Sweet Baby Playing in Leaves

Before our autumn season has faded from our memories,

and All Things Advent has filled our lives and hearts....

I had to share some wonderful pictures 

from my youngest daughter of HER adorable daughter

playing in the leaves recently.

I really can't believe how fast she's growing.

She was buried pretty deep in those leaves!

There are a lot of really old mature trees on their street.

We had such sunny and mild autumn weather!

It doesn't feel at all like Ohio-just-before-December!

I love all these shots that her momma and daddy took.

I saved my favorite till last.

This shot captures (in what looks to me)

as though she knows a secret

 and isn't going to tell anytime soon....

One eye brow up, pursed lips not quite smiling,

one eye opened more -

oh boy, does she ever remind me of her momma!

Be still, my heart, for it seems like yesterday!

This little lady has stolen my heart.

Perhaps THAT is the secret she knows.

Because she KNOWS she has us wrapped around

her cute adorable tiny chubby little finger.

As always, thank you for visiting!

♥

~Michele

Share Your Cup   *   Pink Saturday   *   Mosaic Monday

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our home to yours.....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Most of All

~by Joanna Fuchs~


Thanksgiving Day brings to mind
the blessings in our lives
that usually go unnoticed:
a home that surrounds us
with comfort and protection;
delicious food, for pleasure
in both eating and sharing;
clothes to snuggle up in,
books and good entertainment
to expand our minds;
and freedom to worship our God.

Most of all we are thankful
for our family and friends;
those treasured people
who make our lives extra special.

You are part of that cherished group.
On Thanksgiving - and every day-
I appreciate you.

♥

As always, thanks for your visit.

I am truly thankful for you!

God bless you always!

Today is comment-free

 so that you have more time

to be with family!

Thankful for Friends Tea Party

It's funny, but I am just noticing how many tea parties

 and extra special occasions

 that I haven't ever shared on my blog.

 One of them includes a 

Thankful for Friends Tea

 I hosted for my very bestie best tea-sister friends last year.

So, yes, it's an old party but it's never been shared on my blog!

(Glad I noticed it.)

I do wish I had noticed earlier in the season. Oh well.

Better late than never, I suppose!

I hand-made my napkin holders from thrift-store

 wooden napkin rings wrapped in burlap

 and hot-glue gunned silk flowers I already had in my stash
from a practically free end of season sale earlier.

The menu graphics matched the name label graphics.

I used my little clay pumpkin card holders too.

The table runner I used, and my teapot cozy match.

I didn't have a pick of the teapot from the party
so I am sharing where I have it stashed this year.

Top shelf to the right is where you will find it.

Add cheese and a sprinkle of pepper or paprika or curry

on your soups for a nice look and extra bit of flavor!

I think this is gruyere I used here.

What autumn salad is complete

without some seasonal apples and pears?

Nature provided the simple centerpiece, 
keeping it low so everyone could see one another well
from across the table.

Everything for this tea was easy
 so dishes could go in the dishwasher after.

When hosting a slumber party weekend
the teas have to be low-maintenance clean up!

At least on weekends when my wonderful hubs
isn't around to help.

Because he is a God-send most tea parties -
invaluable help for me to be able to put them on in style.

I remember last year he had plans, so that's why I used
stoneware and glass dishes!

Most of you know I'd always prefer to use
 my pretty china for tea parties. ♥

I *adore* decorated sugar cubes.

The source I used stopped making them.

I think it's time I learned how to make my own now -

 I spent a small fortune on them for years!

I found a pic of the favors I gave away, but I can't really 
remember what I filled inside of them anymore.

I know there was a cute decoupaged birdie ornament

and some Thanksgiving napkins, and knowing me probably

a Yankee candle and perhaps a sachet.....

These favor gift baskets were so much prettier in person!

Yep, not the best lighting for these last minute pics.
No time, fuss, tripod or special tricks - just fast shots.

Good friends, good food, good fellowship...

(and a calm and happy hostess)

 make for the successful and memorable party!

That, for sure, is what we had that day.

As always, thank you for your visit!

Hugs and prayers!

