tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33418382001220420332024-03-18T22:38:38.334-04:00The Nest at Finch RestMichele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.comBlogger701125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-74873382145819201692024-03-17T09:08:00.001-04:002024-03-18T22:35:24.128-04:00Soup Swap Party - in St. Pat's Style<p><br /></p><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">GREETINGS, AND WELL MET, ME DEAR LEPRECHAUNS!</span></b></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;">Hello friends! It's been a while since I have posted -</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> but most of you know how much <i><span style="color: #1fcf3f;"><b>I love St. Patrick's Day! </b></span></i></span></p></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So here is what they saw coming up to our house.</span></p></blockquote><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SePt_0zS_8sLQZiTTpwzqFkKavV4IPNXQ1n9UmcjJ_lsb7iP_fH5yVGelG3XBdlBc8g1UAgpRM5-E4vf5RXP16X4x2Ra42Wc_PXR0OyZLp1QIQeX6DjSBsf7IGvcwrpsda2DQYhbcQTUcbuayLRvQ46GQsPfGZebxG2Me96Cm6S8WmKiSuhPBnxMUP3I/s2048/IMG_7897.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SePt_0zS_8sLQZiTTpwzqFkKavV4IPNXQ1n9UmcjJ_lsb7iP_fH5yVGelG3XBdlBc8g1UAgpRM5-E4vf5RXP16X4x2Ra42Wc_PXR0OyZLp1QIQeX6DjSBsf7IGvcwrpsda2DQYhbcQTUcbuayLRvQ46GQsPfGZebxG2Me96Cm6S8WmKiSuhPBnxMUP3I/w480-h640/IMG_7897.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And what they saw coming up to the front door:</span></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeJJdtB4FDO9sBN99M5N8K-AiZFxFCVqcApYessrtG_HCOvxnpjIWuxySBkyVy1UJsFIcZsqrhWw5WONGgZDawyrepLvFLX50m-4nEiuMIfMA9wkRECFIsdRxel6eALro9I6DHj5dyIMYpYwM3ZW0XdKsWgJx9zUQRvUpf1b_qxaJE7mGRXA27rFzVbjw/s1280/IMG_7896.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeJJdtB4FDO9sBN99M5N8K-AiZFxFCVqcApYessrtG_HCOvxnpjIWuxySBkyVy1UJsFIcZsqrhWw5WONGgZDawyrepLvFLX50m-4nEiuMIfMA9wkRECFIsdRxel6eALro9I6DHj5dyIMYpYwM3ZW0XdKsWgJx9zUQRvUpf1b_qxaJE7mGRXA27rFzVbjw/w480-h640/IMG_7896.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></blockquote><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And what they saw on the table when they came into the kitchen: </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJa-oUU70xO09t2p7VYYAxhwC6uBqlZN1EUQg_j7N1l2thCKwJWb_8HludcCjrFCY8ABqbtdzXs_XP04v72yT7ZHhoMZPSM1ME3zn0TXku2McvyFl-VMF9JFfixrlE2tJFazJw1H07KHFBDSCFPsbnjSsdBI62KQWWAjCD-PdPL0o2sh7t1BmNflBcZTe/s1280/IMG_7863.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJa-oUU70xO09t2p7VYYAxhwC6uBqlZN1EUQg_j7N1l2thCKwJWb_8HludcCjrFCY8ABqbtdzXs_XP04v72yT7ZHhoMZPSM1ME3zn0TXku2McvyFl-VMF9JFfixrlE2tJFazJw1H07KHFBDSCFPsbnjSsdBI62KQWWAjCD-PdPL0o2sh7t1BmNflBcZTe/w640-h480/IMG_7863.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote><p> </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My two daughters, their best friend (like a daughter) and I</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> do a soup swap luncheon once a quarter</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and the one I hosted for this time was only held just a few days ago!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b> So of course it had to be all shamrock-y themed, right??</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7ksL0cSNVm5p5pZjGJd3c3sAyTid7eSRkkH8a7WfZHx35eqm_CPENGIs34kWRTAWMgnBPq7cEYXjzONVuY-8RvcYYnQ5Iih7zAgnHSvwz0mm6iN6BNBVz87VfLrlAvdeV2VbHk5Ir5kVo_WlHKY0U7-D8vtZrr0GyYgggAL4MtnsPhOgzFGaD-ArgAJp/s1483/IMG_7862.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1483" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7ksL0cSNVm5p5pZjGJd3c3sAyTid7eSRkkH8a7WfZHx35eqm_CPENGIs34kWRTAWMgnBPq7cEYXjzONVuY-8RvcYYnQ5Iih7zAgnHSvwz0mm6iN6BNBVz87VfLrlAvdeV2VbHk5Ir5kVo_WlHKY0U7-D8vtZrr0GyYgggAL4MtnsPhOgzFGaD-ArgAJp/w640-h494/IMG_7862.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've had this little sand blasted shamrock for so long</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I can't remember not ever having it.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I didn't fuss about taking simple phone pics -</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> no special lights, no editing, and no apologies!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also didn't fuss with washing, and pressing any linens.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nope, not this time. Kept it simple and do-able!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckno8s9BFn-aZWbCFYFqlLXw9TBCrpWqsXAkPKrV9ox2oCjW5fOfIl_aM_UTFnDj6bHu4r1WmKC7lue20mcIhaKOYftjmBaohkkQCRw2pZGviwHD7cbJlYvs8rs3TDbJHFvNg-k78bMiJ0EnIi7TTePwOtfW53DQ0Cj-5DvPi9Ha-q5HXnjDUB8rU2lVn/s1600/IMG_7864.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1393" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckno8s9BFn-aZWbCFYFqlLXw9TBCrpWqsXAkPKrV9ox2oCjW5fOfIl_aM_UTFnDj6bHu4r1WmKC7lue20mcIhaKOYftjmBaohkkQCRw2pZGviwHD7cbJlYvs8rs3TDbJHFvNg-k78bMiJ0EnIi7TTePwOtfW53DQ0Cj-5DvPi9Ha-q5HXnjDUB8rU2lVn/w349-h400/IMG_7864.jpg" width="349" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This end was different for my grand girl.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The little wrapped present was St. Pat's socks.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #2bb214; font-size: xx-large;">♣</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The favors were wrapped shamrock cut-out cookies</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the back of each of the cookies I poked </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">two Twining's Irish Breakfast</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> wrapped tea bags, and tied the cellophane with green ribbon. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0d-NBqTzCGm1Of4oaazvDJTC-G9eNdQsvaWuUbe7Ox41WjPROoRDANIgULFjF5axiNi1VIsEpC4X44rU4l6dH729JWyYmxI4LLjG7CsBHXkQI9AR1GaWmP_UMGC7-T0y4edPNR-Nmr-KsOm0YOdCk5ohqOf8BtE3LK8_VRQg0eDXG8Tr7xcMXidXOHIE/s1600/IMG_7860.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0d-NBqTzCGm1Of4oaazvDJTC-G9eNdQsvaWuUbe7Ox41WjPROoRDANIgULFjF5axiNi1VIsEpC4X44rU4l6dH729JWyYmxI4LLjG7CsBHXkQI9AR1GaWmP_UMGC7-T0y4edPNR-Nmr-KsOm0YOdCk5ohqOf8BtE3LK8_VRQg0eDXG8Tr7xcMXidXOHIE/w640-h388/IMG_7860.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of course most of you know how much I love a themed gathering</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">so I just HAD to make a green soup- </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">so I made Cream of Broccoli!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZGZ_b5pfp4X1Iy7w3Wk1hw9PgjNza0bLyQ30Xd7D8vZ3LqjsVj78okjEgZ1Hrq5jZiZ4rIr7wCjD3QNifns82ZxcMNTzw7PfiBCKvHqnAYF49OnpSblc41itl8vkA_wHW7o0xi9nvSdGHv6cUKEmz6sgSwclspteZFKCXEa2ei8PEoMBa82go3jcxE-G/s2048/IMG_7868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZGZ_b5pfp4X1Iy7w3Wk1hw9PgjNza0bLyQ30Xd7D8vZ3LqjsVj78okjEgZ1Hrq5jZiZ4rIr7wCjD3QNifns82ZxcMNTzw7PfiBCKvHqnAYF49OnpSblc41itl8vkA_wHW7o0xi9nvSdGHv6cUKEmz6sgSwclspteZFKCXEa2ei8PEoMBa82go3jcxE-G/w640-h480/IMG_7868.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I used to have a full set of matching shamrock china place settings</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">for my tea parties in March t</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">hat I have since sold or given away.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I sure could've used them for this table!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But these sweet hand painted vintage green floral ones worked well</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and they perfectly matched the plates that I used as chargers.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">No maker's mark on them or the saucers.)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru6iJcjXTyPaLNmGUaKem7eYNIMJX0WBhZUxefSgn43AbrxdkdF6vSdaLUPIx8GGfaHNV00ti7z7kxXccjtzHp7F-fCFHYPR8Hf8upeneUr3r_mqUMctpuWYagdvtkkhfFcCYWgXDA_5TtZvrWmRK8lcjM1qCHoyVrl7Mg7047c9m-4KhkfNysHyoVdZH/s1600/IMG_7859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru6iJcjXTyPaLNmGUaKem7eYNIMJX0WBhZUxefSgn43AbrxdkdF6vSdaLUPIx8GGfaHNV00ti7z7kxXccjtzHp7F-fCFHYPR8Hf8upeneUr3r_mqUMctpuWYagdvtkkhfFcCYWgXDA_5TtZvrWmRK8lcjM1qCHoyVrl7Mg7047c9m-4KhkfNysHyoVdZH/w640-h524/IMG_7859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also provided a nutritious wee salad in a light spring green pot set.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They are from Pier One probably around 25 years ago.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2bb214; font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-large;">♣</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The other soups: Minestrone, Beef Veg, and Italian Wedding.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">How we do the swap:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We each make and bring enough for us to heat up for lunch,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">sampling each in a small bowl (or tea cup)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(and refill if we want more but we seldom do) </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and bring your quarts of soup for the others to take home.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We all use the same containers and just circulate them.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Dollar store for the win!)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2bb214; font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-large;">♣</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We also had bread and butter.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And my elder daughter made the<b> BEST</b> dessert.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1481" data-original-width="1475" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOtS0GY0yhcSfMhvOmRaptlvRgv6hbGwb7P4D-Wk7oEWRa_Oh5mmC_wd9O0zJNv1_P5sKloCva09QwZ91i9jGOtouekPgRmqs3HHVQEz-8WsPTnpTRDGxz1TauvcgkNtFBCmEMTBwZznt86wFjf-EqwlKbM-snsUGQOgwjepJ4Y4AIQJ64AB1Q0C_peTi/s320/C3AC5558-.jpg" width="319" /></p><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a 1940's vintage recipe a vanilla cream pie</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> with a crisp creme brulee cooked sugar topping.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This pic she took right out of her oven doesn't do it justice.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It cut so perfectly and held its shape beautifully.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(I am kicking myself for not remembering a pic of it when served!) </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I get just entirely too excited about food sometimes haha.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV5si0Utkq1irkMTdOqCNUbByUTk5BKU8ijtb7DYYvw7d9susmUtxQla3PCTLN1ZZX-T0J-4Cqj83fWJHPAYY7vjaWaeAaXtSPvSvBN1fL_n0CEllfuiVp0LlXN-ogmNHPneSz_jRDPTvjqg3TpvORvXLuVNTQPByCm4yECr1HlLGlfuaawDtS3ytfYFa/s2048/IMG_7873.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHV5si0Utkq1irkMTdOqCNUbByUTk5BKU8ijtb7DYYvw7d9susmUtxQla3PCTLN1ZZX-T0J-4Cqj83fWJHPAYY7vjaWaeAaXtSPvSvBN1fL_n0CEllfuiVp0LlXN-ogmNHPneSz_jRDPTvjqg3TpvORvXLuVNTQPByCm4yECr1HlLGlfuaawDtS3ytfYFa/w480-h640/IMG_7873.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I always keep this hutch fresh in current seasonal decor.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And of course Saint Patrick's Day month is no exception.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most of my shamrock/ Irish things are gifts from loving friends and family</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">who know how much I love being of Irish blood lines on both sides.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwag4G186sUeYYsv6nRIaBVlcfPOuPEFmls5hP6w12zf67xjP6fb4cci-seCNRVPeAEeHPZlTLNIQ-mV_RETZRrMzwl9acXaGDzDYwg76xVWtBix2UG2eBJqdqr1MberbsM9Dt0ttCI2LdFBn9-yE_6s3zzJSQGjEZuyQt4UHbcAQlGXiY1JDHZAybCkV/s1600/IMG_7874.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwag4G186sUeYYsv6nRIaBVlcfPOuPEFmls5hP6w12zf67xjP6fb4cci-seCNRVPeAEeHPZlTLNIQ-mV_RETZRrMzwl9acXaGDzDYwg76xVWtBix2UG2eBJqdqr1MberbsM9Dt0ttCI2LdFBn9-yE_6s3zzJSQGjEZuyQt4UHbcAQlGXiY1JDHZAybCkV/w640-h488/IMG_7874.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Oops! I forgot to move my wooden letters rack back.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(It's hiding my Great Irish Short Stories book!)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NJdoZVcIlZtZYfnQZzZ2A0QoxnReBnSEsFZPi7cj9I0rFblXG5DvJ3MLb7hd_SnA7Ks-oPQGyVWkkApdx9ux-e8YWEccpPbbzjNwXveyshFPFw2-VenRgFcxYFaPJ2lRIUzwgd_ktHWIuZ61Cs-e916pDdh2Z1QcLRZXhJNSPKJ-DZxAoN9AtuVVn5XR/s1280/IMG_7876.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1280" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NJdoZVcIlZtZYfnQZzZ2A0QoxnReBnSEsFZPi7cj9I0rFblXG5DvJ3MLb7hd_SnA7Ks-oPQGyVWkkApdx9ux-e8YWEccpPbbzjNwXveyshFPFw2-VenRgFcxYFaPJ2lRIUzwgd_ktHWIuZ61Cs-e916pDdh2Z1QcLRZXhJNSPKJ-DZxAoN9AtuVVn5XR/w640-h456/IMG_7876.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgklRkCFTmBOlWfLy_pJd_VMEA3c3Bancs3a5sXPXMFVvJBppFp3brmLYVZYO_H1D3rSba1HNYukflHwyyIavFNkC918tBGDj89W1Zy1PDcVrlJDg-ahNWrojAgX4IBG3nmnfW8C6OUi747p4wyoFNyPOC052Mu9TcfsETmT0GtonphRossTBCD8x_A9B/s1600/IMG_7860.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgklRkCFTmBOlWfLy_pJd_VMEA3c3Bancs3a5sXPXMFVvJBppFp3brmLYVZYO_H1D3rSba1HNYukflHwyyIavFNkC918tBGDj89W1Zy1PDcVrlJDg-ahNWrojAgX4IBG3nmnfW8C6OUi747p4wyoFNyPOC052Mu9TcfsETmT0GtonphRossTBCD8x_A9B/w640-h388/IMG_7860.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #21c53f; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>May you always walk in sunshine</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #21c53f; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>May you never want for more</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #21c53f; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>May Irish Angels rest their wings</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #21c53f; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Right outside your door</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #21c53f; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Happy St. Patrick's Day!</u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for stopping by!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I sure miss you all and am feeling much better.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you for all the sweet messages </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">about my surgery.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: xx-large;">~Michele</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-15545477543042051022023-12-22T22:46:00.005-05:002023-12-22T22:46:45.248-05:00Christmas Tea and Cookies <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>HELLO FRIENDS! </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>NICE TO BE BACK!</b></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSpfLXl4LuXzdRneQnyqxTM_7tg7g48hR22cN8qx1MG4tXUd_z7jYaBXLsRpzV1BL14DbzaFp_Ycw9h4DgabmPCdQaJKYzT5UIBeiG4bsqrkhN2btu4OpsHtKzBqZem43SihKmcapLucrj-C_pFlDa6QZ9y6JF6SP79wtvQH0lwuwLUFP-wClJUzTYib5/s1600/xmastea2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1600" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSpfLXl4LuXzdRneQnyqxTM_7tg7g48hR22cN8qx1MG4tXUd_z7jYaBXLsRpzV1BL14DbzaFp_Ycw9h4DgabmPCdQaJKYzT5UIBeiG4bsqrkhN2btu4OpsHtKzBqZem43SihKmcapLucrj-C_pFlDa6QZ9y6JF6SP79wtvQH0lwuwLUFP-wClJUzTYib5/w640-h525/xmastea2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I recently invited an elderly friend over for tea and knew</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> I'd get busy and forget to take pictures! </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>So I set up a tea for one after she left so I could share.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>This is the third wee tea and cookies I hosted this month.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>It is easy and intimate and quite pleasant</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> to have one-on-one times with old friends.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eEkTJ_6xmyasJpoeW18-3h_SuugweksRh4fVKmiVESLvlp07_5A1bVzB1lTETt1PV5dUP4NCnjXwHWmH17hykGeHQ1qefexEo0jTn-Z_Brn1pgaKUGKWugJD0qSYt3wuPMBf-FttZbJ9fJhSGnJjgUYbRQkDJrq5ZMXzD1-sXQANys5fGpTq94JM4yiY/s1600/xmastea22023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eEkTJ_6xmyasJpoeW18-3h_SuugweksRh4fVKmiVESLvlp07_5A1bVzB1lTETt1PV5dUP4NCnjXwHWmH17hykGeHQ1qefexEo0jTn-Z_Brn1pgaKUGKWugJD0qSYt3wuPMBf-FttZbJ9fJhSGnJjgUYbRQkDJrq5ZMXzD1-sXQANys5fGpTq94JM4yiY/w640-h480/xmastea22023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I made peanut butter fudge and raspberry brownie bites </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>and bought iced sugar cookies because I didn't bake mine</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>until today....and I made <i>Santa's Favorite Cookies</i>!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">You see, I was a very lucky winner of a giveaway</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>from Mary - with her awesome blog <a href="https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2023/12/11/bake-your-list-and-make-these-twice-santas-favorite-cookies/">Home Is Where The Boat Is</a>.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>(Click on her blog name to get her cookie recipe!!)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>There are some really surprising ingredients. :-)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">If you've never been to her blog you really need to asap!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOVMtOIbF_JFOhjy2nN_gcIzsRE7nZ7azxV04JwWtBrwUL2nhHBBwRiz_igItUAI0byXKCj8eV3psC9X-oWpwqkLmeh8SxKiL4PbcooWR9JZsUQUU_pGcQyaTlrwT7GMbzFo-LYTKws6-19UpU4ZKy_D_LIjDppUfT1cTsEpbRlliFFrCvP3ceYH9snMs/s1280/xmastea82023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOVMtOIbF_JFOhjy2nN_gcIzsRE7nZ7azxV04JwWtBrwUL2nhHBBwRiz_igItUAI0byXKCj8eV3psC9X-oWpwqkLmeh8SxKiL4PbcooWR9JZsUQUU_pGcQyaTlrwT7GMbzFo-LYTKws6-19UpU4ZKy_D_LIjDppUfT1cTsEpbRlliFFrCvP3ceYH9snMs/w300-h400/xmastea82023.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I know I am late is sharing this so close to Christmas</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>but in case you want to make them anytime, do. YUM!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I won that amazing shallow cookie tray and cooling rack.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I also won those two nifty heavy-duty Christmas rubber spatulas</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>and those fancy cookie sprinkles!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I was beyond delighted!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>(Thank you, Mary!!!)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsy8FNjLyws1Cwk_pP-U6_leH74Hkk1u0jlrCYzwD4uhYDvV5prDMbvnJu5H1ZqaQdM2SnvqlpGHJmryEMsoHoxFa_ofPaOYd9bh_ymdz0XQbRpXGymaqjRjV4eoJYDD3JvipDoJhD_5w_QD3qJL-RoLPKyZQ7DgB9TXJXBiWtzqlKHNRGdIuFZifMtz_/s1600/xmastea42023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1600" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsy8FNjLyws1Cwk_pP-U6_leH74Hkk1u0jlrCYzwD4uhYDvV5prDMbvnJu5H1ZqaQdM2SnvqlpGHJmryEMsoHoxFa_ofPaOYd9bh_ymdz0XQbRpXGymaqjRjV4eoJYDD3JvipDoJhD_5w_QD3qJL-RoLPKyZQ7DgB9TXJXBiWtzqlKHNRGdIuFZifMtz_/w640-h506/xmastea42023.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I still adore my Christmas cozy I bought from </b></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>my old blogger friend from her Etsy shop</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BernideensTeaTime">Bernideen's Tea Time</a></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Music and bird theme. Sigh.</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I <u>always</u> get compliments about it.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1RK_vsr4GfTFAcvivbX02rTiGRHHt4zub0zUrP6gsZ0WKp9ugPASogaq2jjRGBLc4VNYhPuIcFM3SLW9CxUHfLh5fxHH7w5hG0G_3ZMVLXWY8F3s2QsSRtcayYAT2elWqp4Xgj2tFOc6ZROo_Q8m-9cbUEkneAyDgHjheATBV612PIVXOlBufhh1Rffr/s1600/xmastea32023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1RK_vsr4GfTFAcvivbX02rTiGRHHt4zub0zUrP6gsZ0WKp9ugPASogaq2jjRGBLc4VNYhPuIcFM3SLW9CxUHfLh5fxHH7w5hG0G_3ZMVLXWY8F3s2QsSRtcayYAT2elWqp4Xgj2tFOc6ZROo_Q8m-9cbUEkneAyDgHjheATBV612PIVXOlBufhh1Rffr/w640-h480/xmastea32023.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I hope to post my home tour this Christmas.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> I have had such good intentions.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>So if I am able, I will try to do so.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>But I am soooo running out of time.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If I do it, it may be late. Ugh. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I have had some tough health issues that's kept me from blogging. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I have surgery scheduled in January.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> I hope and pray that it remedies the situation.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>But I have NEVER stopped thinking about you all!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I haven't stopped wanting to blog post!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> I have so much to share, but so little energy to do so.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>So I am sure hoping for better in 2024!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPhZLD1jhK8oyl2rXrj094tLNZhlzNygc2A_jFjrIv6CzYTB0ALV-sarq6CtbVZlLAXLrZ5Ov8BEZIEWDV83QsNE8DJRHQtaXZk4W_Wm_YmokM4tiB0UgjkvuRF3tFBjYfoADqLg9KyzCqjGALsBLYCH8ogZ5e1p2ujiu2axtXu6rmU-QJqBKjJqDvgYn/s1600/xmastea5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="1600" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPhZLD1jhK8oyl2rXrj094tLNZhlzNygc2A_jFjrIv6CzYTB0ALV-sarq6CtbVZlLAXLrZ5Ov8BEZIEWDV83QsNE8DJRHQtaXZk4W_Wm_YmokM4tiB0UgjkvuRF3tFBjYfoADqLg9KyzCqjGALsBLYCH8ogZ5e1p2ujiu2axtXu6rmU-QJqBKjJqDvgYn/w640-h562/xmastea5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>In the meantime heat up your kettle,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> make yourself a nice hot cuppa,</b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">and try to enjoy the peace and joy </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">celebrating</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> The Reason for the Season!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hugs, prayers and smiles to my very precious readers.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for not giving up on me! </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">~Michele</span></i></div><div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-75153692782541157562022-03-17T15:02:00.000-04:002022-03-17T15:02:35.767-04:00St. Patrick's Day Tea Time!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Hi friends!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>I couldn't let this day slip by without wishing you a very</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!</b></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgob2R55yjX9fCDvnRoAHPstxfrHZJebo6q8fANWkt-8dB2dxcBHE0pp4eIP0IpcAIgmRyX5v-pQiAFNMy1DSaw0a9rJ2xI9DimJZEMLmsy_NPaGwPKyrp7WBkIG-oMPlhOIUknTi5gN-N0LD8NHlA_UuPgRZw5jXYjD_O1LjP4GnquWhc7tGgPF9nH7w=s1819" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1819" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgob2R55yjX9fCDvnRoAHPstxfrHZJebo6q8fANWkt-8dB2dxcBHE0pp4eIP0IpcAIgmRyX5v-pQiAFNMy1DSaw0a9rJ2xI9DimJZEMLmsy_NPaGwPKyrp7WBkIG-oMPlhOIUknTi5gN-N0LD8NHlA_UuPgRZw5jXYjD_O1LjP4GnquWhc7tGgPF9nH7w=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /><u><br /></u></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I</span><span style="font-size: medium;">t's an important day to my family,</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>though this year none of us could get together.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><b>And whew do I ever miss my father today!</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYf7D6V2jM5EXLIkB8Ir1kTNPBrpwMIWtn4c2aRNlcoLyFRsko13pEQ0GL4SSxf1S8FaxQYWRGU61_1S-2h4pfdHoavCcbP-Aw9T-O7E5Nyn1bFXwpKjSlPa1f755S8lm6AG8gP_dxJBiWcJy3fERZ2dqkVziakCjEsXLFrRM5oRmUCGkxqsPbTwnMng=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1565" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYf7D6V2jM5EXLIkB8Ir1kTNPBrpwMIWtn4c2aRNlcoLyFRsko13pEQ0GL4SSxf1S8FaxQYWRGU61_1S-2h4pfdHoavCcbP-Aw9T-O7E5Nyn1bFXwpKjSlPa1f755S8lm6AG8gP_dxJBiWcJy3fERZ2dqkVziakCjEsXLFrRM5oRmUCGkxqsPbTwnMng=w348-h400" width="348" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Thought I'd put together a little tea-for-one</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>and gather some of my more favorite Irish-themed</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>things to make a tea vignette with my twin Adderly teacups.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I used to have a fairly large collection of shamrock</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>teacups, but I have since sold or gifted most of them.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>I cannot even begin to tell you how many proper</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b> St. Patrick's Afternoon Tea Parties </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> I have had to cancel due to snow storms. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(It's entirely too much work </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">to do to have to then cancel.)</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b> So I stopped having them some years ago.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0d9ibrc4DSC_2xiSk2Zy5uvL5TpQc7McUuh23i-TlLQdYCRzn25jm641bqWAC3VCADKx5flFqYEJ58B4ejn7FXzq2YSjwF6fPfK6udhsZuyHZnSwcNazxayJCEC1R6TM8STl__cxuec6F-aMly6x59eJyY57QYpf9o0RqZa6JTm1SHCgcrihYIqjSqg=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0d9ibrc4DSC_2xiSk2Zy5uvL5TpQc7McUuh23i-TlLQdYCRzn25jm641bqWAC3VCADKx5flFqYEJ58B4ejn7FXzq2YSjwF6fPfK6udhsZuyHZnSwcNazxayJCEC1R6TM8STl__cxuec6F-aMly6x59eJyY57QYpf9o0RqZa6JTm1SHCgcrihYIqjSqg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b> And of course today is in the 70s. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Not complaining, but still!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Last week we had a huge snow storm. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Life in mid-Ohio is not boring!