A Valentine Tea

"Teatime is, by its very nature,a

combination of small luxuries
arranged in social symmetry.
And although tea for one 
is certainly a fine thing,
the addition of a circle of'dear
friends to share it with 
ensures the whole is larger
than its parts. 

Author unknown

 

Each year around Valentine Day, I have a Tea for my girls, granddaughters and myself. This past Saturday I put together a simple causal tea for us. Unlike the author above, it wasn't luxury at all but kind of a country theme.  I decided to use red and pink colors.

 "Everyone needs beauty 

as well as bread,

places to play in and pray in,

where nature may heal and cheer

and give strength to body 

and soul."

 John Muir

 I can't think of a time or place than with my family 
to strengthen me, body or soul! In Philippians 4:11-12 we are encouraged to be content with what we have. I believe where there is Love there is Contentment.

 Since it was a family Tea, I didn't think it would hurt to use paper plates and napkins, along with plastic spoons and forks. The napkins reminded me, in a way, of a bandanna.

I found these heart shaped spiral toys at the dollar tree and thought "wow they'd make a good napkin ring" but when I put the napkins in them it didn't look like a heart so I cut off some burlap and tied them onto it. 

There were pink ones and red ones.

I went outside and cut a couple small branches, placed them in a vase and hung Valentine hearts on it. I placed several pine cones and other hearts in it for a decoration.

 

On the left of the food you can see where I bought a small burlap lampshade, I turned it upside down and placed a candle where the light bulb would be and added some basket filler, then placed it on a clear glass saucer. We didn't light the candle since that would not have been safe.

  

We had Bacon and cheese Quiche,
 Spinach and cheese Quiche 

Sweet Scones with Lemon Curd

Honey Ham and Provolone Cheese Croissant Roll ups

 Strawberries

Peppermint Bark, Oreo Truffles and Cream Puffs.

And a Collection of Teas!

I found these pretty cups at Marshall's a few weeks ago. 

They only had these two and that was prefect since my

two granddaughters names are Anna and Morgan.

Then a week later I was in the Dollar Tree and found these cups for my 3 daughters. How perfect, I just filled all the cups with candy hearts and they loved them. I loved the writing on them! Oh, I bought myself one too!

I was blessed with this Blue Willow cup, made in England, a pretty heart shaped plate and a basket of goodies from my daughters. I didn't get a photo of the goodies. (They were eaten right away!)

"Memories of our lives,

 of our works,

 and our deeds 

will continue on in others"

Rosa Parks

My soon to be 13 year old granddaughter wants to have a Tea Room when she graduates. I have enough collectibles to get her started.

My daughter, Debbie, had to take a selfie!

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled

by a spark from another person.

Each of us has cause to think with deep

gratitude of those who have lighted the

flame within us."

Albert Schweitzer

My girls are a blessing and encourager for me.

I am so blessed to have been given them.

God is so Good!

"We Thank you,Lord, for blessings
You give us on our way.
May we for these be grateful,
And praise You every day."
Roworth

Have a Blessed week!

Sylvia

Linking to 

Roses of Inspiration

Rose Chintz Cottage

Sunday Inspirations

Have a Blessed Sunday!

Sylvia

A Country Valentine Burlap Wreath

Stephanie over at The Enchanting Rose 

and 

Mary over at Visits with Mary,

made a Valentine Wreath, theirs were so pretty that

 it got me to wanting to make one also.  I had bought this roll

of burlap back before Christmas. Didn't know what I was 

going to do with it, I just loved and wanted it.

 

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with

it but I love rustic, as well as frilly things. What other

than use it for a Valentine Wreath!

I took a clothes hanger and my sweet hubby cut the 

top off it and I bent it into what looked somewhat

like a heart to start off with. I did have to tweak it a bit more.

 I then took a needle and some craft thread folded the burlap and gathered it around the edges.

