tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53022446283803128112024-03-05T18:01:49.889-04:00Rose Chintz CottageSandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.comBlogger1305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-76629585888214963072022-07-11T09:15:00.003-03:002022-07-11T09:22:04.243-03:00 A Time to Say Good-bye!<div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div><i style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I honestly believe that we all have something we can be grateful for, even when everything seems to be falling apart! If we set our minds on what we are grateful for, we can enjoy the beauty, the joy, and the blessings that come our way each day. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">~</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Sandi</span></span></i></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello my dear blogging friends! I have been absent from my blogging for a few months, and I feel I should let you know what is going on with me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p class="p2" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-Ph6iZwIXHAAJeZsPVNaMRlF32s3rhuOPGBVGLfh_fEurzWLY2LsDDhT9U115uq2lVT9uhIs0DzihepyboFJybdq5Ly4WgWfTi3WU3Cpb8-a7I9BLf0KnTl6VftSnVXnZ1D2jDK0sWgeK11a29VSKwMnQcqJtpLN3X4YO7X7MBF3ECrFC0LBgi_5dA/s800/Tea%20time%20b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="800" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-Ph6iZwIXHAAJeZsPVNaMRlF32s3rhuOPGBVGLfh_fEurzWLY2LsDDhT9U115uq2lVT9uhIs0DzihepyboFJybdq5Ly4WgWfTi3WU3Cpb8-a7I9BLf0KnTl6VftSnVXnZ1D2jDK0sWgeK11a29VSKwMnQcqJtpLN3X4YO7X7MBF3ECrFC0LBgi_5dA/w640-h628/Tea%20time%20b.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Before I get into all of that, I want you to know that the past fourteen years have been a joy to me! I have invited you to my Tea parties and HOME parties and we have had such a good time, haven't we? I have shared numerous posts of my collection of Rose Chintz china which I am especially fond of. Many of you know the story of where most of it came from and my dear Auntie P who gifted it to me. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have shared my extensive collection of china and teapots with you, and I have shared some of my stories. We have walked our beaches together, and we have toured Green Gables together. It has been a lot of fun.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI4t_OJN1I2gFKA-GSjHri35YyN96sZnOM18drLpAiFIykRxW_dQkw5nqCRoSFq-_xd1hMnefEsqbzQ6MBcSl4giAGl4SS50YvSTcwZaEKZbEmJu8h3YD6aeXvbHg4OeOcykKSs2-GOq_GxVFjwQCwZRSHH3YDOEhHcLp_EgWrK58rtm-egssNFivBw/s640/The%20Island%20a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="640" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI4t_OJN1I2gFKA-GSjHri35YyN96sZnOM18drLpAiFIykRxW_dQkw5nqCRoSFq-_xd1hMnefEsqbzQ6MBcSl4giAGl4SS50YvSTcwZaEKZbEmJu8h3YD6aeXvbHg4OeOcykKSs2-GOq_GxVFjwQCwZRSHH3YDOEhHcLp_EgWrK58rtm-egssNFivBw/w640-h380/The%20Island%20a.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-size: xx-large; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The Haunted Wood at Green Gables.</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The truth is, and it pains me to tell you this, the past year in particular, has been very difficult. Most of you are not aware that I have some fairly serious health issues which I will share with you now. I don't need to share everything. I only wish for you to understand some of my struggle and why I have made a decision. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When I was in my mid-thirties, I became very ill with a neuromuscular disorder which affected all of my voluntary muscles as well as my lungs. It has caused me a considerable change in life style and has made me extremely accident prone. With a compromised immune system, I am vulnerable to all manner of health issues.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Up until that point, I had always been very active and high energy with a very strong constitution. When I was first diagnosed, I made up my mind that whatever happened, I was going to fight this with everything within me. I also knew that God would be with me and He would see me through it all.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At the time of my diagnosis, my three sons were still quite young. One was in his early teens, the middle guy was a tween, and my youngest was just a little boy. I knew my kids still needed their mom; especially my youngest, so I tried especially hard to lead a normal life for their sakes. Every time I looked into the big blue eyes of my little boy, I knew I couldn’t give up. I had to keep going and live as normally as possible.</span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjqCLSgG6GONjvfnQYygvIkQ6e88W0MUIDIVz_3Hv4LNEKpl2MU2lLUV63-239HcZQMoMho_eNLj17kIAH56iZZHg7ODMcdzRoPz_0_cMWfp4JTcp9OFz3o_JsOfI3nisjW_n_AZPkcr6L6taAuTbfCpwZQ4_GRG5rMxijnk-BX_zkOwHOQ7NuNorfw/s640/Baking%20a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="640" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjqCLSgG6GONjvfnQYygvIkQ6e88W0MUIDIVz_3Hv4LNEKpl2MU2lLUV63-239HcZQMoMho_eNLj17kIAH56iZZHg7ODMcdzRoPz_0_cMWfp4JTcp9OFz3o_JsOfI3nisjW_n_AZPkcr6L6taAuTbfCpwZQ4_GRG5rMxijnk-BX_zkOwHOQ7NuNorfw/w640-h628/Baking%20a.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">My take on a Victorian sponge cake.</span></span><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It took a couple of years for the specialists to get me levelled out with medication so I could operate as normally as possible. During that time, most of my activities came to a halt. I was not able to attend church and I was judged rather harshly for that. Some folks didn’t understand nor did some of them really try to. While I was housebound, I read my Bible and I spent a great deal of time in prayer. So, my time was not wasted.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Because of my condition, I had some very bad falls. Sometimes my legs would give out on me and oftentimes if I was especially tired, I could trip over my own feet. Stairs are not my friend.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Broken bones, sprained and strained muscles, as well as torn muscles and ligaments became a way of life for me. My physiotherapist once told me because of my disorder, I was probably going to be seeing him for quite some time. He was right of course. Accidents happen when I least expect them.</span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">After a number of years, I became strong enough to return to church and ministry. I had spent seven years at home but I grew a lot and I ministered to a lot of people. The Lord can use us even when we are incapacitated if we allow Him to.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemnWXPs6G_7Z02ZS1Bu3yjzZMrx8Cuxwb2LLWumLBfvw0zvnK2_7J_lc7z0koYKDARhhcOdsGE0UlAbB_OVoku6p-5wTKTVrEQEUEGWPQJAvhiEDj0D7Ovlm7dDVlKuguasjOtgE0dr6jieVbZdeQFUjWhlU4DuX-WoZRnaYIQSMjBFDUyokKeSfRLQ/s800/July%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="776" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemnWXPs6G_7Z02ZS1Bu3yjzZMrx8Cuxwb2LLWumLBfvw0zvnK2_7J_lc7z0koYKDARhhcOdsGE0UlAbB_OVoku6p-5wTKTVrEQEUEGWPQJAvhiEDj0D7Ovlm7dDVlKuguasjOtgE0dr6jieVbZdeQFUjWhlU4DuX-WoZRnaYIQSMjBFDUyokKeSfRLQ/w620-h640/July%201.jpeg" width="620" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">My 4th of July cake.</span></span></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p> </p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaxDc_moMY6T362N01GAzAw0D2rV6AmypjpVjrkHd36y-yNyvWdg885cwZiK8W_hmqQdBwukOH3L6M76iSLG7m6jjlqR3azqmYfYt3qlJfWKbMx173W_cSI9-dhmJ2Pjv-oDtWRRVS6lU-ZpjhTYuGFm7BZ27PIrlWGJ_bYX-Y7mqv5S34HJfNH-jlQ/s640/Tea%20time.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="640" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaxDc_moMY6T362N01GAzAw0D2rV6AmypjpVjrkHd36y-yNyvWdg885cwZiK8W_hmqQdBwukOH3L6M76iSLG7m6jjlqR3azqmYfYt3qlJfWKbMx173W_cSI9-dhmJ2Pjv-oDtWRRVS6lU-ZpjhTYuGFm7BZ27PIrlWGJ_bYX-Y7mqv5S34HJfNH-jlQ/w640-h620/Tea%20time.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">My favourite Rose Chintz and lilacs.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When Hubby and I resigned from our pastorate, I started blogging because I felt I needed an outlet of sorts for creativity. You see, I had been the music director and I also wrote short stories for the bulletins. Blogging helped fill the void and I got to know so many lovely ladies the world over. It has been wonderful!</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekLwdWJfo01SrBifCiBfkgtQXepnnfGy8q1U6nlimFcoANdVgeeLH7RkxoemyLb1UZsCwfPqrWfZTdHbwQrjKIUcjdYc42D3ePrtd1PyQAZ3nZ3NJellQsHCViOhf5nNJewyIeN-bf6PD8XVX6XAYyrjH15ZAmnM4IEk2FwnDDdvIedM_kQvHPE-a_Q/s400/Beaches-002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekLwdWJfo01SrBifCiBfkgtQXepnnfGy8q1U6nlimFcoANdVgeeLH7RkxoemyLb1UZsCwfPqrWfZTdHbwQrjKIUcjdYc42D3ePrtd1PyQAZ3nZ3NJellQsHCViOhf5nNJewyIeN-bf6PD8XVX6XAYyrjH15ZAmnM4IEk2FwnDDdvIedM_kQvHPE-a_Q/w640-h360/Beaches-002.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Two of our fabulous beaches.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGxfvmWeLof4tugG9zPi6henao-T5K87nm7dg8RnXMjiIZykhvQxuJ5rRHE5xPHNjc7e-53APNaibNAG6yXEHYeIOpH0reXO2Rwch2BsZOxL3BOKGOMWgAcMd6MTDl_Ybxnd89Tvw6_8XAM3U28P8rGbtNPcA0IEbqkbZTucOuiEk30C4-hxVWTnUhw/s640/Beaches%20d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGxfvmWeLof4tugG9zPi6henao-T5K87nm7dg8RnXMjiIZykhvQxuJ5rRHE5xPHNjc7e-53APNaibNAG6yXEHYeIOpH0reXO2Rwch2BsZOxL3BOKGOMWgAcMd6MTDl_Ybxnd89Tvw6_8XAM3U28P8rGbtNPcA0IEbqkbZTucOuiEk30C4-hxVWTnUhw/w640-h480/Beaches%20d.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>This photo below was taken by my son and I love the ripples he caught in the sand.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX23ZlxoVkO-NUnuH1sX2kcnnRPLoJaouH9pWnrLMzSgamHH70TMlZKSq2k9hfbtOQHu4rJ_lhQuT3wcSwLv_7NppD9W90lK9fPxaOmKklnw8yJzBMoLUD-Miw3igEQnWvyyCzXGpsGdiz3mNVm4mPbaXNSKmpNcxQf2gm7zCGz95RkbzUDIBmALI6xg/s512/Beaches.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX23ZlxoVkO-NUnuH1sX2kcnnRPLoJaouH9pWnrLMzSgamHH70TMlZKSq2k9hfbtOQHu4rJ_lhQuT3wcSwLv_7NppD9W90lK9fPxaOmKklnw8yJzBMoLUD-Miw3igEQnWvyyCzXGpsGdiz3mNVm4mPbaXNSKmpNcxQf2gm7zCGz95RkbzUDIBmALI6xg/w640-h640/Beaches.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At that time, I was still getting out to the beach for walks which was probably my favourite thing to do, and thrift shopping, as well as having friends in for tea. But I was not able to drive any longer and I became very dependant on my hubby to get me around. It is a good thing that he didn't mind. Hubby is a very patient man!</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincRNWVpl-_UkKnX8BBR3NeABX-nLsAX5fD1StKR-zPyxZvuhsPv-x3qNegc6fIoU1froCJiZLu-U8Ouc4lp1SNX-My-bUj7xN-WrS92CYL60LzAqjcBF5GJbmauiKsKVu1dJxlPoEJc_J_1-sL_2Th2cIH1gSmDbtLs6KldvcTNTZUAa1OxyRbuUo2w/s800/Tea%20time%2090.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="800" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincRNWVpl-_UkKnX8BBR3NeABX-nLsAX5fD1StKR-zPyxZvuhsPv-x3qNegc6fIoU1froCJiZLu-U8Ouc4lp1SNX-My-bUj7xN-WrS92CYL60LzAqjcBF5GJbmauiKsKVu1dJxlPoEJc_J_1-sL_2Th2cIH1gSmDbtLs6KldvcTNTZUAa1OxyRbuUo2w/w640-h460/Tea%20time%2090.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of my thrifted teacups.<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My husband and I had Home Bible study groups for over thirty-five years, before and after we resigned from our church. I always enjoyed preparing treats for the groups and entertaining in my home. It gave me much pleasure to minister to others.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfyyESSCF46WXjZ2eczszLoHjX4Xzc6D0jGjmtgMZHZswhDI37ui4qeu4ZR-WP9rvt-L209LVODSWDT2ZFja4piZ6svDx31gvAWvQkQ6dMkPbos4vnCNbWdQaiA7XvSPzanTk0msF7WoPJD-toiXfyn0XO8TDus2YsfyiSEWfiUX6b4faW8aLvjQYkQ/s640/Roses%204.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="622" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfyyESSCF46WXjZ2eczszLoHjX4Xzc6D0jGjmtgMZHZswhDI37ui4qeu4ZR-WP9rvt-L209LVODSWDT2ZFja4piZ6svDx31gvAWvQkQ6dMkPbos4vnCNbWdQaiA7XvSPzanTk0msF7WoPJD-toiXfyn0XO8TDus2YsfyiSEWfiUX6b4faW8aLvjQYkQ/w622-h640/Roses%204.jpeg" width="622" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="p3" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Roses from my garden</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCdeweekahGH79s9e8zjSI7sRf1rhzy_8CKDS7Mblov78-q85dpRJMU0P1ldOgjq8SXqNonKDZ5CilOvYal9TEzeJ3it9dSZlFOS8kR0k_SgFfWLrIKiero70Ys0HJQDBs4heWXVWsr8xtXp3vRwPjClQgRSE1rdlASc29x3GhHHj4sE6Edg1caOr3A/s400/Roses%20b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="400" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCdeweekahGH79s9e8zjSI7sRf1rhzy_8CKDS7Mblov78-q85dpRJMU0P1ldOgjq8SXqNonKDZ5CilOvYal9TEzeJ3it9dSZlFOS8kR0k_SgFfWLrIKiero70Ys0HJQDBs4heWXVWsr8xtXp3vRwPjClQgRSE1rdlASc29x3GhHHj4sE6Edg1caOr3A/w640-h612/Roses%20b.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In 2013, I had a couple of very bad falls, and I began experiencing more difficulty. But I managed to keep a positive attitude. I knew that I would be able to minister to others more effectively if I counted my blessings instead of my woes. Of course we all know having a positive attitude can take one a very long way. My Lord enabled me to do that for a very long time, and I am grateful. I told myself there were others much worse off than me, and we all know that to be true.</span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p><span style="color: #454545; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But, as I became more and more incapacitated, little by little, I was not able to do the things I used to do. This annoyed me to no end. You see, I always challenged myself. Now, my body was really challenging me. Sometimes I got angry because I was losing control. But I still knew that God was much bigger and wiser than I am and I always trusted Him to get me through the hard times, instead of giving in to that anger.</span></span></p><div><p class="p3" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am stubborn! Perhaps that is a good thing, because I don’t like giving in to things, especially pain. On the other hand, I tend to overdo and then I pay for it. Sometimes I will have another accident because I did overdo. It is frustrating! </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I guess I have always wanted to be strong and not give in to weaknesses. I didn’t want to be a burden to anyone, especially my family.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWJa6QdSUdkSmk93JKR6J_DzrT6Meq4IbgdGUO0CeRWQgVbfs1mwPBEmC-Ff5jxeqETzF4gZhjwgCzPKSq-BtJ66_dhistnGAQuLnbFGIwtSpqbW7gh6lukxLmkMNKzzVuW5um1NaKWND3BaTQ-e3ZicAYCl-AUfZ2O1STgJhFAxsfblsLkBhetSWqg/s640/Tea%20time%20012.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWJa6QdSUdkSmk93JKR6J_DzrT6Meq4IbgdGUO0CeRWQgVbfs1mwPBEmC-Ff5jxeqETzF4gZhjwgCzPKSq-BtJ66_dhistnGAQuLnbFGIwtSpqbW7gh6lukxLmkMNKzzVuW5um1NaKWND3BaTQ-e3ZicAYCl-AUfZ2O1STgJhFAxsfblsLkBhetSWqg/w530-h640/Tea%20time%20012.jpeg" width="530" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am obviously an A type personality and it’s difficult to admit that I have to start taking better care of myself. I can’t bake as much as I used to and that is incredibly hard on me. My hands are so bad that I cannot peel an apple or a potato. I cannot spend any more than five to ten minutes on my feet or my back causes me extreme pain. In regards to this back of mine, I need surgery but they don’t recommend it because it is an 8 to 10 hour surgery, and because of my condition, I am a risky case. I was told by a surgeon and my neurologist that it probably wouldn't work anyway.</span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">More and more my hubby has taken over the role of house keeper. This is a very hard pill for me to swallow. I can no longer shop, go for walks, or enjoy a coffee in the evenings down at the boardwalk like we used to do. My life has become very difficult and yes, boring!</span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have been hesitant to confide in you because I have strived to keep my blog upbeat and as interesting as I am able. But I feel my time in Blogland is coming to an end. I have had a wonderful time hosting parties and sharing. A part of me wants to continue but it has become increasingly hard for me. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Shooting a tea time for example is especially difficult because I have to get the china out and set it up. My hubby isn't always here to help take the china down for me. He works part time at a job he loves and he goes to the gym. He is also involved in the church. He is still very active and he needs to be.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I always liked to share a treat with a recipe when I had a tea time, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to do that. I don’t get out much so pictures of the Island and other things that interest me have come to a standstill. </span></p><p class="p3" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So, my dear blogging friends, I have so enjoyed my time with all of you here in Blogland, but I think it is best to close down. Perhaps one day I will start a site on Facebook, who knows? When I feel up to it, I may try to visit some of you.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My love and thanks go out to all of you for coming to visit and leaving your delightful comments over the years. You have all been such an encouragement to me. A few of you have been especially kind to me, sending me cards and gifts over the years. You know who you are, and I will always appreciate your thoughtfulness. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It has been lovely belonging to such a caring "village" of blogging friends.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Please take good care of yourselves, stay well, and remember God loves you, and so do I! I will miss you.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">FYI ~ The pictures I have shared on this post are from some of my postings from over the years and I hope you enjoy them.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">Sunset at Victoria Park.</span></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmmPtFdgU6U68kd7Uj-0eUNYXw0MakRgDUsCvGtH92VhiE-Ob62KaYIMop96-DPBDglpCWtwWsq0K97nf2Qns0TSVXxnhfOoCbmkKoZYFBYhVovu42cmL0Rm8oGLbK1MZ4qkbSwq4DdW7rAVH8phIRU5tW3fL3pIgqCi1BpHhbiHZL1KjjAaGt6Giigg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img data-original-height="490" data-original-width="640" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmmPtFdgU6U68kd7Uj-0eUNYXw0MakRgDUsCvGtH92VhiE-Ob62KaYIMop96-DPBDglpCWtwWsq0K97nf2Qns0TSVXxnhfOoCbmkKoZYFBYhVovu42cmL0Rm8oGLbK1MZ4qkbSwq4DdW7rAVH8phIRU5tW3fL3pIgqCi1BpHhbiHZL1KjjAaGt6Giigg=w640-h491" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>When asked if my cup is half-filled or half-empty; my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup. ~</span><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">unknown</span></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-76178004195966193622022-03-28T08:20:00.004-03:002022-03-28T08:22:16.452-03:00Tea with Anne and Me<div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Happiness is often the only thing </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>you can give without having it,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>and it is by giving it </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">that you acquire it. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Voltaire</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Good morning and a Happy Spring to you all, dear friends!</span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Spring brings with it a promise of lovely things to come...</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span>We throw off our heavy coats and boots and relish the bare ground beneath our feet.</span><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It's the season of renewal and there is a sense of expectancy in the air. Folks wear a smile and there is a noticeable spring in their step.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">When springtime arrives, I</span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">oftentimes do think of childhood days and Anne of Green Gables. I have all the books! Have you ever read them? If you haven't, then I suggest you do because you will love them. They are delightful! And if you are fortunate enough to own a copy of Kevin Sullivan's 1985 Anne of Green Gables TV series, then watch it again for a trip down Memory Lane of days gone by. It is by far the most accurate story telling from the book. The more recent versions stray too far from the original writings and many conversations and subjects are not a part of the book. It bothers me a great deal to see the innocent story that LM Montgomery penned, distorted in the way it has been. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">It has actually been quite some time since I have set a tea table with Anne of Green Gables in mind and I decided it would be fun to do one again. I must give </span><a href="https://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pamela</a><span style="color: #444444;"> a shout out because it was reading of one of her comments that I decided to do this post. I hope you enjoy!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444;">Tucked away on the east coast of Canada, is a little island called Prince Edward Island, and on this island is a charming place called <span>Green Gables</span><i>.</i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2dC_wAan2To-QFTWtPgl5qFHVueOFCYKuaDm8HxOJ0tm55Yk-l5SD-aC7ORBL9FfujcDETtjC6IMX8yFcuxB44OEGkxAbHvM7uZbaGNWyDTgeQgIDrTsP_zcGhE4vlJmESH8380aKF4/s1600/Green+Gables+sandis-002.jpg" style="color: #c27ba0; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2dC_wAan2To-QFTWtPgl5qFHVueOFCYKuaDm8HxOJ0tm55Yk-l5SD-aC7ORBL9FfujcDETtjC6IMX8yFcuxB44OEGkxAbHvM7uZbaGNWyDTgeQgIDrTsP_zcGhE4vlJmESH8380aKF4/w640-h378/Green+Gables+sandis-002.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8sqTtaaGuhLDPJhRvA9P3MwxFlAQARh2djABOUpNY5oTHON3MdTAea1S6xXHoK_nq-cBFcmskz1TUAf2I5JdyRKIlMHvxmG2Q5axim-salQDIxZV5POATA17SNqAcgWwPt2H37HwDTKxRlq0O77xXx5SCAhIn7U-PttKJ8OcxSiuvx3392TOZpsjmQ/s640/March%2070.jpeg" style="font-style: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="640" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8sqTtaaGuhLDPJhRvA9P3MwxFlAQARh2djABOUpNY5oTHON3MdTAea1S6xXHoK_nq-cBFcmskz1TUAf2I5JdyRKIlMHvxmG2Q5axim-salQDIxZV5POATA17SNqAcgWwPt2H37HwDTKxRlq0O77xXx5SCAhIn7U-PttKJ8OcxSiuvx3392TOZpsjmQ/w640-h386/March%2070.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span>It is not a figment of her imagination, but a real place, which our famous author </span><span>Lucy Maud Montgomery </span><span>brought to life in her stories, </span><span>Anne of Green Gables</span><span>, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, among others. </span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #444444;">LM Montgomery's</span><span style="color: #444444;"><span> </span><span>redheaded heroine, although she is a fictional character, is famous the world over and she brings to Prince Edward Island thousands of tourists every year. It is thought that Montgomery's heroine was based upon her own life as a girl; a young girl in the late 1800s who grows up on PEI and experiences life through her vivid imagination and extraordinary vocabulary which sometimes gets her into trouble. It is a story that will warm your heart and make you laugh. </span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;" /></span><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When I was a girl, my family had moved from New Brunswick to PEI and I was very lonely for the extended family we left behind. I was shy and I was an "outsider" because there weren't many families from "away" moving to the Island at that time. I didn't quite know where I fit in you see.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I had quite the imagination as well and I took solace in reading the Anne books and fairy tales, anything that would whisk me away from my lonely life.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My father used to play golf at Green Gables and he would always take my brother and me along with him. My brother and I had the run of the place and each time Daddy went golfing, we had the most fun. It was while walking through the Haunted Wood and Lover's</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> Lane, as well as touring the Green Gables house that I felt a real kinship with Anne.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So, here is my Anne. Her hair is indeed very red or titian, although it doesn't look like it here. The light was playing havoc with the colours.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">She is here just long enough to bid you, "Hello!" and then she will go back to her special place. She was the last Christmas present from my father, so she holds a very special spot. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqFpB39J1pCsv5ApJrevzyjgQivGFCp9XfFxuy883h6fmDT4FU-06NpG80zzjxlIvEBsUDVePl3D-C5Eiv9fZUVNbMRBpmzTg__NkEI_uCKT3PXiy6SGURdxC25dPkFCa67ATFOb1JrY5cmvIctUOPbk3iHfsoJhYNwqnUWsclXrHWIy0I6ZdESwwHA/s855/IMG_3426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqFpB39J1pCsv5ApJrevzyjgQivGFCp9XfFxuy883h6fmDT4FU-06NpG80zzjxlIvEBsUDVePl3D-C5Eiv9fZUVNbMRBpmzTg__NkEI_uCKT3PXiy6SGURdxC25dPkFCa67ATFOb1JrY5cmvIctUOPbk3iHfsoJhYNwqnUWsclXrHWIy0I6ZdESwwHA/w480-h640/IMG_3426.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="color: #444444;">This is an earlier image of her from another post. You can see her braids are quite red and she has green eyes like me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgoxkIyv_hWYqliWEutQ3DaHlioNZRfWDasXcBuSU5bxdLg2s32yQBvSTyeeuOvrj5pJdKLMd24Nzbx9mZ9Nwyxp28W3iseODY4eMCs46L4We4Oa-J5XV0KgH2WlCBSHSSsKSKhEq6d03W_DTo0EeGqnQYheV1hohYSFzq0GOy58sHGEOSMMalAH6hg/s640/March%2013.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="640" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgoxkIyv_hWYqliWEutQ3DaHlioNZRfWDasXcBuSU5bxdLg2s32yQBvSTyeeuOvrj5pJdKLMd24Nzbx9mZ9Nwyxp28W3iseODY4eMCs46L4We4Oa-J5XV0KgH2WlCBSHSSsKSKhEq6d03W_DTo0EeGqnQYheV1hohYSFzq0GOy58sHGEOSMMalAH6hg/w640-h574/March%2013.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">On the tea table is one of my favourite table cloths. It is one of a kind which I have named Bernideen. I brought out some pieces in different china patterns in a pink theme because of course, Anne loved pink although she couldn't wear it very well because of her red hair. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Please join me for some tea sandwiches and Anne's favourite, ice cream.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><em style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia;">"I can just imagine myself sitting down at the head of the table and pouring out the tea," said Anne, shutting her eyes ecstatically. "And asking Diana if she takes sugar! I know she doesn't but of course I'll ask her as if I didn't know." ~ </span></em><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">LM Montgomery - <b>Anne of Green Gables</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The teapot I found at our Anne of Green Gables Store a few years ago. Isn't she lovely, decorated with those beautiful pink roses?</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwJ2k71noJczc_w_PBHrluEvUqCvGLek_MbyPpVUd-cZMML3LB4PQeAbetQk0bOaIACtFUECF9Impjv8onJ-1mUz2v4Vu1MTo5KZ_T-z-dPkGapQ-u3-MkO95VRYh87K7I6IwVyixKt10snmC5h7SPu6S2yCr_tDDEwmYA4zIZsqYS5h_kwQq28M_Ig/s855/IMG_3405.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="855" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwJ2k71noJczc_w_PBHrluEvUqCvGLek_MbyPpVUd-cZMML3LB4PQeAbetQk0bOaIACtFUECF9Impjv8onJ-1mUz2v4Vu1MTo5KZ_T-z-dPkGapQ-u3-MkO95VRYh87K7I6IwVyixKt10snmC5h7SPu6S2yCr_tDDEwmYA4zIZsqYS5h_kwQq28M_Ig/w640-h612/IMG_3405.