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL0eD9_hkobbM-GOAziTSsxfbcqIVOIPZxzXUt3Oo2Th9y-njL3osuLJsrJiPg1BCgacWvjcLvLTGBNVysZgrCa5FGMy0_8LZzqn18M5RDJKFS65_84KEaXZ0q9ngzW_gzxe5b9punKt9Lk9cmJ7i38Z-_Kf7ed32rmbmZ0fy3dGae8Bvxs2hGx0092Q=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1800" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL0eD9_hkobbM-GOAziTSsxfbcqIVOIPZxzXUt3Oo2Th9y-njL3osuLJsrJiPg1BCgacWvjcLvLTGBNVysZgrCa5FGMy0_8LZzqn18M5RDJKFS65_84KEaXZ0q9ngzW_gzxe5b9punKt9Lk9cmJ7i38Z-_Kf7ed32rmbmZ0fy3dGae8Bvxs2hGx0092Q=w640-h546" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I made a cinnamon coffee cake and in my excitement putting this together </span><span style="font-size: small;">forgot about the cake. Oops. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I received three wonderful cards (above) this year.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Thank you Marina, Ginny and Mary Beth.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>They help things look and feel so festive. </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #0bbd17; font-size: x-large;">♣</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIX--7Gcjq21MyYsHctpsEIf3NDna3d7L9e87y0CpAiZ6tgt4qCtQ5R1hbvcUf8q6OwImNiE1dyhHrPGTmVlFxMV15PTnRwEHlZWjSPx5es9bUjcuwxxAerRLN4HFsPdhbT3y7xUYg7SRmLXOIqq3bJ92Y__nk7m7DmuN_Z70MhrYUwViiMTuY7Y-1Kg=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1800" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIX--7Gcjq21MyYsHctpsEIf3NDna3d7L9e87y0CpAiZ6tgt4qCtQ5R1hbvcUf8q6OwImNiE1dyhHrPGTmVlFxMV15PTnRwEHlZWjSPx5es9bUjcuwxxAerRLN4HFsPdhbT3y7xUYg7SRmLXOIqq3bJ92Y__nk7m7DmuN_Z70MhrYUwViiMTuY7Y-1Kg=w640-h510" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>And I can't close without sharing a pic of my grand girl</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>with her smiling Irish eyes (and her two new teeth!)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>I think she may have just quit Irish dancing for this pic her momma too, because </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">her hands are still in fists.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Sure hope one day soon she may begin lessons.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u><i>God love her, she watches the videos</i></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u><i>and tries to self teach. Precious.</i></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7sEh_ouhelPy_ytRHIBKBFK4VYZiH-049x_6mRxcteKhcL3ttlICKQYwUvEgRZuNmSq3aufkICalNt5h4wWr0dkRU4VMC2oxqv0BOpuiSz4A0nGICLx7La7aRXzolPRGcFGIf4KX-sNd_T-M6lig5ovI-oF8Uprq9m6o7WrJipplSw4QtJFTLMJLBzA=s2028" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7sEh_ouhelPy_ytRHIBKBFK4VYZiH-049x_6mRxcteKhcL3ttlICKQYwUvEgRZuNmSq3aufkICalNt5h4wWr0dkRU4VMC2oxqv0BOpuiSz4A0nGICLx7La7aRXzolPRGcFGIf4KX-sNd_T-M6lig5ovI-oF8Uprq9m6o7WrJipplSw4QtJFTLMJLBzA=w316-h640" width="316" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #069606; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>A world of wishes at your command.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #069606; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>God and his angels close to hand.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #069606; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>Friends and family their love impart,</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #069606; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b>And Irish blessings in your heart!</b></span></p></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><u>As always, thank you for your visit!</u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0bbd17; font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-large;">♣</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">~Michele</span></i></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p></blockquote>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-21680894231637199712022-02-14T23:59:00.000-05:002022-02-15T00:00:23.637-05:00Valentine's Tea Luncheon<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u><b>HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY!</b></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoVulhaTmgPUzafFYVtKnBQmj_Q6-I6Xfkrth3D98eTuLTzb31PglhkrMrNNZZY1n3nydVvrcpgIvJ92H5vTEN9OzYO9VQYABlqwusnrhio-lMEY2iWpsjHAcc44o7rY0fG8jAGKcXz7j83k4UtTSHs9j7uPZZjifgE9ULbLuMFfYVFG_o0zAwupimcA=s1900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1647" data-original-width="1900" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoVulhaTmgPUzafFYVtKnBQmj_Q6-I6Xfkrth3D98eTuLTzb31PglhkrMrNNZZY1n3nydVvrcpgIvJ92H5vTEN9OzYO9VQYABlqwusnrhio-lMEY2iWpsjHAcc44o7rY0fG8jAGKcXz7j83k4UtTSHs9j7uPZZjifgE9ULbLuMFfYVFG_o0zAwupimcA=w640-h554" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Well now, it certainly has been a minute</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> since I last posted - </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and for that I </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">sincerely</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> apologize.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I could give you a thousand reasons why it happened.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>But I have decided to just hop on back and share</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>a Val Day Tea Luncheon I hosted last week.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">♥</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I figured it would be a nice way to</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>wish you all a happy Val Day, too.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLMlteyiFsLtNK5s3nRgzI5jc4dIe6BE-C4tn5t1G5JaDTsBlba8OrQX_MvZxYC0aaEwa7T7HzKh_1H4AA1Gshk1up3pwimZdXwQ3FoqZG7XvKY5mOPQRKYh3Ph8UVwSuxgG5AEFsUiT-IDHBaeTjllcvs4fwGGyD1GAPMVrw9OtQ4wjc7-hgZ4NhkuA=s1900" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="1425" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLMlteyiFsLtNK5s3nRgzI5jc4dIe6BE-C4tn5t1G5JaDTsBlba8OrQX_MvZxYC0aaEwa7T7HzKh_1H4AA1Gshk1up3pwimZdXwQ3FoqZG7XvKY5mOPQRKYh3Ph8UVwSuxgG5AEFsUiT-IDHBaeTjllcvs4fwGGyD1GAPMVrw9OtQ4wjc7-hgZ4NhkuA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I set up a pretty table in the kitchen and invited</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>my two daughters and my grand daughter.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>It's the first formal luncheon I have hosted</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>since before Covid hit the world.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u>So hosting this tea was good in many ways.</u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcCgQdkAszfNgmsqbj6234X2KXLITk-QO_p8JAb181UPRuna8RSlnY0EtlOj6dVEW-VBh3xTqvKFGuPY7R-oqHCrsj3jDNFOUbC_Lo1eG1OI3qDFxi2DQAEUyuexyu7VoZTshBOKRv83cjfAodFUTubt6SS1yhjJtw2wYTQUdAc6DLvK-VkT3Pn5O0BQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1958" data-original-width="2048" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcCgQdkAszfNgmsqbj6234X2KXLITk-QO_p8JAb181UPRuna8RSlnY0EtlOj6dVEW-VBh3xTqvKFGuPY7R-oqHCrsj3jDNFOUbC_Lo1eG1OI3qDFxi2DQAEUyuexyu7VoZTshBOKRv83cjfAodFUTubt6SS1yhjJtw2wYTQUdAc6DLvK-VkT3Pn5O0BQ=w400-h383" width="400" /></a></p><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>It brings such a smile to my face to share these happy pics!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Hasn't our grand gotten big?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>She lost her first tooth just a few days prior to the tea.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiODCcucVBCu-NI4quRxOKL7IrNcc9nE6udZNwDGSQqHHb2JChAHqnXpnnJ26bsWtTaQpFpNmbsvsgObBzdBL0V1Jmq-ULZAnHCvG-LZB6KTVINVQssp2oA4Ci3cyMEAPI3ywS_e8rFiWbk53Zv0JNWPVC1CK9-gDCOcVeTpMR6Fp-vV-KX23DCFwFrWQ=s1826" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiODCcucVBCu-NI4quRxOKL7IrNcc9nE6udZNwDGSQqHHb2JChAHqnXpnnJ26bsWtTaQpFpNmbsvsgObBzdBL0V1Jmq-ULZAnHCvG-LZB6KTVINVQssp2oA4Ci3cyMEAPI3ywS_e8rFiWbk53Zv0JNWPVC1CK9-gDCOcVeTpMR6Fp-vV-KX23DCFwFrWQ=w269-h320" width="269" /></a></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>And she lost her second tooth only just today!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>(Perhaps it was due to eating</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>too many conversation hearts candies!)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhILCtSiTIeSnKkpCiqeF1MvHlw9SlNkfSv8umwbOuU9CKTl-DVcIhDX8UQ-FHatwHIUVZeXZy9b6duLF1r_K_3JGTmBM0wKJMWlYSm_TAywjc_9HaDz0RURBwhRr9Xo5HWtz3hMTmlNaJkFaRaDsBwCsCMGkLTsjH_OCogH97kxx49Ir80TcVaBCSN4g=s2000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1504" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhILCtSiTIeSnKkpCiqeF1MvHlw9SlNkfSv8umwbOuU9CKTl-DVcIhDX8UQ-FHatwHIUVZeXZy9b6duLF1r_K_3JGTmBM0wKJMWlYSm_TAywjc_9HaDz0RURBwhRr9Xo5HWtz3hMTmlNaJkFaRaDsBwCsCMGkLTsjH_OCogH97kxx49Ir80TcVaBCSN4g=w482-h640" width="482" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>This sweet girl makes every holiday better. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxL_mSBAB3HW6LUdN7F3Iw3yXyYGtu9X7GYtG5G7_GP02zklZSvk-X0DbqufLtHo_RwSnQWMhuYboTbPMm7FCi6f-bDljEuRn8XojCgenjYVW5bcP5Mhn4sxOUMdSb2pOcAt_7Yzeui7lhggs_RJJkvaLOIoCjX-7Q6lwXpzOlr3Zanj4SVMHq9SU2Mw=s1900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="1240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxL_mSBAB3HW6LUdN7F3Iw3yXyYGtu9X7GYtG5G7_GP02zklZSvk-X0DbqufLtHo_RwSnQWMhuYboTbPMm7FCi6f-bDljEuRn8XojCgenjYVW5bcP5Mhn4sxOUMdSb2pOcAt_7Yzeui7lhggs_RJJkvaLOIoCjX-7Q6lwXpzOlr3Zanj4SVMHq9SU2Mw=w418-h640" width="418" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Royal Albert Old English Rose china</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>along with pink Depression glass together</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>makes a perfect Valentine's table.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-large;">♥</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">And I used my favorite pink linen vintage napkins.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I love love love an opportunity to use them.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxCeO84Y604lHsBE9RgC3H7U5SelFfL_bBwJNVfSUxfWbLcOUsyXovt-hd4l6dTUQpuq_JXahaXCXXtUFJ6bZ9KTPY1u8NJUENzYmoykm3pPp8larjoCbsmxfI0j-IKywMf_fOgCwsm5NwNKvOf6dSWSivmM-KJv42kRQQSbENfZvQucQD3Fw4tEtVMA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxCeO84Y604lHsBE9RgC3H7U5SelFfL_bBwJNVfSUxfWbLcOUsyXovt-hd4l6dTUQpuq_JXahaXCXXtUFJ6bZ9KTPY1u8NJUENzYmoykm3pPp8larjoCbsmxfI0j-IKywMf_fOgCwsm5NwNKvOf6dSWSivmM-KJv42kRQQSbENfZvQucQD3Fw4tEtVMA=s320" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I kept the plates easy to wash up-</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>and nothing that would devastate me should</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>a little 5 year old accidentally break any.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Up till now she and Mom have been nervous to use.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Some of my older readers may remember my youngest</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>daughter will always choose a hefty mug over a china cup.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u><i>Slowly but surely she is coming around! Ha!</i></u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfaBgo9MxNNj8A3jMbhdR8RnrsBvH-kxp91qif02pLgfSiF4KuwHPhcqbe8iYs_G172yoE882wIeTiH_f03TZhUuBEj4KedtP64-jl9C5SV0wvu-MjaQso2fnCqfDBfU3E34aZhyKVE32KIIDA1Am-FrJqGONVLfgx3hJIJx8JFCqsW7Ms_8LfjoiDtA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfaBgo9MxNNj8A3jMbhdR8RnrsBvH-kxp91qif02pLgfSiF4KuwHPhcqbe8iYs_G172yoE882wIeTiH_f03TZhUuBEj4KedtP64-jl9C5SV0wvu-MjaQso2fnCqfDBfU3E34aZhyKVE32KIIDA1Am-FrJqGONVLfgx3hJIJx8JFCqsW7Ms_8LfjoiDtA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>About a week before this luncheon I had my girls</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>over for an easy casual lunch and we made valentines.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKPp4YcDO-wwSOVXtxldRwlQphKOEb8rma8g4MhTbDH0AwaJALZnDVv35mO6RoKp3gGv2Tg_XD6SGYqyK-esrObVmL4bei8sIVMMTVYEKGomt35CALoQwgvf2zoAWmEf0vPjDg9Z6j8htmiJUwzwGwupSns0X15p6SB53c0_ODIHSoFgZyPfbLO4WTqA=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1101" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKPp4YcDO-wwSOVXtxldRwlQphKOEb8rma8g4MhTbDH0AwaJALZnDVv35mO6RoKp3gGv2Tg_XD6SGYqyK-esrObVmL4bei8sIVMMTVYEKGomt35CALoQwgvf2zoAWmEf0vPjDg9Z6j8htmiJUwzwGwupSns0X15p6SB53c0_ODIHSoFgZyPfbLO4WTqA=w392-h640" width="392" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>We had such a fun day!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>She still had all her baby teeth then!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSO6BpXGpaJ_bJSshv4ualxAXF8rsbmsKm6H9zhP7CrEhYUQoOt6pecR47ciBWjgIrRt7R2SdN25P_7PlbInsab2eanS6YTbW_svZ-WFTH4prU34U1T4qHNTyN7m-hGdZUp122PW_577wW9hCEYyQB5pw8dUDauvzdIyoMLfPbsaYOlM1iCsy8QJ0ZSw=s1859" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="1859" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSO6BpXGpaJ_bJSshv4ualxAXF8rsbmsKm6H9zhP7CrEhYUQoOt6pecR47ciBWjgIrRt7R2SdN25P_7PlbInsab2eanS6YTbW_svZ-WFTH4prU34U1T4qHNTyN7m-hGdZUp122PW_577wW9hCEYyQB5pw8dUDauvzdIyoMLfPbsaYOlM1iCsy8QJ0ZSw=w400-h309" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqaoMDdWJ6EYh-LObK9WCqtKKU-tNsSeIoLimx9KVd9ymPoIv1DPEdTKO_jXStnig-SF0Gw6OPbajHryb2ChLfbwYnHiRqSuTio8wRFla2yJagOGJXNiry3K2BzyvJYoB6vu80WIk613aGsvoxujFFHrhzPhl_FA3uRyynfZga5ojr3u8axm696UnfZg=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1101" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqaoMDdWJ6EYh-LObK9WCqtKKU-tNsSeIoLimx9KVd9ymPoIv1DPEdTKO_jXStnig-SF0Gw6OPbajHryb2ChLfbwYnHiRqSuTio8wRFla2yJagOGJXNiry3K2BzyvJYoB6vu80WIk613aGsvoxujFFHrhzPhl_FA3uRyynfZga5ojr3u8axm696UnfZg=w245-h400" width="245" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Hope you all had a truly wonderful </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">St. Valentine's Day.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>As always, thanks for stopping by!</u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>(Thank you for not giving up on me!)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">XXX</span> and <span style="color: #ff00fe;">OOO</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>~Michele</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-13244364951529182492021-01-31T12:52:00.030-05:002021-01-31T20:11:27.988-05:00Love a Snowy Day!<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Hi friends! Just popping in with a big hello</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>on this beautiful Sunday winter morning.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Opened my front door and snapped this phone photo</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b> and thought the flag made it look so awesome.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNTuXfSK4iQ/YBbd-n1M7yI/AAAAAAAAVqk/CsWaTythReke3j5kfiSuD46funMCJmoUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/snowdaywithflag.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNTuXfSK4iQ/YBbd-n1M7yI/AAAAAAAAVqk/CsWaTythReke3j5kfiSuD46funMCJmoUgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/snowdaywithflag.jpg" width="480" /></b></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;">Jan 31, 2021</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b>I absolutely love beautiful snowy winter days.</b><br /><b>I could never live year-round where there isn't 4 seasons.</b><br /><br /><br /><b>(Though the older I get the more my joints + bones beg to differ.)</b><br /><br /><b>Now that I need not rush to work at the crack of dawn in this stuff</b><br /><b>I do love snow much much better now!</b><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-weight: bold;">♥</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><b>I was so surprised to have our snow completely untouched.</b><br /><br /><b>It is seldom we don't see a zillion deer tracks all over.</b><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvPLk81cQMU/YBbl8E2E3eI/AAAAAAAAVq0/GzKAnDdHwWUyhHANfCjsqA54Jp-4zCkrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/snowday1312021also.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="2000" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvPLk81cQMU/YBbl8E2E3eI/AAAAAAAAVq0/GzKAnDdHwWUyhHANfCjsqA54Jp-4zCkrwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h482/snowday1312021also.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><b>What a pleasant bit of eye candy to discover</b><br /><b>on this cold winter's morning!</b><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v88S7WAxQco/YBboLrKDlAI/AAAAAAAAVrY/z84FpPdHaSkBfoEoRagEC2TZvTsmOc69gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/snowday1312021also2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v88S7WAxQco/YBboLrKDlAI/AAAAAAAAVrY/z84FpPdHaSkBfoEoRagEC2TZvTsmOc69gCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/snowday1312021also2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><b>It's a great day for sipping on some nice hot cuppas,</b><br /><b>reading a good book, enjoying the warmth of a roaring fire....</b><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkliLPgzF3A/YBbm00_BCdI/AAAAAAAAVrI/WinlKSrobHo2AivOGRc-IhOihyTDR8mTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/snowday1312021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkliLPgzF3A/YBbm00_BCdI/AAAAAAAAVrI/WinlKSrobHo2AivOGRc-IhOihyTDR8mTwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/snowday1312021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b>Whatever you do today,</b><br /><b> I wish you peace and harmony and the joy of living.</b><br /><br /><b>God bless you and your families.</b><br /><br /><br /></span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">(And please remember to feed the birds!)</span><br /></i><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt51YsOfVR8/YBbtyZz-rVI/AAAAAAAAVro/CCVJNs32L3IHmrtJqDhKVFcBbksKaue5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/bluebirdinsnow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt51YsOfVR8/YBbtyZz-rVI/AAAAAAAAVro/CCVJNs32L3IHmrtJqDhKVFcBbksKaue5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/bluebirdinsnow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEgaUXb1wTY/YBcMTyyidcI/AAAAAAAAVr0/-3GY2cc9CSAE5W7jQjiWEfE_YGHrFRYZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1532/finchinwinter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1400" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEgaUXb1wTY/YBcMTyyidcI/AAAAAAAAVr0/-3GY2cc9CSAE5W7jQjiWEfE_YGHrFRYZACLcBGAsYHQ/w365-h400/finchinwinter.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><b>Finch Rest loves goldfinches and bluebirds best.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1139" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt51YsOfVR8/YBbtyZz-rVI/AAAAAAAAVro/CCVJNs32L3IHmrtJqDhKVFcBbksKaue5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w404-h640/bluebirdinsnow.jpg" width="404" /></div><br /><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">♥</span><br /><b><br /><u style="font-size: x-large;">Stay home, stay safe, stay well.</u><br /></b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i>~Michele</i></span></div><div><br /><p><br /><br /></p></div>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-22475205206135037702020-12-03T17:45:00.027-05:002020-12-05T14:58:22.258-05:00Christmas Morning Biscotti Gifts!<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Today I am sharing an adaption of a post<br /> I did last year - but was a little late getting it posted.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">And I think good timing is everything -</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">so right now seems to be the perfect time to share this,</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>for early enough planning ahead!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">CHRISTMAS BISCOTTI!</span></u></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Biscotti is a double-baked dry crisp Italian "cookie,"</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">that travels well and keeps a while in an air tight container.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_mJynFAhOY/X8lYkyASWEI/AAAAAAAAVok/iLqUZeBV2oYYLQpR1WE9bX9o8N2CryjIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/biscotti2embell.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1024" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_mJynFAhOY/X8lYkyASWEI/AAAAAAAAVok/iLqUZeBV2oYYLQpR1WE9bX9o8N2CryjIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h500/biscotti2embell.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>And just who wouldn't want a simple crispy crunchy biscuit</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">really good for dippin' and dunkin</span><b style="font-size: large;"> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> in tea or coffee to start a morning off to a sweet start?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">These easy-to-make baked super crunchy goodies</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">are the perfect answer!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have been making them for years -</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">and last year had the idea (I got from Diana at Nana Takes a Break blog) to make them just </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">the right size to </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">fit inside Christmas card boxes</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">to give as gifts.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I love cleverly repurposing the use of things, don't you?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">She made fudge for hers.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(I am adding this now- last year I had mentioned her and this year I omitted, so fixing now.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXgZ2LLF7Sk/X8lZYw1756I/AAAAAAAAVos/L5RQXipTYbwwvnk2WSKedMygKH6MS3fzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/biscotti.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXgZ2LLF7Sk/X8lZYw1756I/AAAAAAAAVos/L5RQXipTYbwwvnk2WSKedMygKH6MS3fzQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/biscotti.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> I always save these heavy-duty card boxes,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> and they'd been really adding up.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Last year I filled my seven boxes I had saved</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> and dropped off to all my neighbors in my cul-de-sac.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>(Hobby Lobby sells my favorite cards and have the best boxes.)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course biscotti individually wrapped up</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> in cellophane & tied with a bow</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> tucked into a jar or basket,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">filled in a repurposed large jar, put in cute square cookie tins or filled up a cute holiday box...any contained works!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oM-Xgga9Agg/X8lct2Dp6kI/AAAAAAAAVo4/w3iKxyLdabQZsD67pXje-44o9-jb_s4ZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/biscotti4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="882" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oM-Xgga9Agg/X8lct2Dp6kI/AAAAAAAAVo4/w3iKxyLdabQZsD67pXje-44o9-jb_s4ZgCLcBGAsYHQ/w564-h640/biscotti4.jpg" width="564" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Two favorite recipes for fall & winter:</u></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/231047/cranberry-orange-biscotti/"><br /></a></span></b></div><div><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/231047/cranberry-orange-biscotti/">Cranberry-Orange Biscotti</a></span></b></div><div><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">and</span></b></div><div><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://whatsgabycooking.com/white-chocolate-and-cranberry-biscotti-2/"><br /></a></span></b></div><div><b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://whatsgabycooking.com/white-chocolate-and-cranberry-biscotti-2/">White Chocolate Cranberry Biscotti</a></span></b><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>I cut up the cranberries much smaller and use less </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>from the above recipes, which helps them</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b> keep their shape and stay together and not break too easily.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">These make really great treats to mail to loved ones!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9q1KUF5LlQ/X8llTDQ-kAI/AAAAAAAAVpE/R64mqMEHCPsPQXnniZpz-653kEJqXB_kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/xmaspresents.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9q1KUF5LlQ/X8llTDQ-kAI/AAAAAAAAVpE/R64mqMEHCPsPQXnniZpz-653kEJqXB_kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/xmaspresents.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>So, remember:</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b> <i>SAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS CARD BOXES</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b> and plan to do some biscotti baking this year!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><u>As always, thanks for your visit.</u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Hugs and prayers,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">~Michele</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u style="font-family: courier;"><b>Linking:</b></u></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u style="font-family: courier;"><b><a href="https://frenchethereal.net/2020/12/02/share-your-style-284/">Share Your Style</a></b></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-66461101120710922662020-12-02T04:09:00.043-05:002020-12-02T16:19:40.428-05:00December's First Snow!<p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I sure enjoyed waking up</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> on the first day of December to finding it had really snowed!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MDF2Yw9iuI/X8dFBU4Pn_I/AAAAAAAAVm8/VMb56nxJHAInXYrCZZyeHEVBQwteV0-EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/firstsnowdec20203%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="2000" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MDF2Yw9iuI/X8dFBU4Pn_I/AAAAAAAAVm8/VMb56nxJHAInXYrCZZyeHEVBQwteV0-EwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h452/firstsnowdec20203%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I do love having all 4 seasons here, and I do really like snow!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>(Especially when I decorating for Christmas!)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>It helps me really get into the spirit of it all!