Teacups and Music

Last Sunday evening we went to 'The Circle' in Old Towne Orange which is at the cross streets of Chapman Avenue and Glassell. In the intersection is a fountain, surrounded by small circular park, around which cars drive.

It is picturesque here and this area has been used by the film and television industry. On Sunday the city held a tree lighting and concert in The Circle. All traffic was blocked from driving through the area. There was a choir and small orchestra in the intersection as well as a stage. The Circle is now decorated with a creche and Nativity scene, a lighted Santa and a lighted toy soldier. 

 
 Vendors had booths from which they were selling hot chocolate, tamales, s'mores, cider, popcorn and even burritos!

 
 Santa and Mrs. Claus were available for photos. We had such a nice time listening to poems and stories, interspersed with beautiful music and singing. Everyone stood for the finale, which was a stirring performance of Handel's Messiah. We all sang along and I got goose bumps.

Can you guess who is in this spiffy red car? You can just glimpse Santa's white fur collar through the window as he and Mrs. Claus drive off at the end of the evening - the reindeer are at home resting up for the Big Night!

For Teacup Tuesday I thought I'd share a Christmas themed find I spotted at TJMaxx last week.

I love using teacups and saucers but there are times when I want a big 'cuppa' and I reach for a lovely china beaker like this one! I like the raised image of the holly leaves, don't you? It has a roomy handle, which would make it comfortable to hold.

Used my cell phone camera so this shot is a bit blurry, but you can see that the maker is Lenox and the pattern is 'Holiday' (It would hold a good six ounces of PGTips, Ruth!). There were some other fun tea service pieces there that day, like these owl cups.

...and this charming teapot and sugar bowl. I love the birds and bright red berries~

 This would make a lovely place to store tea sachets~

With all this talk of tea, I think I'll make a cup of Kusmi Troika tea  and play Handel's Messiah while I wrap gifts. Happy Advent!

Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart... filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.
Bess Streeter Aldrich, Song of Years




sharing this post with:
Mosaic Monday 
Make It Pretty 
Antiques and Teacups 
You're Going To Love It 
Martha's Favorites 
Artful Affirmations 
Rose Chintz Cottage 
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 
Time Travel Thursday, The Brambleberry Cottage 

Do You Believe In Santa?

                                                                                                  

Seems everyone around me is coughing or sniffing and now I have a little tickle in my throat. I read an article the other day about ways to avoid getting sick and I already practice them all. Alas, some germs are airborne and you just can't avoid them forever. That's when I turn to EmergenC and zinc lozenges! I swear they help curb the duration and intensity of my colds.

I picked up some Tropical flavored EmergenC packets today and they taste good.  Later I got to work on my second Santa card using a Treasured Times Rubber Stamp by Terrye French. If you missed the first one I made look here. On this card I used Graphic 45 paper (Christmas Past and Halloween in Wonderland), a houndstooth print and plain purple card stock. 

 

• Perfect Pearl Mist
• Inkessentials black enamel
• white and almond flocking on the beard and cuffs
• Stickles on the hat and wreath
• vintage mica and glitter for snow

Back on the home front, College Girl had a special day last week because she voted in a national election for the first time! Now she is preparing for Greek Week at school by going to Banner and Chant practices every evening. On Friday her sorority will perform their Chant routine, which is basically a combo of dancing while singing. This is all new to me as I was not in a sorority, and I am enjoying every bit of it. The girls have so much fun! I can hardly believe this semester is quickly coming to an end - before you know it, it will be time for finals. My life has been impacted by our daughter's school routine for so many years that I mark time by her semesters and breaks, and cannot imagine how life will be once she eventually graduates and moves into her own place! But, for now, I enjoy the familiarity and routine and am counting down the days until Thanksgiving.

 

 

sharing this post with You're Going To Love It

 

Treasured Times Rubber Stamps

                                                                                       


We are in the middle of our annual October heat wave here in southern California. It never fails! Every year as the summer temps begin to cool down I am not fooled - I know to expect one last remnant of summer before we settle into Fall's crisp days. With the a.c. on I started making holiday cards this week. I really enjoy creating cards for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I like switching it up and making a Thanksgiving card one day and a Christmas card the next. It keeps my mojo flowing! So, what have I been up to? Well, I have an announcement to go with my latest card. I was asked to be a Design Team member for Treasured Times Rubber Stamps.  Jody would love for you to stop by and see all that she offers for stamping. 

The first stamp I had the pleasure to work with is one by artist Terrye French. It is #187-S. Isn't he charming? For more information visit HERE.

 The minute I saw this Santa I knew I would use Americana type colors and simple prints.

I used:
Paper= DCWV Haberdash Stack brown plaid, Recollections Naughty Or Nice, My Minds Eye Sunshine. 
Martha Stewart edge punch
Platinum Liquid Pearls on the lantern
Stickles on the pine greens
Inkssentials Black Enamel
Flocking powder on his cuffs, hat and beard
Distress Clear Rock Candy Crackle paint
Distress Ink to color image
grungeboard which I inked, punched and studded with brads
Zig H2O water pen to color image
Marvy corner punch

I had fun using my Distress Inks and Zig H2O pen together, and like the resulting watercolor look I got using them. Wonder what Santa would look like in a dark green coat? Burgundy? Royal blue? You know I am going to have to make a few more cards with this festive fellow!


sharing this post with~
You're Going To Love It