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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 6 January 2014

Reflections and My First Tea Time of 2014


Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company. ~ Author unknown

Happy New Year dear friends and welcome to my first Tea Time Tuesday in 2014! 

After all the busyness of the Christmas season, it is nice to slow down and reflect over the past year with a lovely cup of tea.

For me, the year 2013 started off with a bit of a tumble and I have spent the past year going to physio therapy. I am thankful that I am making progress and my back is feeling better. With God's help, I hope to keep it that way.


Some good things happened this past year too.  All my sons were home in June for a visit and all you moms know how wonderful it is to have your family around you.

The end of November, we finally got my mother moved back down to our area after spending the last two years living two hours away from us. It is a long story and believe me when I tell you that this was a miracle!

I am ever so thankful to God for His love and blessings every day and I look forward to a wonderful new year. I pray that I will be a blessing to all of you!

Where there is tea, there is hope. ~ Sir Arthur Pinero

Many of you have already shared your review of tea posts and today I decided to share mine. I just chose some favourites and I hope you enjoy them.

In January, I celebrated TTT's 3rd Anniversary with a Tea of Roses. I brought out my RA Old Country Roses.



For St Patrick's Day I celebrated with a wee bit o' green with a handmade teacup and Skye McGhie.




A soft springtime pallet using my gifted teacups, Roslyn Moss Rose and Colclough.



In May, Hubby and I celebrated an Anniversary with RA Lavender Rose.



My love for roses also had me sharing RA Old English Rose.



Lupins, roses from my garden, and tea made for a pretty table in June with a mix and match bouquet of china patterns.



In September, I set out a tea under our maple tree  using my vintage JB Rose Chintz. Most of this pattern was passed down to me by my sweet Auntie P.



Sharing some aqua blue with RA Veronica.



In honour of Breast Cancer awareness month, I shared some pink with RA Serena.



A little purple in Autumn using Gracie china.



JB Friendly Village appeals to the old-fashioned girl in me. I love this pattern depicting by-gone days!



And finally, this is my favourite fun post of the year. I felt like a little girl again playing with my dishes. My Sugarplum Fairy Tea was a delight to put together using my Skye McGhie Cream Lace  and Staffordshire teacups.



This wraps up my review of my 2013 tea parties.

Next week I will share another Tea Time with you and two weeks from now, I will be celebrating another Tea Time Tuesday Anniversary. It will be four years of celebrating tea time with well over 200 tea parties. What a wonderful four years it has been too, meeting all you lovely ladies who enjoy tea and pretty china as much as I do.

You have put gladness in my heart. ~ Psalm 4:7

Do you have a pretty teacup, coffee mug, or teapot to share? Perhaps you have a tablescape or a visit to a tea room you want to share with us. Please link up below, we would all love to see it!

I am joining the following parties as well~

Pink Saturday~ http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/
A Return to Loveliness ~ http://www.adelightsomelife.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday~ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/
Friends Sharing Tea~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
What's It Wednesday~ http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/ 
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

37 comments :

  1. Happy New Year Sandi! You have so many beautiful tea cups....just gorgeous! Hugs, Penny

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  2. It was nice to look over your past teas Sandi, and I have enjoyed joining you over tea each week. Well, I think I missed a few but do like the group that gathers for your hospitality every Tuesday.
    The themes have been fun too, encourages us to be a little more creative with our tea tables.
    Thanks for hosting.
    Hugs,
    Judith

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  3. Hi Sandi. A lovely year for you to look back on....my blogging year of 2013 with an "anus horribilis" with the blog scraper, but hope this year will be better! God bless you as we embark on another year. Thanks so much for hosting and linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  4. All of your dishes are gorgeous.

    You make me want to plan a tea party. But, my house is in disarray from major projects so it will have to wait until February.

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  5. Tea parties are a lovely pastime, and as I saw the photo of each cup, I thought that each is a beauty. I especially like the cup with blue flowers and the cup with dainty violets.
    Happy Tea Party Anniversary.

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  6. I loved looking back at all your lovely tea parties, sweet Sandi! Thank you so much for hosting and being an inspiration. xo

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  7. Your beautiful photography inspires me when it is time for me to plan tea party. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. With this deep freeze we are in there are lots of cups of tea being made here lol ! Lovely post and photos . Here's to another good year . Happy New Year to you and your family !

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  9. Happy New Year to you too Sandi! You really have had some gorgeous teas!! thank you for hosting each week!

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  10. Hi Sandy,

    Beautiful memories of last year! Wishing you and your family a Happy, Healthy and Sparkling New Year! Hope your will feel your old self again soon!

    Madelief x

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  11. Each feature is a feast for the eyes! Just lovely reflecting on all those Tea Time Tuesdays!

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  12. Happy New Year Sandi. I have missed you all so much this year but I am back. Thanks so much for still hosting this. I am definitely looking ahead to a MUCH better 2014. I am happy to say goodbye to 2013!!

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  13. Lots of lovely tea cups here. I do love the Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz pattern especially. Did you name your blog after it? I had fun doing my 2nd party with you!

