Faith Family Friends

Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Monday 31 October 2011

A Special Tea Time Tuesday


"If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give." ~ George MacDonald

Welcome friends to Tea Time Tuesday!

I am delighted you have stopped by today because this is a very special day in our family! The best thing about October 31st is that it is my grandson's birthday.

Our Brent is 8 years old today. Hard to believe! It seems just like yesterday that I cradled this adorable little boy in my arms and held him close to my heart. Oh, he still loves to cuddle but he's a big boy now!


Brenty is a unique little guy, and of my son's three boys, Brent is the most like him in that he loves nature and critters. Brent is charming, lovable, and he is inquisitive about everything!

So, please have a seat and join me as we celebrate Brent today for Tea Time.

Brent loves catching tadpoles and watching them turn into frogs. He loves butterflies and salamanders too.


He is curious about everything with four legs and everything that hops, flies, or slithers. Yes, he's all boy!
Anytime we visit, Brent almost always has a creature of some kind in a jar or aquarium. His father still brings home toads and other four legged critters to his boys when he's out and about. Some things never change! My DIL is learning a lot!

Brent also likes hockey....
They had a hockey themed birthday party for him on Saturday and his dad baked the birthday cake. As you can see, it is his favourite hockey team, Montreal Canadians. I must say, I'm impressed that my son made this himself!


Here is Brent blowing out the candles while his mom and two friends look on.


A picture of the guys celebrating with Brent. Brent is the one with the red hockey jersey on. His older brother Cameron is wearing the white jersey, and his younger brother is in front holding the hockey stick in front of his sweet little face. They all look like they're having a blast.


So, in keeping with Brenty's birthday today, I have a tea which is inspired, not by hockey, but by creatures. But do not fear, they are the cute kind!


Bees and butterflies, dragonflies and ladybugs, all adorn the Maxwell and Williams china. I really like the shape of this cup. The trim is like that which is on the teapot I shared last week although they are made by two different companies.


Each piece is sprinkled with flowers and edged with gold as well.



Dragonflies also adorn this cute cloche which has a chocolate cupcake candle beneath it.


And since most little guys like chocolate, as well as most grandmothers, we are having chocolate cupcakes,  brownies, and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies with our tea. The cookie jar is full, so please help yourself!





The tea table is strewn with smarties to make it more festive for our special little guy.



A cup of cranberry juice for you, Brent, and a cuppa tea for Nanny!




Happy Birthday Brent!



You are loved a lot!

"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; The fruit of the womb is a reward...How blessed is the man {or woman} whose quiver is full of them." ~ Psalm 127: 3,5 


Thank you for stopping by and celebrating Brent with me. I would love for you to join me for Tea Time Tuesday! All you have to do is share a favourite tea cup or teapot, a coffee mug, or something tea related. If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too: apple cider, iced tea or iced coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade, or punch. The TTT 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! Please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way here to visit with all my lovely participants.

Today I am joining the following parties as well~

Miss Spenser~ http://missspensersblog.blogspot.com/
Teacup Thursday

Kathy~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Martha~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Terri~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Teacup Tuesday

Wanda Lee~ http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Pam~ http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Wanda Lee~ http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/
Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee

Trisha~ http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/
Tea Party Tuesday

Trish~ http://angelwingsandapronstrings.blogspot.com/
L.A.C.E.

Bernideen~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/
Friends Sharing Tea

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Friday 28 October 2011

Crystal, Posies, and Pumpkins for Pink Saturday

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a good week. While I was in New Brunswick a couple of weeks ago, I found a couple of little crystal vases while thrifting.

The first one is a lead crystal vase and it's quite heavy. I paid five dollars for it and it is perfect for holding a little bouquet of fluffy pink  carnations. It looks really pretty when the sun hits it.



Then there is this little bud vase with what looks like the cornflower pattern on it. I paid ninety-nine cents for it. It's very sweet and delicate holding a single pink rose. 


The vases aren't pink but I hope you enjoyed seeing my posies.


Some pumpkins I painted and sprinkled with fairy dust, just because...


Love little glittery pumpkins!


Do visit Beverly to see more pinks. She has quite a line-up of pinkies every week. I hope you all have a very Happy Pink Saturday weekend.

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

Spiritual Sundays

Hello friends and welcome to another  Spiritual Sundays with our lovely hostess Charlotte. Please visit this weekly meme, a place in Blogland to minister and get ministered to.