I ran the hanger through the gathered burlap and did use a little hot glue in places to keep it where I wanted it. I bent the wire together at the top. I then found some red ribbon in my sewing box, and glued it around the edges of the burlap. I put the key that I received

from my friend at Christmas at the top and tied a ribbon above it.

My daughter stopped in for a visit and she made a couple of suggestions. Between the both of us this is how it came out.

Now it's been a few years since I have done this type of thing. 

Years ago I did do craft shows and sold my items, 

but since I have arthritis, my fingers don't like me doing this

anymore. 

These are the items I used.

Coat hanger

burlap roll

red ribbon

hot glue gun and glue sticks

Metal Key

Needle and Craft Thread

After ALL that hard work it's time for tea!

 Have you tried the Little Debbie, Red Velvet Valentine Cake?
They're good!

Have a Blessed Day!

Sylvia

Linking to

Rose of Inspiration  

Sunday's Inspiration

 In my quiet time reading my Bible and devotional,
 I was touched by the author asking how do we pray. 
Is it a short fast spur of the moment prayer or a 

slow thoughtful intense prayer!   Both are important in our lives.

When something comes to our minds and we are troubled by it,

then maybe a quick prayer sent up is needed but when there's 

something in our lives that we can't manage or work out ourselves,

as sometimes we do this instead of praying for God's guidance. 

Then maybe more concentration and passion is needed. 

 

 Our Lord prayed! 

Mark 14:32

Jesus told his disciples to "sit here, while I shall pray"

"It came to pass in those days that (Jesus) went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God"

Luke 6:12

Jesus was both human and God,so He understands our pain and sufferings.  In verse 34-38 of  Mark 14, I was touched by these verses of how He felt human emotions. I was reminded of how we are to take everything concerning us to God in prayer.

In everything in our lives we are to glorify God in what we do, so how can we know how to do this without praying and seeking His will and His ways.

As we go through the Valley's and over the Mountains of our lives, let us lift our hearts and minds up in prayer constantly communicating with our Heavenly Father.

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without without wavering, for He is faithful that promised". Hebrews 10:23

The heart of prayer is prayer from the heart!

Have a Blessed Sunday!

Sylvia  

Hot Tea Month

Did you know there's a Day or Month to honor

just about anything. Yes, I looked it up! 

January is Hot Tea Month!

"Thank God for Tea! What would the world do

without tea? How did it exist? I am glad I was not

born before Tea" Reverend Sidney Smith

 I have been trying new recipes lately. Do you ever get tired of 
making the 'same ole stuff' !

I found a recipe for Buffalo Style Chicken Bites, in the 'Diabetes & You' magazine I picked up at my local Walgreen's. I don't have diabetes that I know of, but it's a good diet to use if you want to lose weight and it has other health benefits too. 
 I won't put the recipe on here since it's so long. If you want it just email me and I will send it to you.

 It had a good dressing recipe, to dip the chicken bites in.

To celebrate Hot Tea Month, I tried a new Tea. It's a Red Fruit Rooibos Tea.  It's really good. It is an organic, No GMO, Gluten Free and all Natural Tea. (I read that on the box) I really like it.
 I love trying new teas.
I am really enjoying my Burton&Burton tea set I bought a few
years ago.

And what tea or afternoon snack isn't complete without dessert!
Vanilla Pudding in a tart shell, topped with Redi Whip!


At my table sit with me
I'll pour coffee or some tea; 
Perhaps we'll share our tears and laughter,
And be friends forever after.

Friendship is like two clocks
keeping time.
Anonymous


Have A Blessed Day!

Sylvia

I am joining Stephanie for Roses of  Inspiration want you click the link here and join me there!
Sandi at Rose Chintz is having a 5th Anniversary blog party,let's go to it also

One Potato Two Potato More

In reading my devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley yesterday morning, I was reminded of how many of us want more, bigger and better things in life. Not that it's wrong to want the best. I want the best for those that I love. 

This devotional was about a family that came to America from another country to find a better life. They were poor and sometimes had little to eat.They ate a lot of potatoes, mostly potato soup, for their meals.

