Welcome To The Tenth Tuesday Tea For Two:

Dear folks,

A very warm welcome to both The Silken Purse blog, as well a  warm invitation to pop over to my other  blog, at  The Plumed Pen blog to partake in this our tenth, Tuesday Tea For Two, blogging tea party my dears!..,

 Here is the link: theplumedpen.blogspot.com

Cheers from Silken Purse

Welcome To My First; "Friendship Friday":

WELCOME FRIENDS OLD AND NEW;

(What I am learning here in blogland, is that people, when they are partaking in a special blog posting often start their blog post, sometimes the day before; so  here is "Fridays" post on Thursday..,)

A TRIBUTE TO A VERY DEAR FRIEND:

Today I wish to pay a warm and loving tribute to a very, very dear and precious friend on this my first , "Friendship Friday", where  I will be celebrating all things, "friendship"!

My dear friend, "Paper Butterfly", is the friend to whom I refer today dear folks..,

HERE ARE 16 ENDEARING THINGS, AS WELL AS LITTLE TIDBITS AND HISTORY ABOUT OUR FRIENDSHIP THAT I WISH TO HIGHLIGHT TODAY:

1.~ I have known this lovely lady since she was expecting her third child, a little over 22 years ago now. ~My how time flies!!~ Can we really be that old my dear?~ It seems like "a lifetime ago", yet at times it almost  feels like it was,"just yesterday";  when we were both in our late twenties/ early thirties!?..,

2.~ My friend and I met at a ladies, "mini conference";  a series of little workshops at our church, where she and I were both featured speakers; she on finding your best and "true colours" as a colours consultant, and I with reference to facial shapes and the most flattering hairstyles for the various types of facial shape  as a hair stylist, each to her own, respectively..,

3.~ At the time, our husbands worked together at a premier car dealership; her wonderful husband was then the finance manager, and my husband did a brief stint as a sales man, where he did very well!~ (My husband generated enough revenue in sales, to finance purchasing our first home, just three years after we  were married.~ We both transitioned a little later to  being self employed, shortly after that point in the entrepereneurial stage in  our lives , a mere six months later..,

4.~ My dear friend is a registered nurse, although she has not worked in that capacity for many years now.~ These days, I'm fairly "bursting with pride", as she is in the midst of fulfilling  a long held dream and heartfelt passion for helping others in her chosen, "second proffession";  that of becoming a "Deula"!~She is currently working on  completing her certfication and furthering some more of her ongoing training in the field..,

5.~ Over the years she has generously assisted my husband and I, at many a trade show, as an absolute, "cracker-jack",~(er.., or should I say rather say instead), a "cracker-jill" of a sales lady!~ We would wander the  illustrious "candy store-esque" trade show isles on our breaks, for what added up to too numerous to recount, escapades of discovery, longing, and delight; "sigh'!.., (She and her husband still do attend those shows; lucky them!)..,

6.~ She has exquisite and refined taste, with just the right "sprinkle and mix" of casual "thrown into the recipe",  so to speak.~ I adore her ideas!* ~ Therefore I say, if at all possible my dear lady, do not stay away from your "other creative muses", too long my darling friend, as they are a gift from God to also feed your lovely soul!~ "They want you to come out and play"! ..,

( As an aside, I truly believe  dear readers, that my friend Paper Butterflys' marvelous "tea ideas"* will be lucrative both for her local market, as well  being inspirational to many!~ For  all others, these yet to revealed,"mystery ideas" are full of so much potential,  "fun in spades" for all of us, far and near!..,

~ Perhaps, "in the fullness of time", when  she  feels ready she will share these ideas with all of you one day soon, you just never know!?)..,

*~ Kindly send some 'bloggy love" and encourage her dear folks by visiting her lovely blog, leaving a generous, kind and encouraging comment and becoming a follower of hers; you'll be glad that you did, as she is  also such a gifted writer: Please log onto; "Breath Of Fresh Air- Paper Butterfly. blogspot.com ;  here is the link @ breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com

7.~ I earnestly and sincerely hope she  fully realizes  how talented she is; what a gift God has blessed her with to also enrich our lives with her writing skills;  yet if she fully realized the extent of her talent, dear woman, I rather think "she would never put her pen down"!~ I try to encourage her with inspiration to go forth  and write, with a weekly "creative nudge" at least once a week; and she does  the same faithfully for me!..,~

