Cairo TeaCup ~ TeaTime Tuesday

This teacup was one offered to me by my husband's sisters as we cleaned up their parent's home for the new residents. I had never noticed this teacup before but was immediately smitten.I even made myself some tea to sip from her ( for I think of this cup as "her") when I took a break.

Moths. Have you ever seen moths on a teacup before?

This teacup is feminine in all the right ways, but not too feminine.

By the term "not too feminine" I think I mean the teacup embraces nature and all I love about the world God created without being fussy. The design has moths, big and gawky Asiatic birds,

and beetles !I have never seen beetles on any other china pattern.Most certainly NOT too feminine.Right up my alley though, as I spent a great part of my childhood looking for and capturing insects, lizards, turtles, frogs, salamanders,and keeping pets that make many of my friends scream and run the other way...quickly. I still help my grandchildren find frogs around Cedar Pond, and am a great admirer of dragonflies. Any teacups celebrating dragonflies?

The design is Cairo by Coalport.I have been trying to research this pattern and see it comes in not only this color, but blue, green, and gold..maybe more.I could not find any history on the design or why it is called Cairo.

Look at the treat my husband brought home for me.A chocolate covered strawberry. A pot of green tea, and an early Valentine treat for me!

Oh, I really do love this teacup!

Thank-you for joining me for today's celebration of teacups and all things tea.I am linking up with the ladies listed below for Tea Time Tuesday, and they are lovely hostesses.Please click onto their names and enjoy the teacups, table-settings,recipes and ruminations on tea time from all over the world.  ~

Terri at Artful Affirmations *

Martha at Marthas Favorites *

Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage * 
Antiques & Teacups *
Bernideen's Tea time Blog * 

Mind Your Mouth, Be Kind

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear....let bitterness & wrath & clamor & slander be put away from you along with malice.

And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other as God in Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:29,31, 32

Pictures taken around our pond, by me.

Sister's Birthday Luncheon ~ Rosebud Chintz

January, the month two of my three younger sisters celebrate their birthdays.My three younger sisters and I gather every year to celebrate our birthdays.This year I had the privilege of hosting the birthday luncheon in my home.I chose to use the Spode china I had just been given from my Aunt Ruby and cousin Christine. This birthday luncheon was truly a family affair.

My three younger sisters pose for me as I capture their images for yet another birthday celebration.

I arranged fresh flowers in the Spode gravy boat. The goblets are special, all 4 of us have these goblets and we bring them to all our birthday luncheons.

I deviled some eggs laid especially for me by my flock of chickens, and also bought some blue cheese stuffed olives. The bowl is almost empty though because I cannot resist them. A pound of these olives had dwindled dramatically by the time I actually put them out to share with my sisters.

Grapes, French bread generously slathered in butter & herbs...

...and my home made clam chowder. Clam chowder made WITHOUT potatoes ! I hate potatoes. I did cook up some diced potatoes to add to the chowder two of my sisters ate, but my youngest sister & I do not like potatoes. This chowder is chock full of bacon, mushrooms, clams, sour cream, butter. Not a diet lunch for sure, but this is the very best clam chowder I have ever eaten, and I think I could have easily eaten the whole super big crock pot of this all by myself if given the chance. But, I shared, because after all, it was not my birthday.

The birthday girls, my two youngest sisters.Of course they had their birthday crowns on, and they were having too much fun, but on your birthday fun is the name of the game. Fun and cake !

My teacup / coffee cup for this TeaTime Tuesday is my Rosebud Chintz, by Spode.

I am linking to the gracious tea ladies listed below. Please check out their blogs and enjoy the many variations of tea times from all over the world. Don't forget to have a cup of tea to sip while enjoying your vicarious travels.Maybe you too will decide to share your teacups and tea times.You need not go online to share your hospitality, simply share a cup of tea with a friend or family member, and remember you're all the more blessed for this time.

Check out these Tea-Time Tuesday blogs:

1. Terri at Artful Affirmations *
2. Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage *
3.  Martha's Favorites *   
4. Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor *
5. Antiques & Teacups *

Almost Finished ~ To What End ?

Since last November our family has lost 2 beloved parents/grandparents.There has been a lot going on with family gatherings, and as most of you know, daily life still requires the dishes get done, the house is somewhat in order and clean, bills need to be paid.Since I do have a flock of sheep providing me wool with which I make items to sell to buy hay for the sheep, I am always finding myself going from project to project. I have quite a few Wee Little Sheep almost finished.

 

I have a lot of yarn being spun up, waiting to be dyed, and much more wool I am excited to begin spinning. The yarn is almost finished.

I have also set aside quite a few wool felted balls I made from the fleeces of my sheep to embellish with needle-felted designs, such as these ...

...and these. The bright flowers make me smile.The wool felted balls are almost finished. Two lockerhooked rugs are almost finished.

Of course, all my wool projects depend on wool from my flock of Jacob sheep, and several of my ewes are due to lamb anytime from now until mid-April. New lambs almost ready to be born.( this is a picture of a pair of my lambs born in 2011).

