2/28/2010

Lovin' Those Teacup Blues...

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Hello my friends...I hope that you're having a marvelous Monday!
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Today I am joining in with the "Blue Monday" and "Mosaic Monday" parties. You will find the credits for these lovely parties at the end of my post!
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Ohhh my...it seems that I am always running behind! Today I wanted to show you another one of my "After Christmas Sale" treasure finds. Yes...I'm just now getting around to taking a few photos and posting these little pretties! I hope that you enjoy!!!
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Lovin' Those Teacup Blues...

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I found these pretty teacups and saucers at Tender Heart Treasures during their "after Christmas sale". I had a two-fold reason for purchasing these pretty blue and white teacups...1) I really do need teacups! 2) I have nothing...absolutely nothing...blue! Well...they seemed like great reasons...don't you think? Hehe!
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There were four different patterns available. I just looked at the Tender Heart Treasures online website in hopes of telling you the names of each pattern, however...they were no longer available! I will include the website address for this sweet little shop...they have some really pretty things over there and are very reasonably priced!
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Teacup #1

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I just love the sweet bird and beautiful flowers on this teacup! It reminds me of Spring. Ahhh...Spring!!!
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For the photos, I am using a beautiful lacy metal charger plate that was a gift from my dearest friend, Gloria (Happy To Be). Gloria, I have already gotten "miles of use" out of these sweet charger plates...I just love them!!! Thank you again, my sweet friend! The white napkins, with the gorgeous lace, came from Target...from their Shabby Chic product line. And...once again, we are at the table in my red French Country dining room.
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Teacup #2

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Oooh...another sweet little bird...he is resting upon a rose! Do you see the little butterfly?
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Teacup #3

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This teacup has a beautiful bouquet of flowers!
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Teacup #4

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More lovely flowers! I love the pattern of the flowers on the saucer! Sooo pretty!!!
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Lovin' Those Teacup Blues...

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The 10 oz. porcelain teacups come with a porcelain infuser...so sweet for brewing the perfect cup of tea! Here in the photo mosaic, you can see the teacups with their infuser and lid.
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I did mention that I found these pretties during the "after Christmas sale"...didn't I? They were on sale for $4.95 each. Not too bad!!!
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Well my sweet friends...are you ready for a cup of tea?
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I am joining in with these marvelous Monday parties...
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Blue Monday hosted by Sally over at Smiling Sally blog!
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Mosaic Monday hosted by Mary over at Little Red House!
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Thank you dear ladies for hosting these fabulous Monday blog parties! Please go by and see Sally and Mary, I just know that they will have something special for us today and while you're there you can check out all of the other Blue Monday and Mosaic Monday participants!!!

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Well my friends...thank you so much for coming by today! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I'd love to visit with you!!!

2/27/2010

Welcome to the 45th "Sunday Favorites"


"Sunday Favorites" is a Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!! For more information on how to republish a past post just click on the "Sunday Favorites" info photo in the sidebar of my blog.

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Hello my friends!

Welcome to the 45th run of "Sunday Favorites"!!!

**I hope that you are all having a fabulous weekend! It's been a very, very busy last few days at my place! Whew...so happy that I can just "cut & paste" a favorite post from the past for Sunday Favorites...it's just sooo quick and easy!
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I hope that you are having a fabulous weekend, my friends! We are having such pretty weather...however, we are suppose to get more snow this evening! I am soooo ready for Spring! The post that I decided to share with you today for Sunday Favorites is a "Spring time" post! I hope that you enjoy!!!
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Well my friends...have a super Sunday! Thank you so much for coming by today!

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Instructions for Participating in Sunday Favorites
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If you are participating in Sunday Favorites, please be sure to add your permalink to Mr.Linky and not your general blog address.
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Please copy and paste the Sunday Favorites logo button to your Sunday Favorites post or your sidebar so your visitors will know that you are participating. Also...please link back to the host blog, Happy To Design. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful blogs that are participating.
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Please do not add your link below, until your Sunday Favorites post is actually published to your blog.
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Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,
Chari






Sunday Favorites

My favorite post from: April 3, 2009


It's Pink Saturday!

