Thursday, December 31, 2015

Happy New Year!



For saying goodbye to an old year-
and watching the clock ring in the new one....








I wish you all a truly wonderful new year.








May you all be blessed with good health, laughter, love and peace.











Dan Fogelberg's Auld Lang Syne
makes me cry every time I listen to it!







Joy to you all tonight for NewYear's Eve-
 safe travels to ye!

See you all next year!

Hugs!


~Michele

[Comments closed so y'all can have more time for fun.]


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Monday, December 28, 2015

Christmas Tea for Young Ladies


A few days before Christmas my 7th grade niece
 and I were texting one another
saying how busy we've been
 and how sad it was we haven't had any tea time together.

And then a thought popped into my head
 and I asked her how she'd like to invite 5 of her friends
 over to her Aunt Shell's house
 for an impromptu afternoon Christmas Tea.

She *loved* the idea and quickly texted five
and all but one said yes!








So with just one day to prepare
 I got busy and set the dining table with love,
and a pretty Christmas theme!










Up till then I hadn't bothered with getting
my Christmas china and glassware out
because my sister hosted Christmas Eve
and my daughter hosted Christmas Day this year.

It is the very first Christmas I didn't prepare
 a Christmas meal since I was just a girl!
I have always done it, almost my entire whole life.

(It felt odd not hosting, but I sure could get used to it, haha.)


















I found the most perfect favors for this party:

Matching set of sachets and dress-shaped note pads
 in scarlet red with green ribbon - with mini metal "hangers." 

I love how with being red and green party dresses
they're "holiday" but not too over-the-top Christmas-ey,
so the girls may actually like and use them awhile.










The "welcome to my party" punch drink was a mix of
 apple juice, Sprite for fizz and cranberry juice for a splash of color;
served in etched vintage champagne glasses.











Harney and Sons "White Christmas" was the tea served.










Menu:

Cream of Potato Soup
(served in vintage milk glass teacups)

Egg Salad Triangles on Wheat
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Ham with Honey Mustard Squares

Jeni's "Salty Caramel" Ice Cream
(Served in vintage champagne glasses)

Tiered trays of goodies leftover from my cookie exchange party



Here is a pic with just a few of the items on one of the tiers.







I laid out all sorts of hat boxes
 for them to try on hats, and wear the one of their choice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


And just look at these sweet, beautiful happy
 smiling lasses in their hats sitting at tea!











Before they finished up I read them Tom Hegg's story book
"A Cup of Christmas Tea."

Then I let my niece take them upstairs to see 
my Cup of Christmas Tea cup and lighted Mistletoe Tea House.


They asked to borrow my camera and took this clever shot.











My niece took the one below, too!










My niece wrapped and surprised her pals
 with "parting gifts" she bought and wrapped herself.

They were these new-fangled lip balm balls -
 guess they're super popular.

The girls loved them.

I had never heard of them, but that's not saying much.

Maybe I'd know if I got my nose out of a book 
and/or a teacup more often, eh?

: - )














As always, thank you for your visit!


~Michele



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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Angels We Have Heard on High








Anxiously awaiting the birthday celebration of the Lord Jesus!

Won't be long before we're singing those hymns of joy!


Hosted a lovely Afternoon Tea Party today
 for my niece and a few of her friends today.

I took a few pics and hope to share tomorrow.

(Or soon, depending on how much I accomplish.)

I am so beat! 
This reminds me why I could never own a tea room, haha.

They were lovely and sweet young ladies. 



Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Gloria in Excelsis Deo

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song

Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Gloria in Excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ our Lord, the new born King

Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Gloria in Excelsis Deo




As always, thank you for your visit!


Merry Christmas!


~Michele

Comments closed.









Friday, December 18, 2015

Foyer, Porch, Gifts and Cookie


Greetings, oh wonderful missed ones!


Well... here I am, better late than never-
 sharing the first of my holiday decor!

This message is sitting on my front table in the foyer
to welcome you to the SEASON!










