Tea and My 1st Blogaversary!

Oh it's so good to see you today, on this, my first post for Tea Time Tuesday! Sandi invites us all, each week, to join her at Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations, for tea, and any conversation, stories, or scripture verses we may like to share together!

I do hope you have some time to sit down and visit with me, as there is even more to celebrate on this very special day! I can hardly believe it's been a year! I look back, and it seems like yesterday, while it seems like a lifetime ago too! Today is my first blogaversary! So, let's start off with some cake, to go with our tea!

Today is also Day #9 of the Fourteen Days of Love, at Brambleberry Cottage! Today's theme is "Sweets for the Sweet"!

So, perhaps you'd like a piece of chocolate instead?

Now this is a big post!.. a LONG one, I know! I'm hoping you'll follow me down Memory Lane a bit today; but first I must invite my great grandmother, in spirit at least, to my first tea party, here in Blogland! When I was very young, I remember visiting my grandparents house, but it was my great grandmother's house I couldn't wait to run to! She lived just a stone's throw away, so I merely had to run across the yard to get there! She would always invite me in with a warm, loving smile, and set me down at the table for some little snack and conversation together. I remember those times, just me and my Great Grandma, and our own little tea parties together, whenever I could make my way over there! She gave me this little set. It is not a complete set... Just these three pieces... A creamer, a sugar bowl, and one little tea cup. These 3 little dishes represent one of my most happiest childhood memories. I thank God that I was so lucky to know and spend time with her, for even the short time that I did!

As I look back at my first year of blogging, I find myself wondering where I'd be without it! My first post was little more than a paragraph, basically introducing myself, and then feeling AMAZED that I was even capable of creating my own blog and posting my first entry at ALL! I was very proud, and excited, and hopeful I guess... as I really was not sure WHAT this all was about or what it would lead to!

Many of you have shared my good times...

..and then some of my NOT so good times!

Tracking back through the year, it turns out, I found I DID have a couple of other small tea parties before today! Do you remember this one? I remember making this doll with Aunt Pitty Pat!

..Or maybe you remember this little tea party?

My little city mouse and country mouse were here to join me then. I made them with the pattern I got from Caroline, over at her blog, Kansas Hooker! These two mice, Camille and Carrie Leigh, have a little cousin Suri, who now lives with CC at Lace 'n' Ribbon Roses!

Before I started blogging, I didn't know ANYBODY, really, who crocheted, that I could talk and share with! But then, I crocheted tote bags with Pammy Sue at Scotty's Place! I crocheted granny squares with April at Dishcloth Diaries; and I crocheted more granny squares with Donna at SmoothFox Original Crochet Patterns! I'm just so happy to know there are others like me, who love their hooks and yarns as much as I do!!

Oh, the friends and wonderful people I have met in this past year!.. And the wonderful and inspiring NEW things I have learned from so many of them!! We've exchanged recipes, patterns, book reviews, movie reviews, advice, support, a few jokes, etc., etc.!

It's funny to me, that I had never HEARD of depression glass till I came to Blogland! So I was very excited to acquire my very first pieces, this little sugar bowl and creamer! I hope to pick up at least a pair of cups and saucers to go with them someday!


But the influence did not stop there!.. I remember first stumbling into Tablescape Thursdays, hosted by Susan, at Between Naps On the Porch! I have not yet found the courage to participate, but I am hoping to someday soon! Now you just recently saw my new set of rooster dishes; but here is a set of dessert dishes I was thrilled to buy on clearance for only TEN CENTS a PIECE! Do you remember these from one of my September posts?!


Yes, there WAS a time, before meeting Susan, when I was quite content with the two sets of dishes I had! Well, you have no IDEA how fast and steadily my own collection of dishes has GROWN, since finding myself absolutely dazzled, in complete awe of the magnificently beautiful table settings I have ever set eyes on in my life!

Here you see the set of soup mugs, I purchased while "under the influence"! (Yes, my name is Beansieleigh, and I am a dishaholic!)... I just had to have them! They had these cute little cows on them! How could I possibly resist?!!


Now I have always been artistic by nature, but I never imagined how MUCH I could express my creativity though presentation of my own family dinners and holiday buffets! My hutches and cabinets are filling to capasity, and it will not be long before I'll have to look for further sources of storage and display! Susan, I love you and all your posts, and I certainly don't mean to blame you, but WHAT have you DONE to me?!!

