It makes me happy to hostess teaparty. Whether it is one or several friends that meet to share a cup of tea, it is a time of pleasure. It is a time to share and a time to laugh. It is a time to just sit and relax with good company. Using pretty teacups makes the time even more special. In fact, it doesn't have to be a fancy teacup at all. It is the hospitality and the friendship that make the time most special. I remember when I was engaged 27 years ago, my mom and I went to pick out china and crystal. I didn't think much much of it except that it was something all brides did. I picked a beautiful white china with silver trim and small white flowers.The china was brought out for special occasions and then put back in the boxes until the next family gathering. It was great when I finally got a beautiful china buffet to display all the beautiful things I owned. It wasn't until I started going to a wonderful church called New Beginnings that I really started appreciating the fine things I had. I had renewed my friendship with my cousin Joanie and invited her to my church. That is when I got involved with our Women's first Tea. Joanie was already a teapot and teacup collector. Over the past few years I have added a few teapots and several teacups to my collection. I inherited a small curio from my late Grandma Louisa. I keep my tea items in there. I have several Noah's arks teapots also. I have several teacups that are real special to me. At the last Women's tea my church had, I set a table with eight different teacups. Every women got a teaspoon which held candy kisses tied in tule and ribbon. There is nothing more enjoyable that setting a table for friends. Most of my teacups have roses on them and some have pansies. Those are two of my favorite flowers. I found the card below in a cute Victorian shop in Idyllwild called The Secret Cottage. The cute little puppy caught my eye because my puppy Reina was just one week old that weekend. I spent that weeekend with my 3 friends, Cynthia, Debbie and Kelli. We had a great time visiting this vintage shop. I just love the fact that this party is for little girls, I think that when we dress up for our tea parties, we feel like little girls. We can go back to a time when life was a mixture of reality and a lot of imagination. When we are young, we can hardly wait to grow up. Then we are older, we like to do things that make us feel young! So take some time in your busy life. Call some friends and have a tea party. It doesn't have to be fancy. Let your imagination work and be creative. I once went to a Christmas Chrsitmas tea were everyone brought their favorite teacup! Though there are many wonderful recipes for cookies and sweets, make it easy on yourself. There are wonderful cookies and frozed pastries and cookies that can be put together for those impromptu get togethers. Tea pot is on, the cups are waiting, Favorite chairs anticipating, No matter what I have to do, My friend there's always time for you. Anonymous "Perhaps that is the true gift of a teatime celebration: It fills our cups with joy and warmth and friendship. May the echo of the teacups' message be heard not only at Christmas, not only on special occasions, but anytime friends come together." Emilie Barnes, "A Cozy Christmas Tea" Tea Bears at rod iron table by Julie at Bear Essential Graphics Contents & Graphics Copyright © Susan's Garden of Friendship/2001 updated 2013 and the graphic artist listed. Our work is not Public Domain, and should NOT be taken from this site. Thank you.