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 4 January 2016

No Place Like Home # 9

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
Like the bells and lights and tinsel, 
In some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others 
Is good you do yourself. ~ Norman Wesley Brooks

Happy New Year dear friends and welcome to my first No Place Like Home of 2016! 

I hope you all had a splendid Christmas and a lovely New Year celebration. Here at my home, all is quiet. The snow is falling softly outside my window, Hubby has returned to work, and my company left on the weekend.


I thought I would start my post off with a picture of my son's ceramic tree he made when he was twelve years old. I brought it out for Christmas in the guest room and the teddy bear was a gift from my son. I thought it only appropriate that Teddy would be propped up by the tree. 

My son and his friend baked me a beautiful carrot cake from scratch for my birthday. 



Happy Birthday to me!



It was a lovely surprise because having raised three sons and my birthday falling at such a busy time of year, Birthday cake hasn't been a part of my life for many years. So, it was very much appreciated and might I say, enjoyed as well! 


Isn't it lovely?  Filled with carrots and walnuts with a wonderful cream cheese icing, it's moist and delicious. It is also my son's friend's great-grandmother's recipe so I do not have permission to share the recipe; sorry.

We all enjoyed a slice! 


The plate is The Victorian English Pottery Est. 1819 by Edward Challinor.

And what would go better with cake than a lovely cup of tea? Harney and Son's Holiday Tea, a gift from a blogger friend.


Spode Blue Room teacup.



Johnson Bros. Devon Cottage plate.



I prefer a teacup but my son is quite happy with his mug. You can see by his elbow he did manage to bring some work home with him. You know the old adage, "A woman's work is never done?" Well, I think the same applies to a professor. Isn't he adorable! He also drinks his tea black just like his mom.



"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." ~ Harlan Miller


Do you regret that Christmas is over? As busy as the holidays are, there is such an air of anticipation and joyfulness. This year we celebrated Christmas with two of our sons and three grandchildren. One son lives here on the Island while the other came all the way from Colorado to spend the holidays with us. So it has been a lovely time.

The birth of a New Year is a time of reflection, bringing with it an opportunity for change....for developing a greater appreciation of what is most important in life. ~ Victoria magazine

Anyway, feet planted firmly back on the ground once again, it's time to return to the everyday occurrences. My son has returned to the States thoroughly hugged and kissed and the tree has been boxed up and put away for another year. I do have a few sparkly things around yet. Wintertime calls for a little sparkle, wouldn't you agree?



Did you all watch Downton Abbey last night? I had to tape it because it was on too late but I am looking forward to snuggling up with Hubby and watching it. Of course tea will be sipped! 

Because the last two weeks have been such a busy time for me, I have only a couple of features for you this week. You are all so talented and generous in sharing your homes and ideas with us. Thank you!

These are from my last party a couple of weeks ago. If you have been featured you are welcome to take this button for your blog. Just copy and paste.



Karen @ Karen's Castle and Cottage shared her lovely Victorian Christmas tree adorned with beaded garland and china teacups. Gorgeous! She also shared her recipe for Peppermint Square which takes care of my featured recipe from my party of two weeks ago.






And Debbie @ A Debbie-Dabble Christmas   shared her wonderful Christmas kitchen. I can imagine how big the eyes of children would get if they walked into her home! A child's and grown up's delight!



Thank you everyone for your participation. 

Now let's see what you are creating in your home to make it a cozy place to come home to for your family, your friends, and yourself.


Winter is the time for comfort,
For food, and warmth,
For the touch of a friendly hand 
and a talk beside the fire: 
It is the time for home. ~ Dame Edith Sitwell



I am sharing this with ~

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Bernideen's BTTCG Blog Party
Teacup Tuesday
Home Sweet Home


Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

33 comments :

  1. Sandi,
    Happy Birthday!!
    Thanks so much for the feature!! I will be giving you a Shout Out on Google + and in my next post on my Christmas blog.
    Thanks so much for hosting!!
    Happy New Year, my friend!! I am so glad that you got to spend Christmas with all of your family. I will be doing a post on our Family Christmas in a few days....

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  2. Sending belated Birthday wishes to you, Sandi! How special for your son and his friend to make you a Birthday Cake. It looks delicious. Loved seeing your special ceramic Christmas tree and teddy bear. Yes, I watched the first episode of Downton Abbey Season VI last night and loved every minute! Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year filled with God's presence, love, and blessings. ~ Phyllis

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  3. Happy Birthday Sandi! Many more blessed years! The corner just won't b the same when the lights aren't there tomorrow....So nice you had a wonderful family time. Thanks so much for hosting, and looking forward to many wonderful parties in 2016. Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  4. Happy New Year Sandi! and Happy Birthday, too. The carrot cake looks delicious. Wow, both Karen and Debbie's posts look amazing -- how did I miss them? I will have to go visit. Thank you for hosting, and looking forward to being part of your party in 2016. Blessings, Deborah

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  5. Happy Birthday,Sandi, and a very happy New Year!

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  6. Dearest Sandi:
    Wishing you such a Happy Birthday and wonderful way to start the New Year with a Birthday and that lovely cake! It looks delicious and healthy. I always enjoy my visit to your blog!

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  7. What a beautiful birthday cake for such a lovely friend! Wasn't that sweet of your son and his friend? Happy Birthday love and hugs are sent to you, Sandi. Yes, your son is adorable and it sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas and birthday. May you have many blessings this year.

