Teacup Friendships

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

One of the loveliest benefits of blogging that I never anticipated when I first began to blog, was that I would develop wonderful friendships with ladies all around the world, most of whom I will never meet, and how remarkable, and special these friendships are!  So many wonderful ladies have become dear close friends who I correspond with both on a blogging level, and on a friendship level.  And one of those precious friends is dear Stephanie who blogs at The Enchanting Rose. 



Twice a year this precious lady hosts a teacup/mug exchange and this is open to people worldwide to share not only a teacup/mug with another lady, but to have the opportunity for a special friendship to develop through the exchange.  If you would like more information about the teacup/mug exchange, visit this link: http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/p/tea-cup-exchange.html and there is a wonderful page there showing the history of the exchange.

On Wednesday, April 20th, be sure and visit Stephanie as she will be hosting a linky party and all of those who have participated in the exchange will be sharing the joy with all.  Such fun and joy it will be!  It will be so delightful to see all the wonderful exchanges that took place!

I chose this time to participate in a mug exchange since we are living in very tiny quarters here as we downsize and choose to live a simpler lifestyle.  My kitchen is quite tiny and I don't have room to display many things.  And tea cups just beg to be displayed and enjoyed!  So this time around I chose to participate in the mug exchange, and what a delight it has turned out to be!

My package arrived the very day I left to go to Texas to be with my mother-in-law, who had fallen and broken her leg.  My children called to tell me that a happy package was waiting on my return. It was quite exciting to return home, and have this lovely package awaiting me.


Ida who blogs at Wishes, Dreams and Other Things was my exchange partner, and she took such tender care to put together this lovely package!  Ida had been sick, as her family had been hit with a nasty flu bug, hence she was a little later getting the package out, so she included some extras in the package, although there was really no need to... I certainly would have understood!  But!!!  Such delight in opening each lovely item was such a joy!


This gorgeous pot holder was hand sewn by a lady in Ida's hometown, and it is just so pretty, I can hardly bear using it for practical purposes!  I just adored the country spring scene on the potholder. So serene and springy!


She also sent me a lovely American themed coaster, a darling froggy magnet "Miracles happen every day" (AMEN! to that!), and a lovely stamp set that has all sorts of possibilities to create with! I just love the saying "All things grow with LOVE"... isn't that so true!  Is there anything in the world that can't be touched through LOVE? Such a beautiful stamp, and I'm so thankful to have this lovely stamp to add to my collection!


Ida also handmade this gorgeous card for me!  She included the loveliest little note inside handwritten on a sticky note so that I could use the card again... how sweet and thoughtful she was.  The card is simply beautiful, much more so in person than even the camera can capture with all the special details with the gorgeous rooster... isn't he a fine looking fellow!



Ida also sent me some sweetness!  Oh these caramels are simply delightful!  They melt in your mouth, and the delight just goes on and on!  I simply love them!  I don't think you can eat just one!


This was the perfect selection of tea beverage for me... I love peppermint tea!  Did you know that peppermint has many wonderful attributes?  If you've eaten a bit too much at dinner, peppermint tea is the perfect thing to help your stomach settle down and the indigestion ease.  I've enjoyed this peppermint tea immensely.  In fact, I really like the STASH brand, and often buy their tea.  This peppermint tea has a lovely fresh taste, and you can get more than one hot cup of tea with each bag.


And the piece de resistance... indeed the highlight of the exchange of course, is the delightful mug that we were exchanging.  When I unwrapped this mug, I couldn't believe my eyes... there was a beautifully feathered rooster with abundant and glorious colors, much like my own Mr. Rudy!


And the most special thing about this mug is that dear Ida had picked this mug out before she ever met me, or my blog, or knew that I raised chickens!  Isn't that just amazing!  I never cease to be amazed at how little details like that are just tenderly arranged it seems by the Lord himself!


I can tell you that I've enjoyed many, many cups of tea already in this beautiful mug, and it always brings a smile to my heart as I enjoy the beautiful cup... it is beautifully crafted, and holds the perfect mug of hot tea!  In fact, I've been sitting outside in the afternoons drinking a hot cup of tea while my chickens play round me.  Such enjoyable time is spent with my mug in hand.  Making friendships through this mug exchange is really what is such a blessing, and Ida and I have enjoyed emailing back and forth and getting to know each other better, and that is loveliest part of this exchange for sure!

And the fun goes on!  My teacup/mug partner was dear Anne who blogs at AnnePayne.blogspot.com. This precious lady and I have interacted and visited each other's blogs and so it was joy to be paired with Anne!  


It was so much fun putting together this special box for Anne. I made a journal with her name on it, as well as a teacup bookmark.


Also included was a porcelain tea bag holder, a short devotional on "LOVE", and several tea bag samples for Anne, as well as a KIND chocolate almond bar.


The mug I chose to send Anne is crafted by the Pioneer Woman, who is a fellow blogger who has branched out in the past year with her own line of lovely kitchen ware.  I adored this mug when I saw it, and knew that it was just the perfect one for Anne.


This little teabag holder will come in handy for mugs as you don't have a saucer to place your teabag on.  I enjoy using them :)


A short devotional on love...


And a close-up of the journal I created for Anne.



This is the little teacup bookmark that I made to send to her.  This was so much fun to make.  :)




It was such a joyous event to put this together this little package for Anne, and I received the sweetest thank you card from her soon after she received her package.

This has all been a very special and sweet exchange to participate in, and best of all, the friendships that have been born out of this exchange are what really make this such a truly blessed event. Already, I can't wait for September or October 2016 when Stephanie will be hosting another teacup/mug exchange!