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15JEbT8G44o/X8dF9P0qPfI/AAAAAAAAVnQ/KJNSDUje8LgSPEF_KkzTsfNrBDuVuhEQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1181/57-570254_large-transparent-christmas-tree-with-star-clipart-free.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="860" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15JEbT8G44o/X8dF9P0qPfI/AAAAAAAAVnQ/KJNSDUje8LgSPEF_KkzTsfNrBDuVuhEQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w146-h200/57-570254_large-transparent-christmas-tree-with-star-clipart-free.png" width="146" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I love the patterns the snow made</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>on the stone pavers...</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-NwlaFZELw/X8dFQPnVN7I/AAAAAAAAVnA/AHz0RDkbLC0yi4BKfm3ImL8QQFkx15xMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1903/firstsnowdec2020%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1903" data-original-width="1400" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-NwlaFZELw/X8dFQPnVN7I/AAAAAAAAVnA/AHz0RDkbLC0yi4BKfm3ImL8QQFkx15xMgCLcBGAsYHQ/w470-h640/firstsnowdec2020%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="470" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>And how the piles of snow sits on the branches of</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>the boxwood outside our kitchen window.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdgv796-M8o/X8dGenNFLbI/AAAAAAAAVnY/cSRZmEvfcQs21YDfGMrnXy7It2fLiJJ2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1904/firstsnowdec20202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1904" height="516" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdgv796-M8o/X8dGenNFLbI/AAAAAAAAVnY/cSRZmEvfcQs21YDfGMrnXy7It2fLiJJ2wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h516/firstsnowdec20202.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>And on the lilac bush next to it on the right....</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBAOQCl7f_Y/X8dGp-YaU5I/AAAAAAAAVnc/IXN-rCIzy7YPv35ikuHVwlrG1X0sIWcIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1785/firstsnowdec20204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1785" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBAOQCl7f_Y/X8dGp-YaU5I/AAAAAAAAVnc/IXN-rCIzy7YPv35ikuHVwlrG1X0sIWcIgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h272/firstsnowdec20204.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>But the BEST part of a good snow day</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> is when </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">sweet little girls get to make snow angels!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><u>Oh, the sheer joy of being a child!</u></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GW61H2MMjOU/X8dNszt53FI/AAAAAAAAVns/R8QXX0vDXe4nrVCliQ80HifrSafKZ6fkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/VivifirstsnowofDec20202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GW61H2MMjOU/X8dNszt53FI/AAAAAAAAVns/R8QXX0vDXe4nrVCliQ80HifrSafKZ6fkwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/VivifirstsnowofDec20202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>Vivi says to herself:</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>"OK, I am going to look at my mommy. Smile, even. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>Think she will notice that I am making a snowball?</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>Don't look at my hands. Just focus. Just keep smiling at mommy.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>I think I am almost ready to throw it at her..."</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Just <i>look</i> at that "innocent" look she's giving her!)</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I know that look all too well myself! </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Seems sweet, but really </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">is T.R.O.U.B.L.E!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hahaha!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HuBUNMAKoAY/X8dXQsYFIrI/AAAAAAAAVoM/hhA9gvzSDUgYuXS7SIOj6udsjNpJecG3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1900/VivifirstsnowofDec2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="1314" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HuBUNMAKoAY/X8dXQsYFIrI/AAAAAAAAVoM/hhA9gvzSDUgYuXS7SIOj6udsjNpJecG3QCLcBGAsYHQ/w442-h640/VivifirstsnowofDec2020.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>And of course there are no pics of the war that ensued!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Alas, the </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">paparazzi were nowhere to be found.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>(<i>THIS</i> grandma sure loved getting these happy pics from them!)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="color: #557dda; font-size: xx-large;">♥</b></b></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Incidentally these are her shiny new "Olaf" boots</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> from the movie Frozen.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKtFNKwRYus/X8dZWK4K71I/AAAAAAAAVoY/QNGTQk9aXoMccrb5Qdsh6IVfeRqA352DACLcBGAsYHQ/s950/VivifirstsnowofDec20202bootsOlaf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="950" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKtFNKwRYus/X8dZWK4K71I/AAAAAAAAVoY/QNGTQk9aXoMccrb5Qdsh6IVfeRqA352DACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/VivifirstsnowofDec20202bootsOlaf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">In pic below she is holding her Olaf plushie toy.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Yes, she still has a strong Frozen obsession.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qpUS4fxN5k/X8dWarEXQcI/AAAAAAAAVoA/-I_Gc8eL490AqzltH-HiJkmX13qpyCavQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/Viviifrozencollage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qpUS4fxN5k/X8dWarEXQcI/AAAAAAAAVoA/-I_Gc8eL490AqzltH-HiJkmX13qpyCavQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/Viviifrozencollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> </b><b style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">As always, thanks for your visit!</span></u></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Hugs,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">~Michele</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-88625148577883296912020-11-29T17:03:00.014-05:002020-12-01T19:03:11.571-05:00My Advent Calendar<p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"> <b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Happy First Sunday of Advent!</span></b></span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i> Let our Hope Begin! </i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzyriQVr5Do/X8QQ2MjlNmI/AAAAAAAAVmE/m_uanPMUuC8FCxCxHizOs0OwdI_k9sghQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adventtree3wwm%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1193" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzyriQVr5Do/X8QQ2MjlNmI/AAAAAAAAVmE/m_uanPMUuC8FCxCxHizOs0OwdI_k9sghQCLcBGAsYHQ/w372-h640/adventtree3wwm%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="372" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What a wonderful time of year</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> counting down the coming of our Lord's birth! ♥</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thought I'd pop in and share the cutest</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">Advent calender</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">our eldest Evelyn made us </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">a few years ago.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBVVjR_CCv8/X8QQu7wCFrI/AAAAAAAAVmA/O_-V8K9hM3szziZmtFvAiWAGrs824MguACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/adventtreewwm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1248" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBVVjR_CCv8/X8QQu7wCFrI/AAAAAAAAVmA/O_-V8K9hM3szziZmtFvAiWAGrs824MguACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h640/adventtreewwm.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></b><div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is a tree shaped wooden holder for wee clay "ornaments"</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">that are stamped with numbers 1-24!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Isn't it just adorable?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRe2wExmPDo/X8QXHshMwEI/AAAAAAAAVmc/PnNXVeixsY0n2GIQb_0ea7d97f904i5ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/adventtree5wwm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1952" data-original-width="2000" height="624" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRe2wExmPDo/X8QXHshMwEI/AAAAAAAAVmc/PnNXVeixsY0n2GIQb_0ea7d97f904i5ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h624/adventtree5wwm.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's got a farmhouse/Scandy/natural vibe</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">that fits in </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">perfectly with the way I am decorating this year!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I used my Rae Dunn "Blessed" sign with it. ♥</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRaSwn0tkn4/X8QRn6jyWtI/AAAAAAAAVmQ/cioCAKIlDtcA6FxitCTU23AFXlfaGdCHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/adventtree4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1169" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRaSwn0tkn4/X8QRn6jyWtI/AAAAAAAAVmQ/cioCAKIlDtcA6FxitCTU23AFXlfaGdCHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h640/adventtree4.jpg" width="469" /></a></b></div><b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> So let our countdown begin!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">May each day of the Advent Season</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> bless each of you abundantly.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39GpPQ5PbzA/X8QXzwySnNI/AAAAAAAAVmk/XqegG01-XkM0ih-Rp23iBhrDljEJ0zaxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1532/adventtree4%2Bbw%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1012" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39GpPQ5PbzA/X8QXzwySnNI/AAAAAAAAVmk/XqegG01-XkM0ih-Rp23iBhrDljEJ0zaxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w422-h640/adventtree4%2Bbw%25281%2529.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The key to a happy Advent - feeling blessed.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Blessed with a roof over our heads, food in our tummies,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">love around us in friends and family, relatively good health</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">and freedom</span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> to worship as we wish, without fear.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u>As always, thank you for your visit!</u></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hugs and prayers,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i>~Michele</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>Linking:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2020/11/569th-inspire-me-tuesday.html"><b><br /></b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2020/11/569th-inspire-me-tuesday.html"><b>Inspire Me Tuesday</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p></div></div>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-43425384386630632462020-11-28T00:07:00.008-05:002020-11-28T11:20:26.132-05:00FRESHA SOAP & FUN THINGS GIVEAWAY WINNER!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u> Thank you everyone for entering our giveaway!</u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>And a super huge thanks to those of you wonderful readers</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> who purchased items from Fresha!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: red; font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVRLNpdv92c/X8HaAuJb1-I/AAAAAAAAVlw/Y9yIbZFezO45_QindBFHEGmBOXdFvu9swCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/awesome_human_award.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVRLNpdv92c/X8HaAuJb1-I/AAAAAAAAVlw/Y9yIbZFezO45_QindBFHEGmBOXdFvu9swCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/awesome_human_award.png" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: red; font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">You are supporters of small business</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> and generally fabulous human beings!!!!<span style="color: red;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">♥</span></span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Drum roll... and our winner this time is none other than</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">RITA </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">from the blog <a href="https://wvpanoply.blogspot.com/">Panoply</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Rita wins a free soap & lip balm of her choice from Fresha,</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>(and a few random little surprises from me, too.)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Look for an email from Evelyn at Fresha soon.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>You can find Fresha Soap on right side of my home page</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>or you can go <a href="https://www.freshasoap.com/">here</a>.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yl48Tm2nMH4/X8HV3vgC0EI/AAAAAAAAVlg/x3uHUY98CcER0RPbaxlY6Jfqvnoty1sRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/Fresha-Web-banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="1043" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yl48Tm2nMH4/X8HV3vgC0EI/AAAAAAAAVlg/x3uHUY98CcER0RPbaxlY6Jfqvnoty1sRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Fresha-Web-banner.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Visit the site to double check availability of choice products,</b></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>then just <u><span style="color: red;">let me know via an email</span></u> of your picks</b></span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>along with your mailing address</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> and we will get your goodies </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">out to you asap!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Thanks again to everyone!</u></span></b></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Was super fun hosting this giveaway!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Hope y'all had a fabulous Thanksgiving!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>(If you celebrated it, that is!)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Time to bring on the <i><span style="color: #17b224;">M</span><span style="color: red;">E</span><span style="color: #17b224;">R</span><span style="color: red;">R</span><span style="color: #17b224;">Y</span><span style="color: red;">!</span></i> </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>YAY!!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Hugs,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i>~Michele</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-19343862408014904752020-11-26T22:16:00.000-05:002020-11-26T22:16:00.400-05:00HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (And a Give-away!)<p style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>HAPPY THANKSGIVING!</b></span></span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Sending you all warm thoughts and prayers today.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Sharing our special card we received in the mail</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> from my 4 year old grand girl.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvZ1sU1ijOo/X8AT5_ru8qI/AAAAAAAAVlQ/IOYjvFubE7gyV7zBIBbNp_kc2yMDJHizQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ThanksgivingcardVivimade2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvZ1sU1ijOo/X8AT5_ru8qI/AAAAAAAAVlQ/IOYjvFubE7gyV7zBIBbNp_kc2yMDJHizQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/ThanksgivingcardVivimade2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">She is doing well with her homeschooling.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>She is learning her letters well!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Reminder: </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you haven't signed up for our artisan soap n surprises giveaway </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u><i>it's not too late</i></u> - will randomly pick a winner tomorrow.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Just leave a comment saying you wish to enter!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Click <a href="http://www.finchrest.com/2020/11/a-very-special-give-away.html">here.</a></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Comments closed for this post so you all can enjoy</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">your family, and hopefully a nice dessert after your feasts.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And to our outside our borders friends,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">let the Christmas fun begin! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b><u>As always, thank you for your visit!</u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Hugs,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">~Michele</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-41395398638093225772020-11-23T17:18:00.020-05:002020-11-25T00:27:17.470-05:00Tea Time - Bird Theme<p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> <span style="font-family: verdana;">I began sorting through all our Christmas bins and such</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> over the weekend, mindfully choosing what to keep out.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I am decorating much earlier and differently this year,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> so it's a bit more challenging - but in a good way.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>(More on that to follow in the days to come.)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIohN4gxcOU/X7wdtsKzQnI/AAAAAAAAVkA/qA3Hc5A2AAQs3qL0doAlR8xg_TQcKYClACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/xmasteasandi4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="2000" height="496" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIohN4gxcOU/X7wdtsKzQnI/AAAAAAAAVkA/qA3Hc5A2AAQs3qL0doAlR8xg_TQcKYClACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h496/xmasteasandi4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>We are going to follow our governor's mandate</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> and not going to have any company in for Thanksgiving this year.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Our girls felt this way first, then we followed their leads.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">So instead of being very sad, I am choosing to be busy!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ9Sn5wOJOQ/X7wekE1QNfI/AAAAAAAAVkQ/4IYb3lbJreMGXtuLIT2APYWqKZvFSVghACLcBGAsYHQ/s1119/xmasteasandi3withwm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1119" height="618" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ9Sn5wOJOQ/X7wekE1QNfI/AAAAAAAAVkQ/4IYb3lbJreMGXtuLIT2APYWqKZvFSVghACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h618/xmasteasandi3withwm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">(Thoughtful gift years ago from a dear blogger friend.)</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Perhaps that is why so many of us are starting</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> to decorate </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">much more early this year....because </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMtRNsRfQ_Y">We need a little Christmas</a></u>, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <u>right this very minute</u>! </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Click on "We need a little Christmas" above and really listen-</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>these words never hit me like they did this past weekend.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #14a474; font-size: x-large;">~~~~~~~~~~</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">*</span><span style="color: #14a474; font-size: x-large;">~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This weary world needs to rejoice in its joyful hope</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> of the coming of our Lord and Savior.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Now more than ever.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I think we all can agree that this year</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> has been an absolute nightmare. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am making a promise to myself:</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> to stay positive and focus on what's is happy and good.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">(I guess I will just fake it till I make it!)</span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QSa8u2N4oU/X7weBfebjzI/AAAAAAAAVkI/fM40yY4aH-0naVBcmAxAvaI9vubamsRJACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/xmasteasandiwwm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="2000" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4QSa8u2N4oU/X7weBfebjzI/AAAAAAAAVkI/fM40yY4aH-0naVBcmAxAvaI9vubamsRJACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h478/xmasteasandiwwm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>So what better way to start it all out than tea-for-one?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">In the middle of what looks like Saint Nick's workroom</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> with boxes and bits and baubles and all Christmas-y goodness</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> strewn about, I made myself a pretty tea respite. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I needed a quick easy nosh and a cuppa. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> I put together a pretty little bird-themed Christmas tea.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I filled a pot and wrapped it with my beautiful cozy</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>made by blogger friend Bernideen.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>She has an Etsy shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BernideensTeaTime">here</a>. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LngSyKDuEdM/X7wgVyE7gmI/AAAAAAAAVkc/dWuDXJpCcVoNXoqooj3Q2NbLQ5RO6FaOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/xmasteasandi5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="1600" height="566" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LngSyKDuEdM/X7wgVyE7gmI/AAAAAAAAVkc/dWuDXJpCcVoNXoqooj3Q2NbLQ5RO6FaOACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h566/xmasteasandi5.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> I rested my mind, my back, my feet <i>and</i> my soul near a fire. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>And counted my blessings in prayer.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Then again got back to happy busy!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGR3JcsJIzY/X7w0EIFyz_I/AAAAAAAAVk0/m0V7YBC2r6ovMR247IoE3_sI439qZNbwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1938/xmasteasandicollage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="1938" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGR3JcsJIzY/X7w0EIFyz_I/AAAAAAAAVk0/m0V7YBC2r6ovMR247IoE3_sI439qZNbwgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/xmasteasandicollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>If you haven't yet checked out my artisan soap giveaway-</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>please check out a special web site filled with great gift ideas!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Just click <a href="http://www.finchrest.com/2020/11/a-very-special-give-away.html">here</a>. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Another great gift idea from another dear blogger friend</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Angela from <a href="https://teawithfriends.blogspot.com/">Tea With Friends</a>.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>You can find it on Amazon.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCKzb8a_G1M/X7w5NPfwHkI/AAAAAAAAVlA/PuxRzdRVpf0w7GnRqnSk1fm7fIqu_UqJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1525/Angelas%2Bbook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1525" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCKzb8a_G1M/X7w5NPfwHkI/AAAAAAAAVlA/PuxRzdRVpf0w7GnRqnSk1fm7fIqu_UqJgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h356/Angelas%2Bbook.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>And last but not least, please join in the fun at</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Rose Chintz Cottage's</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/2020/11/welcome-to-no-place-like-home-party.html">NO PLACE LIKE HOME</a> link party!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_m5tC6HtOK0/X7wikGPLdFI/AAAAAAAAVko/Wlw6Qn9mzEY9ewUK54e79HOdMvhJ7MuTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s619/November%2Bb-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="619" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_m5tC6HtOK0/X7wikGPLdFI/AAAAAAAAVko/Wlw6Qn9mzEY9ewUK54e79HOdMvhJ7MuTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/November%2Bb-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">And as always, thank you for your visit + sweet comments!</span></u></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Big happy hugs,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">~Michele</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Linking:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.commonground-do.com/2020/11/thanksgiving-into-christmas-at-all.html">All About Home</a> * <a href="https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2020/11/568th-inspire-me-tuesday.html">Inspire Me Tuesday</a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-82410751102683245012020-11-14T23:21:00.026-05:002020-11-15T16:18:54.681-05:00A Very Special Give Away<p style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Announcing a very special give-away close to my heart!