A Return to Loveliness

In The Heart of Winter

We find solace found by the hearth-drawn by the fire, which creates a cozy space for us to draw pleasures from creating, reading and taking tea.

“Where glowing embers through the room teach light to counterfeit a gloom…”

John Milton “Il penseroso”

In the 1991 January issue of Victoria Magazine we are comforted and drawn like a moth to the flame as we view page after page of heart-warming photos of comforting hearths.

Do you dine by fireside? Our home’s fireplaces are in great need of repair, but we can create the illusion of fire through lit candles grouped before the fireplace.

Lingering over a tea and enjoying delicious treats by fireside is a wonderful occupation to enjoy during the cold winter months.

“Now stir the fire and close the shutters fast, Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round, and while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn throws up a steamy column, and the cups, that cheer…wait on each, So let us welcome peaceful evening in”.

William Cowper, “The Winter Evening”

Today, I am sharing with you a new treat I have acquired.

This petite rose-covered tea-for-one set drew my heart when I saw it.

When it arrived at my home in its exquisite Tiffany -Blue colored box, 
I knew I was in for a treat.

There carefully wrapped was my new tea-time friend.

Sweetly and generously rounded this tea-for-one set has classic lines.

Covered from top to bottom with sprays of pink roses and gold filigree on the handles and top this set is sure to please my heart each time we come together.

I have prepared a delightful Chai Spice-Pecan cake
(recipe to come later this week)
 for my husband and it is perfect for tea time.

A simple- refined cup of Earl Grey is the perfect complement to this fragrant cake.

Tea time by fire’s glow – Victoria Magazines by my side – 
I will be lingering  a long time savoring each moment.
Please make sure you visit Sandi at 
Rose Chintz Cottage - she's celebrating a special event!

A Return to Loveliness

Is a weekly blog party I host to celebrate bringing loveliness into our lives and into our homes.

To Join

simply create a post, publish this post and apply the URL specific to this post to the Linky provided below.

Please link back your post to this blog via text link or button so that your readers may find the other Delightsome participants.

Please visit as many other participants as you are able.

I am sharing this post with these Delightsome blog parties:

Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday

Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday

Artful Affirmations Teacup Tuesday

Sweetology's Tea Time Tuesday

Antiques and Teacups Tuesday's Cuppa Tea

Miss Spencer's Teacup Thursday

Bernideen's Friends Sharing Tea

Marty's Tabletop Tuesday

Wishing you a most Delightsome week,

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Ready or not, Christmas is coming - some easy decorating ideas for those with little time or motivation to decorate for the holidays

I'm a little ashamed to admit that I love other people's Christmas and holiday decorations, but when it comes to putting up my own, I really drag my feet. I let the weeks pass by, and then it just seems too late to bother. If there are any other of you out there like me, here are a few simple decorating ideas, which are easy and quick enough that you won't need to procrastinate.

Love this photo.  See how just a red throw and a pillow gives it a holiday feel?
 (aside from the snow)
via Log Home

You can always just go with a tree.  Because there are no other holiday decorations around, the tree is all the more noticeable, and really takes center stage.

A red flower arrangement or poinsettia can make a big impact on your dining room table.  Keep the other table linens white to really make the red pop.

2 images above via Lonny Mag

Okay, so I know this adorable little shed is all decked-out, but I used it to impact the instant coziness that warm light gives off. Candle light and incandescent lighting from table lamps and sconces, not overhead lighting, give off a warm glow. I know that incandescent lights are not the most energy efficient option - so check out compact fluorescents (CFLs), which give off a light more similar to incandescents than traditional fluorescents, but still give you energy savings.

via Pinterest

Candle light makes the table festive, even without green garlands and red bows.
via Rue Magazine

Simple pops of red turn an everyday room into a holiday decorated room.  A throw, a table runner, a lampshade, or a throw pillow are all accents that can be swapped in on the holidays.

2 images above via Casa Diez

I thought this idea was cute and easy. Take some glass vessels with a wide opening - a large jar, a hurricane, a glass bowl, and fill them with a simple strand of lights (craft stores sell plain strings of lights super cheap), and cluster them together in an arrangement on the table, mantle, or a sideboard.

via Country Living

What do you do to decorate for Christmas or the holiday you celebrate?  Do you procrastinate or go all out once Thanksgiving has come and gone?

