Dec 30, 2010

BRACE YOURSELF, THIS ONE IS LONG! GIVEAWAY TOO!



Hello Dear Friends: January 1st, marks the beginning of my third year blogging. I am writing this first post of the New Year to talk a little bit about my journey in blogging. I would also like to take some time to answer some frequently asked questions, questions that have confused even the greatest minds! Questions like, "Where do you put all this stuff?" Where do you get this stuff? Do you use all this stuff? How many tea cups do you have? Are you a Hoarder? (I ask myself this all the time.) Is Noah allow to touch anything? You ladies do ask a lot of profound questions. I love it. So, I am about to give you some answers. You may be surprised, so brace yourself!




Let's start with the first question. Why on earth do you blog? I can't tell you how many people have asked me this,(well, maybe one or two) especially my family. I recently told my first daughter the number of people who actively follow my blog and you know what she said? Well, I will tell you. "Mom, you are not that interesting!" She is my encourager! Bless her heart, Lord! She lifts me up when I am down! Monique is the one who says, "Mom, if something happens to you, everything is going to be sold in a yard sale, so price it!" Monique taught me that pretty things, are just that, pretty things. Her bluntness has always served me well.



I have journaled all my life. Always in private, usually about things that were painful, things I did not want to forget, and repeat my mistake, so I journaled. Two years ago, January 1st, 2009. I started my blog. I had been a "blogger peeping tom" for a while. I blogged (Is that a word?) of a great sadness in my life and it helped. I was bluntly honest with myself (important). No one was reading my blog anyway, so who cared? After several months, a dear friend Nancy, began to read my blog. She did not know how to post a comment, so it still was like no one was there. Slowly joy came, so did followers. People who loved me for just me. Not what I could do for them. Ladies who visit, just because! Weird huh? Today, my reason for blogging has not changed. The only difference now is, I am not sad. When I count my blessings, I count you as part of them. Sometimes my life feels like a fairy tale. Like a story, with a happy ending. Who would have thought?



Now on to the important questions. "Where do you get all this stuff? Where do you keep it?" Being a passionate lover of beautiful things and poor, I had a big problem. My answer, estate sales and yard sales. Today, I can say that everything in my home was either purchased at an estate sale or yard sales except mattress and appliances. I only discovered thrift stores about 9 years ago. (I know what is wrong with me?) I was so excited, I thought I was going to get hives, from joy!



Yes, I use everything, I love to eat on beautiful plates, nothing is sacred. If it breaks, it broke! "People are more important than things. Things are just that, things. Hearts are more important." Yes, Noah can play with anything in my home. I have taught him to respect things and not play ruff with china cups. Noah has learned well. He has only broke one item in his long two years, 9 months of life.



Now for the big question! "Are you a hoarder, Martha?" (I ask myself, this all the time.) Well here is what I think about that question . . .I don't know. I do sell as much as I own. However, that money always goes to a new collection. I store things by months. They are stored in the basement. Each bin is marked with the month's name so I know what comes up stairs. I always forget what I have stored, so everything feels new, quite exciting. I make a point to buy one new thing each month. I think each month deserves a gift! After all, the month has come to visit me again!




As for as how many tea cups I have? Who really knows? I do know that I can serve a high tea for about 100 ladies without breaking a sweat. I would begin to get a little rash after that. That would include, the sterling, dessert plates, tea pots, and all the cute little things you need to make a lady feel special.



I hope this helps explain a little more about me. Noah's mother, Vanessa, will want to keep everything of my, just because it was mine. She is my sentimental daughter. Two very different daughters, each has taught me a lot about love. My son, Kyle, well, he is a bull in a china factory! Remember I said Noah had only broke one item? My son, Kyle on the other hand is in a league of his own.



I want to end or begin, with a giveaway to mark this very important day! I hope you like this tea cup and bling I picked! I love the little feet on the cup! Please enter as often as you want. You get extra credit for putting my button on your blog and of course for following! Just let me know what you are doing. The giveaway will end at the end of the month!



I want to thank you for your faithfulness. Praying God will bless us this New Year, with His Presence, His Joy, Health, and Prosperity! Praying God will surround you with people that love you, just because of you! Hugs, Martha

Dec 27, 2010

LAST TEA CUP TUESDAY OF 2010!


Hello Tea Cup Lovers! Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday No. 42! Can you believe this year is about to end? It seems like it just started. Time to think about storing away your beautiful Christmas decorations. Do you put yours away early or do you wait until after the 1st? I have already begun to put my Christmas away for next year. It will take me all week. I like to start January 1st, ready for the year. January marks the beginning of my 3rd year of blogging. Wow! The places I have been to and the people I have met thanks to blogging. It really has changed my life. I will have a giveaway to mark the occasion (next week)!