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is Fresha Soap Company's First Anniversary</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> and we are so delighted to celebrate it with you!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOh_51jO2tM/X64sXIg8MTI/AAAAAAAAVhU/PnD2z4-hQJ4SJgUMj1hdtvQQ4STcHpy7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/Fresha-Web-banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="1043" height="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOh_51jO2tM/X64sXIg8MTI/AAAAAAAAVhU/PnD2z4-hQJ4SJgUMj1hdtvQQ4STcHpy7wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h264/Fresha-Web-banner.png" width="640" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxGFv3RXcU4/X64nTJeeaPI/AAAAAAAAVhA/Hc-DFDxh7kAUIy8ptoyStF3vdaBoQsY8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1558/soap-preview%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1558" height="346" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxGFv3RXcU4/X64nTJeeaPI/AAAAAAAAVhA/Hc-DFDxh7kAUIy8ptoyStF3vdaBoQsY8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h346/soap-preview%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Fresha Soap is absolutely <u>the</u> <u>best</u> <u>soap</u> I have ever used.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's chalk-full of naturally good things for your skin.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It smells amazing.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is very long-lasting and gentle with soft lathering.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>(I would say this even if it weren't my daughter's company!)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>Truth! I swear it!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They have many year-round amazing soaps to choose from,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> but today I am showing off two groupings of</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> recent seasonal limited-edition batches:</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">4 awesome </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>autumn-inspired</i> scented soaps!</span></b></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDzw7ULhyYU/X64ir14RcXI/AAAAAAAAVgg/qfBOGI4y4mgxovNLG5gwivj--4w5kxiJACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/freshafall2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDzw7ULhyYU/X64ir14RcXI/AAAAAAAAVgg/qfBOGI4y4mgxovNLG5gwivj--4w5kxiJACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/freshafall2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u>Top to bottom above:</u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Cinnamon Latte </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Pretty Pink Apple </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Woods Walk</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">White Birch Oud</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Fresha recently introduced a wonderful new</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> year-round scent called "Heavenly."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(And is it EVER THAT! It's my new favorite!)</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BD5YmumacbQ/X7Ga-GTIm4I/AAAAAAAAVjk/_YA8FD55ZVU9UC0ajrpBCEcuvHDkxXdOACLcBGAsYHQ/s373/heavenly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="373" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BD5YmumacbQ/X7Ga-GTIm4I/AAAAAAAAVjk/_YA8FD55ZVU9UC0ajrpBCEcuvHDkxXdOACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h268/heavenly.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5R1kIVNPGU/X64yNCfHZhI/AAAAAAAAVhg/-aV6OA6r-hA6gCYOPvqzqBRkp_DoaiXOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1424/freshfall20202cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1424" height="470" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5R1kIVNPGU/X64yNCfHZhI/AAAAAAAAVhg/-aV6OA6r-hA6gCYOPvqzqBRkp_DoaiXOQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h470/freshfall20202cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">My talented daughter also made the table those pretty soaps above are sitting on!</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> 4 new amazing</span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> limited edition <i>winter-inspired</i> soaps:</span></b></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Snow Day</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Butterscotch Toddy</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Foxberry Frost </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Cozy Cashmere</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjf--UcBBro/X64jLH-fQ5I/AAAAAAAAVgo/XsKymqbGupMGQtINp7ijqTzbA63Ej6rfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1356/Nov2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjf--UcBBro/X64jLH-fQ5I/AAAAAAAAVgo/XsKymqbGupMGQtINp7ijqTzbA63Ej6rfgCLcBGAsYHQ/w528-h640/Nov2020.png" width="528" /></a></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course these "seasonal" scents</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> are truly great</span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> for <i>any</i> season.</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But they are specially made in small batches,</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">so when they're gone, they are gone!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKU4KfOI7_o/X7ClUpOhEsI/AAAAAAAAVis/bpYJEfkbR3o6hmwysOqlH9_d3JB2Qn7iACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/fresshasummersoapgiveaway%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1541" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKU4KfOI7_o/X7ClUpOhEsI/AAAAAAAAVis/bpYJEfkbR3o6hmwysOqlH9_d3JB2Qn7iACLcBGAsYHQ/w494-h640/fresshasummersoapgiveaway%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Fresha has so many wonderful good-for-you products;</span></b></b></p><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">lip balms, solid lotion pucks, hair oils, beard oils...</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">and has just introduced </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u>Botanical Bath Salt Teas</u>!!!!</span></b></p><p><br /></p></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPbGh4HwKh0/X64iG7N1e_I/AAAAAAAAVgM/JNdlRNDsM1YifRCNPziug9RQYjLeXNH9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/tubbateas.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPbGh4HwKh0/X64iG7N1e_I/AAAAAAAAVgM/JNdlRNDsM1YifRCNPziug9RQYjLeXNH9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/tubbateas.png" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>The Fresha Soap Company is recognized locally</b></i></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b> for the many bars of soap given</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">to those in need in various local area</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> shelters.</span></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span><p><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> They</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> also have an easy way for us to help them do so</span></b></i></p><p><i><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> by having a Good Neighbor </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">donation button on their web site</span></b></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>should you also ever care to share.</i> </b></span></p></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-oZOdgdEm0/X7CErZASu5I/AAAAAAAAVic/_EUv1RtF_T8rkarEFviDKQ8v_v4yOic8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/good-stuff-neighbor-pale-300x300.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-oZOdgdEm0/X7CErZASu5I/AAAAAAAAVic/_EUv1RtF_T8rkarEFviDKQ8v_v4yOic8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/good-stuff-neighbor-pale-300x300.png" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u>OK, TIME TO GET TO THE FUN STUFF!</u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One lucky winner will receive a mini Holiday Gift Bag</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> with winner's choice of a full size bar of any soap available on </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Fresha Soap's web site, along with a choice of lip balm.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Finch Rest will also add some fun </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">surprises in the box, too. <span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdeJO3oHFwM/X64r_1UAH1I/AAAAAAAAVhM/HYy0m4LlzRk6Y1dtLSltR72ToARH4s_swCLcBGAsYHQ/s1350/soap-trio%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdeJO3oHFwM/X64r_1UAH1I/AAAAAAAAVhM/HYy0m4LlzRk6Y1dtLSltR72ToARH4s_swCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/soap-trio%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>1.) To enter to win simply go to <a href="https://www.freshasoap.com/">Fresha's web site</a></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>then come on back </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">and tell us what you think you like best via a comment!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Be sure to mention if you are entering the give-away!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> </b><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">(</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">The site is very cute, well written, and full of fun trivia facts!)</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>2.) Please be a follower of my blog. It is a nice thing to be. <span style="color: #cc0000;">♥</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>3.) I will also need to know your contact info if you win-</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">so if you are a no-reply/anonymous blogger I won't have any way to contact you - so please remember to check back after the winner is announced! You needn't be a blogger to enter.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">If I don't hear back from winner within 3 days for contact info,</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">another winner will be randomly chosen. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sorry only open to the US folks.</span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5AiD_Uk6XKo/X7Cn63T8xAI/AAAAAAAAVi8/cPnTdETBlIMiGcISgCeSQBs4Yi17zd3zQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1043/Fresha-Web-banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="1043" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5AiD_Uk6XKo/X7Cn63T8xAI/AAAAAAAAVi8/cPnTdETBlIMiGcISgCeSQBs4Yi17zd3zQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Fresha-Web-banner.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">F</span><a href="https://www.freshasoap.com/">resha Soap's website</a> </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/freshasoap">Fresha's Facebook Page </a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/freshasoap/">Fresha's Instagram</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>Fresha Soap's newsletter</b></span></u> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>(on site's home page bottom right)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">This giveaway will run until the end of Thanksgiving Day</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">and will be announced here sometime Saturday Nov. 28th.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a3YQb6XO-sc/X7CopRg2H1I/AAAAAAAAVjI/vuVZKPTQMMQZ7mwsjzfTWENvJZb2LrZYACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="224" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a3YQb6XO-sc/X7CopRg2H1I/AAAAAAAAVjI/vuVZKPTQMMQZ7mwsjzfTWENvJZb2LrZYACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="239" /></a></div><br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">And as you all prepare for your busy gift-giving season,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> please remember how important it is</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">to support your local small businesses. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">These places need our patronage to stay operational.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Amazon, Walmart and Target stores will always do brisk business -</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">but all the little unique stores available to us are true American treasures!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">These businesses </span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">deserve to be considered to fill our own, and gift-giving needs. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you for your thoughtful & mindful purchasing - especially this year!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>As always, thanks for your visit!</u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Hugs +prayers for your health and peace,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">~Michele</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">If you missed my post about a recent cute tea party, click </span><a href="http://www.finchrest.com/2020/11/letter-t-and-telling-time-tea-party.html" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">here</a><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-90808027504178359772020-11-11T18:33:00.004-05:002020-11-12T23:45:23.007-05:00Letter "T" and Telling Time Tea Party!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>To celebrate learning the letter "T" and Telling Time</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> I hosted a little tea party luncheon for my preschooler grand,</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>and for both of my daughters early last month.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>♥</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It was a perfect time to use my clock teapot for a centerpiece.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNSptIaCKm8/X6xcV7pWYXI/AAAAAAAAVdc/WbXIBzVRM4kkt4_JRMJG9a6dQQjQHeJzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Tparty2.jpg" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1845" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNSptIaCKm8/X6xcV7pWYXI/AAAAAAAAVdc/WbXIBzVRM4kkt4_JRMJG9a6dQQjQHeJzQCLcBGAsYHQ/w590-h640/Tparty2.jpg" width="590" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>It was a good day for using my Gracie china.</b></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9kflz1v-kg/X6xpOzmCt5I/AAAAAAAAVfg/_CYQpxO7F9IeGL7EeRI1MfJkB8nIamR0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Tparty10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1541" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9kflz1v-kg/X6xpOzmCt5I/AAAAAAAAVfg/_CYQpxO7F9IeGL7EeRI1MfJkB8nIamR0wCLcBGAsYHQ/w494-h640/Tparty10.jpg" width="494" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I only have 4 teacups and saucers in this pattern</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> so it worked out well.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wecDlI0NoQE/X6xxpwYlpmI/AAAAAAAAVf4/rB1olCxicsg2nEZUXg1XF8NxRgzzIQ4lgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Tparty11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wecDlI0NoQE/X6xxpwYlpmI/AAAAAAAAVf4/rB1olCxicsg2nEZUXg1XF8NxRgzzIQ4lgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Tparty11.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I was asked to teach some basic table and tea party manners.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">(FYI - Katie asked Vivi a few days later about what she learned, </p><p style="text-align: center;">and she remembered all she was taught!)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPodBe9nAIs/X6xsROLBguI/AAAAAAAAVfs/73Cny54vRnsa-feJmwJu8ANvuQc4hh7PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/VivianLetterTteaparty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1647" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPodBe9nAIs/X6xsROLBguI/AAAAAAAAVfs/73Cny54vRnsa-feJmwJu8ANvuQc4hh7PwCLcBGAsYHQ/w528-h640/VivianLetterTteaparty.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pink velvet dress, cute tea hat, a sweet smile -</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> yep, I believe she was ready for her tea time!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eekj7LaBTXU/X6xcKvIzxRI/AAAAAAAAVdY/Xaasuw3FtQ07w9cUficuwDZhTqfOKO-NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Tpartyflowers.jpg" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1646" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eekj7LaBTXU/X6xcKvIzxRI/AAAAAAAAVdY/Xaasuw3FtQ07w9cUficuwDZhTqfOKO-NgCLcBGAsYHQ/w586-h640/Tpartyflowers.jpg" width="586" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I used these heavier stoneware teacups for the soup.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I used these sweet fall napkins my tea sister/friend Pam D. sent</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> in the mail - love random acts of kindness getting happy mail!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Paper napkins always best when there is a 4 year old at the table.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYQhKlXAlDM/X6xeESUrIvI/AAAAAAAAVd8/0svlTVJMV2w2FnhLrqhCdtLiEeRF3DGQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1987/Tparty3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="1490" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYQhKlXAlDM/X6xeESUrIvI/AAAAAAAAVd8/0svlTVJMV2w2FnhLrqhCdtLiEeRF3DGQACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Tparty3.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><b style="font-family: verdana;"><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I really can't believe none of us even thought of </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>taking pictures of any of the beautiful foods.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>*Sigh*</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where is my Mary D. when I needed her the most????</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-large;">♥</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I am happy to report that Vivi liked almost everything!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>(And these were rather mature foods, too!)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I was so happy she liked the curry soup!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>About the only thing she didn't care for was </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">the ham salad.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>BTW- the pumpernickel was homemade by my hubs!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>He is an amazing bread baker, and he nailed it perfectly.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>It was the first time he'd ever made it, too. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qx3duDuqef0/X6xdiuY5uMI/AAAAAAAAVdw/xVEs2GXqhzgIi3NKvJjbpvFTo_SKRZlFACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/20201008_121239%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1608" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qx3duDuqef0/X6xdiuY5uMI/AAAAAAAAVdw/xVEs2GXqhzgIi3NKvJjbpvFTo_SKRZlFACLcBGAsYHQ/w514-h640/20201008_121239%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="514" /></a></p><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The cello-wrapped favor was to be a fun painting</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">of an autumn pumpkin craft for us to do, </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">but we ran out of time so we weren't able to do it together.</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iMe1D1OtVqc/X6xgQ4AUFMI/AAAAAAAAVeI/DC_2PxWOxvkNvT7BN9oLx7IYVafBRctaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1900/Tparty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1764" data-original-width="1900" height="594" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iMe1D1OtVqc/X6xgQ4AUFMI/AAAAAAAAVeI/DC_2PxWOxvkNvT7BN9oLx7IYVafBRctaQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h594/Tparty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here they are in learning mode as I was in kitchen brewing the tea!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">A play clock, a making a paper clock craft - such fun!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmvWfjFCpXk/X6xhh1_-nwI/AAAAAAAAVeU/BdKooNPLKzseUzFp2P6_vNI4L3uDQnfJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Tparty5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1647" data-original-width="2000" height="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CmvWfjFCpXk/X6xhh1_-nwI/AAAAAAAAVeU/BdKooNPLKzseUzFp2P6_vNI4L3uDQnfJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h528/Tparty5.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><b><br /></b></b></p><b><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2onNDQOceFs/X6xh3MjMxMI/AAAAAAAAVew/QVTDFC095PYVtgF3ZCLRV6uSUV4mrH2dgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2200/Tparty9%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2200" data-original-width="1077" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2onNDQOceFs/X6xh3MjMxMI/AAAAAAAAVew/QVTDFC095PYVtgF3ZCLRV6uSUV4mrH2dgCLcBGAsYHQ/w314-h640/Tparty9%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>I absolutely love her happy pose!!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">She left her very special pink shiny tea party</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> princess shoes </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">at the front door.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W77tMwI94-c/X6xmmkm78BI/AAAAAAAAVfU/ptYegG1wTQE8fQZ8Teb08D53k9yaZaxPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Tparty4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1612" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W77tMwI94-c/X6xmmkm78BI/AAAAAAAAVfU/ptYegG1wTQE8fQZ8Teb08D53k9yaZaxPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w359-h400/Tparty4.jpg" width="359" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">BTW- these cute wooly toys her Aunt Ezza</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> hand made her </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">and gifted her that day</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> for doing so well in her learning!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUqKqrONTbY/X6xh2j7h5lI/AAAAAAAAVeo/-i1kSqmmhKwzUYumT8B8vFMzVdmXul91gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Tparty6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="2000" height="340" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUqKqrONTbY/X6xh2j7h5lI/AAAAAAAAVeo/-i1kSqmmhKwzUYumT8B8vFMzVdmXul91gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h340/Tparty6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AN73x9rCtNk/X6xh3M_VKsI/AAAAAAAAVes/tmtA5dcrfDUNkAorDXyhKAf1pM3gwUiJACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Tparty8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="2000" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AN73x9rCtNk/X6xh3M_VKsI/AAAAAAAAVes/tmtA5dcrfDUNkAorDXyhKAf1pM3gwUiJACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h268/Tparty8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cute, aren't they?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I love the "cutie marks" on them!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vivi's auntie makes her the cutest things.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I could do several posts on them alone.</span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GyPMPMwJcTY/X6xh2mgq6cI/AAAAAAAAVeg/NEGJBhk0OnkXuiix6l0TdIfI-0EfnqgAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Tparty7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="2000" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GyPMPMwJcTY/X6xh2mgq6cI/AAAAAAAAVeg/NEGJBhk0OnkXuiix6l0TdIfI-0EfnqgAgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h217/Tparty7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Th<i>e pink caterpillar with hearts was a very special request</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> made by Vivi. If anyone wants to know more about it please </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>write me privately and I will share.</i></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u>As always, thanks for your visit!</u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Stay safe, stay well, please!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Linking:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://betweennapsontheporch.net/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-table-setting-great-for-the-kids-or-the-grown-up-table/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29">Tablescape Thursday</a></span></p><p><br /></p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-42166681958379911862020-10-31T02:27:00.003-04:002020-10-31T02:27:46.943-04:00Happy Haunting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQLabRTH5Wo/X50DnynPijI/AAAAAAAAVcI/0nXYvcPKSCoRjGq4o84PZGjKxM_9HdKzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/jackolantersembellished2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="2048" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQLabRTH5Wo/X50DnynPijI/AAAAAAAAVcI/0nXYvcPKSCoRjGq4o84PZGjKxM_9HdKzQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h448/jackolantersembellished2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-61894665035842005522020-10-27T17:37:00.007-04:002020-10-27T22:29:10.010-04:00Halloween Mantle + Crafted Haunted House<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">As promised, I am posting a few neat things my daughters</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> have done for Halloween this year.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8E5hEEjl2w/X5iF7EcUsGI/AAAAAAAAVaY/3I_gXzUgaEc3Pr45_gpZHfytbiTDzgzuACLcBGAsYHQ/s2054/fallhometour20202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="2054" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8E5hEEjl2w/X5iF7EcUsGI/AAAAAAAAVaY/3I_gXzUgaEc3Pr45_gpZHfytbiTDzgzuACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h280/fallhometour20202.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>My eldest's mantle, quite pin-worthy!