Blogland parties have been a great deal of fun too! I had one myself, if you remember.. my Potter Palooza!... Hmm, when's the next HP movie coming out in theatres? In November?... Well, anyways, the best parties of the year that I can remember, were the Rooster Party, hosted by Barb at Bella Vista, and Sue's Birthday Party at Collect In Texas Gal! My gosh, do these girls know how to throw a party!!

It's been fun sharing something as simple as a color together too! Oh the joy that I can find, posting anything about PINK with Beverly, BLUE with Sally, or most recently RED with Sue!

I can't forget to thank those who have helped me with the appearance of my blog. Yes, it is still apparent that by my own choice, and fears of the unknown I suppose, that I have not yet found the nerve to try the many beautiful bloggy backgrounds on for size here! I have this same solid pink background that I started with on my very first post, and clearly I feel very safe and secure with it!! Ha! Ha!.. There are so many beautiful colors, designs and styles out there, and I just have to find the time to stick my toe in the water to TRY it! However, if there is anyone I would go to FIRST, to help me improve any look, feature, or function on my blog, it would be Susie, at 1st Floor Flat! She is a wonderful friend, and an absolute blessing to a good many of us here in Blogland!

Now for the cutest pictures and graphics I think you can find ANYWHERE, all you have to do is head to Olde Dame Penniwig's!... soon to be newly posting as "BannerHaus". I am so grateful for her generosity and talent, as my blog would never look or feel the way I like it, without her too! So, in closing, there are so many more friends I could not possibly fit into ONE post, but you have no idea how much I love and appreciate all of you! The friends I've met are truly blessings to me, and I look forward to my second year ahead!

"With a friend at hand you will see the light
If your friends are there then everything's all right."

I am planning a giveaway.. Just a little something, a gift basket of goodies to celebrate, but I am still putting it together! I want my gift basket to consist of a small hodge-podge of items that reflect the posts and the memories of this past year, and then some of what I'm posting presently. Today, I'll give you just a little sneak peak of two small items that will be included in my gift basket, in observance of today's tea party.. A miniature porcelain tea set.. just a small item found from the toy's section at my local dollar store, but I love sets like these! I like to scatter them around my own house, to display with my collectible dolls, or other sets of miniature items. I have also used them in shadow box types of crafts as well! However, if you should not find a purpose for them, then perhaps you know a little girl who might! Anyways, along with this little tea set, I hope you will enjoy a Celestial Fruit Tea Sampler! Throughout the rest of this week, I will drop hints at other items that can be found in my little Blogaversary gift basket!.. Then I will officially post on Pink Saturday, how to enter for the drawing! Fair enough? Good? What do you think?!


Well, if you've made it this far, to the bottom of my post today, then thank you so much for stopping by! I hope that you enjoyed my first tea party, and the walk down Memory Lane today! I sincerely thank all the wonderful friends I've met! Never have I seen some of the love, compassion, friendship and generosity that I have seen here in Blogland! Again, it is a blessing to know you!

((Hugs))

Some Superbowl Blues

Sigh.. Yes, here it is Monday.. Blue Monday, infact, graciously hosted by Smiling Sally each and every week! But I'm afraid I have no blue treasures to share today. Instead of displaying my blues, I'm FEELING the blues!

You see, last night was the big game.. The Superbowl! Two wonderful teams were playing each other, and of course, one team had to lose in the end. I was just really hoping it wasn't my team, the blue team.


Yes, I had my hopes up, and all the snacks and beverages ready and set up for the occasion.. some in the dining room, and some in the kitchen! The blues were feeling and looking pretty good, as the game was just about to begin!


See the football cake, I made? Why, I even made blue jello, in all my team spirit!.. not that anybody touched it.. I guess maybe I'll have some with my lunch today!


However, while the Indianapolis Colts started out well in the first half, the New Orleans Saints pulled ahead in the second half, and won the game 31-17.

Why I can't even drown my sorrows with shopping! The salt was just getting rubbed into my wounds even MORE, when this morning I find one of my shopping channels has Superbowl Champs merchandise on the air, all in black and gold, with little Fleur-de-Lis emblems all over them!

Yes, I think I'm feeling a little in the mood for some blues music, but I don't want my visitors feeling blue TOO! So here's a little compromise I came across, since I'm feeling a bit of a cry baby today!



Now see? Did that make YOU smile?! It certainly made ME smile! Even the mother was BLUE! In fact, I'll bet this song will take my mind off the game, and be stuck in my head ALL DAY today!.. Ya think?! Oh dear. Of course, I guess I should extend my apologies ahead of time, if you should find it has the same effect on you!

