Before we know it Christmas will be here.  Our church is participating in Operation Christmas Child so preparations are being made now so children around the globe, who would otherwise have little or no Christmas gifts, will be remembered.  I filled two shoe boxes with wash cloths and bath soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, candy, bubble gum and several small toys…one box for a girl and one for a boy.  This is the first time I’ve taken part in Operation Christmas Child, but I’m so glad to have the opportunity.  If you would like to learn how you can help, click on the link above. There is still time, but you need to act quickly or this opportunity will pass you by.

It’s amazing how much you can pack into a shoe box, yet there were numerous suggested items that simply did not fit.

All closed up and ready to go…except for a card.

Until next time…

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  John 15:12

Patty of Magpie’s Nest made lentil soup a few days back and peeked my interest.  Today I made her recipe. My dear husband and I both enjoyed it…he even at seconds.  I made a double batch, because the recipe sounded so good.  (Smiling as I type)  I’ve got supper squared away for tomorrow night already.

If this looks tastey to you, the recipe can be found by clicking on “recipe” above.  I promise you’ll enjoy it.  It’s perfect soup weather, and that’s pretty perfect soup.  My honey didn’t even ask where the meat was. 

Until next time…

Good thoughts are blessed guests, and should be heartily welcomed, well-fed, and much sought after. Like rose leaves, they give out a sweet smell, if laid up in the jar of memory.  ~ Charles H. Spurgeon ~

Liz is giving away a copy of Pretty Little Pincushions and a handmade needle case in celebration of her 100th blog post.  She is hoping you will drop by and help her celebrate and leave a little bloggy love.  Every sewer loves a pretty pincushion…and needs a needle case.  Why not check out Liz’s blog Moments and comment on her celebration post.

Until next time…

How many blessings I enjoy That other people don’t!  To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot, and I won’t.       ~ Fanny Crosby ~

Pat of Artfully Oogleboops and Ooglebloops World took part in last month’s Tea Cup Exchange and surprised me with a lovely thank you gift for hosting the exchange.  I feel so blessed by her thoughtfulness and gifts.  Pat sent me one of her beautifully made, one of a kind ballet totes…mini size for mini ballerinas.    (I’m not a mini anything, but we do have a wee granddaughter who loves her ballet lessons.  Pat sent a sweet note on “tea” note paper.  I’m struggling with a small dilemma now.  I know Rachel would love the bag, but my daughter saw it and said what a great Bible tote it would make.  The dilemma…to keep it because Pat made it and make one for Rachel or give it to Rachel. I’m leaning toward the latter solution but have not made a solid decision.)  She also sent me a selection of very special loose teas and a tea stick from Italy.  The tea stick is a first for me, and I think I’ll brew it right after I publish this post.  My husband and I are listening to the Christmas music our church choir will sing as our special cantata, and a cup of tea will only enhance the moment.  A cup of tea enhances any moment.

Update…the green stick tea was wonderful, wonderful!  I’m going to look into getting some of those.

There’s a little ballerina in all of us ladies.  If you would like to have one of these one of kind totes contact Pat by visiting her blog…I know she’d be happy to hear from you.

One more picture for this post.  Our pinecone lilies put on an amazing show this year…I thought I’d share their beauty before I get back to work.  Three of many…

Until next time…I’m sipping my green tea.

OK, who ordered the green tea? ~ from Samurai Jack, Episode 9~~

Jean is hosting her last giveaway for 2009 over on Quilting Ranny – A Grandparent’s Journey of Raising Grandchildren.  (I must say this giveaway is no turkey!)  She’s giving away books, fabric, a floss keeper and a variety of other things. There really are too many to mention. This is a giveaway you likely won’t want to miss.  For the full scoop why not visit Jean (she’s a sweetheart) and leave her some bloggy love.  Remember…love given returns.  If you visit and enter, please tell Jean I sent you.

Until next time

Simply by being in your presence, non-Christians ought to be able to tell that you have spent time in God’s presence.  ~unknown ~

This past week I received a wonderful package from Christen with my exchange tea cup and assorted goodies.  I was  much pleased with what she sent.  Everything was perfect.

Christen told me

My mom and grandmother used to buy a tea cup to add to their collections for almost ten years, so between them there was a nice selection. I had inherited a few, and I thought that you would like the colors in this one. I did actually go out looking at a few antique stores, and I didn’t see anything that I would want to buy for you, so this seemed like the perfect solution.

She was right.  The colors are perfect for me, and I thought the cup a little more special having belonged to her grandmother.  I cherish the few things I have my grandmother’s and will cherish my new tea cup, too.  I noticed the colors in the cup Christen sent me are very much like the colors of the cup I sent her.

