I write this post today with two eager children on either side of me and two strange men pounding the floor above my head (it’s carpet installing day). It’s Daddy’s birthday and our family Christmas shopping day. I’m still in my pjs and haven’t cleaned the kitchen since making the birthday brunch. My living room looks like a laundry basket of mattresses, sheets, and pillows from last night’s family slumber party. This is today’s reality. But at least I’m accepting it with a cup of Tiger Eye tea in my thin-lipped mug.
I wanted to first say thanks for the comments you left over the weekend. Still thinking through some things, but have no plans to abandon this pursuit. I’ll keep you “posted” (pun intended). Here’s a few random thoughts for now:
- It’s been a goal of mine to reach 100 subscribers. I plateaued at 80 a number of weeks ago. From the comments left, I realize many of my readers don’t subscribe to blogs. I still hope to reach 100, so if you DO subscribe to blogs and haven’t subscribed here, please do by pressing the purple button at the top of my sidebar. It really is a great way to organize your reading instead of having to visit your favorite blogs to check in.
- It’s great to hear that you enjoy the practical and inspirational tone of the blog. Inspirational writing comes more naturally for me, and I wouldn’t want to stick to just the facts.
- One of my plans is to offer a podcast soon for those who enjoy listening to information, possibly instead of reading. It’s amazing how many people I run into who just don’t take time to read. Hopefully this will help others access information and inspiration for hosting their hospitality events. Stay tuned!
Since beginning this blogging journey, I’ve so enjoyed learning about the many talents, personalities, and angles represented by bloggers; including many of you. It’s one of the reasons I participate in carnivals and every Tuesday let you know about them. Tea Party Girl doesn’t fit in all of them, but following these links can be great way to learn quickly some of who else is out there. This week you can find Tea Party Girl at A Snowy Carnival for SaHMs and Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths (Kendra, are you out there? It’s a homeschooling mom of eight with one bathroom!). Lara at The Lazy Organizer makes it super-easy to participate with her Talk about Tuesdays. The topic can be anything! So feel free to jump on the blogging-carnival-train.
But, of course, I recommend this all in light of the questions I always ask myself and you. Are you spending your time on what brings life to yourself and others? How’s your December plan going? Are your expectations for yourself too high? Keeping your blood sugar steady? Getting enough sleep and drinking enough water (tea)?
Today I leave you with a great tea quote sent my way this week:
“The pleasures of afternoon tea run like a trickle of honey through English literature from Rupert Brooke’s wistful lines on the Old Vicarage at Grantchester to Miss Marple, calmly dissecting a case over tea cakes at a seaside hotel.” –Stan Hey
I know there’s more to life than great literature and fabulous tea, but I do love the few days I get to live like it’s true. No, today is definitely not one of those days.
Thank you for the link and that is a very fun quote!
You know, my husband was telling me he read an article that says if you have 12 regular readers your blog is a “hit” with the public.
It has been a while since I’ve been by but looks good. Great job. I’ll ponder the subscriber issue BUT I have the same trouble. I have tons of email subscribers and regular readers–and maybe 6 RSS subscribers…I’ve been gone a while but maybe I’ll get some insights. See you in the forums.
Holiday plans:
As you all know I am hosting a Christmas Tea Party this Saturday. Of the 50 ladies that I have invited, only 30 have RSVP’d. I will not chase those ladies down for a response. I have decided to set the table only for those who were polite enough to tell me that are going to be present. My revenge will come in the form of paper plates,and paper napkins for all of those who show up and failed to RSVP. (Unless some of you can think of something better. *laughs*)
I want to share some of the games I have planned, so that you may use them if you like.
They are as follows:
1) Candy cane game. A single red ribbon is cut and tied at necklace length. A candy cane will hang from it. Each guest gets a candy cane necklace upon arrival. Since Christmas is a time when we should think more about others,rather than our self, the word “I” will get your candy cane taken by another guest. If you lose your candy cane, that does not put you out of the game. You simply initiate more conversation with other guests and try to get your candy cane back, plus more. The winner, at the end of the game, is the guest with the most candy canes dangling from their necklace.
2) Name that tune: Guests are divided into teams. I will give a short lyric from a Christmas song, the team that rings their bell first and gives the correct title to that Christmas song wins a point. Team with the most points wins the prize. (I am giving chocolate coins to each member of the winning team.)
3) Switch right/Switch left: Guests are all seated while a Christmas story is being read with the words “right” and “left” repeated frequently. Several gifts (because I have a large group) are dispersed throughout the group. As the story is being read, the guests are to pass the gift either to the right or left, as the story is being read. At the end of the story, the lucky person holding the gift wins it.
I would love to hear other party game suggestions for a large group.
How am I holding up with the party drawing near? It’s only Wednesday,and I do not feel the stress as of yet. Ask me again on Saturday morning. *laughs*
I trust all of you are feeling “merry and bright.”
All the best,
Rita