Farewell Card - Painted Blooms

A card for the lady who started the Welcome to my Kitchen fellowship group.  Nine of us met at her house in the fall of 2015 and brain stormed the mission, the activities, and division of responsibilities. It has been a huge success.

We have been going strong for nearly 5 years which means it is meeting a need.  I took charge of the group in 2016 when she needed more time to spend with her elderly mother.

This card is half sheet size so there is enough room for all the sentiments our ladies want to share.

I started with a 8.5 x 11 sheet of Stampin Up Soft Sky card stock which was folded in half.

I chose a sheet of the SU Painted Blooms designer paper - cut to 5.25 x 8.25 inches and adhered to the card front.

I placed a white paper doily in the bottom left hand corner, glued it down and trimmed it to the edge of the card.

I added a grosgrain ribbon in Rose Red wrapped around the card front along the fold and knotted.  Trimmed the ends.    I placed a circle of the same card stock over the doily and trimmed it again to the card edges.   I printed a sentiment banner in Wild Wasabi and Rose Red which I fussy cut to the border.  It was adhered to the card front tucking the left hand end under the ribbon.

Welcome to my Kitchen - February

We had a great morning with ladies from the Welcome to my Kitchen fellowship group.  It's been a while because we did not meet in December and January was cancelled due to very cold temperatures.

We had 14 ladies attend, a new hostess, wonderful food, great catching up time and prayer time.

We had praise reports and many in need of support and prayer.

Devotions reminded us that God is Always with Us.  He does not forsake us.

Our hostess makes the best tea biscuits!

Welcome to my Kitchen

We had a great time at Welcome to my Kitchen today. 

We had a few away sick so the crowd was a bit smaller than usual. 

As you can see the food was terrific.  A wife saver breakfast dish, fruit, and biscuits.  We had a dedicated husband who delivered the snacks his wife had prepared for us.  Thanks so much!  I am bringing my own travel mug now that I am drinking caffeine free tea. 

There were birthdays to remember. 

Devotions focused on rainbows which reminds us that God is always good. A storm is followed by a beautiful display of color which is a sign of God's covenant with us.

Good prayer time and I had to leave the gang in fellowship as I had to be home by 11:30 am.

Welcome to my Kitchen - Wrap Up

It was our Wrap Up for the summer event this morning.

We invited the Baby Song, Quilting, Cardmaking and the regulars to get together this morning.  We had a large group of ladies attend this morning and a few children. 

Each group participated in bring food and there was plenty for everyone.  Quiche, fruit, yogurt, and fresh fruit.  Tea and coffee!

Devotions was based on "Fear Not" Isaiah 43:1-7.

We prayed for the forest fires burning in the north and the first responders.  Fire fighters, police officers, and those supporting them with food, rest, and emotional support.   For D-Day June 6, 1944 veterans, their families, and the chaos that is war.  For the general state of our world and the relationships among nations changes.

Raised a few dollars for missionaries overseas.   Books came in and went out. 

A good time was had by all!

Welcome to my Kitchen

We had a room full of ladies this morning for Welcome to my Kitchen fellowship group.

We had waffles, syrup, fruit and whipped cream this morning.  I had several wonderful cups of tea.

I had to go back to get photos as I wolfed down my waffle in a hurry.

A couple of readings were taken from this book.  I got it to read then it will be passed to the group in our book swap.

We had a great time as usual.



There was a good prayer time. Several cards were taken to send to those we prayed for.

This group is such a blessing.

Unfortunately, our fundraising effort was a bust with only 3 of us participating so I just brought my cards home.  Am I getting the message?

Welcome to my Kitchen

This morning was the get together of our women's fellowship group - Welcome to my Kitchen. 

I was on snacks along with another lady.  I made Orange Cranberry Bran muffins which disappeared quickly.  I brought yogurt and some cheese cubes.  Veggie straws and fresh fruit were also included.

