Time to Pick a Winner

I have really enjoyed celebrating my 1000th post and hearing from friends who have expressed such loving sentiments.. I wish I could send something along to everyone who posted a comment, but, alas, there can only be one winner.... so drumroll please!!!

As Chris Botti plays softly in the background we lay out each of the 19 cards with your names printed on them....

Each one is carefully folded and placed in a lovely pink container and mixed up time and time again... giving everyone her equal opportunity to win!

Dearest Amanda, my helper of the day, did the honors of drawing a name..... round and round she stirred the cards.
and then out came her hand holding this one!!!

One of newest and dear blog buddies, Ruth, from Celebrating Friendship... where low and behold I join her each Thursday for Tea Talk... how apropos that she would win!!!

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday!

With our daughter here so I can fix her her favorite country breakfast..
I am having a blissful Pink Saturday!!
The main thing Amanda asked for was biscuits and gravy! So here we go!


But those biscuits were screaming for a bit of sugar cured country ham!


A bit of sausage and flour makes an amazing rue!!



Voila!!


A toss of parmesan makes scrambled eggs fluffy!





"Breakfast is ready!!"



I think she looks happy this morning!!!




Oh, what a sweet girl!

"Amanda!!"





For more Pink Saturday visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound!!!

Skywatch Friday

Yesterday I had the marvelous privilege to travel up through the Shenandoah Valley on a shopping trip with my best friends, Dottie and Gerri! Even though the weatherman had warned of possible threatening skies, as you can see it was an amazingly beautiful day, although it was chill and blustery! You can just imagine here the origin of those blusterous breezes!!

For more Skywatch Friday visit Skyley here!

1000th Post TeaTime Give Away!

I can't believe it.. This is my 1000th post since I started blogging on March 8, 2008. But then online journaling celebrating this time of my life means so much to me and has given me so much joy in the making that I'm really not surprised that this momentous event has come!!

I love blogging,,, mainly because of the marvelous folks I have met from all over this wonderful world.
It is fun to look back at some of the headers I have employed since the blogs conception!





I used to really try to express the idea of eagles aflight...

Then again, I was so enamored with my beloved United Kingdom I had to express it in my header...



There came a time when my love of bluebirds took over and I actually amended my name to Winging Upward... which some folks still have listed in the blog listings...

Seasons have come and gone...

...just to show a few! But one of the ideas that has driven my blogging the most over time has been the idea of tea...I love teatime!!!

whether for several..


... with just your best friend...

for that solitary cup of goodness along with your journal..
teatime is my favorite pastime!!
So I want to share just a bit of myself in this 1000th post Give Away!! There will be a drawing including all who leave a comment to this post to win the following stack of teatime paraphenalia!


First of all, a sweet heart shaped loose leaf tea diffuser, and a collection of potpourri tea lights...

then this gorgeous packet of tea notecards...

then last, but certainly, not least, this fabulous cookbook....
entitled, Tea Time Journeys, from the Gail Greco's Little Bed and Breakfast Cookbook series!
I look forward to hearing from each and everyone and cant wait to see who wins my 1000th post Teatime Giveaway!!!!
Deadline to leave a comment will be this Saturday, February 27, so my dear Amanda can draw the name on Sunday at which time the winner will be announced. I will get with the winner at that time to get mailing info.. Oh, this is going to be so much fun!

Visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for more TOMT!
Tucking the winter's decor away and bringing forth items that speak of the promise of spring give me a lighthearted feeling of joy and expectation! With great care and delight I retrieved the Irish Beleek china~

This pitcher and cream and sugar bowl are translucent in their most delicate composition...
I wish I had a whole set of these sweet Irish tea cups, crafted in Eire .. the only cup and saucer I have ever found, but stands proudly on my hutchtop announcing the revered coming of St. Paddy's Day.

The thrill of finally being able to produce these articles is that they become the harbingers of future collections that herald the coming of spring!!!

Ruby Tuesday

You can always spot a dash of vibrant red just about anywhere you look in this beautiful seaport village of Whitby in the eastern shore of North Yorkshire... definitely on my bucket list of places to visit in the UK!

For more Ruby Tuesday visit our host, Mary.. Always a blogging treat to visit her site!

