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Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Wednesday 28 October 2015

A Time for Change ~ A New Party

Hello dear friends~ I have something on my heart I wish to talk to you about. This is a rather long post so I hope you will indulge me by pouring a cup of your favourite beverage and reading through what I have to share with you. 



For quite some time now, I have been planning to make some changes here at Rose Chintz Cottage.


I began hosting my Tea Time Tuesday parties in January 2010 because I have a nice collection of teapots and teacups that I wanted to share with you. That's almost six years of tea parties! 



I have always enjoyed hosting this party and sharing tea and conversation with you lovely ladies each week. We have forged a wonderful friendship over the years and I am so happy we have all gotten to know one another. You are all very dear to me. Some of you have been with me from the very beginning and I so appreciate your faithfulness and support. 

Three years ago, I began hosting another party called HOME which I enjoyed very much. 



Unfortunately about two years after I began the HOME party I had major computer problems. It was a few months before I got everything sorted out again. Then, to be honest, I found hosting two weekly parties a bit overwhelming, so I felt it was a good time to shut my HOME party down. I did miss it however and the ladies that linked up to it.

One thing I have come to realize is that I want to share more than tea parties but I honestly don't have the time to write three or more blog posts a week. We are all busy people. Which brings me to what I'm about to share with you....

I do enjoy so many things in life.... Like all the little creatures and the beauty that nature offers us. I enjoy sunsets and walks along the beach as well as a trail through the woods. 



I love bird watching, writing short stories, sharing my faith, spending time with my family, giving an old piece of furniture new life, photography, collecting china, baking, etc... These are all things that I would like to blog about given more time. I used to draw and paint too but some health issues have prevented me from continuing that passion. I come from a family of artists so I have a great appreciation for art as well.


Ever since I was a little girl, all I ever wanted to be was a home maker and even though I have worn several hats, nothing has ever brought me the joy and contentment that staying home and being a mom and home maker has brought me. You see, I thrive on bringing beauty and comfort into my home for my family and friends to enjoy.

I am a domestic diva and home is where my heart is. 



Over the years, as a home maker, a mom, and a pastor's wife, I have done a lot of entertaining, and I have oodles of recipes and ideas to share.

Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness. ~ Jane Austen

















I have been pondering this for quite some time as I have already mentioned and I have decided to combine both Tea Time Tuesday and my previous HOME party into one party.




&


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Now picture this...There is a nip in the air and the frost is beginning to paint lovely pictures on the windows but inside it's warm and cozy. 
A crackling fire is dancing in the fireplace and cookies are fresh from the oven. Big mugs of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream are being savoured by those within.  

Mom has made home a nice place to be.



When my children were growing up, I took great pains to do special things for my family. I loved having the smell of fresh baked cookies, cinnamon rolls, or spicy apple pie greet their noses when they came home from school and work. Actually, in my home, cinnamon rolls were always called "Snails." 



It was the name my son put on them because they reminded him of snails. He was always the nature lover. *smiles*

My nesting instincts brought me joy. They still do.

Now I want to give each of you a chance to share what you are creating in your home to make it a delightful place for your loved ones to come home to. You are under no obligation to join my party but if you would like to, you are welcome to share any of the following: 


Tea time, tablescapes, cooking and baking,

recipes, antiquing, artwork, bird watching - 

because I adore our little feathered friends,

ceramics, crafts, collections, 

crocheting/knitting, quilting/sewing, floral 

arranging, gardening, home decor, hospitality, 

photography, refinishing furniture, renos. Did I 

mention tea time? That also means a trip to a tea 

shop too because I love to hear all about that. 


Thrift shopping, etc... Perhaps 

you have a new member of the family, a new baby 

or fur baby, I would love to see them too. 


Whew, well you get the picture! Anything and everything which makes your home more enjoyable to come home to, for your family, your friends, and yourself. 

There really is No Place Like Home.

I do hope all of my tea friends will continue to stop by and share their tea things for this new party. I will no doubt continue to share a tea related post myself quite often because I do enjoy it and I love pretty china. 

Those of you who may have something else to share which is home related, you are invited to link up and join me. 



This is my new party button and I hope you like it. You are welcome to right click and save this button if you wish. 

I am looking forward to this new venture and I hope you will join me on Monday, November 2 for No Place Like Home. On Monday, Tea Time Tuesday will become No Place Like Home. Have a beautiful day everyone. 