8.~ She has also recently formed a partnership business with a dear friend who is a lady that is seasoned and experienced in the field  of birthing support and whom is also a, "Duela", whereby they assist women with the birthing process.They offer knowlege and much needed extra support, before, during and after the birth of a baby. ~This marvelous service is offered apart from, yet "in concert with", the other health care practitioners that assist the birthing moms and their spouses; it is a marvelous service  that is offered by a Deula as an "adjunct" of support and knowledge to the medical professionals at the maternity hosiptals, enhancing the quality of the  expectant mothers care..,

~ (Her husband is  currently  working diligently as a gifted businessman and entrepreneur; choosing particularly the during the past few years,"to blaze his own entrepreneurial trail", so to speak. He is very knowlegable in his own right on a vast array of related topics)..,

9.~ During that brief three year period of time years ago that my friends lived in the area near my husband and I, prior to thier moving back home; (hard to believe it was only three years , as it went so fast, "like lightening" almost); we went back and forth to dinner many times, went to the ballet and the symphony and "Handel's Messiah", we also enjoyed many an afternnon tea and coffee date at her home, Perfect when her kids were little), and dinner dates as couples; my husband and I were in our glory!~ When I look back, I thank God for those wonderful years, yet all too  brief years when they lived near!..,

10.~ I vividly recall  when  they moved, driving by that empty house, ( and that as empty houses often do, though gorgeous, it took a while afterwards to sell)!~ How  sorely they were missed,  I assure you!

~You see, her husband  had accepted a wonderful employment, and  carreer advancement opportunity, in thier home province. In hind sight I see clearly that God always knows best, although we fully understood, yet emotionally it seemed to us at the time, an all too sudden a departure!.~ With opportunity "knocking", they understandably decided they needed to move back home)!!..,

~ Yet that precious, all to brief time of having them near, laid the foundation for  one of the best of friendships of my lifetime; without a doubt  I know!!..,

11.~ In the ensueing years serendipitiously our  wholesale, fine art business took us to their home province often,  as well as "to the big city", where they have resided now for many rears and where we also we had the priviledge and pleasure of being  guests in their home  while we were working at many tradeshows and one, "Signature", one of a kind retail show as well..,

" The rest as they say; is history"!..,

12.~ Let let me assure you; we have enjoyed more joys, laughter, shopping experiences, hugs, tears, prayers, giggles,  luxurious afternnon tea's, picnics,  dreams, philosophizing bemusedly about the mysteries of life, and being in awe of God's amazing provision and grace!~ We have enjoyed more day-trips, dinners and just plain fun as any dear friends that  we have ever shared the warmth of true and lasting friendship with, and have ever had the priviledge of  shared hearts within a lifetime I'm sure!

~ And then some!!

~Particularly "Paper Butterfly" and I!

In conclusion to this rather lenghty tribute befitting our friendship, in which I could easily and happily  fill at least a volumn I'm  sure;  I'll mention  one thing  further. I'll share with all of you  what touched my heart so very deeply, (really more than mere words could adequately express):..,

13.~You see my friends, this past year my dearest of friends, "Paper Butterfly", hopped on a plane,  with "bells on", to partake in an honourary tribute to my dearly departed father, Charles.~ She so generously came to  partake as a dramatic reader and to also  assist in the  putting on of "A Christmas Carol",  a dramatic reading in full period costume of Charles Dickens illustrious book. Which, as you  likely know is a true  English literature Christmas classic; the book, "A Christmas Carol"!..., Oh my~what fun!.., As you well might imagine; although lots of work,  there were intermitent giggles with long hours of practice; even some unforgetable "hiccups" and hilarious moments to boot!.,

 I thank  God for you, one of my dearest friends in life to be sure; my truest "sister of the soul", for all of the precious memories!

14.~ She is  one of the warmest, funniest, most talented, (and  I think oft times  she charmingly doesn't  even fully realize just yet how very talented she is); she is one of the most gentle, lady- like persons that I know!~ Yes, it's true that although  she  dearly loves her afterboon teas, yet  she is a person, so I'm told, with a curious,  almost "fiercely intense"|, "alter -ego" of a "football lovin' "fan"!~ My, oh mercy me!~ For such a petite and dimunitive little lady that you'd ever want to meet, that's hard at times to believe, yet true!!.., What a lady; what an interesting "study in contrasts" residing in one person!!~ Ooh my!!~ TRUE DELIGHT, IN A SMALL BUT MIGHTY PACKAGE!

