Faith Family Friends

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 7 January 2017

Little Tidbits of This and That

More snow came before New Year’s, and the harbor froze over, but the gulf still was free, beyond the white, imprisoned fields. The last day of the old year was one of those bright, cold, dazzling winter days, which bombard us with their brilliancy, and command our admiration but never our love. The sky was sharp and blue; the snow diamonds sparkled insistently; the stark trees were bare and shameless, with a kind of brazen beauty. - "Anne's House of Dreams" - LM Montgomery


Hello my lovely friends! It's a new year and I'm one year older. To be honest, I'm really thankful that 2016 has come to an end. It was not a good year for me in many ways. The majority of it found me in a lot of pain. 

I could sit here and regale you with my woes but I won't do that. Suffice it to say that I'm glad 2016 is behind me and I'm looking forward to having a better year.

The Island has a major winter storm bearing down on us this evening and into tomorrow. They are calling for 30 to 40 cm of snow with winds. So by Monday morning it will really be a winter wonderland outside my window. Good thing I have lots of tea and coffee in the house!

This post is going to have some little tidbits of this and that. So, pour yourself a nice hot beverage and make yourself at home as we indulge in a little conversation.


The tea table above was from my Blossom Time on the Island Tea. You may click on the link to visit that post if you wish.

I promised myself I wasn't going to purchase any more china for a while because we plan to down size this year. However, Sears was carrying Spode Christmas Tree china and I already have four mugs and four plates in that pattern. I always thought it would be nice to have the teapot too but I told myself I have enough teapots. Hubby even offered to get me the teapot for Christmas but I declined. 

See, the will power I've got?? Aren't you proud of me? 

Then I visited Margie at her blog over Christmas and she was sharing her adorable Spode Christmas Tree teapot with its candy cane handle. I told her I would love to have one too but I really don't need another Christmas teapot. Well, Margie, in her wisdom, suggested I get the new teapot and get rid of one I already have. 

Now why didn't I think of that?

So, Hubby got me the teapot for my birthday! *smiles* I love it because I now have a nice set for the Holidays and it has so much personality!


I love the story that accompanies the pattern... 
"In 1938 Harold Holdway a young designer in Spode's England office was asked to design a Christmas pattern for the American market. He was faced with a dilemma...he had never seen a decorated Christmas tree! In his first sketch the presents were suspended from the branches. "Wouldn't that cause them to droop?" he wondered. He amended his sketches when told the American tradition was to place gifts under the tree. Holdway used another Christmas icon in a most delightful way, adorning the top of the tree with jolly St. Nick. We find his design both unique and charming, as do Spode Christmas Tree lovers the world over."





Thank you to my hubby and to Margie for her sensible solution! Now I will enjoy this pattern for a few more days and then put it away till next Christmas.

A number of you have already shared past blog posts from 2016. 

Have you ever wondered what your most popular posts were? Since I began blogging, I have hosted several parties, the main one being Tea Time Tuesday. The most traffic I received on a post was from that party which I hosted between 2010 and 2015. The post which received the most traffic was my Anne of Green Gables Tea on July 9, 2012. Anne always generates a lot of interest.



Second was the Tea on the Titanic which I also hosted that year on April 15th, 2012.



A favourite post from this past year would have to be Tea Time With My Girls from August when my whole family was home for a big Reunion.
We shooed the guys out of the house so we girls could enjoy a tea party. My little granddaughter had such a good time and she was quite taken with the parasol. The little lady drank three cups of tea that day!  



And finally, one post I really enjoyed putting together was my Farewell to Downton Abbey Tea. I still miss the highly popular series as I'm sure most of you do.




I know this has been a long post but I also shared a few posts so it was bound to be a little longer than usual. I hope for the most part you enjoyed it. 

I am always pleased when you stop by my little Rose Chintz Cottage and I hope you all enjoy your weekend. I will end it with a favourite prayer I used to share at the end of my No Place Like Home party.

