Courageous Joy

Tea Time

(I can't post many pictures because I can only post ones from folks who have previously agreed to let me post their photos on the blog....)

Last year I began an "annual Christmas Tea" for ladies of all ages at the chapel. This is a RELAXED time. We have a multi-generational group and I really enjoyed hearing some of our oldest ladies share their earliest Christmas memories last year.

This year we only had 7 signed up, so I switched the location from the chapel's fellowship hall to our home. What a blessed time. There is something "relaxing" about a group meeting in a home. I love having people over, so this was an added bonus for me. It was also MUCH easier to simply take things out and decorate, rather than try to make the barn of a fellowship hall feel "cozy" - haul all my things there, etc. I wanted to use REAL china this year and it is MUCH easier to do that in the home. On a side note, Father Jim told me that if I use my china and such to entertain for chapel groups Mike can count it as "pro gear" in our next move. ::snort::

We ended up with 14 women (young and old). It was fun. I was most pleased with the way my centerpiece came together. I bought 5 votive cups of different heights, wrapped a pine garland around them and threw in some pine cones. (Can't figure out this photo editor program to lighten).

I did ask several of our native Texans how to spell y'all or ya' ll.....wow....Darshia - you are RIGHT - there are varied opinions on this one. It was fun to discuss.

Mom, the little ones used the set of pink tea cups you sent....

We had a cookie exchange and an ornament exchange. Last year I was questioned about the appropriateness of "stealing" gifts...so we didn't. THIS year I told them that I don't care any longer what they think of me....basically they KNOW me NOW. ::snort:: We did "Dirty Santa" as Aaryn called it. It was fun. I began by saying the youngest could go first (which is a disadvantage) but there was some talk about the age thing....then I said the earliest Christmas memory....but the age thing again....then we went by date of birthday....everyone with a birthday on the 1st of a month....this meant I (at 24) was LAST. I was tempted to steal some of the cute ones but just couldn't.....and THIS is the ornament I got - the last one on the table. It's PERFECT!!! It'll remind me of our school this year and TX and the fun group of ladies.

The only drawback was that Arielle was the only girl her age in attendance. She's asked if we can have another tea with some girls her age. That will be next on the agenda..... She told me that she thought it was boring but then had a really good time. I asked what made the difference and she said, ::snort:: ::gasp:: :::hiccup::: "I realized playing with candle wax is a lot of fun!" Oh my.....

My friend, Debbie, stealing a snowman.....this is the one I mention often with the two boys who we went swimming with weekly over the summer.....and the one who "forces" me to go to lunch with her monthly while Mike is gone. The one who says I MUST read the Stephanie Plum mystery series....Doesn't she have a great smile?