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 7 May 2012

A Ruby Anniversary for Tea Time Tuesday



"There is only one happiness in life,
To love and be loved." ~ George Sand

Welcome for tea, my dear friends~
As promised last week, I will be sharing our Anniversary celebration with you today. So, please come in and let's sit and visit a while. Allow me to pour you some nice Lady Grey tea from my Lavender Rose teapot.


Our Ruby Anniversary was yesterday, May 6th, and we were away for the weekend, Hubby and me for a wee get-away. It's hard to believe that my sweetheart and I tied the knot forty years ago! Sometimes it seems just like yesterday. And yes, I was a child bride! ;)



"Joy is the simplest form of gratitude." ~ Karl Barth


All of our boys were home to help us celebrate this momentous occasion and we were thrilled about that!  Unfortunately, our second son's darling wife and two little ones could not make it as they live on the other side of the country but we were so thankful that he was able to come.
I am so very thankful for my loving family!

"Gratitude is a soil on which joy thrives." ~ Berthold Auerbach


Here we are...I am standing between our oldest son J and my hubby. Our second son J is standing next to Hubby and our youngest son J is sitting out front. Aren't my guys handsome!



In case some of you may be interested, our oldest J just graduated with a scholarship to Holland College where he will be studying Wildlife Conservation Technology. If you're wondering how to grow tadpoles, he's the guy to ask.
Our middle J is Channel Manager for Telus in B.C. and he's all about technical stuff.
Our youngest J who has just completed his PhD in Math at U of T in Toronto has accepted a position at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne. 

I had hoped to have all our boys home with us for our celebration and my wish came true!


"Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." ~ John 16:24

I wanted to have a big pizza party because we had little ones attending the festivities too, therefore we weren't dressed in our fancies.

"Every wish is like a prayer to God." ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I had our cake specially made and I took some photos of it at home before transporting it to my son's for the party.




It is a white double layer cake with buttercream icing, adorned with lovely white roses.

Lavender Rose teacups snuggle up to the cake.



A collage I made of the cake...



"Each cup of tea represents an imaginary journey." ~ Catherine Douzel




Our Ruby Anniversary was celebrated in shades of red and white and our DIL J did a fabulous job of decorating and hosting the event. Isn't she beautiful?



The ruby red walls in the dining room were a perfect background for the festivities.
She went all out with banners and bells, garland, and balloons, and a pretty white floral centerpiece with a red heart tucked in it.



Sparkling Cranberry Apple juice in crystal goblets, red napkins, and red, pink, and silver kisses graced the cake table.

My hubby and me. I was really feeling under the weather that evening because I was full of the cold but I smiled for the camera. I was just so happy to have my family around me.





Cutting the cake....


Love .... is when you look into someone's eyes and you know this is going to last forever.



This was my cup of tea at the party. A Royal Stafford teacup made in England; lovely with its pretty florals and gold trim.



We had a fabulous time; with lots of love and laughter!




Back at home once again, we enjoyed another piece of cake and a cup of tea. I used my Royal Albert Lavender Rose teapot and china.



It didn't take long for the rest of the cake to go!





And we lived happily ever after....!

"What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." ~ Matthew 19:6




I hope you have enjoyed a wee peek at our big celebration. Our boys have all gone back home and all is quiet once again on the home front....



Over the course of the past two years, you may have noticed that I often share tea things over and over again. That is because I am not always out picking up new tea things. Hubby teases me as it is about needing a warehouse for my china! *Giggles*

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 may have on the subject.

And for the summer months, I would love to see your teacups and teapots indoors as well as out in the garden, at the beach, on a park bench, etc... Also I would enjoy seeing your teacup and teapot crafts as well as recipes and any stories you might have to share about tea time.

So, let's have fun this summer with our teas. Get out there and be as creative, fancy, or as laid back as you wish!




I am delighted you have stopped by for a visit today. Your presence always make my tea party that much more special!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 iced 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~

Simply Sweet
A Return to Loveliness
Table Top Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday
Tea in the Garden
Teacup Thursday


Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi
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61 comments :

  1. Congratulations Sandi on your 40th anniversary. We'll be celebrating ours July 1 - doesn't the time pass quickly?
    Your family gathering looks delightful and the cake you chose is very pretty. I'm happy for you that the sons all made it home.
    Best wishes for many more happy years.
    Hugs,
    Judith

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  2. What a beautiful celebration, Sandi! There is just no way you are old enough to be celebrating forty years, but I have to resign to the fact that you are telling us the truth, so....Happy Anniversary all the same!