Hello my friends! So glad that you stopped by for "Pink Saturday"! Ohhh my...there's nothing better than a fun-filled party in pink!

Beverly over at How Sweet The Sound hosts this weekly event. If you haven't ever been over to Beverly's place, you're missing out on a real treat! Just click
HERE and it will take you right over to her place. You'll also find a list of the most fun lovin' pink ladies over there too...so you better get ready for a Saturday full of pink!!!


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A few weeks ago I found an apothecary jar at Walmart. I had been wanting one for some time...it finally went on sale ($21) so I snatched it right up! I have already had lots of fun decorating with it! In fact, I posted about it a week ago. To read more about that post just click
HERE!

With Spring and Easter right around the corner, I decided it was time that my little apothecary jar got a make-over! Well, it's actually not so little...it measures about 20 in. tall.
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So without further ado...I present to you "It's Bunny Time"!
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"It's Bunny Time"

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I sure had fun playing today!!! The first thing I did was look through all of my tablecloths. I finally decided to layer the dining room table with a green and white plaid tablecloth that I made several years ago...on top of that I placed another smaller tablecloth (that I also made) out of a coordinating rose printed fabric. On top of the rose tablecloth, I laid a place mat that I made out of a third coordinating fabric! Wow...I just realized that I haven't sewn that much in quite a while! I just love these tablecloths and placemats...such a pretty plaid and floral prints! The buttery yellows, soft pinks, and sagey greens work perfectly for Spring/Easter!
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"It's Bunny Time" Apothecary Jar...

This was really a simple redo...I filled the bottom of the jar with those yummy pastel colored malted milk eggs...just look at the pretty white, yellow, lavender, and robin's egg blue! I placed my sweet little rose bunny on top of the eggs. I found this sweet little bunny at the thrift shop for just $3! It was love at first sight...I just love the pretty pink roses against the soft white of the bunny! The roses are glass and so delicate looking! Then I made a bow with a pretty pink gingham ribbon and a feathery-looking white ribbon...these rolls of ribbon were only a $1 at Dollar Tree. I took a pretty pearl clip-on earring to decorate the bow!

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"It's Bunny Time" and a Vignette...
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Well, I probably don't need to tell you how these things go...I was just having so much fun decorating my little apothecary jar...and I was on a roll!!! Hmmm...what does this vignette need? Maybe a little greenery? I shopped the house and found this pretty ivy plant in a green planter...I think this will work nicely! I placed it in the background behind the jar. What about a few candles? I mean, what's a vignette without candles...hehe!!! Two silver candleholders with white candles would be great...and how about my new mercury glass goblets? Oh yes, I like how they look with the jar and ivy!!!
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Maybe my bunny plate would look nice in this vignette...after all, it is bunny time!!! I've had this little bunny plate for years and years...in fact, I've had it so long I don't remember where it came from or how much it cost! hehe!!! I love the green stripes and the little black & white checkered border. This little bunny is busy planting a garden...look at the sweet blue watering can and the pretty pink hydrangea!
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Oh looky here...two little birdies decided to fly in for a visit! These are cast iron birds from Hobby Lobby...they were on the 80% off shelf...only $1.50ea.
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Ohhh...I did say I was having fun playing didn't I? I changed out the bunny plate for a salad/dessert plate from my Hallmark Rose Mist china. The green plaid border on this little plate does look pretty with the green plaid tablecloth...and then there's the pink rose! Hmmm...which one do I like better?
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What do you think?
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I think that my little miniture cloche looks nice in this vignette. See the pink rose under the cloche? This was my honey's boutineer when we were married! Soooo sweet! I added the same feathery white ribbon to the cloche...and a pretty key! My honey will always hold the key to my heart! Ooops...this is Easter...not Valentine's Day! Sorry!
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Ahhh...Pink Saturday!!! Tablecloths and placemats filled with pink roses...a bunny with pink roses...a pretty pink gingham bow...well, I could go on and on!!! I love the pink!!!

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Well my friends...I'm so glad that you came by for just a peek of pretty pink today!!! Please leave me a comment and let me know you were here...I just adore it when you come by!!!

I hope that your Saturday is filled with lots of pretty pink pleasures!!!

