Tea for Twelve

My Little Lamb has turned Twelve!  

So what do you do for a sweet girl of twelve years?

{pretty}

Her sister and I thought a Tea Party would be fun...

and so did her friends.

~ phfr ~ Totally Terrific Tea Edition

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

And

Joining the Catholic bloggers Network's 2013 Monthly Link-Up Blitz

This Week I hosted a Mother & Daughter Tea with Mary...

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist came to our home and shared a little about their work and lives as Brides of Christ.  It was a lovely, lovely afternoon.

{pretty}

The tables were all set to a Marian theme...

she definitely can make a table pretty.

{happy}

Little Lamb with Sister Mary Judith

Now, if that isn't a {happy} & joyous smile, I don't know what is!

An unknown dream was to have a harp in my home, it's such an elegant and peaceful musical instrument...my dream came true!

The lovely lady that played this heavenly instrument, had graciously agreed to play at our tea just days before, as I met her at my daughter's Confirmation reception...her niece was also Confirmed.  God is good and generous with his blessings!

{funny}

{funny} how everyone wanted to help...so wonderful!!!  There were lots of helpful young maidens...and even a young gentleman to help with the details and behind the scene prep.

Conductor helped with set up & details

So, what is so {funny} about all this food?  Nothing, but it was sure {fun} to enjoy!  Just sorry I wasn't able to capture every delicious dish in photo form...

{real}

Sr. Mary Judith, O.P

I cannot believe the Sisters were {real}ly here in my home!

Sr. Maria Fatima, O.P

Sr. Mary Samuel Handwerker, O.P and founding member.

 Meet more of the Dominican Sisters, here.

(out of privacy for the young girls, I am limiting the amount of pictures shared here on my blog)

 The Dominican Sisters' visit was fun, happy, and real....

It was exciting, engaging and, OH, so lovely!!!!

Besides the exciting news of the Dominican Sisters making it to the finals on the American Bible Challenge!  The Season finale will air, TONIGHT, Thursday , May 23 at 9/8c!

The Sisters have so many wonderful opportunities & retreats to offer & grow in faith; we will be trying this new one for sure!

Also, some 'Fast Facts' about the Dominican Sisters:

• Founded in 1997 with four Sisters
• Grown to over 115 Sisters
• Average age of the Sisters is 28
• Average age of women who enter is 21
• Sisters presently represent most of the States across America, and Provinces in Canada

www.sistersofmary.org

 

And away they went....

Dear Sisters, we will keep you close in our prayers....

"Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You."

~*~

"Mary, Mother of Jesus, be my mother too."

~*~

"Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine."

~*~

"O, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

~*~

"Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may love You forevermore."

~ prayer taken from Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

www.sistersofmary.org

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

Visit more bloggers at the Catholic Bloggers Link-up Blitz, here.

~ Tea With Mary... ~

We are hosting a Mother/Daughter Tea with the

 Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist...

At the "Hand-Maid With Love" Gardens...

We are looking forward to sharing a lovely afternoon with the Sisters as they share their lives as Brides of Christ, with us!

Highlights to follow...

~ Tea Forte ~

Tea

"Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured leaves of the tea plant. Camellia sinensis.  After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.
It has a cooling, slightly bitter, and astringent flavor that many people enjoy." *

Forte

noun

1.  a person's strong suit, or most highly developed characteristic, talent, or skill; something that one excels in. Synonyms: talent, skill, excellence, strength, strong point, specialty, proficiency; knack, bent.

Tea ~ a Favorite Pastime

 

I LOVE tea...basically everyday around Three O'clock my children and I break from our day and enjoy a cup of tea .

Afternoon Tea at Three for Four

Last year my neighbor brought over a tea that I had never tried before...it was indeed yummy.

When gathering with friends, there is always tea at hand...

So I was very excited to see that my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE STATIONARY shop ~
Sincerely YOURS ~ started carrying this tea...that makes shopping there extra sweet!

If it belongs on paper - or is paper - it's our passion! Now appearing @ Sincerely Yours: Tea forte the most innovative and delicious blends of tea elevate your cup of tea into an extraordinary experience for all of your senses I like to drink a few cups of green or white tea every day- they contain antioxidants and may even boost metabolism- and this tumbler and infuser kit makes brewing my favorite loose-leaf varieties a cinch. - Dr. Oz

Joing Super Sweet Saturday link up at Sweet Boutique

* Tea - Wikipedia

{pretty, happy, funny, real}, ~ The Master Bedroom Challenge Edition ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday, at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

 

{pretty}

 

My Our desk, in our bedroom, is *pretty* darn messy!

 

 

...but it is filled with some *pretty* neat things:

I began the challenge this morning at 7:05AM.

I had 3 bags and one pile to tackle.

Also, one VERY dusty (but pretty) lamp shade, books, pictures, treasure box and the desk itself was in need of a good dust.

 

I sorted through the piles/bags and divided them into 3 (more) piles:

1.  Garbage

2.  Memories

3.  File

 

Underneath my mess belongings, I found more treasures!  A *pretty* spoon that I had brought back from our family trip to Victoria, BC., a key (I still don't know what it opens), and *photos of our family trip to Alaska.  (*dangerous, as it slows me down; as I tend to reminisce)

 

I thinned out the book collection I had on my desk and just kept the following:

+ Thomas A. Kempis - The Imitation of Mary

+ Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letters:  Spe Salvi & Deus Caritas Est

+ Pope Paul VI Encyclical Letter:  Humanae Vitae

Debbie Lillard - Absolutely Organized (A Mom's Guide to a No-Stress Schedule & Clutter-Free Home)

Simon Tang - Kalwaria

and a couple journals & books on Home School & Virtues

 

{happy}

 

Now this makes me HAPPY.  Vintage things - so full of character and wonder.  I love it with all its marks and worn spots...but my favorite is the intricate little clasp.  I was so intrigued by it as a child...

Inside my treasure box, which was given to me by my mother, are pictures of me and my siblings when we were young...HAPPY memories.

 

my sister and me playing dolls - 1960's

Here is a peek inside and a close-up of the label inside the box.  A true trove of treasures.

 

 {funny}

 

Hidden underneath my pile...was this little gem.  FUNNY, it was still in it's original package - sitting and waiting to be put to use.  Now we will use it for our afternoon teas. 

The picture below is of my parents on a double date with another couple and their chaperone - my 6'3" grandfather - in full view!   LOL.  I LOVE IT!!! 

 

My parents are on the left...then my aunt (my mom's sister) and her date (my uncle).  On the right, looking dashingly handsome, is my grandfather.

Everyone seemed to dress so nicely, back then...men in suits and ties, women so proper and modest...

My parents have been married  54 years and my aunt and uncle, 62 years!

 

 

{real}

 

 

 

This is the *now* picture...but honostly, I don't know how long it will stay this way. In our house, horizontal surfaces are magnetically attractive to *stuff*! 

REALly. :o)

 

Thank you, Ladies over at LM,LD ~

For the very fruitful challenge!

 

 

 

 Addendum:  The *challenge* ended at 8:07AM, approximately one hour; including picture taking time and detailed vacuuming...which woke up my sleepyheads so we could start school.  :o)
 

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment!

 

~ Tea at Three ~

For Four...

Tea at 3 for 4

Ever since we started home schooling, we began the tradition of breaking for tea in the afternoon.  Usually about 3 O'clock we sit and enjoy a cup of tea and a simple snack. 

Our energy is revived, and our "stress" released.  Stress that is caused by our everyday foibles...or by allowing the exterior troubles to disrupt our day.

Enjoying tea definitely falls under "a few of my favorite things" category.  And enjoying tea with my children is the BEST of all.  Well, at least right up there!

Little Lamb's pumpkin spice bread (with carrots!) yum-me!!

When I go "home" to visit my parents...I can usually count on being offered a cup of tea;  another favorite thing.  I can sit and relax and enjoy the good company of my mom & dad.

I hope to give that same gift to my children...

Fresh from the garden...

~ Before & After ~

Now that the weather is starting to change, baking is on my mind...
"Hand-maid" bread is just the thing for today's Traditional 3:00PM Tea.

BEFORE

2 lbs of Cinnamon Raisin Bread -
It looks a little sunken in the middle...but the taste wasn't effected. at. all. :o)

It's still yummy warm...

Yep.  I used my bread machine.  Add all ingredients to bread pan...and savorier!



AFTER

 

Served with Tea and Honey

 

CINNAMON RAISIN BREAD

1-1/8 cup warm water
1 egg
1-1/2 Tbl. butter or vegetable oil
3-1/2 cups all purpose flour (I used white whole wheat)
1/4 cup dry milk
3 Tbl. sugar (can sub with honey or agave)
1/2 cup raisins
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. dry yeast