    God must have blessed you with the gift of growing older very gracefully!

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  3. Congratulations to you and your hubby, Sandi. 40 years is something to celebrate. Your cake looked delicious and lovely tea-cups, too.

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  4. Happy Anniversary Sandi,
    It sounds that it was all a "Ruby "Affair.
    your table was lovely..
    Its wonderful to have our children around us and i am glad you had your boys.
    I love your Royal Albert! I have "Moss Rose"
    I have made a nice blog with my tea.. will do another during summer.
    I think i did mention to you, that i have a fetish for teapots i love them.. Your cake looked divine.
    best wishes
    val

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  5. Sandi: Congratulations on your 40th. You certainly have a handsome looking family, and it was so nice that they could all be there to celebrate with you. I plan on joining one of your tea parties, now that I've learned how, but I'll have to wait until the kitchen is back together so I can find space on the tea table..Happy Monday..Judy

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  6. Hi Sandi, and Happy Anniversary! It was great to hear about and see the decorations for your party, and even more so, photos of your sons and DIL. You must be very proud of your sons - they are all so very accomplished! You and DH did a good job! Your cake is so pretty! I love white on white! And as far as you sharing the same tea things - I think you have MANY teapots and tea cups and I never get tired of seeing your Rose Chintz or your Lavender Rose. They are simply beautiful!!!
    A very sweet post, Sandi. I do not have a tea post today but next week I plan to share a Dutch-inspired tea.
    Beth

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  7. Happy Anniversary Sandi! What a beautiful post...I (((LOVE))) all your pictures of your special event...
    How special to have all your family together too...
    Many Many more happy years to come! You are such a beautiful family...
    Big Hugs,
    Donna

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  8. Congratulations Sandi! You are truly blessed with a marvelous family - such a wonderful thing to share your life with the one you love for 40 years! May God richly bless you with many, many more! I do appreciate you hosting and sharing with A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

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  9. What a lovely gestures. Congrats for the long years together. How I wish I could reach these years too. I only have 23rd recently §;-) way to go...

    Happy TTT on your anniversary. Cheers!
    /CC

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  10. Congrats to such a beautiful couple. You both look so young and don't look like you're having a 40th. Anniversary! Have a wonderful evening and many blessings.
    FABBY

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  11. Oh, yummy cake dear Sandi. Your gathering sounds like fun. Happy Anniversary once more!
    FABBY

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  12. Congrats on 40 years! a record breaker these days! This is a lovely post of a lovely family and you should be so proud of those sons! My kitchen is all torn up with a new stove, refrig, etc sitting in the middle of the room and messes everywhere so i am sorry not to be able to do a special post this week but will be back!

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  13. Wow forty years is awesome in this day and time!! Congratulations! Beautiful tea set by the way!

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  14. Happy Anniversary Sandi! Such a beautiful post.You have a handsome family. We'll be celebrating our 42nd May 30th.doesn't time fly?
    Have a wonderful evening.
    ~Clara

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  15. Congratulations on your 40th Anniversary. We will be celebrating 42 years in June. Don't the years just fly by?? Your sons are very handsome, as is your husband. You and your DIL are beautiful. The cake looked wonderful, too. xoxo

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  16. Congratulations on your 40th, we will be celebrating our 30th in August. You have a beautiful family,so nice that your sons could all be there!

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  17. Oh Sandi, how truly lovely!

    Happy 40th Anniversary!

    And yes, your fellas are all super handsome and your DIL a beauty!

    What a special day.

    And as for your cake and tea and china - beautiful!

    I ADORE RA's Lavender Rose - it is so beautiful!

    Blessings be yours.

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  18. Congratulations Sandi on your 40th anniversary! It is a fabulous looking family! I am so glad they all got to come in for your special day! Your youngest will like University of Illinois, that is really close to where we live. Great college! Hope you are feeling better! Have a great week!
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  19. Beautiful couple, beautiful family!

    Happy Anniversary!

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  20. Congratulations Sandi on your 40th Anniversary! You have a beautiful family. Your cake and china look so lovely. Enjoy your week.