I enjoyed a big mug of tea.  Many enjoyed hot coffee.  The table was over flowing with food and folks. 

It was a very good morning. 

Devotions focused on "We are unique and God's handiwork." 

Prayer time had many health concerns.

Books were swapped and many went home with new reads for the month. 

Good conversations took place. 

Welcome to my Kitchen

It was our Welcome to my Kitchen fellowship group gathering this morning. 

We met in a clubhouse of a condo complex so there was plenty of room for everyone with great kitchen facilities!  Thank you so much.

We had mini quiches, ham and cheese breakfast oven casserole. There were crackers, cheese and fruit. I really appreciate the yogurt.  The tea and coffee was excellent.

We had a good turn out with the weather being very decent this morning. 

Welcome to my Kitchen

It was Welcome to my Kitchen today and a lady who now lives in a lodge was our host.  When a couple from the group visited her in the fall she asked if she could be host.  We decided to give it a try.

It was cold this morning but our plans to car pool went well. The facility has little parking but the street parking was adequate.

We had 25 ladies in attendance.  Our group is growing and meeting a need.

The food was great as usual but we increased the contributors to accommodate the amount needed for the size of the group.

Our devotion presented the principle of targeting. When in a motor vehicle we can manage obstacles by focusing where we want to be not the object in the way. 

Psalm 121 was read. We can use the same principle in our spiritual lives by focusing on the help and not our problems.  We had 6 ladies from the lodge attend some of which had connections with ladies in the regular group.  It was very good.

I have prepared a survey and I will compile the results to see where we are going with the group.

At one point this afternoon we had large fluffy snowflakes coming down on a very cold day.

I took a photo of a couple on the windshield of my car.

My macro lens did a decent job of capturing the structure. I was happy with these results.

Welcome to my Kitchen

Our ladies fellowship group met this morning and we had 22 ladies attend.  We were fortunate that our hostess has a social room where she lives which provided lots of space for all of us.

The ladies on snack provided toast, muffins, fruit, mini quiches and great tea and coffee.

The size of group meant I only visited with a few people because there were 7 tables.

Our devotion was on Friendship.  We are blessed to have friends who love us, support us, and appreciate us. 

A poem was read from the Psalms Now book which was very good.

Our prayer list was long but we are committed to being praying ladies which is one way can can support each other.

Books were exchanged.

Recent Photos

We had our fellowship group meeting today.  Our hostess was a recent retiree. I was on snack so I prepared Orange Bran Muffins with my sisters recipe.  It made 24 muffins and we were expecting 14 ladies.  They must have been good because I only brought 4 home.

I put together a Tupperware fruit tray including strawberries, cantaloupe, oranges and pomegranate.

Rounded out the selection with a variety of yogurt.


We collected yarn for a couple who does knitting for our Christmas Mitten Tree.

We had such a good time.




These books by Grace Livingston Hill have been on my bedside table recently.

Nice light romances in the early 1900s.  I enjoyed the novels by Hill but the one by her aunt Aldon was not as great for me.

We have had an injection of new books for the WtomyKitchen library so I will clear some of these at our Mission Possible Sale at the beginning of November.

I found this float frame at the ReUse Center on the weekend as my niece visited.

I think there are wonderful photography possibilities for this object.

I have placed a couple of my 4x6 photos in for now.

Love the angles of the stand on the back side.

I picked up this puzzle at the same center.  My niece spent an hour trying to solve it.  She came really close.

I picked it up because of the clear pieces which will surely be nice for photography.

I did find a solution on-line so I could assemble it and it would be awesome in photos.





The sunset was wonderful tonight.  I headed out a little late but I am happy with this shot.

Share Your Cup #311 hosted by Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs Olson.

Recent Photos

It was our first Welcome to my Kitchen since our summer break.

We had a good number in attendance with a few regulars busy elsewhere today.  We had one new retiree who has decided to join our group. 

Maybe I was hungry today but I had wolfed down my toast, fruit and coffee cake before I remembered to take photos!

