Thursday, December 31, 2015

5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...




I'd Like To Wish You A....





"So, I close
my eyes
to old ends
and open 
my heart to
new
beginnings."
~ Nick Frederickson



(The original image is from Dharma Crafts. I tweaked it a bit.)

On The Sixth Day of Christmas





On the sixth day of Christmas,
I'm sharing with you ....


Wise Guys

Two Wise Guys!

The owls flew in from Wisconsin for the whole holiday season.
A gift from my pen pal.
It's the Little Things! 

Wishing YOU well and much joy in 2016! 


Little by Little




Sunday, December 27, 2015

I Need It To Keep Me Warm







Holly and Ivy



I realized that, as much as I like Emma Bridgewater,
I didn't have an Emma Christmas mug.
So, I got myself an early present and have been using
the mug and my Portmeirion Holly and Ivy teapot
all month, drinking Harney and Sons
White Christmas Tea
(a blend of white tea, almonds and vanilla).


White Christmas

When I'm finished drinking White Christmas,
I get to start on my new teas.



Fearrington House Tea

My BGD (beautiful god-daughter) and her handsome knight
sent me Fearrington House Afternoon Tea.
It smells so delicious: Black China Tea
 with carmel, grapefruit, and lemony bergamot.
Plus, Fearrington House Jam:Raspberry, Star Anise, Thyme.
The Fearrington House is one of their favorite places for a romantic get-a-way.
Looking at it in the magic of cyberspace --
it looks like a wonderful spot for tea and belted cattle gazing! 
You can check out the Fearrington Village and Inn here.


Teas

More tea!
Liliuokalani tea from Serendipi Tea:
Organic China Black Tea, Safflower Petals, Orange Blossoms, 
and Tropical Fruit Flavor.

Taylor Maid Farms: Pacific Coast Breakfast - Organic Yunnan Black Tea.

There is a cold front blowing through.
I'll need all of this tea to keep me warm!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Thank you Martha for hosting
Tea Cup Tuesday.

Thank you - Tuesday Cuppa Tea.

Thank you Bernideen
for Bernideens Tea.

Thank you Sandi for hosting
No Place Like Home.


 

Monday, December 21, 2015

The Tropical Version of Christmas!






This is what Christmas looks like on my street.
The neighbors are ready for Christmas
and 80 degree weather!


Nutcracker




"One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore.
"Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't
get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books."
-J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone



bears
Love the simplicity!

"I have always thought of Christmas time,
when it has come round, as a good time;
a kind, forgiving, charitable time;
the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year,
when men and women seem by one consent to open their
shut-up hearts freely,
and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow
passengers to the grave,
and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."
~ Charles Dickens


snowman


"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories 
and love of kindred, 
and we are better throughout the year for having,
in spirit,
become a child again at Christmas-time."
-Laura Ingalls Wilder


angel


"I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Santa


Wishing YOU well and much joy this Christmas season.

A Happy Yule and Solstice to you,too!

I'm joining Sandi at

No Place Like Home

and

The Dedicated House




Sunday, December 20, 2015

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year








skates



"Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."
~Clement Clarke Moore



doll




"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy,
is to have the real spirit of Christmas."
~ Calvin Coolidge


kittehs




Santa Cookie Jar



"Christmas is the day that holds all time together."
~Alexander Smith



Christmas Taco Truck




"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,
everything is softer and more beautiful."
~Norman Vincent Peale






dinner with santa



Wishing YOU well and much joy!


(All the images were taken during a shopping trip with one of my sisters by choice.)
(No, I didn't buy anything! It was hard to pass up the skates!)

Monday, December 14, 2015

Santa Is Arriving



Santa is appearing around the house.


Santa



My forest Santa has taken his place by the teacups, 
surrounded by Christmas mugs.



Holiday Mugs




My new mug is the Ho-Ho-Ho mustache mug.
I found it at Pier One and it made me smile.



Ho Ho Ho



Merry Merry and a Happy Happy! 

Thank you to Sandi for hosting
No Place Like Home.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!





Thursday, December 10, 2015

Like Where You Are Planted





My new tree in Musashi's Garden is blooming.
It is a Hong Kong Orchid Tree.


Hong Kong Orchid Tree


It's timing is a bit off.
Winter is just a few days away,
but with temps in the 80s
anything would be confused!

I hope this means my new tree likes where it is planted.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!


Little by Little