15.~We also even have "an affinity of the soul", because she is an only child, and so is my mom!~ Her children, though grown, are as dear to me as my as own family of nieces and nephews with many a RICH "layered" memory as only a life long friendship can afford!~

16.~ Last, but not least, we both love the Lord with all  of our hearts; yet long to moreso as He so gently  and graciously leads us onward!~ Owing our very lives to Him for now and throughout all eternity; we shall be  forever gratetfull!~ We both know the full extent to that truth in each of our lives; (really known only to each of us individually, as well as to God alone)!..,

~My husband and I also treasure the  long standing friendship and comraderie of her dear husband as well; (we unfortunately do not see them now that our business does not bring us near to them any longer, nearly as often as  we would like)!!~ At times I do not think  he fully realizes perhaps,  just how much respect we have for him, with his illustrious  and outgoing personality, jovial, quick wit, intelligence, creativity, talent, generousity-beyond,  as well as his fun, loving,  and adventerous spirit that he also possesses "in spades"!..,

 Now I have tears in my eyes my dear "forever friend", so I will be signing off for now.., 

Until next time, I warmly invite the rest of you dear readers, as well as my precious friends, to join me here next week.~  For some of you, especially on this Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S., this may be particularly poignant!~  I  invite you to also think of all the dear friends that you are thankful  for; those whom you also treasure, truly cherish and thank God for my dear friends, in each of your lives!..,

With much gratitude and  heartfelt thanks, to you my dear friends!

Cheers, hugs and blessings to you from Silken Purse

It's Tuesday Tea For Two Once again:

Hello my lovelies,

Sit by the fire and warm youself with a nice hot cup of tea!~ Whilst we journey to France and all about, to your lovely blogs, with the magic of the internet!~ Perhaps you'll curl up on the bed, While "visiting my petite Parisian apartment"; ( I'm just dreaming dear folks); for a read of a favorite book, or take an "Oh-so  leisurely cat nap" later.~How does enjoying some bon bons, roses and candle light, after you've enjoyed your little Afternoon respite sound?.., Will you partake my darlings?


Though my dear friend Scone Queen says it's "raining a sea" in Vancouver; on the opposite side of the country, it is partially sunny here today thankfully!~ A great day for a piping hot cuppa!~ I have to see what the weather is doing in Ontario, when I chat with another  very dear friend ; the lovely Paper Butterfly, later today; I'll have to warmly invite them to join us as well..,


I'll keep the teapot fresh by brewing a fresh pot of tea, at intervals throughout the day my dears, and some tantalizing Afternoon Tea morsels and little sweeties on hand, for the day, so do feel most welcome to pop on over to The Plumed Pen blog to join us for some more leisurely "cups of splosh" at TUESDAY TEA FOR TWO!..,
theplumedpen.blogspot.com




CHEERS, and hugs from Silken Purse

Short And Sweet:

WELCOME!.

Today this post will be about all things "sweet".


I will also endeavor to keep my posts "short and sweet"!.., If I've discovered anything lately, it's that I need to be aware of the length of available free time you all have: you are busy!.., I was alway's a detail oriented person; likely always will be! I tend "to speak, like I paint" dear folks!~ With lots of little  flourishes; can't seem to help myself!~ Ah me!~ So I'll  do my best to  "KISS"; what I write from now on in!~ "Keep it simple and stylish" honey!


Here's to trying!..,


 I realize that the post below was definately very long! Yet it came from the heart!

~Many thanks to the precious folks who so kindly sent some "bloggy love" to my dear friend, SCONE QUEEN, and  also to those who also left those marvelous and heartwarming comments! ~It is much appreciated my dear friends!

Cheers FROM SILKEN PURSE

A SUNNY AND SPARKLING LATE AUTUMN DAY;

Hi there!.., 


LET ME TELL YOU A  TRUE  AND HEARTWARMING STORY:~ *




I hope you're having a wonderful day, wherever you are my friends!

~ SO FEEL MOST WELCOME TO SIT DOWN AWHILE, PERHAPS PUT ON THE KETTLE FIRST, AND POUR YOURSELF A STEAMING HOT CUP OF TEA OR COFFEE..,

WHAT I want to share with you  today,  is a true and really amazing,absolutely triumphant, heartwarming account and real life story about my dear, precious friend, Scone Queen.~ (This "moniker", as with all blog, "nom -de-plumes", is both whimsical, yet allows her to remain anonymous; therefore I shall be using her fictitious title frequently, simply for clarification purposes as I share my story with you).., I will say however, that her middle name is "Rose"; hence the rosy pictures.