I was not able to find details about this cup so if you know it leave me a comment.

We had a great time of catching up on our summers, our devotion "Dedicated to Love" was based on Romans 9:1-5.  We had many prayer concerns.

We even had a couple of choruses which was a real blessing.

Our hostess was celebrating a milestone birthday so I made a birthday card for her.  We had several others celebrating September birthdays turning 73-88 years young.

This card is a DSP Split with double sided paper by Authentique - Renew - Blossom featuring aqua and yellow.

I cut at 3.5 inches, flipped the top piece and taped the pieces together with the join covered with ivory grosgrain ribbon.

I punched a large circle from ivory card stock, stamped the sentiment in the center in Baja Breeze. I then added silver and white sequins and small handmade paper flowers around the center.  Added a bright yellow on in the center.  These are held in place with Bling Zots.

I should have made cards for those on our prayer list. Next month.

There was significant frost on my world yesterday morning.  As you can see the Rudibeckias had been frosted and were sparkling.

It was wonderful for photography but I had to keep moving to keep warm.

The camera was cold and so were my fingers despite gloves.

It was good to be out for a walk and be in the fresh air.

Welcome to my Kitchen

We had fellowship again with our group - Welcome to my Kitchen. 

Our hostess provided a wonderful array of goodies.

Tea served in Royal Albert Mug.  This set of mugs is part of the 100 year anniversary launched in 2006 and updated in 2016.

I love large mugs and bone china is always so nice.

Snacks included home made bread toast with Apricot and Raspberry jam.

Fresh fruit including strawberries, pineapple, melon, and grapes.

Lemon loaf with real lemon zest in it.

Yogurt in a variety of flavors.

There was tea biscuits and small muffins.

Devotions was on Psalm 136 which reminds us that we are always loved.

We had a really good time and raised a few dollars for missions.

Our numbers were down this month to 13.  Every one had a good time.

Recent Photos

I found this bird seed bell hung in the crab apple tree at the park today.  The sparrows were having a good feeding and the pigeons where on the ground picking up the scraps.



The flag at the Legislature is at half mast to remember the 16 members of a junior hockey team who died in a bus accident on April 6th in Saskatchewan. Over half of those on the bus passed away.  Several are still in hospital in various conditions. #humboltstrong

Here's my Window Sill Art this week.  I added some dried cone flowers and some rose hips to the small vases.

I soon will be able to wash the windows and there will be green leaves on the trees.

We held our Welcome to my Kitchen fellowship get together today.  We welcomed 2 new members and were 17 in attendance.

I had a few great cups of tea.

Our snack maker provided a fruit crumble, raisin scones, lemon tarts (delicious), fruit and cheese.  We did some de-cluttering and raised some money for missions.  Our book exchange saw some new to us books and others were taken for the month. 





We had a great devotion on Freedom from Depression, prayed for those in need, and signed 3 cards for those who are undergoing surgery in the next few days.







I brought home a beautiful blue dish towel, a puzzle for Dad and a loaf of home made bread.  It is all good.

Welcome to my Kitchen

We had a great time of fellowship this morning during our Welcome to my Kitchen get together.

Our numbers were down due to some ladies being away in warmer climes, some dealing with health issues and others too busy to attend.  There was 11 of us.

As you can see we had a heart theme with a glitzy table center piece.

I chose a devotion on the heart theme called "What Love Looks Like".  We all need to be reminded to be kind, gentle, and consider others before ourselves.

I made quarter sheet heart handouts with the characteristics of Love for each participant. 

The paper is by Scrap Ease - Cotton Candy.  I cut the pink hearts with one of the heart thin lits from the Sizzix set.  I printed the words onto the designer paper.

Our hostess set up a pretty table with reds and whites. She provided fruit salad, yogurt, raisin bread and cinnamon buns with a generous amount of  tea and coffee.

