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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.

Saturday, 31 December 2016

Winter is the Time for Home

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

 Happy New Year to you all, dear friends! I hope you all enjoyed a happy Christmas and you are anticipating what 2017 will bring.

Now that all the busyness is behind us, we can relax and savour the new memories made.

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

 Our Christmas dinner this year was the usual turkey and all the trimmings. I made crustless pumpkin pie for dessert and I'm so glad I did because my son and his girlfriend joined us for dinner and she is gluten free. I didn't know that until they arrived.

 She gifted me with this lovely Dutch Almond cake which we are going to have with our tea today. 

It is the consistency of a soft almond cookie and slices wonderfully well.
Wintertime is the perfect time for cozying up by the fire and sipping a cup of something warm. So, lets enjoy our tea and cake today. 
The mere chink of cups and saucers tunes the mind to happy repose. ~ George Gissing

 I am using my RA Old Country Roses china. I love this pattern and it always reminds me of my Daddy because he admired it so much.
God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December. ~ JM Barrie


These birthday roses are from my hubby. I do love white roses. 
I know some of you are taking a look back over the past year and sharing favourite blog posts but I will save that for another day. Meanwhile, I am going to savour tea in this beautiful teacup and give thanks for all the blessings this past year. 

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
Dear friends, may the New Year bring you good health, happiness, and may your cup be overflowing with blessings from above. God bless each and every one of you! 



I am joining the following parties as well~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Friends Sharing Tea
Share Your Cup Thursday
Home Sweet Home


Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi
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33 comments :

  1. Bernideen CanfieldSaturday, 31 December 2016 at 11:55:00 GMT-4

    Dear Sandi:
    Love your guest's lovely cake - almost looks like a "tart". Your Old Country Roses china looks ever so pretty out this time of year. I haven't done a review either and figure in the next few weeks that will work just fine for me. Your turkey dinner sounded wonderful and your pink and teal tree back behind in the photo looks so pretty!

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  2. MillieSaturday, 31 December 2016 at 13:09:00 GMT-4

    Happy New Year to you and your family. May you experience blessings from God in every aspect of your life.

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  3. LorrieSaturday, 31 December 2016 at 13:44:00 GMT-4

    Happy New Year, Sandi, and Happy Birthday. Old Country Roses is such a richly coloured china pattern and it's perfect for this time of year.

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  4. MargieSaturday, 31 December 2016 at 20:49:00 GMT-4

    OCR is one of my favourite patterns too. Your tea setting is gorgeous! The image with the tree in the background would make a beautiful Christmas card. Happy New Year and Birthday, Sandi!

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  5. Jean | DelightfulRepast.comSaturday, 31 December 2016 at 21:00:00 GMT-4

    Sandi, lovely post. We are having a quiet evening at home, staying cozy, having tea with the Blue Danube set. But how I love Old Country Roses! That cake looks lovely, too. Wishing you a wonderful 2017.

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  6. Gina @ VictorianWannaBeSunday, 1 January 2017 at 01:15:00 GMT-4

    God bless you too dear Sandi! Sweet post, and beautiful RA Country Roses tea setting! Happy New Year to you and yours!
    Gina

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  7. Edith DUTERTRESunday, 1 January 2017 at 09:03:00 GMT-4

    hello

    Pour cette nouvelle année, je te souhaite :
    2 fois plus de bonheur,
    0 problème,
    1 santé d’enfer,
    7 tonnes de belles surprises !
    Bonne et heureuse année 2017.
    tendresse

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  8. kitty@ Kitty's Kozy KitchenSunday, 1 January 2017 at 09:51:00 GMT-4

    What a thoughtful gift of your son's girlfriend, in bringing that lovely almond tart, Sandi. Thank you for sharing all the beautiful quotes on your posts and also your pretty tea times. Happy Birthday blessings to you, sweet friend, and a very Happy New Year!

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  9. Lincuden Cottage LifeSunday, 1 January 2017 at 11:47:00 GMT-4

    Happy New Year Sandi!!! Wishing you a wonderful 2017!
    Rebeca

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  10. quakerhillfarmSunday, 1 January 2017 at 23:07:00 GMT-4

    What a pretty post! Dear Sandi I am wishing you a wonderful 2017.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasMonday, 2 January 2017 at 03:06:00 GMT-4

    Sandi,
    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear friend!!
    I have always admired your Old Country Roses dishes!! They are so pretty...Joe picked up some cute dishes at Wegman's on clearance that I will be putting in my kitchen hutch for the Winter so I will be posting about them soon. Of course, there is a cute tea pot....
    Wishing you and yours a very Happy and Healthy New Year!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  12. Art and SandMonday, 2 January 2017 at 04:36:00 GMT-4

    I always love looking at your dishes, table settings and especially what you are serving on those pretty plates.

    Happy New Year!

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  13. LindaMonday, 2 January 2017 at 20:55:00 GMT-4

    Sandi, this is such a beautiful post! It especially touches my heart because I love winter! Thank you so much for sharing. Happy New Year and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. :)

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  14. The Charm of HomeMonday, 2 January 2017 at 23:08:00 GMT-4

    Sandi, Happy Birthday and Happy New Year! Thanks for the encouragement on my new year's post. It is a new direction for me that is sure, but I feel compelled to do it so off I go! Wishing you and your family a blessed 2017! I love this china pattern! The teacup photographs so pretty from above! Great shot!

