Monday, January 4, 2016

One

It seems like it was just yesterday that I was composing Tea in the Valley's inaugural post while listening to Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" (HA!). On January 6th, I will be celebrating my first blogiversary! 
 
 Let's dance to some party music: Kool & The Gang - Celebration

Starting this blog was one of the best things I've ever done! I've been touched and humbled by the camaraderie I found in this wonderful blogging community of tea time lovers. I have met and developed friendships with fantastic individuals who have taught and inspired me with their faith, wisdom, and creativity; made me laugh, cry, swoon over their tea pretties, and salivate over their yummy foods; astonished me with their generosity; and understand the thrill of the hunt and my geeking out over a bargain teacup find!

The teas that I received from blogger friends and past teacup exchange partners during the Christmas season.

This fabulous Christmas pocket letter was part of a surprise package sent to me by Lynn who was my swap partner from the March teacup exchange. I was stunned when I found inside the box...

A CUP OF CHRISTMAS TEA--the Holy Grail of my teacup collection!!! 
I've been hunting for this pattern for years but haven't had much luck finding it at local thrift stores (the ridiculously high international shipping rates prohibited me from purchasing it online).

In addition to the awesome teacup, Lynn also sent me these lovely gloves and yummy tea samples to help keep me warm during these winter days. THANK YOU, Lynn, for the amazing package!!!

It was only fitting that my Cup of Christmas Tea was christened with Murchie's Christmas blend (Thank you, Judith!). 

To thank you all for your incredible support during the past year, I am hosting a 1-year Blogiversary Giveaway!

The giveaway winner will receive:
1) A "Tea for Two" towel 
2) A bone china mug by Cambridge (English by Design)
3) Some tea samples (to be determined based on the winner's tea preferences).

Eligibility: 
Due to high postage costs, the giveaway is only open to residents of Canada and U.S. (sorry!)

How to enter: 
Please leave a comment here about your tea preferences.
(e.g., black, green, white, oolong, herbal, rooibos, flavoured, etc.)

If you do not have a Blogger/Google account, you can also enter by sending me an e-mail.
(pleases click on my complete profile on the right for my e-mail address)

Entry Deadline: 
11:59 pm EST on Saturday, January 9, 2016

The name of the winner will be announced on: 
Monday, January 11, 2016.

Good luck everyone!!!


I'm joining the following parties this week:

32 comments:

  1. What wonderful gifts you received, Margie, and your giveaway also. Anyone would love these. I love all teas, some more than others but I do enjoy trying ones I haven't had before.
    Happy 1st year blogiversary!

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  2. I can't believe you've only been blogging one year Margie, you're one of those people whom one feels they've been friends with forever!
    Happy blogiversary!
    It must have been a special day when you first used your 'A Cup of Christmas Tea' gift, and I hope you liked the Munchie's.
    I don't need to be entered in your draw thanks as you already sent me a 'just because' package in December.
    xx

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  3. Dear Margie:
    Congratulations on winning that drawing. I am very glad for you. I love it when people win things who do appreciate them! Happy New Year to you!

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  4. What a wonderful package you won, Margie! I love that teacup; perfect for the holidays! I cannot believe you have only been blogging for a year. I agree with Judith, seems like you've been part of the blogging world for years. Happy Blogiversary and I wish you many more ! I enjoyed a cup of Murchies today too. Great tea minds think alike, eh? Great giveaway, by the way! Happy New Year and thanks for sharing.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  5. I am surprised that you've only been blogging for one year, too, Margie! However, in that one year, I've certainly been honored to know you and to count on your friendship. I so love your teacup! I'll bet you really enjoyed using it for Christmas time.
    What a lovely giveaway you're having to celebrate your one year Blogiversary. You know me,I love trying new teas, but my favorites are black and flavored teas.
    Happy New Year to you, Margie!!

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  6. Hello Margie,
    Congratulations on blogging one year! I feel the same as you about it, so many lovely people here in Bloglandia! It has been a blessing to me too. Your gifts here are wonderful, and your giveaway too.
    Wishing you a wonderful 2016

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  7. Congratulations on your one year blogiversary! I assumed you've been blogging much longer based on your posts. I so enjoy your tea room visits and glimpses of historical tea related sites. You always find the best teaware stores or markets too. Every time I read your posts I think I wished I lived closer to you. :)
    You received such lovely gifts from the exchanges and other tea friends. The Christmas teacup is just perfect.
    Looking forward to reading your blog in 2016!

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  8. I love your give away. Please put my name in the hat. Your Christmas cup is one of my favorites as well. Hugs, Martha

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  9. Congratulations on your anniversary! And I'm so glad you finally got the Christmas Cup of Tea teacup. Do you have the book? It's a sweet story.
    For your giveaway, I like black and flavored teas.

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  11. Your Holy Grail is beautiful indeed! I myself am a coffee lover but I do enjoy your photos!

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  12. I love that tea cup set. No wonder you consider it the hold grail of teacups. And what a lot of tea to try! I enjoy lots of different kinds of tea but Earl Grey Vanilla is definitely my favorite. And I learned to really appreciate tea at my cousin's house in New Brunswick where we always had King Cole Tea.

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  13. Congrats Margie on a full year of blogging, may you enjoy many more. I'm an herbal and rooiboos tea drinker, and I must get back into sharing more about my tea collection. That is a beautiful Christmas teacup and saucer. You certainly received some lovely gifts from tea friends. I'd love to be entered into your give away.