YOU SEE,  THE STORY BEGINS WITH MY SHARING OF HOW I MET MY DEAR FRIEND, SCONE QUEEN.~ MANY YEARS AGO,  I MET HER THROUGH MY OLDEST SISTER ,WHEN THEY WERE BOTH IN GRADE NINE TOGETHER, IN THE SAME HOMEROOM..,

My family and I had just moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia from the  tiny little fishing village of Port Maitland, near Yarmouth Nova Scotia, ( where my dad grew up).~ Moving from that quaint village where my family and I had previously lived for three years, was quite a change for us all as you might well imagine! I was then 12 years old.~ (My late, dearly departed dad, was  in those days a Baptist pastor in the community from which we had just moved, those many years ago)..,

THE LOVING INFLUENCE OF EACH OF OUR GRANDMAS:

 It had been a joy to be near my precious grandma for those three short years of my young life; what a true and gentle lady she was, beloved by all! Literally to know her, was to love her!


Why I mention those tidbits of background info., my dear readers, is that it is very much salient to the story of my dear friend, Scone Queen, and I.~ You see, we have so much in common!  Her grandma was also a well beloved woman of grace, kindess and character, a real model of graciousness in her young life. Her grandma was also well beloved in her community; Scone Queen  simply adored her grandma, as did I, mine!


They were each in their own way, pivital and highly influential family members in our young lives in the formative sence of the word,  therefore  I say that they were very "influential",  and foundationally encouraging, in each of ours young lives!~ Each of our dear grandmothers gently, by quiet example and with much kindness, understanding and love, nurtured  and encouraged us tremendously!~ Nudging us lovingly onward, to become the women that  we are by the grace of God today!


THE OTHER TIES, OF "COMMON THREAD" IN OUR LIVES:

I shall try to be somewhat brief from here onward, yet I will mention how our life stories unfolded and intertwined in the ensueing years.


My beloved sister, who is a caring and sweet person, seems to have a tendency to "loves the ones she's with" and move on with her busy life , seeming to forget the dear friends of the past, was originally Scone Queens dear friend. This my dear sister, freely admits; that she is more or less "a one friend at a time person".~ I don't think  for a minute that she means to be hurtful, yet, as she and Scone Queen slowly moved onward and grew less close over time. I was more than privileged to continue, yes and even begin in a renewed sence, the journey of friendship with our mutual friend, Scone Queen, when my sister moved onward and far away, many years ago now. Incidentally, there is two years difference in our age; my sister and I, as well as Scone Queen and I; so really that's not a large gap in age difference, ( as I beginning to see more so, now that I'm older my friends!~ I'll Be fifty in February)!

Here's our "fast forward", common ground list that my dear friend and I share:

1. We are both middle children; she in a family of seven, ( both sisters and brothers), and I the middle of three girls.

2. We are both childless, though married to the loves of our lives; she for fifteen years and I for twenty seven years.

3. We have both suffered greatly  in different ways from intermittent ill health and chronic illness for many, many years, though she much moreso than I.

4. We both adore our pets!~ Our "fur babies".

5. We both have "the gift of gab" in spades!



6.  She and I, love Afternoon Tea!

7.  We both have artistic and creative souls.

8.  We  each adore decorating and baking for christmas, really any holiday,  AfternoonTea or virtually any occasion for that matter; yet she is moreso the baker, par excellance, and I enjoy decorating.~ Though we each bake, as well as  enjoy decorating our homes very much so!

9. We are "sisters of the soul" and true kindred spirits; each living in coastal regions of Canada, yet separated by thousands of kilometers and miles. We talk on the phone however, long and often.

10. We both share a February birthday; she on the 27th and I on the 12th. We like nothing better than to celebrate with a  whimsically decorated, Valentine's tree and Afternoon Tea.

11. We love to read, and have a mutual admiration for Charles Dickens'Christmas Carol. We were "oh so blessed" and privileged, (the year that my dad suddenly passed away due to an accidental blow to the head, resulting from a fall), to have dear Scone Queen and her husband Eric, fly  thousands of miles to put on a performance of Christmas Carol in honor of dear fathers  Charles's memory!.., He adored Christmas and Charles Dickens books, especially Christmas Carol!

12. We  both love the Lord, above all else; He has been immeasurably gracious and loving in both of our lives! Lifting us  both up when all we both had at times in our respective lives, was "a prayer", and little else hope outside of His mercy and grace, quite literally!


THE REASON THAT I SHARED THIS TRUE STORY WITH YOU, MY DEAR READERS; MY SINCERE REQUEST:


 Scone Queens' life story, "encapsulized and greatly for-shortened and distilled in essence", is a true story of courage and triumpth by the grace of God above all odds!

