Tea Time

Going to the city is always entertaining. Shopping is one of those things that is more fun in Denver. Choices...and more choices. On the way to the Christmas section of Target we passed this sweet child's tea set.

Apparently it is a Target exclusive item. Love the colors and the polka dots!

We don't do big gifts in our families, so there is no need for me to go shopping on Black Friday, or whatever the day after Thanksgiving is called.  Crowds tend to make me very uncomfortable, so I'll be staying home enjoying my long weekend!

Sarah and I went to the Sugar Plum Bazaar  and squeezed through the crowds to see some fine looking items for sale. People everywhere! And gigantic purses! Some of the women were totally oblivious where those huge bags were! I guess it was "out of sight, out of mind" for them.

Found a couple of skeleton keys,  an unusual strawberry fork, a baby fork, and some buttons covered in vintage textiles.  The oval platter was a thrift find at GW for 99 cents. It's Johnson Brothers and made in England!  I think I finally found one of those bargains people talk about.

Wishing you all a peaceful Thanksgiving! I will be thinking about the many blesssings I have and sharing food and fellowship with my family.

♥♫

The E.N.D.

I've learned that as the oldest teacher at my school:

1.  I have the most "stuff" to put away!

2.  It takes me more time to do it!

And now,

  Three more piles to sort through, piece by piece.

On the final day with my Third and Fourth graders, I set out a Tea Time for them. The boys drank more tea and liked it better than the girls! I read a delightful story the day before so it was fun to plan this surprise for them. And yes, it was hot tea that the boys liked.

Our menu included:

Chocolate Eclairs

Lady Fingers with strawberry jam

Tiny tarts with Lemon Curd

White cake, thanks to Little Debbies, sliced in half!

Cucumber Sandwiches

 I gave the students recipes for scones and making lemon curd. There just wasn't any time to bake the night before. Our menu was super easy and just right for kids.

Nothing fancy, but a nice 

The End Activity!

Inspiration

Sarah Jo and Sarah Joy

Below is my newest tea treasure thanks to my "adopted" daughter Sarah. She is the REAL Aunt Sarah, but not my real baby. I was Sarah's mentor during her first year at our school and she's just a bit younger than my REAL daughter, Sarah. Confused? It's OK. That is normal around here most of the time. They are both Sarah J.'s...Sarah Josephine and Sarah Joy (Try saying their names quickly).

Both girls know me so well and it's a fact that all three of us ♥LOVE♥ books!

NEW BOOK:

I may now have another tea party convert to help plan and serve gatherings of friends. Sarah Jo enjoyed reading through the book before she went home yesterday. I believe our first tea together will be a Memorial Tea. Sarah is missing her step mom (think REAL mom), now that she went to be with Jesus. We'll start planning a tea and continue sharing memories and letting Sarah know it's OK to feel the pain because we understand it.

"Memories of our lives, of our works, and our deeds will continue in others." ~ Rosa Parks

PBS Wishes

Every once in a while I have a wish granted on my Paper Back Swap list. I can select my titles and have them on automatic request so that if I'm first on the list, as soon as the book is available, it will be mailed to me for FREE! If you have special conditions about books that you want, you can let the sender know, as in dust jackets, non-smoking homes, etc. The only drawback is that one must have patience to wait.
This arrived this week and gave me ideas for a "someday" tea party for my students. They would love to celebrate and I am thinking this spring would be an excellent time for a reward for their diligence and practice in improving their reading skills! I saved $19.95 and the book and jacket are in perfect condition.

Click on the PBS image and you will go right to their site.