Focus On Life~Week 3~Take Time

This week's prompt from Sally at The Studio Sublime was to take time for ourselves.  In the busyness of taking care of everyone and everything, we tend to not take time to do something just for us.  To recharge, regroup, or just relax and do something we truly enjoy.

Since I left my job at the gift shop three and a half years ago, I find that I have more time than I know what to do with.  Of course it wasn't always this way.  When the kids were growing up, my night owl tendency was used for that time to do something just for me.

This week was an extremely busy, exhausting week and I missed my daily cup of tea.  Usually, I just make a mug of tea, saving the china teacups and teapots for tea parties.

When I finally had some free time one afternoon, I decided to make a small pot of tea and have a tea party just for me.  Candlelight, flowers (albeit silk), china and cinnamon tea.  Soothing, relaxing, and just what I needed.  

Visit Sally's blog and see how others took time this week!

How do you take time?

xo Annette xo

A Special Tea Party

One of my greatest pleasures is having a cup of tea.  The one thing that makes it as special as it can be is having a tea party with people who you enjoy being with the most.  So me, Erin and Shylee had a tea party and it was the most fun!

I couldn't wait til Shylee was old enough to have a real tea set and her fourth birthday this month was the opportunity I was waiting for to give her her first set.  Our little party had a Shylee sized teapot and cup while Erin and I used a teapot from my collection and a milk glass luncheon plate and cup set.

The finger sandwiches, spinach salad, mini cupcakes, and cookies were just perfect with the Constant Comment tea.

Shylee was just tickled to be having a real tea party, but I think I was more tickled to be sharing this first experience with her.  About half way through, she declared, "I like Gramma's house".  She couldn't have given this Gramma a better compliment!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Memory Makers

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  I love when my kids are here.  The house is filled with laughter and good times that make for great memories.  This weekend had it's share of memory makers!

Shylee had two 'firsts'.  I love having tea parties and I collect teapots and tea cups.  Erin and I were having a cup of tea and Shylee wanted a drink of the tea.  Erin gave her a drink and Shylee loved it!  This grandma was just thrilled that not only did she love the tea but her first try was from a tea cup and not a mug (which I use for just me most of the time)!

Hmmm....Shylee might get a tea set for Christmas!

Her other first was climbing the stairs!  She had made it up two steps when I found her and she was proud of herself and scared at the same time!  She could go up but couldn't come down!

Annie also made a memory this weekend.  She loves popcorn as much as I do.  Erin and I spent about four hours stringing popcorn to put on the Christmas tree.  It was 1:00 a.m. when we finally decided to go to bed and put the popcorn garland on the table.  We specifically made sure it was out of reach of Annie.  Imagine my surprise when I came down the stairs in the morning and found this....

I should have known something was wrong before I even came down the stairs.  She wouldn't come out from under the bed and when I finally coaxed her out, she wouldn't come down the stairs but laid down at the top and watched me go down!  She knew she was in trouble!  We decided the popcorn on the tree might not be such a good idea.  Never mind that I've done popcorn for most of the past 30 years!  I didn't do it the last two years because working retail this time of year doesn't leave time for such time consuming things!  We were doing good to have a tree up at all, so I was looking forward to my popcorn garland this year.  No, I'm not bitter....

What great memories did you make this Thanksgiving weekend?

Friday's Fabulous Finds: Tea Time

Those who know me well, know I love having tea parties!  I love everything about them from the flavor of the tea, to the perfect tea pot and tea cup, to the fine linens, to the scrumptious food.  Of course, the very best part is the company of good friends!  I had a very hard time narrowing down these fabulous tea time finds.

The tea pot is the center of attention on the tea table.  This is a Vintage 1950's Rare England Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz Tea Pot from Serenity Mosaics

What would a tea party be without tea? Teaman has hand blended teas in every flavor you can imagine.  I ordered a custom sampler and love every one of them so far!

If you usually drink your tea from a mug, try just once, having tea in a delicate porcelain or china tea cup.  It's a whole different experience and one that I think you will enjoy. This hand painted Lefton cup and saucer is from Jape.

A must have at every tea party is beautiful cloth napkins like these floral tone on tone embroidered napkins from Natural Abundance.

Every tea party has a dazzling array of mouth watering foods to compliment the tea.  These sweet pumpkin spice scones by runnergirl15 would be perfect for the tea tble!

The tea party starts with an invitation.  The invitation sets the tone for the party.  Will it be formal, whimsical or themed?  You decide!  These invitations from Allison29 are a great place to start!

 

Well, now I want to have a tea party!  It's been way too long since I've had my friends over for a cup of tea and good conversation!  Maybe a Christmas tea.....