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zxyI8ekiVNdoF7oyrsCMsYfBLkMLioS9st0XW8XPhs3GPR-P89TtWZV2EVTthADjVHfpurFSJofQKe-AYoLR0qCfKVRSQojcDpE9ztFOgzxA9nggEwSUxad4zdWbeAZql8sPnDCAZ-X0_n84vLZBOLOEWKhk5a8Fv8woc9WdQMqDdgbZxmTVPwq1KA/s855/IMG_3422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="660" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zxyI8ekiVNdoF7oyrsCMsYfBLkMLioS9st0XW8XPhs3GPR-P89TtWZV2EVTthADjVHfpurFSJofQKe-AYoLR0qCfKVRSQojcDpE9ztFOgzxA9nggEwSUxad4zdWbeAZql8sPnDCAZ-X0_n84vLZBOLOEWKhk5a8Fv8woc9WdQMqDdgbZxmTVPwq1KA/w494-h640/IMG_3422.jpg" width="494" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFadmk_3fNljsjSjidm4OE766OHFRB-AnMcDQHvFDFV5Mh05aVmoxxvrmD_MGDjf9D78yPCVV5egzt7D2ghqAuo9BseMBunhZEpcNoNvKt2MJrC-3ARWZJE6_YYW_pqWx78Npu6BcC2iN17aAx66npCz-upP4HMuJF7cc3muaxFKOirfejS6eMALqLvA/s855/IMG_3439-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="710" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFadmk_3fNljsjSjidm4OE766OHFRB-AnMcDQHvFDFV5Mh05aVmoxxvrmD_MGDjf9D78yPCVV5egzt7D2ghqAuo9BseMBunhZEpcNoNvKt2MJrC-3ARWZJE6_YYW_pqWx78Npu6BcC2iN17aAx66npCz-upP4HMuJF7cc3muaxFKOirfejS6eMALqLvA/w532-h640/IMG_3439-001.jpg" width="532" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I set out three of my LM Montgomery books. The wee birdie is there, just because...Spring is here!</span></div><div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); color: #323333; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures,</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> ~</span><span> <span style="font-size: large;">LM Montgomery - <b>Anne of Avonlea</b></span></span></i></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></span></p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_ncJAnqUxH3BLvPtvQ8-twvZ_hY8sGFLv4OcgiJw94PY7RWKq2KOM5g-hAliLgdEHCvkOtlxnLrKo0i5Xfq_pRzrCdQzEDLmTkP068tZ6RsOUc1gKML_O86jABAWg1JU7yDwI00mEuVe5BDUdiIvPXsEg6ElONi6GkpcXnxfEm1GfQp2cFcdmdm0-A/s855/IMG_3420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_ncJAnqUxH3BLvPtvQ8-twvZ_hY8sGFLv4OcgiJw94PY7RWKq2KOM5g-hAliLgdEHCvkOtlxnLrKo0i5Xfq_pRzrCdQzEDLmTkP068tZ6RsOUc1gKML_O86jABAWg1JU7yDwI00mEuVe5BDUdiIvPXsEg6ElONi6GkpcXnxfEm1GfQp2cFcdmdm0-A/w480-h640/IMG_3420.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My other little Anne doll, is also from my father. Her arms and legs are filled with Island sand. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The tulips are just starting to open and are the most delicate shade of pink.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvo1s8N2jwdxqchInS_Z4agFarUk39yv6E9vHgbCpOCF2wK2ct81pkn2mnFYi_kotAXGI0LdzS99qKx740r9LZweETwYGikUIbJ0Uq7Hhqgz18viv6K_cIKtI-gyjXPcF84t6n17GvbyZXvgpKcV5Z5svgvmB2gAm8S4h2vOf9H-dgwHpaig8_SFaFw/s855/IMG_3421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvo1s8N2jwdxqchInS_Z4agFarUk39yv6E9vHgbCpOCF2wK2ct81pkn2mnFYi_kotAXGI0LdzS99qKx740r9LZweETwYGikUIbJ0Uq7Hhqgz18viv6K_cIKtI-gyjXPcF84t6n17GvbyZXvgpKcV5Z5svgvmB2gAm8S4h2vOf9H-dgwHpaig8_SFaFw/w480-h640/IMG_3421.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfZCzWo2896qGKQoBc-YrlniFoBZCgFjGWRbeOvmz4M2XHKhu7Mdfxz3P1G2SW8XfhvvYLIa76M_qnggLmKPgCbAXDVoiqgZN_QL0Vw_QvKd8oo-hRmriHh68j-ryKZDcbEEhgQW5VDp9Jh1WReveN1yN8QSqA5PP8USwfgHfrFbNjwMuGFoSUbtIBg/s855/IMG_3403-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="773" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfZCzWo2896qGKQoBc-YrlniFoBZCgFjGWRbeOvmz4M2XHKhu7Mdfxz3P1G2SW8XfhvvYLIa76M_qnggLmKPgCbAXDVoiqgZN_QL0Vw_QvKd8oo-hRmriHh68j-ryKZDcbEEhgQW5VDp9Jh1WReveN1yN8QSqA5PP8USwfgHfrFbNjwMuGFoSUbtIBg/w578-h640/IMG_3403-001.jpg" width="578" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The tea sandwiches are egg salad on white bread and cucumber with cream cheese on whole wheat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQWy1I0t8jEeiTtCBtVvBLbgP3xDGoZdurr_6pACfvviFyYfFToZgufZmqIUQYMmHF7AgQ3RtxS1wRDzAHjOFKXDRWL4Tsd1oEJbNnOVUayv1HjE318u6jqdA8HV7mmOYPjftBS8g2QFO4ZA4i2UmXN9IaHR0mLBcnlxmdKe_gPnNC3-kHkhsZPRVjg/s855/IMG_3432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="653" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQWy1I0t8jEeiTtCBtVvBLbgP3xDGoZdurr_6pACfvviFyYfFToZgufZmqIUQYMmHF7AgQ3RtxS1wRDzAHjOFKXDRWL4Tsd1oEJbNnOVUayv1HjE318u6jqdA8HV7mmOYPjftBS8g2QFO4ZA4i2UmXN9IaHR0mLBcnlxmdKe_gPnNC3-kHkhsZPRVjg/w488-h640/IMG_3432.jpg" width="488" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><i><span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Dear old world. You are very lovely and I am glad to be alive in you." -</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">LM Montgomery - </span><b style="color: #d5a6bd;">Anne of Green Gables</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Anne's favourite; ice cream, and some homemade strawberry preserves on top will be our sweet today. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyY9yvrKto9jjoC1DEmpSS2JjbrXV_WTn7IP1VR5M_e1Z6SMHrjNBq9NxEfNFxmievtbtH3SbfP4_zBhh-fKG8ImArynNqiKRoq1Bgbe6Pjk2lRwRIJkwt8vHJeo729EsjBIjYNsAMORaXwivf_X3lYaTCSadn0M4Sa8R_SuWTP7CsDaDppgT9bTnFg/s855/IMG_3392.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyY9yvrKto9jjoC1DEmpSS2JjbrXV_WTn7IP1VR5M_e1Z6SMHrjNBq9NxEfNFxmievtbtH3SbfP4_zBhh-fKG8ImArynNqiKRoq1Bgbe6Pjk2lRwRIJkwt8vHJeo729EsjBIjYNsAMORaXwivf_X3lYaTCSadn0M4Sa8R_SuWTP7CsDaDppgT9bTnFg/w480-h640/IMG_3392.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">"The ice cream was delicious, Marilla, and it was so lovely and dissipated to be sitting there eating it at eleven o'clock at night." ~</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">LM Montgomery - <b>Anne of Green Gables</b></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The tulips have finally opened! You can barely tell from the picture that they are of palest pink.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOThCv0IOd2I0TDOlRTgKWQvZIOm52YqSU9XsFMRTje5Xcc57zyb3e8GWcI3f96wImQYd-8jCMgetsHLXaZ7L7AGMa-MeeB7hNwdUufcVmuQZhWCbGDTEhhgEtYxo5u9Ge_KtVkDlLn60tFG8VurdKQ9izn7AHPF0amH5FDRHsjXNqRbOnsiTXFU7vHw/s855/IMG_3463.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="855" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOThCv0IOd2I0TDOlRTgKWQvZIOm52YqSU9XsFMRTje5Xcc57zyb3e8GWcI3f96wImQYd-8jCMgetsHLXaZ7L7AGMa-MeeB7hNwdUufcVmuQZhWCbGDTEhhgEtYxo5u9Ge_KtVkDlLn60tFG8VurdKQ9izn7AHPF0amH5FDRHsjXNqRbOnsiTXFU7vHw/w640-h546/IMG_3463.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A lot of people prefer their tulips standing straight and tall, like soldiers. I prefer them dancing a bit like they are here, but that is only my preference.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This concludes my tea for today. Although things are not as they should be in this world at the moment, I will end my post with the last line in Anne of Green Gables. It is comforting to know that He is still in control. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><i style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">" ' God's in his heaven, all's right with the world,' " whispered Anne softly. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">LM Montgomery - <b>Anne of Green Gables</b></span></i></div><div><i style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I hope I brought a little pleasure into your day. Thank you for joining me and God bless you!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Some of the pieces used in this post are:</span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hampstead teapot</span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Lavender Rose </span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Serena</span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Aynsley</span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Anne China doll and an Anne sand doll </span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Anne books</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></div></div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-53147692919439022832022-03-24T11:15:00.001-03:002022-03-24T11:26:01.329-03:00Happy Spring!<div><i style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">That is one good thing about this world...there are always sure to be more springs. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">LM </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Montgomery</span><span style="font-size: large;"> - <b>Anne of Avonlea</b></span></i></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Spring is finally here and I am so happy to have the winter over with! </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">On the little cabinet are some lovely daffodils. I love these flowers, don't you? They are so dainty and golden yellow that one can't help but smile to see them.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGuzb2ZIm3Q0D0JqcJo5ghFWkcNKaP81I51YzVcJkEl7x4h2OCwIRF4YX7jQyVEmcbsoCnFgz9v-Yy15NQ9ng3DPvm9rWfjwYmVwlNNMBhIvUptZSZ4wMsKIWaP2y6amr8KLpyMg_jmteEtS83lGAfv112pOlCe24DFszi5Bg_Ae-mZ29BWu8GrSsPbQ=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="731" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGuzb2ZIm3Q0D0JqcJo5ghFWkcNKaP81I51YzVcJkEl7x4h2OCwIRF4YX7jQyVEmcbsoCnFgz9v-Yy15NQ9ng3DPvm9rWfjwYmVwlNNMBhIvUptZSZ4wMsKIWaP2y6amr8KLpyMg_jmteEtS83lGAfv112pOlCe24DFszi5Bg_Ae-mZ29BWu8GrSsPbQ=w548-h640" width="548" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>When all at once I saw a crowd,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>A host, of golden daffodils;</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Beside the lake, beneath the trees,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">William Wordsworth</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We are seeing more songbirds everyday and it is truly a delight to watch them out our back windows. This time of year, although we may still receive some cold and nasty weather, we know it is not going to last long. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I don't know about where you live, but here on PEI, we see a definite change in everyone's mood now that Spring is here.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #454545;">Robin Williams once said, </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'" </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I think that is how most of us feel here on the Canadian east coast once the winter comes to an end.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirpELVNtJLn4d3mQptcnOb8r__JOBVdMsmlvQua9SrFeFNZ59jRCd6q4-3lICCgFVFRaakQ62_DtZeK4GC5RswF5yuD5cYD6rgp4CcUMbKwXihT_5pGq9sooVhKJsBf__AdaFZJ8b9VYzl72uLHW8-illORvbbOoxZsdc5ARdxlqp4UvIfBkQxo8is1Q=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="855" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirpELVNtJLn4d3mQptcnOb8r__JOBVdMsmlvQua9SrFeFNZ59jRCd6q4-3lICCgFVFRaakQ62_DtZeK4GC5RswF5yuD5cYD6rgp4CcUMbKwXihT_5pGq9sooVhKJsBf__AdaFZJ8b9VYzl72uLHW8-illORvbbOoxZsdc5ARdxlqp4UvIfBkQxo8is1Q=w640-h572" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Since I have some pretty daffodils, I decided to bring out my Sadler teapot for a cup of tea. This one is called Spring Crocus.</span></div><p></p></div></blockquote><div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcwEO-TNma8whPg-HRRiLSCLfMf_CXnPfzTvMEPC1hJKGxqD7bXPEMNuljMVzLVVkb-IL5e4GqA8X5MRDwcAnVigj3uMWqceGd7gJPb9uTq9xbJ2ZTMjiwtIxRjALp6TRt4oxyMBgk94NBw14eT3MnxWigI_trwgjd5yf6ItDb-5mUXlvMmcos3_5z6w=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="855" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcwEO-TNma8whPg-HRRiLSCLfMf_CXnPfzTvMEPC1hJKGxqD7bXPEMNuljMVzLVVkb-IL5e4GqA8X5MRDwcAnVigj3uMWqceGd7gJPb9uTq9xbJ2ZTMjiwtIxRjALp6TRt4oxyMBgk94NBw14eT3MnxWigI_trwgjd5yf6ItDb-5mUXlvMmcos3_5z6w=w640-h504" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My teacup is a Paragon.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx7kxFomdhDTT4TDIH2dMO21rWTpnGgSQKodgSfM3lmme8YHPiykoX_TJTxzMXo4PwUXx0nJuJCVXpMUO9APF5FT_SXrnn9wBbgKiCdf6ff6JQMEiNnRcefWqjY-gH7DuNeoIqzhHu3SSEtF-LGaoTYzDk1_MQwwgiuWcnpiFyKta8craBwA7c-RnhUQ=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="855" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx7kxFomdhDTT4TDIH2dMO21rWTpnGgSQKodgSfM3lmme8YHPiykoX_TJTxzMXo4PwUXx0nJuJCVXpMUO9APF5FT_SXrnn9wBbgKiCdf6ff6JQMEiNnRcefWqjY-gH7DuNeoIqzhHu3SSEtF-LGaoTYzDk1_MQwwgiuWcnpiFyKta8craBwA7c-RnhUQ=w640-h526" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hubby has been helping me with the spring cleaning. My silver tea set was in dire need of polishing and he did such a super job. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYihUXv5tEJwqBY5ppxWWIwphnfAUGoNeZdBrCGbh5IoB7Y5dFJj-SbsGUaiCARoUKIcZuGH8KLHrQO4hIUtFZHe-edfQ5bljbv8wPhersWil2tX4ji28y9vywM90k4G_gJbViisGpUEexdgua1iWw1rw925Z0zCVyO5lOeswVnetHY5fYiVAQq0olA/s855/IMG_3429-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="855" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYihUXv5tEJwqBY5ppxWWIwphnfAUGoNeZdBrCGbh5IoB7Y5dFJj-SbsGUaiCARoUKIcZuGH8KLHrQO4hIUtFZHe-edfQ5bljbv8wPhersWil2tX4ji28y9vywM90k4G_gJbViisGpUEexdgua1iWw1rw925Z0zCVyO5lOeswVnetHY5fYiVAQq0olA/w400-h340/IMG_3429-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br />He actually enjoys polishing the silver so I just let him go to it. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He did the silver tray today and all my little tea spoons are done. He is such a great help to me.</span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am working on another post and when I have it ready, I will post it.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Have a lovely rest of the week, dear friends! I hope you are all excited with this new season here. God watch over you all and bless you!</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></p></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-7134197083685899932022-03-07T11:00:00.001-04:002022-03-07T11:02:28.050-04:00A Little Bit of This and A Little That<div><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Love seems to be something that keeps filling up within us. The more we give away, the more we have to give. ~ </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mr. Rogers</span></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">Hello dear friends! Sorry I have been absent for a while. I have just had a lot going on.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">Although we celebrated Valentine's Day in February and hopefully spread a little love around, who else is happy March is here? Just a few more weeks of snow here on little old PEI, and it will start warming up a bit. Already the few goldfinches we have had all winter are showing some bright yellow on their darling heads. I can't wait till they are all back!</span></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I brought some of my cranberry glass collection out and set it on the mantel for a little pink in celebration of Valentine's Day. It has since been removed and put back in the family room where I usually have it displayed. The elegant pitcher on the far right is my oldest piece; a wedding gift from my aunt and uncle. The wreath has joined the rest of my Christmas decor until next November.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaY4903Khs29ShVTCdY2NuOXwdcOwlC75VWVsTjhumOs6YkGL4SnAuo8OMdGL62PIdDe9we6xSHbzGwgDXChVwT0SPumIbufHC70N73ZLr9mrvvfFtCFEOd_dNj4vZs4D2gydUGn2s5aDn7-spLiwO_KWZtm4ERYN4nbhxSTjeD3a-xJfPGYA36mCxfg=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="855" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaY4903Khs29ShVTCdY2NuOXwdcOwlC75VWVsTjhumOs6YkGL4SnAuo8OMdGL62PIdDe9we6xSHbzGwgDXChVwT0SPumIbufHC70N73ZLr9mrvvfFtCFEOd_dNj4vZs4D2gydUGn2s5aDn7-spLiwO_KWZtm4ERYN4nbhxSTjeD3a-xJfPGYA36mCxfg=w640-h444" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">February was a busy month. Hubby and I had a lot of appointments and our New Brunswick family came over for a visit on the long weekend.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">I baked a chocolate cake for Valentine's Day and we enjoyed it when our son and his family were over. I cannot tell you how happy we are to be able to see them so often!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">My little granddaughter helped cut up the strawberries for the cake and helped decorate it.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHS0tEqDbarvxGdTxkdjOfoExB3XLWKSayu08zdjvGJBZNYA9Bxm4hufp9qo4oJkx-VeFYMcnY1leG-lvtmPvpNmS5iuI62XoE92pvQZHtrxo9KJLQRxl6lYSct-ZOuom50JuKERVHvzm8rf19WLqJZBKcQ2oAhJBcrIhZZ9xcNto1Z7viCeFpOU--rA=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="855" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHS0tEqDbarvxGdTxkdjOfoExB3XLWKSayu08zdjvGJBZNYA9Bxm4hufp9qo4oJkx-VeFYMcnY1leG-lvtmPvpNmS5iuI62XoE92pvQZHtrxo9KJLQRxl6lYSct-ZOuom50JuKERVHvzm8rf19WLqJZBKcQ2oAhJBcrIhZZ9xcNto1Z7viCeFpOU--rA=w640-h560" width="640" /></a></div><br />I always try to have some treats made when they are over so the cake went over well. I also made more fudge and they took some home with them.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">My son had not had "gunk" in a very long time so I made that for one of our meals. It is really goulash but when I was growing up, my brother always called it gunk, so here in our home, we still call it gunk. Sprinkle on some cheddar cheese and you're ready to go. I miss my brother! He will be gone two years this month but the "gunk" always brings a smile when I serve it.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8VlziOhDV-1nxOyaaqwWbMvFT1rioWoRh8qR2Qsw-cTsUMDbFhz3jDDF2KSEx47hKH2nQ5dgTiJ-ceVu6V-rzhJZKwpgAjVNFP09_WndHFFoc2EXH6Qv_klKkYtK5_Pa6d5igHVb_L-S9kXmBXhDiyjZVIqhKSMuTNfET1I3JqFIbRrAGa8eyDUNbfw=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="855" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8VlziOhDV-1nxOyaaqwWbMvFT1rioWoRh8qR2Qsw-cTsUMDbFhz3jDDF2KSEx47hKH2nQ5dgTiJ-ceVu6V-rzhJZKwpgAjVNFP09_WndHFFoc2EXH6Qv_klKkYtK5_Pa6d5igHVb_L-S9kXmBXhDiyjZVIqhKSMuTNfET1I3JqFIbRrAGa8eyDUNbfw=w640-h486" width="640" /></a></div><br />The kids loved it because I had not made it before when they were here.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">I also made some Potato Dogs which I knew the kids, including the big ones, would enjoy. These are just split beef wieners with creamy mashed potatoes and cheese on top baked in the oven. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-QuExdlWqGe_httiIeWyciqWTb6BOxyqaAbXUUzUuBJhlyFg1UoSQWlIXnEyb-D9e-dwQYGKwy1Tx6A3HKjUiuRk6EqatjAYpChxlfIw6h57ONsAMAwHiRXJaJn39n6-atiIudUj5JfOV8OymDTp2wJyudrkGdC-FIjVNqlZ-VJ160JMbd1Lgb-2HnA=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="855" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-QuExdlWqGe_httiIeWyciqWTb6BOxyqaAbXUUzUuBJhlyFg1UoSQWlIXnEyb-D9e-dwQYGKwy1Tx6A3HKjUiuRk6EqatjAYpChxlfIw6h57ONsAMAwHiRXJaJn39n6-atiIudUj5JfOV8OymDTp2wJyudrkGdC-FIjVNqlZ-VJ160JMbd1Lgb-2HnA=w640-h532" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>On the table is a pretty bouquet of yellow tulips from my hubby. What a welcome sight they are during these cold winter months! They just lend a lovely touch of springtime to one's home. I don't know about you, but fresh flowers especially this time of year just give you a little lift.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8D_UKNCFYXAmO_UMC69euIOQnQM6mbimF3UNsPxy50JhzY3D5aa7K0T2LWbsgb2WdwnrHXZBS9x4nmQOXNeUXok7W_CqOi8q0qBh0SRWstjOMt9H6SF7f8Bo-sL9Sg3PjZdYW4ZG9mKhXPZx5U6VExDaenSWKRcGVxP2UVzsPeCR6soT1luyUjUh6CA=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="851" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8D_UKNCFYXAmO_UMC69euIOQnQM6mbimF3UNsPxy50JhzY3D5aa7K0T2LWbsgb2WdwnrHXZBS9x4nmQOXNeUXok7W_CqOi8q0qBh0SRWstjOMt9H6SF7f8Bo-sL9Sg3PjZdYW4ZG9mKhXPZx5U6VExDaenSWKRcGVxP2UVzsPeCR6soT1luyUjUh6CA=w638-h640" width="638" /></a></div><br />A little tea using my Royal Albert Tea Rose cup and saucer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn40dAqY2v_8bPi7d7r5m2moBZJ0r2IyiHBxUtiRH6BweNylmpp0Ma4v6Ny5JcvC8yISNEdzWhzV1ngfDHcNoXxkOyBoR7ndY3Zi-Q2xC8R_OwC3sDnH_HxNhhbKHRfSe3ed3hC9aVIXD1vdRgEiyqjPeHUPZGpB-7exvbYBHyAOcaMpDHNISapr3Vxw=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="834" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn40dAqY2v_8bPi7d7r5m2moBZJ0r2IyiHBxUtiRH6BweNylmpp0Ma4v6Ny5JcvC8yISNEdzWhzV1ngfDHcNoXxkOyBoR7ndY3Zi-Q2xC8R_OwC3sDnH_HxNhhbKHRfSe3ed3hC9aVIXD1vdRgEiyqjPeHUPZGpB-7exvbYBHyAOcaMpDHNISapr3Vxw=w624-h640" width="624" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>My sister-in-law, Norma, dropped in a couple of days ago with a sweet treat for me. She was cleaning out her cupboard and found this red transferware plate. She had noticed that I have a collection of it so she brought it over to me. I love it of course! The chocolate peanut butter balls she also brought, which was very thoughtful of her.</span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmTZVd7dkLIsaWRlcKIg_tgxOOxocO0zRpzNlU00FoKwMnpqwOiRLyqCk9OctT308lgfQe9HGg2IEJ7cZUciRr2vhJ8lBmKXc9AHteoT9_cdOzfZ6BbvjO9uY95AdUYuFGzr_vd0KWPbk48a2k5fXs40kpThVoU_L2CkXNBYSBkX8-IO09Odj7v0igDw=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="855" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmTZVd7dkLIsaWRlcKIg_tgxOOxocO0zRpzNlU00FoKwMnpqwOiRLyqCk9OctT308lgfQe9HGg2IEJ7cZUciRr2vhJ8lBmKXc9AHteoT9_cdOzfZ6BbvjO9uY95AdUYuFGzr_vd0KWPbk48a2k5fXs40kpThVoU_L2CkXNBYSBkX8-IO09Odj7v0igDw=w640-h584" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span><br /><span style="color: #444444;">This is the stamp on the back of the plate and it was made in England. <br /></span><span><span style="color: #444444;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMmzbvMpS9z4FCyFaeAnTRfsmiJdD5XchEojfFrZP-CASgSulKPJdOONok9Q5ew0evWysZH9cn_8WWjiK-o2yTHcj7Y0B5LnK3tXoXDuB-Y7vnbCG2udhqTSJd0-qWqjnkGd1jGYeZCF-xXn7Bucs8EDFbf5OL0Ux6xujMq7EqgXzRJYAtqlNb75alxg=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="855" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMmzbvMpS9z4FCyFaeAnTRfsmiJdD5XchEojfFrZP-CASgSulKPJdOONok9Q5ew0evWysZH9cn_8WWjiK-o2yTHcj7Y0B5LnK3tXoXDuB-Y7vnbCG2udhqTSJd0-qWqjnkGd1jGYeZCF-xXn7Bucs8EDFbf5OL0Ux6xujMq7EqgXzRJYAtqlNb75alxg=w356-h341" width="356" /></a></div><br />My hubby got his shingles vaccine on Wednesday and he had been laying low for a couple of days. I had to cancel mine because I had a bug and had to reschedule for the end of the month. It was a good thing that both of us weren't down. Come the end of the month, he may have to look after me.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;">As I was doing my devotions this past week, I came across a well known verse from 1 Peter 4:10.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others."</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;">This has given me a little more clarity concerning some of the decisions I have to make. One of which, I am still trying to decide where to go from here with my blog.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;">Before I close, I want to share my sunflowers for the Ukraine people. God bless and protect them!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlbiTe5s7HKJqZi8FAxEISMpIR8tCeHnZe6YHs0Gxcy3lMzPeoZGGWpdx_Jt9KIm7G0TVczauE7sFGObi3SW1ayC44fStB9P4xiuzd9eT7jJB1sdcXiFx2A8cV_zEQedKjp5d5E5U7JJS_Rajz8wWhuCbjSGeBB37xXlckHUaQC3ONq17ecjyxj40NSg=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="640" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlbiTe5s7HKJqZi8FAxEISMpIR8tCeHnZe6YHs0Gxcy3lMzPeoZGGWpdx_Jt9KIm7G0TVczauE7sFGObi3SW1ayC44fStB9P4xiuzd9eT7jJB1sdcXiFx2A8cV_zEQedKjp5d5E5U7JJS_Rajz8wWhuCbjSGeBB37xXlckHUaQC3ONq17ecjyxj40NSg=w640-h618" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Till next time, take care, and remember a smile is the best facelift!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></span></div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-49169505568089738602022-02-02T11:45:00.004-04:002022-02-02T11:57:21.050-04:00Happy February!<div><br /></div><div><p class="p2" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><i style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Our days tend to be happier</span></i></p></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>and more fulfilling when </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>we give people around us</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>a bit of our heart rather than</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>a piece of our mind.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Because when we choose </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>to see the good in others,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>we end up finding</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>the good in ourselves. </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>~ marcandangel</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLm4ohdF9WCNQ1ppmswFTXyMwnt4jvje93e48NcMkhW9BvMJiBwh0rvYbZ1AQ7q3fLZ-siHWlWKz2qzuxlClRPJ4Ri-__HhvvHEoD0YujMe698v1CMp8i3mNr5iAux-pJad6IWCqgvBvYYiBwqYGU0qFOgFWmmEQ6MocpPMI-lxWKU9MM1N2xeXVcGyQ=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="800" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLm4ohdF9WCNQ1ppmswFTXyMwnt4jvje93e48NcMkhW9BvMJiBwh0rvYbZ1AQ7q3fLZ-siHWlWKz2qzuxlClRPJ4Ri-__HhvvHEoD0YujMe698v1CMp8i3mNr5iAux-pJad6IWCqgvBvYYiBwqYGU0qFOgFWmmEQ6MocpPMI-lxWKU9MM1N2xeXVcGyQ=w640-h552" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Happy February, dear friends!</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>I hope to be back soon. Meanwhile, take care!</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia;"><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-69127571048605235092022-01-12T14:45:00.010-04:002024-01-09T18:09:14.506-04:00After the Holidays<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #cc0000; text-align: left;">It is always possible</i></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>to be thankful for</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>what is given rather</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>than resentful over </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>what is withheld.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i>One attitude or the </i></span><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">other </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">becomes a way of life. ~</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Elisabeth Elliot</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Greetings, my dear friends! It is January, and how quickly the holidays have come and gone! I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am reevaluating several things right now. I am not one to make new year resolutions but this year, decisions have to be made, and I need to take better care of myself. More about this in an upcoming post.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I still have three trees up and Hubby is happy they are still up. The Island is dealing with a lot of sickness right now so, it's nice to still have some pretty lights around. We will take our time putting Christmas decorations away. There really is no hurry.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">How wonderful it was to have my Michigan family here for a few days! It had been three years since they were here. They drove all the way from MI and did just fine without running into any problems. Of course, Mama was praying that the tests would go well and the weather was good!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Unfortunately, our Christmas did not go as planned for Hubby and me! We were all supposed to go over to NB to spend Christmas with our son and his family.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But I was in no shape to travel. My back has been so bad that I had to stay put and not make the two hour drive to NB. But I was thrilled that everyone else got to spend the holidays together. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My family </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">has not spent Christmas together since 2007, so it was a great celebration. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Everyone had a marvellous time!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY are they who take life day by day, complain very little, and are thankful for the little things. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">unknown</span></i></span></span></div><div><span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They cooked a thirty pound turkey with all the trimmings. This is Jason, our handsome cook, gardner, meteorologist, son-in-law, and my granddaughter.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBzgmembq9MRdCdFNnyh6_WKYPnh1Jq_ZSmmXzzj427ktKqliW7x-RWhgBcPyq_dkbxfMIgCiWc2fmsCd_xmn_vDbZarqBOk8Hfp7Y3g6WflBEwYOmsY0LOIEaseF0yaJxnA5zYnq0EWjL_pqXR_otGbi6W18Mv-jZuzEdB027mK4Mr8H5NQLMqDYWQQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1150" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBzgmembq9MRdCdFNnyh6_WKYPnh1Jq_ZSmmXzzj427ktKqliW7x-RWhgBcPyq_dkbxfMIgCiWc2fmsCd_xmn_vDbZarqBOk8Hfp7Y3g6WflBEwYOmsY0LOIEaseF0yaJxnA5zYnq0EWjL_pqXR_otGbi6W18Mv-jZuzEdB027mK4Mr8H5NQLMqDYWQQ=w225-h400" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Notice how the gravy is sitting in a well made in the mashed potatoes. Jason is amazing in the kitchen!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3yhX6dlqRuqjjEut1Xxiaiplh8iItUQmHRAfckfhnBBbdnZ4A2eQeBqGjDKuNw83YJroz_nTCpppTNCZ_k1aZXCkLPQkoOxLbALh5x9gG26nKO8Rt7Iu8afMI3W8lWFpoIFdImyfsyp3V7Ui_7chG7xGp0CZo_VMWKjlzWRdbxjNAMHqYf2o9F2Rd7Q=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3yhX6dlqRuqjjEut1Xxiaiplh8iItUQmHRAfckfhnBBbdnZ4A2eQeBqGjDKuNw83YJroz_nTCpppTNCZ_k1aZXCkLPQkoOxLbALh5x9gG26nKO8Rt7Iu8afMI3W8lWFpoIFdImyfsyp3V7Ui_7chG7xGp0CZo_VMWKjlzWRdbxjNAMHqYf2o9F2Rd7Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a>There were mashed potatoes with gravy, root vegetables, homemade cranberry sauce, which my youngest son made, savoury dressing, and salad. Yum! I'm sorry I missed it! Most of all, I missed celebrating with everyone!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBzgmembq9MRdCdFNnyh6_WKYPnh1Jq_ZSmmXzzj427ktKqliW7x-RWhgBcPyq_dkbxfMIgCiWc2fmsCd_xmn_vDbZarqBOk8Hfp7Y3g6WflBEwYOmsY0LOIEaseF0yaJxnA5zYnq0EWjL_pqXR_otGbi6W18Mv-jZuzEdB027mK4Mr8H5NQLMqDYWQQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jason and my youngest grandson.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyDvsUgTyHfNCOiTUBpValsXoAxTbZG3av9AynjCgdGt_BlB0tqj2JD6gXOoXSyvPUY4wctZo1-Kld4etB4rgbwavyNNFVrmzuFi0vEkqDimZHmKXpmsorcFh4XUzjmAFs3UOudGE6Go0WLUG6j-kZbS5oECFc_74IGgYaZsflVKlTL9xKNUciz6clhw=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgloUVU2OSG0Go8LNnrWCKPs7DXN5DElZsrjpHICjMNAYshFjXqutZasi8LPC47XMItKELB6sv21H3bgzqsfUWmY5ewRzFfX6jXa9UDEOj_tJ2oCDwFnv6ZUyNYscIkKqRGfx0OfwHZwaxzeFsPZh8XFoRoRaeCkOUhCdce3B76Ie2uexTXtyt-yEX1_Q=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgloUVU2OSG0Go8LNnrWCKPs7DXN5DElZsrjpHICjMNAYshFjXqutZasi8LPC47XMItKELB6sv21H3bgzqsfUWmY5ewRzFfX6jXa9UDEOj_tJ2oCDwFnv6ZUyNYscIkKqRGfx0OfwHZwaxzeFsPZh8XFoRoRaeCkOUhCdce3B76Ie2uexTXtyt-yEX1_Q=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdWgTuzfol1c6CLSzTY6XDJbsvLqVvnCHd1JUg-m3dUzv2kLNPLV4pJDrQr7IxrBc92w7UdH7CnV5dOv6Zr0gnzHoZwLuZkoo7hVQjJWb6SfO1PdyYHliQ53-Izx3XLJwJHl7zhn9e_kkFrKG6E9qBIVy32GtETMjMwpDZH5RlPIseMnIy8q6_x2HNqA=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdWgTuzfol1c6CLSzTY6XDJbsvLqVvnCHd1JUg-m3dUzv2kLNPLV4pJDrQr7IxrBc92w7UdH7CnV5dOv6Zr0gnzHoZwLuZkoo7hVQjJWb6SfO1PdyYHliQ53-Izx3XLJwJHl7zhn9e_kkFrKG6E9qBIVy32GtETMjMwpDZH5RlPIseMnIy8q6_x2HNqA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div></div></div></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jordan and Carina who haven't seen one another in a few years. Family reunions are wonderful!</div></div></div></span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBUmxk2lOmk6UbuhQ4Ek6yp49Q9VstmM0ZUaC8kgIX4BWpLd9VCdqZlZovmoNpLOnowWrtVpLHWG6lNPsrJl6ttvKMMqZnwjb8rj-d19xhTWuhonJi_MPUUO5bMrFcib6wb_ypLFzykwD-Z_CmQLUI8gEuf64waVeH9LQN3nd7wz_x7TuB3XtATqLXdQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBUmxk2lOmk6UbuhQ4Ek6yp49Q9VstmM0ZUaC8kgIX4BWpLd9VCdqZlZovmoNpLOnowWrtVpLHWG6lNPsrJl6ttvKMMqZnwjb8rj-d19xhTWuhonJi_MPUUO5bMrFcib6wb_ypLFzykwD-Z_CmQLUI8gEuf64waVeH9LQN3nd7wz_x7TuB3XtATqLXdQ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The family, minus a few of us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tree.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgloUVU2OSG0Go8LNnrWCKPs7DXN5DElZsrjpHICjMNAYshFjXqutZasi8LPC47XMItKELB6sv21H3bgzqsfUWmY5ewRzFfX6jXa9UDEOj_tJ2oCDwFnv6ZUyNYscIkKqRGfx0OfwHZwaxzeFsPZh8XFoRoRaeCkOUhCdce3B76Ie2uexTXtyt-yEX1_Q=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLVLtZ3m84_456_AZddYG0-waEZ-D4W7kwZAwqlMkC12-wW-V_4vdx3dHgja5PQ15FJs1O8I0q2jN1uuh2dYHHZXWj3FNpntNCy2EGz6Wx8M7BhzLOtZusKr_44LkKlHrmBpN1tIb03uFsdCK8xHjzp8ZWPTFDA_uv-LI0POOuJBdWHSDN782Flk0Rnw=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="681" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLVLtZ3m84_456_AZddYG0-waEZ-D4W7kwZAwqlMkC12-wW-V_4vdx3dHgja5PQ15FJs1O8I0q2jN1uuh2dYHHZXWj3FNpntNCy2EGz6Wx8M7BhzLOtZusKr_44LkKlHrmBpN1tIb03uFsdCK8xHjzp8ZWPTFDA_uv-LI0POOuJBdWHSDN782Flk0Rnw=w510-h640" width="510" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My little grand fur baby, Boomer. He's tuckered out because he had a very busy day with a houseful of company as well as another pup!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJRnVyaRCe9ta_-jIcG47uNP6fvktqLjxKHq6GmSVSpfWcRXZkVpCcyWM_6VQu-o7yBka3OG3rIEZ8bMBczWnjg5MB-JoPpybdcfMYNH6eX20MEMBkNrRXbYFIv4t2V47yFw8xK95eW7MpmanKhu4ij-IT9bPJsnCOcDNO_7aQTNoKyqpZHkaDKE0CbA=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJRnVyaRCe9ta_-jIcG47uNP6fvktqLjxKHq6GmSVSpfWcRXZkVpCcyWM_6VQu-o7yBka3OG3rIEZ8bMBczWnjg5MB-JoPpybdcfMYNH6eX20MEMBkNrRXbYFIv4t2V47yFw8xK95eW7MpmanKhu4ij-IT9bPJsnCOcDNO_7aQTNoKyqpZHkaDKE0CbA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Our New Year always begins with a birthday. This is my birthday bouquet; a gift from my son and his girlfriend.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwKO7eoNwZQbg3foAs8ePcLXtt1N1rqGQsCIa6r5XPtf2dWsDulVywqcNE4tVaUcKFwuJoYadq1RaqvuIEb7MOu_VDKsLjOAQAV9fign9DS_TOaotbPF6OhTWdSGcy6b0f9UQLh9wBRCo8KMNG_jw94NekO2UyqNIzYfoH11-7W26zvMWjOVfhIZY6Lw=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="617" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwKO7eoNwZQbg3foAs8ePcLXtt1N1rqGQsCIa6r5XPtf2dWsDulVywqcNE4tVaUcKFwuJoYadq1RaqvuIEb7MOu_VDKsLjOAQAV9fign9DS_TOaotbPF6OhTWdSGcy6b0f9UQLh9wBRCo8KMNG_jw94NekO2UyqNIzYfoH11-7W26zvMWjOVfhIZY6Lw=w462-h640" width="462" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a dangerous blizzard the other day and I made some sticky date pudding with warm toffee sauce just before it arrived. It was so good! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0kSJP1Q8mzw3E7Bl6HTgpOMrlOfgZS3FMpCKkVqQaflIAnVL8xIO3ft6fynWHRT63ltQpARgD-4p1RtPHd2YG77HUuMmOXoWUbnjElJ-ivW4gIWTOBh76KGDcQLlOEf_Vq7tz3796Z-V5n5t9Pt7EYHyEBD1S0JpQHG1xdw1ljFl9mBI6P3Yr97WAcw=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="855" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0kSJP1Q8mzw3E7Bl6HTgpOMrlOfgZS3FMpCKkVqQaflIAnVL8xIO3ft6fynWHRT63ltQpARgD-4p1RtPHd2YG77HUuMmOXoWUbnjElJ-ivW4gIWTOBh76KGDcQLlOEf_Vq7tz3796Z-V5n5t9Pt7EYHyEBD1S0JpQHG1xdw1ljFl9mBI6P3Yr97WAcw=w640-h518" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We got 38 cm of snow and the winds were 102 km. Those were probably the highest winds we have had in years. We didn't lose our power however which was a huge blessing! Apparently there is another one headed our way again this weekend and the winds are supposed to be even higher! I am yearning for springtime already. I think Boomer is too. Up until this year, he hasn't seen much snow because he lived in BC.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimcnLGhFZ0NyB1gPCSK-FLVWr7CY1Rt2XN6IBrl4RoS1u2eivIkqjmpNTvS28rkUH43AGbKWRvmsYhPqnRl07JwjUqoaRn7rjGC0g1xlnmwp0SI3KVDgjusmWQ75eAv0di2mB0PPBfUuT2pYKIdPXXli1uswBwGxzSwafcfiJno1mXe1WXvPZZCVw5FA=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimcnLGhFZ0NyB1gPCSK-FLVWr7CY1Rt2XN6IBrl4RoS1u2eivIkqjmpNTvS28rkUH43AGbKWRvmsYhPqnRl07JwjUqoaRn7rjGC0g1xlnmwp0SI3KVDgjusmWQ75eAv0di2mB0PPBfUuT2pYKIdPXXli1uswBwGxzSwafcfiJno1mXe1WXvPZZCVw5FA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">Boomer and I hope your New Year is off to a great start! Thank you for visiting and do take care.</span></div></div></div></span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><i>As I live each day may I make a difference</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><i>And touch one heart....</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><i>Each day it is my goal</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><i>To bring smiles and laughter</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Into a soul! ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">author unknown</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;"><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</i></span></div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-50125335444431818992021-12-24T15:30:00.001-04:002021-12-24T15:33:46.327-04:00Wishing You All A Lovely Holiday Season!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Christmas is that moment in time when God, in His unconditional love, stepped out of heaven and onto earth, in order that we might one day step out of earth into heaven. -</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Charles F Stanley</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas, dear friends! I hope you are all ready for the big day and can sit and relax after all the preparations.<br /><br />My family arrived a day early from Michigan and this is the first chance I have had to sit and write a post. It is a short one today because I am very busy.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Serenity is a solitary cup of tea; pleasure is sharing it with another.~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Victoria magazine</span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinFcNy-Ts1ZYJJCs9PhNmsPgZ0KcpMQl0-obRwcAcAj2FLjpeHTOYc0pd2aQA3xT3NVI4KZDZyV0QKVF1tDgJQR1WazM6pto2jJOmre-ludkpN9EieuYP8gUXoINViNEFgGvlONDR0YUl1zfpj9oJYQA0VbIhHtcTkEXWXTWuxMKs99mQrGhs1FlEQLg=s855" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="855" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinFcNy-Ts1ZYJJCs9PhNmsPgZ0KcpMQl0-obRwcAcAj2FLjpeHTOYc0pd2aQA3xT3NVI4KZDZyV0QKVF1tDgJQR1WazM6pto2jJOmre-ludkpN9EieuYP8gUXoINViNEFgGvlONDR0YUl1zfpj9oJYQA0VbIhHtcTkEXWXTWuxMKs99mQrGhs1FlEQLg=w640-h512" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">On the bottom of the tiered stand is cheese and bacon quiche, sausage rolls, and cheese. On the top tier are butter tart bars, chocolate balls, and slices of war cake.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br />I just want to wish you all a lovely holiday with the love of family and friends surrounding you. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will write again after the busyness has died down. The Lord bless you all this Christmas and in the New Year!</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRFs2CEFxKtt6mPn2INQkM5HuGIp3FnG0_fqpcPAiOevXnxcl4TIIo8EK_qMi2zb937SYiV1X0OCcVk3wmfQBVkFnsQu8fSsN_zxhm38VLNTwAd84aaOxt3CX6pouHP1lfHM2gzyZnaSdp-JUfve_5vC6XD2MBbB6fKN-oRPxPVyaeihu-DMhPFGexpg=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="400" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRFs2CEFxKtt6mPn2INQkM5HuGIp3FnG0_fqpcPAiOevXnxcl4TIIo8EK_qMi2zb937SYiV1X0OCcVk3wmfQBVkFnsQu8fSsN_zxhm38VLNTwAd84aaOxt3CX6pouHP1lfHM2gzyZnaSdp-JUfve_5vC6XD2MBbB6fKN-oRPxPVyaeihu-DMhPFGexpg=w400-h384" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #990000; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~</span> </span></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah 9:6</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-37801779821368920512021-12-15T11:20:00.002-04:002023-11-29T18:50:32.778-04:00It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!<i style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's a marshmallow world in the winter</span></i><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>When the snow comes to cover the ground</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>It's time to play, it's a whipped cream day</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>I wait for it the whole year 'round.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Those are marshmallow clouds being friendly</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>In the arms of the evergreen trees</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>And the sun is red, like a pumpkin head</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's shining so your nose won't freeze. - </span></i></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(112, 117, 122); font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Frank Sinatra</span></span><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(112, 117, 122); color: #70757a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello my lovely friends! It's beginning to look like Christmas everywhere we go.</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">We just had our first snow storm of the season and the snow blanketed the ground. Even though I am not a winter loving person, the first snow does make everything pretty!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Since the snow fall, we have gotten rain which took the snow away, then yesterday, we had another mini snow storm. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have my decorating done now and I will have to concentrate on the baking. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My centrepiece on the coffee table which reflects the colours I decorated with in the living room; teal and white with a touch of pink.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigduGiNGvyRtP7DjXFPq1qkKhNqro_uzcLq9lY_j7X3lSWtYAy-3GC3Ub_N5mi_dX0CcN8SSRoGEJ2Z6SKMeQ4m1TIHvwcTUUuTXRPHqUZk9Q_qYgWv5iFL3Hxz824t1jo8fTTXrGWsY4Ue5iOT7aqIOlWceVc8OtejfryypW4cHNh74bd1r7XqKO_0Q=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="855" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigduGiNGvyRtP7DjXFPq1qkKhNqro_uzcLq9lY_j7X3lSWtYAy-3GC3Ub_N5mi_dX0CcN8SSRoGEJ2Z6SKMeQ4m1TIHvwcTUUuTXRPHqUZk9Q_qYgWv5iFL3Hxz824t1jo8fTTXrGWsY4Ue5iOT7aqIOlWceVc8OtejfryypW4cHNh74bd1r7XqKO_0Q=w640-h510" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This is the first time in forty years that I won't be making either one of my fruit cakes and my children are going to be very disappointed. My NB son and his wife especially look forward to getting some dark fruit cake every Christmas.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Alas, when we went to get the fruit at our local Bulk Barn, they were out of three of the ingredients I need for my cakes. I got lots of raisins and currants but that's it! Even if I had gone earlier, like two months ago, they wouldn't have had the fruit. Indeed, every grocery store in Charlottetown is out of fruit for Christmas cakes! All the groceries are out of Rice Krispies too, until February, so no Sugar Plums or Chocolate Balls can be made either. I'm in a pickle! Bulk Barn was also out of all the holiday teas. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A ship off the west coast had gone down in the Pacific back in, I think September, and many supplies were lost. Some of the containers are still floating, I understand. Michaels has nothing in their store here and I presume many places are in the same boat. It is all very unfortunate!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So, that means I will have to come up with another cake and I know just the one to bake; a War cake, which I had made at Thanksgiving and my family loves it too. Sticky Date Pudding with toffee sauce will take the place of the pudding I would have made and I'll come up with some other treats as well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So, how is your baking going?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I made a big batch of fudge; the first in quite some time. This is one of the goodies I have made for my family. It turned out very well. When my mother was here she used to make the brown sugar fudge for me because I have trouble stirring. This recipe is an easy one and Hubby was here to do the stirring when the time came. I always made chocolate fudge but I decided I wanted brown sugar fudge this year for a change. The recipe makes a lot; like over sixty or seventy pieces depending how big you cut the candy, so it's wonderful to gift or take to a Christmas gathering at church or home. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The recipe for this fudge is as follows...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><u>Easy Brown Sugar Fudge</u></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">1 pound butter</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One k bag brown sugar</span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">1 can evaporated milk. </span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Place these three ingredients in a large saucepan and heat and bring to a boil. Once it begins to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15-17 minutes. Stir often.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Once that's done, add 1 tsp vanilla and 1 k bag of icing sugar. Stir well until all the lumps of icing sugar are blended in and pour into a parchment lined cookie sheet. Let stand then enjoy! You can freeze fudge too which is good to know and it keeps for at least six weeks on the shelf.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR-nHNb2fEeznWKiU6DMtPWBeEE6WWchscFlTYkUlesSh6hgnsy4O5yvuGPbr7OtvtDI3_dA_bfifzp-SmKadqZV-voOUtdkujm97ouYI9ejciJpvsRXmzCvOLxqBVEeYBc6xafxyvdvKMzZ4LomUOr3KatiZAtfpQhnU9zuIUHwhq4_Agrln61NUVgg=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="855" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR-nHNb2fEeznWKiU6DMtPWBeEE6WWchscFlTYkUlesSh6hgnsy4O5yvuGPbr7OtvtDI3_dA_bfifzp-SmKadqZV-voOUtdkujm97ouYI9ejciJpvsRXmzCvOLxqBVEeYBc6xafxyvdvKMzZ4LomUOr3KatiZAtfpQhnU9zuIUHwhq4_Agrln61NUVgg=w640-h341" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This container is 13 x 9 x 3-1/2 inches so you have an idea how much fudge is in this. Several pieces are already missing. There were three layers of fudge in the beginning!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I refreshed the wreath on the patio doors and set out my little floral tree with its matching wreath which you have seen before. All three pieces have deep pink hydrangea flowerets on them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkM1k54-H-P1GdSf39dgulignBR-HEJa0p78_g-itP2qhqMR1kM275Ku_tzJiUS1Zce35HBntX6ylWzcLms4-crqU83DYZYNYbTimR4gVa1VUzk_1AEvPW9pZN5woL6Jd4jp5536gtFKBM87ZJzVweCwkOyoZ8KehfFmbyCa-tnwg2vSyfvR8-VBphfw=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="855" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkM1k54-H-P1GdSf39dgulignBR-HEJa0p78_g-itP2qhqMR1kM275Ku_tzJiUS1Zce35HBntX6ylWzcLms4-crqU83DYZYNYbTimR4gVa1VUzk_1AEvPW9pZN5woL6Jd4jp5536gtFKBM87ZJzVweCwkOyoZ8KehfFmbyCa-tnwg2vSyfvR8-VBphfw=w640-h594" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ762irfXW4kOUzpZVtlMRxMiZ2-ICiY_sXZvIT_6rUozytvMPOK5hzfUPPxKKvu0gv_WPa-eLIYArJKW5C9e9B3N1ENVhVW7lLTR9X-mRMB9CWPYe-NWqvla9CE7iU09qhHGbM1Cy41NoYq4FyPIPTjc_lx4Yi27jUK91QyZIcDyoVPP1hpEHaRTkkw=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="610" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ762irfXW4kOUzpZVtlMRxMiZ2-ICiY_sXZvIT_6rUozytvMPOK5hzfUPPxKKvu0gv_WPa-eLIYArJKW5C9e9B3N1ENVhVW7lLTR9X-mRMB9CWPYe-NWqvla9CE7iU09qhHGbM1Cy41NoYq4FyPIPTjc_lx4Yi27jUK91QyZIcDyoVPP1hpEHaRTkkw=w456-h640" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Daytime </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhh7QVtP0UKdFg3IL2aY0G39UDEaCAmuxAol7XluAK_w8oAxBuOAAE0r-PX32ueKe9RiHI0Sh89y6BPtzxFSvUcPbEWcMQkP-KNIs9MM70A1SY3W7uEGK6NpsheaBR2mAXiLxMU6PVyPYiy2Lh1BO6BsrpXy-L0anKWiIZKFS2j7xdyuo44xS6G63Hwgg=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="552" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhh7QVtP0UKdFg3IL2aY0G39UDEaCAmuxAol7XluAK_w8oAxBuOAAE0r-PX32ueKe9RiHI0Sh89y6BPtzxFSvUcPbEWcMQkP-KNIs9MM70A1SY3W7uEGK6NpsheaBR2mAXiLxMU6PVyPYiy2Lh1BO6BsrpXy-L0anKWiIZKFS2j7xdyuo44xS6G63Hwgg=w414-h640" width="414" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Nighttime with the lights lit.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBQoIUd7KzWC-fcJIxyz67eNyWv9Ssw5htrM18WpyrLIYI-oPtK0fY-bdbXbsvx04zOHe8SJgbRVTDV-UO6h1IJqtPq2zDsXjUZwuanf9Hw9GYetwA8pAwi2-_HKczm4UlIjyTWA-F7n2URz35jokAcjfinD4pzgZ9bTaOUEdjSexC89QsfPXE9ceslg=s635" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="635" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBQoIUd7KzWC-fcJIxyz67eNyWv9Ssw5htrM18WpyrLIYI-oPtK0fY-bdbXbsvx04zOHe8SJgbRVTDV-UO6h1IJqtPq2zDsXjUZwuanf9Hw9GYetwA8pAwi2-_HKczm4UlIjyTWA-F7n2URz35jokAcjfinD4pzgZ9bTaOUEdjSexC89QsfPXE9ceslg=w400-h359" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The four foot tree in the living room has white lights but also a string of coloured lights which I can use whenever we want a different accent. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAb9sWUvO7lAmmvq-Gh2ZNORMZ3Pb1TAuHTk3Nc4oU4ieFnCZ86M7wwVaIAoe7tTI95ku6gb5r2Sp-mq8unLMjZqDRzgLwtiLHtb6of82uwp2FWhBuiy_upHAUlxfUisp3TtKF4WygXtSsWydBmdZ_SpWmSQpceSpjkwPIRIRIjZyQ4kA-pR66oTQUfQ=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="558" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAb9sWUvO7lAmmvq-Gh2ZNORMZ3Pb1TAuHTk3Nc4oU4ieFnCZ86M7wwVaIAoe7tTI95ku6gb5r2Sp-mq8unLMjZqDRzgLwtiLHtb6of82uwp2FWhBuiy_upHAUlxfUisp3TtKF4WygXtSsWydBmdZ_SpWmSQpceSpjkwPIRIRIjZyQ4kA-pR66oTQUfQ=w418-h640" width="418" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The tree above has white and coloured lights on. The tree below has the white lights only lit.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh5tvpmrB0TcQcyB6XF7flnp97Z1pIO0SFhjnI_-frO_NtU036tyOyTUWnFpB-D0jsRpUxv53noQaLRzX5CCggyTJ9hb6kZtcCMHNDjHWCkAGtNi4iYhuDLuXtUZXTpRrCnNpUn1vcTfC7j3ujkW6UyhH8iGL_c51r5FvVU2ARXfngX65sxQ1ma_X3Tg=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="569" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh5tvpmrB0TcQcyB6XF7flnp97Z1pIO0SFhjnI_-frO_NtU036tyOyTUWnFpB-D0jsRpUxv53noQaLRzX5CCggyTJ9hb6kZtcCMHNDjHWCkAGtNi4iYhuDLuXtUZXTpRrCnNpUn1vcTfC7j3ujkW6UyhH8iGL_c51r5FvVU2ARXfngX65sxQ1ma_X3Tg=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This is our new 7 foot pencil tree in the corner of the dining room. We are really enjoying the ambience it lends to the space.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjo9tGsZa8iRa8lVC41sgKQ7fie95IHw9gXGX-gSeMpPN0i2ZS79o7n32PhEEv9nZ8JiSQh-CKUvGwWCbmo0qmbvTxQH0d7jC_JmEw8pQ2jXGwExzVBTw77IUw7Z5eyPWt7mCBtcr3uO6ZGkIkvrDrbsbVVM7y_v45DDTC3XAOW41DybqBmfeH8paNsag=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjo9tGsZa8iRa8lVC41sgKQ7fie95IHw9gXGX-gSeMpPN0i2ZS79o7n32PhEEv9nZ8JiSQh-CKUvGwWCbmo0qmbvTxQH0d7jC_JmEw8pQ2jXGwExzVBTw77IUw7Z5eyPWt7mCBtcr3uO6ZGkIkvrDrbsbVVM7y_v45DDTC3XAOW41DybqBmfeH8paNsag=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>All the ornaments on this tree are in shades of pink. The darker pink is the same as the ornies I used in the big wreath on the patio doors.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I just finished the big tree in the downstairs family room with red, gold, and white, as well as lots of sentimental ornaments in the same colour theme. </span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis46aHm1YsLIjpNIG0lfAtSyfIPNMkCR7z4R6Uj5xN6gzP8ihpSuAwWyG2IfQUkTBoLp9WgWiAbQatHyixfZV8imedd6N4h58CGvNRp8Z_rKMzvn_-S71BbYYWrNgRMDVr8doVBqD3nXrQqxh_yLOsY9F5KayojIuiaT5o0i99jxbC9DcWwbhh-3n_wQ=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="532" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis46aHm1YsLIjpNIG0lfAtSyfIPNMkCR7z4R6Uj5xN6gzP8ihpSuAwWyG2IfQUkTBoLp9WgWiAbQatHyixfZV8imedd6N4h58CGvNRp8Z_rKMzvn_-S71BbYYWrNgRMDVr8doVBqD3nXrQqxh_yLOsY9F5KayojIuiaT5o0i99jxbC9DcWwbhh-3n_wQ=w398-h640" width="398" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hearts are aglow when we fill our homes with domestic warmth, nostalgia, and the beloved trinkets that symbolize the season. - </span><span style="font-size: large;">Victoria magazine</span></i></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Before I close, let's have a cup of tea. This is Davids Tea Butterscotch Chai Rooibos tea sent to me by my friend Margie. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL__cGJn8_9TOGFr3AQ_vI_GdQ3DmTQbad_JVQyIFPQjs1McXNiLtXZvxn5ucdLrhYzCcw7DExfI1hws9LbvZCAHMc80aOurZscjW70HArPRzIVQIlqOl92mWPLZGftPmelSNsV5DMNgKsQLf-HZBIr9Rv-eyMK99VQ1N0IjxzGBGyoun0BC1rfQABng=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="855" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL__cGJn8_9TOGFr3AQ_vI_GdQ3DmTQbad_JVQyIFPQjs1McXNiLtXZvxn5ucdLrhYzCcw7DExfI1hws9LbvZCAHMc80aOurZscjW70HArPRzIVQIlqOl92mWPLZGftPmelSNsV5DMNgKsQLf-HZBIr9Rv-eyMK99VQ1N0IjxzGBGyoun0BC1rfQABng=w640-h602" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thank you, Margie, it is delicious! Help yourself to the fudge.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHINpqYz8Pyq-0OB6NWx5WNxjFH2fOJRr5wve2W8zzPd0E91pFIUJ5XcV1K94jW9Y95dJna4e_aa9HZNzWVx4rM2BH3a9lfiI0y1bLBZQ-pq7ItJzCrHO7Wb9cdNgWVRz8nxZ3JleMhd7DQCxp4J5kOA0wAw3Bb7NM9qPRVH4LO0RZui9F2EeQVQd9-w=s686" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="686" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHINpqYz8Pyq-0OB6NWx5WNxjFH2fOJRr5wve2W8zzPd0E91pFIUJ5XcV1K94jW9Y95dJna4e_aa9HZNzWVx4rM2BH3a9lfiI0y1bLBZQ-pq7ItJzCrHO7Wb9cdNgWVRz8nxZ3JleMhd7DQCxp4J5kOA0wAw3Bb7NM9qPRVH4LO0RZui9F2EeQVQd9-w=w640-h630" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I love how the tree lights reflect in the tea!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thank you for visiting me today and may the week bring you joy and many blessings. God bless you all!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I thank God for Christmas. Would that it would last all year. For on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, all the world is a better place, and men and women are more loveable. Love itself seeps into every heart, and miracles happen...". ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Peter Marshall</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-42288220820898939242021-11-29T10:20:00.003-04:002021-11-29T22:05:01.634-04:00Christmas is Coming...<div><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span>Home is the nicest place there is. ~ </span><span>Laura Ingalls Wilder</span></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello dear friends! T'is the season for busy-ness! It is snowing! The fluffy flakes are coming down slowly like feathers floating to the ground, and it's quite beautiful!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hubby and I have been busy putting our trees up and getting all the decorations out of storage. It's a big job, and after the holidays, I am going to have to scale down because a lot of them I no longer use. I have put up four trees this year. One in the family room, one in the living room, and two in the kitchen-dining room. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My beloved daughter-in-law tells me it is a good thing because surrounding myself with beauty helps make me happy. She is right of course! You see, I am shut-in most of the time and Christmas just helps to make the weeks ahead a little more enjoyable.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am however running behind. I don't have my fruit for my fruit cakes yet. This time last year, I had them both made. But I have been busier than usual this year. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Our son was over again three weeks ago and I am so thankful that he can come so often. Since moving from the west coast to the east coast in June, he and his family have been here every month since July. Sometimes we see him twice a month. What a wondrous thing to have taken place! God is good, and He does answer prayer in His own time!!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVPcaNhpwuaDXWqvl7Zy447WXTc7hrk5rr4hxMiBEKcwZKzekWX_K4LgoaBklOpolcs3qr2BExy68ZQFZmDbADLKHf36rqOocNCRrRFlbmdJ68-bpHIVYi__C8Odv2W2F0O2Cw6urt9AA/s855/IMG_3051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="855" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVPcaNhpwuaDXWqvl7Zy447WXTc7hrk5rr4hxMiBEKcwZKzekWX_K4LgoaBklOpolcs3qr2BExy68ZQFZmDbADLKHf36rqOocNCRrRFlbmdJ68-bpHIVYi__C8Odv2W2F0O2Cw6urt9AA/w640-h558/IMG_3051.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span>Let's have a tea break. I am using my <span style="color: #990000;">Friendly Village</span> today. I love this pattern by Johnson Brothers. It will take you through the Autumn and into the Spring. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am using several pieces of FV including, The Ice House which are the teacups/saucers, the small tea plate is Sugar Maples, Willow By the Bridge, and The Covered Bridge.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGaxf9BtXRGYtqyADc_2IwR1KJ2I3xewYOh1-IdsiSTKMUNWvXlH7whuAomvd_LiQJqRRsPmx17FteaUQLd8F5ma5C3pVo_7EAsvJCv2ccZpidtbKk-ufKeQBQm24fmqoRlWivCbdZUN4/s855/IMG_3044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="855" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGaxf9BtXRGYtqyADc_2IwR1KJ2I3xewYOh1-IdsiSTKMUNWvXlH7whuAomvd_LiQJqRRsPmx17FteaUQLd8F5ma5C3pVo_7EAsvJCv2ccZpidtbKk-ufKeQBQm24fmqoRlWivCbdZUN4/w640-h504/IMG_3044.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have made some muffins and some mincemeat tarts. Last year there was no mincemeat to be found in the stores so we have stocked up on it this year. I can do so much with this incredibly spicy fruit concoction; muffins, squares, pie, tarts, and there is even a sauce you can make to pour over ice cream. Yummy!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_69g2K8_agiivvhpvP3D5w9LjlA-BhlShdmxC_GColevSHHbrvmbgsiuLOnPAAW7BCcynrURXDKHmRFVucVcnuN7ncVCHa5F_dEa6vID-XYXb-gDMREctTxEM_krs3zUwgb_7alG2Mdl/s855/IMG_3033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="855" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_69g2K8_agiivvhpvP3D5w9LjlA-BhlShdmxC_GColevSHHbrvmbgsiuLOnPAAW7BCcynrURXDKHmRFVucVcnuN7ncVCHa5F_dEa6vID-XYXb-gDMREctTxEM_krs3zUwgb_7alG2Mdl/w640-h512/IMG_3033.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have also been watching Hallmark Christmas movies with my hubby and reading some new books.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghffOvBArmpZ9UokLOXceXDN2TXihdaGMU6Ypy8NdqcqWFJT-dguvDV2ehXZ9QzqQ0Wm95HlktTo10kpg6PlBZWmaPNISIUkdLWy5AaYyynKdVmanE2FMDSr-2cd2zISW6wjuvV6yL5rC/s855/IMG_3057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="855" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghffOvBArmpZ9UokLOXceXDN2TXihdaGMU6Ypy8NdqcqWFJT-dguvDV2ehXZ9QzqQ0Wm95HlktTo10kpg6PlBZWmaPNISIUkdLWy5AaYyynKdVmanE2FMDSr-2cd2zISW6wjuvV6yL5rC/w640-h524/IMG_3057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><i> When you have flowers, books, and tea, you are never alone. ~ Alexandra Stoddard</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">I ordered Laura Childs' two new books and got a couple more Joanne Fluke books. If you enjoy mysteries, tea, and baking, then you will enjoy these books! </span></div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0VhfINkUJEKQg0ADaRra9rh-k-2Jv81TTgqdilfosOe_IvHRb5rJGoHqDfZr16WURpFet40ZmDsFee1ZD_Yuf63phzPlJ4q2xtAQ7IDhpWYPQ-XyQLh4J_WK8kih5_09jLLp7qaKNpn3/s855/IMG_3056-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="773" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0VhfINkUJEKQg0ADaRra9rh-k-2Jv81TTgqdilfosOe_IvHRb5rJGoHqDfZr16WURpFet40ZmDsFee1ZD_Yuf63phzPlJ4q2xtAQ7IDhpWYPQ-XyQLh4J_WK8kih5_09jLLp7qaKNpn3/w578-h640/IMG_3056-001.jpg" width="578" /></a></div><br /></span></span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am reading this one at the</span></div></span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">moment. Isn't the jacket fun?</span></span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">All but one of these books have a Christmas theme which is fun this time of year.</span></span></div></div></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I hope all my American friends enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend. Next on the calendar...Christmas! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thank you for your visit and have a lovely week! Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends as well who begin celebrating today! God bless you all!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Give every day the chance</i></span></p><p><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to become the most</span></i></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">beautiful day of your life. ~</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Mark Twain</span></i></span></p><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-62035523468213283022021-10-25T11:50:00.005-03:002021-10-25T14:45:39.101-03:00Tea Time<div><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>LM Montgomery -</span><span> </span><span><b>Anne of Green Gable</b></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>s</b></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello my dear friends! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with my NB family a couple of weeks ago. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My son worked on my computer and I never have to worry about running out of picture space again. Next time he comes over he will set up a new program for me to edit my pictures. I am still using Picasa and I am limited to what I can do. I haven't been able to make collages for quite some time now so he will take care of that for me too. Thank goodness we have children who are more techie than we are!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I just finished making a big pot of Chili for supper tonight. It is quite cool on the Island now so a nice bowl of Chili and rice will be welcome. Do you call the evening meal, dinner or supper? Here in the Maritimes, it is supper.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Today, I am sharing a little tea time. Those beautiful dried hydrangeas came from a friend and they are arranged in my grandmother's pancake jug which is over one hundred years old. The jug has travelled a long way and once belonged to my great-grandmother.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuySbTBfdTyY9ohfvUy592pX5RswS_BPgo_snl_et4Us-9FPeDcuAGMYA-9cksL7Bc3VcpL9w9es19d_RAjNN3J8VLBwJaQeQdwXgTClqZzg5Wz-l2IUHqbb79G7YZU4gsizPKaFhkPqu/s855/IMG_2966.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuySbTBfdTyY9ohfvUy592pX5RswS_BPgo_snl_et4Us-9FPeDcuAGMYA-9cksL7Bc3VcpL9w9es19d_RAjNN3J8VLBwJaQeQdwXgTClqZzg5Wz-l2IUHqbb79G7YZU4gsizPKaFhkPqu/w568-h640/IMG_2966.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>When were you introduced to tea? When I was a very young teenager, perhaps thirteen or fourteen, we lived across the road from a wonderful farm. The farmer lived there with his family and his mother. Everyone called his mother, Aunt Sue, and she was a dear old soul! She and my mother were such good friends and every once in a while, maybe once or twice a month, I would make my way up their long driveway to visit her in their beautiful farm house. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">She had the top floor to herself which had been turned into an apartment just for her so she would entertain up there. This is where I enjoyed my first tea time. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">She would bring out her lovely teapot and fine china cups and saucers and served me tea. But she also served tiny finger sandwiches on a pretty plate. Sometimes she would use her tiered plate stand with a variety of lovely sandwiches and sweets. She would offer cherry and cheese, which I loved, egg salad, chicken salad, asparagus, and peanut butter and banana pinwheels. I had never eaten asparagus sandwiches before and I rather liked them. I felt quite special when I sipped tea with her in her apartment, just the two of us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">She would talk to me and I shared with her all that was going on in my life at the time. She was very keen to listen and offer advice when I asked. I will never forget her or those special tea times I spent with her in her parlour. Do you have a memory to share?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXydV4wZ9KOsbYIYavoC8YigcjGyw0tvD-F1be8EjGIYeZm-iCKY1onuIHFX31JY2FkffRmwS2u31jDh4hfXv4qAQIdpOTijZLFvEMiHgNjiXD64HP4aDx2UOfnH-lyzQiAW5R4RMIbBeM/s855/IMG_2965.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="678" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXydV4wZ9KOsbYIYavoC8YigcjGyw0tvD-F1be8EjGIYeZm-iCKY1onuIHFX31JY2FkffRmwS2u31jDh4hfXv4qAQIdpOTijZLFvEMiHgNjiXD64HP4aDx2UOfnH-lyzQiAW5R4RMIbBeM/w508-h640/IMG_2965.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kpHYKJ0Yv-jQ5r8kbYujWmpLE4cD63JrYg4RLw4F0hGDCXu7buqSatwubXTz95EASh3TALLSYk0m6YugW1mkAaBMeG5enlAh_VIfLDtE-mhCYuXUmxGT9xPXh2aI6hKZj4E4Z46SD4uq/s855/IMG_2963.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kpHYKJ0Yv-jQ5r8kbYujWmpLE4cD63JrYg4RLw4F0hGDCXu7buqSatwubXTz95EASh3TALLSYk0m6YugW1mkAaBMeG5enlAh_VIfLDtE-mhCYuXUmxGT9xPXh2aI6hKZj4E4Z46SD4uq/w480-h640/IMG_2963.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I had made my grandmother's war cake, or boiled fruit cake, as my mother called it, as well as other goodies, for Thanksgiving. I sent half of the cake home with my son and his family, so there are only a few pieces left. This cake is so good and the recipe makes a long cake. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh232QvjX_INdwkYbz6b0rqi8n42lKLAWegd8e6SAtldq7ei-enKReTsG3bJQKetcjsKoTV02MO_CV28oOcjf7EGd6r3GMcWw2VxyvhAFlbBHqPwe3ZKoPnTeIuGNE_X-qGcu2l5Q2CW5Ec/s640/IMG_7455.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="640" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh232QvjX_INdwkYbz6b0rqi8n42lKLAWegd8e6SAtldq7ei-enKReTsG3bJQKetcjsKoTV02MO_CV28oOcjf7EGd6r3GMcWw2VxyvhAFlbBHqPwe3ZKoPnTeIuGNE_X-qGcu2l5Q2CW5Ec/w640-h282/IMG_7455.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You can find the recipe on my sidebar when you print in "search this blog."</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It is October, so my </span><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Flower of the Month</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> teacup is being used as well as my </span><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Old English Rose</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> teacup which came from my Auntie P when she downsized. The cake is served on a </span><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lavender Rose</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> tray which came from my mother. All of these pretty pieces are made by </span><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Royal Albert</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> and they are pink which I'm sharing in support of </span><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Breast Cancer Awareness Month </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and all those fighting this terrible affliction</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">There probably isn't a lady out there who hasn't been affected in one way or another by breast cancer. Most of you know I lost my best friend to this disease and the loss has been life-changing for me and all those who loved her. Please get your mammogram regularly and be sure to do self examinations often.</span></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div><div><i style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes we need the salt of tears to remind us how to savour the sweetness of life. ~</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Lysa TerKerust</span></i></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I hope you are enjoying the Autumn season and looking forward to Christmas. I know I am! If everything goes as planned, it will be the first Christmas in many, many years that our family will be</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> celebrating the Holidays together. It is very nice to have this to look forward to.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thank you for visiting and have a lovely week!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment in life. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">unknown</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-719888675635760772021-10-09T16:30:00.002-03:002021-10-09T21:47:27.550-03:00Happy Thanksgiving to All My Canadian Friends!<div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion.</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>~ </span><span>Henry David Thoreau</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello dear friends! This year my bird bath pumpkin is a sweet Cinderella pumpkin instead of the usual orange pumpkin I have displayed in previous years. Don't you just love the wide varieties of pumpkins we have now?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QINUy25NevU2WhIUMoaBSc0i1eCI2h07Ivq05ESjYl2DQnBbXlQGDS9a0CQB1S3XIrekJuLwE0ZGbx-R3cJfajBuVZwZGVImtoFIxurBIZq3eKaIu-vgq0d6fTf3ziPVp4Lgxcdbg5YU/s855/IMG_1474.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="608" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QINUy25NevU2WhIUMoaBSc0i1eCI2h07Ivq05ESjYl2DQnBbXlQGDS9a0CQB1S3XIrekJuLwE0ZGbx-R3cJfajBuVZwZGVImtoFIxurBIZq3eKaIu-vgq0d6fTf3ziPVp4Lgxcdbg5YU/w456-h640/IMG_1474.jpg" width="456" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The birdies can still get a drink from the birdbath because there is room in there for them to get water.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9onMkxuhBEfFsIgJXez9fsTw9gABwlGwIIhpy6jyVo0ZcvEAKW2ePc0xn2d74iP_hTmz2ywCH4S-Y4Mbrj_3OOsdz60mjKnlw2S_6zSNuzR4IHqChms-LOxJaKZezjbTRwNVPl0YKl6O/s855/IMG_2946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="803" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9onMkxuhBEfFsIgJXez9fsTw9gABwlGwIIhpy6jyVo0ZcvEAKW2ePc0xn2d74iP_hTmz2ywCH4S-Y4Mbrj_3OOsdz60mjKnlw2S_6zSNuzR4IHqChms-LOxJaKZezjbTRwNVPl0YKl6O/w376-h400/IMG_2946.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">On the table are some blue and white transferware pieces. It has been cool the past few days so the fire is going.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAEdU7J3IeITjLPPlWhXJDH4DYE2j1iZvekNe71Q0c8qeX_gQ1DIqMBjLlBgZyDt4EsOnGIwWaYH83wMlP6TAoGRLcjUykXg2vZcBmwoEW3qudCLJ9vdqQ-74TH3pk5VeJH54MLiDPTay/s855/IMG_2951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="855" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAEdU7J3IeITjLPPlWhXJDH4DYE2j1iZvekNe71Q0c8qeX_gQ1DIqMBjLlBgZyDt4EsOnGIwWaYH83wMlP6TAoGRLcjUykXg2vZcBmwoEW3qudCLJ9vdqQ-74TH3pk5VeJH54MLiDPTay/w640-h520/IMG_2951.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p class="p2" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></p><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;">This coming Monday is our Canadian </span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Thanksgiving</span><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"> </span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;">and I have made the usual pies and a War cake. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We will be having dinner out at a restaurant because I took another fall the other day. I do however have a turkey in the oven and I will make some gravy for hot turkey sandwiches later.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Our middle son and his family are coming from New Brunswick to join us and our oldest grandson who lives about ten minutes away will be joining us as well. Our oldest son is spending the weekend in Ontario with his two other boys so he won't be joining us. Alas, our youngest son lives in the States so he won't be here either. But it is lovely to have some family with us this year.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Thanksgiving</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> is of course a special day set aside to give thanks for all the many blessings in our lives. Good food, loved ones, and the precious memories that have played a part in shaping who we are. Our Heavenly Father has ordained them all.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;">I wish all my Canadian friends a very</span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span><b>Happy</b> </span><b><span>Thanksgiving</span></b></span><span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">and may God bless you all!</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is not what we say about our Blessings, but how we use them, which is the true measure of our Thanksgiving.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">~ </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">unknown</span></span></span></div><div><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p></div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"> ~ Sandi</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-68583912569590243932021-09-21T09:40:00.003-03:002021-09-21T13:34:13.003-03:00Summer Time Fun and Family<p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Give every day the chance </span></i></p><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>to become the most </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">beautiful day of your life. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mark Twain</span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello my dear friends! I have had a long break with my family and I am going to update you a bit with a few pictures as well as my thoughts on the whole wonderful experience.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">First of all, let me say, it has been a happy Summer compared to last year! With the exception of my youngest son and his family, everyone was home for a visit. Unfortunately, by the time they opened the US border for travellers to enter Canada, my American family was back in university and could not come. If they are able, they may try to come at Christmastime or next summer. This Christmas, will mark three years since we have had them home and come next summer, it will be almost four years. So, this mom is trying very hard to be patient and accept whatever comes which isn't easy because I miss them so much.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love seems to be something that keeps filling up within us. The more we give away, the more we have to give. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Rogers</span></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><i><br /></i></span>Since my west coast family has moved east to New Brunswick, we have been together several times since July. It has been such a treat; a dream come true, really! I had prayed for this move for twenty years and now they are back on the east coast, two hours from our home. If I was to elaborate on how this move all came about, you would have to admit that God was in it and orchestrated the whole thing. It truly was a miracle! Don't ever give up praying, ladies.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God is good!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We actually spent last weekend with them at their new home. What a beautiful property they have! We missed most of the gardens and flowers but there was still much to see and enjoy. The hydrangeas are gorgeous and there were still lots of coneflowers and dusty miller about.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br />You can't see it because of the corner garden, but the verandah wraps halfway around the house. In the back, they have a gazebo and hot tub. Next year they plan to plant a vegetable garden in the back yard. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mKSmQtGkSUdyLgKdhX3SJtjBDV9K_0B7am2_yWSaOgtdOGIiRbLfmMiouSasf4SO0-moKd7iw-O7YCqgELGEmj3UnrmibiMt2XUG6fJbFe_g0FEf9K6W6but1QogilwkY1ofaputN5M_/s855/IMG_2868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="855" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mKSmQtGkSUdyLgKdhX3SJtjBDV9K_0B7am2_yWSaOgtdOGIiRbLfmMiouSasf4SO0-moKd7iw-O7YCqgELGEmj3UnrmibiMt2XUG6fJbFe_g0FEf9K6W6but1QogilwkY1ofaputN5M_/w640-h480/IMG_2868.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One of the things I liked best is the fish pond. My son has twenty-seven goldfish in it. He sits out on the verandah with his coffee every morning and watches the goldfish. It relaxes him before his busy work day begins. There is a small fountain in the back pond which is very soothing to listen to when you are out there.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2jv-QOY9ipEvFNQNC3Wt72fi9pztqVHQC8qpwz2vJkDUvP4vl-QvDaMieNyEvGsRX-sTvYElyieRdY1IbnnzrzYX6Nm59fBlzGGv5ZATTuPNWpSUYWVLWgmZDoiE-r0dcCC2MkChvQdE/s855/IMG_2878.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="855" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2jv-QOY9ipEvFNQNC3Wt72fi9pztqVHQC8qpwz2vJkDUvP4vl-QvDaMieNyEvGsRX-sTvYElyieRdY1IbnnzrzYX6Nm59fBlzGGv5ZATTuPNWpSUYWVLWgmZDoiE-r0dcCC2MkChvQdE/w640-h480/IMG_2878.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The side view facing the goldfish pond. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3CooW1EuqKZGQzkRxqdgD695-RzJs1Kgn-a4YRADiAF5bGHNf1ISHKBZYeSTwKBB0v9w_TVWR574hBcs6wcjeeTTHhF2r4-GRE7a6afKc1lnYHbRePCIq9NqsNKeEN8phihuy0-seLH7/s855/IMG_2872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3CooW1EuqKZGQzkRxqdgD695-RzJs1Kgn-a4YRADiAF5bGHNf1ISHKBZYeSTwKBB0v9w_TVWR574hBcs6wcjeeTTHhF2r4-GRE7a6afKc1lnYHbRePCIq9NqsNKeEN8phihuy0-seLH7/w480-h640/IMG_2872.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It is a very large house with a lot of light flooding the rooms through the many windows and garden doors. Their back yard is all fenced in so their pup is free to go out whenever he wants to. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0ptXujuFkRWlp3i0LBXw85ChvKwj5Yayg9XZSF8Kc3aiB6ly30nHecl61R-pbGzwCXk2b28YERS2lFHUCP6TPKZqewenjtQ0ijlWmNZI2Urq0DJbeup3L1CaADBgySlJMkEy9OY3iDj4/s855/IMG_2890.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="855" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0ptXujuFkRWlp3i0LBXw85ChvKwj5Yayg9XZSF8Kc3aiB6ly30nHecl61R-pbGzwCXk2b28YERS2lFHUCP6TPKZqewenjtQ0ijlWmNZI2Urq0DJbeup3L1CaADBgySlJMkEy9OY3iDj4/w400-h279/IMG_2890.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> Our two grandsons who live in Ontario now, flew home and my, how they have grown! All the boys are taller than their dad now who is five' eleven". The youngest guy got down on his knees when he saw me, to</span> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">give me a hug. That made for a lively conversation with oohs and aahs at his playfulness. He towers over his grandmother! There are pictures of that but I'm not about to share what a total shrimp I am! Let's just say, I'm delighted!</span></span></div></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The oldest boys are twenty, seventeen, and sixteen. Two of them are still in high school. The oldest, Cam, the one on the right who lives here on the Island, is studying to be an electrician at College. The young man on the left, Brent, plans to go into the mental health field after he graduates. These days he writes music and is in a band, therefore the long hair, which Nanny loves! The youngest boy, Jared, in the middle, is still all about football. He is the tallest of them all. He is the one who got down on his knees to give me a hug. Too cute!</span><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLG-oxp53k_v-mt_WEDSbi1u1Faa4u643aB7fSZlXU1U6VSQ6bbdrBDJPPtX5IFiZnnvW75oKlLzmxqVQDfaidlwS12tGMmMHJpLYNaMDJ44qpgtjCy18iDmVjpF4eJubgUis4ZpnFhBE/s855/IMG_4494.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLG-oxp53k_v-mt_WEDSbi1u1Faa4u643aB7fSZlXU1U6VSQ6bbdrBDJPPtX5IFiZnnvW75oKlLzmxqVQDfaidlwS12tGMmMHJpLYNaMDJ44qpgtjCy18iDmVjpF4eJubgUis4ZpnFhBE/w480-h640/IMG_4494.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am so proud of them all! One evening we had a big family barbecue and our youngest grandson, Zach, who just turned thirteen, was feeling rather bored and left out around the older boys. So Brent borrowed his brother's car and took Zach and his little sister, Jenna-Lynn, to hunt for hermit crabs which they often did whenever they visited the Island. That trip to the beach to hunt hermit crabs, was the highlight of Zach's trip! What a sweet young man to take his little cousins to the beach! I have adorable grandchildren, don't you agree? I am exercising my Nanny bragging rights today. I hope I'm forgiven! 😍</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y7m9F4dG5SXIGDlmdkKk0IaraeqfYott_UGjwgFtNvaYYt3IsTqjixsBaEq6XIBuE8o7eQxmjKV_tD6hSiUdx44kC_dvOSz7umY0xXv1kvpsz8ESwKDmhlkhs78vTd_OiwSnXHllLqPk/s960/August+009.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y7m9F4dG5SXIGDlmdkKk0IaraeqfYott_UGjwgFtNvaYYt3IsTqjixsBaEq6XIBuE8o7eQxmjKV_tD6hSiUdx44kC_dvOSz7umY0xXv1kvpsz8ESwKDmhlkhs78vTd_OiwSnXHllLqPk/w480-h640/August+009.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My youngest grandchildren love their new home in NB and my one and only little granddaughter is still in All-Star cheer which is a different type of cheer that takes place outside of schools. She is quite the little athlete and has won several medals! Her older brother still takes jiu jitsu and is enjoying those competitions as well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My son is busy with his job and my DIL has left the nursing profession to pursue a career in teaching, which she is enjoying very much. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeAUvjT0cw4SNxmbOc2Xg9nc5XPOfDS-9oPEu-9K5lHTJ2Y9lsqRbnfaq0lOnUxZ4Oeo3WJrKw0DUz8aotCU9rlcsFCGPIt2IHhTIdRs_5rdzDssZ91nrwW7ejRR7irq1ng0XjauOIMm8/s855/IMG_0042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="761" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeAUvjT0cw4SNxmbOc2Xg9nc5XPOfDS-9oPEu-9K5lHTJ2Y9lsqRbnfaq0lOnUxZ4Oeo3WJrKw0DUz8aotCU9rlcsFCGPIt2IHhTIdRs_5rdzDssZ91nrwW7ejRR7irq1ng0XjauOIMm8/w356-h400/IMG_0042.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FHGhrgv-9pg3mNYkR1OlXT_xDgUtC0tnD_8SeiO1VodADtZRMcvLwPUT6qiU0YnnNC57IPqw0hhYs0oJm_kR2w870OVkZu58WLbA5mEakiZzTWBXOz0FbMnMFpGtj5zsjzWtIz3QCk5L/s855/IMG_0073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="541" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FHGhrgv-9pg3mNYkR1OlXT_xDgUtC0tnD_8SeiO1VodADtZRMcvLwPUT6qiU0YnnNC57IPqw0hhYs0oJm_kR2w870OVkZu58WLbA5mEakiZzTWBXOz0FbMnMFpGtj5zsjzWtIz3QCk5L/w404-h640/IMG_0073.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This is my NB family posing in front of the Petitcodiac river.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_s_0ro8k7nfeGMvlRTEzwOExnbp0YwPMJPlYqJEmaeaG0e0JCxEIqQwuk-1TOjwPhQwi_X0kJmGcSazWomaLc8M-mXQ9vyN6J188KTgNSsqkU58mqVL5l9teOefWFV3-a5w7M3y-UiMH5/s828/July+009.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_s_0ro8k7nfeGMvlRTEzwOExnbp0YwPMJPlYqJEmaeaG0e0JCxEIqQwuk-1TOjwPhQwi_X0kJmGcSazWomaLc8M-mXQ9vyN6J188KTgNSsqkU58mqVL5l9teOefWFV3-a5w7M3y-UiMH5/w640-h640/July+009.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am a very proud mom and grandmother! I have waited quite a while for all my grandchildren to be home at the same time. What a treat!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This is my son's drum kit and guitar. