Sunday Reflection...

[Internet Photo]

Sweet hour of prayer!  Sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I'll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer.

~ William B. Bradbury

May God bless your week!

First Day of Spring!

Happy first day of Spring everyone!  Of course, living in Michigan we could [and probably will] have more snow before winter finally says goodbye, regardless of what the calendar says!  But we've definitely had spring-like temperatures last week and this week, so it does feel like spring is on the way.

With that in mind, I got out some dishes and accessories to welcome spring today.

I couldn't resist buying the bunny/carrot teapot, butter dish, and candy dish when I saw them in the store several years ago. The two carrots in the back are candle holders.

I think it would be fun to prepare a meal using carrots as the main ingredient, such as curried carrot soup with carrot muffins, and using carrot dishes to carry out the theme.

I love the Carrot Crescents I saw on Pinterest using dough to form the shape of a carrot  then filling it with egg salad, chicken salad, or ham salad after it's baked.  So creative and much cuter than ordinary sandwich bread.

Soon it will be time to do some gardening. 

Hope you have a wonderful day!  I'll be speaking for the Northville Women's Club this afternoon at 12:30 p.m. on the subject of J.L. Hudson's Department Store.  I'll tell you all about it on Monday!

A New Travel Book

Tuesday I went to Barnes and Noble to purchase a Washington D. C. travel book to help me plan an itinerary for a trip I'll be taking to the capital in April. 

There were several books to choose from but I chose the Michelin book.

The dates of the trip were specifically chosen to coincide with the 103rd Anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival.  

Every year the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates spring in Washington, D.C., and the gift of the cherry blossom trees which symbolize the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan.

In March 1912, the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City arrived in Washington, D.C.  In a simple ceremony First Lady Helen "Nellie" Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Japanese Ambassador, planted the first two trees on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.  Those two original trees are still standing.

Japan gave Lady Bird Johnson 3,800 more cherry trees to plant in 1965.  There are 12 species of cherry trees.  The Washington Post predicts peak blossom will be April 9-13, which is while we [two girlfriends and myself] will be there.  I'm hoping Mother Nature cooperates!

I'm awaiting word from my senator's office as to whether we will get to tour the White House.  My fingers are crossed in hopeful anticipation.

I've made reservations at the Willard Inter Continental Hotel - called the Crown Jewel of Pennsylvania Avenue - for a Cherry Blossom Tea served in Peacock Alley.  Their website claims it's "The Best Afternoon Tea in Washington, D.C."

Have you visited Washington, D.C.?  Do you have any "must see" attractions to share?  We also plan to visit the Smithsonian, the Daughters of the American Revolution national headquarters building,  the National Cathedral, the Memorials, and Mt. Vernon.   

As always, I'll blog about details when I return home.

A Tea at Feathers Nest

When I was visiting Gracious Seasons home décor boutique last week, I saw a flier on the counter advertising a tea at another store in the nearby city of Trenton.  It was scheduled for Saturday, March 14th.  Since I didn't have anything planned, I called and made a reservation. My girlfriend, Sandy, met me there.

Feathers Nest is a consignment furniture and home goods store. The store, owned by Debbe Linn-Bunch, opened in April 2013.  This was their first tea party, and I'm glad I got to attend.  The price was $10 per person which included tea, fresh fruit and desserts.  

[Internet Photo]

~ Below Debbe is welcoming everyone ~

Wicker tier tray that held  tea selections.  I chose Mango black tea.

~ Tea Cake with Jam and Cream ~

 More goodies were on individual tables.  This was the table where Sandy and I sat. 

Isn't that a cute ceramic bunny?  It sat watching me throughout the tea, so I bought it and brought it home!

[Sandy and Me]

The guest speaker was Kathleen McGuire, a retired school teacher, who collects French and Belgium lace and ribbonry.  She makes gorgeous things with it.

Kathleen showing  pieces of exquisite handmade lace.

She taught 8th grade English, and reading Anne of Green Gables was part of her student's curriculum. When her students finished the book, she'd host a tea party for them.  Sure wish I would've  had a school teacher like that!

Kathleen makes beautiful hat boxes out of wedding gowns.  I still have my wedding gown and would love to have it used for keepsake boxes to give to my loved ones.  What a great idea.