</b></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ham2WVq1yPU/X5dZ-yN6FXI/AAAAAAAAVaI/QkcT34YUyuEZ6TKKVcPj92Kfn1Wr8mQIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Halloweenevelyn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="2048" height="540" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ham2WVq1yPU/X5dZ-yN6FXI/AAAAAAAAVaI/QkcT34YUyuEZ6TKKVcPj92Kfn1Wr8mQIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h540/Halloweenevelyn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Here is the same mantle at night in its spooky glory:</span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kjFfsDURSKI/X5iGO8Xk-CI/AAAAAAAAVag/nUTFnu2zTwYHlS0RpsdhB_xXPL7G8-5YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="2048" height="496" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kjFfsDURSKI/X5iGO8Xk-CI/AAAAAAAAVag/nUTFnu2zTwYHlS0RpsdhB_xXPL7G8-5YwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h496/IMG_9854.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some treats made recently by my younger daughter</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and my grand daughter:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5z7DXWqv9wI/X5iG07o8JgI/AAAAAAAAVao/9qXXEGmbdE0nwtq9qq2HpU7vmr5WPLHzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1891/halloweentreats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1891" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5z7DXWqv9wI/X5iG07o8JgI/AAAAAAAAVao/9qXXEGmbdE0nwtq9qq2HpU7vmr5WPLHzwCLcBGAsYHQ/w520-h640/halloweentreats.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>And a haunted house they made that week too:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FqRf6kLRpY/X5iHJKK6M4I/AAAAAAAAVa4/WDOpdlD1IrAdgIO5kDVbls2eoZ93we5pgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/halloweenhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1149" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FqRf6kLRpY/X5iHJKK6M4I/AAAAAAAAVa4/WDOpdlD1IrAdgIO5kDVbls2eoZ93we5pgCLcBGAsYHQ/w360-h640/halloweenhouse.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sorry pics aren't great -</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> was a low light cell phone pic kind of day.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I went there to babysit and had to snap fast,</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">as there were far more fun things to be doing!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ng5HVoX98hA/X5iHi00neiI/AAAAAAAAVbQ/tr7xq_i_bH8doDL4XEZs2y4to7svuXVWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/halloweenhouse4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ng5HVoX98hA/X5iHi00neiI/AAAAAAAAVbQ/tr7xq_i_bH8doDL4XEZs2y4to7svuXVWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/halloweenhouse4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Katie made everything by hand but the wee skeleton erasers</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">used for the "Jack O' Lanterns" on fence posts.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-op7lEzy1D-I/X5iMDSxjB2I/AAAAAAAAVbs/n54cwpCZa6UnQKx5XBaLAtBB3gSY7AFkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1151/halloweenhouse5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-op7lEzy1D-I/X5iMDSxjB2I/AAAAAAAAVbs/n54cwpCZa6UnQKx5XBaLAtBB3gSY7AFkwCLcBGAsYHQ/w348-h400/halloweenhouse5.jpg" width="348" /></a></div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">She is quite talented at clay model making.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of these days I need to share her doll house and</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Barbie houses clay things! </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzwaSOimBkU/X5iIDoLFbnI/AAAAAAAAVbc/aGAR80rtiS0kNVcTOT69UDr0lGI6_H8rwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/halloweenhouse3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzwaSOimBkU/X5iIDoLFbnI/AAAAAAAAVbc/aGAR80rtiS0kNVcTOT69UDr0lGI6_H8rwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/halloweenhouse3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spooky bat, cobwebs, dead trees, graves, a spider,</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> witch's broom, black cat, pumpkins.....</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 400;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">and a lighted-up ghost can all be found</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 400;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> at this haunted house!</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RhybTTaIarE/X5iIDiaGwuI/AAAAAAAAVbY/-3PDTSKlhBk1QX9jV_aeDn3DAJO-giE9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1400/halloweenhouse2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1149" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RhybTTaIarE/X5iIDiaGwuI/AAAAAAAAVbY/-3PDTSKlhBk1QX9jV_aeDn3DAJO-giE9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w526-h640/halloweenhouse2.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Everything was made with things they had on hand;</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> not a single penny was spent additionally on this craft item!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">And the very best part is the happy/pride part.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Think maybe that is the face she's showing?</i></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I believe it to be so.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6py22s9gps/X5iQGABmO6I/AAAAAAAAVb4/Wq493PGKzjchTTHzC58kt5ft20oEgz_lQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1400/halloweenhouse6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6py22s9gps/X5iQGABmO6I/AAAAAAAAVb4/Wq493PGKzjchTTHzC58kt5ft20oEgz_lQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/halloweenhouse6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">She sure makes everything more fun.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you missed my cute post on our family fun Halloween crafting </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">please click <a href="http://www.finchrest.com/2020/10/halloween-family-crafting.html">here.</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u>As always, thank you for your visit!</u></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Hugs,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i>~Michele</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Linking:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2020/10/564th-inspire-me-tuesday.html">Inspire Me Tuesday</a></span></div><br /><p><br /></p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-63527490457308462992020-10-26T18:30:00.018-04:002020-10-27T22:32:00.065-04:00Halloween Family Crafting!!!!<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Well, time sure flies!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here we are nearing the end of October!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's Halloween time once again!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SN7_pe5Fa9s/X5cZagmnVEI/AAAAAAAAVWo/xJJ75hyqTpAky2Y6qf8AYEpu0oK_f6GAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9815.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1754" data-original-width="2048" height="548" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SN7_pe5Fa9s/X5cZagmnVEI/AAAAAAAAVWo/xJJ75hyqTpAky2Y6qf8AYEpu0oK_f6GAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h548/IMG_9815.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few weeks ago I had my two daughters</span></b></div><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and my sweet little grand girl for a sleepover!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><div><b style="font-family: verdana;">We had the best time decorating a huge batch of </b></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>sour cream cut out sugar cookies that</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I had made and baked ahead of time.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2Pr7a0MQCw/X5caPaSEnpI/AAAAAAAAVXk/UrIrh4auicYWiJAm9YRYtvGdT5aXUiF_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/fallcookies%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2Pr7a0MQCw/X5caPaSEnpI/AAAAAAAAVXk/UrIrh4auicYWiJAm9YRYtvGdT5aXUiF_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/fallcookies%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This is just a small sampling - had every tray I owned</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">all over the counters and table!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Oh, my word, was it ever a fun time! </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>These pics don't do the cookies </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">justice at all. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We had colorful leaves, pumpkins, jack o' lanterns, </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">apples -</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> and my eldest even frosted some purple "poison" apples!</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWi9ecuK1UE/X5canlva_tI/AAAAAAAAVXs/ch34iAW5XgYLGOMZumHiD1e5Zx6Io_wpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9816.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWi9ecuK1UE/X5canlva_tI/AAAAAAAAVXs/ch34iAW5XgYLGOMZumHiD1e5Zx6Io_wpgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_9816.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">My youngest came up with the idea of flipping an apple upside down to</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">make skeleton heads! My girls are so clever thinking outside the box.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">(They truly are real artists.)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFo8vLzU94A/X5dGQ5ZluLI/AAAAAAAAVYw/1a8qxBF_V88B48WccH5ePBu3s1yKQWsngCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/halloweentreats3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="2000" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFo8vLzU94A/X5dGQ5ZluLI/AAAAAAAAVYw/1a8qxBF_V88B48WccH5ePBu3s1yKQWsngCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h416/halloweentreats3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Unfortunately none of us th</span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">ought of taking a pic of us</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> decorating these cookies. Boo. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1A-9h-ZPiyQ/X5dFnmHroiI/AAAAAAAAVYo/KvOCGCWlvZot8QIFLDKrFwL4xgBSyZ6pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/sugarcookiesfall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1534" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1A-9h-ZPiyQ/X5dFnmHroiI/AAAAAAAAVYo/KvOCGCWlvZot8QIFLDKrFwL4xgBSyZ6pQCLcBGAsYHQ/w546-h640/sugarcookiesfall.jpg" width="546" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We had a really nice end-of-season barbeque that ♥ hubs grilled,</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">and after clean up </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">we </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">painted sugar sculls!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>(Excuse rl mess in kitchen with all the dishes and towels drying)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2aIGBD3FVQ/X5cb0tUh4JI/AAAAAAAAVYA/cszs852P8_80CLAn2OQfSqheFEgjpiVIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1618/sugarsculls2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1618" height="421" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2aIGBD3FVQ/X5cb0tUh4JI/AAAAAAAAVYA/cszs852P8_80CLAn2OQfSqheFEgjpiVIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h421/sugarsculls2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Just look at these beauties!</b></span></p></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>(The sugar sculls aren't bad either, heh heh.)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Here is Evelyn's (my eldest above right):</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNlS6p7mYL0/X5dHaEY4Q_I/AAAAAAAAVZA/0IqIBRijn5kXJ3uZCDHXYHfOO_YZNlezwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sugarsculleve.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNlS6p7mYL0/X5dHaEY4Q_I/AAAAAAAAVZA/0IqIBRijn5kXJ3uZCDHXYHfOO_YZNlezwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/sugarsculleve.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is Katie's (youngest, on left in group pic):</span></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ak44xZvjUk/X5cZbmWhbbI/AAAAAAAAVXE/qqb9KbLDVFI8VxqCioSw2ITE2XJEuai3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/sugarscullkatie%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1800" height="534" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ak44xZvjUk/X5cZbmWhbbI/AAAAAAAAVXE/qqb9KbLDVFI8VxqCioSw2ITE2XJEuai3ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h534/sugarscullkatie%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>You may notice that they both painted a gold tooth.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>So cute and clever.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Here is mine first draft:</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByqNPy8VlMQ/X5cZbTXMDzI/AAAAAAAAVW4/caPo1TdPn1IYmuvPN38OQx1mRMW9WTl_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sugarschullshell3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByqNPy8VlMQ/X5cZbTXMDzI/AAAAAAAAVW4/caPo1TdPn1IYmuvPN38OQx1mRMW9WTl_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/sugarschullshell3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>And same one, after adding a few more embellishments.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I sent it to my college niece because she is one of</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>my very favorite Halloween pals.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> She </b><b>also loves color and so I painted it with her in mind.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I forgot to take a final pic of it so I asked her to send it to me</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>so I could share/document.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owiK-3fds4w/X5cZcGyx4BI/AAAAAAAAVXM/pvIpadVjXxssJhGyxe4MKCTpmIVyFuSqACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sugarscullshell2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1616" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owiK-3fds4w/X5cZcGyx4BI/AAAAAAAAVXM/pvIpadVjXxssJhGyxe4MKCTpmIVyFuSqACLcBGAsYHQ/w504-h640/sugarscullshell2.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><br /><b><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>Last but not least here is little Vivian's!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>Hers was different from her momma's and more </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>distinctly girlie, having one wearing a pretty tea hat.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>She painted one side dark and spooky (not shown)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>and the other side added pink. ♥</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>She has it now hanging on the nob of her wardrobe.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>Pink by day, dark and scary by night.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>She has such a fun personality.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdxovPIfSgQ/X5dJ1gBkkgI/AAAAAAAAVZM/NfZuxkObhk4Afzyyus0fivM7ha94D42YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1993/sugarscullsvivi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="1369" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdxovPIfSgQ/X5dJ1gBkkgI/AAAAAAAAVZM/NfZuxkObhk4Afzyyus0fivM7ha94D42YwCLcBGAsYHQ/w440-h640/sugarscullsvivi.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>Next post I will share some <i><u>really neat </u></i>Halloween</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>decorating my daughters have done,</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b> as I </b><b>no longer decorate for the holiday.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>I will also be hosting a nice give-away very soon.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I pray everyone is staying safe and healthy!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">As always, thank you for your visit!</span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>Hugs!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">~Michele</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Linking:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2020/10/564th-inspire-me-tuesday.html">Inspire Me Tuesday</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></div>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-57591478383484330322020-10-06T01:16:00.009-04:002020-10-06T23:05:47.751-04:00Lovely October Birthday Tea <p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><br /></u></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Ah, Autumn, how I love thee!</u></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> This past Saturday we had a perfect autumn day </span></b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> so </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I headed outdoors for </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">a perfect little tea for one.</span></b></div></b><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I grabbed a few essentials and went out to my garden room</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">to enjoy a quiet and leisurely tea time.</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sipping and reading and bird watching was the order of the day!</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RH-e4qor-pg/X3vCg9eykkI/AAAAAAAAVTM/s9m0vnVL7gwCPOqQ9N_dSGUI-_D1OsL1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2008/octtea3water.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="1941" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RH-e4qor-pg/X3vCg9eykkI/AAAAAAAAVTM/s9m0vnVL7gwCPOqQ9N_dSGUI-_D1OsL1wCLcBGAsYHQ/w618-h640/octtea3water.png" width="618" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This past weekend was also my birthday, so</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I thought I would celebrate in style and use the beautiful</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Royal Albert teacup set that my sweet blogging friend</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Margie from <a href="http://teainthevalley.blogspot.com/">Tea in the Valley</a> gifted me a few years ago.</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLkS1r0Is20/X3vQdtDDByI/AAAAAAAAVTk/JEucCn6F6kQ5AsCQMtpkfmvufJm-Q1ntwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1960/octtea8water%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLkS1r0Is20/X3vQdtDDByI/AAAAAAAAVTk/JEucCn6F6kQ5AsCQMtpkfmvufJm-Q1ntwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/octtea8water%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I surrounded myself on this quickly put-together tea time </span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">with gifts from </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">wonderful and caring friends.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">First thing I did was to clip a few lovely blossoms from the</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> limelight hydrangeas in front of our house.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They are beg</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">inning to turn, and are just so Autumn-y!</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>(Thank YOU, Heavenly Father for the beautiful gift of these flowers!)</i></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0h5jZXW2EmI/X3vhFR671DI/AAAAAAAAVUQ/bReRL6fEoxEzR1ggkMqfVAT0S-OwtnAgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1981/octtea5water.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="1981" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0h5jZXW2EmI/X3vhFR671DI/AAAAAAAAVUQ/bReRL6fEoxEzR1ggkMqfVAT0S-OwtnAgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h454/octtea5water.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I placed them in a Lenox china vessel my women's club friend Melinda</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">gave me as a hostess gift when visiting a few years ago.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's the perfect size for hydrangea and peony cuttings.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I placed an antique glass frog that fits perfectly on the bottom</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> to keep </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">those floppy blooms in place.</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMLM9rraKNc/X3v2mQMjatI/AAAAAAAAVU0/uTC0ZVRazzESVf__tjumNHUZwCTJ2tJVACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/octtea12water.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMLM9rraKNc/X3v2mQMjatI/AAAAAAAAVU0/uTC0ZVRazzESVf__tjumNHUZwCTJ2tJVACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/octtea12water.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"></b><div><b style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My dear friend Kitty from <a href="https://www.kittyskozykitchen.com/">Kitty's Kozy Kitchen</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">made me the beautiful crocheted doily.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></div></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The bird-themed napkin is from my tea society friend Karen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>She collects the most gorgeous paper napkins.</i></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Needless to say I spent some time thinking</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> about each </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">of these precious ladies,</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and what a true blessing their friendship is to me.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QxdV5bvP04/X3vbh830NcI/AAAAAAAAVUE/Fi1ukk78SOwtw5GSTvgl1dHP2Z-DFUcrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1325/octtea6water.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1325" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QxdV5bvP04/X3vbh830NcI/AAAAAAAAVUE/Fi1ukk78SOwtw5GSTvgl1dHP2Z-DFUcrgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h303/octtea6water.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><u>And the REAL star of the tea show:</u></i></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My neighbor Tiffany and her sweet daughter made us </span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a huge box of wonderful Polish pastries called Kolachi.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They were <i>so</i> good, and </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">made a wonderful teatime snack!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="1919" height="309" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-133Ux4iWKDM/X3vXRsk7_jI/AAAAAAAAVT0/lQcvkU8JDhEZoR-h8VLeW1TeJ2_HEBrTwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h309/octtea7water.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The little cake plate came from a great thrift find of my older sister.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A couple of years ago she texted me because she had found</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> a set of 8 </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>signed</u> and <u>dated</u> hand gilt-painted beauties</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> at a secondhand </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">place</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> near where she lives for a GREAT price,</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and asked if I wanted </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">to buy them?</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><i>My answer was an emphatic and resounding "YES, PLEASE!"</i></u></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They are in perfect condition, and are over 70 years old!</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xGcLNjWR9M/X3v4kHbfHeI/AAAAAAAAVVA/wncVbp7ytyobz466GtOvEhRM7pKEfx5vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1333/octtea2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xGcLNjWR9M/X3v4kHbfHeI/AAAAAAAAVVA/wncVbp7ytyobz466GtOvEhRM7pKEfx5vQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/octtea2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After my tea I walked around the gardens and took this pic-</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">which is just so perfect for October!</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Funny, we never planted these Japanese Lanterns - nature did.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We have had them for about 5 years now.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">They are waning, but still so awesome looking.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVtN2JhhQNE/X3vkoxyHLUI/AAAAAAAAVUc/H_GP93ikdYkdofJ2N9OQPMBwVIiNqLT1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1488/chineselanternswater.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1488" height="516" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVtN2JhhQNE/X3vkoxyHLUI/AAAAAAAAVUc/H_GP93ikdYkdofJ2N9OQPMBwVIiNqLT1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h516/chineselanternswater.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And on the subject of flowers and such -</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> my daughter divided </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">her Purple Aster</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and gave me a beautiful nice sized plant!</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJrcFUPfW8I/X3vqTiJjRiI/AAAAAAAAVUo/ojAkxFxBqIMBQy3m6k65VlBuDGDkfPL0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1416/octtea10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJrcFUPfW8I/X3vqTiJjRiI/AAAAAAAAVUo/ojAkxFxBqIMBQy3m6k65VlBuDGDkfPL0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w283-h400/octtea10.jpg" width="283" /></a></div></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>October's Party</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">by G. Cooper</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><i>October gave a party</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><i>The leaves by hundreds came.</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><i>The chestnuts, oaks and maples,</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><i>And leaves of every name.