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzjWZgFoZ3V6AbZ3Ue6zCdClsgWZD_AHLfBsaA9rxEFqkmTSnX5yUoxal8ZAKFmdxd95uCa9eVTZn0qKYyuS4jmB5f7IqmKWRLe9XpyckN-oL1eZ9jSGxNnVhy88qPT896Rhom0ZqC-Ng/s855/IMG_0070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="855" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzjWZgFoZ3V6AbZ3Ue6zCdClsgWZD_AHLfBsaA9rxEFqkmTSnX5yUoxal8ZAKFmdxd95uCa9eVTZn0qKYyuS4jmB5f7IqmKWRLe9XpyckN-oL1eZ9jSGxNnVhy88qPT896Rhom0ZqC-Ng/w640-h468/IMG_0070.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We are a musical family and all my boys play instruments. Right now two of my grandsons also play.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My NB son is a big Philly's fan as you can see by his collection of hockey jerseys and caps. This is his shrine, so to speak.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Yes, I've had a wonderful summer. It has been beautiful for the most part. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Autumn is upon us and the songbirds have flown, leaving the feeders free for chickadees and other birds that will be here for the winter. I wonder if our cardinal will make another appearance?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">How was your summer, my friends? I'll be back soon. Happy September!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Love is not about</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>how many days, months, or years</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>you have been together. Love is</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>about how much </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>you love each other</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">every single day. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">unknown</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ </span><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sandi</span></b></i></span></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-29009426275099241082021-07-16T10:20:00.001-03:002021-07-16T10:22:02.825-03:00Christmas in July<div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #990000;">Celebrate love. It is the breath of your existence and the best of all reasons for living. ~</em><em style="background-color: white; color: #990000;"> </em></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Author unknown</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello my dear friends! I hope you are all well. It has been a couple of weeks since I have posted anything and there is a reason for that which I will get into further down.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This time of year I always think of my Daddy because his birthday was on the 27th of July. He adored Christmas so this post is in memory of him. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><em style="background-color: white; color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Christmas isn't just an event - Love came<strong> </strong>Down and is among us! All year long, we can celebrate the </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Greatest Gift."</span><span style="font-family: Corsiva; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"> ~ </span></em><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-family: Corsiva; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: medium;">DaySpring</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: small; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">As some of you know, my father loved the</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span><em><span style="color: #990000;">Old Country Roses</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></em><span style="color: #444444;">pattern, so I am featuring</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">this pretty china today.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;">It is summertime so I have a sparkly starfish on the table too just for the whimsy.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4CbMQ2UlOVYmFUz6ih3_YIFY0DeFx_XmMnuzv64mHiplG547p2SazQSYqwECi986Ck4xDCabyC1o_kbcxGoI3_UeASFIbRMBW9wZMf41Bacve1lgpsFKYO7KToK6LXRpY1_RvSspgghP/s597/Christmas+04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="597" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4CbMQ2UlOVYmFUz6ih3_YIFY0DeFx_XmMnuzv64mHiplG547p2SazQSYqwECi986Ck4xDCabyC1o_kbcxGoI3_UeASFIbRMBW9wZMf41Bacve1lgpsFKYO7KToK6LXRpY1_RvSspgghP/w640-h586/Christmas+04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;">Most years in July, I always try to have something festive out to celebrate the season, but this year, I haven't done that. I do have my topiary lit up for the pictures though.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskZQaDn2uBO08Xch28fI1EX64ygW-EDP05D8x8X3YPqJ8fLgxO_YnK4J0jOKw1rfvZ2f5R5UwqzU5nvN8izZrz_YTlMFH-CJUki0DNP4iposeFhOFUXv757FH2aoh5s7O9vzwUas37rIc/s595/Christmas+01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="595" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskZQaDn2uBO08Xch28fI1EX64ygW-EDP05D8x8X3YPqJ8fLgxO_YnK4J0jOKw1rfvZ2f5R5UwqzU5nvN8izZrz_YTlMFH-CJUki0DNP4iposeFhOFUXv757FH2aoh5s7O9vzwUas37rIc/w640-h480/Christmas+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444;">Tea always tastes better in a china teacup. Just a few touches makes the tea table a little more festive. Little silver birds and a pine cone nestled next to the cup, add that festive touch I'm going for.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">Warm sticky date pudding is something I try to make twice a year. Most of my recipes you can find on my sidebar using "search this blog."</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #990000; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigujEIteqNgMsITe_V4hffzGCshYK-VkQzqMsq_cXPRuGyJ-N7m7e0CVTb9wz6FYUjg7quzrqDPTSfPVtv_0atmcEQFs7-rt1voBTg72ThYLct03PIoCVhMOpMhKXf-k9iDveQer8EKkLL/s599/Christmas+03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="599" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigujEIteqNgMsITe_V4hffzGCshYK-VkQzqMsq_cXPRuGyJ-N7m7e0CVTb9wz6FYUjg7quzrqDPTSfPVtv_0atmcEQFs7-rt1voBTg72ThYLct03PIoCVhMOpMhKXf-k9iDveQer8EKkLL/w640-h574/Christmas+03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444;">Do you celebrate Christmas in July? When the weather is hot, it's not easy to think about the holidays but when you snuggle into a cozy arm chair and watch the Hallmark Christmas in July movies, it is a treat just for a couple of hours.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuK6w2oBEhBP38Y6Pia1EknlYOtrp9HxO_oa6yyJj_BFF99E6-bvpfx6Sbofa1Zb8XfyXBZkrZqHzkJof9PBeyZ1NRDvThiC-f5umJ2BhxHLXvqolqraZmVGhml68FAufN0XJ0Ypns6gC/s585/Christmas+02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="568" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuK6w2oBEhBP38Y6Pia1EknlYOtrp9HxO_oa6yyJj_BFF99E6-bvpfx6Sbofa1Zb8XfyXBZkrZqHzkJof9PBeyZ1NRDvThiC-f5umJ2BhxHLXvqolqraZmVGhml68FAufN0XJ0Ypns6gC/w622-h640/Christmas+02.jpg" width="622" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #666666;">My pictures today are borrowed from earlier posts. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">I mentioned before that I haven't posted much lately nor have I visited my blogger friends and I apologize for that. I have been ill with a nasty infection for about six weeks. Alas, I was scheduled to have my second vaccine shot in June and I had to cancel. Now I am waiting for another appointment. I have also gone back to physiotherapy twice a week. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #666666;">So, I don't have a lot of time on my hands these days. My son and his family are planning a trip over from NB in a couple of weeks and sometime soon, we hope to make a trip over there to see them and their new home. Therefore, I have decided it is best to take a blogging break until the end of the summer. We are all busy so I know you will understand.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thank you so much for visiting. Enjoy your Summer and please stay safe out there! </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #666666;">Much love to you all and I will be back soon!</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life. ~ </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Mark Twain</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Sandi</span></span></span></div><div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-75066162536158429882021-06-30T11:15:00.001-03:002021-06-30T11:18:05.284-03:00No More FeedBurner for Bloggers!<div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">Good morning dear friends! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">Happy Canada Day </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">to all my Canadian friends which we celebrate July 1!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbFrnpNia8V4CgUiJKfc_hgTOF8gIt2SmV-ARtBqk2GpYyd_w4GRjiB66L4SeWsjJotxbPOBjud-LhQdXzIz-09DKQMoIw44g0NdJBmS0GF5iK1dytH_88rG_4DXtRBecS2tfETW2yiTK/s732/June+0015.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="614" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbFrnpNia8V4CgUiJKfc_hgTOF8gIt2SmV-ARtBqk2GpYyd_w4GRjiB66L4SeWsjJotxbPOBjud-LhQdXzIz-09DKQMoIw44g0NdJBmS0GF5iK1dytH_88rG_4DXtRBecS2tfETW2yiTK/w536-h640/June+0015.jpeg" width="536" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">A few weeks ago, I received a Feedburner notification because I have been using the "Follow by Email" widget on my blog sidebar. Subscribers have been able to follow along via email alerts. However, that subscription is about to expire tomorrow on July 1, and it will no longer be available to those of you who have been following my blog this way. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">It seems the only other way for me to offer an email subscription, is to purchase one. Therefore, I will not be able to offer the Feedburner service any longer. If you wish to follow my blog, you will need to visit my blog regularly. I sincerely hope you will.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">Have a wonderful holiday, and to my</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">American friends, a</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"> Happy Independence Day </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">on the 4th!</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;">~ Sandi</span></span></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-41822344693200243032021-06-21T11:20:00.003-03:002021-06-21T11:59:35.811-03:00Pretty, Feminine Rose Chintz China<div><em style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It's the month of June,</span></em></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><em style="background-color: white;"><span>the month of leaves and roses,</span></em><br style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;" /><em style="background-color: white;"><span>when pleasant sights salute the eyes</span></em><br style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>and pleasant scents the noses. ~</span><span> </span></span></em><span style="font-size: large;">Nathaniel Parker Willis</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #8e7cc3; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #8e7cc3; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">Welcome dear friends, and welcome Summer! I am sharing some Johnson Brothers </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #b4a7d6; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">Rose Chintz</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"> today. It is the perfect pattern for Spring and Summer because of its luscious roses and forget-me-nots. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">This pretty pattern tugs at my heart strings every time I look at it. It is a scrumptious bouquet of pink roses, rose buds, and soft blue forget-me-nots on a creamy white background, captured under a glaze, to be preserved forever. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">The teacups and mugs each have a delightful little spray of blue forget-me-nots and a single rosebud inside the cup. It is charming, feminine, and just makes me happy to look at it. It is a pattern which seems to give a romantic nod to by-gone days when manners were still in fashion.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ydC4lOLCQGN7O5CYP75k6_p9-bQJVAMU8R-C6fumuQAENDVKY40Jot3hgFxzb1AEWDzLFMugOhazoNjGD_Kuu8Rrjc5fev8VmwHAn23Y8j_rNjuwux2jNjIiaTRReoEgDb35mBWdOTi1/s640/June+005.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="640" height="621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ydC4lOLCQGN7O5CYP75k6_p9-bQJVAMU8R-C6fumuQAENDVKY40Jot3hgFxzb1AEWDzLFMugOhazoNjGD_Kuu8Rrjc5fev8VmwHAn23Y8j_rNjuwux2jNjIiaTRReoEgDb35mBWdOTi1/w640-h621/June+005.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">Because it's lilac season, I have some lilacs too.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV20tENhRxq16fU_iUr-YGpjplJNotr7Ofd1_sT1ygt9ak7x9KpHzqUz-myC5SPx7Ez7scb2k6QJBW88WeIlZWDhILY4fZrGAD5ogNgCa2bShBdpte9hV_lvT_SBy2hx9xa8ye5zPX-_c/s579/June+008.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="579" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV20tENhRxq16fU_iUr-YGpjplJNotr7Ofd1_sT1ygt9ak7x9KpHzqUz-myC5SPx7Ez7scb2k6QJBW88WeIlZWDhILY4fZrGAD5ogNgCa2bShBdpte9hV_lvT_SBy2hx9xa8ye5zPX-_c/w640-h596/June+008.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Rose Chintz</span> brings back very fond memories of meals at my auntie's home in New Brunswick. She always set her table with this feminine china, and I thought it so pretty and special when I had any meal there. As a little girl, I took a real fancy to it and longed to have those same dishes when I grew up.<br /><br />When my auntie down-sized into a condo, she gave me many pieces of her china and when she went into a Home, she gave me the rest of it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Auntie's set was started as a wedding gift which she added to over the years. I have also added to it myself, as well as my son and several blogger friends. I am so thankful to have it, along with all those lovely memories, and I use it every day. I am still smitten with the pattern after all these years.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9K0fSBnviZvkg6A7rNsZ_eZ_4peOEHuMuSB7H7Rg1_FMOMlPsybS-D0iNXVXWmrK5_joS2kUnkcsJoDS1pAVN3D-NGdxpFFoUyYNp6lsbM_LwrUH946orMoRCHV5V8qUIcAXl0Xjyh6l/s556/October+14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="556" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9K0fSBnviZvkg6A7rNsZ_eZ_4peOEHuMuSB7H7Rg1_FMOMlPsybS-D0iNXVXWmrK5_joS2kUnkcsJoDS1pAVN3D-NGdxpFFoUyYNp6lsbM_LwrUH946orMoRCHV5V8qUIcAXl0Xjyh6l/w640-h596/October+14.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-style: italic;">A table set beneath our maple tree with the dappled sunlight peeking through, makes for a delightful respite out in the fresh air.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMol0tqpkdO278KqZSZL4kS4ZSI7gRxnS8RsWdVHc4b20w0XMLaUxs1Wnip_Us4wWPO95sr6WmDR9Xf_4kb6w3jyWN7zL4HaQ3YwP5aokx8ntINIMxxZTolat1SQb0oMtYxmj8_zv8V3zM/s640/June+004.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="640" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMol0tqpkdO278KqZSZL4kS4ZSI7gRxnS8RsWdVHc4b20w0XMLaUxs1Wnip_Us4wWPO95sr6WmDR9Xf_4kb6w3jyWN7zL4HaQ3YwP5aokx8ntINIMxxZTolat1SQb0oMtYxmj8_zv8V3zM/w640-h462/June+004.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-style: italic;">Inside or out, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #b4a7d6; font-style: italic;">Rose Chintz </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-style: italic;">is sure to make you smile!</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">What makes you smile today? Thank you for your visit and have a beautiful day, dear friends!</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #8e7cc3; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sand</span><span style="font-size: large;">i</span></span></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-67637234518563826912021-06-09T11:00:00.003-03:002022-06-25T22:15:44.212-03:00It's Blossom Time on the Island<div><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #d28eb1; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px;"><a href="http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/2016/06/its-blossom-time-on-island.html" style="color: #d28eb1; display: block; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One June evening, when the orchards were pink-blossomed again, when the frogs were singing silverly sweet in the marshes.... and the air was full of the savour of clover fields and balsamic fir woods, Anne was sitting by her gable window. She </span></i></span><i style="color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">had been studying her lessons, but it had grown too dark to see the book, so she had fallen into wide-eyed reverie, looking out past the boughs of the Snow Queen, once more bestarred with its tufts of blossom. ~</span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"> </span></i></span><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">LM Montgomery - Anne of Green Gables</span></span></a></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6434650136913336041" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello my dear friends. The apple trees are in bloom again and the fruit trees are filled with fluffy sweet smelling pink-tinted blossoms. Lilacs are in bloom as well. What a beautiful time of year it is! Everything is so fresh and pretty.<br /><br />This time of year I always look forward to their fleeting beauty and when the blossoms have fallen on to the grass I love how they carpet the ground with their petals. </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">Every June I bring out my Royal Albert </span><b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Blossom Time</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"> china. It is just so pretty! </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lW42lw7_0lsxr-a7tmG5vi7MyORfdSFm4e-7fGiX2HA1mxc7wyfRzXV_WoKvqEyNnuJWNLpsZ7AtNx4RpTXgmPiwPi33DvMUQKjB6Z5Ds0frydStDvxc1lDvF_BVq2s7-MtU8IYvwz7u/s800/June+35-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="800" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lW42lw7_0lsxr-a7tmG5vi7MyORfdSFm4e-7fGiX2HA1mxc7wyfRzXV_WoKvqEyNnuJWNLpsZ7AtNx4RpTXgmPiwPi33DvMUQKjB6Z5Ds0frydStDvxc1lDvF_BVq2s7-MtU8IYvwz7u/w640-h514/June+35-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The rhubarb is also in season so I have some rhubarb crisp in one of my vintage pink goblets. </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4igmG2z2ZD2K81W0C_DLBJSD3G5RpMZIGBFUlykAYM-C9xaj2DC_uDpGyWxiXU6SGmpvEiMRe2uSi8ePyARpjs9ypCJlozKhqgxczCkToLeOJUunJ_gPivlboTK2KUXWYUE7rqp9bm6CX/s640/June+035.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="640" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4igmG2z2ZD2K81W0C_DLBJSD3G5RpMZIGBFUlykAYM-C9xaj2DC_uDpGyWxiXU6SGmpvEiMRe2uSi8ePyARpjs9ypCJlozKhqgxczCkToLeOJUunJ_gPivlboTK2KUXWYUE7rqp9bm6CX/w640-h546/June+035.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Roses are looking pretty in a teapot and the table is set with my teacup and saucer which my aunt and uncle brought back to me from North Carolina one year. </span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Don't you just love roses?</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyxsCmFtLYsh5goBx_7LNfEl6ex6y9nw5vQL8_KxbK3YecTyOIpQ7CTSWzQIVwK-NJphj_ZRdV0EXwC86YQdlygrQ6SijXqEE7S8aR42R_ee8YK0JnUgsnBNyF1glg5GpA4RgwIq30IBx/s640/June+34.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="640" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyxsCmFtLYsh5goBx_7LNfEl6ex6y9nw5vQL8_KxbK3YecTyOIpQ7CTSWzQIVwK-NJphj_ZRdV0EXwC86YQdlygrQ6SijXqEE7S8aR42R_ee8YK0JnUgsnBNyF1glg5GpA4RgwIq30IBx/w640-h548/June+34.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Isn't it lovely? Don't you think it must be glad to be a rose? Wouldn't it be nice if roses could talk? I'm sure they could tell us such lovely things. And isn't pink the most bewitching colour in the world?"</span><span style="font-family: Corsiva; font-size: x-large;"> ~</span><span style="font-family: Corsiva; font-size: large;"> </span></em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Anne of Green Gables</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-3sUBZ-noWd2L72tlTI3VNplRpclaYenDSB9OJPBbiwszRy-ZVpLRlIssu2xb5ahKu_rNSbh4hmdLl6PY-AZhCEXA5n8cRk6GVkUphj_OZ0lM3kFEJbzU65_jMokDuAwNL2-UaVbJEAT/s640/June+33.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="640" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-3sUBZ-noWd2L72tlTI3VNplRpclaYenDSB9OJPBbiwszRy-ZVpLRlIssu2xb5ahKu_rNSbh4hmdLl6PY-AZhCEXA5n8cRk6GVkUphj_OZ0lM3kFEJbzU65_jMokDuAwNL2-UaVbJEAT/w640-h516/June+33.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMp50upjQw-ijwG6EA9vJW-D0kuBu0ppsm8OgCSfFeW2r49Yx8E-WVOq40eCSM2eZMZqb32m4k0S27ZbkmS1bxlbPmFqy0_Q0z639uHQaHRyN7jU5RYJ6OT0c0jYfj4bxvMOpBclEoQWD/s640/June+037.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="640" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMp50upjQw-ijwG6EA9vJW-D0kuBu0ppsm8OgCSfFeW2r49Yx8E-WVOq40eCSM2eZMZqb32m4k0S27ZbkmS1bxlbPmFqy0_Q0z639uHQaHRyN7jU5RYJ6OT0c0jYfj4bxvMOpBclEoQWD/w640-h550/June+037.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My son and his family are now in New Brunswick and are in quarantine for two weeks before they take possession of their new home. It is good to have them back in the Maritimes!</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am sorry I didn't do much visiting the past two weeks. I have been ill again and just getting back on my feet, so to speak.</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NOTE:</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A few weeks ago, I received a Feedburner notification because I have been using "Follow by Email" widget on my blog sidebar. Subscribers have been able to follow along via email alerts. However, that subscription is about to expire and it will no longer be available to those who have been following my blog this way. It seems the only other way for me to offer an email subscription, is to purchase one. Therefore, I will not be able to offer the Feedburner service any longer. If you wish to follow my blog, you will have to visit my blog regularly. I sincerely hope you will.</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thank you for visiting and have a lovely day.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #d5a6bd; font-style: italic;"><i>Happiness is the realization</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #d5a6bd; font-style: italic;"><i>of God in the heart.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #d5a6bd; font-style: italic;"><i>Happiness is the result</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #d5a6bd; font-style: italic;"><i>of praise and thanksgiving,</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #d5a6bd; font-style: italic;"><i>of faith, of acceptance;</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #d5a6bd; font-style: italic;"><i>a quiet tranquil realization</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #d5a6bd; font-style: italic;"><i>of the love of God.~ </i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">White Eagle from the book, "A Book of Joy," by Thomas Kinkade</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-12147065620309505572021-05-20T11:00:00.004-03:002021-05-20T21:37:04.877-03:00May Updates<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">Hello dear friends! I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the lovely season which is upon us.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><em style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-large;">As I live each day may I make a difference</em><br style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;" /><em style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-large;">And touch one heart....</em><br style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;" /><em style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-large;">Each day it is my goal</em><br style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;" /><em style="background-color: white; font-size: xx-large;">To bring smiles and laughter</em><br style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><em style="font-size: xx-large;">Into a soul! ~<span style="font-family: Corsiva;"> </span></em><span style="font-family: Corsiva;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unknown author</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">Thank you to everyone who wished my hubby and me well when I took my break. Your thoughts and prayers were very much appreciated! </span></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">While I was absent from my blog, a lot happened and I want to bring you up to date.</span></span><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A month ago, I took a fall and bruised my ribs. I lose my balance often because of my condition which seems to be getting worse. Anyway, I was laid up for a while but I am feeling better. My hubby went back to work a little too soon after he took a mini stroke in November. So, he has been off work since late March, but he is feeling much better now. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We have a new fur baby in the family and his name is Greyson. He is adorable, and he knows he is loved, believe me! My son got him about three weeks ago. He is a mixed breed of shi tzu and bichon and I just love him! Right now he is between four and six pounds and as soft and fluffy as a teddy bear. Isn't that face the sweetest? It wasn't easy getting a picture of him sitting still because he is always wriggling around everywhere.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBmpdrTTMAhUiwQNvWpIPWW_hD0n8Uy3bBWGLQyc7uxPwrsyQBMxC1l9TIeCTZZhiwub7bX7opW9MwrKRLvz33FqcmR5hpyzGbjBediegMYrL05JATjx4kIuBJVngkg1iIe6aDmVLhOKW/s855/IMG_2667.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="855" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBmpdrTTMAhUiwQNvWpIPWW_hD0n8Uy3bBWGLQyc7uxPwrsyQBMxC1l9TIeCTZZhiwub7bX7opW9MwrKRLvz33FqcmR5hpyzGbjBediegMYrL05JATjx4kIuBJVngkg1iIe6aDmVLhOKW/w640-h442/IMG_2667.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happiness is a warm puppy. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Charles Schulz</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It is wonderful having a baby in the family again, even if it is a furry one.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As some of you know, my son and his family on the west coast are preparing for a move to the east coast. The company he works for is transferring him, and he is excited to get here and begin a new life with his family. They have bought a house in New Brunswick which is where I am from originally. In fact he will be living only a few miles from where I had lived. So he is excited about that. They fly out of BC in a couple of weeks.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Their new home has everything they could ever want including a hot tub, a fish pond, and lovely gardens already in bloom. My daughter-in-law is Dutch so the gardening will come naturally to her. When we are able to go over for a visit, I will get pictures.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The children are sad to be moving away from all their friends. My little granddaughter had to say good-bye to her Cheer team on the weekend. They are very sad to see her go because she is the star of the team. Their team is in second place here in Canada. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It is a difficult time for my grandchildren leaving behind all they have ever known but they are happy they will be living closer to us. They will be about two hours away so it is comforting to know that they will be near, versus the three thousand miles or five thousand kilometres away. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span>On the home front, we painted the wall in the dining area, which was a big faux pas on my part. I used to</span><span> </span><span>have robin egg blue with a beautiful wallpaper in my kitchen-dining room years ago. It was the prettiest it had ever been. I wanted the colour back but after we got one and a half</span> <span>walls done, we thought it was too dark without some wallpaper too. These rooms are on the north side of the house so we want the rooms as bright as possible. I don't want to paper the wall, so, we painted back to the country cream we have been living with. *sigh*</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Two and a half years ago, we had painted the end wall in the living room a colour close to turquoise which I never liked. The man at the paint store had chosen the colour for us and by the time we had it on the wall, I knew I wasn't going to like it. However, I didn't have the heart to tell my hubby since he did the painting. Anyway, time passed and I started dropping hints about the colour and how I wanted to change it. So we changed it to a soft robin egg blue which is my favourite colour. It is also the colour we had originally painted in the kitchen-dining area so the paint didn't go to waste. It is perfect, and I am so happy with it! So is my hubby!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uZ2kEwuA6rkWJeRxbcmwVwItRU6EY97lWMuyfSxcqqw0c_TBWm6IjPMqhJWnvf-ioB6sbXbjgkm9qldGm44PEGm2zwTCmYVqGN7W_ON1yQwxGAApWucL2eHYz5_qb1nN1JJnLDUnUomu/s855/IMG_2679.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uZ2kEwuA6rkWJeRxbcmwVwItRU6EY97lWMuyfSxcqqw0c_TBWm6IjPMqhJWnvf-ioB6sbXbjgkm9qldGm44PEGm2zwTCmYVqGN7W_ON1yQwxGAApWucL2eHYz5_qb1nN1JJnLDUnUomu/w300-h400/IMG_2679.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hgPoNkKQb0N99JufdJ7o6wxeoEjQii-nddyY3fo3I5Oc1bNuWIcS_q6-9ejpfwuomhrWYqykkmlXr2I8bmG1c0jvyAskV2nA4RrBwZeMLML_4r2dVQGnyPGu0iox2QcaF7eHYMZ-kFg5/s855/IMG_2711-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hgPoNkKQb0N99JufdJ7o6wxeoEjQii-nddyY3fo3I5Oc1bNuWIcS_q6-9ejpfwuomhrWYqykkmlXr2I8bmG1c0jvyAskV2nA4RrBwZeMLML_4r2dVQGnyPGu0iox2QcaF7eHYMZ-kFg5/w300-h400/IMG_2711-001.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't like how the corner shows one side blue and the other, oyster. We wanted to</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">extend the blue onto the sofa wall. That would make two walls robin egg blue and two walls in oyster white. The sofa is teal.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImoUPBicmU1jdIEAjw4zaQrML7rANQoJOkgCuBpdB4foHELogcHbmSQIkjXaT0wyr963Lp3BF3s_d_E6VCwtXId7lY0SOPiFfAr9nDaCdAPKrqyLLmRI8uyWbI_5yRxQ3-N9YGUsjB-fs/s855/IMG_2696-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="582" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImoUPBicmU1jdIEAjw4zaQrML7rANQoJOkgCuBpdB4foHELogcHbmSQIkjXaT0wyr963Lp3BF3s_d_E6VCwtXId7lY0SOPiFfAr9nDaCdAPKrqyLLmRI8uyWbI_5yRxQ3-N9YGUsjB-fs/w436-h640/IMG_2696-001.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a small room but it is very bright and cozy. We have two recliners adjacent to the sofa and they are wheat coloured which match the oyster white walls.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksXWHdMUbjFyUeJqdo4IpZ5zI-lrcwk5nB0seVH3j3-G0lhZZ5m25HSukZ6h8PXq7m2s-5umTWBChAyQWKVSNv9-NTFfXPq3o2ZNMCZ-8p9nEu1RY5uKIWfiVCAxjtx6VRrr6SOLe-9Qz/s855/IMG_2713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="546" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksXWHdMUbjFyUeJqdo4IpZ5zI-lrcwk5nB0seVH3j3-G0lhZZ5m25HSukZ6h8PXq7m2s-5umTWBChAyQWKVSNv9-NTFfXPq3o2ZNMCZ-8p9nEu1RY5uKIWfiVCAxjtx6VRrr6SOLe-9Qz/w408-h640/IMG_2713.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; text-align: left;">This is the corner now which we painted and carried over on to the sofa wall. We are loving it!</span></div></div></span></span></div></div></div><div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuGv5PbzSZXPg95Ve3ET0UeoR3NfsyRqJ_mRL9gsOLJAzFrqK7dgFXupF1CC91bdePtRQTasSekyP-yN3cT23ljzfUElf3dqAShWj92dUjdB0a_MEH6EMsp8yDBG3GUEsav90XdY12Elb/s855/IMG_2706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuGv5PbzSZXPg95Ve3ET0UeoR3NfsyRqJ_mRL9gsOLJAzFrqK7dgFXupF1CC91bdePtRQTasSekyP-yN3cT23ljzfUElf3dqAShWj92dUjdB0a_MEH6EMsp8yDBG3GUEsav90XdY12Elb/w512-h640/IMG_2706.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>The camera doesn't do it justice, but trust me, it looks much better!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZowlm45xLElVgz2u_IohhyzyLSWcZVjKcYjyFkfJCfByvXpKlTU4YeLwX3m-W9TJ5ZXTcO_wIYE6DIwGlUIa_QqdRs7cWBaAHPkurG8vEJHc9Gg7moZJrMhLz8mMfdfaAaXiMhG1or8Wb/s855/IMG_2659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="855" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZowlm45xLElVgz2u_IohhyzyLSWcZVjKcYjyFkfJCfByvXpKlTU4YeLwX3m-W9TJ5ZXTcO_wIYE6DIwGlUIa_QqdRs7cWBaAHPkurG8vEJHc9Gg7moZJrMhLz8mMfdfaAaXiMhG1or8Wb/w640-h626/IMG_2659.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We celebrated the first weekend in May with my hubby's birthday, our Anniversary, and Mother's Day. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">May has always been a very busy month for us along with my son and his wife's Anniversary, and two more birthdays. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My football playing grandson had his sixteenth birthday yesterday, May 19. I can't believe it! This was taken in 2018 when he won Defensive Player of the Year. We really miss him because he moved up to Ontario to play football last September. Alas, he hasn't been able to play because of the pandemic. He sure picked the wrong time to go up there!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5m5cCJIqeWHgmRlsPEe97MpETj_X5zFNHh1lL-yXj__CxwNcDUW9VQVRw-11zJuIP3B95_PsrETZ1IPTsWOKmYCfGg29HRq2LGXiDiEnXlAtUJ6EzW2qJe1EXmDsl6_UftVJLCEyWfpo/s800/Family+pictures-024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5m5cCJIqeWHgmRlsPEe97MpETj_X5zFNHh1lL-yXj__CxwNcDUW9VQVRw-11zJuIP3B95_PsrETZ1IPTsWOKmYCfGg29HRq2LGXiDiEnXlAtUJ6EzW2qJe1EXmDsl6_UftVJLCEyWfpo/w374-h640/Family+pictures-024.jpg" width="374" /></a></div>Well, I think I have brought you up to date on what has been happening here at our home. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />The goldfinches are bright yellow and there are flocks of them this year. Back in late March, we saw the very first red male cardinal ever in our back yard. Unfortunately he couldn't get at the seed in the feeders although he came back twice to try, but failed. We haven't seen him since. We are hoping the cardinals up west will make their way down here to Charlottetown. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am so happy Spring is here and everything is greening up. This coming weekend, is Victoria Day weekend which is the kick off to Summer here in Canada. Folks will be firing up their barbecues and celebrating. Looking forward to summertime!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">NOTE: Before I close, can anyone please explain to me what this </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Feedburner</span><span style="color: #444444;"> thing that bloggers are losing, is all about?</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you for visiting and God bless you for not giving up on me and my blog. Wishing you all a happy and beautiful day!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happiness is an inside job! ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">unknown</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></div></div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-38655815595589163182021-03-30T14:50:00.001-03:002021-03-30T14:51:39.567-03:00Taking A Break<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><em style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: x-large;">For flowers that bloom about our feet;</span></em><br style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;" /><em style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: x-large;">For tender grass so fresh and sweet;</span></em><br style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;" /><em style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: x-large;">For song of bird and hum of bee;</span></em><br style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;" /><em style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: x-large;">For all things fair we hear and see,</span></em><br style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;" /><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><em><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: x-large;">Father in heaven, we thank Thee! ~ </span></em><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: small;">Ralph Waldo Emerson</span></span><br style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;" /><br /></span><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello my dear friends and welcome to springtime!</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD-0jk-lbihF-SXS0fdFLgdkPUoY7hmg1TD1aYnGNyDqQbYKu6wP_cOxHyIF77tMzNd4QvyFJsN1xY8vMeTC8nrWQgMtG0PGNcEKsRt9AophU1H-3ygVh11JDyxTiJE12mG5e5NvPUfss/s855/IMG_2578-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="855" height="581" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD-0jk-lbihF-SXS0fdFLgdkPUoY7hmg1TD1aYnGNyDqQbYKu6wP_cOxHyIF77tMzNd4QvyFJsN1xY8vMeTC8nrWQgMtG0PGNcEKsRt9AophU1H-3ygVh11JDyxTiJE12mG5e5NvPUfss/w640-h581/IMG_2578-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I must apologize for my lack of blogging lately. Sometimes things pop up that you're not expecting. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I had planned to post a St Patrick's Day Tea and alas, I was unable to do that.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Once I got my dessert made, I had sprained my wrist later that same day so I was not able to use my hand much for a number of days after that. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Last week was the year anniversary of my beloved brother's passing. It was a difficult few days. Since then, one thing after another has happened. My hubby is home again on sick leave {he's doing okay} and we have all kinds of appointments coming up. So, I have decided to take a break for a few weeks because of this. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I plan to return in the near future, and in the meantime, God bless you, and I wish you all a lovely and </span><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Blessed Easter</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> weekend! Please stay safe and stay well!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PBAjJHPeFeteW5Dd-s32eSuRtvzDOrJJLosDFmDHWBHZ4tiRW5x2jqa7rKT_ubdwROaSj90YPgIepR-UI3lrw1F-S9e5v_MnJpHwSTK2q2lltdENz7mgHPtEaLPhx5v5X0c2IIa5LYLF/s640/April-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="640" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PBAjJHPeFeteW5Dd-s32eSuRtvzDOrJJLosDFmDHWBHZ4tiRW5x2jqa7rKT_ubdwROaSj90YPgIepR-UI3lrw1F-S9e5v_MnJpHwSTK2q2lltdENz7mgHPtEaLPhx5v5X0c2IIa5LYLF/w640-h548/April-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-76738462757304268842021-03-15T10:55:00.004-03:002021-03-15T11:00:52.428-03:00A Dessert for St Patrick's Day<div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><i style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">May joy and peace surround you,</span></i></p></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i>Contentment latch your door,</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i>And happiness be with you now,</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">And bless you evermore. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">An Irish Blessing</span></i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">Hello dear friends and welcome back to Rose Chintz Cottage! With </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">St Patrick's Day </span><span style="color: #444444;">happening</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">this week, I thought I would share a recipe which I plan to make. I had shared this recipe years ago and I thought it the perfect dessert for St Patrick's Day.</span> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT4GQGdfW1H7ptGQfDQP9kR0pEHYfQTcgmgiwQS_7yPWIJIvkmaZNjN1YEwZj_m5zEQFvP15nDonG7AGMcHDYHoYnQpu0mF7a5H7yNA_LcybArQNiCo8aaIvAm64LYSri23N5krRd6aXL/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT4GQGdfW1H7ptGQfDQP9kR0pEHYfQTcgmgiwQS_7yPWIJIvkmaZNjN1YEwZj_m5zEQFvP15nDonG7AGMcHDYHoYnQpu0mF7a5H7yNA_LcybArQNiCo8aaIvAm64LYSri23N5krRd6aXL/w400-h300/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There are one of two different bottom crusts you can make for this dessert. I am making the shortbread bottom myself but the graham crumb bottom is the original crust and it is good too. I will share both crust recipes and you can choose the one you</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">please.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><b><u>Striped Delight Dessert </u></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><u>Graham Cracker Crumb Crust</u></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>1/4 cup sugar</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>1/3 cup melted butter</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press firmly into a 13x9 inch pan.</i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><u>Shortbread Crust</u> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>1 cup butter, softened</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>4 TBSP icing sugar</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>2 cups flour</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>Cream together butter and icing sugar. Beat in flour until blended. Dump mixture into the bottom of a 13x9 inch pan and using a sheet of plastic wrap, press into the pan until flat and even. </i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhnW890AQU5wCTgCjIMkWBI-8uxlSV_it_yFkcLyy7ukqUHH4GQlD09LSOJ3javsRnazEFXZqaH4H4Y8E7_4gY81EjvdY8J3M-3OIh-21aVIsZ5aeuXYYw6dk7iWMtpzsKSDn2IUAso8/s1600/IMG_2009.JPG" style="color: #c27ba0; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhnW890AQU5wCTgCjIMkWBI-8uxlSV_it_yFkcLyy7ukqUHH4GQlD09LSOJ3javsRnazEFXZqaH4H4Y8E7_4gY81EjvdY8J3M-3OIh-21aVIsZ5aeuXYYw6dk7iWMtpzsKSDn2IUAso8/s1600/IMG_2009.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Don't allow it to bake too much. You are looking for a nice golden colour. Cool.</i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14DC8pzHk0zPJN6iTZxdZse8g_WmNIKlnRBC2oqP1ct7WRM2ZdCIB6BsDHdI1j00CJSxa7Gt79G0YxCy02tT7QAuP27F6CRyPECv9zSf4voB22YuUa5ahYgjmsejwSjcpeMCfzjm1skA/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG" style="color: #c27ba0; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14DC8pzHk0zPJN6iTZxdZse8g_WmNIKlnRBC2oqP1ct7WRM2ZdCIB6BsDHdI1j00CJSxa7Gt79G0YxCy02tT7QAuP27F6CRyPECv9zSf4voB22YuUa5ahYgjmsejwSjcpeMCfzjm1skA/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><u>Filling</u></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>8 oz pkg Philly cream cheese, softened</i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>1/4 cup sugar</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>2 TBSP milk</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>1 small container Cool Whip, thawed {I used the large one because I like lots of whipped topping.}</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>2 pkgs {4 serving size} Jello instant pudding </i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>3-1/2 cups cold milk.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i><b>NOTE</b>: You may use chocolate, butterscotch, lemon, or pistachio instant pudding. I used the pistachio for St Patrick's Day.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>Beat cream cheese with sugar and 2 TBSP milk until smooth.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokquZwGXK-rcJRQ9LDojVhJJDF6_9wlyOZRQp1mS4H-J5zi6S7VkFJsBYgMjX8KeeFUkY3pP1ne0pHXMTg-Y8zEjlh7-z4LmW2tMJsy52f6fgy_7KxKfqwSY4fGPmt-8J2eiR9p109W8/s1600/IMG_2013.JPG" style="color: #c27ba0; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokquZwGXK-rcJRQ9LDojVhJJDF6_9wlyOZRQp1mS4H-J5zi6S7VkFJsBYgMjX8KeeFUkY3pP1ne0pHXMTg-Y8zEjlh7-z4LmW2tMJsy52f6fgy_7KxKfqwSY4fGPmt-8J2eiR9p109W8/w640-h490/IMG_2013.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>Fold in half the Cool Whip if using the small container and spread over the crust.</i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqW3uaDbmQ2C_JsCB7z1wowmVuTJIOq4x4M250MCbBl5IJt-uAPZ8Z9Xc_VZUsfTyyaRWY-KHon32cMo-qOP_PxMHqS_XovMzDsFNDIGSBDdP2TDp0G4fPtX1CcGUc_Ql0dQqGA50vFA/s1600/IMG_2014.JPG" style="color: #c27ba0; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqW3uaDbmQ2C_JsCB7z1wowmVuTJIOq4x4M250MCbBl5IJt-uAPZ8Z9Xc_VZUsfTyyaRWY-KHon32cMo-qOP_PxMHqS_XovMzDsFNDIGSBDdP2TDp0G4fPtX1CcGUc_Ql0dQqGA50vFA/w640-h480/IMG_2014.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgxdE4_s031Buvplfi5gh6r2GUWcwWsXrwCUamTMtysLjN8ecB3PsKB_dtaBgZI7wqHe5_wNsBng7K8AQU8NKXFNS8Ci0AV2silo6UZlRfpRxRSPqHsDZGCU3Fwqe-mR8SALxxOntZSw/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" style="color: #c27ba0; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgxdE4_s031Buvplfi5gh6r2GUWcwWsXrwCUamTMtysLjN8ecB3PsKB_dtaBgZI7wqHe5_wNsBng7K8AQU8NKXFNS8Ci0AV2silo6UZlRfpRxRSPqHsDZGCU3Fwqe-mR8SALxxOntZSw/w640-h389/IMG_2015.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxBUVC49PoRSl11Y7fG_Rr62jzChoFScEqbs8I76FctBQHv7y8tJfnVZfbUaKGIJ3hH2a_BZfJpGYkR9kVMo7d-q89q9huIgwuTE-CCBSdHvskIDU0lbCgDk7NjAKZTpOSJ0RoEsQvEQ/s1600/IMG_2017.JPG" style="color: #c27ba0; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxBUVC49PoRSl11Y7fG_Rr62jzChoFScEqbs8I76FctBQHv7y8tJfnVZfbUaKGIJ3hH2a_BZfJpGYkR9kVMo7d-q89q9huIgwuTE-CCBSdHvskIDU0lbCgDk7NjAKZTpOSJ0RoEsQvEQ/w640-h312/IMG_2017.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>Refrigerate while making the pudding layer.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>Using 3-1/2 cups cold milk, prepare pudding according to directions on package.</i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhOOcc5Utr6YjFi30PI4u0DCQDPBASt_EyMfQaSjpAL2PGoGYdFQXm5xJersy-w1URBNIcLxbKB3OjActVGrjJPYMcHgQCHMy_IuQLepS-a2Q9P5EtIISbphCMUbY4NP9umMBMHgFVyI/s1600/IMG_2034.JPG" style="color: #c27ba0; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhOOcc5Utr6YjFi30PI4u0DCQDPBASt_EyMfQaSjpAL2PGoGYdFQXm5xJersy-w1URBNIcLxbKB3OjActVGrjJPYMcHgQCHMy_IuQLepS-a2Q9P5EtIISbphCMUbY4NP9umMBMHgFVyI/w640-h469/IMG_2034.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>Pour over the cream cheese layer.</i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>Chill over night or for several hours. </i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cbwYfcf4RHKUF3lf2FiJ9x87cUXgReWBD7bu_ZIvkPFIbYAdv_Lk2sK7WkAnSsjcXlLFX2lbTcjjVorT6qbIOlIzMG-uBnCrOP27UxWguMjI6lPndpAvrTbtvwn0AHOORi8xJcPICOM/s1600/IMG_2039.JPG" style="color: #c27ba0; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cbwYfcf4RHKUF3lf2FiJ9x87cUXgReWBD7bu_ZIvkPFIbYAdv_Lk2sK7WkAnSsjcXlLFX2lbTcjjVorT6qbIOlIzMG-uBnCrOP27UxWguMjI6lPndpAvrTbtvwn0AHOORi8xJcPICOM/s1600/IMG_2039.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i>Spread remaining Cool Whip over pudding and garnish if you wish. Makes 12-15 servings.</i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmkkOO7kwXRbVx8U3VXyY8KRQwLfRcjUTU8TC7cqviBP25XA1Itthvyqbh6RQT-9xvf9x5lLJbw1UF3x3B_XkBqnfLtQzMs_NqvLJxsDn1cqa8EVxAPAJ53HvAoBEWyIeGyCgDFYmiMo/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG" style="color: #c27ba0; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmkkOO7kwXRbVx8U3VXyY8KRQwLfRcjUTU8TC7cqviBP25XA1Itthvyqbh6RQT-9xvf9x5lLJbw1UF3x3B_XkBqnfLtQzMs_NqvLJxsDn1cqa8EVxAPAJ53HvAoBEWyIeGyCgDFYmiMo/w640-h306/IMG_2083.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic;"><i><b>NOTE</b>: You may use 1 package {6 serving size} pudding mix and 2-1/2 cups cold milk. Enjoy!</i></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic;" /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: 22.1px; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMMbcRG6QhJ-KZQOuPV7JQsBp76LUwXdzYWvK13kcr9Z7o4ovN7KlD1HaNRLoqG3zefC-kHQknOmQedA77ykjCN-B3ytPGpy84K8u31z6_fIQLKwgX7W-NYnoCWIP_2trX2K7AmjJxzU/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG" style="color: #d28eb1; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMMbcRG6QhJ-KZQOuPV7JQsBp76LUwXdzYWvK13kcr9Z7o4ovN7KlD1HaNRLoqG3zefC-kHQknOmQedA77ykjCN-B3ytPGpy84K8u31z6_fIQLKwgX7W-NYnoCWIP_2trX2K7AmjJxzU/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Corsiva; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Enjoy with a nice hot beverage. This recipe makes enough for a pot luck or dinner with your family and friends.</span></span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will be back later this week with another posting. See you then and have a wonderful day!</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-8233996541781078112021-02-17T11:25:00.002-04:002021-02-17T11:38:27.126-04:00A Late Valentine's Tea.<div><i style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Victor Hugo</span></i></div><div><i style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello my dear friends and welcome once again to my humble little blog! I had meant to have a Valentine Tea on Monday but we had a holiday here and Hubby and I were busy putting away Christmas decorations. We kept our tree up for Valentine's Day. Then yesterday, we had an ice storm.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><i>In winter we live a more inward life.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our hearts are warm and cheery, like cottages under drifts. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Henry David Thoreau</span></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So, today is a new day, and perhaps today would be better for a tea since I have a little more time.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N2-XAYShij1BZLKa6St646LKcN4OhW2KDuYl-Zzsed4CzljsgBoCB-S34afXY2T39mB_zKzM7tJcyEXGP9mOzb-axYKdG8Q7SGBxuZj4qXzI9QccdS9LE4m0g8zg3uUKb-cZ2mAVCfgK/s855/IMG_2395.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="665" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N2-XAYShij1BZLKa6St646LKcN4OhW2KDuYl-Zzsed4CzljsgBoCB-S34afXY2T39mB_zKzM7tJcyEXGP9mOzb-axYKdG8Q7SGBxuZj4qXzI9QccdS9LE4m0g8zg3uUKb-cZ2mAVCfgK/w498-h640/IMG_2395.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My Valentines roses. I love creamy white roses!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJM1TZZsIjMWPf4uogTmalLVdIVMl0huW9OXrfw6X-RlaG1GwaiADnsB-W9NDzXXl31WBmjBU0pmT0iV4Yn4puSXk9mLO55HSFP0yLved_H1-17Iir9Ifkt_tLzOlJoKyLflv-UYPu2SX/s855/IMG_2489.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJM1TZZsIjMWPf4uogTmalLVdIVMl0huW9OXrfw6X-RlaG1GwaiADnsB-W9NDzXXl31WBmjBU0pmT0iV4Yn4puSXk9mLO55HSFP0yLved_H1-17Iir9Ifkt_tLzOlJoKyLflv-UYPu2SX/w512-h640/IMG_2489.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My tea treats today.<br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOxvAeBQvM8fLdy91Ly5GyrzYxOh0CJItsIGMshpkDN03PU5yMjy5f7kwJoMvsT95CS3wxzShGRR7PqqI7WiRiQRL3Oa-l9VyqDCRFHNRPjaeN70hoJhPCcuiBJLfao2gnTvdE2JJNHOp/s855/IMG_2460.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="703" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOxvAeBQvM8fLdy91Ly5GyrzYxOh0CJItsIGMshpkDN03PU5yMjy5f7kwJoMvsT95CS3wxzShGRR7PqqI7WiRiQRL3Oa-l9VyqDCRFHNRPjaeN70hoJhPCcuiBJLfao2gnTvdE2JJNHOp/w526-h640/IMG_2460.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have brought out my etagere</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">and arranged some tea sandwiches and sweets on it. For Valentine's Day of course I wanted to use my red transfer ware. So everything is set. Won't you join me?</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I want to share with you a sweet little </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mason's</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Vista</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> mug a friend had gifted me with for my birthday before we have our tea. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I do not have many pieces of </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mason's</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> as it is fairly scarce around these parts but the pieces I do have I enjoy using from time to time; especially at Christmas and Valentine's Day.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsWX8yVDO0PwNLPuvcNR-a2CuCNyJWdcx1lgPVsIqaLsuu_Wm2cfLMqmHm-LlcTnzbGGvIJMkGttRRVu-AfL1QFFmmNQxJztYd8pqBD930X7i9lD0fyaHR-dUe3f-qW-jPrtcxHojU5Dt/s855/IMG_2480.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsWX8yVDO0PwNLPuvcNR-a2CuCNyJWdcx1lgPVsIqaLsuu_Wm2cfLMqmHm-LlcTnzbGGvIJMkGttRRVu-AfL1QFFmmNQxJztYd8pqBD930X7i9lD0fyaHR-dUe3f-qW-jPrtcxHojU5Dt/w480-h640/IMG_2480.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3exPMHSOS4NofkVV3jLNl4DolrM7ZnI3plVsubhbBf0Z5Y48PNzANaCTz_C8D8syt1Yi1inkHGL3PQJ3SD63QiVmMFLiyZAUOCArfqTUn7hXrQqtH2on1s8zLu3nljj8LPL4GpNDMaHQQ/s855/IMG_2476.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="855" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3exPMHSOS4NofkVV3jLNl4DolrM7ZnI3plVsubhbBf0Z5Y48PNzANaCTz_C8D8syt1Yi1inkHGL3PQJ3SD63QiVmMFLiyZAUOCArfqTUn7hXrQqtH2on1s8zLu3nljj8LPL4GpNDMaHQQ/w400-h364/IMG_2476.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My friend had found three of these mugs and she gifted one each to me and another friend, and kept one herself. I love it!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><i style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's not the tea that makes teatime special, it's the spirit of the tea party. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Emily Barnes</span></i></div><div><i style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So, here we have some egg salad and chicken salad tea sandwiches, as well as Valentine cupcakes and chocolate raspberry truffles.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzTYTcvS8WPZQF7tM7SkXaP60e0yTEplWKWRjJVkDzwVap5IxoN8HwRGrjrbWGm3RkzoOsX_eVmVi4QjYG1o6GfyMwaXDgwp3Kp_wdnUEFVWRkEPolD3PMl2DfIigHwu2vuhrbIjmxo0-/s855/IMG_2464-003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="855" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzTYTcvS8WPZQF7tM7SkXaP60e0yTEplWKWRjJVkDzwVap5IxoN8HwRGrjrbWGm3RkzoOsX_eVmVi4QjYG1o6GfyMwaXDgwp3Kp_wdnUEFVWRkEPolD3PMl2DfIigHwu2vuhrbIjmxo0-/w640-h556/IMG_2464-003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It is best to cut the crusts off your sandwiches as it makes a nicer presentation. Also, your sandwiches should be cut into smaller sizes. Tea sandwiches are meant to be dainty. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH_yzUVYDgyduCE0IIWZhIjgmSOE0DtmXCIBm7Hq96zOVFHAPO1ub_SKiT05ipbvtf-uIPfLaRijB0y04hBRbEOCY0jU5-2-q7vYvU-SitPMjKenwysPehgG1CCfBPLjn_KdhKjfyFtA2/s855/IMG_2487-003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="855" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH_yzUVYDgyduCE0IIWZhIjgmSOE0DtmXCIBm7Hq96zOVFHAPO1ub_SKiT05ipbvtf-uIPfLaRijB0y04hBRbEOCY0jU5-2-q7vYvU-SitPMjKenwysPehgG1CCfBPLjn_KdhKjfyFtA2/w400-h376/IMG_2487-003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My favourite red transfer ware teapot. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdhyphenhyphenDePm6jJ1IhyqXzPMd5Vi44wjKTNHPzACcAcbCqsJ5y3AfKJV_f30VCIuz_4PP3_sej6y0UtR-L65P1nvoCbY25fMQ5o0eNugUHAowG-p4mlP5FqhD1F8C4d8SlfUD8cIsNO_q-g-W/s855/IMG_2449-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdhyphenhyphenDePm6jJ1IhyqXzPMd5Vi44wjKTNHPzACcAcbCqsJ5y3AfKJV_f30VCIuz_4PP3_sej6y0UtR-L65P1nvoCbY25fMQ5o0eNugUHAowG-p4mlP5FqhD1F8C4d8SlfUD8cIsNO_q-g-W/w538-h640/IMG_2449-001.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><br />The pretty handmade heart was a gift from a blogger friend a while ago and I always have it on the tree, but today it is for the tea table.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMzYU1AP609_1Pt-14sVFLLbqsJycAR3QDQmx0CyFCwIGG1e6eu0yrZWASZ5t_HQgVtpTEk9KDAw7yeND8awyM-Za6G2zxSv-CUjrR7guMSKK6VFQ6PYJc8jcUEVnw2HsEkiBS4RFYvVi/s855/IMG_2363.