Tea time in Blog-Land is a delight for me too. I love Tea Time Tuesdays with all the tea blog parties,and love to participate in them.Lately I have been hit & miss with so many aspects of life I take delight in. That seems to happen when families come together during the extended illness or death of family members.All of a sudden, the routine and taken for granted aspects of our days are changed because more important things require our time and attention. Now though, there is a bit of respite. Time to again clean the house more thoroughly. Time to clean the animal pens and  plan this years' gardens.Time to work on projects needed to maintain order, earn money, or keep up a home . Time to sit with loved ones and simply enjoy being together, because we can. Time to take tea with maybe a cookie or two ( or three?).Time to reflect on life, it's joys, sorrows, blessings, and how fleeting it is.Each of us can truly say our lives are almost finished,even if we have another few decades.If I remember to live my life knowing I could die today, maybe I will be more careful knowing should I die today, any memories of myself I leave my family will reflect the values I exhibited in my day to day life. Will my almost finished projects and doings be all I leave behind, or memories of leaving the busy-ness of this life when it mattered to tend to more important things? Oh that I would be able to say "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24

Jacob Sheep Emboidered ~ Thank-you Kathleen !

 I received this beautiful piece of embroidery in the mail this past week from Kathleen.* It made me cry because of her thoughtfulness, and because the embroidered verse is the cornerstone of my faith.."the Lord is my shepherd." Psalm 23.

This embroidery also arrived just before we buried our beloved father, grandfather, & great-grandfather. He is also our brother in Christ and we know we'll be reunited with him in heaven because of the promise given by Jesus Christ the Son of God in John 3:16. "For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Faithful Husband,Godly Father,Beloved Grandfather

The burial service of my father-in-law was simple. He was buried next to his wife in Tahoma National Cemetery, a veteran's cemetery. His burial was serviced with military honors by the U.S. Navy, and the Patriot Guard.

Seven grandsons were pall-bearers.

These three of the grandsons were/are U.S. Marines ( no such thing as an ex-Marine I am told), one still in active duty. The oldest family Marine is shown in the background, taking a picture, his son is one of the Marines, our oldest son is too.

Another grandson was the pastor officiating at the burial.

The flag is properly folded,

 Taps is played, making me cry.The sound of Taps seems so final.

 The flag is presented to the oldest son of David Bjorn Burnson.

 Seven grandsons then escort the casket of my husband's father to the vehicle that will carry it to his final earthly resting place.

 Patriot Guard motorcycles,

 Patriot Guard mission.( Thank-you Steve & fellow guards.)

A daughter & granddaughter of my husband's father at graveside,

as we watched the grave dug and the casket buried.

Just some of the family standing graveside.

Our oldest son looks back at the final resting place of his grandfather's remains. This son is named after his two grandfathers who served in the U.S. military in war ; one in the Navy, the other in the Army. This son served as a U.S. Marine in 2 tours of duty in Iraq .

David Bjorn Burnson ~ Faithful Husband, Godly Father, Beloved Grandfather. February 12, 1927 ~ January 16, 2013.

My father-in-law's favorite Bible verse was John 3:16. This verse contains the promise, assurance, and hope for eternal life for all who "believeth in Him".

Saying "Good-bye" ...For Now

My husband's father died this past week. Here he is pictured hugging our youngest grandchild after the burial service of my husband's mother just this past November. My husband's father  knew even then he was dying. ( His name is David,I always called him "Dad".)

This is a hard time for his family because although we know David is in Heaven, he is already greatly missed. He was a man who had a solid faith in Jesus and unwavering love of not only Jesus, but his family. He welcomed me into this family when I married his oldest son and made it clear I was then a beloved daughter. I never doubted his words and he showed me over the years his words were worthy of trust, and true.

My husband's father was the one who cried at weddings, cried at the birth of grandchildren, cried at the sorrows his family suffered, cried at the joys in their lives. He made great effort to be at all the grandchildren's sporting events, my children's fair competitions, and he rejoiced in the accomplishments of his many great-grandchildren.He prayed for any & all of his family during any tribulations.

My husband's father was born at home in Tacoma in 1927, and in the same neighborhood he had a home built ( by his brother) for his family ~ a wife and 6 children. In this very home he and my husband's mother raised their six children , celebrated and enjoyed life, and died ( she died November 2012), lovingly attended by their 6 children. Their 4 daughters (my husband's sisters) were the primary care-givers.What a blessing, to be able to die in your own home, cared lovingly by the children you raised.

I do not have adequate words to express my love for my father-in-law. I already miss him terribly.He was a humble man who gave all credit for his children being godly to God. As I sat by his bed while he was dying he spoke non-stop about Jesus. He said John 3:16 was his favorite verse. He held my hand, and he seemed more concerned about his family than himself.What an example of all that is good and right because of Jesus. 

"Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons ( and daughters) is their fathers." Proverbs 17:6 ~My father-in-law, the father of my husband, the grandfather of my children, the great-grandfather of my grandchildren exemplified this.God is so good to us, praise Him !