Moving on, today is Day 8 of The Fourteen Days of Love, hosted by Liz at Brambleberry Cottage! Today's theme is "Must Love Pets"!

So here are our three! These photos were taken last Easter!

Many of you may remember Ubu, our cocker spaniel! He is six years old. Only a snack could have possibly held him so still and so nicely for THIS photo!


Next, you see the Queen Bee of the three, Little Miss Skyler! She is seven years old now. She is a nice cat in general, and absolutely beautiful!.. But she is a somewhat nervous sort. A group photo of the three pets all together is quite out of the question, as far as she's concerned. She definitely likes her space from the other two, who are like brothers!


And this is the newest member to our family, Tuffy! This big boy is two years old now.


Yes, this is our little crew of furbabies here! I hope you enjoyed your visit here today.. I would never want YOU leaving here, feeling blue! In all my desire to be a good sport, I do want to congratulate the New Orleans Saints and all the fans today! Thanks to everybody so much for stopping by, and I hope you will pay a visit with both Sally and Liz today, to see the fun that's happening on this fine Monday all over Blogland!

((Hugs))

Seven, Simple, and Sing!

Today is Day Seven of The Fourteen Days of Love, and the theme is "Kid Central: Crafts, Projects, and Games".


For a group of kids I am responsible for periodically, at our church, I knew I wanted the kids to make something along the lines of little mailboxes or baskets... But it gets tricky with my group, as I have kids of ALL ages that can range from newborn on up to 4 and 5. Upon my own discretion, I can choose to allow older kids to join us or not. Anyways, I wanted them each to have something of this sort, so as to carry home whatever goodies they receive from myself and other kids NEXT week, for Valentine's Day! I made the decision to go with THIS project, "Valentine Card Holder #2", using paper plates.

Each basket requires 2 and 1/2 plates, then I brought in stickers, glue, crayons, glitter, bows, etc. so that the kids could decorate their baskets any way they wanted. I thought it best not to show their photos. Believe me, there was never time to even ask the parents for permission to anyways! There was a fair mess to clean up, but I did not mind it one bit. The kids had fun with this, and from what I could tell, the stickers were the most popular items on the craft table! The kids LOVED them! However, some kids' attention spans were shorter than others', so I was grateful for some extra help I had today with putting the last touches on and finishing the baskets up, ready for next week's festivities! I plan to set up apple juice and various other goodies!

Now there was another website I liked for MANY more paper plate crafts for kids! If you are interested, you can find those HERE! Oh my goodness.. I think just about every holiday and occasion is covered on this website! LOTS of cute, but simple ideas for even the youngest of kids!!

The next item on my posted agenda for today, is something I heard first about from over at Hootin' Anni's. She passed this information onto her readers, so I am passing it on to YOU! Head over to Enchanted Oak, where Chris says the following: "For each person who participates, with a list, a poem, or a prose piece about the joy of simple things, my family will donate $2.00 to Heartline Ministries for their medical clinic and other programs in Haiti." For further info and specifics, again, go to Enchanted Oak if you think you would like to participate!

So here is my list of simple pleasures:

1. Any time my kids and I are together.

2. I love to see the smile on a child's face.. Actually, I love to see everyone smile!

3. I love a hot cup of coffee.

4. Anything chocolate.

5. The smell of an orange, when I peel one.

6. Baking breads, cakes, and cookies!

7. When a friend calls or visits, just to say "Hi".

8. A warm sunny day!

9. Walking the dog around the block, or feeding the birds.

10. I love to curl up in one of my afghans, to watch a movie or read a book, with my hooks and yarns close by!

Finally, I thought I would do another one of my own Singalong Sunday posts. I do not choose to do these necessarily EVERY week, but I just heard this song for the first time this past week, and it absolutely moved me to tears. As I adjust to my new home, those of you who know me best will understand what I might have felt hearing this. From a spiritual view, this is a beautiful song that reminds me not to sweat the little things.. It's all temporary!.. Just window and doors till God calls us Home someday! Later I heard my daughter heard this, and she LOVED it, so I hope you like it too!



Thank you for stopping by today! I've got to get ready for the game tonight, so hope you all are enjoying the rest of your weekend..

To the football fans, have fun watching the big game!

Day Six of Fourteen!

Today is Day 6 of The Fourteen Days of Love, hosted by Liz at Brambleberry Cottage! Today's theme is "Oh, you're so crafty!"


I am so very busy this weekend, but wanted to participate and contribute, so I came up with this quick craft to share with you today. I hope you like it!

It's a Tea Bag Doll!

