Wrapping up 2017

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

 

The teapot and teacup ornaments that I ordered from Avon arrived just time for Christmas!

The final tea social at the office.

We sipped Home for the Holidays black tea in my poinsettia teacups and saucers.

Tea Advent Calendar: Days 13-16

Tea Advent Calendar: Days 17-20

Tea Advent Calendar: Days 21-22

I forgot to photograph Days 23-24. Whoops!

As 2017 winds down, let's look at this year's tea highlights.

January: My blog turned 2!

February:  I attended a fashionable tea event.

March/April: I participated in The Enchanting Rose's spring teacup exchange.

May: I went to a tea dance!

June: Tea at the White House returned with pop-up afternoon teas.

July: I met up with blogging friends for afternoon tea at Nicol's Pastry Shop.

July/August: I visited the Mad Hatter Tea Co.'s new shop.

September: 'Tis the season for apple teas.

October/November: I participated in The Enchanting Rose's fall teacup exchange.

November: I went to the RBG's 2nd Annual Tea Festival.

December: My tea tree went up!

Thank you all for all your visits and comments throughout 2017.

May 2018 bring love, happiness, and prosperity.

Special thanks also go out to the lovely hosts of the parties that I join each week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

Note: My regular posting schedule will temporarily shift to Wednesday due to the holidays.

Teas and Trees

I've been saving pretty teabag wrappers for something crafty and was inspired by Deborah's romantic bridal shower tea post...

...to use my teabags to decorate my miniature tree!

The aqua cookie cutter came from Michaels.

Some of these teabags were gifted by family and friends.

Photo credit: Deborah H. Montgomery

"Depression knows no season." (Deborah Montgomery)

Deborah recently published a short book called "Help for Depression".

 Click here to visit Deborah's blog and learn more about the book. 

U.S. residents can order the book here. Canadian residents can order the book here.

It's a marshmallow world in the Valley!

  I've been enjoying my Advent Tea Calendar this month.

Days 1-4.

 Days 5-8

Days 9-12

In addition to my Advent Tea calendar, I've also been sipping holiday teas by local tea companies:

Home for the Holidays black tea by For Tea's Sake.

Holiday Blend herbal blend by Lemon Lily Organic Tea.

Candy Cane Crunch by Polar Tea Co.

Gingerbread black tea by Lemon Lily Organic Tea.

 A blogging friend sent me this adorable tea-themed Christmas card.

Wishing you a Safe and Joyful Holiday Season!

Note: My regular posting schedule will shift to Wednesdays for the next 2 weeks due to the holidays.

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

2017 Tea-Themed Christmas Tree

I like to put up my Christmas decorations by late November so that I can maximize my enjoyment of the festive decor.

It took HOURS to put up my tea-themed tree...

...but it was so worth it!!!
The new additions to the 2017 tree are featured below.

I purchased the Hallmark "Tea Time! Santa and Bag" and "A Spot of Tea Mini Fairy Teapot" ornaments at the Boxing Week sales after last Christmas.

This checkered teacup is almost as big as a real teacup.

Cute ornaments that I found at the thrift stores and church sales this year.

Every year, I admire the Blue Delft teapot and teacup ornaments at The Dutch Mill Country Market and wait to no avail for them to go on sale after Christmas. So this year, I decided to purchase them (at regular price) before they sold out for the umpteenth time.

These teapots are actually oil diffuser ornaments.

I commissioned a local stained glass artist to make this adorable stained glass teapot in turquoise.

Last Christmas, I was gifted this children's ladybug tea set which I converted into ornaments.

My godson gifted me this miniature dragon tea set this Christmas.
Daenerys Targaryen would approve!

These dainty demitasse tea sets only cost $1 each at the thrift store so I snatched them up and turned them into ornaments.

 I used my Indigo gift card to purchase these mini mug ornaments. I think they're supposed to be hot cocoa, but I really liked what the mugs say so I'll pretend they're tea mugs!

Left: Mint green mug that says, "Snug & Cozy"

Right: Rose pink mug that says, "Eat, drink and be amazing"

Do you have any tea-themed ornaments?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

Counting down to Christmas and 2018

Last Friday,  I excitedly opened the first tea from my tea calendar.

This HUGE stocking was a HomeSense find. In November, I filled the pockets with teas from my collection. Sufficient time has passed so that the teas will still be a surprise.

 Day 1: Bigelow Tea's Constant Comment

The mug rug underneath was given to me by a crafty co-worker.

My holiday teas carousel.

In addition to the teas from my Advent calendar, I'm also enjoying these seasonal teas. 

So far, I've managed to contain the holiday tea collection in this 2-tier tray...

The tea-themed calendars that I've acquired for 2018.

How are your Christmas preparations going?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea