Home again... UPDATED

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UPDATED** This is what I made today! I think they came out just fine!

Well I'm home again today, except it's with my Girl whose got the flu bug this time. So, what to do... work on my journal covers! Several years ago at a women's retreat I attended, the afternoon activity was making a journal from a composition notebook. I generally am not a person who journals, so instead I make other uses out of them. I have a book for my tea parties, a Sunday church sermons, a book journal where I write down lists of book passages that I want to remember, a humor journal where I write down funny sayings I've heard or seen and want to remember. I make my journals to suite my style and since I am right handed, I glue pictures from magazines and place them on the left side of the journals.

Here is a composition notebook. I generally stock up in August/September when they are on sale for the coming school year.

Here is my miscellaneous journal with it's second cover on it as the first cover had worn off already...

Here is where I made notes and planned the menu for my sister's 45 Birthday Tea party...

Here is a letter from one of my best friends, Erin~ written on what I call nature paper, not the official name but that's what it looks like to me. She LOVES this kind of stationary and she wrote me a letter from a recent find that I found while out perusing shops in the Napa Valley one day.

Here is my Sunday sermon journal that I just recently filled up.

Here is the newest Sunday sermon journal and the embellishments are already starting to fall off. I'll probably have to redo the cover in a couple of months.

I was surfing the net this morning to get some new ideas as my art supplies are very limited right now and was delighted to find inspiration. The littlest idea can help me create my own cover. People are just so talented, aren't they? Creative in their own ways that express their artistic gift. Look at these I found...

By the way, if I've infringed on any one's copyright, it was not intentional, I was just sharing what you already put out there on the web. Let me know if this is you and I'd be happy to take the pics down.

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Tag~ I copied it!

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My lovely bloggy friend, Nana Trish at Nana's Living the Dream tagged readers to Name Five Things. I'd like to play along, so here goes:

(Above pic is of PEI)

1) Name five things in your purse:

6 different pens (Calligraphy, Bold Tip in Blue Ink, etc), a large candy cane, my scripture verse card that I'm trying to memorize, my cellphone, my list for the Dollar store.

2) Name five things in your work room:

art supplies, books, photos, box of dishes, left over Christmas items that didn't get packed

3) Name five things you have always wanted to do:

Go to Prince Edward Island in Canada, visit the United States East Coast to see the colors of the Fall season, go on the Jane Austen tour in England, go to Sweden to visit long lost family that probably still live there, go to Bosnia to see my friend Nijaza. (I see a traveling theme here)

4) Name five things you're interested in:

READING, cooking/baking, architecture, afternoon/high tea, calligraphy

5) Five Blogs to pass this on to:

I'll make this easy... I invite you to play if your reading this! Let me know so I can visit your blog!

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I won, I won!

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I RARELY win anything so just let me go with abandon as I share this with you all! I won a giveaway! I KNOW.... ME.... I WON! Who would have thought? Yea, me neither! This is the second time in 6 months that I've won, I think I'm on to something!

Angela at Tea With Friends whose blog is on my 'daily read' because it's quite simply the best blog in bloggyland about all things related to tea ~ in my opinion! She's a lovely lady whom I'm convinced is a kindred spirit from the likes of Anne Shirley and Diana Barry from Anne of Green Gables, when she recently posted about the gowns worn this week by the ladies of Washington. Angela, I'm in complete agreement with you about the gowns!

Okay back to the giveaway! It is a set of teapot and flowerpot patterns to embroider on tea towels! (the crowd cheers.......) I KNOW!! I'm so lucky! Now if your like me, I like to watch people open their gifts. I like to see the anticipation, watch the facial expressions change and just watch them soak it all in. Remember, I'm a trained observer so I'm keen to these things. So, Angela the following pictures are for you so you can see that your lovely giveaway made its way to me safe, sound and with a grateful and appreciative heart~

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Not only was there the patterns but also a lovely card to open and 2 tea bags!

(Photography courteousy of my Boy who was walking by and ready to help his Momma)

(Here my Boy asked me if it was a Mush Card because I said AAAAAHHHHH after I read it!)

Thanks again Angela! See you tomorrow!

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Blogger problems?

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Hi there! I've just posted this question to Blogger Help and waiting for a response but I'm asking you all too...