The other day we passed a church and the sign read, "A sharp tongue can cut your own throat." I thought it rather crude but it does make a statement. Another reminder to make sure your words are sweet, because you may have to eat them one day!

So, let's talk about the words we speak. God's Word tells us, "Let your speech be always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer each one." - Colossians 4:6

Another verse reads, "...Let every one be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." - James 1:19-20

Proverbs 15:1 says, " A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." 
Yet another verse says, "The tongue of the wise brings healing." - Proverbs 12:18

James says, "No one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God."

How we speak, says a lot about our character. Charles Spurgeon said, "A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts ... not on marble."

God desires for His children to speak gracefully, reflecting the beauty of our Saviour, and so ministering to those around us. He wants us to be a blessing!

My hope is that I am a blessing today. I would never want to offend anyone by what I say.

EVERY TIME WE SPEAK, OUR HEARTS ARE ON PARADE.

Have a lovely weekend everyone and God bless you!

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

Monday 24 October 2011

Tea Time Tuesday


"October gave a party, The leaves by hundreds came - The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name." ~ George Cooper

Hello everyone and welcome back to another Tea Time Tuesday.
I'm so glad you're here and I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

My tea today is a bit of a departure from the pinks and reds I've been sharing the last few weeks. Glittered pumpkins, purple pansies and violets, the scent of cinnamon and lovely china beckon you to come in and join me for another Autumn Tea.


The tradition of Tea is one of life's most important pleasures. It is an elegant ritual which pays tribute to the satisfying combination of sociability and tastes.  Each delectable treat, from savory to sweet, is presented on fine china and served with the perfect pot of tea.


Today, my tea things are sprinkled with purple flowers. I'm sure you know that flowers have a language all their own. My Purple Pansy teapot stands at the ready holding a nice hot spicy Chai tea which is a favourite of mine. This teapot is made of fine porcelain by Allison L. L., and the pansy plate above is made by the same.


Pansies signify loving thoughts toward you.

The top of the teapot is encircled with golden leaves.


Always take time to enjoy your tea!


The brisk Autumn air often sparks the urge to come indoors and rekindle the spirit of hearth and home. ~ Victoria magazine






Mini white pumpkins snuggle up to the teacup to keep warm as it's getting cool outside.
I am using my Royal Albert Flower of the Month - Violets teacup. This teacup was a gift many years ago from my husband's aunt. The meaning of Violets is faithfulness and modesty.


I am also using the mate to the teacup I just gave away in my Blogiversary Giveaway. The ruffled teacups came as a pair and when I bought them I had planned to keep one and give the other away. The other has just found itself a good home with our friend Carolyn.


I also have my Violets teacup which I found in New Brunswick. It is not a fancy cup but it is comfortable to hold and the posies are very sweet...Milk white porcelain is sprinkled with nosegays of purple violets.


The violet is New Brunswick's provincial flower.


Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.



Underneath it all is the lovely doily which I won from our friend Bernideen. Love the pretty Autumnal motif of purples, oranges, greens and golds.


For our refreshments today I have a lovely Cinnamon Loaf with cream cheese icing.


Also, some freshly baked tea biscuits, warm from the oven.


Cinnamon sticks make wonderful stir sticks for tea.


Have you seen the newest issue of Victoria Classics Holiday Bliss? The front cover is lovely, isn't it? The holidays are drawing near and one can find all kinds of ideas inside its pages. With only 62 days till Christmas, it's good to get an early start.



I am delighted you have stopped by today and I would love for you to join me for Tea Time Tuesday! All you have to do is share a favourite tea cup or teapot, a coffee mug, or something tea related. If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too: apple cider, iced tea or iced coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade, or punch. The TTT 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! Please link back to me so that your visitors may find their way here to visit all my lovely participants.


"The joy of the Lord is your strength." ~ Nehemiah 8:10

I am pleased to join the following parties as well~

Sherry ~ Home Sweet Home

Kathy ~ Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Marty ~ Table Top Tuesday

Martha ~ Teacup Tuesday

Terri ~ Teacup Tuesday

Wanda Lee ~ Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Pam ~ Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Wanda Lee ~ Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee

Trisha ~ Tea Party Tuesday

Trish ~ L.A.C.E.

Miss Spenser ~ Teacup Thursday

Bernideen ~  Friends Sharing Tea



Sharing from my heart~ Sandi