(Many thanks to Melani for this edited photo!)

You can find the directions to make her HERE (scroll down a bit), but the one thing I did differently was that I used craft foam for the face, instead of muslin. For size, I traced around a quarter.

These are really very nice to add with teacher's gifts, or to tuck into a Valentine card! It's so lightweight, it certainly won't add much to the postage! It might make for a cute party favor idea too! As for me??... I glue a magnet to the back for my refrigerator!.. Of course I put my magnets up high enough, because if I don't, then my cat likes to bat them around! So, tell me... Do your pets get into them too?

Now would you like sugar with your tea? Cookies maybe?

Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me today! Be sure to visit with Liz and the other participants for more Valentine crafty fun!

Are You Wearing Red?

Today is National Wear Red Day. Are you wearing your red today?

Certainly, we can all find SOMETHING red today.. Yes?

Maybe a cute little red dress, like this one?

How about a red hat? I do LOVE a pretty hat like this!

Even a little red necklace would be nice, don't you think?

Perhaps some red high heels?

Or maybe you're just a jeans-n-sneakers kinda girl! That's fine too!

Well, while it may be fun playing dress-up like this, in reality, we all need to support the movement to spread the word that heart disease doesn't really CARE what you wear at all! It is important we all know the facts!

For instance, did you know heart disease is the number one killer of women?

Did you know most women begin developing heart disease at a very young age? An average of one in every five teens has high cholesterol already!

One in every 3 women die of some form of heart disease.

Nearly 2/3 of the women who die suddenly of a heart attack had no prior symptoms.

The more you learn, the scarier it can be, but we can do more to beat the statistics! You can greatly lower your risk simply by living a healthier lifestyle. Eat properly. Exercise. Quit smoking! A doctor may prescribe medication, if necessary. There's even a quiz you can take HERE to find out more information that could perhaps further help you individually.

Well, I just wanted to share this today, because I have made so many wonderful acquaintances and good friends here in Blogland, and I care about my friends! So I just want us all to take good care of ourselves so that we can STAY friends!.. O.K.??

That Betty Boop is a real doll, isn't she? Ya gotta love her!

Here's one of my own dolls, I thought I'd share today! She's one of my favorites! See the red hearts valentine garland I've been working on too? You can find the pattern for these hearts right HERE.

Yes, Marilyn's all dolled up in her finest red for today! I hope you are too!

By the way, this is Day 5 of Brambleberry Cottage's Valentine's Party! Be sure to visit Liz, and all the participants there!


Today's theme is "Seeing Red"!!.. Well, of all things! I'm glad I could play along today! For the little bit of "FYI", and for the fun of dressing up in your favorite reds, I hope you enjoyed your visit here!

((Hugs))

My First Rednesday!

Moving on to some red WITH my blues, I thought I would participate in some Rednesday fun! This weekly event is hosted by Sue, at It's A Very Cherry World!


Just a couple of days ago, I was shopping in a local DG store, just to pick up a couple of things, when I saw a set of dishes that stopped me dead in my tracks! There they were, set up and displayed on the end cap of an aisle, calling to me of course! They were PERFECT! Blue gingham around the edge of each dinner plate, with just a touch of red, and the ROOSTER, himself, at the center! These dishes had MY name all over them! Oh,they were made just for ME! All thoughts of anything else escaped me, and as quick as I could, my arms full with as many plates I thought I could carry home, off I was running to the check out counter! I bought eight dinner plates, a salt and pepper set, and a matching kitchen towel!.. Well.. plus the few necessities I managed to remember!


The sales girl told me there were more pieces to be set out, but she just hasn't "gotten to it yet". There I am, wildly thinking, but biting my tongue, "Well, PLEASE get TO IT!" But... she is very nice, and is most always helpful, so fine... I'll be patient. I just feel a little like a kid, bursting at the seams, in excitement here! So, in my next trip, if she has "gotten to it", I hope to get matching bowls and matching dessert plates!!

Here I have them displayed, for the moment anyway, as so, in my kitchen hutch. At the center, I have a couple of teddy bears, some candles, and some candy set up, in the spirit of Valentine's Day!

Boy, no matter what camera you may be using, photos will always tell you like it IS! I think these photos are telling me to pick up some Old English! This hutch has always meant a great deal to me. I refused to leave it behind during the "big bad move", so I do want it to look it's best.

By the way.. I forgot to mention.. After running out of the store with my new found treasures, I realized I never got the paper towels I went in there for in the FIRST place! (Sigh..) Back in I went, to get them. Done... NOW I could go home to play with my new dishes!