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="855" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMzYU1AP609_1Pt-14sVFLLbqsJycAR3QDQmx0CyFCwIGG1e6eu0yrZWASZ5t_HQgVtpTEk9KDAw7yeND8awyM-Za6G2zxSv-CUjrR7guMSKK6VFQ6PYJc8jcUEVnw2HsEkiBS4RFYvVi/w640-h628/IMG_2363.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I asked Hubby to get some Valentine treats from the bakery and this is what he brought home.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYAT1Urq-ceyPzCmLIc3oRhYk5Y6VWg3gBbHVI_lAtCeuTB0yPqv6U3My6lUtnN17djBz5Dj1oL5m_MVLun9n0yVMGalm3MxmAlbSW9c26SH84ug557Qdj_aKLKPl6ia6GbtsJB10KTbu/s855/IMG_2455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="734" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYAT1Urq-ceyPzCmLIc3oRhYk5Y6VWg3gBbHVI_lAtCeuTB0yPqv6U3My6lUtnN17djBz5Dj1oL5m_MVLun9n0yVMGalm3MxmAlbSW9c26SH84ug557Qdj_aKLKPl6ia6GbtsJB10KTbu/w550-h640/IMG_2455.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I would prefer this lovely cake I baked for one other Valentine's day but I'm not doing much baking these days.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j5iYAjb0fPaEsybHev8PI2pEZdBAO9RNLFUbIutTyeIjuV5pQu6kZN5tP0i3TFaQFkHiKBDWVK_3fjjMXTfG0vAb7M_2sMJ1CA7fEFIvrwK4AC62gR4w-iSz69RDs5fIMTd-hvEwOOW5/s640/February+zz.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="640" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j5iYAjb0fPaEsybHev8PI2pEZdBAO9RNLFUbIutTyeIjuV5pQu6kZN5tP0i3TFaQFkHiKBDWVK_3fjjMXTfG0vAb7M_2sMJ1CA7fEFIvrwK4AC62gR4w-iSz69RDs5fIMTd-hvEwOOW5/w640-h628/February+zz.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ2wxUakYn3tfA7y_x8D4RWQ7BJ_lAq23rZgtv_w13nByIGJaV2tMhhqhYCEPUMJlIwAKtcPf1ldbTT901eWPn-GVyW2IQe9-BxcOyQejY6cF_ebtWXHKGfvyT0cq8JZLs0l1JIArVo-E/s855/IMG_2438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="771" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ2wxUakYn3tfA7y_x8D4RWQ7BJ_lAq23rZgtv_w13nByIGJaV2tMhhqhYCEPUMJlIwAKtcPf1ldbTT901eWPn-GVyW2IQe9-BxcOyQejY6cF_ebtWXHKGfvyT0cq8JZLs0l1JIArVo-E/w361-h400/IMG_2438.jpg" width="361" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My teacups are </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Burleigh <b>Felicity </b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mason's <b>Vista</b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJLK_PcAMeofs6lQUXjv4gcm5rn2L0V9cx7B9bJSGIdggAX30_rtPEhrQ2dGLmZWi7xMmzr8HBaRVtJPqkqLUDLZFtQ2EJpsLMlZxNb1t8G-8TLxDU-7Ow4tqpllqrM5xY2ahQcHjvUp9/s855/IMG_2464-003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="855" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJLK_PcAMeofs6lQUXjv4gcm5rn2L0V9cx7B9bJSGIdggAX30_rtPEhrQ2dGLmZWi7xMmzr8HBaRVtJPqkqLUDLZFtQ2EJpsLMlZxNb1t8G-8TLxDU-7Ow4tqpllqrM5xY2ahQcHjvUp9/w640-h556/IMG_2464-003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The little creamer has the same mark on it as the teapot. I have another teapot with the same mark and it is Valencia. So, I presume these pieces are also Valencia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m_IuEJZ__WRrIU3fbglmJe52NRXv5SFMk0aOBToev3HgQKeC1_L4KUpf-3YWa-FbXMlAiSHF_9uQhZ3ql6Nc9JKGM7TvmB2cpaQeRMDESVww90IjMMAhyxiy9yVQ4XKinsmJgcGKZDai/s774/IMG_2429-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="762" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m_IuEJZ__WRrIU3fbglmJe52NRXv5SFMk0aOBToev3HgQKeC1_L4KUpf-3YWa-FbXMlAiSHF_9uQhZ3ql6Nc9JKGM7TvmB2cpaQeRMDESVww90IjMMAhyxiy9yVQ4XKinsmJgcGKZDai/w630-h640/IMG_2429-001.jpg" width="630" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It has been an unusual week. I had hoped to set up a tea/home party, but nothing has gone according to plan. I guess we all have weeks like that. The trick is to accept it and make the most of it. Go with the flow, as they say.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzX_Vlm_wTp-9w0gKqiLCPep7OQY8e8lacHfya1Yl0sU59PhzYx81TdhE1W9pthBFa_DgELwmqrVf1TORv9Ji5uLvEphSoysirsZITsS9oLDmk6w2R271_4L3-sw16WKEfJLnHNKu0HVg/s855/IMG_2487-002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="855" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzX_Vlm_wTp-9w0gKqiLCPep7OQY8e8lacHfya1Yl0sU59PhzYx81TdhE1W9pthBFa_DgELwmqrVf1TORv9Ji5uLvEphSoysirsZITsS9oLDmk6w2R271_4L3-sw16WKEfJLnHNKu0HVg/w640-h504/IMG_2487-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thank you for visiting me today and I hope your week is going well. Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy your day!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Whatever the shape of your teapot,</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Whatever the flavour of your tea,</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God can still mightily pour you out</span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To refresh another in need. ~ </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">unknown</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQu8m9K7XGuoi7F1MV5oA_VfUz6SolG2iKVNjfyN3sz5ct4vwFezkFFfsy62gAEt5mI2M46DxIwYdR_fcy_XCcijcOyVjD-KFnxM52sx6fEJ6XQ7s7ZZAHoOe3r7A9HVcDHfGYxxo52vU/s855/IMG_2492.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="855" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQu8m9K7XGuoi7F1MV5oA_VfUz6SolG2iKVNjfyN3sz5ct4vwFezkFFfsy62gAEt5mI2M46DxIwYdR_fcy_XCcijcOyVjD-KFnxM52sx6fEJ6XQ7s7ZZAHoOe3r7A9HVcDHfGYxxo52vU/w400-h380/IMG_2492.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-68550535430214895062021-02-15T12:15:00.004-04:002024-02-12T22:44:46.610-04:00A Love Story for Valentine's Day<div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love seems to be something that keeps filling up within us. The more we give away, the more we have to give. ~</span> </i><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Rogers</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Welcome to Rose Chintz Cottage and a belated </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Happy</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Valentine's Day</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> to all my friends in Blogland! I hope your day was special.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_iv284E_EPVr3pBj_vcr_naYtnKjq00cLHW_G3pTTIVnw4c7_FiPW6qBiDmVQIdR8YBSB4CF0AjH9sv1AHu6bR2F8rOR1WuA9wISfB4O3iQ7l5Dx2lH4jjmymzytrgcucR0B6BFx1PQ/s1600/IMG_6340.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_iv284E_EPVr3pBj_vcr_naYtnKjq00cLHW_G3pTTIVnw4c7_FiPW6qBiDmVQIdR8YBSB4CF0AjH9sv1AHu6bR2F8rOR1WuA9wISfB4O3iQ7l5Dx2lH4jjmymzytrgcucR0B6BFx1PQ/s1600/IMG_6340.JPG" width="609" /></a></span><span style="color: #444444;">Are you a soppy girl? You know, one of those girls who cries at weddings and love stories?</span></span><div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span>Well, I am, and I wanted to post something romantic today. So I decided to share our love story. Many of you have heard it before but many of you haven't. So pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and join me for a trip down memory lane.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8RjwlYWXtTL-s8zRtqdCVykKl3WnjjnJgkPvvIXK-Td7jHgMcO4Iqcg2fwTRMrE8HbiAvx8_v0ENMS2Ttii8g3mWcwGnLcoku5ZjPBN8hy7QXti29RgDaefym7Lv1Wqkssjf2Jg7rBY7/s855/IMG_2423-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="855" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8RjwlYWXtTL-s8zRtqdCVykKl3WnjjnJgkPvvIXK-Td7jHgMcO4Iqcg2fwTRMrE8HbiAvx8_v0ENMS2Ttii8g3mWcwGnLcoku5ZjPBN8hy7QXti29RgDaefym7Lv1Wqkssjf2Jg7rBY7/w640-h550/IMG_2423-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span><span>Let's take a little trip back in time to a cold day in January. It was a Saturday afternoon, and in those days, the record hop was the place to be.<br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span></span><br /><span>Now picture if you will, a shy young man, sporting a cute Beatle haircut and an even shyer young lady with long hair and bangs, dressed in a turquoise velvet mini dress, that she had made in Home Ec, and high boots. Yes, I liked to dress in the latest fashion! I was a teenager after all!</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>I was just sitting there, enjoying the music with my friends, when this shy young man approached me and asked me to dance. </span><br /><span></span><br /><span>As we headed out on to the dance floor, there was a little attraction there and we both felt it. If you were to ask us, yes, we do believe in love at first sight. </span><span>Of course we know God had something to do with it too.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>After we had been seeing one another for a few weeks at the Hop, he confessed to me that he had noticed me a few months before that but it took him all that time to get up the nerve to ask me to dance. Isn't he adorable?</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>We were both seventeen.</span><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhmSHyuEOfkVp4CH2XhDnr4NG5w5LRmniXTcPSOouPn64umxTlmyC3rIvccEYgzrttYRcMjo4mjDJv82fZeGYZHqiJsLl5ByE80ccWRSFQhoBSS_BoUAuqF23EXdsrFoXSD3-vbA9Eo0/s1600/003-001+(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhmSHyuEOfkVp4CH2XhDnr4NG5w5LRmniXTcPSOouPn64umxTlmyC3rIvccEYgzrttYRcMjo4mjDJv82fZeGYZHqiJsLl5ByE80ccWRSFQhoBSS_BoUAuqF23EXdsrFoXSD3-vbA9Eo0/s1600/003-001+(6).jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span></span><br /><span>He asked me to dance three weeks in a row and then one day after the Hop, he followed my friends and me into a restaurant where we always went to grab a snack before heading home. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span>Not much wonder we were all so fit in those days! We danced most of the afternoon and then walked the three miles home afterwards.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>He looked so cute sitting on the other side of the restaurant all by himself, and then he got up and put some money into the juke box. He played three of my favourite songs. Coincidence? I don't think so! One of those songs was my absolute favourite. He didn't know it was my favourite, it just happened to be his too! </span><br /><span></span><br /><span>"Words" by The Bee Gees is still our song today.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>My friends finally talked me into joining him at his table where we sat and chatted before he walked me the three miles home. About halfway home, he took me by the hand, and ''it was magic!''</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>We arranged to meet the following Friday night at Eaton's department store. He had had his picture taken in one of those little cubicles before meeting me and afterwards, he asked me to get mine taken. So I did. These are the photos from our first date.</span></span></div></div></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zf5sJQ-xF6GOJ_aHmeZSEcpUVMokZMnze6MZZqyk_QQ3f9xiNhU-reQT9ZoyngxKrzjYfsKCGN0mO9pii0Z7uI4H5ibNnlXIZ3g4jw8a0mplrE_zBeC44ClviuTBcwABxK7atF1I2NoP/s320/February+17-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="320" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zf5sJQ-xF6GOJ_aHmeZSEcpUVMokZMnze6MZZqyk_QQ3f9xiNhU-reQT9ZoyngxKrzjYfsKCGN0mO9pii0Z7uI4H5ibNnlXIZ3g4jw8a0mplrE_zBeC44ClviuTBcwABxK7atF1I2NoP/w400-h296/February+17-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">That night we shared our first kiss. That date led to many others which eventually led to our marriage.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">Everyone loved my new husband except my mother. She was not happy that I married this young man and she felt that way for many years. Unfortunately, it put a wall between my mother and me. That was her doing, not mine. Because of that, it also affected her relationship with my children which is very sad.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"> </span><br /><span style="color: #444444;">Almost from the beginning of our marriage, God was at the centre of it and we spent many years in the Ministry. Today Hubby is still very active in the church and our door is always open.</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /><span style="color: #444444;">We raised three wonderful sons together and now we are delighted to have five grandchildren.</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;">About five years before she passed, my mother told my hubby and me that she had been wrong and that I couldn't have married a finer man. </span><br style="color: black;" /><span style="color: #444444;">Funny it took her so long to know what I knew all along. S</span><span style="color: #444444;">he had learned to love my hubby like her own son, and that made us both very happy! </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: #444444;">He was and still is my sweetheart, my hero, and my best friend! I always said when we met, he rescued me and I still feel that way. I feel very blessed to have him as my mate and if I could, I would marry him all over again.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></span><span><span style="color: #990000;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Life is a journey, and love is what makes that journey worthwhile.~</span></em><em style="font-size: xx-large;"> </em><em><span style="font-size: large;">author unknown</span></em></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><span style="color: #444444;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span style="color: #444444;">I hope you all had a</span><b style="color: #990000;"> Happy Valentine's Day</b></span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span><span style="color: #444444;">and I pray you were able to spend this special day with someone you love and treasure. God bless you, and I'll be back this week with another post!</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i><span><span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">1 Corinthians 13:13 </span></span><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /></i></span><em style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-large;"><span><span><br /></span></span></em></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em style="color: #444444;"><span><span>Words ~<b> </b></span><span>Written and sung by Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, and Robin Gibb of The BeeGees</span></span></em><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart~</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><strong style="font-size: xx-large;"><em><span>Sandi</span></em></strong></span></span></span></div></div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-63621052162844249562021-02-08T10:35:00.003-04:002021-02-08T11:00:50.584-04:00February and Her Pretty Teacups<p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Helen Keller </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></i></p><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Happy February, and a Happy Birthday to all my February friends out there!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have some </span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">violet</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> teacups today. There are two </span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Grace</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> sets and two </span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Royal Albert <b>February</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b> </b>sets. One </span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">RA</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> was given to me by my hubby's late aunt for a house warming gift and the other belonged to my late mother-in-law whose birthday was in February. When my sister-in-law found out I had one, she gave her mother's to me as well which was very thoughtful of her.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Today's tea will be in a </span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">purple</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> theme because of course, there are </span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">violets</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> on teacups and </span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">pansies</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> on the teapot and the plate. But there is also a touch of pink because of the tulips. My phone camera isn't showing the true colour of them. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g5zXh_1kRJVEkasoNtJANxHeCORN26ysHV-PnumDGjVEdozWHjQvbkcnKt6IRvgsNPSd0TRC3kDV-TPctC-HY8JPFrdb49IlLlNWdNed-12A6x6tx7Wt4Y4we907uQ79h6s-V7vqzPyc/s855/IMG_2320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="855" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g5zXh_1kRJVEkasoNtJANxHeCORN26ysHV-PnumDGjVEdozWHjQvbkcnKt6IRvgsNPSd0TRC3kDV-TPctC-HY8JPFrdb49IlLlNWdNed-12A6x6tx7Wt4Y4we907uQ79h6s-V7vqzPyc/w640-h640/IMG_2320.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Looking out the windows behind the tulips is quite a different scene today. We have a snow storm going on.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-rBOvyfqRGsV-e77WdOc7NQaSEILfnAWVrlgpCh2Uwfokcjqsn27vFLyLYBWFlFQi8UxMof9YTUuZsJtBdpClqYcLarpBntyDZtkxEufP_7ndhRDm9GyrHd7aEg4-i7Lfns-evpd-QYk/s855/IMG_2326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="855" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-rBOvyfqRGsV-e77WdOc7NQaSEILfnAWVrlgpCh2Uwfokcjqsn27vFLyLYBWFlFQi8UxMof9YTUuZsJtBdpClqYcLarpBntyDZtkxEufP_7ndhRDm9GyrHd7aEg4-i7Lfns-evpd-QYk/w640-h516/IMG_2326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUVjPB1cpkGuD5vBz3GKmtmn1XxWgItP4v223IlFPOQAG9TEWVPz3gNplMoUWTf90JVWs_mW7YG1t6OUFXsQdEuBCjwb0opT5OBJB2rklKAaNM8DcNf0fhU9ThTmel4YY7mCRL9eO5C67/s855/IMG_2328.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="775" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUVjPB1cpkGuD5vBz3GKmtmn1XxWgItP4v223IlFPOQAG9TEWVPz3gNplMoUWTf90JVWs_mW7YG1t6OUFXsQdEuBCjwb0opT5OBJB2rklKAaNM8DcNf0fhU9ThTmel4YY7mCRL9eO5C67/w363-h400/IMG_2328.jpg" width="363" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglM0oEE12VljGeooJAQFf4q-Q1ZApndi6OBaRnuOiwwory4F_p9mAiJOhCJ9hkwU6Pyl6ASKynFUMrzvsDmU9H0zgIhkwT8cu7tuB3GrUFvTzQ134EuEMJg9QTOrzDDoUCg_I5nDSlC-gP/s855/IMG_2329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="855" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglM0oEE12VljGeooJAQFf4q-Q1ZApndi6OBaRnuOiwwory4F_p9mAiJOhCJ9hkwU6Pyl6ASKynFUMrzvsDmU9H0zgIhkwT8cu7tuB3GrUFvTzQ134EuEMJg9QTOrzDDoUCg_I5nDSlC-gP/w400-h399/IMG_2329.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4oOFnaMw8Z_TyNPn5gM9k2py2mxsgs5bWEIa_TkHq387CeG10LmT6TzWBawAQavJhOLN6-kzWxgJuWnjdm7NwAWl177lvORgesN2SGQe-vkaZO8RQRM-H9S4sbCfqy-PVJV2Gz6hVY9p/s855/IMG_2330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="702" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4oOFnaMw8Z_TyNPn5gM9k2py2mxsgs5bWEIa_TkHq387CeG10LmT6TzWBawAQavJhOLN6-kzWxgJuWnjdm7NwAWl177lvORgesN2SGQe-vkaZO8RQRM-H9S4sbCfqy-PVJV2Gz6hVY9p/w526-h640/IMG_2330.jpg" width="526" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF7kYa76yz88Zzdx28L83sc-JAgmfqC20lT53mIf4QJeMRWLFKNFUCy1T-wSAvLYldf_6vYP80sbCwg7El9AW4qFAUTcSu5oylFJM4XNl-VULR7eEtuphNaOzjilXaAFQ509j2hAB0ENK/s855/IMG_2341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="641" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF7kYa76yz88Zzdx28L83sc-JAgmfqC20lT53mIf4QJeMRWLFKNFUCy1T-wSAvLYldf_6vYP80sbCwg7El9AW4qFAUTcSu5oylFJM4XNl-VULR7eEtuphNaOzjilXaAFQ509j2hAB0ENK/w480-h640/IMG_2341.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Some of my silver teaspoons.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwB4qBqLu356vONaePxIjSSSQEyDYXH9suF3QHPxy03XlQapu0LeeBurFkc-iUxR-1eutrAWx0fgnWDE75M-b1e2XK53TwCTJaCaMsVyM9ZygovvZdYr1Os3wc__YxOwwXjY-kDw7gC1ZC/s855/IMG_2342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="855" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwB4qBqLu356vONaePxIjSSSQEyDYXH9suF3QHPxy03XlQapu0LeeBurFkc-iUxR-1eutrAWx0fgnWDE75M-b1e2XK53TwCTJaCaMsVyM9ZygovvZdYr1Os3wc__YxOwwXjY-kDw7gC1ZC/w640-h538/IMG_2342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This is the true pink colour of the tulips. Aren't they pretty?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIycfQJFrn1y9sVwTLycJGiUYfnAV0CDMbvzmnX5qThlGIm73vwjYqmgbIMETMI4tJBkKL6Fm-a2UdPjlG3AO3OzZqqVKxScJaSj9tjrVbdraDQ6xkPwXPUlUrDfxlyYlP5Zp2QUjRslCw/s855/IMG_2353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="855" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIycfQJFrn1y9sVwTLycJGiUYfnAV0CDMbvzmnX5qThlGIm73vwjYqmgbIMETMI4tJBkKL6Fm-a2UdPjlG3AO3OzZqqVKxScJaSj9tjrVbdraDQ6xkPwXPUlUrDfxlyYlP5Zp2QUjRslCw/w640-h520/IMG_2353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><i style="color: #8e7cc3;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When asked if my cup is half-filled or half-empty; my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">unknown</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hubby and I are watching our diets for health reasons and I am doing very little baking these days. I must admit, I miss all those treats I used to make, but for now, I make the odd batch of bran muffins and that is about it. Fruit and veggies have become the norm here at our home. Every couple of months I may bake some cookies or a dessert of some kind but that is it. Sigh! I really miss making treats! </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This coming weekend we will be celebrating Valentine's Day and I hope to do a post centered around that special holiday. I may have another party just for that occasion. I will let you know. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwqbUizwV8D10wegPLY95Qj9mdN2bqtkCctQA2NyZTgkQUbA8IqzFT6NVYPCu3XOy6KaafT_YFfoR3MxPn-WmdMx1i4gR7aj5CkzCLnKTX_8U4m2V5vQxOB2_Hb9wGH96Q_Y2kvBrdzDM/s855/IMG_2359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="855" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwqbUizwV8D10wegPLY95Qj9mdN2bqtkCctQA2NyZTgkQUbA8IqzFT6NVYPCu3XOy6KaafT_YFfoR3MxPn-WmdMx1i4gR7aj5CkzCLnKTX_8U4m2V5vQxOB2_Hb9wGH96Q_Y2kvBrdzDM/w640-h469/IMG_2359.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The snow storm has calmed down just a bit but the winds are supposed to pick up and then we will have a blizzard on our hands. The bird feeders are filled with packed snow and the poor birds can't get at their morning snack. The shepherd's hook is leaning a bit. I hope it doesn't fall over! The snow is like fluff right now so it is bound to make an awful mess once the winds blow. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So, I am signing off, just in case. Take care everyone and have a lovely week!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi</span>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-4353203757969021192021-01-25T10:00:00.005-04:002021-01-25T15:11:35.669-04:00Feeling Blue<div><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Flowers were the language of happiness and always the gifts we gave to others. They seemed as necessary as food. ~ </i></span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Elizabeth Cerutti</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Welcome to tea time, my lovely friends! It's hard to believe that a month ago, it was Christmas!</span></div><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">Today, I decided to share a tea time with you. It is a dreary and snowy day, so some hot tea and a lovely bouquet help to perk up the day.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUd26Xfd2u1PBXAjcXrJMcLHMC3ka9nEba-DOmWyesWGgLd5PISvQ8sW1yPvMR6T0Sdr8rguu9wCNmdrKplsfGNU6lJYQGXV76UToSQ_7f6Z_7PeORIY5EI4MhgWbkqpZQJpMTDKOXPk/s1600/IMG_6426.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUd26Xfd2u1PBXAjcXrJMcLHMC3ka9nEba-DOmWyesWGgLd5PISvQ8sW1yPvMR6T0Sdr8rguu9wCNmdrKplsfGNU6lJYQGXV76UToSQ_7f6Z_7PeORIY5EI4MhgWbkqpZQJpMTDKOXPk/w640-h498/IMG_6426.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q5ZG6jXpvz5_pP1GlhQvmJluAmMHhtfzA5dVpw1tWWNB0Pnmo4x_gpI4l6FILMbsLJKV8Z7OgmwpKi1XK1R5wClSa9xwlUE0nqYK-xtmPuNrJZroI1eE4ZDWe_slQUq0m1qr3JDqr1A/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q5ZG6jXpvz5_pP1GlhQvmJluAmMHhtfzA5dVpw1tWWNB0Pnmo4x_gpI4l6FILMbsLJKV8Z7OgmwpKi1XK1R5wClSa9xwlUE0nqYK-xtmPuNrJZroI1eE4ZDWe_slQUq0m1qr3JDqr1A/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When you choose joy you feel good, and when you feel good YOU do good, and when YOU do good it reminds others of what joy feels like, and it just might inspire them to do the </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">same.</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"> ~ </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">unknown</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">Hubby found this soup tureen for me for Christmas one year. Isn't it wonderful?</span></i><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span></i><span style="color: #666666; font-style: italic;">It is fabulous for holding my baked beans, homemade soups and chowders, chili, stew, or in this case, a beautiful bouquet of posies!</span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_k9zSpy-UG3aqeL2bFWNQM79uCb4R14WPRAs7w0FMCZg_5XiBS9JYW7tMj_1QjbwqM1n9PqkUEqYQFb_nXx41r3r0eVJTq6b6FTy0PfdLiu3YwCe1G9n1FIcb5LFJkGs5TTNNdV-SW4/s1600/IMG_6409.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_k9zSpy-UG3aqeL2bFWNQM79uCb4R14WPRAs7w0FMCZg_5XiBS9JYW7tMj_1QjbwqM1n9PqkUEqYQFb_nXx41r3r0eVJTq6b6FTy0PfdLiu3YwCe1G9n1FIcb5LFJkGs5TTNNdV-SW4/s1600/IMG_6409.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">Yellow roses, white tulips, and a few white roses from last week's bouquet fill this tureen up nicely.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlSB-r9kRmSiLc3BV-zfT5tI46HBnbfINx5-k2A9dFGFk020O0N3kbjZ4TXQeUc8G2u2XkRcz9_29k4iAs1x_jZd0E93js18580xKk1frfYZimIB4xan2X-yBEvDGwb3QwkkFMcmrw9g/s1600/IMG_6439.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlSB-r9kRmSiLc3BV-zfT5tI46HBnbfINx5-k2A9dFGFk020O0N3kbjZ4TXQeUc8G2u2XkRcz9_29k4iAs1x_jZd0E93js18580xKk1frfYZimIB4xan2X-yBEvDGwb3QwkkFMcmrw9g/s1600/IMG_6439.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">Is there anything prettier in the dead of winter than blue and white enhanced by a sunny bouquet?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">Naturally I brought out my JB <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Old Britain Castles</span> teacups to compliment the tureen.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUSPf8q4-AmoCVs1M7U6ErxXaaOgrJvR5qNulQQE6iKr2nUPXrCc7iVLxUTaJXej4YeaRNqzBcRzJZ1Y_fSP90lnf6dXFsZLUJjdHXAzVlbmh-8A-7VQBpxNNM0CISKGmxPcDckEpPAc/s1600/IMG_6402.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUSPf8q4-AmoCVs1M7U6ErxXaaOgrJvR5qNulQQE6iKr2nUPXrCc7iVLxUTaJXej4YeaRNqzBcRzJZ1Y_fSP90lnf6dXFsZLUJjdHXAzVlbmh-8A-7VQBpxNNM0CISKGmxPcDckEpPAc/s1600/IMG_6402.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">This 2011 Victoria magazine looks pretty in the vignette. I save all my magazines so I can look back on them. How about you?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">Yellow roses are like a burst of sunshine!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pfCD6qUa05vE5At8ukHEM7a1ndoYJ76PMvKnDkDVnkMh3Z0NeRm1CwejI6nTqYoqqKI0WWsibKdWSpg897pUnhN0tQB19d_KD8c9mNWmp7faQUWoq8xa7UCPiqKThBrxAJsuMn9-DYE/s1600/IMG_6351.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pfCD6qUa05vE5At8ukHEM7a1ndoYJ76PMvKnDkDVnkMh3Z0NeRm1CwejI6nTqYoqqKI0WWsibKdWSpg897pUnhN0tQB19d_KD8c9mNWmp7faQUWoq8xa7UCPiqKThBrxAJsuMn9-DYE/s1600/IMG_6351.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-style: italic;"><em></em></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-style: italic;"><em>Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.</em></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhvjk8Vu9FuYbBM72_FmaKPGqD5NODJLbn-OLYF9Vl-kegwZdDcl7BFO6Sa-Fkkob36Kf9FrpIFkA65_O9KfFx5bj6I1dw9AUBIWcCebohWXXbeSRg2P4jP0Lwxwvwltj2Nn1wtXDXtE/s1600/IMG_6428.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhvjk8Vu9FuYbBM72_FmaKPGqD5NODJLbn-OLYF9Vl-kegwZdDcl7BFO6Sa-Fkkob36Kf9FrpIFkA65_O9KfFx5bj6I1dw9AUBIWcCebohWXXbeSRg2P4jP0Lwxwvwltj2Nn1wtXDXtE/s1600/IMG_6428.