Sharing from my heart Sandi

46 comments :

  1. Sandi,

    What a beautiful and heartfelt post....I loved every word of it. You are and always have been such a gracious lady. Your blog so much reminds me of the way blogging used to be. I miss that so much.

    I want you to know that I also always have loved staying home and being a homemaker....what a huge blessing it is to make a lovely home.

    Your new party sounds wonderful and I will certainly join you when time allows....thank you!

    Barb ♥

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  2. So beautiful written. You had me dreaming of home. Love that your son called cinnamon rolls "snails". I love your new button too. xoxo Su

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  3. A beautiful, gracious post. I think your blog posts will be wonderful! They will encompass so many ares of beauty and joy. I will continue to subscribe and enjoy. Thank you

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  4. Sandi, what a wonderful idea!!! One of my goals is to make my home a peaceful refuge from the world for my husband and for family and friends whenever they visit. And I enjoy so many of the same things you do. I can say that I will very likely be linking up weekly because I am often posting on one of the topics you mentioned. This is exciting news indeed!

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  5. This is well received news from me Sandi as I've had difficulty coming up with specific tea posts many times so more leeway for topics will make it easier.
    I'm happy that you were able to redefine the meme to your satisfaction and wish you success as it moves forward.
    Hugs,

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  6. Sandi, this makes perfect sense -it truly is combining the two- and will be so interesting and fun to join in more now......I wish you all the best and look forward to having your party be one of my favs! : - )

    God bless, good luck - see you soon! ♥

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  7. Sounds like fun and I look forward to joining you! Good idea!

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  8. Oh Yay!! Thank you Sandi. I was starting to feel a little tea-ed out, and not sure I wanted to do a tea post every week. But I had determined that yours would be the one party I would do. I used to do a lot of blog parties when I first started blogging, but it became too much. But I wanted to stay loyal to this party because the tea ladies were my first blog friends. So this solves my dilemma perfectly. I can join you each week, and not be tied to teacups every time.
    I love how you so eloquently describe the joys of making a warm and cagy home. xo Deborah

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  9. Oh Sandi! This is exciting news to me. I was afraid you were going to say you would no longer be able to host that would have been most sad! Thanks for your faithfulness and I know you will be rewarded abundantly. Lynn

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  10. Sandi,
    As I told you before, I LOVE this idea and you wrote such a beautiful post about your decision to create a new party showcasing everything that you love!! You know ,my friend, that I will be joining in weekly.
    I took the button for the new party and added it to my Side Bar with a link back to this post to advertise the new party!!

    Hugs
    Deb

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  11. This is the best news I've heard all day!! I am so excited about your new party and can't wait til the 2nd! Hugs......

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  12. Sandi, I love this idea! I can understand your desire to share more and not having the time to do more than one blog party so combining the ideas to one is wonderful! I always enjoy visiting you here and have shared tea times in the past but it got 'tired' with me as my interest is more in nature. I will gladly share in this new 'mixed' party "No Place Like Home" from time to time. All the best to you in this new venture. I will look forward to what you will share with us. Blessings, Pam

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  13. That's a great name! All the "more inclusive" type blog parties get so many more visitors and participants that you can't go wrong!

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  14. I was afraid you were joining the Blog Her group and going commercial. Glad that is not the case!

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    1. No advertising on my blog, Bernideen. I like to keep it clean and uncluttered as much as possible.

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    2. I dont like visiting blog that are full of advertisements and all those pop ups so annoying you cant enjoy the blog.. Glad yournot leaving cause thta's what i thought at first..

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  15. I think it is a great idea . I to love nature ,photography and our little farm house and all that goes on in our neck of the woods ! I hope it all works out well ! Wonderful post and photos ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !

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  16. A great idea. I post a variety of topics like you mentioned above.
    My grandkids love my cinnamon rolls. It's their favourite thing I bake.
    I will copy your party badge on my sidebar. No Place Like Home is a great name. Until next week. xo

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  17. Ch-ch-ch-ch- changes! I look forward to participating in your new party, Sandi.

    Party time! Excellent!

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  18. What a terrific idea! And I love the name! Can't wait for the first one!

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  19. I love your new idea. I have the same October tea cup.