Mosaic Monday

Visit Mary at the Little Red House for more Mosaic Monday!!

Today I officially begin to start thinking of St Patrick's Day,, and start visualizing things a greening all around me... even though this isnt exactly Ireland,,,,,since I am Scotch Irish, English,, I am taking a little license here with some of my favorite Celtic scenes!!! I will be changing my music right along with this post!!!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... from Carolyn's Daybook

Outside my window... the sun is slow to rise this morning, or perhaps it will refuse to show its face... freezing rain is forecast for this morning.... eh! I don't think I am going out....

I am thinking...well, spring is no where in sight.. in fact this week the temps are falling and there is precipitation forecast every day.......Please, Lord, dont let it affect Amanda's visit.

I am thankful for... a nice, warm, comfortable home! I stated this last week,, and saw no reason to change what is in my heart.... although, I would add I am so thankful for this time of life. I am thankful to be retired, to have the time to explore the many avenues available to me... I am thankful for time to pursue opportunities and enjoy the benefits.

I am wearing...my favorite turquoise pullover, and navy slacks.

I am remembering...Amanda will fly into Dulles on Thursday and be with us Friday - Sunday... I cannot wait to have her here at home!!!

I am going... to be going to the Amish Cheese Shop on Thursday with Dottie... we'll be stopping in at Miller's Bakery.... yum! and the Country Gift Shoppe! I love this excursion... Praying for a nice weather day!!!There is a 30% chance of something that day,, but there is a 70% chance of clear!!!

I am currently reading...
Starting Wuthering Heights,by Emily Bronte, today
Begin With Christ, Bible Study
A Country Affair, by Rebecca Shaw (Life in North Yorkshire)
Destroying Spiritual Strongholds, by our Bible Study teacher, Jim Tarter

I'd say my reading list is quite full, but exciting!!!

I am hoping...to see more positive results from my new eating initiatives....strategies whereby I put more emphasis on filling up on the word (munching on the Word) when I have the munchies and eating twice as long on half as much when I am truly hungry!!!

On my mind...I do have several jobs around the house Id like to accomplish before Amanda gets here.

Noticing that...living and loving gets sweeter with each passing day..

Pondering these words...

"If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you." John 15:7

Now to really learn what this abiding really entails.. because this promise of the Lord is too wonderful to miss! That is what we are studying in our Wednesday morning Bible study..

From the kitchen..Dottie sent me the most delicious looking Sweet and Sour Pork recipe... I just have to try that one out before Amanda comes.... I think she'd really like that one!!!!

Around the house...yes, laundry, and time to change the linens... vacuum and spruce up the guest room!

One of my favorite things... well, I love the music on my blog, but I dont think some folks like it as well, so I plan to change it up some today. I love music... I must have it playing all the time... give me the classics, celtic, artists like Dougie MacLean, Yo Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Chris Botti, Sting... I love soulful jazz, and many new age instrumentals.



From my picture journal...



LOL! Speaking of music, last week at our valentine's luncheon a very endearing clown ministry of a local church provided the entertainment and as part of the festivities, children's handbells were passed out among us to try our hand at making some lovely music... it really did sound quite engaging! Of course I couldnt help but remember when at my last church I used these handbells with my four year olds!

!Starting this week you can visit Peggy for more SWD on Tuesday!

February Pastimes

The long, cold days of February are filled with various and sundry activities.. just thought I'd share a tad about what I've been up to!

I must admit that one thing I really enjoy is Face Book games, especially Farm Town~ I get a real kick out of meeting and chatting with folks from all over, the UK, Kentucky, Ohio, Mississippi, even Thailand.

Actually, through a Farm Town acquaintance, I developed a real interest in the county of Yorkshire through reading Herriot's book.. which is one of the best books I've ever read!

Bible study holds a prominent place in my routine...I love this new book we're studying in our Wednesday group`actually written by our teacher.

and when I just cant stand the thought of snow for another moment... I get out the easel and work on my springy oil painting.

as you can see... lots to go there!! But I'm never too busy to drop everything and go meet my buds for coffee or breakfast out.... or perhaps the tea room.... now that is an idea!!!