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">I am serving Victorian Garden tea in my little glass teapot which comes with its own infuser. I have had this for a number of years but I don't use it very often.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR3XkWaT1LqcBtYlO23Y3qFQHihwGp0YASj4tH-IlYb1mLvJZnNoHhKAZgL-08ijn-8v0GfBZeNMy1J__tkU6WGDTGj4nDjRnWEgHKtiwKxDda1qRkyFYGHU1SJPmWQwJuv332CdcYUE/s1600/IMG_6395.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR3XkWaT1LqcBtYlO23Y3qFQHihwGp0YASj4tH-IlYb1mLvJZnNoHhKAZgL-08ijn-8v0GfBZeNMy1J__tkU6WGDTGj4nDjRnWEgHKtiwKxDda1qRkyFYGHU1SJPmWQwJuv332CdcYUE/s1600/IMG_6395.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;">Victorian Garden is a Ceylon black tea with all kinds of lovely things in it like China green gunpowder, vanilla, and rose and lavender flowers. I had purchased it from our PEI Preserve Co. in New Glasgow where they have a splendid tea room.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;"><em></em></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-style: italic;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world revolves- slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. </span></em><em style="font-size: xx-large;">~ </em><span style="font-size: large;">Thich Nat Hahn</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">Tea is ready, how about a little nosh with your cuppa?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpqU0TUMqCwhkolHOB2kF0Ji5RhOFTH-BxtgKeuesSqN21Q3G4uSj4Q9RSwp0YCcCFb2ycmlhDZHgS0EHHNEAPdGAXUTxmhXZoC_2BwoYnhG7jOZt-ex8htYMTg5dyKouuoe_Ejny-KQ/s1600/IMG_6393.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpqU0TUMqCwhkolHOB2kF0Ji5RhOFTH-BxtgKeuesSqN21Q3G4uSj4Q9RSwp0YCcCFb2ycmlhDZHgS0EHHNEAPdGAXUTxmhXZoC_2BwoYnhG7jOZt-ex8htYMTg5dyKouuoe_Ejny-KQ/s1600/IMG_6393.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">For some reason, I am feeling like a little chocolate these days. Perhaps because Valentines Day is on the way? Home made Chocolate Pudding with a dollop of whipped cream and some grated chocolate. Mmm! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">The plates are <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Blue Willow</span> by Churchill.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobmtkzJAha_siQLvP8wiz6g_K0gbbzI3b9md3jmjWtm4adkBRKo40mI8OQHf54XOAamtDMjOlICahW017yYpXJlRq8qgzDd2G1u0JKhvB2Dj11ZjorwZlQoNRRROeWODehptgoZd3vqA/s1600/IMG_6427-001.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobmtkzJAha_siQLvP8wiz6g_K0gbbzI3b9md3jmjWtm4adkBRKo40mI8OQHf54XOAamtDMjOlICahW017yYpXJlRq8qgzDd2G1u0JKhvB2Dj11ZjorwZlQoNRRROeWODehptgoZd3vqA/s1600/IMG_6427-001.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #666666;">My little creamer has no mark. I paid a dollar for it at an antique shop several years ago. </span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #15222b; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheatiwtCEO0VeUipmyyunHK-6zv4KxeTqenDEO9KswfokAlBWKFeImulJdU6C7uEfKoLxHveD-2hHFCJY2F3SGk70Z0rT17Jtbd70PWrx8OGJxBX5d7HISL4PkP5-Q7Ll_S4SVdhtIAwc/s1600/IMG_6391.JPG" style="color: #d5a6bd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheatiwtCEO0VeUipmyyunHK-6zv4KxeTqenDEO9KswfokAlBWKFeImulJdU6C7uEfKoLxHveD-2hHFCJY2F3SGk70Z0rT17Jtbd70PWrx8OGJxBX5d7HISL4PkP5-Q7Ll_S4SVdhtIAwc/s1600/IMG_6391.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tea is quiet and our thirst for tea is never far from our craving for beauty. ~</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span></em><span style="font-size: large;">James Norwood Pratt</span></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">This is an old post which I have updated a bit. I hope you have enjoyed it. As always, it is a pleasure to have you come for a visit. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-style: italic;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. ~</span></em><em style="font-size: xx-large;"> </em><span style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 11:25</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-style: italic;" /><em style="background-color: white; color: #15222b; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"></span></em><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;">Wishing you </span><strong style="color: #666666; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">JOY</span></strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-style: italic;"> today!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~</span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;"> </span><b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sandi</span></i></b></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-16121446972776002382021-01-18T11:37:00.003-04:002021-01-18T11:38:23.540-04:00Friendly Village and Chocolate <div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><i><span style="color: #990000;"><span>Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~</span></span></i><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-style: italic;">Edith Sitwell</span><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello my lovely friends! We have been having the loveliest weather here and oh, to have the whole winter like this would be grand! Then the rain came on the weekend! But it has been mild, and until the two days of rain came, we had sunshine; what bliss!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have most of our Christmas put away now. I replaced the little tree in the dining room with a tray of some </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Friendly Village </b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">china and one of the little trees I used at Christmastime.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSF_SY3h4pr25ALYDtyYdZBhVbQGbk5rFtneNOA2GuTHeyCBqDS6x8n5DNiAht2m-wfryK_KVFpSsnuIoLyxGSIfRHDJLR4ofqG2MhA_lbvaKTk7tM3iTN2tnhMjUn61N4FWEM9HDKElb/s855/IMG_2204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="855" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSF_SY3h4pr25ALYDtyYdZBhVbQGbk5rFtneNOA2GuTHeyCBqDS6x8n5DNiAht2m-wfryK_KVFpSsnuIoLyxGSIfRHDJLR4ofqG2MhA_lbvaKTk7tM3iTN2tnhMjUn61N4FWEM9HDKElb/w640-h554/IMG_2204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We shall have our tea using this china today. </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Johnson Bothers</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">, one of my favourite makers, produced this charming pattern first in 1952 and it has attracted generations of admirers and collectors over the years. Each piece depicts a different scene which creates a delightful story for your table. It's appeal is as great today as it was when it was first introduced more than a half century ago.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I was planning to make these little nuggets for Christmas but just didn't get around to it. So, I made them on the weekend. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItvVfkbCN5IBlOMH0NqkJjxrEF_ocvDz_LZwg0xIJcfxk4hx58fmGkJLK0X6rpAe5w_Uq0Doe8UXcySqDa7ogIiJoNpXJZKFZjjdeoR8IWnHWIOMFxuosnJLliw_Tk9an59udQ_P7AGjy/s855/IMG_2254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="855" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItvVfkbCN5IBlOMH0NqkJjxrEF_ocvDz_LZwg0xIJcfxk4hx58fmGkJLK0X6rpAe5w_Uq0Doe8UXcySqDa7ogIiJoNpXJZKFZjjdeoR8IWnHWIOMFxuosnJLliw_Tk9an59udQ_P7AGjy/w640-h554/IMG_2254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The chocolate raspberry truffles are very small and delectable, and they are a delightful little treat with your cup of tea or coffee. I have served them in one of my </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">King's Crown</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> red rimmed sherbet glasses. The truffles would be lovely for Valentine's Day. A little chocolate also makes you feel good.</span></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><b><br /></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Charles M. Schulz</span></i></span></p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7KxHx0zSpBxtPjxxwCN17IEUvfseVekJorrmFI3ND-S1h_EyLNn_e_kVlteaOT8oLRhaVrFsQi2iIAFnY8wP0TF8MjrzoCIQQN4nyKnn50VG38NpTL0UFkXvP9BXg3VHyXP6N_4GAWHl/s855/IMG_2261-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="855" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7KxHx0zSpBxtPjxxwCN17IEUvfseVekJorrmFI3ND-S1h_EyLNn_e_kVlteaOT8oLRhaVrFsQi2iIAFnY8wP0TF8MjrzoCIQQN4nyKnn50VG38NpTL0UFkXvP9BXg3VHyXP6N_4GAWHl/w640-h488/IMG_2261-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The truffles recipe is from a mystery novel authored by, Joanne Fluke, a New York Times bestselling author. A number of her books were made into movies as well, and I have them all. This particular recipe is from the book, "Plum Pudding Murder." Sorry, I do not have permission to share the recipe, but if you go to her site or Pinterest, you can find the recipe there. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmkiOxOz_53vBDWU5rvGYmC4sAmFrGp1tqw8yxTGFmTcaUG_lrb9GHbpQssmunTJtlwcHIUKqku4LMyrC9z5aZe6Cm-BzyRlc0ijwUyYQzhQDOsmVxXDrKqowQiE9FnASmg7BOrLi1lGq/s855/IMG_2247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="855" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmkiOxOz_53vBDWU5rvGYmC4sAmFrGp1tqw8yxTGFmTcaUG_lrb9GHbpQssmunTJtlwcHIUKqku4LMyrC9z5aZe6Cm-BzyRlc0ijwUyYQzhQDOsmVxXDrKqowQiE9FnASmg7BOrLi1lGq/w640-h584/IMG_2247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">When you have flowers, books and tea, you are never alone. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">Alexandra Stoddard</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQibg7N0hjBvGUHL_mu5LRobhejBJ33RnCmckTMd1Fcq1ayL045eHChFTJ_8PAZ3KqmcYshPcF_uAzzVWaGIlGrdQkuQsyH9oNudXNrPXpS5WE9atXxEdcE6-wcNJbMzQMVHa3lUYexiI/s855/IMG_2250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="826" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQibg7N0hjBvGUHL_mu5LRobhejBJ33RnCmckTMd1Fcq1ayL045eHChFTJ_8PAZ3KqmcYshPcF_uAzzVWaGIlGrdQkuQsyH9oNudXNrPXpS5WE9atXxEdcE6-wcNJbMzQMVHa3lUYexiI/w618-h640/IMG_2250.jpg" width="618" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjje6T6Dl0DGd9rzlfjK0h88DbhFftv0vg9bKPNMu0PRqkr8J_I9xeM_eFLx2Hbc9Xt_kMVJ-IXfYnu8GQ3ctSC8gOz15hQGdUoptCvzgZtm4-vSJKC7DxWaIgxxjDnIJ4_qedomGgN9suY/s855/IMG_2257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="855" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjje6T6Dl0DGd9rzlfjK0h88DbhFftv0vg9bKPNMu0PRqkr8J_I9xeM_eFLx2Hbc9Xt_kMVJ-IXfYnu8GQ3ctSC8gOz15hQGdUoptCvzgZtm4-vSJKC7DxWaIgxxjDnIJ4_qedomGgN9suY/w640-h586/IMG_2257.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have acquired quite a number of mystery novels and other books over the years. I love a small library of books that I can go to at whim. I love to read. How about you?</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Some of these mystery novels are written by Joanne Fluke and some are written by Laura Childs, who is also a New York Times bestselling author, of the Tea Shop Mysteries. I have every one of Laura Childs' tea mysteries. I really enjoy Childs' character, Theodosia Browning's exploits along with her tea shop employees/friends, tea master, Drayton, and baker extraordinaire, </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Haley. Their adventures take place in Charleston, South Carolina. If you enjoy a good mystery and a cup of tea, you will enjoy her books. She always includes tea recipes and tips. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Joanne Fluke's character, Hannah Swenson, on the other hand, owns The Cookie Jar, a coffee shop in Lake Eden, Minnesota. She too loves to solve a mystery, oftentimes at the chagrin of her detective friend, Mike, and dentist friend, Norman. With the help of her family and partner at the coffee shop, she has helped solved many sticky situations, and loves to share her many recipes. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I recommend both of these authors' books. They are wonderfully entertaining and good books to curl up with on a winter's day.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #454545;">Thank you </span><span style="color: #444444;">for visiting today and I hope you </span><span style="color: #454545;">have an especially lovely week. Take one day at a time and glean every drop of JOY you can from it. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><br /></p></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every day is a second chance. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">author unknown {from the Hallmark movie- <b>A Joyous Christmas</b>}</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart ~ </span><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sandi</span></i></b></span></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5302244628380312811.post-35688083033126690612021-01-11T09:35:00.003-04:002021-01-11T09:40:45.793-04:00A Birdie Theme in Red and White<p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">January opens the box of the year</span></i></p><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>And brings out days that are bright and clear.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>And brings out days that are cold and gray;</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">And shouts, "Come see what I brought today."</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> -</span><span style="font-size: large;">LB Jacobs</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hello dear friends and Happy New Year!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj5BTZ46_A77VpZBeLPGnunb4KhUAXj3Idgra3RbZsc3imb5PWGiya1Cwo3mRy14zrBhyphenhyphen2hypt40-Dwq_ExQSqrcIQMFDYw3et-UF-GTBB41Pp-wd04aktEy0ubsvsFqhUC2eBGgNi136/s855/IMG_2177.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="666" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj5BTZ46_A77VpZBeLPGnunb4KhUAXj3Idgra3RbZsc3imb5PWGiya1Cwo3mRy14zrBhyphenhyphen2hypt40-Dwq_ExQSqrcIQMFDYw3et-UF-GTBB41Pp-wd04aktEy0ubsvsFqhUC2eBGgNi136/w498-h640/IMG_2177.jpg" width="498" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The majority of us are thrilled that 2020 is behind us and we are hoping for a better year ahead.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I shared in my previous post how difficult the past year had been for most folks, including me. Well, since I wrote that post, I have had some more bad news. I have just been diagnosed with Glaucoma. Last Monday, the day of the diagnosis, I was a bit upset! I thought, "Dear Lord, how much more can go wrong? How many more meds am I going to have to take? I feel like a walking pharmacy."</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The eye drops I have to administer twice a day for the rest of my life, brings me to a total of thirteen times a day, I am taking medication. Alas, many of my issues are genetic so I'm literally stuck with them for better or for worse. This is not a good way to start the year off.</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But today is another day, and things look a little brighter because I know the Great Physician! I am in the Lord's hands, and I am trusting Him to take me through this. I don't know why I am so afflicted with all these health issues. I only know His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He is watching me. </span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Music has always ministered to me and the song, His Eye is On the Sparrow, is what has been going through my head the past week.</span></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Why should I feel discouraged, </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>why should the shadows come,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav'n and home,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>Refrain:</u></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. </span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Words- Civilla D. Martin 1905</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Music - Charles H. Gabriel 1905</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdEjzctET6HOzcVmYOQ9gzpZZ1xJ62kbuBm6V4rAw3rhqkYAx-ZO8OIFcWjc0H5CmiEGP2bHpphDN2VZ2InNj8dh7F2EBoFB8i2uiNreCqIHTBwy10wypgIDMeZasbWxx6W6tWsA5O_dg/s855/IMG_2191.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="855" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdEjzctET6HOzcVmYOQ9gzpZZ1xJ62kbuBm6V4rAw3rhqkYAx-ZO8OIFcWjc0H5CmiEGP2bHpphDN2VZ2InNj8dh7F2EBoFB8i2uiNreCqIHTBwy10wypgIDMeZasbWxx6W6tWsA5O_dg/w400-h301/IMG_2191.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This is my little sparrow which I painted and distressed years ago.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><br />Since my last post, I have celebrated another birthday. I never bake my own cake so my hubby </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;">ordered me a white pound cake with white buttercream icing and roses. When he went to pick it up, they discovered my cake had been sold to someone else. He was surprised of course, so they straight away got another cake and decorated it with white roses. They are not the original roses he wanted but it was all he could get at the last minute. The good news is, they gave him the cake for free which was nice! Wouldn't it be nice if the plastic plate they put the cake on was white or ivory? At least they didn't put my name on it. I don't like script on a cake unless one is a little child.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAgSUbFvvlkoeOaXxs9JEQbzOctoRkkt3kuBlmAgVaAq0_BsGuIF1gEiG1DW4NMkGXTpadLYHqdmykxdHHHRRGRIFY8VOU7nF8uw446qKwDDDg8nf7eM2pVAIzWBtr94Dagh4CbNzU6w_/s843/IMG_2139-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="843" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAgSUbFvvlkoeOaXxs9JEQbzOctoRkkt3kuBlmAgVaAq0_BsGuIF1gEiG1DW4NMkGXTpadLYHqdmykxdHHHRRGRIFY8VOU7nF8uw446qKwDDDg8nf7eM2pVAIzWBtr94Dagh4CbNzU6w_/w640-h536/IMG_2139-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I received the sweetest card from my son and his family in the States! It is uniquely made in several layers with cutouts. So pretty!</span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeL47NwJjAGiISfRBso2ihWx9RMQTiZ6aeDX_chtNGASLrwjF1rcq2zQrGwDlNsvHvFlHv10IlK-CdrGxwisZ8TRwx-TJz_w9AJsKH0f5QR2ANrleF62KI8k_GeZzT7FiRohLAO8Fz9Ka/s855/IMG_2163.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="668" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeL47NwJjAGiISfRBso2ihWx9RMQTiZ6aeDX_chtNGASLrwjF1rcq2zQrGwDlNsvHvFlHv10IlK-CdrGxwisZ8TRwx-TJz_w9AJsKH0f5QR2ANrleF62KI8k_GeZzT7FiRohLAO8Fz9Ka/w313-h400/IMG_2163.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcHkE79IielHgmnjfTEndiGxGUS0i9BXxR_Ppp28Nu0MHkkcrHhrbZnGBxrz5u35dG4VpeWzm-S9pMUGhsM71kMByeN2R-YbpZNIJSdKnDhiGlreFy5xX5nEwWsZGibGGwlixycfBrs6b/s855/IMG_2166.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="756" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcHkE79IielHgmnjfTEndiGxGUS0i9BXxR_Ppp28Nu0MHkkcrHhrbZnGBxrz5u35dG4VpeWzm-S9pMUGhsM71kMByeN2R-YbpZNIJSdKnDhiGlreFy5xX5nEwWsZGibGGwlixycfBrs6b/w354-h400/IMG_2166.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My oldest son, who had the ear surgery just before Christmas, is still having some pain, but it is getting better. The good news is, he is beginning to hear some sounds in his ear, so that is encouraging! His surgeon told him last week that it could take up to three months before his ear is completely healed. We are hoping for the best possible results, and if you have been praying, please pray a little longer? He was so encouraged to know that my blogger friends were praying for him!</div></span></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have set the tea table with a piece of my cake. Would you like to join me?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am using my red and white transferware because of the lovely table cloth and roses. The lace topper was a gift from a friend quite some time ago. I love it! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis80j3iykkpZsCY1PwzB8MXGaHaE3CU5Kr9jqZwuC1_wIW-I3PFLE9ohCj8DKIefZa3a-lJb3eT3OwyWlGeVxMqbLl-cNVY32EHhp4q9mCuEVaqo0aVTQDdkYSFwYsf_1fX-pQ4S0AIbf3/s855/IMG_2177.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="666" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis80j3iykkpZsCY1PwzB8MXGaHaE3CU5Kr9jqZwuC1_wIW-I3PFLE9ohCj8DKIefZa3a-lJb3eT3OwyWlGeVxMqbLl-cNVY32EHhp4q9mCuEVaqo0aVTQDdkYSFwYsf_1fX-pQ4S0AIbf3/w498-h640/IMG_2177.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The bird inspired teapot is being put to use today because I am so enjoying all the birds at the feeders. I saw several Juncos actually fly inside the feeders. They are normally ground birds so I was happy to see them getting in there and having their lunch. We have been seeing a lot of birds lately. Chickadees, Juncos, Goldfinches, and Evening Grosbeaks seem to be around a lot.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The bird teapot was a Christmas gift a number of years ago and it is rather heavy so I don't use it very often but I do love the birdie motif. It holds a good amount of tea. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ypi0kEe6A3n3ZMW3Jm_BWhMZ63tadt1_OHBAa4X89GevvIsSsvjhFZvvOsSwHH36MnfulJSU1xkuOhnDOmHIM8e2SRZTLn54KJLOTLhybXbiGdDQlm9NX8iMRKtVmbxxZUZulPR6mhTd/s855/IMG_2184-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="855" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ypi0kEe6A3n3ZMW3Jm_BWhMZ63tadt1_OHBAa4X89GevvIsSsvjhFZvvOsSwHH36MnfulJSU1xkuOhnDOmHIM8e2SRZTLn54KJLOTLhybXbiGdDQlm9NX8iMRKtVmbxxZUZulPR6mhTd/w640-h574/IMG_2184-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br />My tea today is one sent to me by a sweet blogging friend. It is Dessert by Deb, Orange and Ginger Shortbread Rooibos tea. Can't wait to try it!</span><p></p><p><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Serenity is a solitary cup of tea; pleasure is sharing it with another. ~ Victoria magazine</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The teacups are <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Masons </b>Vista</span> and <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Burleigh </b>Felicity </span>by <span style="color: #990000;">Staffordshire</span>, England.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWiYqrZ8E-DQPpDncgVNrV1-kONY-0xXqCUHksWssRytdba1c6X45cQqJwIaQaWLoZ5-W8UrYCbc0VEDurB04mgY_ruNtNmfqj4Xp6EyKh4_r0w01hY2MGDnVQw7qSF8Ca_Efb-v_rZD9/s438/IMG_2185-004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="438" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWiYqrZ8E-DQPpDncgVNrV1-kONY-0xXqCUHksWssRytdba1c6X45cQqJwIaQaWLoZ5-W8UrYCbc0VEDurB04mgY_ruNtNmfqj4Xp6EyKh4_r0w01hY2MGDnVQw7qSF8Ca_Efb-v_rZD9/w400-h330/IMG_2185-004.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sSv7nWglBbrbmU76s06-RtlY3apf4OtmJy_a-NvqOKTaLzTnCJTkoLUcKlWqau7kOZ3W2O5mcDROvqNfvZNYvEgJGEfSbkfVgyrgAs1m_p5PizpJDPaEsroJkuhlWv4KDyMaJskcbWmb/s466/IMG_2185-003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="466" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sSv7nWglBbrbmU76s06-RtlY3apf4OtmJy_a-NvqOKTaLzTnCJTkoLUcKlWqau7kOZ3W2O5mcDROvqNfvZNYvEgJGEfSbkfVgyrgAs1m_p5PizpJDPaEsroJkuhlWv4KDyMaJskcbWmb/w400-h373/IMG_2185-003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbp0sTg2IrTSH3J8hVFsXAfqtAe5a0MDarkN-e-Rmb1YC9ebMTWKefwYoAvw6k3OZfKvTBBl_TGWtluGdB79WhROeBWrmpxMdLDB4E95SDia1CtY7BoGTHzE1k-YARYDthTF_PMP76auoP/s855/IMG_2185-002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="808" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbp0sTg2IrTSH3J8hVFsXAfqtAe5a0MDarkN-e-Rmb1YC9ebMTWKefwYoAvw6k3OZfKvTBBl_TGWtluGdB79WhROeBWrmpxMdLDB4E95SDia1CtY7BoGTHzE1k-YARYDthTF_PMP76auoP/w604-h640/IMG_2185-002.jpg" width="604" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br />The creamy roses were a lovely surprise.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We have had some snow the past few days and those who can, are enjoying it. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My neighbour was outside helping his boys build a snowman. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwLiQS2UNIgbcZgpbHxCDuJT-zz7JFig0lO7IIweHZ9gCX7Sz-I2E-_uUbGLaEMhpO9Nimm-cd7sbS8oFcyvJ_0gGZf028Mfyoj0gPa93UjJ1vff7HtPPI9MB7O7HNnoDR4kVRuLLsGKT/s855/IMG_2195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="855" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwLiQS2UNIgbcZgpbHxCDuJT-zz7JFig0lO7IIweHZ9gCX7Sz-I2E-_uUbGLaEMhpO9Nimm-cd7sbS8oFcyvJ_0gGZf028Mfyoj0gPa93UjJ1vff7HtPPI9MB7O7HNnoDR4kVRuLLsGKT/w320-h294/IMG_2195.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The finished snowman with his hat and scarf.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgHncWhczV1pHb-zMRW6ItezXAQpaDoBnwomiMcibGHCak2BwL5AUMpDKGzq6YCOMauIMAzccPtdtEQkqB6tA1VOmtN4ptXDAFzgntJ6kWqykGJyqVh15qijo5yl8lOyDai0qU6YkESXt/s298/IMG_2199.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgHncWhczV1pHb-zMRW6ItezXAQpaDoBnwomiMcibGHCak2BwL5AUMpDKGzq6YCOMauIMAzccPtdtEQkqB6tA1VOmtN4ptXDAFzgntJ6kWqykGJyqVh15qijo5yl8lOyDai0qU6YkESXt/s16000/IMG_2199.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I enjoyed watching the little family play together in the snow. It is the simple things in life that make me happy.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like and learn to find joy in the story you're living. ~ </span><span style="font-size: large;">unknown</span></i></span></span></div><div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Before I close my post, I must share this lovely snowy scene taken by one of our talented Island photographers; Ian Carter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His caption read, "A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight walking in a winter wonderland." - in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8p_x7XVDR-_vV1FyEKwWZ8P9gAwA5AI54ij3iY72oAEdsXk8C0AnPEf3yumsM3iYjPGQ2XpoAzPwoIdbTekD9qhm-qu6LRBuxONj6G4G7jTQP6JsRKLPlJMJN8VWpjrzjOkJjqHdYd3-c/s1125/January+770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="843" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8p_x7XVDR-_vV1FyEKwWZ8P9gAwA5AI54ij3iY72oAEdsXk8C0AnPEf3yumsM3iYjPGQ2XpoAzPwoIdbTekD9qhm-qu6LRBuxONj6G4G7jTQP6JsRKLPlJMJN8VWpjrzjOkJjqHdYd3-c/w480-h640/January+770.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">Yes, even in the wintertime, the Island is a beautiful place.</span><br /></span><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><u><br /></u></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>Beauty of Our Friendship</u></i></span><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought or sold,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>But its value is far greater than a mountain made of Gold.</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>For gold is cold and lifeless, it can neither see nor hear</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>And in the time of trouble it is powerless to cheer...</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>It has no ears to listen nor heart to understand,</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>It cannot bring you comfort or reach out a helping hand</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>So when you ask God for a gift</i></span></div><div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Be thankful if He sends not diamonds, pearls, or riches</i></span></div><div><i><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But The Love of Real True Friends. ~ </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Helen Steiner Rice</span></span></i></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Have a wonderful week, dear friends!</span><div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sharing from my heart~</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> Sandi</span></span></p></div></div></div></div>Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17415214311003251398noreply@blogger.com18