♥

~Michele

Linking:

Friends Sharing Tea   * Inspire Me   *   Tablescape Thursday   *   Foodie Friday

Tea Cup Exchange Reveal!

Once again I have the pleasure of sharing yet another

 wonderful experience joining Stephanie's semi annual 
The Enchanting Rose blog TEA CUP EXCHANGE!

Steph has allowed some time before the big reveal day
because swappers from all over the world are involved.

It takes a little time to travel the globe!

So with joy and delight I am happy to reveal
my wonderful exchange experience with you all!

What fun being a part of this exchange is -

 and making a new friend or two in the process
is the very best part!

This time I was blessed being paired with

a Canadian, Kelly Harris-Graham, of the sweet blog

Homespuns and Hayfields 

Just look at this lovely teacup she sent to me!

Isn't it absolutely beautiful?!?

Her package to me was loaded with awesomeness!

Inside were beautiful note cards, box of candy, delicious chocolate

Tuile (rolled tender crunchy sticks,) tea, a sweet laminated birdie Bible verse, a birdie notebook, an adorable handmade teacup coaster,

and two absolutely wonderful poured candles

 in tiny vintage baking tins.

♥

Oh Kelly, thank you so much for everything - 

I will treasure it always!

(Except for Smarties, as you know my hubs got a hold of those!)

Isn't that butterfly sticker pretty on the envelope

 of the cute Sunflower card she enclosed?

BTW- Kelly told me she got her tutorial on making the fabric
tea cup coaster from Stephanie's blog right here. 

I have it in my office and use it several times a day.
It will always remind me of Kelly AND Stephanie! 

♥♥

A little birdie must've told her how much I love bird things.

I have already been using my sweet notebook!

It's become a permanent part of my purse arsenal now.

Kelly really spoiled me!

These two wee candles are just so adorable!

I just love these teacup exchanges!

If you haven't joined in the fun, I highly recommend it!

Hopefully Stephanie will host a spring swap as well,
but the work load to host it is intense....
I cannot even fathom how much work goes into it!

(She is such a blessing to the blog world!)

I all set for a short respite from the world

using my pretty new teacup, sitting with a favorite magazine

and getting ready to nosh one of these yummy chocolate tuile sticks.

It's the perfect little tea time for one!

I did share some of my chocolate sticks in this tea time

with a friend I blogged about not too long ago.



Playing with PicMonkey in black and white here.

This year I was also blessed being able to send my tea things

 to a sweet blogger, Cindy, from Consider It All Joy blog.

This is the very first swap I remembered to actually take pics

 of what I sent before I boxed everything up. I was happy I did so.

I stuck with an autumn theme for the package I joyfully sent:

Napkins, marmelaide, pumpkin candle, cookies, soap, sachet,

pumpkin decor, a handmade card and a yellow rose teacup.

I tell ya it is just as much fun picking things out

 for our swap mates than it is opening up our

 treasures from another.

I *highly* recommend doing the next swap -

it is SO much fun!

And as I have said before, the best part is making

a new friend or two.

Big thanks goes out to Stephanie who works so hard

 putting these swaps together.

She is a blessing and a dear heart,

 and is so sincerely appreciated!

Please visit her blog and check all the swaps!



****If you missed my home tour feature at 
Poofing the Pillows blog you can  find it here.

As always, thanks for your visit!

Hugs and prayers,

~Michele

Linking:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea   *   Friends Sharing Tea   *  Share Your Cup

Poofing the Pillows - Finch Rest Home Tour

I'd like to thank Stacey from Poofing the Pillows Blog

 for inviting me to be featured

on her First Friday Home Tour this month.

(Added insert: Stacey no longer blogs and her blog has been deleted.)

Someone else now uses that name so the link I had to this post has been mismantled.

I am absolutely delighted to have shared my Autumn decor.

I hope you visit Stacey's awesome blog -

 her kitchen alone is to-die-for perfect!

Stacey is a long-time blogger (over 10 years!) who is the sweetest gal,
 and is very dear to blogdom.

I always enjoy her posts and am very happy
 to be her loyal follower.

Please visit her and let her know you did. ♥

And have a fabulous weekend!

HUGS!

♥

~Michele