White Christmas, Please

White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

Beginning Again

It has been a while since I have written anything here or on my primary blog (www.amomentingrace.blogspot.com). Personal illness, a heavy work schedule, and the loss of several dear friends and family members have kept me from being able to think and/or write clearly. The past two months have been very difficult and I have struggled to come to terms with life's events. I have prayed some of my most earnest prayers and held to the promises of God's Word---both of which have become my strength.
I have discovered through this awful time that God is faithful. He is unwavering in His love, every present in time of need, ever willing to bear my pain when I am unable to bear it myself. The teachings of my childhood as a pastor's child have held me in good stead. Many times I have, in memory, heard my father's strong, booming voice speaking words that have given me direction and purpose. God is, indeed, faithful and uses many ways to help us in times of distress.
Graceful Moments, my primary blog, is my inspirational writing. It is where I write from my spiritual heart the things God places in my spirit. Tea and Roses is meant to show my day to day life and the joys I find in living with the blessings God has given me. My blogs have given me such an outlet and enabled me to meet such lovely people. I hope, very soon, to be able to return to each of you the blessing you have been to me by bringing some small measure of joy and peace to your lives through what I post.
So, as I emerge from a time of great testing, I ask each of you to remember me in your prayers. I have been so encouraged by so many of my blogger friends and I thank you for your concern. I am reminded of a passage of scripture written by the Apostle Paul in which he states that after we have endured great sorrow, we are able to comfort others with the comfort that we, ourselves, have received from God. May He comfort, encourage, and bless each of you today with the riches of His presence and His abiding love.

In Grace,
Marie

A Birthday Tea

Angel centerpiece for the table

My friend, Janet, wanted a tea party for her birthday. As some of you may know, I host adult tea parties for special occasions. Janet told me that she didn't care what theme I chose as long as it was "pink". Since I am a confirmed "pinkaholic" this request was just what I loved.


It all began with pink roses

I cannot imagine a tea party without flowers and pink roses fit the bill perfectly. I divided a dozen roses into small clusters, placed them in bud vases, and set them at either end of the table. My friend and pastor's wife, Susan, was gracious enough to let us host the party in her beautiful dining room. She also provided her lovely china for our gathering. The roses and china complimented each other so wonderfully. The angel centerpiece is actually a tree topper I picked up at Hobby Lobby during the Christmas season several years ago. I thought she looked perfect on the table. I scattered some rose petals over the white damask , added some tea lights at each place setting, and the table came to life.


Buffet area with tea party fare

Our menu was delicious. We offered strawberry fizz punch, fresh fruit, cookies, chicken salad, and delicious croissants. Apple and cherry turnovers, whipped cream with fruit salad and, of course, hot tea with cream and sugar, rounded out the menu offerings.


We added a little feminine "foufou" to punch bowl.

What a wonderful time we all had. Unfortunately, we were all so busy taking photos of our surroundings, we didn't get pictures of the guests. Our small group of friends has shared both our joys and our sorrows. We have consoled, comforted, and prayed each other through many difficult times. We have also shared the joy of friendship, closeness, and love. We are bound by cords that cannot be broken. I am so blessed to have precious friends such as these. What an added bonus that they also love pink. (*_*)

In Grace,
Marie

A New Place

I am soo happy to say that I am moving to a new location---closer to my church and more easily accessible to my daughter and her family. It has taken me a while to find the right place--a lovely apartment with a small balcony that overlooks a beautiful wooded area. I am hoping to be able to stay there for a year or so and then buy a home in the same area.
I will be really busy the next couple of weeks with a new project suggested to me by my pastor's wife, Susan. She challenged me to decorate my new home without buying new decorative items. Susan titled the project, "Decorating With What You Already Have." So, in accepting her challenge I will be posting photos of "before and after" for each project along with how I did it all. I am so looking forward to this and hope you all will enjoy decorating with me.
Until my next post, I pray you all have a blessed Easter with your families. Blessings to all of you today.

In Grace,
Marie

I Corinthians 13: 4 - 8

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version)

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.


May each of you find the love that will never fail. Blessings to you as you celebrate this day of love.

In Grace,
Marie

Christmas Tea 2009

Our beautiful buffet tea table.


I began having Christmas tea parties in 1997. Always with three or four close friends and always about a week before Christmas. The picture above is of my friends that came to my home this year. They are (from left to right) my pastor's wife and my dear friend, Susan, my friend Sonyia, and Susan's daughter, Kelly. We had such a lovely time.


I have discovered that it doesn't take a lot for people who are good friends to enjoy getting together. Although we had good food and the decor was lovely, it was the time we spent together that counted. Another friend of mine once said, "It is the celebrations of life that make it rich.". How true---how true.
May you enjoy your gathering of friends, no matter what the celebration.

In Grace,
Marie