Please do help yourself to a piece of candy, if you like!

Here is a doll, that used to belong to the mother of my best friend! She loved dolls, red apples and red gingham in her kitchen, when she was still with us. So now that this little dolly lives here, she makes me smile, and holds fond memories for me! I'm so glad I have her to grace my own little country kitchen now, and will always take good care of her!


Finally, here is my favorite red bag, which I like to tote around every Valentine's Day! I love a big bag to carry ALL my "stuff"!.. Very important stuff, of course! Here, on the front of the bag, you see Alice and the Queen of Hearts shown playing their game of croquet!


Here's a little something I'm sure you have seen before, but I just had to include it because I LOVE it!



I am curiouser, and curiouser to see the new version of Alice In Wonderland, with Johnny Depp!! I've just seen the first commercial for it, and I really want to see it, soon as I can! How about you?

Well, I hope you enjoyed your visit here today! Be sure to visit Sue, and check out her giveaway!!.. Then see the rest of the Rednesday participants! If you have some RED you'd like to share, then be sure to join in!

Got your Pad -n- Pen?

I made a little something for my kitchen, as I watched the Pro Bowl last night on t.v.! Again, I wanted a project that was simple enough to keep my hands busy, but not complicated to draw my attention away from the game. As I still putter around my new kitchen, organizing and decorating, not quite 100% satisfied with the set up so far, I found a small project that I've been wanting to try for quite a while now. Then, as I thought how this might be cute for one particular area, I thought maybe this would be cute for a Blue Monday post, hosted by Smiling Sally! I found the pattern for this pen and pad holder, written and designed by Diana L. Owen, at FreePatterns.com.

Here's the one I did, in BLUE!

Thanks to Melani, at Oh Where Does The Time Go?, for editing! What a great help she's been to me, and in making my posts look their best!

For anyone who loves to crochet granny squares, this was a quick and easy project to do. I think it would be great to whip up a few more, at least, to have on hand for quick last-minute gifts, or better yet, to have done ahead for Christmas! I don't think it took even a half skein of yarn for the main color, and the amount needed for the trim was minimal; so this makes a nice way to use up some scrap yarns that might be accumulating!

Now, if you look closely enough, can you see my blue Cookie Monster pen, just peeking out of the pocket?

Well, here it is hanging on the wall, with my phone numbers near by, to the left of it. I made this also, using an old wooden shutter, painting it blue, added some stenciling and some file folder labels for the phone numbers! The last detail in making one of these is just to add a curtain tie-back tack (which needs to be replaced with a newer, whiter one!) for the little knob which opens it, thus revealing MORE phone numbers! How's THAT for a quick craft tutorial?!! It is as easy as that, and I love the nice compliments I've gotten about it so far!

Well, now THIS picture came out better! I don't know why, but frankly, this camera is going to get kicked to the curb very soon, I'm so tired of trying to figure it out!.. (Oops! Count my blessings!.. Just smile, and count my blessings! Right?!)


My lack of time to edit each phone number out of the photo prohibits me from showing you this when it's fully opened, but all I can say is that it has been both a cute AND helpful element in my kitchen! I think this little arrangement looks much better than the old and yellowing plastic pen holder I had hanging up there, but I'm thinking maybe the little teddy bear has to go (Awww, or just get moved at least!).. I think a new rooster would look much cuter there, or maybe a small wreath of some kind! I'll have to see what I can find or make!

Yes, little by little, this room is coming along! I'm sure I'll be showing more of it to you in time. I may live in the city, but it's nice to pretend I can escape to my little blue country kitchen, with my collections of cows and roosters, and where I can bake and can all my own homemade goodies. All I need now is some Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, or Rascal Flatts playing in the background, and I'm in Heaven! That's right.. I'm just keeping out of T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

Well, before I end my post today, did you know that it is Clark Gables birthday today?!.. Born February 1st, 1901. Here's a BLUE picture of him, from my favorite movie, Gone With The Wind!.. What a man!


I hope you enjoyed your visit with me today! It's a blustery cold day out there, so I think conditions are just perfect for cooking and baking! Let's turn up some BLUE music, before I get things started!.. How about some Mercury Blues, by Alan Jackson! I think HE looks good in blue, don't you?!



Perfect! I'm ready to pull out my mixing bowls, and all my ingredients, and fire up the oven for some home baked goodies! Maybe some blueberry muffins? I found a recipe, here, that sounds good!


Thank you for stopping by today! Be sure to visit Sally and all the other participants for Blue Monday!