Everything's Coming Up Roses...Or Not!

The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer. ~ Vita Sackville-Wes

Hello dear friends! I have been missing in Blogland the last few weeks and decided I ought to post something so you all know I'm still here.

It's a brand new year; a brand new decade actually, and I have been reflecting on the past year or so. "Everything's coming up roses," is not quite true here in my home; only on my china. 

The past year was a difficult one for our family. The new year hasn't started out well either, but I have decided to put one foot in front of the other and move forward. I refuse to let my woes get the best of me. 

The Lord knows the trials we are going through and if we allow Him to, He will take us through those times with as much grace as possible. 

Appreciation can make a day - even change a life. ~ Margaret Cousins

I honestly believe that we all have something we can be grateful for, even when everything seems to be falling apart! If we set our minds on what we are grateful for, we can enjoy the beauty, the joy, and the blessings that come our way each day. Philippians 4:8


Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. ~ Maya Angelou

After the Holiday season, I was wiped out and I still don't have a lot of energy. My condition will not get better and I have come to terms with that long ago, but sometimes, I still think like I did before I was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy. I am not Super Woman, and I have discovered and come to the bleak conclusion that I can no longer do certain things. I'll be honest, it has been a hard pill to swallow! Christmas dinner is one of those things. We will have to do something different next year and I already have a plan in mind. I do love Christmas in spite of all the work I put into it. My hubby has been after me the past number of years to stop making a big dinner because it wears me out. I have been stubborn and wouldn't give in to it, and I always pay for it afterwards.

It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. ~ LM Montgomery - Anne of Green Gables 

I have done some baking however for which my hubby is thankful! I like being in my kitchen and creating something delicious on my good days. One must keep the home fires burning even when things are not ideal. 

Home made cinnamon rolls and bran muffins.

I received some sad news from my brother since my last posting. He lives in the US and he called me on my birthday {New Year's Day} to tell me that he has lung cancer. He is my only brother and we were fairly close growing up, but because he lived away for so many years, Calgary, Alberta, and now in Indiana, we rarely see each other, and we have grown apart. But he is still my little brother and he needs prayer. Thank you to those of you who will pray for him! His name is Dennis.

Needless to say, I have been concerned for him because he told me he probably doesn't have long. Neither one of us can travel so I daresay I shall never see him again. When our mother passed last August, he was unable to attend the funeral because he had heart surgery that week. It was his fifth surgery in recent years so he hasn't been well for a while. It is all very sad and I feel helpless. All I can do is pray for him and believe the Lord will take care of him. I'm so thankful for childhood memories.


I don't know what lies around the bend in the road but I'm going to believe the best does. ~ LM Montgomery

Now that I have brought you up to date, I would like to share a little tea time with you.

I haven't had a proper tea in quite some time so I made a few tea sandwiches and arranged those on the tiered stand with some bran muffins, cinnamon rolls, and sugar plums. I had cut up some fruit cake too but there was no room for it on the stand. Tea sandwiches are egg salad on whole wheat and tuna salad on ciabatta bread. 

You have seen my Grace teapot before and the cups and saucers are Old English Roses and Paragon.

Hubby will enjoy this later this evening. My tea is a spicy rooibos. Would you like to join me? 

You owe it to everyone you love to find pockets of tranquility in your busy world. ~ unknown

A cuppa always helps one to relax and feel better, don't you think?

The pretty flowers are a bouquet that I received Saturday night at a church function. Every winter the board of elders holds a dinner for the pastor, the elders, and their wives. So this is mine. I love the shasta daisy!

May your life always be like a pot of tea... Overflowing to warm the soul. ~ an Irish blessing

February is on the way and winter is moving on, for which I am also thankful! Thank you for visiting and enjoy this last week of January, dear friends.  

Friends are flowers in the garden of life. - unknown

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi