Saturday, May 03, 2008

There is Always Time for Tea

Sure, Alice was very busy chasing that cute little rabbit. She knew she had to find her way home soon too. As preoccupied as she was, Alice still managed to find the time to sit down with the Mad Hatter and enjoy a cup a tea. Good for you Alice! May we all learn a lesson from you!

Alice wants you to know that no matter how late you are for your very important date, there is always time for tea. There is always time to stop and smell the roses, whether they be white or red! She is on ebay right now.

While the roses here in the desert are few and far between, your blogs, my dear friends, are roses to me. The weather is heating up and I am going into hibernation mode, but I so enjoy the words and photos you all share. As busy as I am, I simply don't fill guilty about that. :) Thank you!

I have also taken Alice's advice, as well as the advice from a wonderful blogger, Cheryl from Confections by having afternoon tea with my daughter everyday after school. Like Cheryl, I too experience that crazy hour after school and have found that having this time with her really helps! I have tons of china that I use in my business, so she gets her pick everyday. Sometimes I bake one thing...usually a half hour before I go pick her up and combine it with some cut fruit. I'm a tea fanatic, so I have a nice selection of tea for her to choose from. This has been a big hit! So big in fact, that she told her friends at school and now a couple of times a week, one of the neighborhood girls join us too! "The cousins" have even been over for tea!

I think it's funny how even though I started taking Lillian to tea at 18 months, I never thought of having it at home. Thank you Cheryl!



Here is Lillian during one of our teas. I swear she didn't put on the dress for tea or the photo...she is going through a very feminine stage right now and dresses up for school like this. I had to stop her from going to school in her Christmas dresses! The apron, though, she did put on for tea. It belonged to my grandmother- Lillian is named after her. She was a registered nurse in the 20's and 30's. She wore the cap and the navy cape and everything! She would be so happy to see Lillian now. No matter what, she was always a lady and dressed like it too. :)

IMG_5495

26 comments:

Cheryl Ensom said...

Oh Sweets! Your Lillian is just a DOLL! And how touched I am that you mentioned me and are having tea with your daughter in the afternoon after school. Hearing that MAKES MY DAY! Makes my week for that matter! :) Isn't it a precious time? I am now on the look-out for other ways to carve sweet time together in a really special way. We mothers can start to feel like our roles as referees, teachers and disciplinarians are US and it takes something like "tea" together to remind us that there is also a way that we can be a friend and a playmate to our kids sometimes. I love that! Hugs to you. Wish we could ALL get together for tea, don't you? Have a lovely weekend.
Hugs, cheryl :)

Lola Enchanted said...

Very sweet!!!~

kari and kijsa said...

Adorable!! Great job!!Have a wonderful evening!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Sandra Evertson said...

Wonderful, love this painting and what a beautiful girl your sweetie is!
Sandra Evertson
P.S.
Lovin her red shoes!

Lisa Lectura Creations said...

Hi Mere! This painting is adorable! It is so sweet how you and Lillian take tea every afternoon. The photo of her is so precious. Thanks also for your sweet comment about my kindred spirits paintings. I fell in love with Anne's story and all the characters right away. I just had to create them on canvas. I love the books & mini series as well. You made me want to take a sip of that raspberry cordial too! Take care, Lisa :)

Kim Hardt Originals said...

She is so sweet Mere!

Leanne Ellis said...

Hi Mere! Your Alice painting is so lovely! The colours are really pretty and delicate! And Lillian looks like she's stepped right out of Wonderland in her beautiful dress! :) I just realised that I hadn't added you to my favourite blog lists yet!! I was so convinced I had, I was searching for the link thinking why can't I find it!! So, I fixed it quick-smart! ;)

My Vintage Studio said...

Hi Mere.
First I want to thank you for your wonderdul comments on my monthly free give aways!

Second, Lillian is adorable! Your painting is wonderful!

You have a great blog!
Sharon

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Lillian is adorable. I wish she could come over to visit for a tea party here!

How exciting that you are painting my aunt for her birthday card! She has dark-medium brown hair and blue-green-grey eyes. Can't wait!

Lori Garbarino said...

I just love Alice! Very real! Meredith I just love everything you do!

Thank you for your support and kind words. I wish you could have gotton the wrap around porch! I know exactly what you mean by living in a Stucco neighborhood, I just move beack from Las Vegas about 1 year ago and We lived there almost 3 years total. I loved it but I grew to despisre the desert theme

Can't wait to see what you do next

Hugs

Lori

noodle and lou said...

Soooo sweet Mere!! Your painting and daughter are both absolutley adorable!!! xoxo...jenn

Lori said...

Mere, your daughter is SO adorable!!! she looks so very pretty all dressed up for tea...that is such a sweet tradition to start, i wish i had a little girl to do that with...maybe a grand~daughter some day? yes i did sign up with what you asked about, you can click on the button on my banner to sign up through me:) i love alice in wonderland, one of my favorite books when i was young, love the sweet face on your alice!!!

{oc cottage} said...

What a great memories your daughter will have of those "Teas".

M

LW said...

I think tea in the afternoon with your daughter is a wonderful idea and she will remember this time you gave her forever…

Once a week after school I would go visit my grandmother and we would always have tea and pink frosted cake. She would tell me stories of her childhood… I loved this time with my grandmother and cherish the memory..

Louise

Lana Manis said...

How sweet Mere! That's a wonderful thing to do with your daughter. I remember how hectic life is with kids in school. My youngest graduates high school next week ~ yikes! Thank you for visiting my blog and always for the kind comments. Your art is beautiful & so whimsical ~ I love it!
God Bless,
Lana

Kim Hardt Originals said...

Happy Mother's Day Mere!!! Hope you have a great day!!!

Kim

tascha said...

OMG! Your daughter is so sweet! Love the Alice in Wonderland too!

Lori Garbarino said...

Happy Mothers Day Meredith!

Hugs,

Lori

Adriana Whitney said...

Happy mother's day Mere!
Adri :)

Healing Expressions said...

HI Mere...What a sweet post! Having tea is one of my most favorites thing to do! There is nothing like sharing memories over a beautiful tea time! I just wanted to let you know you are one of art dangle winners for my giveaway! If you can email me your address I will get it sent off to you right away!
Blessings
Lani

Wyanne Thompson said...

Hi Mere: thanks so much for you wonderful comments on my blog. Your 6-year old is soooo cute...I'm glad you let her paint with you each week.

Love,
Wyanne

PEA said...

Mere,
Your daughter and the painting are precious! I am a huge tea drinker. The english side of me.
Have a wonderful day.
P.

FrostingsNSparkles said...

Mere, your dd is beautiful!!!! Love the painting, so so cute!

Kristen Beason said...

Hi Mere~
Your daughter is adorable!

Kristen

Suzanne said...

Mere~ Lillian is adorable, and what a sweet idea! I'm sure she will remember her afternoon tea time with you fondly.
Alice is so cute, and wonderfully whimsical, love her!

Anonymous said...

OMG!! How sweet! I want the dress and painting..sooo darling!