together maybe 20 chapters or stories, with the photographs that I take to go along with the stories, and that a shorter style of devotional book might be more realistic.

I kind of "pooh-pooed" the idea in my mind...(but I didn't tell him that), thinking that no one would want such a short book and it would be more trouble than it was worth, etc., you know...just being negative in my thinking...and then this afternoon I picked up this little book, and as I sat there reading through it while sipping my tea and eating my cookie, I noticed that it only had seventeen chapters/stories...and it was devotional in nature, writing about the things she loves...antiques, tea cups and other "treasures", with stories from the heart...

and I was enjoying reading this little book because it wasn't exhaustive...and it was delightful and encouraging...and suddenly I realized this was exactly the kind of book my husband was trying to tell me about this morning!

Now, trust me, I know he has never picked up this book or read anything quite like it, but he was describing it to me so accurately, that I have to believe he was inspired by the Lord to tell me this.

So now, what do I do with this idea?  I do what any God-fearing woman with a crazy idea would do...I pray about it..and seek God's wisdom first.

Psalm 37:5(NKJV)

Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

If this idea truly is from the Lord, He will bring it to pass, in His time...and in His way.  So, dear friends, will you pray with me that God would give me a clear vision as to what He wants me to do?

Lord, I place this idea in Your hands today,

and I ask that You will guide me and give me wisdom.

Thank you for my hubby and his encouraging words to me today.

If this is truly from You, Lord, 

I commit this to You,

and I will trust You

to bring it to pass in accordance with Your will.

Amen.

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.

The Story of A Little Tea Cup

A couple of weekends ago I found this delightful little teacup and saucer at the local flea market, and since it was only $4.00, I really couldn't resist it.  

It is made of Fine Bone China-made in England, by Crown Staffordshire...

and I looked online and found this information about this little tea cup: 

Her name is "Rose Pansy".  

Certainly a perfect name for this sweet little teacup...as it has little daintily painted "Dew fresh buds with a touch of gold" ~ roses, pansies, and blue forget-me-nots...and I absolutely love roses and pansies,

and I am certain I would love blue forget-me-nots if I could find one to love...

After I brought little Miss "Rose-Pansy" home, upon closer inspection I noticed that

she had a little tiny "flaw" on the top of the cup

Just a little dab of gold paint that got splattered along the rim...and it appears to be under the glaze, so it is not removable.

But do you know what?

My little Miss Rose-Pansy teacup filled with English Breakfast tea made ordinary toast with peanut-butter and apple butter taste like rich pastry...and the tea was sweet and smooth and delicious!

Her little tiny "flaw" didn't spoil her ability to hold a perfect cup of tea and make my

simple morning breakfast seem like fine dining...

As a matter of fact..."Miss Rose-Pansy" made me feel so happy inside, I decided to take her outside to have a little tea-party in the garden.

  Mr. Froggy_Splatt joined us and seemed quite happy  

there amidst the pansies

He didn't even seem to notice Miss Rose-Pansy's tiny little flaw...after all,

"What could be so wrong with a little "splatter" of gold on a perfect little teacup?", said Mr. Froggy_Splatt!  "Furthermore,  I think it's rather classy to have a gold "splatt", if I do say so myself!"

 And so Miss Rose-Pansy and I enjoyed our little tea-party in the garden...and Mr. Froggy_Splatt was as pleased as any concrete froggy in a garden full of pansies could be!

 And so, Miss Rose-Pansy now sits in her special place of honor on 

my kitchen window-sill, right next to a very special little

picture that tells a very special story...

"Remember,

When God closes a door,

He opens a window."

And perhaps that is the story of Miss Rose-Pansy's life.

Doors might have closed for Miss Rose-Pansy, since she may not have been quite perfect enough to grace the fine tables of England's high-society tea parties,

but a very fine window has opened for her as she

graces not only my tea-table,

but a very special tea-table in the garden

with 

Mr. Froggy_Splatt!

And they lived happily ever after!

The End

I just noticed that one of my tiny little
"Froggy_Splatt" salt shakers was sitting next to
Miss Rose-Pansy on the window sill! (totally unplanned)
I guess it really is a love story after all!!!

Epilogue:
Dear Friends,
The story of Miss Rose Pansy could be a lot like YOUR story, or like MINE.
Oh, no, I don't think we will live happily ever after with Mr. Froggy_Splatt...but wait...
as my friend Sylvia ( my fellow blogger at "A Grandma's Blessings") pointed out in her thoughtful comment:
"As Christians we aren't perfect, 
but God so loved us that He gave His life for us. 
We are sealed until the day He calls us home, until then we can serve Him, 
even though we aren't perfect, 
we make mistakes but keep serving like your teacup." 

This is the perfect ending (or beginning) to Miss Rose Pansy's story...
and to yours and mine.  When we know Jesus as our Savior,
all our little imperfections are made holy...
and we become a beautiful vessel for His service 
in the Royal Palace of the King of kings!
Praise God!