    Blessings,
    Lisa

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  21. Happy Anniversary, what a great weekend you and your family had. Handsome men, you definitely deserve to be proud.
    I like the Lavender Rose set too, very pretty, we sell that pattern quite often at the auction if you are ever in need of extra pieces.
    Also, last weekend I was at a church even and the dishes for the church was your chintz pattern, they had a huge amount.
    Again congratulations, great pictures. God bless you and your family. Betty

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  22. Oh Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!! Such a special occassion and your family is so handsome. Your sons are all so accomplished, what a testiment of the two of you and how you raised them. Great cake and beautiful festivities. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  23. Hi Sandi: Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! It is wonderful to be surrounded by family. I am so happy for you. God has been good to you dear friend. Blessings, Martha

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  24. What a beautiful celebration! Congrats on your 40th!!
    Gorgeous party and lovely post. Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  25. Hello Sandi,
    I am so glad you shared your photos! I was hoping to see! Your family is beautiful, and how sweet that they were there to celebrate with you! I am sorry you were not feeling well, but hope you were all better for your wee get away.
    Everything looks beautiful, the cake is fabulous!
    Congratulations!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  26. Happy ruby anniversary. Lovely family, lovely cake and celebration by the looks of it. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. Dearest sweet Sandi...Happy 40th anniversary to you and your dear hubby. I love the pix of your family and how very special. It's such a JOY to see a happy couple who have stayed together and been blessed for many years. God has smiled on you! How nice of you to share this special occasion with your blog friends. My best to you always and keep this anniversary in your hearts all year!
    Much love,
    Linda

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  28. Hi Sandi,
    Well Congratulations, 40 years that is a very special occasion! I am so glad your lovly family was all there to celebrate! Wishing you MANY more happy years!!
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  29. Happy Anniversary and what a wonderful way to celebrate - your family, a super looking cake and of course fine china!

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  30. Hello, dear Sandi,
    Congratulations on your 40th anniversary celebrated with your beautiful family!
    Thanks for sharing this lovely celebration. Everything is delightful!
    Be happy and count many more anniversaries with your husband.
    Hugs

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  31. Congratulations to both of you! Your DIL did a lovely job, everything looks perfect. The picture of the two of you with your boys is really lovely. I'm so glad they were all there with you.

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  32. Hi Sandi,
    Congrats on your special day. Forty Years a wonderful milestone. The cake is beautiful. I love the white on white look ....sooo elegant. Your boys certainly are handsome.
    Have a good week
    God Bless
    Barb from Australia

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  33. Congratulations on your Ruby wedding anniversary. May there be diamond ones as well.
    Hugs

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  34. I have enjoyed sharing your Ruby Anniversary with you! Happy Anniversary. Everything is just beautiful and you have a beautiful family. God has surely blessed you. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  35. What a beautiful celebration. Congratulations! I'm so happy your wish to have your 3 handsome boys by your side came true. Wonderful.

    - The Tablescaper

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  36. Happy Anniversary and congrats on 40 years, too! Your lavendar rose teapot and china are gorgeous. The cake looks divine.

    Thanks for sharing,
    Michelle

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  38. Hi Sandi,
    Congratulations on your anniversary! You had a beautiful party. I never tire of looking at your Tea china. You always display them so beautifully. Your white cake looks so lovely, I love how its frosted. You have four handsome men in your life! I'm so glad your sons could come and be with you and hubby for your special occasion. My daughter has three boys and names all start with J!! I bet you were busy like her when they were young!
    Blessings to you,
    Nancy

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  39. Blessings, Sweet Lady! Looks like I'm your fortieth comment here wishing you and hubby a joyous 40th Anniversary! What a handsome family you do have - your boys are all so big and successful - you must be very proud! Such a blessing to have them celebrating with you! May you enjoy many glorious years in love ahead . . .
    Joy!
    Kathy

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  40. Congratulations Sandi on your 40th Anniversary!! What a GORGEOUS family you have!! What a wonderful DIL to help make your Special even more special!!
    Hugs...and LOVE your cake! Reminds me of my wedding cake :0)
    Hugs!!

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  41. Hi Sandi, I am so amazed and blessed at the beautiful pictures and so desiring that I should join in VERY soon. I found you through Miss Katherine over at Writer's Reverie. Happy Anniversary! Everything looked beautiful and what a handsome family! That cake has my mouth watering and the teacup is precious. I have a few favorite things from my grandmother and MIL- I will ponder. Thank you- see you soon!