2/24/2010

A Tea Luncheon

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*Hello my friends...I'm so happy that you came by for a visit today!
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*You are cordially invited to a special tea luncheon...I hope
 that you are able to accept my invitation! I would just love to spend
 some time chatting with you over a cup of tea and lunch!
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A Tea Luncheon
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*Ohhh good! I'm so happy to see that you could make it!
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*Our little Tea Luncheon is taking place in my French Country
 dining room. I have prepared a table just for you and me!
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Ohhh yes...please do have a seat!
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*Today our tea/luncheon table has been set in
 "creamy white and sparkling crystal".
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The crystal pieces that you see here...
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The candleholders, pedestal cake plate and cover, and spoon dish
 are all recent thrifty treasure finds. I found this pair of pretty crystal
 candleholders at a new thrift store for just $1...can't beat that price!
 I also found the crystal spoon dish for just $1!
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The crystal pedestal cake plate is one of my most
 awesome treasure finds of late!
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 It is Godinger Shannon Crystal made in Poland and measures 18 in.
 tall...it really is gorgeous (the photos do not do it justice). I found this at an
 "after Christmas" sale at Dillards for just $19...it was originally $139.00!
 Ohhh boy, I was really doin' the happy dance with this
 thrifty treasure find!
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*The Place Setting....
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A creamy white ironstone dinner plate.
A white ironstone salad/dessert plate with a fruit motif.
A small crystal berry bowl.
A metal lacy charger plate.
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The flatware is "Brahms" by Oneida.*
White lace trimmed dinner napkins.
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*I just love these pretty ironstone salad/dessert plates with
 the fruit motif...they're just perfect for our tea luncheon!
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*Salad/Dessert Plates...
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"Strawberries"
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These pretty ironstone plates are called "Snowhite Regency"
 and are manufactured by Johnson Bros. made in England.

 I found a set of six on ebay for $12. I just fell in love with them and
 had to have them! Hehe! I love the beautiful fruit pattern in the center of
 the plates. The rim of the plate has a swirled pattern...trimmed
 with a silver band.
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There are five different fruit patterns....
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*Strawberries (pictured above), Peaches, Oranges, Pears, and Grapes.
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I love that each plate has a different fruit displayed! Oooh...so pretty!
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The Beverages...
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A white ironstone tea cup and saucer from the same set of
 dishes as the dinner plate.
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Would you care for a cup of raspberry tea?
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*A crystal champagne glass.
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This pretty etched champagne glass is from a set that I
 inherited from my late mother-in-law!
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Mmmm...I was thinking that just a little glass of bubbly
 with our lunch sounds good!
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The Teapot...
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I just love my new little teapot! It's another thrifty treasure
 find...just $9.99 from TJ Maxx. Don't you just adore those delicate
 little roses that stand up off of the teapot? Sooo pretty! The teapot is sitting
 upon an ironstone platter that has an embossed border of fruit. They
 make for a pretty combo...the white ironstone tray and teapot!
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A close-up of the teapot.
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*Would you like a tea cookie to go with your tea?
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Mmmm...little heart shaped tea cookies with raspberry jam filling!
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The pedestal cookie plate is another thrifty treasure find from
 TJ Maxx...just $5.99! This is my first time to use it. It came with the prettiest
 red & white polka dotted ribbon but I changed it out for a white organdy ribbon
 for today's tea/luncheon table. I love the cut work pattern around the edge...
I can change the ribbon out to go with whatever I would like!
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*Ohhh yes...please do have a tea cookie! Mmm...I love raspberry!
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I do hope that you enjoyed our visit today!

I enjoyed your company immensely!


Well my friends, thank you so much for coming by today!
 Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were
 here...I'd love to visit with you!
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2/22/2010

A Heart's Longing...Tea & Poetry

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Hello my friends! I'm so happy that you came by for a visit today!!!
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When I woke up on Sunday...looked out the window...this was what I saw! Ohhh yes...snow and more snow!!! I took this photo from my dining room window....brrr...it was too cold to go out for the picture! Hehe! I really do love winter, the beautiful snow, and the peaceful solice that it brings...
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enough is ENOUGH!!!
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By the end of February, I begin to long for Spring!!!
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I long for warmer days...
I long for the trees to be clothed in their luscious greens...
I long for the sight and scent of flowers...
Ahhhh....Spring!
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I know that it must be near, but until that day...what is a girl to do?
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Well...I threw another log on the fire and made a cup of hot tea!
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Tea & Poetry....