I've been unable to leave comments when visiting blogs when the comments are embedded into the post page. For example, I'm able to leave comments in a pop up window, like I've switched to just now but when the comments are embedded as part of the post, it is just a blank white square. Is it just me? Thank you!!

Inaugural Invitation Today

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"At present, 58 federal, military, state and city law enforcement and public safety agencies are working together to ensure a safe and smooth event," according to a statement. In bloggyland, we've added a 59th - Cha Cha Security!

However, let the gentlemen do this detail today while the ladies enjoy some much needed girlfriend time! Today I invite you to join my table for an Inauguration Tea Party for the First Ladies of Bloggyland hosted by Muse-Swings!

I hope you wore elastic today because there is still dessert!

Here is one of the White House's less elaborate dessert recipes:

White House Ginger Cookies
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder (rounded)
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 large tablespoon solid shortening
6 teaspoons butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg (or 2 if small)
1/2 cup molasses
Additional sugar, as garnish

Directions:

1. Sift together dry ingredients including spices.
2. Cream shortening and butter until fluffy.
3. Add sugar slowly, then egg and molasses, and beat thoroughly.
4. Stir in dry ingredients all at once.
5. Shape dough into 1-inch balls (the size of a walnut) and roll into sugar spread on waxed paper.
Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets, flatten with fingers, and sprinkle colored sugar on tops of cookies.

Bake at 325 degrees for 7 minutes. Let stand a minute before removing from sheets. Store in airtight container.


Thank you so much for stopping by today!

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Home for the Holiday

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No holiday for us around here because we have a sick little boy since yesterday...

... the flu bug.

Today, so far. the medicine is staying down so that is GOOD news because then the fever will come down. I hate it when my kids are sick... I'd rather it be me. Besides it's easier to quarantine myself than keep siblings apart.

I hope you enjoy your holiday today in remembrance and see you all tomorrow for the Inauguration party in bloggyland!

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Wuthering Heights Tonight....

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Wuthering Heights

premiers tonight on PBS Masterpiece Classic and part 2 is next Sunday the 25th!

The Earnshaw children expect gifts from their father when he returns to Wuthering Heights after a trip, but are instead greeted with the arrival of Heathcliff, a young Gypsy boy who has come to live with them. Quiet and mysterious, Heathcliff is befriended by Cathy Earnshaw, and the two become inseparable. In adulthood, their bond deepens to love, but a forced absence opens Cathy to the affections of a different suitor — Edgar Linton. Given the choice between a life of comfort and a profound love, Cathy's actions have repercussions for multiple generations in this haunting story of turbulent passion and revenge. From PBS site

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Can I hear an Amen?

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God is better than He has to be!

This is SO WONDERFUL!

My Sister and Niece were just blessed beyond measure!

Read about it here!

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Tess Reminder....

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Reminder that this Sunday, January 11
Masterpiece Classic of PBS will be showing Episode 2 of

Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Did you miss the first Episode? For a limited time you can watch it online here!

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And if you enjoy these types of movies:

Wuthering Heights will begin Sunday, January 18 & 25

Sense and Sensibility will begin February 1 & 8

Then... after that the Charles Dickens' series will begin...

so many movies... so little time.
Enjoy!

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Lazy afternoons in Winter

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Winter has arrived here with it's cold temperatures and frankly it was time to get outside because we were all getting cabin fever.

But first, I made myself a Gingerbread Latte with LOTS of whipped cream. I bought a can during the holidays to take during our travels among the relatives and it was about to expire and I didn't want to let it go to waste.... so I piled it up SUPER high and then it melted into the latte. Ahhhh, heaven on earth!

Got my stack of magazines that have been waiting for me to read. Did I ever tell you all that I am a major reader? Yes I am. I'm always reading~ love, love, love to read. (Blogging is great for reading isn't it?) If you have something on your desk, I'll probably read it. If you've got a note-to-self on the refrigerator, I'll probably read it. I am a trained observer so my skills are super-honed! Just call me Nancy Drew! Yeaaaaaaaaaaah, that's it... Nancy Drew!

The kids ready to play in the back yard.

Here we are trying to take self-portraits during the sunset, so we've got squinty eyes.