So, are you worn out from Christmas? This woman was a "party animal"! Today, was the first day that was not filled with things to do. I did get a surprise visit from a dear friend, which is always nice. I do want to show you these Christmas mugs, close up, before I put them away for another year. The mugs are made by Waterford. Can you see the detail on the birds, the feet are hand painted onto the handle. I told you I was on a handle kick.



Want to know something funny? I am learning to dance, (to Lady Gaga no less). Don't laugh, son Kyle has this new thing on his TV, computer, I don't what it is on, to tell you the truth, but I am learning to dance for exercise. It is so much fun. The whole family has been doing it, including Noah. I laughed so hard, my face hurt! OK, back to the tea cups. This next one I may have already shown you, but I love what it says on the cup. "Forget Me Not", a good saying for this time of the year.




The next tea cup is a hand painted, angel cup with a square cup and saucer. Even the spoon has been hand painted, so lovely. The pin is also handmade with vintage buttons and lace. The beautiful Tea pot at the top of the post was a gift from my sister, Nora. I just love it. I really "needed" a new tea pot. It is my favorite. Before I close, I have to tell you the Grandchildren gave me a puppy for Christmas. The dog is a black Cockier. Noah, named it Red and Maya named it Blackie. So, to make the everyone happy. His name is "Red-Blackie". Merry Christmas Martha!



Well I know I have had a lot to say, so I will stop. Here is Mr. Linky for the party. I can't wait to read all about your cups and your Christmas. Please, make sure. if you link up to this post, that your post is on tea cups or tea pots and not your "store". Thanks, love you lots, Martha

Dec 20, 2010

TEA CUP TUESDAY NO. 41! MERRY CHRISTMAS!


Hello my Tea Cup Friends! Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday No. 41! I am hoping to show you as many Christmas Tea Cups as I can before they get all put away for next year. The month of December has been so filled with joy! I am almost sorry that it will all be behind us in a week. I am still not done Christmas shopping and I have to finish a scrapbook. We had our annual Christmas Cookie Baking Party with the entire family this week. My nephew, Tim, introduce his new girl to the family tradition. I do love this part of Christmas, rushing from one place to the next, shopping, family, friends, parties and of course Jesus the reason why we do it all! Please take a minute to listen to this first song and just imagine you were Mary, the Mother of our Savior! Wow!



As you know I have had a few ups and downs lately, but I really think it has to do the diabetes. I am very new to this disease and still need to learn how to keep my sugar in balance. I am suppose to do it with food and exercise only. It is not easy, the parties do not help. I would apprecriate a prayer for me about that, thanks. Now, let's get right to the tea cups! This first one I wasn't sure if it would photograph at all because of the colors. It is part of the Christmas set I am going to use this year. I have two sets of Christmas dishes and this one won. I will show you pictures of the table all set when it get closer. The set is burgundy depression glass and it is etched with flowers at the end. Not sure if you can see it, but it is quite pretty. Not as fancy as some, but I love it.




The second set is a cream and burgundy set that is German by Komgt pr.Tettan. Please take a moment to look at the handles on this cup. I have been on a handle kick lately. Some of the handles on these tea cups are just stunning.




Tea Cup No. 3 is a Palissy Pottery, Staffordshire, England. The pattern is called "View Near Hurley Berks". I hope this year to find a set of this red, transfer ware. I just love the beautiful colors.



I wanted to show you this picture that Noah took of me. When I really try hard, I take awful pictures and this one by Noah was not bad. He also took about 10 pictures of the inside of my trash can. I am not going to think about that too long, thank very much. (Me the trash can, no, I won't go there!)




I am also including a few more Christmas decorations around my home. I want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas. I pray God will richly bless you. I also pray that you will be surrounded by people you love. Remember God is love. Here is Mr. Linky. Please don't forget my dear friend Terri. She always has a treat for you each Tuesday. Here is her address http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/. Before I say good-bye, I would also like to ask for prayer for my dear blogger friend, Patti. God's knows what she needs. Thank you and love to all. Martha



Dec 17, 2010

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!



Hello my Pinkie Friends! Only two more Saturdays left in 2010, can you believe it? Where did our year go? So many things have happened this year, some so beautiful and others, I would like to forget. I guess we can all say the same thing about this year. Beverly has been faithful to host Pink Saturday and has given us the freedom to post our Christmas decorations.




