2016 in Review

I completed my fifth full year of blogging in 2016 with a total of 1,272 posts.  Even though I posted last March that I was cutting back, I still managed to write 230 posts during 2016. It's been a year of fun activities and milestones, and I hope you enjoy the review half as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

In January, National Hot Tea Month, I shared my vintage ramekin collection, re-purposing my granddaughter Tiffany's ice skates, and my program at the assisted living facility, 'Let it Snow.'

January's most popular posts, however, were about Season Six of Downton Abbey.  My daughter, Lori, came over every Sunday night to watch the episodes with me.  Don't we wish there was a Season Seven to look forward to this January?

February was a very busy month.  It included a Chicago road trip where I visited the Russian Tea Time Tearoom, and attended a Downton Abbey presentation by Jessica Fellowes at the McAninch Arts Center on the campus of College Du Page.  

It's also my birth month, and my girlfriend treated me to a gourmet lunch at Cafe Fortina with a birthday sparkler in my dessert!

 ~ Cristy Bennett's Valentine's Tea in East Lansing. ~

~ Downton Abbey Days at Meadow Brook Hall with my girlfriend, Lori. ~

On February 24th I was privileged to film my first television program for WBRW TV on the subject of Afternoon Tea.  That day turned out to be one of our biggest snow storms of the year.

On March 21st I filmed my second program at WBRW, 'Dining at J.L. Hudson's Department Store.'  Pictured with me is Nannette Gibson from the station.  It was a fun experience.  

In April I did a presentation at Littlefield Presbyterian Church honoring Queen Elizabeth II on her 90th Birthday.  What a remarkable lady.  Long live the Queen!

In May, Jerry and I took a trip to Boston and New York City to celebrate our upcoming 50th Wedding Anniversary.  It was a fabulous trip filled with lots of tea places.

~ Walking the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park ~

~ Carriage Ride in Central Park ~

~ Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel, and NYC Dinner Cruise ~

On June 9th, I took my girlfriend, Linda, to Anabelle's Tearoom in Kingsville Ontario, Canada for her birthday.

On Saturday, June 11th [the actual day and date of our wedding 50 years earlier], our three children surprised us by renewing our vows at the same church we were married in [First United Methodist Church in Wyandotte, MI], and a dinner with family and close friends afterwards.

To thank our kids for the wonderful anniversary party, we took our entire family on a dinner cruise on Lake St. Clair on July 1st.

Our three children, Lori [L], Jeremy [M], and Steve [R]

~ Our Grandchildren ~

~ The end of July, I enjoyed Afternoon Tea at Secluded Celebrations in Hartland, MI ~

August included a three-day outing to Lakeside, Ohio, and Afternoon Tea at Tea by the Sea Tearoom with four other fun-loving ladies.

In September I coordinated a Michigan Tea Tour for nine lovely ladies who like tea as much as I do!

 ~ Afternoon Tea at the Royal Park Hotel, Rochester, MI ~

~ Japanese Cultural Center, Saginaw, MI ~

~ Mackinac City, MI ~ 

~ Afternoon Tea at The Grand Hotel ~

~ Festival of Tables in October ~

And road trip to Pennsylvania... Camellia's Sin[ensis] Tea Parlor

~ Sweet Remembrances Tearoom - Halloween Tea ~

November's tea outings were the Tea Haus in Ann Arbor, MI...



and Governor Croswell Tearoom in Adrian, MI 

To round out the year, in December I attended the Holiday Splendor tea luncheon at Pine Lake Country Club to benefit the Governor Warner Mansion in Farmington, MI.  My friend, Linda, [below] was on the planning committee.

Christmas 2016 was wonderful as our family celebrated the birth[day] of Jesus, our Savior!

As 2016 comes to a close, I give thanks to God for His protection and goodness throughout the year.   The ice accident on I-696 last January could have been disastrous, but God had His hand of protection upon my girlfriend and me, and kept us safe.  We even made it to our Afternoon Tea reservation on time!  ;-)

I look forward to God's guidance and blessings in 2017!  "'For I know the plans I  have for you,' declares the Lord..."  Jeremiah 29:11