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  42. Happy Anniversary Sandi. You have a beautiful family. Valerie

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  43. Sandi, what a special anniversary celebration! And I am so happy for you that all your boys made it home to help celebrate. They are handsome indeed! I wish you many more years of health, happiness and romance my friend. God's richest blessings for you and your hubby. Hugs, Pamela

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  44. Congratulations, Sandi! God willing, my hubs and I will make it to our 40th! In this day and age, that's a big accomplishment! Love your pictures, especially with your boys! So glad you could have them all celebrate with you.

    In His Lo♥e, Ann

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  45. Congratulations! And by the way, that cake looks delicious!

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  46. Dearest Sandi,

    Happy, anniversary to both of you, lovely lady.., You all look so happy; what a wonderful blessing that your sons could attend your anniversary celebration..,

    Yes, your sons are indeed handsome
    men; both of you are understandably proud parents and so thankful for God's rich blessing of many wonderful years together. You also have such precious grandkids, DIL's and were able to enjoy a happy celebration together after all these years of wedded bliss.

    That cake is so yummy and pretty looking Sandi. ~ What a lovely teatime for this week.

    Congratulations to you both!

    Everything looks so pretty Sandi, as always.

    Thanks for hosting.

    Blessings and hugs from WL

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  47. Congratulations to both of you! May you have many, many more and one day celebrate your 50th and 60th.

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  48. To the most gracious host I know in blogland....congratulations...what an achievement!
    What a lovely gathering...and such beautiful china to celebrate with.
    I know that feeling! I have a very quiet home too again.
    Blessings
    Shel

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  49. Your celebration sounds wonderful...how fabulous that the boys were there! Congrats on your anniversary. You are a shining example, not only for your sons, but for all couples. I especially love the photos of your hands, Sandi. Romantic. The cake looks delicious. Hope you are feeling better.
    HUGS~

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  50. Congratulations and so pleased you had a lovely time with your beautiful talented family. Your cake looks so light and delicious. xx

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  51. Sandi, Happy Anniversary! Looks like it was a wonderful day and you were surrounded by all your handsome men. Isn't it amazing how quickly 40 years goes by? The cake looked divine and of course served with our favorite drink. Hope you have many more happy days, Laura

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  52. How wonderful and your guys are all sooo good looking
    Happy Anniversary

    Also I want a piece of that cake so bad LOL it looks so heavenly good

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  53. Parabéns!!!!!!!!!!! Tudo perfeito.


    Bjs cristalinos

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  54. Sandi, you have a beautiful family, and they obviously think you're pretty sweet too!
    I'm so glad your handsome sons could all be there to celebrate with you.
    Your lovely DIL decorated the table perfectly, and you chose a very pretty cake to go with your Lavender Rose cups!
    Happy Ruby Anniversary, my friend.
    Thanks for linking up.
    {{hugs}} and blessings.. Trish

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  55. Hi Sandi,
    CONGRATULATIONS on your 40th wedding anniversary. Blessings to you and your sweetheart for many more wonderful years together. What a special celebration with your boys and family. They are all accomplished and handsome young men. I know it made for the best memories to be all together. Your DIL is beautiful and pulled together a wonderful setting to honor your years together.

    Love the cake. I know it had to taste as yummy as it looks. Beautiful tea cups you share as well.

    40 years is an accomplishment and doesn't it seem to fly by? We will be married 39 years in August and I just can't believe it. God continue to bless you and yours my friend.
    Happy Anniversary!!
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  56. HI Sandi...I love that quote b/c when you're loved you have courage to do anything and when you love, you have courage to give anything.

    You got a beautiful family and so glad your 'boys' were with you to celebrate this amazing 40 year (hard to believe...you guys look so young) journey with a man you still are in love with. That is the best ever. Happy Anniversary to both of you and so glad I've come to 'know' you. You've become a special friend in my world.

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  57. Dear Sandi,
    although belated I want to say a warm Congratulation to you and your husband for this wonderful anniversary. It must be true love that keeps you together. And the whole family looks really lovely, the guys are all handsome and clever and you look like a rose. It was so nice tow see the decoration of the celebration. You DIL made a fabulous job. And the buttercream cake looked really luscious and made my mouth watering. Sorry that I come so late to the party.
    Best wishes and greetings,
    Johanna

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  58. HI Sandi! What a lovely post and what a beautiful family you have. Congratulations to you and your hubby on your 40th wedding anniversary. I also wish you a very Happy Mother's Day.
    You are a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  59. Happy 40th anniversary.Lovely family you have.

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  60. Happy 40th anniversary.Lovely family you have.

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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