Simple & understated - a bright, clean and cheerful hallway.

Last Christmas this old chippy window pane was on the mantle.

I made the paper wreath last year and designed the 
winter greenery floral a couple of years ago. 










Tucked in on the top of the floral is this antique postcard.









No holiday decor feels quite complete to me
 without Good 'Ole Saint Nick!












Close up of a sweet little china pot
 with a winter scene and birdie
given to me this Christmas from dear friend
(Thank you so much, Deb! I really love it!)












The antique leather Catholic prayer book
is a gift from MD that I have had for a few years.

It's almost 95 years old to the day!

See the first  page?!?











Here is our front porch this year -
those awesome red lanterns were a recent thrift find.

I am thrilled with how they look here...
just a nice pop of color seems to bring it together.












Our fresh evergreen wreath looks similar to last year's
 because I take off the embellishments and re-use them
on a plain wreath..... saves money, and I like the look -
why spend more when one doesn't need to?












On tuesday I hosted my annual cookie exchange party
and had an epic blogger fail: I didn't take a SINGLE pic!

I totally forgot! I got caught up in the moment!

I was, however, able to take a lovely pic today
of the beautiful gingerbread cookies my eldest daughter made.

We all agreed they are too pretty to eat.
(And they are as tasty as they are beautiful!)










Well that's it for my 2015 holiday sharing for now.

I am having a couple of friends to tea tomorrow,
then hopefully I can get busy taking more decor pics to share.

I have SO MUCH I want to show you!
So please be on the look-out! : - )


As always, thank you so much for your visit!


~Michele

Linking:






Monday, December 14, 2015

Village Mistletoe Tea Room


Thought I would show you a cute little
 lighted porcelain Victorian collector's village house that I have
 called the MISTLETOE TEA ROOM.











Isn't it just darling?












I am sorry to be so MIA!
This time of year is so busy, isn't it?


I am behind visiting and commenting and
shall make it up to you all soon.











Anyway, thinking of you all and just wanted to
pop in and say hello!











Hope you have time for some leisurely
tea sippin' this season!

Grab a friend and do just that today!










Wishing you all this blessed season
has to offer you!



As always, thank you for your visit!





Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Christmas - Invite a Friend to Tea!

Welcome, Advent Christmas Season!



I am so delighted for the season to have officially begun!









I have everything decorated except for the tree.
(my niece/s coming to help fell through-
  Black Friday Weekend Mall shopping simply won them over, boo hiss!)

It's been a cold grey rainy day here today, not good for photo shoots.

I have been looking at my busy calender filling up fast-
and wanted to pop in with an inspiration for you:

Schedule a day right now to
 invite a friend over for tea!


Give her enough time out of her (or his) busy schedule
for this much-needed and deserve respite.

It's the nicest gift a friend can give: a little quiet time together
between the rush and hustle bustle of the season!










Make a reservation for a local tea room, 
or better yet - host a little tea time at your home.

It doesn't have to be fancy or fussy -
just tea and cookies, or something purchased from a bakery.

The fact that you cared enough to invite is the true gift.

Heck, it doesn't even have to be tea - coffee or cocoa is fine
long as you take your time sipping slowly
and enjoying the company of someone special.











Perhaps you know someone who is recently widowed,
 or divorced, or maybe alone this season -
 someone who needs to maybe just simply be included?











Or perhaps you know someone to whom you owe a debt of thanks -
something more substantial than just sending him or her a card....
perhaps a teacher or pastor,  or neighbor
 who maybe fed your pet while you were away....











You can even make a date for a special holiday tea time
 with your spouse! Why not!? 

Doesn't matter who we invite, as long as we do it!
(As much for them as for ourselves!)











The thing is to get it SCHEDULED - that's the key...
these next four weeks go by too fast!

So, go ahead- get out your calender
 and plan to invite just one... or many!











Don't wait, don't delay, just make it happen!

You will be SO GLAD you did!












As always, thank you for your visit!