In two weeks, we'll be hosting our annual Friends and Family Tea. I say "we", really it's me, but I like to pretend that my girls actually have time and energy to help and hostess. That's not a complaint, merely an explanation; I'm thankful for their indulgences.
Of course, Tom and James could be counted in on the "we", since they do at least as much work as I do preparing for the big event. Wise men that they are, they typically bolt out the door as soon as the first car pulls into the driveway. Unless of course, it's Mary with her girls. Then they have to wait to see Annalyn and Gracie, you know like they didn't just see them on Thursday night for our weekly date.
So this year, since I'm "retired" (and still trying to figure out what that means), I've gotten very ambitious and invited nearly every woman I know. I've got the time, right? We'll see.
I'm really not sure if this is our third or fourth annual tea. It all began because sometimes the pragmatic and pretty collide in my brain. You see, Tom and I were discouraged from registering for china when we were married, by two very pragmatic parents (who shall remain nameless).
So, it wasn't until a few years ago when James, Rach and I were browsing in an antique store that I spotted what had obviously been hovering in "Antique Land" for decades, just waiting for me. There it was, "Blue Garland", service for 12, including serving pieces, and for less than $300. Was there ever a match made in heaven! And to top it off, it's production stamp was my birth year. Woot-woot!
Now, just like all of us, my Tom has his flaws. Probably his greatest flaw is the rareness of him telling me "no". Did I mention that when I spotted this dining jewel we were living in a tiny condominium? Or that we were recovering from unemployment and its woes? No? How could I have overlooked that?
Anyway, a down payment and two installments later, my delightful dishes came home. Well, not exactly, because of you know, the teeny condo with teenier storage. So a few pieces went into the china cabinet, which I had adamantly refused to store in the garage, thank you very much, and the rest of my treasures had to stay in their boxes, at least for the time being.
As soon as we moved into our current home, I think I had the lovely china completely displayed in the china cabinet, even before the beds were made and the curtains were all up. (You realize of course, if Mama had still been living I probably wouldn't have dared to do something so totally outrageous.)
So I pull out the china whenever I get the chance. And at Thanksgiving dinner, three or four years ago, while us girls were lingering over it (and the men lingered over Corelle in the living room with the tv), I had the brilliant idea for us to have a tea party.
My sister, Nancy, loves pretty things nearly as much as she loves me. She was all over it. Her granddaughters and my one, were about the ages to think a tea party would also be fun. My dear friend, Lynnette, used to regale me with stories of her mom's Mad Hatter tea parties, and her daughter, Taylor was also the right age. And we're off!
Oh my goodness, we had so much fun! I'm sure I'll regale you with more about this year's event soon. But first, I must include a pictures of my very first tea party. I just hope I made half the impact on these students' lives as they made on mine.
Of course, Tom and James could be counted in on the "we", since they do at least as much work as I do preparing for the big event. Wise men that they are, they typically bolt out the door as soon as the first car pulls into the driveway. Unless of course, it's Mary with her girls. Then they have to wait to see Annalyn and Gracie, you know like they didn't just see them on Thursday night for our weekly date.
So this year, since I'm "retired" (and still trying to figure out what that means), I've gotten very ambitious and invited nearly every woman I know. I've got the time, right? We'll see.
I'm really not sure if this is our third or fourth annual tea. It all began because sometimes the pragmatic and pretty collide in my brain. You see, Tom and I were discouraged from registering for china when we were married, by two very pragmatic parents (who shall remain nameless).
So, it wasn't until a few years ago when James, Rach and I were browsing in an antique store that I spotted what had obviously been hovering in "Antique Land" for decades, just waiting for me. There it was, "Blue Garland", service for 12, including serving pieces, and for less than $300. Was there ever a match made in heaven! And to top it off, it's production stamp was my birth year. Woot-woot!
Now, just like all of us, my Tom has his flaws. Probably his greatest flaw is the rareness of him telling me "no". Did I mention that when I spotted this dining jewel we were living in a tiny condominium? Or that we were recovering from unemployment and its woes? No? How could I have overlooked that?
Anyway, a down payment and two installments later, my delightful dishes came home. Well, not exactly, because of you know, the teeny condo with teenier storage. So a few pieces went into the china cabinet, which I had adamantly refused to store in the garage, thank you very much, and the rest of my treasures had to stay in their boxes, at least for the time being.
As soon as we moved into our current home, I think I had the lovely china completely displayed in the china cabinet, even before the beds were made and the curtains were all up. (You realize of course, if Mama had still been living I probably wouldn't have dared to do something so totally outrageous.)
So I pull out the china whenever I get the chance. And at Thanksgiving dinner, three or four years ago, while us girls were lingering over it (and the men lingered over Corelle in the living room with the tv), I had the brilliant idea for us to have a tea party.
My sister, Nancy, loves pretty things nearly as much as she loves me. She was all over it. Her granddaughters and my one, were about the ages to think a tea party would also be fun. My dear friend, Lynnette, used to regale me with stories of her mom's Mad Hatter tea parties, and her daughter, Taylor was also the right age. And we're off!
Oh my goodness, we had so much fun! I'm sure I'll regale you with more about this year's event soon. But first, I must include a pictures of my very first tea party. I just hope I made half the impact on these students' lives as they made on mine.
Revelation 3:20 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me.
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