Sometime the father would have a little extra money and would bring home an extra potato and the soup would be thicker and richer. He would pray and thank God for "two potatoes!". 

Now you're thinking what has this to do with anything? Right?

Well, we always seem to want more, more of everything. Can we ever be satisfied or content with "what we have".

 In Philippians 4:12, Paul wrote that he had learned to be content in having much and having little. 
 To be grateful for all God's provisions and be thankful for what I have, knowing that God also wants the best for me, is a thought process that I want to have. After all it is in the thinking in our minds that we make our 'focus'.

Lately I believe God has been trying to teach me, and I say 'trying' because I can be slow in hearing Him at times,  OK...a lot of times.  He wants me to be Thankful and Content with what I have because as in Matthew 4:4  Jesus says "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God".
By reading the bible and applying it's truths to our lives in every area will help us to be strong in our desire to live a more contented life whether it be with food or material things. 

So with having one potato or two potatoes, both concerning food and material possessions, I know through His strength I can learn to be content. (Philippians 4:13). Whether I have one, two or more of anything, my goal will be to praise God and be grateful. If I always think I need two potatoes, one will never be enough and if I think of not having any, then I will understand how to be thankful for all God has blessed me with, for I am already blessed with far more than most people in the world.



But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

I took my potatoes and made "Roasted Garlic Potatoes."
Just cut red potatoes in fourths and place in pan, add 
Olive Oil, salt and pepper, and garlic. 
Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
 

 Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for all your blessing,
I am grateful that you know and want what's
best for me.....amen 


Be Blessed Today!
Sylvia

Grow Your Blog

  Grow Your Blog

For those new to my blog, my name is Sylvia (see profile on sidebar), today I am joining the 3rd annual Grow Your Blog party over at Vicki's . Click on the link above to go over and find out all about it. I hope you will take time to visit.
  
I started blogging this April  3 years ago, I've made new friends and learn so much from them through blogging. I enjoy Tea Time, shopping Antique Malls and Thrift shops. By joining in on "Grow Your Blog", I hope to get to know new bloggers. I not only like to use my blog for sharing recipes, new found items and other interest, I also love being able to share my faith along with reading other blogs about faith.



 Today I want to share a recipe I found in my 2002  Weight Watchers Cookbook.

I am trying to lose some weight to be healthier. It isn't easy but I did manage to find this recipe and it was pretty good. 

Warm Fresh Apple Cake


1/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 medium Granny Smith or Golden Delicious Apples, 
peeled and shredded

Cooking spray

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoon chopped pecans

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Beat butter with a mixer at 
medium speed until creamy;
add 3/4 cup brown sugar,beating well
Add egg, beating just till blended.

3. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring
cups; level with a knife.
 Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; 
gradually add to butter mixture.
(batter will be stiff) Add apples, beating
just until combined.

4. Spoon batter into an 8-inch square baking pan
coated with cooking spray. Combine 1/4 cup
brown sugar and pecans; sprinkle over batter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 32 to 35 minutes or
until a wooden pick inserted in center comes
out clean.

Yield: 10 servings, size 1 square
 Points:5
2 1/2 Starch, 1 fat 
Calories: 225

I found this cake to be good,
 especially with a cup of hot tea!
Enjoy!

"What, know ye not that your body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you...
glorify God in your body......" 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20


Here are some other post I do on my blog.
I like to post about the flowers I grow in my yard.
This is an Angel's Trumpet.
I love the way the sun shines through it.

 There will post about Tea and Tea Parties I have.
Here is a photo from one of my quiet times on my 
back patio.

 
Tea Cup finds.

This is a teacup my daughter and I found while out shopping
antique stores. The set of Homer Laughton china was sitting there so pretty and 
calling her name, needless to say, SHE bought it.

For other blog post please feel free to go to my sidebar and click on 
recent blog post.

I am looking forward to your visit!


Have a Blessed Day!
Sylvia