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  20. This was a genuine heartfelt post, a wonderful read! I completely agree with your assessment of the matter, combine two wonderful things, and it can't help but get any better! I love tea, roses, and all things beautiful, but leaving here in the country, I tend to post more about animals, and landscapes, and home related events. I look forward to participating in your new blog "party"! Your new party button combines the best of both worlds, tea and home... wonderful! And your "snails" look very very yummy! Have a blessed and wonderful day :)

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  21. Change is in the air, and you have a good idea to offer both topics on one blog.

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  22. I'll add my approval to the others....it's a wonderful idea! I hope to join in.

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  23. Sounds like a wonderful idea, Sandi. I hope to join in once in awhile.

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  24. This sounds lovely, Sandi. I am looking forward to joining this party with you on occasion!

    Wishing you a beautiful day...
    Brenda
    xox

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  25. I love this idea and look forward to tagging along on this new journey!

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  26. Hi Sandi, I love this new idea, it will give us a lot of options to explore and share. I just hope that I won't be too late to join in.
    Looking forward to it.

    Hugs,
    Aida

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  27. I love this idea, Sandi! It is perfect to combine your tea time party and your old home party into one. We are so much alike in wanting to create a cozy home for our loved ones, and I'll be sure to join you in this venture. Your new button is so perfect and so YOU! Big hugs and blessings are sent to you!

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  28. Sandi,
    What a marvelous solution, I hope to join in too!
    Jemma

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  29. Hi Sandi! Oh, this is a wonderful decision! I have loved your tea parties and looking at all of the rest who join in. This will be a great party and I hope to play too. Thanks for popping in to see me and I thank you for your friendship all these years.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  30. Oh Sandi I am so excited and change is good. I can't wait I enjoyed when I could party with you

    Cindy

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  31. I do not have a blog, but have followed yours for quite some time now. I have always enjoyed reading your blog. It is quite lovely, calming, utterly peaceful. My children (22, 18, 16, and 13 ~ all girls) still live here with me. I am always looking for inspiration to bring those attributes into my home. Each of those attributes adds to their femininity. I am so excited to be a part of your new adventure. If I had a blog, I wouldn't hesitate to connect it with yours. Thank you for taking the time to help make "No Place Like Home" a reality. Best wishes!

    PS ~ I was the same way as a little girl. Nothing brought me greater joy than thinking of being a wife and homemaker to children. I too have worn many hats throughout my married life out of necessity. However, I am now able to be what I've always desired. :)

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  32. Hello Sandi......What a great idea. I feel like we are kindred spirits! I have always loved creating a nice home, too. Your new party sounds terrific. I'll try very hard to think of a post to join in. Susan

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  33. Sandi, this is wonderful! I can,t wait to see the posts of home, hearth, nature, tea time, etc.! xo Patty/NS

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  34. This is great! You are taking a wonderful party and making it even better.

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  35. How nice of you to think up combining your two fun parties,
    Home and Tea Time
    Those cinnamon rolls sure looks good

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  36. Hi Sandi, I definitely think you should share ALL your loves in one place. Blessings on it all & to you sweet sister :)
    Heather

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  37. Love your idea! I look forward to your new adventure. It will be fun see what your dear blogger friends will post. Fun fun fun.

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  38. I just took your pretty new button home dear Sandi. What fun is going to be and we'll see more at once! Thank you for thinking about us and for more fun and lovelies.
    Have a great weekend sweetie.
    FABBY

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  39. I think its perfect to combine it all into on. I personally love so many different things pretty much the same as you. I think it will be fabulous. Happy weekend with love Janice

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  40. Dear Sandi, I shall miss your Tea Time Tuesday tea party but I know your new party will be wonderful with you sharing your lovely way to make a home cozy and friendly! I will be anxiously waiting every week to see what you and the others have to share! I think now is a good time for me to stop posting on parties. My life is so busy now with my grandsons. I know you will make many new friends with your new adventure and I wish you many blessings, dear friend!
    Hugs, Nancy

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  41. Sandi, what a beautiful post, thank you for the insight...I had no idea you've been hosting so long and that you are a minister's wife! You are such a gracious and kind lady, and I'd be honored to participate in any party you host! Thank you for sharing a snippet and for hosting!

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  42. Hi, I am first time here. English is not my native language but I have read your post and understood, I hope. I imagine that your Island is a quiet place.

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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