</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><i>The sunshine spread a carpet,</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><i>And everything was grand,</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><i>Miss Weather lead the dancing,</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><i>Professor Wind, the band.</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ihi3oa3UDko/X3v5yV0gehI/AAAAAAAAVVM/0zCRNfI3Ux0HakHpm0J0vip84Emg7eR3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1538/octteawaterlogueframe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="1197" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ihi3oa3UDko/X3v5yV0gehI/AAAAAAAAVVM/0zCRNfI3Ux0HakHpm0J0vip84Emg7eR3QCLcBGAsYHQ/w498-h640/octteawaterlogueframe.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><span style="background-color: #fffbf0;"><span><span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u>As always, thank you for your visit.</u></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Please stay well.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Hugs,</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i>~Michele</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i><b><u><br /></u></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><u>Linking:</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><a href="https://www.commonground-do.com/2020/10/its-october-at-all-about-home-link.html">All About Home</a> * <a href="https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2020/10/561st-inspire-me-tuesday.html">Inspire Me Tuesday</a> * </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div style="font-family: Verdana; text-align: center;"> </div></span><p style="font-family: Verdana;"></p></span>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-40854644232898369252020-09-12T14:19:00.006-04:002020-09-12T14:19:44.128-04:00First Day of Home School!<p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-family: verdana;">OK. I know, I know. I used to be all about</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> afternoon tea parties and table-scapes and decor.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HFkmuh6lXvI/X10PS-mYwKI/AAAAAAAAVSE/hm8HoRigqkYhxFJ2ploTc5gQOfPoiUtGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HFkmuh6lXvI/X10PS-mYwKI/AAAAAAAAVSE/hm8HoRigqkYhxFJ2ploTc5gQOfPoiUtGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h273/school.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I still am all about those things....of course...but there is no way</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I can let her very first week of school go by </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">without sharing</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">ALL THE CUTENESS!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <u><i>I mean, that is what a Grandma DOES, right?????!!???</i></u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><i><br /></i></u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u></u></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><br /></u></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8wgPfvmboU/X10GweawoZI/AAAAAAAAVRE/JkCC9sU4Le8u7K82V3soJj13wKK7Gxu4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/vivischool20203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1355" height="781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8wgPfvmboU/X10GweawoZI/AAAAAAAAVRE/JkCC9sU4Le8u7K82V3soJj13wKK7Gxu4QCLcBGAsYHQ/w530-h781/vivischool20203.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></u></span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><i><br /></i></u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><i>Just look at that look of anticipation and pride on her face!</i></u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Her little top has apples and sunflowers on it.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQjr2vC4jsw/X10HKpONRFI/AAAAAAAAVRg/tlruWRAx3mA0-iiBjepQvWEE-govhvdKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Vivischool2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQjr2vC4jsw/X10HKpONRFI/AAAAAAAAVRg/tlruWRAx3mA0-iiBjepQvWEE-govhvdKwCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/Vivischool2020.jpg" width="469" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><i><br /></i></span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>She is showing off her Princess Pink Poppy Pencil Pal</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>that her auntie gave her to celebrate her first day of school!</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>You may recall that she is a big time pink fan, ha ha. </i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">~~~~~~~~~~</span><span style="color: #ff00fe;">*</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">~~~~~~~~~~~</span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>My daughter worked all summer long preparing her</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>homeschooling lesson plans for little girl.</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>I think they were both very excited to begin</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i> this new chapter in their lives.</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>(This pic says so much about how she felt getting started!)</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="1432" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UryiO_d4gDM/X10IAd0QouI/AAAAAAAAVRs/rxe7nFZJgpwe84XiKcj06pmsseEms5kLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w445-h500/vivischool20204.jpg" width="445" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i>Together they fixed up a big corner of their crafting area of their basement to make into a perfect schoolroom.</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>There is a globe, and a clock to learn time, a magnifying glass,</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>and books and crafts </i></b><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>and toys and paper</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i> and all things needed to help her learn!</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>And yes, there is even a pink dinosaur bones figurine!</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVgATcCYxOg/X10JRt9uYcI/AAAAAAAAVR4/uSxnZIf0h7sLV-m9YmdUmps22THFz5FXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Vivischool20202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVgATcCYxOg/X10JRt9uYcI/AAAAAAAAVR4/uSxnZIf0h7sLV-m9YmdUmps22THFz5FXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w469-h625/Vivischool20202.jpg" width="469" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /><i><br /></i></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">She is on kindergarten and first grade level lessons</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> (she just turned 4)</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">so she should be well and ready for grade school</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">if and when the world ever heals from Covid.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">She will have a test on Fridays reviewing all</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">she </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">learned in that week -</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and yesterday she passed her tests </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">with perfect scores.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I am proud of them both!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">For all those homeschooling their children (or others')</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">wishing you all the success and luck!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Saying a prayer for all the teachers!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u>You are all truly amazing!!!!!</u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Web Development | School scrapbook, School clipart, Back to school clipart" height="230" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3e/00/33/3e00336b5a7256a4ae7fcbbe76892a29.png" width="210" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">TEACHERS</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">by Kevin W. Huff</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times;">Teachers paint their minds </b><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times;">and guide their thoughts</b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>Share their achievements and advise their faults</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>Inspire a love of knowledge and truth</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>As you light the path which leads our youth</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>For our future brightens with each lesson you teach</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>Each smile you lengthen, each goal you reach</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>For the dawn of each poet, each philosopher and king</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>Begins with teachers, and the wisdom they bring.</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="100+ Best School/Teacher Clip Art images | clip art, teacher clipart, school teacher" src="https://i.pinimg.com/236x/6f/e3/08/6fe308d0f33c72eca007e78a801d4905--cute-kids-reading-street-rd-grade.jpg" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-small;">[all graphic images -Google]</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u>As always, thanks for your visit!</u></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Hugs!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i>~Michele</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Sharing:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Pink Saturday</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-27674490715857416672020-09-02T16:43:00.041-04:002020-09-12T13:20:33.595-04:00It Is Still Summer! (Outdoor Luncheon)<p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before summer is just a pleasant memory and our worlds become filled with pumpkins and cinnamon and apples and leaves...</span></b></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0KbfNzLbCg/X1CXJv1cQ9I/AAAAAAAAVQM/sNJ4HBqInTwjgTDiNvDjMHJPZQgg8ykSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/viviluncheonedited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0KbfNzLbCg/X1CXJv1cQ9I/AAAAAAAAVQM/sNJ4HBqInTwjgTDiNvDjMHJPZQgg8ykSQCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h469/viviluncheonedited.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I wanted to share a recent summertime outdoor afternoon tea luncheon I hosted for my daughters and my sweet grand daughter.</span></b></p><p> </p></blockquote><p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DL9Kh9D1Lio/X0_t0hXcccI/AAAAAAAAVOM/XjZrOpuQhCYGSZVtUwbXMFOBGA3kkrqiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/vivlunch2edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DL9Kh9D1Lio/X0_t0hXcccI/AAAAAAAAVOM/XjZrOpuQhCYGSZVtUwbXMFOBGA3kkrqiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/vivlunch2edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I kept it simple so I had more time to be with them.</span></b><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">My heart was full of joy!</span></b></p></blockquote></blockquote><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I picked some daisies that were blooming in my garden</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and placed in an old crystal vase for our centerpiece.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5YmFHsCqKQ/X0_ugCOO3dI/AAAAAAAAVOY/j1lpQWmroN4ptnAvl73od_ktsQdF5e6YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1958/vivlunch4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="1958" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5YmFHsCqKQ/X0_ugCOO3dI/AAAAAAAAVOY/j1lpQWmroN4ptnAvl73od_ktsQdF5e6YwCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h384/vivlunch4.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I used my Laura Ashley "Lidia" pattern for our dishes,</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and since it was hot we had iced tea in my pink depression</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> water glasses, and the cups and saucers for the soup.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div></b><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I simply grilled up some cheese sandwiches.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> My homemade vegetable beef soup</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I made the night before and just had to heat up. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">For extra yummy toasted cheese sammies</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">add cream cheese in with your normal cheese.</span></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5L8M7DvLOq0/X0_vC4M0zkI/AAAAAAAAVOk/JcLIM2V4LLQ2f-_VezQb_CgH0WeOhFmxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1885/vivlunch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1885" data-original-width="1653" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5L8M7DvLOq0/X0_vC4M0zkI/AAAAAAAAVOk/JcLIM2V4LLQ2f-_VezQb_CgH0WeOhFmxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w449-h512/vivlunch.jpg" width="449" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I made homemade real vanilla bean custard the night before</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and just added a few blueberries on top just prior to serving. </span></b></p></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> It was a big hit with everyone - <i>especially this little cutie</i>!</span></b></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKzXVeUNVs0/X0_vsyAB_iI/AAAAAAAAVOw/_KHBE6PCY04pGnN05OU0qMU1cF8FtA6agCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/vivlunch10edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1537" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKzXVeUNVs0/X0_vsyAB_iI/AAAAAAAAVOw/_KHBE6PCY04pGnN05OU0qMU1cF8FtA6agCLcBGAsYHQ/w600-h800/vivlunch10edited.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><br /> <div><br /><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">After our long chatty lunch we sat in the Zen Room</span></b></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-family: verdana;">and Grandpa was able to finish his work in </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">time</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> to have a nice visit with them, too.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> (He's been working from home since first week of March.)</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XtzY2ZbZcA/X0_xwfDIylI/AAAAAAAAVO8/VdmG0XqkU8cplfrDLW-42lzPY4SU3bqwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/vivlunch9edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XtzY2ZbZcA/X0_xwfDIylI/AAAAAAAAVO8/VdmG0XqkU8cplfrDLW-42lzPY4SU3bqwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/vivlunch9edited.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Those two get pret</span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">ty goofy sometimes,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> always thinking up fun things to do!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">(S</span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">uch as zipping up the grand girl in a folding camp chair canvas bag!)</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgIAKx0lvHM/X0_5NLnwx7I/AAAAAAAAVPM/q2g0y1qRXGE_lk9ih6qo0exF4TpzFAJ5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/viviinchaircanvasedit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="894" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgIAKx0lvHM/X0_5NLnwx7I/AAAAAAAAVPM/q2g0y1qRXGE_lk9ih6qo0exF4TpzFAJ5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/viviinchaircanvasedit.jpg" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">And walking around the backyard with her</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">with her squealing with delight. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nlf7xpoUAfs/X0_5V9iAR6I/AAAAAAAAVPQ/vPyeYcB9aR8sFYGfjQN6-JAZousnFjCrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/viviinchaircanvas2edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1200" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nlf7xpoUAfs/X0_5V9iAR6I/AAAAAAAAVPQ/vPyeYcB9aR8sFYGfjQN6-JAZousnFjCrQCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h375/viviinchaircanvas2edit.jpg" width="512" /></a></b></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Goofs, I tell ya!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Love that face he's giving me!!</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can hear what he is thinking:</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>"This is a perfectly normal thing to be doing, Shell!"</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inHA_vpgMpo/X0_6uarpbKI/AAAAAAAAVPk/U9SNv4VYcZMCtSe-2dGiaAZc41S9Y4x8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1517/funnyfaceAgaedit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1517" height="371" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inHA_vpgMpo/X0_6uarpbKI/AAAAAAAAVPk/U9SNv4VYcZMCtSe-2dGiaAZc41S9Y4x8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h371/funnyfaceAgaedit.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>"Hey, Aga! You look just like Mickey Mouse!"</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gv8bBaB_CeU/X0_7IWx2QDI/AAAAAAAAVPs/IOcvSffc2_MDXXPxtFx-Ps68Wcy1my6MACLcBGAsYHQ/s1741/hummerfeeder%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1741" data-original-width="1502" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gv8bBaB_CeU/X0_7IWx2QDI/AAAAAAAAVPs/IOcvSffc2_MDXXPxtFx-Ps68Wcy1my6MACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/hummerfeeder%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>Just around the corner Autumn will set in </b></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><b>and our hummers will be gone for another year....</b></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>It's hot out today, though, and it's not ready to end just yet!</b></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>We are hanging onto it as long as we are able!</b></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I hope you all enjoy these last glorious weeks of summer.</b></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><u>As always thank you for your visit.</u></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><i>~Michele</i></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">Linking:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.letsaddsprinkles.com/2020/09/keep-in-touch-125.html"><br /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://www.letsaddsprinkles.com/2020/09/keep-in-touch-125.html">Keep In Touch </a> * <a href="https://www.frenchethereal.net/2020/09/share-your-style-271.html">Share Your Style</a> * <a href="https://theeverydayfarmhouse.com/embracing-home-and-family-link-party-6/">Embracing Home + Family</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="http://frame.bloglovin.com/?post=7655917909&blog=1323344&frame_type=none" target="_blank">Pink Saturday</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: courier;"><a href="https://theeverydayfarmhouse.com/embracing-home-and-family-link-party-6/"><br /></a></span><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p></div>Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-70619356035757183302020-07-21T01:20:00.023-04:002020-08-16T17:44:31.544-04:00The Traveling Teacup <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><font face="verdana">Oh, how I have looked forward to this new friend's visit!</font></b></div><font face="verdana"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Welcome Tessa Rose, a lovely teacup</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"> that has been a very busy traveler!</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><div>This pretty teacup belongs to our sweet host</div></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Barbara from the blog <a href="https://mantelandtable.com/">Mantle and Table.</a></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you've never visited her blog</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> you</i><i> are <b>truly </b>missing out.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It is filled with<u> so</u> <u>much</u> <u>beauty</u>!</i></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">I am sincerely honored that her lovely teacup visited me.</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><font color="#ff00fe" size="6">♥</font></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzNAflAzeKw/XxT7VF8CAnI/AAAAAAAAVHM/IxJtBKx7GZItSUJM1Twa4PCMCJV9OS1VwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1034/travcapcollage%2B%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1034" height="611" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzNAflAzeKw/XxT7VF8CAnI/AAAAAAAAVHM/IxJtBKx7GZItSUJM1Twa4PCMCJV9OS1VwCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h611/travcapcollage%2B%25281%2529.png" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><font face="verdana">Tessa Rose is a "morphed" name given to this pretty teacup.</font></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><font face="verdana">She's been Tessa, and Rosie - so I put the two together.</font></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><font face="verdana">She has arrived from a wonderful visit with Julie </font></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><font face="verdana">at the blog <a href="https://myweeabode.com/so-cal-traveling-teacup/">My Wee Abode</a>. </font></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8sPILXEJf4/XxT69tdhFZI/AAAAAAAAVHA/bb7M50rbgYYM0aWHf9PWcZMNmPKuy6vdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/travcup3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1647" data-original-width="2048" height="501" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8sPILXEJf4/XxT69tdhFZI/AAAAAAAAVHA/bb7M50rbgYYM0aWHf9PWcZMNmPKuy6vdACLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h501/travcup3.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">Because of her travels </font></b><b><font face="verdana">TR was a wee bit tired,</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"> so </font></b><b><font face="verdana">she politely asked </font></b><b><font face="verdana">that we simply share a</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"> pleasant cool respite...</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">away from crowds and worries-</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">to just have a quiet and peaceful visit.</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">So we spent some time in my shady "Zen Room,"</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">(my DIY backyard-facing covered patio.)</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">It is my very own special oasis for tea time,</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">reading, praying and bird watching.</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">And I LOVE when friends visit here with me!</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbEiqERDt_c/XxYc27cxd-I/AAAAAAAAVKE/T_JwZMqRbaQf2n2GeavM_-a1AksqojpAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1531/travcup14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1100" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbEiqERDt_c/XxYc27cxd-I/AAAAAAAAVKE/T_JwZMqRbaQf2n2GeavM_-a1AksqojpAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w450-h625/travcup14.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>Even in the unbearable summer heat</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>I do enjoy my </b></font><b style="font-family: verdana;">tea hot at tea time. </b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Truth be told it wasn't even necessary </b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">to use my pretty tea cozy though!</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">(It just wanted to be part of the action.)</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5Ok3lxzg1Q/Xxafg3Fb3oI/AAAAAAAAVK4/VhzwdDCXK5EaKgicyAtbhP1-olFJtfAeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/travcup4%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5Ok3lxzg1Q/Xxafg3Fb3oI/AAAAAAAAVK4/VhzwdDCXK5EaKgicyAtbhP1-olFJtfAeQCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h469/travcup4%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">Tessa Rose kept me in good company as our tea was steeping </font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">and </font></b><b><font face="verdana">I picked </font></b><b><font face="verdana">some pink hydrangeas from the garden for us.</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">What a blessing they bloomed just in time for her visit.</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmEqED9EtmM/XxUKDQol9oI/AAAAAAAAVIM/FiHbEFDQn5kLjb0C44Ui4M5iiB3uyyUiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1869/travcup2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1869" height="601" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmEqED9EtmM/XxUKDQol9oI/AAAAAAAAVIM/FiHbEFDQn5kLjb0C44Ui4M5iiB3uyyUiQCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h601/travcup2.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">She said floral teacups feel right at home near gardens, </font></b></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">and sitting upon antique white wicker</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"> feels "just right," to her, too.</font></b></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bA6tfVridI/XxYejk274lI/AAAAAAAAVKc/36T-HaskziUFdM81GBMZ85aQpIqAz0l_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/travcup11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bA6tfVridI/XxYejk274lI/AAAAAAAAVKc/36T-HaskziUFdM81GBMZ85aQpIqAz0l_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w375-h500/travcup11.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">I only left a few blooms on the branches.</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">Next is to fill a vase of daisies!</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_HPOgABx9E/XxYebKm3gsI/AAAAAAAAVKU/1NTyUlpkHl8qkQfljer5amxuBs3GEnmPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/travcup12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_HPOgABx9E/XxYebKm3gsI/AAAAAAAAVKU/1NTyUlpkHl8qkQfljer5amxuBs3GEnmPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/travcup12.