Lord, this humble house we'd keep 
Sweet with play and calm with sleep. 
Help us so that we may give 
Beauty to the lives we live. 
Let Thy love and let Thy grace 
Shine upon our dwelling place. - Edgar A. Guest 



 I am joining the following parties as well~
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/
Friends Sharing Tea ~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

25 comments :

  1. Beautiful tea pot with the Christmas tree!! Lovely photos Sandi! Wishing you a great year in 2017!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a wonderful post, Sandi!

    What a marvelous solution - pass on a tea pot and get the one you want! That Spode tea pot is so charming! My daughter has one of the mugs! She loves it!

    Glad you had a good birthday, and now onto a good 2017!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your teapot is amazing, Sandi! I love the candy cane striped handle. I'm sorry you were dealing with health issues and I pray that they will be resolved and you can enjoy life to the fullest.
    Blessings, Beth

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Sandi:
    I started reading your post which you began with a quote from "Anne of Green Gables". Would you believe my husband I just finished watching the new one a few moments ago. The DVD had been on the buffet for a couple months but we just got around to it. I suppose we did the "usual" commenting of how it wasn't as good as the original, etc but as it progressed I was determined to give it an opportunity to be enjoyable. I did like that they featured some different things from the original story which we really enjoyed and then toward the end when Marilla and Rachel Lynn go to the train station and Miralla asks Anne to stay - we were both moved to tears.

    I am glad you are feeling better and your new teapot is just darling. Those dishes are beautiful. I used to have a rule that if I got a new teacup I would pick one to sell one at my store.

    I will continue to pray that your health will improve !

    ReplyDelete
  5. As I sometimes do - I forgot to say, thank you for sharing and linking!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Sandi, I always enjoy reading your posts and this one is no different! Love the story of the teapot, so glad you came up with a solution! It sure is cute!
    How fun that you are having so much snow, we did get some but we haven't actually had a snow storm for quite some time.
    I am so sorry you had such a painful 2016, may God bring you a peaceful, free of pain or at least very minimal, and healthy 2017.
    Looking forward to another year of great posts from you.
    Sending hugs,
    gina

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sandi, you know you will enjoy the whimsical Spode teapot for future gatherings and tea so it was good coaching from Margie to help you figure out how to justify having it.
    I hope you have a better year physically and that 2017 will bring you much joy!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a good solution that was for you from our friend, Margie! The new teapot is just darling, Sandi, and I'm sure you've already gotten a lot of joy from it. I hope 2017 will be so much better for you, my friend, and my prayers are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey pretty lady! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas season. Margie's idea was just perfect and you got the darling teapot. It's what I'm doing with cloths too. I've also promised not to buy dishes this year... I'll try very hard to keep this promise I made myself.
    Wishing you a great, healthy and may God bless your 2017, dear friend.
    Thank you for sharing this post with us.
    Love,
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful post, Sandi! I loved to read and see all your interesting tibits! I too feel I need to restrict my collecting but it is so hard when you find a good deal with china! I found the sweet Spode tea for one set this Christmas season and of course I couldn't resist! (Such great prices at Tj Maxx!) and I have been enjoying my tea with it. Praying 2017 is a better year for you and for me too!
    Hugs to you, my sweet friend.
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Sandy. A belated happy birthday to you. I love your Spode tea pot and plates. It is so pretty for this time of year. I also enjoy your quotes and prayers.
    My sister Carol arrived from church this morning with a Gibson vintage white and gold tea pot, cream and sugar for me. They have sale tables set up in the church basement for their next sale and she had the privilege of buying before hand ,I will set up a tea with it... God is good.
    So glad you are feeling better. I hope 2017 is better for you also. Have a good week. xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Sandi! Your writing is so warm and inviting and your posts have such a calming affect on me as if I've just had a cup of tea myself! Your Christmas tea pot is precious. I love the story behind the design. Your granddaughter is adorable. I loved playing tea as a little girl. I too miss Downton Abbey! I just haven't found anything to replace it.....Fingers crossed another great period show will come along! Hope 2017 is a better year for you!
    Rebeca

    ReplyDelete
  13. It was such fun to review some of your special "tea parties"...I haven't been a full time tea party blogger, but I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting with you throughout the past few years. My favorite one was the Anne of Green Gables Tea, and I even joined in with my own party that time. Such fun!!! I do pray that 2017 will be a better year for you in every way.

    ReplyDelete
  14. YAY!!! I'm so glad that you got the Spode Christmas Tree teapot, Sandi! It looks great with your matching mugs and plates. Now the question is which of your other teapots got the boot? Heh.

    This weekend, I was putting away the Christmas decorations (which are stored in the same tight space as my extra teawares), and I realized that I need to seriously downsize my collection of teapots and teacups this year...

    I've been filling the Downton Abbey void with the new episodes of Sherlock. Still no news of the return of DS...I read online that they just resumed production for Episode 12 so we may have to wait awhile for new episodes.

    Here's to a happier and healthier you in 2017!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I figured you had a big storm coming...keep warm! I loved all of the posts you mentioned. All beautifully done! I think you made the right de ision with your teapot too...love the candy cane handle and borders! Am praying this new year will be much better for us as well! Stay warm and thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love the teapot (that Margie is a smart gal 😊). I'm sure you'll enjoy it for many, many Christmases.
    Stay warm and safe with all the snow you're getting. It's been quite a winter for you all.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am so excited about your new Christmas teapot, Sandi! Yes, Margie has a good bit of sense now, hasn't she?

    Hope your new year is going well so far and that you are happy and healthy. Stay warm, safe and dry. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the prayer at the end, Sandi. I have the Spode Christmas tea cup and saucer. Really do like the new Tea Pot.
    I enjoyed your post. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sandi.
    Hello, my dear friend!!
    I hope that this new Year brings you better health so that you can enjoy life more than you did last year as i know it was a difficult year for you.
    Once again, this year, I am focused on my health and trying to be "Healthy" of mind and body. I have started up on my exercise bike once again because it truly does help my knee. I know i need to lose weight to maintain my health.
    Now that Joe is retired, we are both focused on this because we do want to enjoy these years together.
    Happy Birthday to you also!!
    Wishing you and yours a Wonderful and HEALTHY New Year!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dearest Sandi, I have truly enjoyed reading this post this morning as I sip my coffee. I hope that your birthday was wonderful for you and I pray that 2017 will be good to you my friend. I love the story about the Christmas tree. There is no doubt in my mind that some of your most popular posts are TEA PARTIES! You do throw a great party dear Sandi. May the Lord bless you and keep you sweet lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sandi, I hope that 2017 will be a much better year for you, and for me, too. I had some health issues in 2016 but they are in the past now, and for that I am truly grateful! Your new Christmas teapot is wonderful, I'm in love with that handle and the borders on the plates. I found 3 little Spode Christmas Tree teacups (probably demitasse but they are the perfect size for my granddaughter) at Home Goods after Christmas for $2.50 each! I may have to get some more of that pattern. I don't often comment but I do enjoy your blog and wish you a wonderful, healthy, and happy 2017!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello, and Happy New Year...
    I do hope and pray this new year will be a good one! You my dear have done an amazing job hosting these lovely tea times and themes that they go with! Your grand daughter is darling. And really our hubby's love to bless us with the things we love and treasure,and your solution for making space for your Christmas teapot was brilliant xo

    ReplyDelete
  23. This was a delightful post to bring in the new year.
    Thank you so much. Wishing much peace and happiness in the up and coming year.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Sandi,
    I am so pleased that you endulged in the new Spode Teapot and followed Margie's advice. You will get such joy using it each Christmas. I find I like to decorate early just to use my Royal Albert Poinsettia teapot. I have a teapot addiction so I am the worst person to advise one about buying teapots. My cupboards are full and I just can't resist if I see a reasonably priced pretty. I am so glad that you are feeling a little better to post on your blog. It has been busy lately for me and I am sorry that I am so late to reply. Blessings Dear and Sweet Friend, Karen

    ReplyDelete
  25. I hope you and yours had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and are having a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. May we display your linked header on our new site directory, SiteHoundSniffs.com? As it is now, the site title (linked back to its home page) is listed, and we think displaying the linked header will attract more attention.

    ReplyDelete

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

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.