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Monday Musings

I left you Friday with a post about a big old oak tree
in danger of being cut down --
a tree that is half on our property.  Click here for that post.

Update:  We visited the neighbors on Saturday morning and
they apologized for not letting us know their plans. It was a cordial chat.

Howard and I have hired a certified arborist who will be here Tuesday morning to take a look at this big oak,

and give an unbiased opinion on its condition.  We'll see what happens from there.

Fingers crossed for Old Man Oak.

******************************************************
As always, I am trying to get used to the days closing down earlier.

 To lighting candles and Jack O'Lanterns by 7:00 in the evening.

It surprises me every year, the shortening of the days.
I never see it coming.


Do you like the short days of winter that end in long cozy evenings,
or the long light summer days and their soft warm nights?


I like the long days.
But Fall has its advantages; you can't beat the decorating possibilities!

 The colors go so well with our dog, Dion.  :-)

On Tuesday, I'm opening a box of goodies from a giveaway I won.
Join me to see what's inside.  I'll be right here, because:

Also tomorrow, the arborist comes, and there will be more work
on the French drains in our cellar.
It's July redux at That Old House as the jack-hammering starts again.  
I may never get all the boxes out of our front hall.
Can they be a decorating statement?  -- Cass

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Has anyone tried flameless/battery operated candles?

Well, I hadn't until recently. I'd seen tiny LED tealights in restaurants but I'd never been crazy about them because they had the fake flame shaped bulb. The one Enjoy Lighting sent to me is definitely many steps up I have to say. Mostly, I was impressed by how real the candle itself looked and felt. It's made of wax and resin, and the surface definitely feels like wax.

Another thing I really liked is that the candle can be programmed to automatically turn off after 4 or 8 hours. This is nice if you often fall asleep with candles burning - which also causes a huge fire risk - which these candles don't have. So for those of you who have a habit of leaving candles unattended, or have kiddies, or fall asleep with candles burning - these are a good solution. I was also impressed by the flickering affect created by the 3 tiny LED lights in the candle.


Here are some pics I took of my candle -




from directly overhead

In pitch dark. These candles are not quite as bright as real candles, which one of my only complaints. If you are seeking real illumination be sure to get several candles. The only other drawback for the model I had is that it requires 4 batteries.

Here are some much better photos from the site:




Go to Enjoy Lighting to learn more.


Disclosure: I received this Enjoy Lighting product as a sample.


Sorry I just had to include this pic of my pups -

Remi in the passenger seat, Storm in the drivers seat. They love to make the rounds when it's feeding time for the livestock.

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Create your own candles

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity by Lumnique to test out their "build your own candle" site and report my results to you guys. It was easy and fun, and I took screenshots of the process. You can click on each image for a large, easier to read view.

First, you choose your "intention" for your candle or gift candle. I chose "Courage" since I've been needing some with starting my own web design company and I've been without the security of a corporate paycheck. Other intentions include, "A Harmonious Home," "Passion," "Love," "Healing," "Good Luck," etc.

Then, you pick out of several colors - I was torn between gray and dove, but Dove matches my decor a bit better.

Lastly, you chose the fragrance. They have many fragrances categorized by three scent families - "citrus/fruit," "floral/aromatherapy," and "Nature/SpiceCuisine." Since I like florals and soft, clean scents, I chose "Almond Blossom."

The candle comes with a small booklet explaining your selections in a little more detail, or you can write a personalized gift message.

I was excited when it arrived. It comes in a lovely box which I'll be repurposing to organize some craft supplies.



It is pretty much as I expected. The color is accurate; the candle is actually larger than I thought, and has two wicks. The smell is perfect for me as it's light and delicate. All in all, I think this is a nice "personalized" touch for the home. The scent I chose is best for a bedroom or bathroom, as it's very calming. I'd be interested in trying out one of the spice/cuisine scents to test out in the kitchen.

If you're interested in buying a candle or checking out the customization process, go to lumnique.com. The site is very user friendly. I'd be interested to hear what scent/color combinations you guys pick and how they turn out!

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