Here are a few pictures you have not seen yet. These pictures are of more vignettes in my living room and dining room. Have I ever told you I love to collect Christmas Carolers by Byers? I have them in various parts of my home.





Another one of my collections are Nutcrackers. Noah thinks they eat fingers. He loves to chase me with a them, so they can eat my fingers. The Elmo Nutcracker is his favorite. I combine them with the village things, I don't know what they are called, but I think they look so cute together. Then of course, there is my collection of Christmas angels. Christmas would not be the same without angels.




I must confess, I am feeling a little overwhelmed, with all I have to do. It does not help that I am not finished with my shopping. Blogging helps me to relax and clear my head. It is like having a cup of tea with my best friend. On Sunday, I have another party to attend. I love a Christmas Party! The one I had this week was so much fun. The gathering of friends and family is always so comforting to me. I have friends that I have had for 30 years. My new blog friends are so special to me. We have never met and still your friendship is as strong as any I have. Sometimes I feel they are so one sided and that I do not deserve to have such a strong bond with many of you. Thank you for caring for me.



I pray that you are getting the things done you must do before the big day! So much to do before Jesus' birthday! Thank you for letting me share my heart this Pink Saturday! Blessings, Martha

Dec 13, 2010

A TEA CUP TUESDAY ALMOST FORGOTTEN!


You are not going to believe this, well maybe you will. I forgot it was Tuesday! What is my problem? How could I forget Tea Cup Tuesday No. 40, no less? Well, my only excuse is "The old gray mare, she ain't what she use to be!" I have been doing too many things lately. One too many parties, and still going. So ladies, this post will be a little different. I am going to make you hunt for the teapots and tea cups.




I do remember I promised to show you some of my kitchen decorations. I will do that too! I want to start with a Christmas Tea cup. The only one I am going to show you today. Not because that is all I have, but because I forgot it was Tuesday remember? The cup is a Duchess and it is call "Winter". It is pictured with two of my other favorite things to collect Christmas pins and shoes. This cup does have a very winter feel to it. I love the colors. Then again, I am a color person, in case you did not guess that already. I just love the saying on this ornament.




These next pictures are of a Lefton Teapot, cream & sugar, and a Coffee canister. I love the red roses on this set. I know there must be cups out there, I have just never found them. Do you have a tea cup to sell me?




See my China cabinets over my counter? That's where I keep my Limoges! My favorite of all dishes, Limoges. If you look real carefully, you will notice two, English, Granny Tea pots on top with some of my Yellow Ware collection. I know I told you I collect Yellow Ware, didn't I?




Did I ever tell you I collect Christmas Trees? Well I do, all types. This one with the angels, (also something I collect) is one I made a few years back. At one time I made things and sold them. Don't you just love this Charlie Brown type tree with the bells?



I think I have been confessing to too many collections this post. I always feel so, so GUILTY. What can I tell you? I am a thrift store junky, I need help, I confess! While I am in the mood to confess, the glass jar, at the top of the post, is filled with vintage glass ornaments, something I also collect. Ok, I am going to stop confessing before I get bad dreams about my collections. (I collect Snowman too, that's it, I am done!)




Without any further delay, here is Mr Linky. Remember, regardless of how crazy you think I am, I still love you! Blessings, Martha

Dec 10, 2010

CHRISTMAS IN THE "PINK"!




Hello my Pinkie Friends! It is time again for another Pink Saturday. I have seen so many of your lovely, decorated homes this week. It has been like looking through my favorite magazine. Your homes are amazing! At my house this week everyone is buzy with finals, gift shopping and yes, the children's Christmas programs. This year was Noah's first preschool program. Do I have to tell you he was the cutest in his whole class? His mother had him dressed in a plaid shirt and tie. His tie was too short, he looked adorable. He is the tallest one in his 2 year old class. I just had to include some pictures. My granddaughter, Maya, and the entire family showed up for his 4 minutes of singing. It took more time to park than the time he was on stage. It was worth every minute.






I am going to show you a few more decorations around the house this week. If you look real close, you will find some pink. The top dish, I recently purchased and I had to show it to you. It has a lady's portrait on the plate, just beautiful. I also have pictures of that pink couples' lamp and the mantle.





I am one of those weird people (What? You all ready knew?) that love the fussing around a Christmas. Every week it is one party after the next. I guess, I am just a Party Animal at heart. Who would have thought? I have a party tonight! Here are a few more Christmas decorations in my living room. I will show you my kitchen on Tea Cup Tuesday.





I know my decorating is "over the top" at Christmas. This is how I feel about it. If you can't be "over the top" for Jesus birthday, then when? I love you all, talk to you Tuesday. Blessings, Martha