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Hello friends and Welcome to my HOME ~ I would like to wish all my American friends a Very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

"There is nothing like staying at HOME for real comfort." ~ Jane Austen


While decorating my home the past few days, I have been reflecting upon my many blessings. I am grateful for so many things; my faith, my family, and my friends.
Everyday I awake in a nice warm bed, knowing I am cherished by my loved ones. We drive a nice car and we have clean clothes in the closet. There is food in the refrigerator and this week Hubby and I will go grocery shopping to replenish it. I am free to worship my Lord and go to church on Sunday and the wondrous season of joy is upon us. Lots to be thankful for!

I realize there are many who are not so blessed and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. May God bless you and watch over you. I pray your needs will be met this week.

Here are some posts that caught my eye last week:

Sally @ Drinking From My Saucer  shared her wonderful vintage hymnal ornaments.  She used pages from her grandparents' hymn book and filled these Christmas ornaments with them. 

Cynthia @ Cloches and Lavender repurposed her cabinet doors. I think she did a fabulous job! Please be sure to visit her for instructions.

Judy @ Gold Country Cottage shared a beautiful post filled with  Autumn and Thanksgiving vignettes. I loved her harvesters on the mantel. Perhaps you will get inspired by visiting her.



Bella @ Bella's Rose Cottage shared her lovely tablescape. If you like feminine and serene then Bella knows just how to put it together. Isn't it dreamy?

This week I am sharing my Christmas mantel. I used  some evergreen garland as well as some glitzy magnolias. I do have a couple of new mercury glass pieces which I love.

Pine cones, Christmas balls, and fairy lights finish it off.

I had to take the picture on an angle so my reflection wouldn't be in the mirror but you get the idea.

Have you started decorating yet?

It's a busy time of year and one can get worn down fairly quickly what with all the preparations. So, why not take a few moments and indulge yourself in a little pick me upper? I like to pour myself a cup of tea or coffee in a pretty cup and enjoy a little treat like Raspberry Fool. It's quick, it's easy, it's pretty, and oh, so good!
Just taking a few moments of solitude for yourself can restore you before getting back into the groove.

I found this simple yet delightful dessert in an older Victoria magazine. Just gently fold some pureed raspberries into whipped cream and serve in a pretty dish. Why, it's good enough for company!

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." ~ William Arthur Ward

Do you have something special you would like to share? Please refer to the list below and kindly link up. I will be happy to come and visit you.  Have a beautiful day dear friends and once again, Happy Thanksgiving!



I am joining the following parties as well~

Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Cottage Style Linky Party~ http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
Tutorials Tips and Tidbits ~ http://www.stonegableblog.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Open House~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/  
Potpourri Friday~ http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

A Bit of Blue for Tea Time Tuesday

"From His abundance we have all received one gracious Blessing after another." ~  John 1:16

Hello lovely ladies and welcome to Tea Time Tuesday.  I would like to wish all of my American friends a Happy & Blessed Thanksgiving this week! 

"Somehow, taking tea together encourages an atmosphere of intimacy when you slip off the timepiece of your mind..." ~ Gail Greco

Do you remember a while ago I mentioned I had found a number of teacups over the Summer? Well, today, I'm sharing another one.

For you blue and white collectors you will like this one. It is a Spode and I was thrilled to find this teacup! I love the little spray of posies inside the cup.

Spode's Blue Room is a stunning collection made famous by Josiah Spode originating in the 18th century. It is a medley of motifs and patterns ranging from floral and faunal designs to famous places and scenery.  And it's still in production today.

The wee bird's nest under the cloche is one my son found in a raspberry patch and he brought it home to me.

I have a couple of tiny blue and white china birdies that my mother gave me years ago and I cannot find them anywhere. They would have looked so sweet nestled together in the nest. I will have to keep looking. So for the time being, I have placed a little ornie in it.

The nest had been home to a red-eyed vireo so it is rather tiny and it still has strips of birch bark woven into it.

Source

The nest fits perfectly under my little cloche and topped off with some snow, makes it pretty for the upcoming season.

Now, are you ready for a nosh?

I made Sherry's  Dutch Apple cake to have with our tea. Sherry's presentation was much prettier than mine but Hubby and I both enjoyed it very much. It is a wonderful cake with sliced apples on top which I have served with my Vanilla Sauce. I like how the sauce pools around the cake; yum! Thank you Sherry for sharing the recipe.

The blue transferware pitcher was made in England. I found it for two dollars at a second hand store and it is a good size for serving the Sauce.

The wee creamer I found at the same shop for a dollar. I know nothing about it other than I like it and it reminds me of Delft Blue.

   Life
is like a teacup
  to be filled to
the brim and enjoyed
      with
   Friends~ Unknown

I am planning a Christmas Tea in three weeks time and it will be here before we know it. On December 10th, I invite you to bring out all your holiday tea things and let's have a merry tea party! If you have done any holiday baking perhaps you would like to share some of it with us that week. I would love to hear about your favourite Christmas memories too.

The button is available for you to take and use in your post or place on your sidebar if you wish. Just right click and save.

I am delighted you have stopped by for tea today! Your presence always makes my tea party that much more special and I am happy to see all your tea things, whether you have shared them before or not. This tea party is all about sharing your joy of tea time and any thoughts you might have on the subject. You may be as creative, fancy, or as laid back with your tea time as you wish!

Do you have a favourite teacup/teapot or mug that you would like to share with us today? I would love to see it and I'm sure others would too!
If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too:
Hot Apple Cider
Hot Chocolate
Lemonade
Iced Tea or Coffee
Punch in a lovely bowl.
No alcoholic beverages please.

The Tea Time Tuesday button on my sidebar is available for you to use in your post or place on your sidebar if you wish. A poem, tea quote, or scripture verse would be more than welcome! To be sure everyone has a visit, it would be nice if you visited the participant before and after your name. Inlinkz is available below for you to sign up for my tea party.

As a courtesy, please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants.

I am joining the following parties as well~

Blue Monday~ http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/
Heart and Home ~ http://angelwingsandapronstrings.blogspot.com/
A Return to Loveliness ~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Friends Sharing Tea ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/
Tea Talk Link Up~ http://the-teaist.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Thursday~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/
Cottage Style Linky Party~ http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Potpourri Friday~ http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi