A Safe Place for Tea

Our daughter GracyLu turned eighteen years of age a few days ago. We are ever so excited for her as she is watching all of her dreams come true and now, and now, she is grown. She may not be aware of all the growth still to come, and I think all the changes to come are a bit scary, but her beauty, her smarts, and her heart will see her through. She is an adventurer, a graceful spirit and a chaser of dreams. We are so proud of her.


GracyLu loves tea and we share a love of Good Earth Original Sweet & Spicy tea. For her birthday, I bought this beautiful bamboo tea box. In the Victorian era, when our country was young, women cherished their rare teas and often kept their spicy bags stowed safely away in a tea box such as this one. I filled it with our favorite teas and a new flavor - Organic White Tea.

I thought it appropriate to create some Victorian inspired needlework to embellish this box.


My favorite source for embroidery stitches of this kind is Crazy Quilt Stitches by Dorothy Bond.






Happy Birthday sweet, sweet, GracyLu.

Sweetheart Button Treats

There is nothing I love more than making sweet gifts for those I love. I don't always have the time I need, I don't always have the resources I need, but I try to make every little thing I can. Over the years, Valentine's Day has turned into a holiday of giving junk. The girls are older now and move quickly beyond the first fun moment of a stuffed animal. These creatures find their way into dusty corners and dark closets. They just don't hold their emotional value. Candy in stores are overpriced and often more novelty than tasty. I have enjoyed spending time creating goodies these past few years. I have made little crocheted cupcakes, truffles, and red-velvet cupcakes.


This year, I have put together some Sweetheart Button Treats. They look a little like hearts. Don't you think? Well, it's close enough for me. Enjoy these sweet, salty treats. The ingredients are simple.


Gather Rold Gold Tiny Twist Pretzels, Valentine M & Ms, and Hershey Hugs.




Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees, Fahrenheit. Lay pretzels out on a parchment lined cookie sheet. I love pre-cut parchment best. I use Ultra Bake Parchment Sheets. You can find these by clicking on the picture.

Top each pretzel with a hug.


Place your treats in the oven for 5 minutes. Your hugs should be shiny, slightly melted and just soft. Place a pink M & M in the center of each hug and place your tray of treats in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. It is that simple.


I packaged my treats in sweet, Wilton Valentine treat bags. 30 Sweetheart Button Treats fill the bags just right.


I wish you all a very sweet, sweet day.


Click here to see the parties I have attended this week.

My Friend Cathy

Painting by Missouri artist, Cathy Clemens - 2011

Hi! I have this friend and her name is Cathy. I call her CC sometimes. Cathy is a gift in my life and I could not help but share her talent with you. Cathy is also known as YiaYia - an ever so new grandmother. Her grand-daughter is lucky to have her talented and smart YiaYia paint her such a marvelous painting.



This is a very special piece that will always remind this sweet grand-baby of where she was born. This photo of Cathy's painting does not do it justice, but you get the idea. The color is nothing less than spectacular and the texture so wonderful. Aren't the trees delightful?


Cathy and I have been working together not long enough. I love her energy, her strength, and her honesty. Her greatest gift to me is the gift of laughter. I get to spend a precious few moments with her before classes two days a week. No matter my mood, no matter her mood, we find a place in our togetherness to laugh. She may not know this but she has saved me many a day with smiles, great coffee, and laughter. Thank you my dear friend for making me a better person.

Saturday Sampler - January

Here is block number one of the Saturday Sampler quilt. This is a fabulously fun program you can find at Merrily We Quilt Along. This is our very first block of the year. Clearly, I have not pieced in quite some time. I hope to show improvement in the coming months. Merrily's shop is feeling more comfortable to me all the time. Everyone is funny and kind. I am looking forward to spending more time with all the wonderful women who gather the first Saturday of each month to participate in Saturday Sampler. Next month, I think I will get my young friend, Chelsea, out of bed a little bit earlier to spend a little breakfast time at the Fat Quarter Tea Room.

Click here to see the parties I have attended this week. I hope you will join in.