Tea Time Tuesday

"Friendship," said Christopher Robin, "is a very comforting sort of thing to have." ~ A. A. Milne

Welcome to my first Tea Time Tuesday in February, my lovely friends!

What a busy week I had last week! I was very late visiting many of you and I apologize for that. We had company, appointments, more computer woes, and one day I spent with my mother in the hospital. Speaking of computers, I have a love-hate relationship with them. How about you?

It's a winter wonderland out there today and we're expecting high winds which will blow that snow around. My hubby is back to work today after six weeks of vacation and he will encounter mountains of fresh white snow to walk through. Meanwhile, back here at the cottage, my days will be getting back to normal once again.

While we were out west visiting our family at Christmas time, I went to HomeSense and found a little something that is a perfect match to some other pieces I have. Wanna see?

Love the little butterfly inside the creamer. I already have a teacup, a teapot, and now I have the creamer. I am so happy to have a little more blue and white to add to my collection and these pieces are so pretty with their butterflies, dragonflies, and florals!

Sweet? So let's have some tea, shall we?

"I don't feel very much like Pooh today," said Pooh. "There, there," said Piglet. "I'll bring you tea and honey until you do."

But first we need a bouquet. I found these at the grocery store for half price so they came home with me. I actually got two bouquets out them. Pale yellow roses with a soft pink center and sunny yellow tulips. They whisper of springtime, don't you think?

The tea things.....

And a cake....

This is my take on a Victoria Sponge cake. I will share the recipe at my HOME party on Wednesday.

Would you care for some cake with your tea?

Hubby usually doesn't get too excited over cake, but he loved this one!

I am using my mother's little silver tea spoon which she got one year the Queen visited Canada. The inscription reads, 'Queen Elizabeth 11 Visits Canada 1959.' Her Majesty is on the handle.

Life is like a teacup
  to be filled to the brim
and enjoyed with friends.~ Unknown

Next week I will be hosting a Tea of Hearts in celebration of Valentines Day. It will be a time to share your hearts, pinks, and reds, and maybe even some cookies. Hope to see you then. Wishing you all a beautiful day.

"But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13


Thankfully, Hubby just arrived back home from work. It's not fit for man nor beast out there today. *Sigh of relief!*


I am delighted you have stopped by for tea today! Your presence always makes my tea party that much more special and 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 might have on the subject. You may be as creative, fancy, or as laid back with your tea time as you wish!
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!

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~

Blue Monday~ http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ 
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://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Friends Sharing Tea ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Cottage Style Linky Party~ http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

HOME

"Dear God,
Protect our going out and coming in;
Let us share the hospitality of this home with all who visit us, that those who enter here may know Your love and peace." ~ Author Unknown


Hello dear friends and welcome to my HOME~

Hope your week is going well. I have had such a busy week so far and I was concerned I wasn't going to get my post up in time. To be honest, I wasn't even sure what I was going to share this week.
You see, Monday I had company and yesterday, appointments, so my time has been very limited. But I did find something to share which I hope you will enjoy.

Before I get to my own share today, I would like to feature the most viewed post from last week's party as well as the three posts which caught my eye.

Diane @ Cozy Canadian Cottage had the most views on her post about Abandoned houses. Once majestic homes now stand just waiting for some tender loving care. One's imagination is ignited by ideas when you take a peek into their once splendid interiors.  Can't you just imagine this room brought back to its original spendor?





This post caught my eye when Linda @ More Fun less Laundry shared a winter white setting in front of a beautiful window filled with sparkly snowflakes. Her table is set with white flowers and beautiful china. It really is gorgeous! Beauty and whimsy together is just my cup of tea.


 

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home has been doing some decorating with white paint. Her lovely mirror and cabinets which house her collection of milk glass have received a wonderful new facelift and they look stunning!

And Jeannie @ The French Hen's Nest shared her wonderful doll house which she has painted and filled with darling pieces of miniature furniture. This is every little girl's dream and I, for one, could move right in!



Thank you friends for all your wonderful posts last week and I look forward to what all of you will have to share with us this week.


When it's cold outside, I often crave a spicy Chili and so today I thought I would share my Chili recipe. This recipe is of my own making and I usually add the ingredients from out of my head rather than follow a recipe. I have done my best to print out the ingredients for you.

Chili

Brown 1 lb lean ground beef and drain off fat. Add 1 chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped green pepper, 1 T. minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. {I usually leave out the salt}

Add 1 medium or large can of red kidney beans
1 large -28 oz. can of Hunts Tomato sauce
1 large -28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 can of drained mushrooms or you may use 1 cup of fresh mushrooms.
Cook until onion, peppers, and if you're using fresh mushrooms, are tender. You can cook this on top of the stove or in the microwave for ten minutes. I usually do mine in the microwave.

Then add a sprinkle of chili peppers to taste
1 bay leaf
1 T. chili powder
1/2 T. oregano
Continue cooking on top of stove at low to medium heat for about forty-five minutes. If you cook it in the microwave like I do, cook for about twenty minutes and stir every few minutes.

As you can see by the collage, I have served it three different ways.




I serve it poured over rice with a tossed salad and garlic bread on the side, which is the way my hubby likes it.
I also serve it in a bowl with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream on top. And once in a while I add 1 cup of cooked macaroni to it and sprinkle cheese on top.

If I have some leftovers, I often heat it up and serve it with nachos and sour cream. Enjoy! My kids love my Chili! Hope you do too!


Thank you for coming to my HOME today and I hope you have enjoyed your visit. If you have something HOME related please link up below and I will come and visit you. Enjoy your day everyone.



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~

Home and Garden Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Cottage Style Linky Party~ http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
Tutorials Tips and Tidbits ~ http://www.stonegableblog.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Open House~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/



Sharing from my heart~ Sandi