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrnFxqAbPRI/Xxa3cm9yWYI/AAAAAAAAVLI/5TJAd849u4MKsHtpn6xVk8cAD9zlgRk4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/travcup16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrnFxqAbPRI/Xxa3cm9yWYI/AAAAAAAAVLI/5TJAd849u4MKsHtpn6xVk8cAD9zlgRk4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h469/travcup16.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Prior to Tessa's visit I picked some zukes</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> from our </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">vegetable garden and baked some</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>zucchini bread for our teatime visit.</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>I have baked a LOT of zucchini bread</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b> in the last two weeks.</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dLTe6ytFCWI/XxUKrCY6oPI/AAAAAAAAVIY/23uKmJP1eJ4-IcLBRwLfOlXvUL3vvKGUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1307/zukes%2B%25281%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1307" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dLTe6ytFCWI/XxUKrCY6oPI/AAAAAAAAVIY/23uKmJP1eJ4-IcLBRwLfOlXvUL3vvKGUACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h245/zukes%2B%25281%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>Our </b></font><b style="font-family: verdana;">garden is yielding </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">4-5 large zukes</b></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> every other day.</b></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>I think I will be baking much more!</b></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><i>(I put my own zucchini bread recipe at end of this post.)</i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><i><br /></i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><i>Try it and let me know if you think it is the best, too!</i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVRmYMatQsk/XxUMo8cbTQI/AAAAAAAAVIk/xi2sg17OFpQ6wEL6U9P078W0vnslEZ3JACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/travcup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="1800" height="469" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVRmYMatQsk/XxUMo8cbTQI/AAAAAAAAVIk/xi2sg17OFpQ6wEL6U9P078W0vnslEZ3JACLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h469/travcup.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>After our teatime and garden visit</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>she asked to go inside and hear me play piano for her.</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>I told her my piano was made the same year I was born.</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><i>I guess that makes us both very old classics. </i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>She told </b></font><b style="font-family: verdana;">me that her owner Barbara</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>plays and </b></font><b style="font-family: verdana;">sings quite beautifully. ♫ </b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Tessa had a request for me to play </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">"<i>Tea for Two</i>."</b></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">As she was my guest, I had to oblige her.</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="6"><b>♫ ♪ ♫</b></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGugXycABmw/XxUNFSZFGgI/AAAAAAAAVIs/1Tbdn78CYJIFmgNc8K0_IAPh6UEWBZ_AACLcBGAsYHQ/s1427/travcup6%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="1200" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGugXycABmw/XxUNFSZFGgI/AAAAAAAAVIs/1Tbdn78CYJIFmgNc8K0_IAPh6UEWBZ_AACLcBGAsYHQ/w525-h625/travcup6%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="525" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>We both giggled when I played her "Chopsticks"</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>on my grand daughter's wee toy piano.</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>We both agreed it was painfully out of tune!</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M5LYnZB515g/XxUPfn4nOaI/AAAAAAAAVI4/sUQvNy61kAsLX67srdpQJiQu4vAmCi5OwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/travecup8%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1200" height="389" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M5LYnZB515g/XxUPfn4nOaI/AAAAAAAAVI4/sUQvNy61kAsLX67srdpQJiQu4vAmCi5OwCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h389/travecup8%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>The day Tessa Rose was here I received some happy mail</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>from a dear tea society sister-friend from the South;</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>a beautiful and thoughtfully hand-made card with flowers.</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>That sweet visiting teacup approved whole-heartedly!</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">(As did I!)</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><i>Isn't getting happy mail so meaningful and special</i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><i> during these difficult and lonely times?</i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IQLL_StFi8/XxbAyuvzMwI/AAAAAAAAVLs/IwGtBFsFgJ4Xley3PAwCkUhEnZ4ELzefwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/suzcard.jpg" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IQLL_StFi8/XxbAyuvzMwI/AAAAAAAAVLs/IwGtBFsFgJ4Xley3PAwCkUhEnZ4ELzefwCLcBGAsYHQ/w375-h500/suzcard.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">As we were on the subject of flowers,</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">TR mentioned she really admired my most recent painting,</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">the one with all the colorful flowers.</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">I told her that I appreciated her flattery,</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">but I am only a beginner painter and still just learning.</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKXZf3CxKQc/XxUW3zAumtI/AAAAAAAAVJY/d-NRkQIlQW0YatNuCY5k4baT0GkyiUZZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1631/paintingedited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1631" height="538" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKXZf3CxKQc/XxUW3zAumtI/AAAAAAAAVJY/d-NRkQIlQW0YatNuCY5k4baT0GkyiUZZACLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h538/paintingedited.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">If you have an iPhone and don't have the WATERLOGUE app</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">you are really missing out.</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Look what IT can do:</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9CnCIMTauQ/Xzmn8i6llhI/AAAAAAAAVM8/HrZXWfgoyr8m4pdc2l-46tDY6rrU3cG9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1987/IMG_9418%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="1987" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9CnCIMTauQ/Xzmn8i6llhI/AAAAAAAAVM8/HrZXWfgoyr8m4pdc2l-46tDY6rrU3cG9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_9418%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I showed Tessa Rose my cute little light purple</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">antique bottle </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">from the Grand Union Tea Company.</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's the perfect size for a single cut Hydrangea bloom.</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">And the perfect bottle for a teacup to sit near.</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I haven't figured out what may have originally been</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;">in the bottle though - possibly a tea elixir of sorts?</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://oldmainartifacts.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/grand-union-tea-company/"><b>Here</b></a> is a little history about Grand Union.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2">(credit: Old Main Artifacts)</font></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yOiVQhnmQl8/XxUYPyly_3I/AAAAAAAAVJs/E4xaNKfAaaAxb_pNMpb9-9FT97tDxroTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1406/travcup7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1406" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yOiVQhnmQl8/XxUYPyly_3I/AAAAAAAAVJs/E4xaNKfAaaAxb_pNMpb9-9FT97tDxroTQCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h426/travcup7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">So as our wonderful day together was coming to an end</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">we went out back one last time</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"> to water the hydrangea </font></b><b><font face="verdana">and daisies-</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"> so they continue to bless us with beautiful blooms</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"> a little while longer!</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDyLYk-B5_k/XxYfE6Hh7TI/AAAAAAAAVKs/WwzlrO6wSi4YPLSZPt61i2QzI-DuxR6uACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/travcup13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1280" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDyLYk-B5_k/XxYfE6Hh7TI/AAAAAAAAVKs/WwzlrO6wSi4YPLSZPt61i2QzI-DuxR6uACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h338/travcup13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">Tessa liked the deep shadow she made</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"> towards the end of the day</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">just before the sun went down.</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">We were relieved once the day ended,</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"> as it finally cooled off a bit.</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qZOQPEp8h90/XxUX3ehaRCI/AAAAAAAAVJk/YaRtPk1Bvus97mxBbbXYpOMTPs2lOfzuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/travcup5%2B%25281%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qZOQPEp8h90/XxUX3ehaRCI/AAAAAAAAVJk/YaRtPk1Bvus97mxBbbXYpOMTPs2lOfzuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h450/travcup5%2B%25281%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><u><font face="courier"><i><br /></i></font></u></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><i><b><font face="verdana">I adore you, sweet and beautiful little teacup.</font></b></i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><i><b><font face="verdana">Thank you so much for your visit.</font></b></i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><i><b><font face="verdana">I hope your next trip</font></b></i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><i><b><font face="verdana"> to visit Linda in Gladstone, Oregon</font></b></i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><i><b><font face="verdana"> is a safe one!</font></b></i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="courier"><i><br /></i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="courier"><i><br /></i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="courier"><i><br /></i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="courier"><i><br /></i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="courier"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYf0NvAnPao/XxUrWQqujGI/AAAAAAAAVJ4/3eAbih7SFQwXnaSm6cOu-bt2fOwu0YX1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1034/travcapcollage%2B%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1034" height="391" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYf0NvAnPao/XxUrWQqujGI/AAAAAAAAVJ4/3eAbih7SFQwXnaSm6cOu-bt2fOwu0YX1gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h391/travcapcollage%2B%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><i><br /></i></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>Don't forget to visit our host <a href="https://mantelandtable.com/2020/05/26/the-traveling-teacup-visits-a-farm/">Mantle and Table</a></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>to read about all the other visits of this little teacup!</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Her blog is chalk full of beauty:</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>tablescapes, floral arrangements,</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b>tea-scapes, and even has a shop of beautiful items.</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font color="#ff00fe" size="6">♥</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><b><u>Michele's Zucchini Bread</u></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana">(Makes two large loaves)</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><u><br /></u></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>3 1/2 cups flour</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>1/2 tsp salt</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>1 tsp. baking soda</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>1 tsp. baking powder</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>4 tsp. ground cinnamon</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>1/4 tsp. nutmeg</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>1/8 tsp. clove</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">3 eggs (room temp performs better)</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>1 cup vegetable oil</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>2 1/4 cups sugar</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>3 tsp. vanilla</b></font></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b><br /></b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">1 cup chopped walnuts</b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font size="2"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><b>4 cups grated zucchini</b></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">1.) Mix all dry ingredients in large bowl with a whisk or sifter, set aside.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2">2.) Grate one clean medium zucchini, skins ON</font></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"> to get approx 4 cups of shredded zucchini.</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">3.) Place on sieve / colander with a fine screen over a bowl</font></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><font size="2"><font face="verdana"> so it can</font><font face="verdana"> drip/ drain </font><span style="font-family: verdana;">while you do the next steps.</span></font></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2">4.) Prepare your pans - two loaf pans or one loaf pan and</font></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2">mini loaves or muffins. </font></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2">I use Pam spray but oil/butter and a sprinkling of flour</font></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2">will work just as well.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2">5.) Preheat oven to 325 degrees.</font></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><br /></font></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">6.) Mix eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla in a mixer on medium till well incorporated. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">7.) Now mash your zuke gratings into the sieve (or squeeze by handfuls)</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">till you get most of the water out. Set aside.</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">8.) Now SLOWLY on lowest speed of mixer - or by hand - add the</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">flour dry ingredients little by little and gently moisten. Do NOT</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">over mix!</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">Once you have it all mixed, hand fold the zucchini and the nuts in.</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">Mix gently but well. </font><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Spoon half mixture into one loaf pan, then the other.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Bake loaves on middle rack - approx. 45-60 mins depending on your oven.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">I have found muffins and mini loaves to bake much faster -</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">so check around 30 minutes.</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana" size="2">Done when a toothpick comes out clean.</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana" size="5"><u>Thank you for coming to visit, too!</u></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana">Hugs,</font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><i><font face="times" size="6">Michele</font></i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font face="courier">Linking:</font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font face="courier"><a href="https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/all-about-homelink-party-49/"><br /></a></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font face="courier"><a href="https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/all-about-homelink-party-49/">All About Home </a> * <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3341838200122042033/7061935603575718330">Share Your Style</a> * <a href="https://www.letsaddsprinkles.com/2020/07/keep-in-touch-119.html">Keep In Touch </a></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2020/07/anything-goes-pink-saturday-july-25-2020.html"><br /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font face="courier"><a href="https://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2020/07/anything-goes-pink-saturday-july-25-2020.html"><br /></a></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font face="courier"><a href="https://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2020/07/anything-goes-pink-saturday-july-25-2020.html">Pink Saturday </a></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><font face="verdana"><br /></font></b></div>
Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-56659110550777831952020-07-15T06:34:00.004-04:002020-07-30T02:32:30.635-04:00Summertime Touches House Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hello, friends. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">It has been a long while, and for that I apologize.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My last post was right around the time</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> Covid-19 went into over-drive...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">and I went into a very real funk.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">So, today I am attempting to shake it off...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> and say hello </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">and share a few</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> summertime touches</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">here at</span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> Finch Rest.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I do love summer.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> Not quite sure about this </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I recently placed a simple bouquet</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> of my sister's garden snowball hydrangeas</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">on our kitchen table.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Right now simple is working best for me.</span></b></div>
<b style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Because nothing feels very simple right now.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">With attempted simplifying, I've added messages</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">to remind me how life is so very precious.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">What I do with my thoughts, words and deeds</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">matter now more than ever.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">It truly IS important</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> for our mental state of mind</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">as we deal with this long-term isolation,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">to be surrounded </span></b><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">with things </b><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">that</b><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> spark joy within us.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I met the lady who made this basket</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">when I visited Belize last fall.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I tucked in a couple pieces of my mom's coral</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">and a heart pillow a blog friend made me years ago.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Simple. Joy. Love. Memories.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">♥</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My orchid is doing well - </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">a lovely birthday gift from my daughter two years ago.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We redecorated our dining room</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">since I last featured it. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a nice and bright change.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The most recent addition is a new chandy.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I did still love my other one - it just was a bit too fussy</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">and ornate for this easier style.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I am finding peace in the "less is more" of our decor.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I decorate in nearly all neutral monochromatic tones.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I use about every shade of white, ivory, </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">beige</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">in varying textures, and use </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">black for contrast. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pdAB7oRmeU/XyJo53VyYCI/AAAAAAAAVMA/BL-SzAA6xC4no66zK3xA-UqTDX7Cyf0kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/SUMMERTOUR202018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1230" height="781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pdAB7oRmeU/XyJo53VyYCI/AAAAAAAAVMA/BL-SzAA6xC4no66zK3xA-UqTDX7Cyf0kQCLcBGAsYHQ/w536-h781/SUMMERTOUR202018.jpg" width="536" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The only color I really use in our home is </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">green.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">But for this summer I find I am introducing bits of</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> a sea glass color of aqua.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>It is a cousin of green.... </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I can live with that. Ha ha.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I ordered some new quilted bedding in that color</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>way back in May, but it is back-ordered until October.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blame Covid.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I hate summer will be over by the time I get it,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>but it's worth the wait. I think, haha.<br /></b></span>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I know pussy willows are for spring</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">but I liked them so much I kept them out.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">(Love it when nature provides the beauty duty!)</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpqcoxLi59M/Xw7BIn6DcaI/AAAAAAAAVEw/T6u3D45ZCk4DD4F5GDZSeC2H-zQJrhCcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/summertour202013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpqcoxLi59M/Xw7BIn6DcaI/AAAAAAAAVEw/T6u3D45ZCk4DD4F5GDZSeC2H-zQJrhCcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/summertour202013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">A moody dark pic of dining room/ music room</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">right after a much-needed thunderstorm</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">right after the sun came out.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I looked for a rainbow!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The cute wood slice birds ornament</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> my 3 nieces </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">gave me this past Christmas</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>certainly brings a smile to my face!</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-plWDczEXIMM/Xw7WOTXqQOI/AAAAAAAAVFo/Jnsce5-fV2U52llMYTbkHCp00nVZbMkAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SUMMERTOUR202011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="997" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-plWDczEXIMM/Xw7WOTXqQOI/AAAAAAAAVFo/Jnsce5-fV2U52llMYTbkHCp00nVZbMkAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/SUMMERTOUR202011.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>They are three sisters....my three sweet nieces....</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>three sweet birds.</b></span><br />
<b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">♥♥♥</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ah, and Bob Marley, mon.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>♫ ♪ ♫</b></span><br />
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<b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ind7BEZgWJU">THREE LITTLE BIRDS - BOB MARLEY</a></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Rise up this mornin',
Smile with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Each by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', "This is my message to you."
Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a ting,
'Cause every little ting gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a ting,
'Cause every little ting gonna be all right!" </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I pray you are all </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>staying home,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> staying safe</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> and staying well.</b></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Wearing our masks when out in public</i><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>isn't about our rights to wear or not wear them;</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>it is about <u>doing the right thing</u></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>to try our best to prevent the spread of this awful virus.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i>We each need to be considerate of our neighbor.</i></span><br />
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<b style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">Mark 12:31</b></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: medium;"><b>You shall love your neighbor as yourself.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Let's all do our parts to try and</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b> end</b></span><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> this awful pandemic.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>We are ALL in this TOGETHER.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>And so may also be the cure.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hopeful and virus-free hugs,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> ~Michele</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: medium;">Linking:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://shiplapandshells.com/charming-homes-gardens-link-party-15/"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://shiplapandshells.com/charming-homes-gardens-link-party-15/">Charming Homes and Gardens </a></span><br />
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Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-87275773327210932692020-02-27T06:54:00.000-05:002020-02-27T06:54:00.138-05:00Just Love Those Shamrocks!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hello, my dear ones!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How I have missed you.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">♣</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHxpWkzlAPs/XlbpXEox2LI/AAAAAAAAU-w/Uj7WPIA805ssJOA3A2nBevzql7xgIaaeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/shelley2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHxpWkzlAPs/XlbpXEox2LI/AAAAAAAAU-w/Uj7WPIA805ssJOA3A2nBevzql7xgIaaeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/shelley2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life is just flying by at an alarmingly fast pace, isn't it?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, winter never seems to go by very fast, does it?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I no sooner put away all my</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> white and silver winter</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> decor things...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and then it starts snowing again!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's been snowing for two days here!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, I guess it all depends on how one looks at it, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(how fast life is flying by, that is!)</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So now I am at decorating crossroads dilemma:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is too soon for spring decor around here for sure,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and too late for winter because it is now all packed away!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So it got me thinking about St. Patrick's Day!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I thought I would link some St. Patrick's/ shamrock items</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have currently up for sale on ebay.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>For years I kept an active ebay store with hundreds of items</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>but I closed it a few years ago</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> (3000+ positive feedback and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">zero negatives)</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i> but it just became too much to maintain.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I am trying to simplify my life a little -</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>So I started a fresh approach and am just selling</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> without a store and the added costs of it,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> and going about selling things on a <i>very</i> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">part-time basis. </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I like the freedom to list when</b><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> mood/time/energy</b><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And so long as it doesn't interfere with my grand daughter time!</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span>(L</span><span>ast year at the St. Patrick's Day parade - 2.5 years old</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span>when we visited </span><span>Fort Myers Beach, Florida for a vacay.)</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I did manage to get some sweet shamrock things</b><br />
<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> listed in time </b><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">for someone to enjoy</b><br />
<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> for St. Patrick's Day!!!</b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sorry for my bleh pics - it was that or </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">not get them posted in time. Sad truth.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everything is MUCH prettier in person.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1.) <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/124094185068">Shelley teacup</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2.) <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/124094217295">Sugar and creamer - Royal Tuscan of England</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3.) <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/124098399802">Set of 2 Adderly teacups/saucers</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4.) <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/124098473232">Set of 4 Ansley Salad plates</a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5.) <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/124098545450">Green People</a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6.) Shamrock Spoons (to be listed soon)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I expect to be listing more shamrock and green items</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as time allows, but wanted to get this post out asap.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">I wish for my friends</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"> observing Lent </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>a truly meaningful, faithful</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>and spiritual journey</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"> as we look to celebrating together</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">the miraculous day</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"> of</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"> His Resurrection. </span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">May your Lenten Season be blessed.</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As <i>always,</i> thank you for your visit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hugs, love and prayers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>~Michele</i></span></div>
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Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-2162654796154110012019-12-20T00:35:00.000-05:002019-12-20T15:22:37.582-05:00Christmas Cookie Swap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every year I host a Christmas Cookie Swap</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and Gift Exchange party.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I have been hosting one nearly my entire adult life.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> It's a favorite of mine.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just this evening thinking of posting about it</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I realized that I haven't posted a cookie party post</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> since </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2014! Yikes!!!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So just to kinda document it, I am throwing in some of the</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> cuter </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pics from last year's party, too.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everything is dressed so nicely for Christmas swapping!!!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is always a few who think outside the "cookie box"</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and bring some other clever yummies.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jE0JfGa-Vyo/XfxSUfNPNQI/AAAAAAAAU6w/RHSdHpYFxIQyvkKH2AP1nFCXLxZo0ih6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/xmascookie9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1449" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jE0JfGa-Vyo/XfxSUfNPNQI/AAAAAAAAU6w/RHSdHpYFxIQyvkKH2AP1nFCXLxZo0ih6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/xmascookie9.JPG" width="578" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had gingerbread, raspberry, mint, cinnamon,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> chocolate, peanut butter, coconut, dates, blackberry -</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> so many classic flavors - what a great lineup of treats!!!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One just never knows how a cookie</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> will be dressed for swapping!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anything goes - even fun pom-poms toppers!!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fg-EEn5mWhQ/XfxTiBSLPQI/AAAAAAAAU7M/5vsvhd9JPPIkrD2Mno-X9Epmhss5-HsggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/xmascookie10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1600" height="492" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fg-EEn5mWhQ/XfxTiBSLPQI/AAAAAAAAU7M/5vsvhd9JPPIkrD2Mno-X9Epmhss5-HsggCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/xmascookie10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had a White Elephant gift exchange this year -</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and the winning funniest one was a</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> colorful wooden picture frame painted on top saying:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">DECK THE HALLS</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Not Your Family)</span></b></div>
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Thanks for the big laughs, Debra!</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We pack individually (usually a half dozen) for swapping</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and bring a dozen loose for the tasting-</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this swap really is an easy self-serving kind of party.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All the hostess has to do is provide invites and a variety of drinks.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My staples are hot and cold tea, decaff coffee, egg nog and ginger ale.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I thought of serving hot cocoa, but I figured we had enough super sweet chocolate things, <strike> killing us</strike> so I passed.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The gingerbread cookies had JOY written on them</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and then just J and O and Y are others.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My two beautiful daughters attend every year. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would like to thank my wonderful husband</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and my precious 3-year-old grand daughter</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> for taking</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> all the pics </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for this post.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I was too busy <strike>eating cookies,</strike> entertaining and providing drinks to get out my camera. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the wee one was having such a fun time with the camera-</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">she decided she wanted to be IN a pic so she struck a pose.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She told her Grandpa that she was "thinking really hard"</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">when he reminded her to smile-</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and the gift box prop and background was all her idea.</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">(I think she's ready for her close-up, now, Mr, DeMille!)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>If you missed my last post - it is all about my</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.finchrest.com/2019/12/a-christmas-afternoon-tea.html">Christmas Afternoon Tea Party</a> I hope you check it out, too.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>As always, thank you for your visit! </u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>♥</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>~Michele</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Linking:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2019/12/anything-goes-pink-saturday-december-21-2019.html">Anything Goes Saturday</a></span></div>
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Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-55659563108578577022019-12-14T18:05:00.002-05:002019-12-15T12:15:12.878-05:00A Christmas Afternoon Tea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Greetings one and all. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please come to afternoon tea!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I recently hosted a Christmas tea for my tea society besties.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's a pic heavy post, so I will TRY to keep words to a minimum.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(You know that is a real challenge for me, right?)</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you, Mary D. for taking these pics with your phone</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> while I was busy brewing tea and such.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(You just knew I would get too busy and forget!)</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I made the mushroom soup with 3 kinds of mushrooms</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>and my bone broth, and vegetable broth as well.</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The greens were mixed with candied walnuts and tart apples</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and lots of crispy bacon.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The night before the tea I cooked the bacon</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and made the candied walnuts -</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it was all I could do not to sit down and eat it all, it smelled so yummy.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">MD either ate her apples or skipped apples in her salad, haha.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I forgot to put out the Meatball Basil Bites. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hate it when I do that. Just sayin.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think if I do the tree bread cut-outs ever again </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will use rye </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or wheat so it shows better on the plate.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The traditional British "crackers" or "poppers" </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> were fun.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were surprised they didn't contain a paper crown inside -</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">which is highly traditional - </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> but the silly jokes inside made up for it.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">I photo-shopped out my melted mess of holly and berries on my</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;">teapot cookie. Just couldn't bear to post it like they really looked.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My personal fave sweet by far was my gingerbread madeleines.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I was so pleased how they came out -</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and they froze nicely, too. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That is always desirable when one needs to prepare a</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">head of time</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The dark bits on the lemon truffles were dried lemon zest.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had some awesome live entertainment, too!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A dear old friend and old co-worker of mine</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(who also did the music for our wedding)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">came and crooned holiday songs for us.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What a treat it was to have him take the time</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> in his very busy schedule </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for us</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can find his holiday sampler CD</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> by contacting him directly from his website <a href="https://www.johnnysteiner.com/music">here</a>.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It can also be found on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/City-Sidewalks-Johnny-Steiner/dp/B0776JGN3Y">here</a> or </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">on itunes <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/city-sidewalks/1309323639">here</a>.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His City Sidewalks sampler CD is the perfect little last minute</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christmas gift for postal carrier, teachers, babysitters, host/hostess gift, stocking stuffers, etc. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST:</u></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Frankincense and myrrh soap</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b> and peppermint lip balm favors!</b></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vORseS7tCkk/XfU93OFfseI/AAAAAAAAU5E/cjJbXkcgmCwjx7jrCXGyRTIUnsPerlruQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/xmastea201916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1408" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vORseS7tCkk/XfU93OFfseI/AAAAAAAAU5E/cjJbXkcgmCwjx7jrCXGyRTIUnsPerlruQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/xmastea201916.jpg" width="351" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My daughter launched her new company of artisian soaps</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and bath products recently and I am so proud to share it!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> She wrapped the favors up so nicely for us with a simple and</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>fun little holiday theme. </b><i>(Thanks so much, Evelyn!)</i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you get the chance please visit her web site -</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">it is filled with quirky fun humor and interesting facts.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Click on company name below for the awesomeness!</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.freshasoap.com/">FRESHA SOAP COMPANY</a></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Her stuff is PERFECT for last minute unique gifts, too.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Again - great gifts for the person who has everything-</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">consumables makes the perfect present.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everything is hand-made and is made with ALL natural goodness.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Her Christmas cut-off day is rapidly approaching </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">so visit Fresha Soap soon!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know she can help finish your gift-giving list -</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">filled with things for anyone on your list!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>(Or just spoil yourself for once. You will be so glad you did!)</i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>As always, thank you for your visit.</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hugs and prayers,</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Michele</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Linking:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="https://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2019/12/anything-goes-pink-saturday-december-14-2019.html"><br /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2019/12/anything-goes-pink-saturday-december-14-2019.html">Anything Goes Saturday</a> * <a href="https://betweennapsontheporch.net/christmas-table-setting-with-magnolia-pheasant-centerpiece-and-beautiful-berry-pinecone-chargers/">Tablescape Thursday</a> * <a href="https://www.adelightsomelife.com/home-and-garden-thursday-25/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ADelightsomeLife+%28A+Delightsome+Life%29">H and G Thur</a></span></div>
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Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341838200122042033.post-76013678517805543912019-11-28T01:33:00.003-05:002019-12-14T18:29:06.336-05:00Happy Thanksgiving Tablescape<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">From my home to yours.....</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>From my table to yours.....</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving;</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>one filled with peace, and joy, and lots of hugs.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMwTwPiieGw/Xd9cK4aBk2I/AAAAAAAAU0o/Wruk2p7NYPUtFh57oUKC8t6z2z7Wt3zcACEwYBhgL/s1600/thanksgivingpicmonkeyquote2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMwTwPiieGw/Xd9cK4aBk2I/AAAAAAAAU0o/Wruk2p7NYPUtFh57oUKC8t6z2z7Wt3zcACEwYBhgL/s640/thanksgivingpicmonkeyquote2019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/">source</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>And lots of delicious yummy goodness to eat...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XJsV3o_d_8/Xd9cDk1wpPI/AAAAAAAAU0c/RJftoQ3Rj40tJIziVMjuEIzqQhWaCsoxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/thanksgiving2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XJsV3o_d_8/Xd9cDk1wpPI/AAAAAAAAU0c/RJftoQ3Rj40tJIziVMjuEIzqQhWaCsoxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/thanksgiving2019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large;">I will praise God with a song;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large;"> I will magnify Him with </span><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: xx-large;">thanksgiving.</i></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> -</i></span></span><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?t=niv&q=ps+69:30-30" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0e7b9a; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; text-decoration-line: none;">Psalm 69:30</a><b style="font-family: Arial; text-align: right;"> </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the sorry truth for after all my feasting:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7kovchsa6bI/Xd9ieVJ87EI/AAAAAAAAU08/bfkqfCzxiNMZYAkrtj98qPj7rxUiMk8fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/thankfulfunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7kovchsa6bI/Xd9ieVJ87EI/AAAAAAAAU08/bfkqfCzxiNMZYAkrtj98qPj7rxUiMk8fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/thankfulfunny.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/">source</a></span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As always, thank you for your visit.</span></b></u></div>
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It means a lot, and I am truly grateful.</div>
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Hugs and prayers,</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Michele</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><i><u>Comment free</u></i></b> - so you have enough time to dole out those hugs and those extra pieces of pumpkin pie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Linking:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://betweennapsontheporch.net/a-cozy-candlelit-thanksgiving-table-setting/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29">Tablescape Thursday</a></span></div>
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Michele M./ Finch Resthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08971943265328093734noreply@blogger.com