Some Berry Special Friends

And Here Come the Girls!

The weather for Mary Ashley's party was beautiful, so the girls spent most of the party outside. Our new playhouse was a great gathering spot. Each time the door opened, it was amazing to see how many little girls poured out!

The Birthday Girl!

The Playhouse Is Ready ...

Caught Red-Handed ...

and blue and green and purple and mystery flavor!

I left 1-year-old Emma in the family room watching PBS Wednesday while I finished getting ready to pick up Mary Ashley from school. When I emerged from the bedroom, I realized why Emma was being so quiet ... . She had found a bag of candy left from Christian's school project and had opened all the suckers. She was having a grand time sampling all the flavors.

I did not have time to pick up all the candy before dashing out the door and put it out of my mind once we left the house. When Goldilocks -- I mean Mary Ashley -- came in from school, she put her hands on her hips and exclaimed, "Someone opened up all the suckers and made a big mess!"

Emma came in behind her and was equally mortified to find such a disaster. She put her hands on her hips and -- thinking of her oldest brother still at school -- said with disgust, "Mess! Ca-Ca, big mess!"

Time for Tea

"Welcome home!" writes Emilie Barnes in The Spirit of Loveliness. "That's what I want my life to say to everyone whose path crosses mine. I want to create an atmosphere of serenity and joy, blessing and belonging that embraces people (myself included) and draws them in -- that makes them feel loved and special and cared for" (p. 13).

Emilie Barnes is one of my favorite authors. Her words remind me to focus on the blessings of hospitality, creativity, femininity and godliness. Reading her book The Spirit of Loveliness inspires me to take a deep breath, put flowers on the table and brew a pot of tea.

Wouldn't you love to share a cup of tea today? To sink into a cozy chair and forget about the cares of the day. To hold a cherished teacup and savor its warmth and fragrance. To sip the tea slowly, drinking in the tranquility of a quiet moment. To linger at the tea table together, where laughter and conversation flow easily.

I hope this blog will be a cozy place to meet friends from far and near to share that cup of tea. Please visit often to share a Bible verse, see the children, exchange creative ideas or even find out what's for supper. I hope when you stop by you will find a little loveliness to remind you that your cup overflows with blessings.

So come back soon! Because from my little spot in the world, I'm flinging the doors wide, brewing a pot of tea and saying "Welcome home!"