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  15. Judith @ Lavender CottageMonday, 2 January 2017 at 23:18:00 GMT-4

    I'm not looking back at all but forward to all that 2017 has to offer. I hope it's a better year for your health Sandi and I wish you many cups of tea and blessings.
    xx

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  16. Creations By CindyTuesday, 3 January 2017 at 18:30:00 GMT-4

    Dearest Sandi, I enjoyed this post so much today. I only wish we had a tad of winter in our neck of the woods. 80 degrees today! Love your beautiful dishes. Happy New Year to you and my prayer for you is that God will go beyond your beyond and do amazing things for you Sandi. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  17. Angela McRaeWednesday, 4 January 2017 at 00:34:00 GMT-4

    What a beautiful post, in every way, Sandi! And Happy New Year to you and your home!

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  18. Carol @Comfort Spring StationWednesday, 4 January 2017 at 19:59:00 GMT-4

    Lovely photos and tea set - wishing you a wonderful 2017~

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  19. Carole @ From My Carolina HomeWednesday, 4 January 2017 at 20:01:00 GMT-4

    White roses are my favorite flower, love them. Happy New Year, love your RA Rose China.

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  20. Pat @ bringingfrenchcountryhomeWednesday, 4 January 2017 at 21:06:00 GMT-4

    Hi Sandi, Wish we could sit down with a cuppa tea. I hope your new year is filled with joy and peace and good days. Fondly, Pat

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  21. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonThursday, 5 January 2017 at 00:13:00 GMT-4

    Dear Sandi, how nice to be enjoying a cuppa tea in your beautiful old Country Rose china. That almond cake looks delicious! For sure, savor the moment and the new year. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  22. CatieAnThursday, 5 January 2017 at 00:15:00 GMT-4

    Happy New Year dear one. What beautiful China and roses. Happy Birthday too.
    My birthday is a few days before Christmas and always seems to get lost in the shuffle.

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  23. Nikki (Sarah)Thursday, 5 January 2017 at 10:09:00 GMT-4

    that almond cake looks yummy. Enjoy thoroughly. Temps here are falling and although no snow, it's cold - I can just imagine where you guys are - it must be very cold and snowy. Stay toasty warm.

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  24. Curtains in My TreeThursday, 5 January 2017 at 12:53:00 GMT-4

    The Old Country Rose pattern is very popular with tea cup collectors. I have a friend who has entire set.
    I found a beautiful tea cup and saucer last week

    Happy New Year

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  25. SylviaThursday, 5 January 2017 at 19:25:00 GMT-4

    Sandi, That almond cake looks tasty and so nicely presented on a cake stand. Royal Albert has some wonderful tea cup patterns. Congrats on birthday and lovely flowers. Happy New Year 2017.

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  26. living from glory to gloryThursday, 5 January 2017 at 21:30:00 GMT-4

    Hello, What a lovely post! Loved the quotes and your tea set is so beautiful! Do you by any chance have the recipe for that almond cake? I love it when things allow us to remember sweet things of our friends or family!
    Looking forward to a great new year! May God bless you with health and happiness... And many more Birthdays!
    Warmly, Roxy

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  27. Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage BlogThursday, 5 January 2017 at 21:44:00 GMT-4

    Beautiful! I have some Old Country Roses and I love them!

    You always have wonderful quotes and lovely photos. Thank you, Sandi.

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  28. Mrs.TFriday, 6 January 2017 at 13:54:00 GMT-4

    I have loved Old Country Roses ever since I first laid eyes on it! Thank you for sharing. And that almond cake ... one can almost smell and taste it. Do you have the recipe, or was the tart from a bakery? I would love to try making one.

    This was a lovely post. I have always enjoyed that quote about roses in December.

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  29. relevanttealeafFriday, 6 January 2017 at 15:44:00 GMT-4

    Happy New Year to you, Sandi! May God bless you with health in 2017, and Happy belated Birthday wishes!

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  30. Antiques And TeacupsSaturday, 7 January 2017 at 00:02:00 GMT-4

    Happy New Year Sandi! We are certainly praying for better health this year, aren't we? Good thing we know the Healer! I made little almond cakes today, so yours looks especially yummy! I missed your birthday but I know it was full of love! I'm late visiting with weather and computer problems, but had to make sure I caught up! Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  31. KathyB.Saturday, 7 January 2017 at 03:40:00 GMT-4

    Reading your post was refreshing and calming for me. I am so thankful to be back to blogging and especially reading some of the Tea Time bloggers. Happy New Year to you , yes, I am looking forward to what 2017 will bring .

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  32. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseMonday, 9 January 2017 at 17:12:00 GMT-4

    I love this Royal Albert teaset so much, it looks perfectly cosy for winter and the almond cake looks yummy!

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  33. Dipa kumariFriday, 27 January 2017 at 07:44:00 GMT-4

    wow very nice...
    www.everyindia.com

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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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