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  14. Happy New Year Sandi!!! I always enjoy seeing your lovely teacups and tea inspirations... great to take a look back. Thank you for hosting...hugs and blessings, C. (HHL)

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  15. Hi Sandi - I enjoyed your look back over 2013. Your Christmas table was so sweet. I'll drop over now to visit a few of those who have joined your tea-party. Here's to a wonderful 2014 and I hope there are some new tea blogs to enjoy. Hugs, Deb

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  16. Happy New Year Sandi!
    Your look back is lovely. All those beautiful tea times...wonderful!
    I am wishing for you increased health and wellbeing.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  17. Hi Sandi,
    Your review of the year is so lovely! Your BlogSpot is always very beautiful. I am sorry that about your fall and hope that 2014will bring you good health. It has been a strange year for my family's health too. As you do I like having all of my children around me. Your teacups are all pretty and I just found the Friendly Village teapot today at Sally Ann for $24.99 and like you love that pattern. Wow! Four years of blogging! That is an accomplishment! I haven't reached a year yet but treasure all of the friendships I have made in that short time. Thank you for hosting today! Karen

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  18. Oh I love all your beautiful tea cups - they are ALL stunning.
    So sorry about your fall, but I hope your on the mend now. Take care of yourself.
    Wishing you a wonderful 2014.
    Mary

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  19. Hello Sandi,
    I enjoyed your tea tour, I believe June would have been my favourite with the mix match tea serving and the Lupin. Take care, Cindy

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  20. What beautiful things you have, Sandi. I enjoyed seeing them all.

    I had a bad fall in September so I understand what it takes to come back from something like that. Hopefully you are well on the mend. Glad you got to spend time with your sons and that you got your mother moved. God is good!

    I would love to hook up with you this week with my smiley teapot I have, but I am leaving town for a funeral and come back for one and a wedding, too. So it can't be this week. I am not going to be able to finish visiting on the two parties I joined, but I wasn't aware of the other death at the time. It has been a whirlwind of that sort of thing of late.

    Hope you have a glorious 2014.

    Be blessed.

    xo

    Sheila

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  21. Dearest Sandi! Oh - how I have missed sharing tea with our ladies in December. My post today explains my three week absence from Blogland and my delight to be back and taking tea and inspiration with everyone! I fondly remember most of your "best of" teatimes but am sorry to have missed the SugarPlum Tea - when I was otherwise occupied. So many beautiful works of art in teacups - very hard to choose a favorite. I look so forward to more celebrations this year - and especially to be wishing you well as you celebrate four years of Blogland teatimes!
    Joy!
    Kathy

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  22. Dear Sandi,
    is it really true, that all those wonderful moments are gone. A whole year of Tea Time celebrations? This year went so quick over. But what a fun, we will have a new year with the same fun. So nice to read about your recovery and the blessings in your family. Its always nice to visit your blog. The lovely settings are always paired with wise quotes. I feel so comfotable here. Have a wonderful New Year and thank you for hosting.
    Best greetings, Johanna

    P.S. I will link in later. The light is awful for photos this day.

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  23. You do have a lot to be thankful for last year. God's blessings to you and to your mother and your family :)
    Your tea posts are always lovely and it is wonderful to see them all together! I do appreciate you hosting and sharing,
    Kathy

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  24. Everything looks so romantic and adorable. Happy New Year, Sandi!..Christine

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  25. Happy new year!!!Your tea parties and tea cups are just gorgeous and very romantic.Your tea tables are very inventive too.
    Kisses
    Alessandra

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  26. Your teas are very lovely! I like the rose teacups and the Friendly Village cups too. Have a great New Year!
    Sherry

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  27. Thank you for hosting and sharing all these beautiful tea things, Hope your back gets better. Just stare at your pretty stuff and it will surely relax you. Happy New Year, Sandi...Christine

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  28. Hello Sandi. I do not have a tea related post today. I am just stopping by to say hello. I am glad to learn that you are feeling better and of your wonderdful blessings in 2013. I am sure this year will be even better.

    Fondly,

    Janet

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  29. I love your 'where there is tea there is hope'.........and I'd like to add that where there is tea there is comfort, there is friendship, there is ease and there is just enough bite to keep life interesting.

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  30. I have enjoyed almost all your tea-times Sandi, and find myself uplifted and encouraged by your posts sharing your teacups and table-settings. Thank-you .

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  31. Hi Sandi, sometimes I do that too. I hit the tea time Tuesday tag and look back at the times. Lovely to remember, isn't it? Now that I see your list I remember almost every one of yours too. :)

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  32. Hello dear Sandi.
    Oh Gosh, you really do make my heart feel happy.. whenever I look at your beautiful tea scapes.. those lovely settings, and delicious cakes.
    Always super to arrive at Rose Chintz Cottage.
    Wishing your health gets better during 2014.
    I have sympathy with you, after having 3 spinal operations. I am not so good again at the moment.
    sending love , and happiness. looking forward to more of your lovely posts..
    val x x x x

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  33. Hi Sandi: Very sorry to hear you have not been feeling well. I will keep you in my prayer. Love all the beautiful tea cups you shared all year. For me this is a favorite place to stop on Tuesday. I have had company all week and it has put my week in a big confusion. I think I will just wait until next week and post them. Sending hugs your way dear friend. Blessings, Martha

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  34. Hi Sandi...I'm a bit late. Lovely choices! Have a great weekend and thanks for hosting!
    Ruth

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  35. Sandi, Your images are so beautiful. You are great at setting up a delightful, pretty tea table. You have many pretty teacups and you make yummy goodies too! You have very good photography skills too, Sandi. I always enjoy TTT and I will be joining again soon. :)
    May 2014 bring you good health, peace, joy, and prosperity.
    Beth

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  36. Beautiful teacups....thank you for sharing...HPS

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  37. Beautiful review Sandi. You have so many gorgeous teacups! I too hope your back continues to heal! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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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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