Photos Today

We had a great time of fellowship this morning with our Welcome to my Kitchen group.  We had 15 in attendance so that was a great turn out.  Here's my plate - homemade bread toast, raspberry yogurt, biscuits and fruit. It was delicious.


Of course, good black tea was in good supply served in china mugs.  It was very good.

This is was a new flavor for me.  It is Bakeapple Jam made with cloudberries.  They grow low to ground on marshy land which requires rubber boots and are picked in August.  It was home made and delicious.

The devotion was about giving and receiving encouragement.  Think outside ourselves and give a smile, a word or a hug. 

Our book exchange is going well with most heading home with books they have not read after bringing the ones they have read for others to take home.

 

I spent about 90 minutes at the Muttart Conservatory after running errands. The feature pavilion was celebrating Chinese New Year which falls on February 16 this year.

There were lanterns, parasols, and fans in those gorgeous reds and golds.

It was nice to unwind a bit with some photography.

Recent Happenings

I have been out of the joining on line parties for nearly a month. November is always craft sale month for me so it is a very busy time.  I made the time today even though there is still a to do list waiting.

We had a great Welcome to my Kitchen fellowship time last week.  A couple of ladies shared the responsibility where one hosted and the other provided snacks.  We had home made cinnamon buns, pistachio cool salad, a variety of cheeses and great crackers.

The tea was hot and plentiful.  We made at least 3 pots for 13 ladies in attendance.  We had a few coffee drinkers as well.

We had a wonderful time as we always to getting caught up and sharing about getting through tough times.

I met my sister half way between our homes recently to pass stuff to her and bring home stuff from her.  It cuts down on time and gas money and we were able to visit a few thrift stores while we are there.  I was glad that I had just had my all weather tires put on for the trip out of town.

One of the things that came to my house is my updated plate rack.  I had a near disaster with this wire rack about 2 months ago.  I really enjoyed having the plates vertical instead of horizontal so asked my handy brother in law if you could stabilize it with wood supports on either end. He applied tung oil to the surface before he assembled it was it was all done when I got it back. It looks fabulous and as you can tell it does the job wonderfully.  Thanks Brian!  I owe him lunch next time I see him.

I placed it on the freezer between the 2 cupboards so it breaks up the white surface without limiting the air circulation.

The kitchen is really coming together and with a new dishwasher it is staying tidy!!

It was not tidy for most of the day today.  Flour, butter, and savory and sweet elements went into 3 batches of baking for the fund raiser Bake Sale tomorrow.

I made variations on the tea biscuit recipe in the Puritan Cookbook.  The first was Buttermilk Biscuits, then Savory Cheese Biscuits (my favorite) and then a try at Cinnamon Pinwheels. I baked them in silicone cups in the muffin tin.  The dough was not what I thought it should be but with no experience they look like they turned out okay.

The biscuits were cut with a nice recent addition to the kitchen of a 2 inch scallop cookie cutter.  In my opinion it makes them the perfect size and pretty too.

I love that it has a handle and it was exactly what I had in mind when looking for a cookie cutter for my kitchen.  Maybe sugar cookies will be next.

Well I could not bake most of the day and give it all away.  As it was there were 18 pinwheels and I made sets of 4 for the bake sale so that leaves two!  Imagine that.

So I took time to have tea.  I made Oprah Chai Tea in my Maxwell & Williams Fusion Yellow tea pot with the built in infuser.  It is a nice deep pink color to go with pomegranate seeds on my plate.  A mandarin orange for vitamin C and a bit of old white cheddar cheese for a bit of protein.

I have recently added these beautiful blue and white oriental napkin holders to my blue and white dinnerware collection.

It was nice to sit down for a bit before I start on the next project tonight.

 
I bought this pomegranate to share with my niece during her visit last Saturday.  It was a quick visit and it did not make it to the table.

I am reminded though how we found a quick way to get the seeds out the shell.  You can check this post out for all the details.