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A special treat...tea in a pretty china tea cup!
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This pretty tea cup is from my late mother-in-law's set of china. The pattern is called Roselet and it's manufactured by Harmony House. I just love the delicate pink roses and pretty silver bands!
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Ahhhh...roses! Pretty pink, spring time, roses!!!
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I went in search of a good book to read while enjoying my cup of hot tea and found this lovely book, "The Country Flowers of a Victorian Lady" written by Fanny Robinson.
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It is one of the most lovely books that I've ever seen...page after page of Victorian flowers and prose. Ohhh yes...this is exactly what I needed to dispell the cold and dreariness of the day!!!
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Oooh...just look at these beautiful pink roses!!!
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I found this sweet book while blog hopping one day. I do apologize for not remembering the sweet lady who shared this lovely book. As soon as I saw the fabulous artwork...I began my search. I found several copies at Amazon.com. This was a "delicately used" copy and cost only .27 cents! What a treasure find!!!
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The Country Flowers of a Victorian Lady

A bit of information about this book from Amazon.com:

With its wealth of charming watercolors, poems, and notes on the language of flowers, The Country Flowers of a Victorian Lady is destined to be a coffee-table fixture in the home of any lover of old-fashioned flowers. Kept as a private family keepsake for several generations, this gorgeous book was originally created by Fanny Robinson, who lived a quiet English country life in the last half of the 19th century. The rich, creamy paper provides a perfect backdrop for Robinson's drawings, and for those who have difficulty reading ornate penmanship, her fanciful poetry is copied onto each painting's facing page in an easily readable typeface.
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Fanny's exceptional book combines elegant watercolors with evocative poetry that is finely illuminated in the manner of a medieval Book of Hours. Using the symbolic Language of Flowers, she invests each flower grouping with subtle and often highly romantic meanings -- indeed, it is thought that the volume was intended as a lasting tribute to a lost lover.
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Ohhhh...how romantic!!!
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This book is a fabulous read! Fanny Robinson's watercolor florals and calligraphy is exceptionally beautiful and the poetry...exquisite!!! It was just what the day called for!
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I enjoyed sipping my hot tea from this lovely china tea cup and while reading this exquisite book of poetry and flowers...

I crossed through that "day dream door" into Spring!!!
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I am joining a dear friend for tea today! Wanda from The Plumed Pen hosts a lovely tea every Tuesday and Wednesday! If you haven't ever met Wanda or visited her delightful blog...my friend, you are missing out on a real treat! Wanda is also an artist who has had many of her art pieces published. Like Fanny Robinson, Wanda's masterpieces also have that exquisite Victorian flair!Please go by and meet this lovely lady and see what delightful delicacies that she has for us today! Thank you, Wanda...for hosting this fabulous tea and for being such a gracious hostess!!!

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I am also joining in with "2nd Time Around Tuesday". Diane over at A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words...hosts a fabulous Tuesday blog party where we can share our "2nd time around" treasures! It's been a little while since I've participated so I'm really excited! Please go by and see what fabulous finds that Diane has for us and while you're there you can check out all of the other participants! Thank you, Diane for hosting this fun filled Tuesday event!!!
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I am also joining in with the Tuesday Tabletops, Vignettes, and Favorite Accessories party today. Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life has so graciously taken on this fun filled Tuesday meme! Thank you, Marty! Please go by and see what Marty has for us today and you can also check out all of the other party participants!

I am also joining in with a new Tuesday meme (or at least it is new to me) called, "Tuesday Trivia". This fun Tuesday event is hosted by one of my newest blogging friends...Troy of I Refuse to Recede! Troy has a very interesting tie that he is showcasing, along with some awesome golf trivia...you won't want to miss it! Thank you, Troy...for the gracious invitation to come and participate in Tuesday Trivia!!!

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Well my friends, thank you so much for coming by for a visit today! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I'd love to visit with you!