Last Friday my dear MIL visited late in the afternoon.  We always serve tea when she comes, and even though I had not used the tea cup (I was waiting for today) I served tea to MIL in it.  She thought it beautiful, too.

Along with the tea cup, Christen sent a darling bon bon and said

The bon bon is made from vintage Jacquard ribbon that was made in France during the 1940’s. I only had a few inches of that one left, and it made a perfect pincushion.

It now sports pearl hat pins and has taken a place of honor in my sewing room.

The teas are in the neatest interlocking stackable tins.  I’ve tried each one and have enjoyed them all.  The shortbread was shared on Friday during tea with MIL.  I was afraid to save for me alone if you know what I mean.  It was made in Scotland and was evermore wonderful.

A lovely note accompanied my package.  What a blessing it was.

This morning I am drinking from my beautiful new tea cup.  I chose Egyptian Mint green tea from the selection in my package.  I needed the caffein to open my eyes and get me started on my day.

The tea cozy is the second one I made to help my teapots stay warm.  It was crocheted with New Zealand wool sent to me by my friend Faye a couple years ago.  I’ve saved it for something special and decided it matched the Blue Willow to a “tea”.

For more Tea on Tuesday visit Kimmie at Art in Red Wagons.  Remember to take time for tea.

Until next time…

If your tongue trips over ‘oolong’ and there’s no place for your spoon,

If you end up with your cookie on your knee

If dainty conversation leaves you speechless far too soon,

You need some help surviving Ladies’ Tea.

From the book, Afternoon Tea at Pittock Mansion Quote by Haddyr Leigh

Vintage freedom is good enough for me!

Until next time…

There is something very disturbing about the Obama administration fighting harder against Fox News than the Taliban. ~  Bill O’Reilly ~

I’ve always been intrigued by fungi, but since I learned of Patty’s love for them I think of her every time I see striking ones.  These fungi are for Patty’s pleasure.

Until next time…

As one goes through life one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move.

~ Katharine Hepburn ~

My son sent this picture to me just a few minutes ago.  It made me smile as big as Lily is smiling.  How do you spell precious?  G R A N D C H I L D R E N.  Just wanted to share one of the precious things in this life that bring me joy.

Until next time…

Keep smiling and laugh out loud.

For some time I’ve noticed teapot cozies and thought how much fun it would be to have one.  They aren’t something you see for sale everyday.  Actually I’ve never seen one for sale, so I decided to try my hand at making one.  I found a pattern online I was going to follow, but follow it I could not.  Instead I winged it.  It definitely keeps tea water or tea hot longer.  I can see me making one for all my tea pots now that I’ve made one.

I had not sewn the finishing touch on…the pompom,  when my dear MIL called and asked if she could stop by for a visit.  We asked if she would like tea, and I put the water on to heat so it would be ready when she arrived.  The pompom may be overkill, but I love pompoms, because they are frivolous and fun.  I stitched it on after the first round of tea was served.

Here’s what I came up with.

There will be a little tweeking here and there on the next one, and I’ll use wool for it rather than acrylic. I have some yummy navy blue wool I’ve been saving for something special.  It will make a perfect cozy for the Blue Willow teapot in the background.  All in all I’m pleased with the way my first effort turned out.  Thank you for looking.

We shared the wonderful, wonderful shortbread Christen sent in my teacup package.  It’s a good thing we did, because I can imagine eating all of it, it was so good.  Our thirteen year old grandson even joined us for tea.  After declaring for a long time he does not like hot tea, he recently discovered how tasty the old standby Red Zinger is.  I just happen to keep that on hand.  I told him it was the very first herbal tea I bought.  Back then it was sold by bulk out of wooden barrels in the health food store I used.  It was quite a few years before Celestial Tea Company started bagging and boxing their tea blends.

Until next time…

I leave you with this invitation to tea…

I invite you magnanimously to please be my guest for tea at a room with high standards of taste where the hostess remembers my face and greets me by name at the door and recalls what Ive ordered before and inquires kindly after my day, and appreciates all that I say. She’ll have orange pekoe for the pot and darjeeling, as likely as not, or if you are not in the pink our hostess knows which herbs to drink, like ginger to help with the grippe mixed with cinnamon and the rose hip; or fresh lemon balm if you wish, perhaps blended with sweet licorice. So whether you feel well or ill, this refreshment will quite fit the bill and, of course, you will quite enjoy me. Yours truly. RSVP    ~ Aubrey Henslow ~