Yes, my boy has his sweatshirt on backwards. He did it on purpose so he could look down at the treasures he finds in the backyard. Okay, if you've ever seen my backyard, ya 'all know that I've got a dead lawn ~ I do not have an emerald thumb ~ and then a concrete patio.... no treasures (except for the view). Ah, you have to love the imagination of children!

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This is wrong on so many levels....

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This is wrong on so many levels... don't even get me started...

Read about it here.

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Best M-I-L!

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Seriously, I have THE BEST Mother In Law in the world!

We have a wonderful relationship and she is generous too!

For example, look what she bestowed upon me!

Yep~ A Tea Cart! Yahoo! I know I'm so lucky! She had it in her home but didn't use it and decided to ask ME if I wanted it. Did I want it? As if!! ha ha

I dressed it up with two lace doilies that a dear friend in Bosnia-Herzegovina made for me. I think they look lovely and complete the cart!

Excuse me while I go put a pot on the stove.... (sigh)
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Masterpiece Reminder...

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Sunday, January 4, 2009 Episode 1

& Sunday, January 11, 2009 Episode 2

Masterpiece Classic of PBS
will be showing
Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Check your local listings here!

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This is already getting good reviews, I can't wait!

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Happy New Year 2009!

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Happy New Year 2009!

Isn't this picture just perfect? Yep, I thought so too!

Did you know? Did you know this song originated from the Scots!? No wonder I couldn't understand the lyrics as a child. But don't be left out of the fun, here are the words of The English Version

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and days of auld lang syne?
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CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for days of auld lang syne.
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And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
And surely I’ll buy mine! And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for days auld lang syne.
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CHORUS
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We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine; But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.
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CHORUS
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We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine; But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne.
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CHORUS
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And there’s a hand my trusty friend! And give us a hand o’ thine! And we’ll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne.


~God Bless~

Best Blog Award!

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Cynthia at Muse Swings bestowed this fun and adorable award among 15 blog worthy places to visit and I'm honored to be among them. She is a gifted writer and her mind is so quick-witted that I think she would be a hoot to have over for Afternoon Tea if Jane Austen could be there too. I could sit and watch the two of them banter back and forth while writing down their quotes 90 mph!

I too am happy to bestow this award on 15 (16 for me) of my bloggy buddies and others whom don't know me but I frequent their blogs just the same for the simple reason that each of their blogs are a pure delight and I just keep going back for more!


An Evening At Almacks Reviews of Regency Era novels/ short story books
Austenprose All things Jane Austen
bloggedy blog blog A gifted Canadian who is generous in sharing her ideas for fun
Buttercream Cottage She has 2 blogs, yes TWO of them with the other full of recipes-love it
Friendship Tea The name says it all
Jane Austen Today Again, all things Jane Austen ~ very fun site
Jane Austen World Again, all things Jane Austen ~ more fun
Ladies Historical Tea Society I just love visiting here, I learn so much and she is delightful
My Thoughts Exactly This is my secret agent buddy
Nana is Living The Dream Lovely lady, seriously, she is so sweet she would give you a cavity!
Sassy Lass Long time friend who is new to the blog world, stop by and introduce yourself
Tea Time With Melody This is my sisters blog, she is even funnier than me!
Tea With Friends I love seeing what new thing she will feature each day
The Birdbath Chronicles Lady Lavinia~ she has the best pictures and a beautiful neighborhood
Voila! Vintage Postcards Again, the name says it all! Such a nice lady!
Warm Pie, Happy Home Sigh, I wish I had her log cabin home in Missouri

Congratulations to you all and again, it's been a pleasure visiting you this year!

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Time in a Box

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I was trying to think of what to do with the kids this New Years Eve and thought this would be fun! Have a Time Capsule Party! Grown-ups, this can be fun for us too. Gather your friends and family together and ask them to bring something to put in the box and open it at next years party or 5 years from now.

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YES, A TIME CAPSULE!

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I got a box that I wrote "To Be Opened in 2013". I'll have the kids decorate it and since they are young in age now, it will be even more fun in 5 years to see their facial expressions of their prior artwork! This year particularly, has a been the year of change so I've gathered different things to put in the box and asked the kids to search their bedrooms for fun things too.

