Happy New Year - 2016

The time is near.

2015 will soon be a wrap.

Tied with a bow.

Full of sorrows and delight.

Are you ready for the new year?

2016 is knocking at the door.

Rejoice in new beginnings.

Put the past away.

Savor the memories.

Jump with JOY.

Happy New Year to each of you!

I am grateful for you.

Thank you

and sending LOVE.

My Word - 2016

Each year for more years than I can remember a word has traveled with me.
The first time I did it my word was PATIENCE and oh my did I get tested.
It must have been at least 25 years ago because I can remember where we were living
and some of the tests.
So each year as a word has picked me I have been careful to choose something that
would bring more happiness and joy, such as JOY, PASSION, BELIEVE, SHINE,
LAUGH, AND GRATEFUL.
Well this year I tiptoe toward my word with a bit a fear and trepidation.
No, I don't want to stop doing it, but do it better.

When I look at this photo I am reminded of two things.

One is how important the light is to me at this time of the year,

even if it is just a candle shining.  LIGHT was considered
because we all need light in our lives to push away the darkness.
But, light wasn't to be the word though I do believe it will sneak in there once in the while.

The second is to sit in silence, settle into the moments, anticipate

the tea, and breathe.
Sometimes life gets in the way and I forget this very important activity.
For 2016 I want to remember to BREATHE.
BREATHE will be my focus for 2016.

Have you chosen a word?
It is amazing the impact it can have on you.
A single word is so much easier to focus on than remembering a resolution.

Tea Time at Hotel deLuxe

 Reservations were made for tea at three.

 Hotel deLuxe in Portland, OR just started serving afternoon

tea a month ago and we had to go.

 Entering the hotel you are greeted by vintage photos 

and the beautiful ceiling.

 Steven Smith teas are served.

I enjoyed Provenance Black, a black breakfast tea with jasmine and black currants.
I would have preferred that they remove the tea leaves (decanted) as it did
get a bit strong and a splash of milk was needed.

A cozy winter afternoon, the perfect setting for tea.

Sandwiches always delight me the most at tea time

and these didn't disappoint.

Chicken salad on wheat bread

Prosciutto and apricot cream cheese on white bread

Cucumber and mayonnaise on white bread

Smoked salmon and caper cream cheese on rye bread

James Beard Vidalia onion on white bread, my favorite of the bunch

Always scones baked fresh in the hotel kitchen.

There were currant and plain with clotted cream and berry jam.

The sweets came from Petit Provence bakery.

There was lemon and fruit tarts, opera cake, and a raspberry macaron.

Then finally one chocolate from Moonstruck Chocolate to nibble

on as we sipped the last of our tea.

It was a pleasant afternoon spent with my "live-in gardener"

celebrating the holiday season with delight.
I am linking to Bernideen at http://blog.bernideens.com/

Mondays Quotes

Over my morning tea today I thought of you and my word for the year, Grateful.

The love came through the mail, but also through the internet wires.

I am grateful for each of  you this year.

"A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness.

 It is an expression of humility.

 It is a foundation for the development of such

 virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment,

 happiness, love, and well-being."

~James E. Faust 

Have you thought of a word for next year?

Has it captured your attention?

I will share my word later this week.

In some ways I am tiptoeing toward it.

Have a great week.

Merry Christmas!

 The orchid bloomed Christmas week.

Isn't it beautiful?

 Sipping tea in the kitchen as I bake our Christmas stollen.

 Joey stopped by in his Christmas hat to send best wishes.

 The nose on the Portland reindeer is shining bright.

 And music filled my ears this week right here in the Old Church.

Oh the Joy of Christmas celebrations.

I delight in each day.

Have a most wonderful Christmas day and all the days to follow.

The Time is Near

 The time is near.

Christmas Eve has arrived.

 I lift a cup of Christmas tea sending wishes

of delight, enchantment, and of JOY.

Settle into a comfy chair with a book.

Savor each moment of the day.

Hug those around you with the warmth of the season.

Hold onto each DELIGHT.

Push the sadness away.

Allow PEACE in your heart.

Sing and Dance for celebration time is here.

Celebrate whether you are only one

or in a crowd.

Celebrate the day!

The Christmas Program

 Oh the experience of your first Christmas program.

A donkey was he, my little D.

 Sweet little angel.

 Yes, the little ones made it to the front of the church.

 They delighted our souls as the Christmas story was told.

 They sang a song or two.

The donkey is missing!

He wandered off, hope he is found.

How fun to see the children celebrating Christmas once again.

May you be blessed with Christmas JOY!

Christmas Traditions

To celebrate the season my sister and I often have tea together.

The Lavender Bleu in West Linn, Oregon is about half

way between each of our homes and a great place to celebrate.

I love the tradition of including tea time for Christmas.

Ginger Peach tea was in my cup and such a beautiful cup it was.

There were all kinds of delights to satisfy the palette.

But most of all it was the time spent together over a cup of tea

and wishing each other a special Christmas time.

Do you include tea in your Christmas celebration?

Is it with someone special to your heart?

Linking to Bernideen at http://blog.bernideens.com/

Monday's Quotes

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, 

I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;  

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, 

who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: 

you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger".

~Luke 11, the Bible

The reason for Christmas!

The Christmas Tree

Noble firs in the house for Christmas just delight me each year.

 The past few years we have picked out a smaller tree that can fit on our table.

I just love it sitting there and shining in our windows.

Can you find the pickle?

 There is something so special about the ornaments

on the tree.  Oh the memories they evoke as we

pull each from the box and place them just so.

Looking at my tree and these photos I just want to sing "Oh, Christmas Tree".

Time to break out the eggnog or a nice cup of tea and celebrate.

Have a wonderful weekend before Christmas, dear friends!

Do you have plans for something special during this time?

Enjoy!!!

The Christmas Village

Fascination in these little houses has touched my heart the past few years.

Could you imagine living in a winter wonder land?

The stockings are hung and my village delights me.

The paper whites have bloomed.

Stars twinkle in the night lights.

Winter solstice will soon be here.

Lights will guide the way.

May your days be merry and bright.

Enjoy the touches of the season.

Since Jo S didn't respond when her name was announced for the give away last week,

I have drawn a new name.  The winner is Anne Jeffries!  Congratulations!

Home for Christmas

Celebrating Christmas in my home brings out

the Santa's from another time, poinsettia's, golden balls,

and..............

more color and delight in every corner.

And because we celebrate the birth of a special baby,

there must be a creche tucked into an alcove.

Touches of red, teapots and china to charm.

Sparkly enchantments.

Even an old window hung with JOY.

The sled is holding the beginnings of small gifts arriving at the door.

Our orchid will be blooming just in time for the celebration.

Wishing each of you, my dear friends, a very special season

of celebration, love, peace, and JOY.

There is yet to share the Christmas tree and the little village so fair.

Come again another day and twinkling lights will touch your heart.

In the meantime, savor each moment, delight in the day!

PS - I still haven't heard from Jo for the second give away

last week, so tomorrow will be the day I will draw another name

from those that left a comment on the give-away post.