Christmas Ornament Exchange

I know, I know!  Christmas is over.  But I just have to share a little something.  In November I participated in an ornament exchange over at Merciful Moments.  It was such fun to put together a Christmas package for a new friend of mine in South Carolina.  I thought I took a picture of what I sent but in my haste to get the package to the post office, I guess I didn't.   I sent her a glass snowflake, some Christmas tea and some card making supplies.  We have since been in contact through old fashioned letter writing.  

So, I get to mid December and I hadn't heard anything about my ornament.  Now, I don't participate in these things in hopes of getting stuff - I do it to give.  It is such a blessing to be a blessing!  But I did inquire... and as soon as I did I received an email from the sweetest lady.  She explained to me why she hadn't sent anything at that point and we both felt a connection right away.  

Through emails and then eventually texting, we learned a lot about each other and I can tell you that we are now prayer partners - who couldn't use a prayer partner right?  It didn't matter to me that I didn't receive "stuff" our friendship was instant and that was enough for me.   After the holidays, and after all the packages had been sent and received, I was surprised to find one more box laying outside of  my front door.  Being the sweet lady that she is, Connie took the time to crochet this beautiful infinity scarf and the potholders for me.  She also included the beautiful tea tray in the top photo.  

 Here is the infinity scarf on me.  It's beautiful and warm and I'm sure you could hire her to make one for you!  Let me know and I'll forward her info to you.  

And last, but not least, I won this great giveaway from Stacey Sanchez at Merciful Moments for participating in the Ornament exchange.  I feel like it's been Christmas for a month!  I've been so blessed with new blogging friendships over the past several months.   Exchanges are so much fun, and God Bless those that host them.  It is surely a labor of love to coordinate something like this.  

I'm sharing over at Share Your Cup

Blue Tea Cups for January

I can finally say that I have put away all of the Christmas decorations!  Yay, Go Me! 
I had a flu bug right after the first and there has been a change in our household which I hope is permanent for now.  Can there be a permanent for now?  My daughter is home, and doing her best to stay drug free.  She is the mom to 3 grandkids that I have been blessed to take care of for the past year and several months.  Pray that all continues in the right direction. 

So with all of the Christmas decorations finally coming down and it still being winter I thought it was fitting to pull out the blue tea cups for my tea room.

I've seen other designers using the same color scheme for this time of year so I know its nothing new.  I just agree with them, blue and white still feel wintry don't they? 

Come join me for some tea will you?  I've got a lot on my mind and it is so nice to have someone to talk to.   It's hard raising kids these days.  I think especially when you've raised your own and then you get some more.  I have been given a gift of patience, I know that because it takes a lot to frazzle me.  It's just that sometimes I don't use the gift very well.  Like when I yell at my grandson, who is really a good good kid.  His life experiences haven't been the best and yet he has incredible faith.  He will be 15 tomorrow!  My first grandchild.  I just sometimes don't have patience for everyday teenage boy antics.  

Finally all of the kids are back to school and my sweet William is back to work after all of us have been cooped up in the house.  It really seemed like the longest Christmas break ever...I guess because I got sick right after the holidays.  A couple of the kiddos got sick too.   I thought it would never end!

But thankfully it did!  And I can maybe move on now.  Getting the Christmas decorations all put away was a big deal.  I decorate almost every room in the house.  Maybe I'll rethink that next year. I still have to go take it out of my booth.  Bad show I know!  I at least have taken down the tree and moved all the rest of it to a markdown corner.  Some of it sold, but its time to get what's left out of there.    

Told you I have a lot on my mind.  Sorry for the rambling!  What do you think about these beauties?  I really like them.  They have all come from a thrift store somewhere.  The latest would be the first cup hanging on the left.   I picked up a matching pair from a thrift store in Aurora, Colorado just a week ago.   I had taken my sister for a doctors appointment and we always find a thrift store or two to visit whenever we go.  

You know what I have a hard time finding either at thrift or online or anywhere for that matter?  It's these kind of cup and saucer towers or display racks.  I guess those that have them don't want to give them up, or they are just not affordable.  I've seen some of the towers on Etsy for almost $200.00!   

I did find two of mine at a thrift store here for I think $4 a piece!  Woohoo!  I'll keep looking.  I find a lot of the plate racks, but they don't have the hook for the cup.  

These beautiful cups also came from the same thrift store as the towers, at the same time.  I guess I was in the right place at the right time!   I did see another customer with two tea cups in her cart and I was really watching her to see if she would change her mind.   She didn't.  I watched her buy them.  For shame, I think I have a problem.  I'll tell you another story about a tea cart some time.  Remind me.

Thanks for having tea with me.  Know that I am encouraged, I was listening to a song by Andrae Crouch today "Through it all" and I was reminded that through it all, Jesus is always by my side.  No matter if I get impatient, or sick, or too busy, He's there. I'm blessed. 

I pray that you would be blessed too...

Today I'm joining these parties:
Share Your Cup
Home and Garden
Home Sweet Home 

Shabby Chic Love and Books I want to read

I feel like I am a week behind and I'm already begging for this year to SLOW down!  I've been so busy taking care of others that I haven't gotten all of my Christmas put away yet.  Today I managed to get the living room done. 

I just love my non-holiday mantel - it's so calming and cozy to me.  Did I tell you that I love shabby whites?  The Rachel Ashwell Official Shabby Chic kind of shabby.  The pale, softly worn fabrics.  The "lived in"  look.  

The lacy, flowery, ruffled accents.  The things that look like they've been loved for awhile. I think this look is forgiving and warm.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  My whole house does not look like this ~ though I wish it did.  Maybe someday.  For now I will just enjoy what does.  

I also like the contrasting look of black metals against some of the white shabby pieces.  I think it adds interest.  

When I'm done putting all of the Christmas away (I still have the dining room to do)  I'm going to sit down with a cup of tea and read a book.  I haven't finished a book in over a year and I've set goals to read at least 12 books this year.  These are the first 6.  Ever since we've gotten "technical" over here - Cell phones, tablets, computers - I haven't done much book reading. I still love the feel and smell of books.  I think it will be a good way to "unplug".  

If you'd like to get a copy of any of these books just click on the title:

Jan Karon To be Where You Are

Jan Karon Come Rain or Come Shine

Called to Create 

A Call to Courage

Chasing the Lion

This post contains affliate links.  If you choose to purchase through this blog I may be compensated.   

Word for 2018 DOING

I've chosen the word "Doing" for 2018.  Weird?  Maybe.  I feel like I've been spending so much of my life "gathering."  I've gathered everything from fabric to lace to storage bins to office supplies to planner accessories, and on and on.   You need some stickers, I've got some.   Fabric, scissors, needles and pins?  I've got plenty.  I kept gathering saying one day I might need that.  Or I have a project in mind or the BIG ONE: I'm going to paint that and put it in my booth!  Yes there are places in my house that look like a hoarder lives here.  In my defense, I have had my hands full,  Raising 3 grandkids and 2 nieces.    But still,  I've got a lot to do.  Sometimes I think the shopping was a way of dealing with depression, and just trying to get my mind wrapped around something else.   

Anyway, I've set a pretty lofty goal to declutter and DO!  I'm planning on Doing lots of sewing - take that Depression!  Doing lots of painting and selling in my booth - take that Hoarding!  So ya, I'm going to get some things done - by DOING!   I'll share as much as I can and as much as you want to see.  And I've got all year to do it...

Did you pick a word for the year?  Do you do that?  

I found other bloggers that do and I linked up with them here: One Word Blog Hop