Friends and Tea Cups

The only way to have friends is to be one. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The great thing about having a long time friend is discovering something new after knowing each other for almost 15 years. My friend Pat and I did just that this week.While I was over at her home for some crafty play time, I was admiring a set of lovely tea cups in one of several cabinets that adorn her dining room. She was telling me a little of the history of the cups and I mentioned that I collect tea cups and have been in involved in a couple of tea cup exchanges online. Well, she immediately took this gorgeous cup out of the cabinet and presented it to me. I told her I couldn't possibly take the cup but she insisted. My heart was, and still is, overwhelmed with her generosity.  You see, this tea cup and saucer are part of a set that belonged to her husband's grandmother and was made in Occupied Japan (1945-1952) after WWII. 

Any advice on how to go about identifying it? Does anyone recognize it? 

: : : : :

And now that I have shared my love of collecting tea cups with Pat, and my excitement about the upcoming tea cup exchange being hosted by Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose, I think she is going to sign up to participate in the exchange!

If you're interested, just click on the graphic and it will take you straight to Stephanie's where you can read about how to participate, too. It's a great way to meet new people and make new friends. And this time it is open internationally!

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Tea Cup Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea Time Tuesday

Review of Beowulf: Explosives Detection Dog (A Breed Apart #3) by Ronie Kendig

About the Book

Former Navy handler Timbrel Hogan has more attitude than her Explosives Detection Dog, Beowulf, but she’s a tough woman who gets the job done. Green Beret Tony “Candyman” VanAllen likes a challenge and convincing the hard-hitting handler they belong together might just get him killed.

When tragedy strikes and Tony’s career is jeopardized, Timbrel must re-evaluate her priorities—and fast! A terrorist plots to unleash a weapon of mass destruction on American soil. Can Timbrel and Beowulf track the chemicals in time? Will Tony surrender everything to save the woman nobody believes in?

My Review

Beowulf resounds with quintessential Kendig.  Packed with deep characterization, rich descriptions, and her trademark rapid-fire dialogue, once you start reading you won’t be able to stop.

This military romantic suspense story is filled with delightful scenes between Tony ‘Candyman’ VanAllen and Timbrel Hogan. She wasn’t one of my favorite characters in the first two books of this series but I can honestly say that by the time I finished Beowulf, she endeared herself to me.  And of course Beowulf,  a huge Mastiff that never leaves her side, absolutely steals the show at times.

The romance is subtle between the two and yet sizzles at the same time. But how is Tony going to convince Timbrel that he is serious about her with that hulk of a dog around?  Let me tell you, Tony is one determined man and nothing, not even a brute of a dog, is going to stop him.

Whether you are snowed in or lounging on a beach, I can highly recommend this book along with the first two if you haven’t already read them. You’ll be hooked on Kendig.

I appreciate the author and publisher sending me a copy for review purposes. No other compensation was received.

~PURCHASE LINKS~

Amazon - Kindle - $9.72

Paperback - $10.23

Have you read any of Ronie's books? If so, which is your favorite?

{Sunday}

Romans 5:8 

...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Philippians 2:1,2  

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

John 3:16  

“For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him 

should not perish but have eternal life.

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

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Scripture and a Snapshot

Sunday Stillness

CameraShy Take52 Challenge

Besides being in the Journal52 Art Journaling challenge, I am also participating in the CameraShy Take52 Photography Challenge for the second year in a row. Since I can't get out a whole lot to take photos, my opportunities are limited, but that calls for a bit of creativity...right up my alley!

Week 1: Revitalize - I usually try to do something different than the obvious but I think this one was an epic fail. I was shooting (haha pun intended) for the fact that this lone plant needed some sunshine to 'Revitalize' it, just as I do. A dreary winter makes for long days and need revitalization. Not sure that was communicated properly in this photo.

Week 2: Routine -  Yes, you've seen this photo before in a tea post a couple weeks ago but I used it in the challenge because having a nice cuppa is part of my daily 'Routine'.

Week 3: Crisp - I racked my brains for this one and almost skipped it. But as usual, I awoke one night with this idea in my head. My son dug out our old Scrabble game and this was the final one I chose for 'Crisp'. Quite clever of me, huh?

Week 4: Creamy - Um. This is sort of part of my daily routine, too. A nice hot cup of cocoa with 'Creamy' whipped topping. Yum! Only the topping started melting so fast I wasn't able to catch it while it was a nice swirly high mound of creaminess. It was so tasty but definitely not original :) 

Week 5: Eyes - Another one where I didn't want to choose the obvious. Not that I don't have plenty of gorgeous eyes to photograph because I do. I'm surrounded with a husband, children and grandchildren who all have stunning eyes! There are icy blues rimmed in black, deep greys that look like churning waters, and rich velvety chocolate browns just begging to be photographed. Okay, not begging. That would be why I had to find something else. After traipsing around the house for something creative to use, I came across this fantastic incense holder that belongs to my oldest son. Dragons, or shall I say DRA - GONS! This was perfect for my zany brain. I would have liked a different background but it was frigid outside so I went with what I had.

Normally, I would have shared my Journal52 page but the truth is, I haven't made it yet! I am really having trouble figuring this one out. The prompt is Character, and I have several ideas just not sure how to implement any of them. I will come up with something eventually,but in the mean time, I am nursing a sick college boy this week. Please pray that he gets over this quickly and that it is not contagious!

I decided to make a new blog header that reflected how much I am needing something spring-like right now. With a couple of days of sunshine and temps warm enough to open the windows, I have spring fever! 

How's the weather where you are? Are you snowed in or feeling balmy breezes?

Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Random 5 Friday

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

~ Psalm 90:14 ~

1. The sky was such a lovely color on Wednesday morning. Seeing as it was only about 19* outside, I didn't venture down beyond the old dilapidated barn to get the shot so you'll have to excuse the ugly thing in the left corner. 

2. This will probably be the only snow we see this winter. It wasn't much but it was pretty while it lasted. The chickens wouldn't come out of the coop, though. Guess they were smarter than I was :)

3. I made this Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake the other day. I'll just say that while I am a chocolate lover, this cake was just too much. My husband couldn't even believe that I would only eat a third of a piece (that was only cut 2" x 2" - I made it in a 9 x 13 pan) because it was so rich.

4. I think my cat is mental. She literally runs around like a crazy maniac at certain times of the day, then collapses in a heap and sleeps for hours. 

5. By tilting my laptop screen way back, I can see the true colors of my photos. Otherwise, if the screen is upright, they look all washed out.  

There you have my totally weird Random 5 thoughts for this week. Hop on over to a Rural Journal and see what others are sharing:

Have a great day in the Lord!