I have read a couple of great books in the last month. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane was excellent.  I had to wait to get it from the library but it was worth it.  I heard of the book through this book club hosted by Angela.  I hope I remember enough to offer a few comments on the book.

I got this book through our book exchange at Welcome to my Kitchen.  We bring books we have read and put them on a side table then others can browse the selection and bring a new book to them home to read.

I was not sure I would like this book but it was still on the table when the ladies left on November 16th so I thought why not!

It was a good ready with good history of Paris and when so and so lived, etc.  It is set just after the end of the Second World War. A young lady takes her life in her own hands and decides to pursue an art career in Paris. How bad can that be and of course as you can see from the cover this was a handsome man thrown into the mix for good measure.

I am sharing with the following:

Share Your Cup #273 hosted by Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson

Bernideen's Friends Sharing Tea

Anything Goes Pink Saturday hosted by Beverly

Tuesday Cuppa Tea hosted by Ruth

Share Your Cup - Recent Pics

When I bought my cute glass lemon a while back, my aunt the other two that were being offered.  I lent me her two so I could take some interesting photos. 

I placed them onto a navy blue blue plate.  I was not fussy of the shiny navy empty space on the corners so I sprinkled some cornmeal to reduce the glare.

I added some direct light onto the front one with a small flashlight.

I'm happy with this photo.





I hosted Welcome to my Kitchen this morning.  This is our fellowship group where we take turns hosting. 

With my new kitchen I was excited to host but with 16 expected I was concerned about having space for everyone to be comfortable.  I am very happy with the layout created with my dining room table and my craft table.  I chose yellow table cloths as it was the only color I have one big enough to cover the large table.

With 10 able to sit at the tables I set up TV tables along the sofa.  There was a table in the far corner with a stool.  The large chair in the foreground had a space of plate and cup on the trunk next to it.  I also had a small stool to serve as a table along with cushions on my wooden bench. 

As it turned out we were 12 and it was very comfortable.  As you can see the sun was shining!

Isn't Tupperware the best!  Tupperware parties were the rage when I graduated from high school. I have attended 100s of parties and spent a good dollar in my 20s stocking my kitchen. Money back guarantee!  I think the younger generation is not appreciating this product. Many pieces are between 30-40 years old. No,  I am not a demonstrator or have any vested interest.  I just love their product.

I put together a cheese and cracker tray which was served on a large yellow platter.  I served Camembert, mozzarella and marble sheet with great whole grain crackers.

I prepared a veggie tray with dill dip served in the Tupperware Large Serving Center.  I put in carrot sticks, pepper slices, cauliflower, and cherry tomatoes.

A fruit tray served in the Tupperware Red Six Section Snack Tray.  Green grapes, oranges slices, and strawberries.

I made some Carrot Bran Muffins which features pineapple.  The other baking was Scottish Oat Scones.  Served on my plate stand with French Cobalt blue glass plates.

Here's my plate on a TV tray.

A friend helped me with the coffee making in a coffee maker I won as a prize at one of those famous Tupperware parties years ago. It gets used 1-2 times a year. I bought Nabob 1896 Tradition grounds which was a good choice I am told.   As most of you know, tea is my drink of choice.  I used my IKEA Cobalt Blue tea pot and made Red Rose black tea.  Both was well enjoyed.

I am working on my cobalt blue pieces in hopes of putting together a still life photo sometime next year.



The tall glass bottle is a recent purchase.  There was a different style at the same store so I going to get that one as well.

My inspiration is this painting by Mickie Acierno. 

During the update to my place mostly in the kitchen I put new art for the bathroom on the shop list. Ihave not found anything so far.  As you may remember I lightened the bathroom with a white shower curtain. This wee,  I combined 2 items I have owned for years.  I had an empty white wooden frame in 16x20 and the print in my bathroom was the same size.  I thought these should work.  They do!

Sharing with

Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson who hosts  Share Your Cup #268.

Mersad who hosts Through My Lens #116 every week.