A New Look!

During the next couple of weeks, I am changing some of the decor in my home and creating a new look both in the dining room and in the den.  I am attempting a more serene look---one that will be fresh and inviting.  I will post photos soon and hope you will follow along with me as I make some long needed changes.

In Grace,
Marie

                PAST AND PRESENT

It has been said so many times that life has its ups and downs.  How very true that statement is.  The past year has been one of difficulty and heartache.  There were times I wondered if I would make it through.   Yet, in the midst of all the difficulty, I found strength and courage.  There were moments of sheer bliss and tremendous joy that could only be explained by the presence of a loving Heavenly Father.  I found myself being blessed even in the midst of adversity.

So, as a new year begins, I am not making New Year's resolutions.  I would rather seek to live each day to the fullest, to love God more fully, and enjoy life as the rich blessing it is.  To that end, I will cherish my faith, love my family, and create a home that is a warm and loving sanctuary.  I hope you will join me on my journey.

In Grace,
Marie 

Hurry!! Hurry!! Beautiful Giveaway

A Cozy Cottage in the City is offering a beautiful giveaway of lovely rose-inspired items to add to your cottage decor. Her blog is delightful to read and full of gorgeous and inspiring photos as well. I have just today become a follower and am enjoying her blog immensely. Enter today but bear in mind that I have already decided to be the winner!!! LOL.
Click on the link on my sidebar for more information.

In Grace,
Marie

Christmas Has Come

This little arrangement is actually the bottom of a small hatbox. I filled it with my favorite ornaments, a pearl necklace, a wintery floral pic, and stood my favorite Santa ornament close by. I love the snowy look of it all.

I am late posting some of my Christmas decor and activities but I must say I am enjoying the season this year. The blessings of my gracious Lord have been many and abundant. I am grateful for all He has given me, but thankful most of all for the blessing of family and friends.

This is a photo of one of my dearest friends, Betty Blansett (whom we all affectionately call "Memaw"). She is a sheer delight to be with and always makes me smile no matter how awful things may be. I love her dearly.

Every Christmas, I host a Christmas Tea Party for my friends. Betty's daughter, Susan, and Betty's granddaughter Kelly, also came to my gathering this year. Susan is the dearest friend I have ever had. She has been with me through the sorrows and the joys and I cannot imagine life without Susan being there.

Susan loves taking pictures of all of our events---almost as much as I do. Here she is checking out her photos while her daughter, Kelly, enjoys the fun.

Kelly is a beautiful and talented young woman. She sings and plays music in our church and is such a lovely Christian. I never fail to be blessed by her positive attitude and her loving kindness. I often call her my "protege" .

The following photos are a little peek into some of my Christmas decor this year.

This is my little Gingerbread House I set up in the corner of my kitchen counter. I bought the house at Bath and Body a few years ago. The little people are actually salt and pepper shakers I found at a hospital gift shop. I bought the peppermint trees at Kohl's during a fabulous sale this year.

The gingerbread frame was also on sale at Kohl's. I bought it while Susan and I were doing some Christmas shopping. The picture is a Christmas photo of my grandsons. Gabriel is on the right and was four when this was taken. Michael is on the left and was three. I love this photo of them and thought the frame was perfect in my kitchen this year.

I purchased this Santa many years ago at an end of season sale at Jo-Ann Fabrics. I loved him the moment I saw him and he has been a part of my mantel decorations ever since. He sits on the left side of the hatbox you saw earlier.

I cannot tell you how much I love nutcrackers. These three were my favorites this year and are on the right side of my mantel. Susan bought me a new one this year to add to my collection. You will see it here soon.

Though there are others who decorate far better and far more elaborately than I, it is a joy to share with you some of my favorite things. I hope you enjoyed the photos and may your Christmas be blessed with all good things.

In Grace,
Marie

To those of you who have been blessed with a spouse and are enjoying the love you share on a daily basis, I wish you Happy Valentine's Day. This is a day to remember the one you love---to remember the love you share and the joy of being together. No greater love exists than that of two people coming together and sharing their hearts with each other. Only the love of God Himself is greater than this.
May each of you be blessed with a wonderful Valentine's Day. May the love you share grow deeper still and last a lifetime.

In Grace,
Marie

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