**She has survived no less than three, brain tumour surgeries; they were benign, whereas they could have sadly been malignant, yet they were not; thank God!~Amazingly folks, she then went on to get her masters degree in English literature, as well as a Pastoral degree at theological seminary, graduating with honours!..,I am encouraging her to write a book about her life story, an auto biographical story; which she has begun, and it's beautifully written, I must say!~ She thought her life was quite unremarkble, because she is just that kind of person, without a solitary, self-pity "bone in her body"!

UNREMARKABLE?~ I think not!.., WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE THINK?

She is one of the kindest,  dearest of friends, most articulate, giving-of-herself and generous to a fault,  and truely thoughtful individuals that  I will ever have had the rare priviledge of knowing in my lifetime I know!! She is helarious, with a rapier wit and sense of humour "to boot"!~ I ask you dear folks? ~ What's not to love??
 So as I tearfully write this my friends, I'm shedding tears of love amd gratitude, as I write this little mini- chronical of friendship; "The tale of two friends for life"!~ I ask you dear people, would you most graciously and generoulsly send her some "bloggy love"?..,

 She is delightful beyond, and I just know you'll love her, (should you have the time dear folks, to experience the opportunity via blogging and sharing the occasional comments as I do!! HERE IS THE LINK@ theteatrolley.blogspot.com

If not to show love; I ask you, what else are friends for?!

Thank you kindly in advance for your thoughtful encouragement of my dear friend.~ Please kindly consider also becoming as follower of hers, as well as to leave a comment; as fellow bloggers my dears, you all know how much this can mean at times!..,



Hugs and cheers from Paper Princess, a.k.a./ Silken Purse


p.s. *~ A FOOTNOTE FROM # 11: (Her husband is a classical pianist and vocalist of the highest order. She, though "maddenly humble", is a gifted orator when it comes to dramatic reading, speaker, and writer and sings like an angel!
~ My husband is an amazingly talented visual artist, fine art painter, a gifted gardener,  and web developer. Together as two couples, we co- created  the production; they were the producers,  musicians and seasoned performers. We gratefully enlisted sponsors, costumes, procured a theatre, as well as co-created our whimsical website. I am also a visual artist.~ We had to find a new venue at the last minute, and that true, and triumphant story my friends, could really well become a Hallark Christmas movie! ~Another story for another time perhaps.., I kid you not!~ (Talk about drama; sufficed to say, the media were so kind and supportive)!

Remembrance Day Honors;

HELLO DEAR FRIENDS, OLD AND NEW,


I want to begin my post today with honouring the fallen on  this, our Canadian Remembrance Day, for the  brave men and women , the veterans of the wars of the past, that sadly claimed so many lives and brought such heart ache and destruction!~ A humble and most sincere and heartfelt dept of gratitude and respect we all owe for the utimate sacrifice that millions gave, (and for the innocent victims of war as well)!.., I think this is also,  Veterans Day in the U. S. ; so I pay my repects to all!..,

Lest we forget!.., (You know, I can never even write these words without tears in my eyes)!..,

*On a lighter note; because those brave souls won our freedom so that we could first things first pay our heartfelt respect, yet also I firmly believe  that they sacrificed their precious lives, not that we might be frivolous, yet very much that we would be free from the tyranny of oppression, AND ENJOY LIFE TO THE FULL!

~ Therefore, to also enjoy our lives, to be sure!.., Creative expression, is in my humble opinion, one of those very fundamental freedoms and joys!




Sincerely, Silken Purse

THE TEA IS STEEPING, THE SCONES AWAIT YOU, WARM AND FRESH FROM THE OVEN!:

HELLO ONCE AGAIN MY LOVELIES; I HOPE YOU ARE ALL ENJOYING YOUR DAY, WHEREVER YOU ARE!..,

DO FEEL MOST WELCOME TO BREATHE DEEPLY AND WHISPER A CONTENTED SIGH;  PLEASE SIT DOWN MY DEARS AND RELAX AWHILE!~ ENJOY YET ANOTHER PIPING HOT CUPPA AND A WARM, TENDER SCONE WITH CLOTTED CREAM AND JAM, OVER AT THE PLUMED PEN BLOG FOR, "TUESDAY TEA FOR TWO", BLOGGING TEA PARTY!..,

* ( ALL CALORIE FREE OF COURSE!~ WHILE WE'RE "PRETENDING" , WHY NOT GO ALL THE WAY?..,

HERE IS THE LINK MY LOVELIES: theplumedpen.blogspot.com

Cheers from Silken Purse