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  14. That Christmas tea cup is fantastic! It is a perfect cup for that special Christmas blend. I like that mug your giving away too! I lover black tea! They say that green is better and I like it but I will always go right back to black. As dark and rich as I can make it. I like my coffee like that too, it looks like cappuccino. Happy New YEar! Please enter me in your giveaway and Happy Anniversary!

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  15. Happy blogging anniversary Margie! I'm so glad you're part of our little corner of blogland! I've been here two years now, and I agree, the other bloggers are the best part of blogging! Such a generous and supportive community. Happy New Year to you!

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  16. What a sweet and charming post - it is no wonder you have wonderful friends - you are one yourself. I have that same teacup - I was lucky enough to happen upon one quite a long time ago - maybe 8 years - and it is definitely a favorite.

    Speaking of favorites - my favorite tea is white tea - such a calming and light tea.

    And congratulations on your blogiversary - it is a fun place to be and to find friends all over the world.

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  17. My favorite teas right now is Earl Grey, Teavana Rooibos Chai and Market Spice Orange. I prefer loose teas and I love trying new flavors and types.

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  18. My favorite teas right now is Earl Grey, Teavana Rooibos Chai and Market Spice Orange. I prefer loose teas and I love trying new flavors and types.

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  19. Margie,
    OMy! "A Cup of Christmas Tea" took my breath away!! Stunning!! Thanks again for stopping by!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  20. OH Your Christmas tea cup and saucer is so wonderful and also a little bit gorgeous also.
    What a fabulous swap partner you got.
    I love that tea cup pattern and now going to look for me one

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  21. Hi Margie,
    Happy Blogging Anniversary! Wow! A year goes so quickly. Your "Cup of Tea" Teacup is gorgeous! I have been looking for that one too. Lovely gifts you received. Blessings, Karen

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  22. Hi Margie,
    Happy Blogging Anniversary! Wow! A year goes so quickly. Your "Cup of Tea" Teacup is gorgeous! I have been looking for that one too. Lovely gifts you received. Blessings, Karen

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  23. That's such a pretty teacup you received. Congratulations on your blogging anniversary. Isn't the blogging community great?
    I like black teas, mostly, but also some herbal ones for drinking in the evenings.

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  24. Oh Margaret, I was overjoyed to see what Lynn blessed you with! She is such a precious and sweet woman and I am thrilled to hear the two of you keep in touch :) Blogging friends are such a blessing!

    Hugs to you, dear one!

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  25. Margie, Congratulations on your blog anniversary. Blogging is a blast!! I've been at it since 2009. The Christmas Tea cup is wonderful and to get it as a gift is bonus! Sylvia D.

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  26. Margie, congratulations on the 1 yr anniversary. Your blog is very pretty. Thank you for visiting me and your sweet comment xx jeanette ann

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  27. Congratulations on your first blog anniversary. That is wonderful. Blogging has certainly made a difference in my life.

    You have received some very thoughtful and special gifts. Here's to another wonderful year in blogland.

    Janet

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  29. Hi sweet friend! Sorry I am late- been travelling - but please allow me to wish you a truly happy bloggaversary! WOW- first year is a crazy one, and you had all sorts of awesome posts. You said it SO well about what makes it such a blessing - these wonderful like-minded new friends. I know I am blessed being hooked up together with you by our precious Stephanie on her teacup exchange.

    Love all the teas you showed - think I see a glimpse of light lilac purple in there, haha.

    Glad you finally got your Cup of Christmas Tea teacup - yay! I'm still made I sold 4 teacup sets and the teapot and creamer and sugar a few years ago - still one of the most special and beautiful I have ever owned - but I REALLY have to downsize, and well, try not to have seller's remorse when I do. (not an easy thing to do.)

    Have a wonderful next year of blogging - and congrats on the awesome giveaway you have going (missed it, was over yesterday and need nothing.) Just wanted to say that was awesome and quite generous of you to do. Huge hugs. ♥

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  30. Hi sweet friend! Sorry I am late- been travelling - but please allow me to wish you a truly happy bloggaversary! WOW- first year is a crazy one, and you had all sorts of awesome posts. You said it SO well about what makes it such a blessing - these wonderful like-minded new friends. I know I am blessed being hooked up together with you by our precious Stephanie on her teacup exchange.

    Love all the teas you showed - think I see a glimpse of light lilac purple in there, haha.

    Glad you finally got your Cup of Christmas Tea teacup - yay! I'm still made I sold 4 teacup sets and the teapot and creamer and sugar a few years ago - still one of the most special and beautiful I have ever owned - but I REALLY have to downsize, and well, try not to have seller's remorse when I do. (not an easy thing to do.)

    Have a wonderful next year of blogging - and congrats on the awesome giveaway you have going (missed it, was over yesterday and need nothing.) Just wanted to say that was awesome and quite generous of you to do. Huge hugs. ♥

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  31. Hi Margie! That is so nice of you to do a giveaway (and congrats on your one year!) :). Wow, what a great Christmas care package--teacup, gloves, AND tea!!! I just saw the children's book in my local used bookstore a couple of months ago...although I didn't buy it...I'm not quite sure why now. I must have otherwise spent a lot that day :-P.

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  32. Hi Margie, what a lovely giveaway...I'm a teaholic, too. But want to reduce my daily tea intake. Happy blogiversary :)

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