Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year!


This is by far my favorite time of year. I, too, like the down time between Christmas and New Year. I've already read a book, a short story titled "The sound of sleighbells", I've done some after Christmas shopping (picked up a 36" lighted wreath to decorate for under $20.00) and the usual wrapping paper, bows and tags. Being inspired by my youngest DD, have decided to do one new craft a month this year, in hopes of being ready for the fall craft fairs. I have just purchased, on line, the newest Gooseberry Patch Christmas Craft book at just $10.00! Before Christmas it was $28.00! Yay! I love a good deal. And my new calendars are hung and ready for use. I don't know why but I really like new calendars, the fresh unmarked pages, the inspiration for organization I guess. The refrigerator calendar is one with big squares to accomodate everyones schedules, hanging on my office wall is a new Mary Englebreit (this one is just to look at - really.) And I have my new inserts for my franklin covey planner. This one I will use for everything - home and work. I love it. I've actually already started filling up January with work stuff. ugh. I'd much rather be home, blogging, crafting, reading, and having tea. Which brings me to my other challenge of hosting one tea party every 4 to 6 weeks this year. One for my friends, one for my neighbors, one for my sisters, you get it. This will tie in with my new business venture Jocelyne's Tea Parties. So here's to a fun and prosperous New Year!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Blessed by Carolers at my door!

This week has been long and hard and included a funeral for a dear old aunt. In the midst of preparing for a short road trip, addressing christmas cards and preparing gift baskets our doorbell rang and when we answered we were met with a wonderful surprise and blessing as our neighbors and a group of their friends sang Christmas carols to us, telling us of the love of God! It brought tears to my eyes. That is the first time in my life that Carolers have come to my door! My children have gone out caroling as a part of their youth group and I've always wanted to go myself, just didn't have anyone willing to go with me. Maybe next year we can arrange for our bible study group to go caroling and then come in for hot cider or cocoa. Fun thing to do that could really touch hearts ~ it touched mine.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I made these stockings over 10 years ago, I still love them. The extra mini clothespins are waiting for Christmas Cards and letters to arrive!

A pretty pot I found at Ross.





I hope you enjoy my pictures. I just wanted to share some of the things you would see if you come over and have tea with me.







Tuesday, November 24, 2009

What makes tea time special?

"It's not the tea itself that speaks to the soul with such a satisfying message. And it's not the teacups that bring such a message of beauty and serenity and friendship. It's not the tea, in other words, that makes teatime special, it's the spirit of the tea party." Emilie Barnes

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Pick your cup







My friends and sisters look at me with wide eyes when I tell them, "pick a cup" while I put the kettle on. They think all these beautiful cups are just for looking at. To me, if you can't use them, why have them? My daughters will go directly to their favorite and a few of my friends will too. Others, say, "you choose for me." I guess they are a little afraid, I don't know. It's a conversation starter, as if we needed one, for me to be able to tell them where the cup in their hand came from. While I might be saddened for a moment if one should break, I would quickly get over it. After all I can't take it with me when I go but I can receive the joy it was meant to bring while I am here. Oh I'm so corny.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

My first one


A long time ago my husband and I shared our first Christmas together in the upstairs apartment of an old house on Pikes Peak and 18th on the city's west side. I wanted a set of beautiful dishes for Christmas, but knew we could not afford it. My dear sweet husband thought we could and bought me a box of beautiful dishes. The box said "5 piece setting", he figured that was enough for the two of us plus company. To this day I smile when I think on it and he gets a little flush. I took the tea cup from that setting and used it for my tea. That tea cup was the beginning of a beautiful collection of mix and match cups and saucers, teapots, little spoons, tea bag holders, tea sets and other tea accessories that I've picked up here and there or received as gifts from loved ones, especially my dear.