The Secret Garden Chronicles Day 23-Tea and Gratitude

Today it is a very windy and now rainy day here in my neck of the woods...and so sitting in the Secret Garden doesn't seem like a very good idea! Therefore I decided to have a little impromptu Valentine Tea Party with "Baby Elva", even though this is the day after Valentine's Day, but she is all dressed up in her sweet little Valentine's dress, and it just didn't seem right not to celebrate with her:

And so it seemed appropriate, since we are celebrating a time of love, to use the most romantic looking teacup in my collection:

What really got me inspired was that I had decided to make an ordinary cup of tea, using a Red Rose tea bag, and I couldn't help but notice that the tag says that there is "love in every cup".    Therefore,  no ordinary teacup would do!

The little tea time daily devotional calendar in the background says:

"Love makes all hard hearts gentle."  ~ George Herbert 

 (anyone know who that is?)  I had to look him up in Wikipedia to find out:

"George Herbert was a Welsh-born poet, orator and Anglican priest. Herbert's poetry is associated with the writings of the metaphysical poets, and he is recognised as "one of the foremost British devotional lyricists."Wikipedia

Born: April 3, 1593, Montgomery, United Kingdom

Died: March 1, 1633, Bemerton, United Kingdom

Nationality: English

Siblings: Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury

Quotes:         Living well is the best revenge.

One good mother is worth a hundred schoolmasters.

He that is not handsome at 20, nor strong at 30, nor rich at 40, nor wise at 50, will never be handsome, strong, rich or wise."

Some interesting thoughts to ponder while sipping tea this afternoon!

Another worthy thought to ponder also on the Tea Time Devotional is from I Peter 4:8, NIV

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."

While sipping tea and relaxing in this sweet little tea time with Baby Elva, I picked up one of my many little books about tea time and enjoyed reading a few selected ideas about "Mini Teatimes" by Susan Rios.  

This particular chapter was entitled "Now Serving: Tea and Gratitude".  I will quote a little from this page:

"The act of taking tea invited us to a more profound awareness of what is beautiful and meaningful...

One sip from a hot cup of tea and our hearts are filled with thanksgiving for the gifts in our daily lives..from friendships to blessings to trials."

That is exactly how I feel today...filled with thanksgiving...yes, for the gifts in my daily life...especially for the many special friendships I enjoy...both here at home, and also with my many friends out there in "blogland"...such treasures I do not take lightly!  You are each a wonderful blessing to me...and I always look forward to our daily conversations!  

Here's an interesting old fashioned "couple" that I invited to tea...I thought they fit right in with the lovely couple on the teacup and saucer:

They were a gift from my mother in law several years ago...a lovely colonial couple...made in Occupied Japan!

And now that the tea party is over,  the Teacup and saucer is back up on top of the china cabinet, where it is watched over by three lovely Victorian ladies...

I hope you enjoyed this impromptu "mini teatime" with Baby Elva and me.

To quote the book again:

"Take a seat, slowly pour another cup of tea, 

and take in the aroma and the warmth of the amber liquid.  Enjoy the pleasure of a life steeped in gratitude."

(Mini Teatimes, Text copyright 2010 by Harvest House Publishers, 

Artwork Copyright 2010 by Susan Rios)

Thank You, Lord, for Your many blessings today!

Amen.

A Merry Heart IS Good Medicine!

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."

Proverbs 17:22 KJV

After the distressing and disturbing news of yesterday, I needed something pleasant to think about.  Being a "tea-totaller", tea being my drink of choice, whether hot or iced, green or black, spiced or herbal, it was very fitting that today I would be totally immersed with tea...or tea cups, that is.

Actually, it wasn't my original idea, but God  knew what would be good medicine for me.  He put it in the heart of a dear friend to bless me with, no, not a tea party, but to delight me with a gift of tea cups!  And not just any tea cups, but exquisite, delicate, elegant, dainty antique china tea cups that belonged to her mother! Since my dear friend is in her mid-eighties, that makes these beautiful cups even more precious.

As you can see, each cup is unique and lovely. Several are fine bone china from England, and two were made in Occupied Japan, and one was made in Germany in the U.S. Zone, which I had never heard of until today. It was apparently made in post World War II, from 1945-1950.

But it is not the country of their origin or the age or quality of the china that makes them special to me. What makes them a gift to be treasured is that it came from dear friends who are in the process of downsizing from their home to an "independent living" apartment.  As I opened the box and unwrapped each piece, I erupted into "oohs" and "aahs" and squeals of delight.  I couldn't wait to call her and thank her and that is when she told me that they had belonged to her mother and because she would not have a place to keep them in her new home, she knew that I would enjoy and appreciate them...and she hoped they would lift my spirits today.

She was certainly right about that. Yesterday I had a "broken spirit" that was drying up my bones.

Today I have a "merry heart", which is truly "good medicine".

Thank you, Lord, for knowing what I needed today.  And thank you sweet friend, for being the vessel of love through whom God chose to bring some merriment into my heart today. You are a blessing! And yes, I will definitely enjoy and appreciate this wonderful gift.

Thoughts to ponder:
What special gifts have you received that lifted your spirits during a difficult time?
Have you ever been the one to give a gift to someone to cheer them up?
How did it feel to receive such a gift?
How did it feel to give such a gift?
How has God ministered to you when you needed it most?
Is there someone you know who might need a gift of encouragement today? It doesn't have to be an expensive or precious family heirloom.  Perhaps a gift of your time.  A note to let them know you are thinking of them. A phone call. A gift from your garden or kitchen. A special book that helped you during a difficult time.
No gift is too small or insignificant when it is given with love.