~ Kathleen's display table of things she's made by hand ~

What an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  Thank you, Feathers Nest and Kathleen!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today's the day when everybody's Irish! My maternal grandfather, Daniel Sullivan, was Irish so I have a bit of Irish blood in my veins. 

I received an unexpected St. Patrick's Day card in the mail from tea friend, Teresa, a few days ago. It made my day and put me in the mood for celebrating St. Patrick's Day! Thanks, Teresa!

When I was shopping at an antique mall over the weekend, I found two Irish linen napkins with an embroidered shamrock on the corner.  Of course, they had to come home with me!

I only own one piece of Waterford Crystal - a Biscuit Barrel [cookie jar]. I treasure it. George and William Penrose established Waterford Crystal in 1783, in Waterford City, Ireland. Their crystal pieces are gorgeous.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day I got some of my St. Patrick's dishes out for today's post. Did you know the people of Ireland drink more tea per capita than any other country - five cups a day!  So glad tea is "the cup that cheers but not inebriates."  There'll be lots of tea for me today, but no green beer!  ;-)

I purchased the figurine of St. Patrick  a few years ago when I was hosting "A Tea for Two Irish Sisters" [my mom and my aunt]. This is the first year my mom won't be here to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. She was always so proud of her Irish heritage.

It was fun including my thatched roof cottage teapots in this post.

The teapot below is Carrigaline Pottery made in Ireland.

The Irish area of Detroit is called Corktown.  Detroit's 57th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade was held on Sunday, March 15, 2015.  I attended vicariously through the Detroit Free Press newspaper. The photo below shows parade spectators lining Michigan Avenue.

[Detroit Free Press Photos]

Michigan weather warmed up for the parade festivities.

I had to include the photo below because I grew up in Wyandotte, and was in the high school band for a year.  I was happy to see the "Chiefs" participated in this year's St. Patrick's parade.

~ An Irish Blessing ~

Today I'm joining Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday

Bernideen's Tea Time Blog for Friends Sharing Tea

NSDAR Ezra Parker Chapter

Last Friday, March 13th, I went to the 1st Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, where the Ezra Parker Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution meet monthly for lunch and their chapter business meeting.  

I arrived at 11:30 a.m. to set up visuals for my presentation Tea in America - Before, During, and After the American Revolution.  Lunch was scheduled for noon.

I discovered there are 52 DAR chapters in Michigan with seven in Oakland County - the county of the Ezra Parker Chapter.  They are one of the largest chapters in Michigan with 119 members, organized in 1924.

They meet once a month from September to May, and in June they have a county picnic. November is their birthday dinner where ladies come in costume.

At the monthly meetings lunch is eaten first, and the meeting follows.  Members bring their own sandwich or salad, and volunteers take turns providing the dessert.  Coffee and tea are provided with many members bringing their own teacup or mug to drink their beverage in - just like the women did back in the late 1600's and 1700's!  

Since the topic/program this month was tea, a teapot decorated the center of each table.

Below is the "Heritage Table" where members bring display items to coordinate with the program of the month.  Below are a few of the tea items that were displayed.

There were five tables set up for approximately 40 attendees.

Heather Curtis is the Chapter Director, and Wendy Hill [pictured below] is the Chapter Regent.

The meeting was opened with prayer by the chapter's chaplain.  Her prayer was touching as she prayed for numerous things, but especially the Girl Scouts of American who just celebrated their 103rd Anniversary on March 12th, and the families of the seven special-operations Marines who were killed in the helicopter crash off the Florida panhandle on Tuesday, March 10th. Three were from Michigan.

We said the pledge of allegiance to the American flag, sang the Star-Spangled Banner, and said the American's Creed.  

     I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people,
     for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a
     democracy in a Republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States, a perfect Union;
     one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice,
     and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

     I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to
     obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies.

I could have gone home inspired after the 'openers'.  What a wonderful organization!

My presentation was next on the agenda, and since tea played such a significant role in the American Revolution, I wondered if I'd be sharing anything new or whether it would simply be a review. The ladies were very attentive and receptive, and I think they all left with a  little something they didn't know [or had forgotten] before they came.

Thank you Ezra Parker Chapter for extending the invitation and privilege to be your guest speaker. I enjoyed my afternoon with you.  May God bless your DAR chapter, and our great country!