Tea on Tuesday

Well, here we are again, and only one more Tea on Tuesday before the end of 2010.

Did any of you get up/stay up to take a peek at the lunar eclipse? For the first time in 400 years, the lunar eclipse happened on the Winter Solstice. I should have been holding my Yule log over a bonfire to singe it, sealing in the good luck for the coming year. But,

                                                           I  

                                                                 was 

                                                                                 sleeping............

Only 4 more shopping days 'til Christmas, and I am proud to say, I only left the boonies only ONCE, to venture into the mad crazy crowds at the mall !  This year was less buying, more handmade, or making use of the internet for purchases.

Speaking of internet buying, I have been on eBay, a little too much!! After announcing my teacup exchange (click link to play along!), a friend got on eBay and started enticing me with all these fabulous finds of hers!!!

Below is a pic of only PART of a lot she scored on eBay- and who knows, one of these lovelies may end up in the teacup exchange!!! Or, maybe not!! I know I could not bear to part with any!!

She managed to win quite a few more auctions!! And, in the process, got me sitting in front of the computer, scrolling thru eBay on a search for the perfect teacup!

I have not been so lucky - I lost out on a lovely Willets Belleek cup and saucer, by 50 cents!!!!! I set a limit, and it was not meant to be, I guess. The other bidder got a VERY good deal! I would love to have a piece or two of Willets Belleek - Willets is my maiden name. I have 2 or three pieces of Shamrock Belleek that my mom gave me.  My mom has a few pieces of Belleek of her own- including a Neptune beauty just like this:

She found hers in an antique store a few years ago for a mere (!) $30- they now go for a low of $50 up to $100+- for ONE cup and saucer!!!! Yikes!!

Now, to play in  our teacup exchange, we don't expect such high end teacups - but, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all afford to give away such niceties -LOL!  Just a pretty thrift shop find, or vintage one, or one from your stash that you are willing to part with. You could even buy a new one, if you desire! It's up to you. Only requirement is that they be in good condition, no cracks or chips, and have a matching saucer.

The exchange will be open til the next Tea on Tuesday, then I will throw the names into the proverbial hat, and match each player up with someone - this  will be a one on one exchange.

Teacups should be in the mail by January 15th, after the excitement of the holidays is over!
Leave your name and email in the comments in that post and start thinking about teacups!!!

Thanks for dropping by, and make sure to visit Kimmie and Patty for a list of other Tea on Tuesday folks!

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Quote for the day:

Art is a guarantee of sanity.-------sculptor Louise Bourgeois  1912-2010

Some Christmas Stuff..............

Doing a little decorating - here are some of my old glass insulators- I put tiny battery operated votive candles under them, lining the steps. One of them is set on a piece of red barn wood, which I will eventually wrap in cedar cuttings. Yup, haven't gotten around to painting the walls, or the stairs and railing.......sigh.

This is a Yule "disk"- a round of walnut, with lichen, wild turkey feathers, magnolia, foxtail, cedar, teasel, and a variety of pine cones.

 Here it is in my foyer, with some of my Santas- now, if only we could get those walls painted!

Yule Log Central

I'm making up some Yule logs for Julieanna's and Fulks Run Grocery.

This morning, I turned one of the horses out to graze behind the house,(the trustworthy one, who won't wander off when left unattended!) and trudged out, all bundled up, with my basket and shears, to harvest some greenery.
Cedar , pine, teasel, magnolia, acorns, foxtail, rosemary, lavender, burdock, and few other things filled the basket.
I already had some white birch branches from the thrift store (!), and pulled a few small logs from the woodpile to start with.

First mini Yule log of white birch:

Last two of the night above. You can click on the pix for a closer look.

Yule logs are meant to be enjoyed on the mantle or the hearth (or wherever you want , really) and then on Christmas Day, throw them into the fireplace. I will probably make one for myself, and keep it as long as the greenery holds out- they are almost too pretty to burn!!!