My Box of Goodness From The 12th Teacup & Mug Exchange

I recently participated in the 12th Tea Cup andMug Exchange hosted by Stephanie @ The Enchanting Rose. It is always a pleasure to make new friends and through this exchange I have met some lovely ladies in years past that I am blessed to call ‘friend’.

I was delighted to receive these gifts from Jody! My box full of goodness came with a beautiful mug in my favorite color and it has Scripture on it too! 

Jody sent me a box of my favorite Plantation Mint tea and hot cocoa, along with the most awesome tasting Pretzel! Seriously, this pretzel was over-the-top good and it was made locally where Jody lives. Also, she took time to peruse my blog and saw that my husband and I had visited her town (Lititz PA) a few years ago and enjoyed a visit to Wilbur Chocolates so she graciously included a bag of scrumptious chocolate drops and a couple of chocolate coins. Mind you, I didn’t see both coins other than when I took them out of the box. One was absconded by my 21 year old ;)

This jar filled with delicious Lemon Curd is going to be perfect on scones!

Along with all of these tantalizing treats is a tote bag (boy, can I use this bag for books!), and a package of pretty napkins that I have already put to use. Just not in the ordinary way.

I have wanted to decoupage this little plant stand with a decorative paper napkin ever since I saw a lady do this on YouTube. When I opened my package and saw the napkins, I knew one of them would be perfect for this project! I had fun doing it and I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Thank you, Jody, for your sweet gifts that were so thoughtfully chosen! The card couldn't have been more perfect with the Violas in a teacup. :) I look forward to getting to know you better.

It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters. ~ Unknown

 I sent a package to Allison and had a great time filling it with things that I thought she would enjoy. Allison wrote me a lovely email and sent me the most amazingly gorgeous handmade card! 

Last but not least, I want to say Thank you, Dearest Stephanie, for your friendship and love to all of us!!! You rock, girlfriend! May God bless you!!!

If you made it this far reading, yay!!! Now tell me what your favorite tea or beverage is to relax with whilst delving into a good book or during your personal devotional time.

You know what mine is...Plantation Mint Tea or Regular Coffee. :-)

Tea Cup and Mug Reveal

As many of you know, I participate at least once a year in the Tea Cup and Mug Exchange over at The Enchanting Rose. Stephanie has created such a fun exchange that this year a total of 167 ladies participated!!! It's not just about exchanging a tea cup or a mug. It's about friendship!

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. Thomas Aquinas
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html

A friend is what the heart needs all the time. Henry Van Dyke
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.ht

“Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves  

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. Thomas Aquinas
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. Thomas Aquinas
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. Thomas Aquinas
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood. Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood. Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood. Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html

The sweet lady who sent me a Mug package is Marilyn @ Mountain Top Spice.

 I was quite surprised by all the lovelies that Marilyn gifted me!

 A handmade journal brought tears to my eyes. I love journaling! And the book is a precious devotional that I could have enjoyed while munching on that yummy granola bar, but the bar was gone pretty quick. ;)

 This GORGEOUS mug is from the one and only PIONEER WOMAN collection!!! Squeee....I LOVE Ree. And so does Marilyn! We are kindred spirits in many ways. She sent me a beautiful ceramic tea rest, along with some delicious Mint tea that has already been consumed!:)

“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.”
― Linda Grayson 

There was also a lovely sachet, handmade tea cup bookmark, and one of my all-time favorite candy bars! Um. That's gone too ;)

 Probably the best part of the package, I kid you not, is the hand written letter included. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've gotten such a sweet letter. Marilyn and I are becoming fast friends!

This is where I sit and enjoy a cuppa most days, and each time I reach for my mug I think of Marilyn.

“You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh 

Thank you, Stephanie, for once again being such a gracious hostess! I appreciate the time and energy you put into these exchanges, as I know each lady does. 

And Thank YOU, Marilyn! I hope someday we have the opportunity to sit down over a cuppa and fellowship together! :-)

Y'all stop by Stephanie's blog for the link up list and visit some of the blogs to see all the beautiful gifts of friendship sent and received! 

Until next time...

A friend loves at all times

 Proverbs 17:17a

Hot & Cold, just not in that order...and the Doxology

This morning we woke to freezing rain and ice accumulation.

Since I'm not a cold weather fan, I took the photo from inside

where it was toasty warm. Oh, and also through the window screen, 

hence the blurred effect :)

Tonight, my husband made me this delicious cup of

White Chocolate Raspberry Hot Cocoa with Whipped Topping & Chocolate Drizzle.

Yes, I am loved.

♥

I'm going to be busy the next few days with my family 

so I'll wish y'all a Happy Thanksgiving and the words to the Doxology!

♥

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

~Thomas Ken

♥

~ My favorite cup for tea ~

Everyone has a favorite cup, right?

Whether it be a dainty china tea cup,

Trash to Treasure

a hearty ceramic mug, 

*Microsoft Images

a family heirloom,

Teacups & Scrapbooking

or one that just fits your personality, 

Rooster ♥ Teacup Tuesday

you know you have one. 

Admit it. 

I do. 

Isn't she a beauty?

All I know about her history is that she's from England.

But my mom bought this cup long years ago. I don't remember it not being in her cabinet. This is the one I always used when I visited her home. It brings to mind early mornings and late nights spent in conversation on my mom's porch, or curled up in the living room, talking and enjoying a hot cup coffee or tea, depending on the time of day.

 Catching up on life and all its joys & sorrows. 

So today, I share not a spectacularly fragile piece of china, but a precious piece that evokes memories of my mom. 

I wish she was here to sit with once again!

It's only used for tea now, as that cocky rooster cup above is my go to for coffee. 

Yes, pun intended ;)

What kind of cup is your favorite to use? Dainty, hearty, or just plain fun?

Thanks for coming by! 

Have a great day in the Lord!

 I'm linked to

 Tea Cup Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

and

"Savour the Summer" Tea Party

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

*denotes a Microsoft Image