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  8. Happy birthday, that looks like a delicious carrot cake. We watched Downton with our cuppa last night, such a lovely series.

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  9. Happy Birthday Sandi! It is a busy time. I am so glad you had a nice time with your family. It is bittersweet when it is all over.
    Sherry

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  10. Happy New Year and a belated Happy Birthday as well, Sandi! How nice that your son got home from Colorado. I'm glad you had a good visit and great holiday. Our tree is standing naked waiting until hubby arrives home to box it up. I also left a lot of my Christmas decor out as it was mostly 'winter' related and made my Christmas clean up quite easy this year. Looks like we're in for a cold spell this week so stay cozy. Blessings, Pam

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  11. Oh My Sandi,
    Thank you so very much! I am honoured to be featured on your No Place Like Home Party. Happy Birthday to you too this month! Your son is adorable and what a dear young man to make you a cake. You are a very special mother! Your china is beautiful as always! Thank you Dear Sandi! Have a Wonderful New Year! Blessings, Karen

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  12. Like you, the best time over the holidays was spent with family. At least mine live closer to me than yours and...we're mostly women and tea drinkers!
    I leave my snowflakes and snowmen out until the end of March and the tabletop tree I bought will have a place in the dining room and be decorated with seasonal baubles. Not sure hubby will go for me plugging the lights in any more though. :-)
    Your BD cake looks delicious and how nice to have the men bake it for you. Hope your special day was wonderful Sandi.

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  13. Happy birthday.. and thanks for hosting such a nice party....

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  14. Happy Birthday Sandi. The cake looks delicious! Your son is charming also. Thanks for hosting another great party... Thelma.

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  15. I love those trees and now have 2 of my own! Happy Birthday to you!

    ~Trisha

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  16. Belated happy birthday, Sandi! I thought of you on Friday and I'm glad to see that you celebrated your special day with some yummy cake!

    I know some professors quite well and have learned that being an academic is a lifestyle and not just a 9-5 job!

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  17. Hello Sandi, Happy New Year! I hope this year brings you more health and lots of family time. I am so glad you had company for this holiday. It sounds like it was a good one for you. Happy birthday too!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  18. Lovely poem about Christmas! You surely got a lovely cake for your birthday. Happy belated birthday! Wishing you a wonderful year in 2016!

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  19. Well Happy Belated Birthday Sandi! Your cake looks delicious! And your blue china is so pretty! I watched Downton Abbey last night, but have never watched any of the other seasons! I know, can you believe it?! I just could never seem to get into it so I told myself that I needed to watch the whole thing and I did! So this morning I was at the Public Library first thing and borrowed Season 1, now I am hooked!! :)
    Thanks so much for hosting Sandi and have a wonderful week!
    Gina

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  20. Happy Birthday Sandi! So glad you were able to celebrate with family. What a wonderful son (and friend) to bake such a delicious cake for your special day. That's really meaningful.
    The ceramic tree reminds me of the one my grandmother had. I was always fascinated looking at its individual lights.
    Now that all of the Christmas decor is packed away. The house looks so bare. I need some winter sparkle like you said.
    Happy New Year, Nora

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  21. Hi Sandi! Happy belated birthday to you! How nice that your son bakes! Your birthday cake looks so pretty and delicious! Your blue china so very pretty too and I enjoyed your Christmas poem. I am so glad you had a good Christmas. Wishing you good health this new year!
    Hugs....Nancy

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  22. Hi Sandi! Happy belated birthday to you! How nice that your son bakes! Your birthday cake looks so pretty and delicious! Your blue china so very pretty too and I enjoyed your Christmas poem. I am so glad you had a good Christmas. Wishing you good health this new year!
    Hugs....Nancy

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  23. Oh, Happy New Year and Happy Birthday, Sandi! I am thoroughly impressed with your carrot cake — what a delightful surprise!

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  24. What a lovely post, Sandi! Happy Birthday to you! My birthday is also this week and never much celebrated after all the holiday festivities. Your son (very handsome!) is a doll to create a lovely cake for you. I wish you a great New Year!

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  25. Happy Birthday. I also have a January birthday, later in the month. Your pictures are beautiful. Yes, something blingy from Christmas with a winter feel should remain sitting out to enjoy. Thank you for the party. Happy 2016!

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  26. Happy Birthday Sandi. I seem to have a lot of friends with January Birthdays. Glad you got to have that yummy cake! Happy New Year too!

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  27. Happy Birthday Sandi! Sorry I had to link and run last night....I had been out all day and was dog tired! I am up and running this morning though and can't wait to see what everyone at the party has been up to this past week. Have a blessed 2016....hugs...

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  28. Thanks for hosting, Sandi! And a happy belated birthday! That cake looks delicious. One of my sons-in-law always likes carrot cake for his birthday cake. His mom made it for him growing up and now his wife (my daughter) does the same. Have a blessed new year!

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  29. Thank you Sandi, for hosting and hope you had a wonderful Birthday. It sure looks that way, with the beautiful cake and your family around you. Hope you have a wonderful new year as well..Judy

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  30. Hi Sandi! Happy New Year and belated birthday! How nice of your soon to make you a cake. Harney and Son's Holiday tea is one of my favorites too. I like your new picture header too!

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  31. Hi Sandi,
    Glad to hear that you enjoyed a lovely holiday season with family.
    Thanks again for hosting another great party!
    Wishing you and yours a joyful new year,
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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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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