No Place Like Home # 9

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,

For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away

Like the bells and lights and tinsel, 
In some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others 
Is good you do yourself. ~ Norman Wesley Brooks

Happy New Year dear friends and welcome to my first No Place Like Home of 2016! 

I hope you all had a splendid Christmas and a lovely New Year celebration. Here at my home, all is quiet. The snow is falling softly outside my window, Hubby has returned to work, and my company left on the weekend.

I thought I would start my post off with a picture of my son's ceramic tree he made when he was twelve years old. I brought it out for Christmas in the guest room and the teddy bear was a gift from my son. I thought it only appropriate that Teddy would be propped up by the tree. 

My son and his friend baked me a beautiful carrot cake from scratch for my birthday. 

Happy Birthday to me!

It was a lovely surprise because having raised three sons and my birthday falling at such a busy time of year, Birthday cake hasn't been a part of my life for many years. So, it was very much appreciated and might I say, enjoyed as well! 

Isn't it lovely?  Filled with carrots and walnuts with a wonderful cream cheese icing, it's moist and delicious. It is also my son's friend's great-grandmother's recipe so I do not have permission to share the recipe; sorry.

We all enjoyed a slice! 

The plate is The Victorian English Pottery Est. 1819 by Edward Challinor.

And what would go better with cake than a lovely cup of tea? Harney and Son's Holiday Tea, a gift from a blogger friend.

Spode Blue Room teacup.

Johnson Bros. Devon Cottage plate.

I prefer a teacup but my son is quite happy with his mug. You can see by his elbow he did manage to bring some work home with him. You know the old adage, "A woman's work is never done?" Well, I think the same applies to a professor. Isn't he adorable! He also drinks his tea black just like his mom.

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." ~ Harlan Miller


Do you regret that Christmas is over? As busy as the holidays are, there is such an air of anticipation and joyfulness. This year we celebrated Christmas with two of our sons and three grandchildren. One son lives here on the Island while the other came all the way from Colorado to spend the holidays with us. So it has been a lovely time.

The birth of a New Year is a time of reflection, bringing with it an opportunity for change....for developing a greater appreciation of what is most important in life. ~ Victoria magazine

Anyway, feet planted firmly back on the ground once again, it's time to return to the everyday occurrences. My son has returned to the States thoroughly hugged and kissed and the tree has been boxed up and put away for another year. I do have a few sparkly things around yet. Wintertime calls for a little sparkle, wouldn't you agree?

Did you all watch Downton Abbey last night? I had to tape it because it was on too late but I am looking forward to snuggling up with Hubby and watching it. Of course tea will be sipped! 

Because the last two weeks have been such a busy time for me, I have only a couple of features for you this week. You are all so talented and generous in sharing your homes and ideas with us. Thank you!

These are from my last party a couple of weeks ago. If you have been featured you are welcome to take this button for your blog. Just copy and paste.

Karen @ Karen's Castle and Cottage shared her lovely Victorian Christmas tree adorned with beaded garland and china teacups. Gorgeous! She also shared her recipe for Peppermint Square which takes care of my featured recipe from my party of two weeks ago.

And Debbie @ A Debbie-Dabble Christmas   shared her wonderful Christmas kitchen. I can imagine how big the eyes of children would get if they walked into her home! A child's and grown up's delight!

Thank you everyone for your participation. 

Now let's see what you are creating in your home to make it a cozy place to come home to for your family, your friends, and yourself.


Winter is the time for comfort,
For food, and warmth,
For the touch of a friendly hand 
and a talk beside the fire: 
It is the time for home. ~ Dame Edith Sitwell



I am sharing this with ~

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Bernideen's BTTCG Blog Party
Teacup Tuesday
Home Sweet Home

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi