Thankful Thursday

As always, today I have many things to be thankful for. Among them are:

Other web log writers who regularly include Bible quotations in their posts. These help to bring special scripture promises to mind.

That I have my own [first] house. Since purchased on April 30, 1992 by God’s grace, I have been able to hold on to the house in spite of financial difficulties at the turn of the century.

The lovely comments left by generous-hearted bloggers who read my posts.

Being able to make ends meet, with my income covering all current bills. [With a tiny bit for thrift shop excursions!]

Spending quality time with friends enjoying cultural events such as at art museums.

That we have not had a big snow storm in over a week. More snow is expected overnight but it won’t be much. This saves me the expense of having the driveway plowed!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Can you imagine having a concept of how human life can be improved, and then working diligently to see that dream become a reality?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. represents that ideal.

This has made him a role model for those who commit to making any sacrifice in their work to change our society. It is also an encouragement to each of us to do what we can in our own sphere to bring compassion to those about us.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment if you wish, and return soon.

Bone China & Airport Security

For Kelli's 'Show and Tell Friday' I would like to share the tea set which I bought July 1979 in London, England. The pattern is "Consul" by Spode. It is a simple cream china with a band of cobalt blue and thin gold lines. I got the tea set, four dinner plates and a serving bowl. (I would later order more pieces from the same store.)

At Gered, the store where I bought it, I let them know that I would be travelling by plane with this china. So they packed it very well in a compact box with a carrying handle.

When I arrived at Heathrow Airport I checked in my baggage, but the box of china, of course, was going on the plane with me. At the inspection station, when the inspector asked me to open box, I showed bill of sale from the store, which listed each item. He informed me that I had to open the box for inspection. However, I asked him, "But who is going to pack it up again? I don’t want anything broken."

So there we went, back and forth... the inspector firmly indicating that I had to open the package, and me questioning who would pack it up again. Finally, he decided to let it pass and I went on my way to the gate. Was I ever relieved to escape dismantling the well-done packing and then trying to get the pieces back into the slim box!

Of course, that was long before September 11, 2001, and the subsequent restrictive security measures that passengers have to cope with.

For more Show and Tell visit Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home. Thanks again, for stopping by.

Thankful Thursday

This week I gladly give thanks for:

The Financial blessing of lowered monthly mortgage payments for this new year.
The Health blessing of working to maintain a hopeful outlook.
The Spiritual blessing of daily Bible study.
The Family blessing of keeping in touch weekly, though far apart living in different states.
The blessing of Friends with whom I am in touch again after some time of not seeing them.
The Tech blessing of a new computer. Once set up, it will save me a lot of disgust aggravated by constantly having to reboot.
The Homeowner blessing on Tuesday of finding a suitable worker to do snow removal and yard work.
The Budgetary blessing of getting some unneeded items sold.

Thanks for stopping by. Do come again. Your comment is welcomed.

Hot Tea and Teacup Collection

While visiting Katherine at Yellow Rose Arbor I learned that January is National Hot Tea Month. Her posts have included fascinating teapots and tin containers for tea.

First to post about the January celebration, La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality has been featuring various posts on nice array of tea topics. Tea lovers will enjoy the visit to Dame Agatha Twigs Tea Room in Port Townsend, WA.

Here is a website with more information on the January celebration.

With all the snow we have around here, hot is a welcome beverage. At a luncheon on Sunday January 6 the hostess gave each guest some organically grown dried herbs from her garden. This included some peppermint to steep for a hot drink. I love peppermint tea and always find it soothing and delightful to drink.

As I took out the Christmas china from my pine hutch in the kitchen I wondered what I would display next. Hearing about January as Hot Tea Month reminded me of my blue and white teacup collection which was stored over a year ago when the kitchen was being painted. I readily located the saucers in the kitchen cupboards, but forgot that the teacups were under the bed in the guest room. There are two dozen teacups and saucers in the collection. They each represent one vintage or current pattern by English, American, Danish, French, Japanese and German manufacturers.

Once I have it all well-placed in the cupboard, I will take and post photos.

Thank you for visiting Oak Rise Cottage. I hope you will return soon. Your comment is much appreciated.

The Daily Dose Award - Thanks Anita

Anita over at the Prairie Dreams has given this award to her blogroll of Favorite Friends. Anita's blog provides an eclectic array of interesting posts on many topics. Thank you, Anita, I am pleased to have you as one of my blog friends as well.

The Daily Dose award is for the blogs you love to visit daily. I very much appreciate all who visit my blog and especially those who, like Anita, leave comments.

I pass this award on to the blogs which I enjoy daily. Thanks for the inspiration. xxoo

Edited to add:
Irene also gave me this award on January 14. So, Thanks to you also, Irene!

"Locally Heavy Snowstorm"

I got up this morning to a white winter wonderland.
On the television the New England News Network (NECN) meteorologist said that the locally heavy snowstorm had put down 6 inches in some places, 8 inches in others. Maine will likely get 10 inches.

Through the screen door from the kitchen, the stair railing seems to have about 7 inches on it. Just beyond is the top of the fence which also has a rim of snow. I had never seen snow piled on the top edge of the fences before. The snow is really sticking to trees, fences, rooftops, you name it.


From my dining room I could see the snow on the deck railing and piled up on the deck itself. Two flowerpots are covered too.



From the living room the snow flocked the rhododenron and arborvitae shrubs




It is all very lovely to look at. More snow is promised for later this week. Well, that's New England for you!


I trust you are having a fine day -- whatever your weather might be.

Thankful Thursday

Today I give thanks to my Lord …

• That my middle sister has now passed her second anniversary as a breast cancer survivor.


• That my mother is in better health and in great spirits.


• For all the lovely people whose blogs allow me to sharpen and expand my vision and broaden my outlook as well.


• For three sisters who grow dearer with each phone conversation, each personal visit, each memento shared...


• For a brother who always there for me. He steps up and helps me when I need to work through a problem, to get some technical detail clarified, and someone to discuss any of a dozen topics.


• For a delightful time spent on Sunday afternoon at a friend’s house. The luncheon meal was delectable and the conversation very satisfying. I got to meet a new friend and catch up on things with old friends.


• That although frequently in pain, I am yet able to make great progress with the tasks at hand.


• That divine grace has taken us all through 2007 and into the promise of a new year.
  

Epiphany & Thanks, Irene!

The Twelve Days of Christmas begin on December 25 and continue until January 6th, Epiphany, the traditional day on which the Three Wise Men arrived at the house where Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus were. In some countries, such as Puerto Rico and Spain, the Day of the Three Kings is one on which the children receive gifts. In Spain there are street festivals on January 6.

I usually do not begin to take down my Christmas decorations until Jan 7th. January 6 has even been the day of my last holiday entertaining with a tea or supper for close friends. Today, however, I was invited out for a wonderful luncheon and visiting with friends. It ran from 1 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Yesterday, Saturday January 5, the afternoon mail brought a gift for me from Greece. Irene of the Happy Turtle and The Green Greek blogs sent me a package. Inside were a red hardbound 2008 appointment book and a Greek edition of House and Garden magazine.

Irene also sent a lovely nativity greeting card, which I am glad to add to my collection.

It was nice to receive Irene’s gift on the eve of Epiphany, which commemorates the wise men presenting their rich gifts to the newborn King. [As it turns out, Irene’s Jan. 5 post is titled "Holy Epiphany" and gives insight into celebrations by the Greek Orthodox church. Those celebrations celebrate the start of Christ’s mission upon His baptism.]

Thinking of the visit of the Magi made me reflect on how we might each present our own gifts to Christ in the New Year. Many of us have made New Year’s resolutions. In further developing and carrying out these resolutions on how we will live in 2008 we might consider,

What shall I bring to the Lord,
The God of heaven,
When I come to worship Him?
Micah 6:6

My hope is that we will each be mindful of ways to present gifts to our Savior as we carry on our daily and monthly activities in 2008.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you all in blogland! Since discovering blogging in late summer I have been blessed with getting to meet so many wonderful people. I have been inspired by your own posts and encouraged and by the comments you have made about my posts. Thank you for your kindness.

I would like to share this piece on this first day of 2008:

Recipe For A Happy New Year

Take twelve whole months,
Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, hate, and jealousy,
Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or
thirty-one different parts,
but don't make up the whole batch at once.
Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.

Mix well into each day one part of faith,
one part of patience, one part of courage,
and one part of work.

Add to each day one part of hope,
faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.
Blend with one part prayer,
one part meditation, and one good deed.
Season the whole with a dash of good spirits,
a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,
and a cupful of good humor.

Pour all of this into a vessel of love.
Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,
garnish with a smile,
and serve with quietness, unselfishness,
and cheerfulness.

You're bound to have a happy new year.

--- Author Unknown (from www.motivateus.com)

I wish you all the best during 2008.