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So far we've collected family pictures, small toys, I saved several Christmas shopping receipts that show the prices of things from the grocery store and toys purchased, my favorite magazine, a dollar bill (who knows what money will look like in 5 years with the ways things are going), recent school progress reports, a paperback book, my watch that I bought when my daughter was born and broke this year so it has sentimental value, recent world and home town events, I created a questionnaire where we'll all write down our favorite colors, TV shows, music, fashion stuff, favorite food and drink, what they like about school, their friends names, future predictions about what we think life will be like in 5 years and finally a short letter written to both my children from us.

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Then we'll seal it up and store it in a nearby closet so it isn't lost forever and when 2013 arrives, we'll have a opening ceremony party! Now won't that be fun for the blog! ha ha

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Dancing into the New Year

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Look what I got today for a steal at the grocery store! I had been wanting one of these but wasn't going to pay the big bucks for it. Dancing with the Stars is one of my favorite shows and this is a really great and fun way to exercise... dancing! And you know dancing is known for burning the calories! Bring it on baby!

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It's a long way from the old Jane Fonda video's of the 80's, even though her's still do the trick. The quality of the DVD is very good, like I'm watching digital HD or better and the music is fun. It teaches the steps for the Cha-Cha ( you KNOW I love that ), the Samba, the Paso Doble and the Jive. You DON'T need a partner either as all the steps are meant to be done by yourself. There is a warm-up and a cool down session as well. And..... once you learn the steps there is the option to play the dance segments with or without the instructions.

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This all might come in handy too when my niece Jackie, gets married in October. I'll be trim and slim & hopefully my arms will be toned too so they won't be doing the Cha-Cha by themselves! ha ha

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Christmas Spirit Award!

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The Top 5 Reasons I Love Christmas!

My sister Melody gave me this super award! The Christmas Spirit Award. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Melody and I enjoy Afternoon and High Tea experiences, and I do mean experiences, so if you've never met my sister, I invite you to go on over and enjoy her blog... she is a funny gal!

So, 5 things I love about Christmas...

1. Each year I spend an entire day in the kitchen, emerging with 4th day hair after baking cookies, candy & other treats as these are the most requested items I'm asked to bring to parties and family gatherings. And seriously, I had the baking anointing this year!

2. Learning about a new Christmas themed devotional and when it involves candy, I love it even more. This was this years devotional... here.

3. I love the music and movies~ so many things to say but I'll just leave it at that!

4. I love to go light-looking at houses! This year we went about 15 different times and got our route picked out for the evenings just before Christmas. We search the newspapers and Internet to learn of new places to go! Beginning at Starbucks for the $1 kids cocoa and then our drive through the magical transformation that takes place in our town.

5. I love receiving the annual Christmas cards/letters! I love the photos of family/friends and how they share their page long stories of their lives this past year. I am terrible at sending out cards myself so that's probably why I appreciate receiving them because I know how much time and money these days is spent on postage to send them.

****And now to keep with the theme of 5, I pass on this award to the following blogs:

1. A Year Of CrockPotting

2. Warm Pie, Happy Home

3. My Thoughts Exactly

4. Muse-Swings

5. Friendship Tea

I hope you all had a wonderful week! What greater cause for celebration could we have?

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Christmas Reflections

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I want to wish you all Merry Christmas, and also to report that I may have to spend the rest of my life on my couch. I have eaten approximately 50 pounds of food in the last four days, and I've warned my hubby that he may just have to roll me to places for the rest of my life.

Although I do think parents should get a pass for eating the Santa cookies on Christmas Eve. I did NOT eat them because they were delicious and chocolatey and soft, I ate them because my children expected it. It was good parenting, purely--one of many, many sacrifices a mother must make. It is not a sacrifice for a father to make because this mother got to the cookies first. hee hee


It's Christmas again and we stop to remember and reflect on the purpose behind today — that God came to earth as an infant child to save us all from our imminent destruction. It's a day of rejoicing for us, but I wonder what our Creator was going through. He gave up His throne in all its splendor glory to come down to this wretched sinful place as a helpless baby, born among the animals. He KNEW that after 33 years of hard labour and persecution that He would be nailed to a cross by the very people He came to save, and yet, He came anyway. Isn't that amazing?! Isn't that the ultimate show of love and grace?! Regardless of how others may deny Christ and the true meaning of the day, it does not change the fact of His existence and His abundant love and mercy for us. Let's put aside our presents and selfish pleasures and bow before the throne of the Almighty, giving Him the best gift we can give — our lives.