I will leave you with this tea-lightful thought:

Image result for tea quote



A lovely tea, and a good friend is truly one of the beautiful joys of life!  :)

46 comments

  1. AWESOME!!!! I love the rooster cup. Thanks for the smiles, enjoyed reading this...smiles...have a beautiful Wednesday, friend.

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    1. Thanks Linda... indeed it was such a joy to be able to participate again in the exchange... I love my rooster mug too, it is getting great use! Appreciate your visit, and hope you are having a wonderful week!

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  2. Hi, What a lovely mug and the caramels are the best ! It really was a lot of fun doing it this exchange this spring. I so enjoy roosters myself. And I love the Stash tea brand also. You really got a nice gift box! Enjoy it all!
    Hugs, Roxy

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    1. Oh indeed, the mug and the caramels, pure delight indeed! The mug was just a perfect fit for me! I am enjoying it all, such a blessing indeed! Hope you are having a lovely week!

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  3. This looks like so much fun! I am going to have to join in on the exchange one time!!! :) Thank you for sharing your goodies. Have a lovely week!

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    1. Yes, indeed you do need to join, it is such a joyful event... the best part is the new friendships that are made! Appreciate your visit JES, and hope you are having a wonderful week!

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  4. Everything looks lovely! I thought the same thing when I saw the rooster on your mug! How perfect for you!! You received and sent such an array of sweet gifts!!! This has to be one of the sweetest ways to make new friends and definitely a highlight of blogging for sure. So thankful that I met you last year and grateful to Stephanie who makes it all happen for us! Xo
    Linda

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    1. Oh, the rooster mug is just darling, and it holds the perfect sized cup of hot tea! I've enjoyed it so much, along with all the other lovely items from Ida, she was so thoughtful. I still cherish the lovely things you sent me ... and use your bookmark in my Bible to mark my reading place. I think of you often when I see it! These exchanges are just wonderful, such precious friendships that have blossomed. Hoping you are having a wonderful week!

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  5. Everything looks lovely! I thought the same thing when I saw the rooster on your mug! How perfect for you!! You received and sent such an array of sweet gifts!!! This has to be one of the sweetest ways to make new friends and definitely a highlight of blogging for sure. So thankful that I met you last year and grateful to Stephanie who makes it all happen for us! Xo
    Linda

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  6. It was such a pleasure for me to be able to pick out and send you those items. I was super cool about the Rooster Mug and finding out that you raise chickens. Yes I do believe that the Lord does help us out with even things like that. I'm so happy you enjoyed all the gifts and most importantly that we have become new friends through this exchange.

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    1. Me too, Ida, me too! I'm so thankful that the Lord allowed our paths to cross, and the rooster mug is just the beginning of a wonderful friendship, of which I'm so thankful for! The Lord is truly amazing like that! It has been such a joy to look at and use each of the wonderful things you gifted me with, but I must say the rooster mug has definitely been so delightful for me to use! Also, all the caramels are gone, and I don't take all the responsibility, it seems my son likes them too, lol! Appreciate your generosity, Ida, such a lovely package you put together for me, and I so appreciate it! Have a blessed day my friend :)

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  7. Lovely parcels received and sent Marilyn!
    Stephanie, has made such a difference to the blogging world by bringing together like-minded with a common interest of tea and coffee!
    Shane

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    1. Stephanie certainly has been an incredible blessing to those of us like minded ladies who blog, and this tea exchange just extends the blessings of friendships even farther! It is an incredible thing to be a part of, maybe you can join in next time :) Thank you for visiting me today and leaving a kind comment.. have a blessed day!

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  8. Oh my gosh, I want that rooster mug! What a lovely box of goodies Ida sent to you, as the one was that you sent to your recipient! What you said at the beginning of this post is just so true! I had no idea of what I was getting into when I started blogging and I never dreamed it was possible to have friendships like this. Ditto to everything you said :) Enjoy the rest of your week!

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    1. Isn't that rooster mug special! I am just enjoying it so much :) Indeed, the blessings of blogging are growing, and for that I am so very thankful! Stephanie always does such a marvelous job of pairing ladies together, and I know the Lord directs her in all this... appreciate your visit Debby, and trust you are having a lovely week :)

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  9. Hello Marilyn~~I was so excited when I saw that rooster mug on the link up and just knew it was you before I even looked at the blog, only to find out that it was Ida who gifted you and she didn't even know you had chickens, ONLY GOD!
    That is a perfect mug for you, lovely lady.
    Isn't Ida a sweetie? I had the joy of gifting her a mug some time ago, and it was a joy shopping for her. This is the second time I have done the mug and I so enjoyed it.
    I must have been wonderful coming home to your parcel after having to go away in such a rush.
    Enjoy your treasures~~
    Debbie

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    1. Oh isn't that so funny, how you just knew that mug was for me... my goodness! I never cease to be amazed at how the Lord works, and it is such a special time to both give and to receive! Your dear Stephanie simply outdid herself again, and we are just so thankful and grateful to her for all the work she goes to, to make sure everyone has a special time. Ida is just the sweetest lady, and we have been enjoying getting to know each other better, and we really don't live that far from each other! Who knows, someday we may get to meet :) Appreciate your visit, as I know you are trying to visit all the lovely ladies today who have shared their exchange with us... may the Lord bless you too dear Debbie!

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  10. Marilyn, was t it fun? How exiting it was to receive a package in the mail and know that the person that sent it, thought of you as the gifts were wrapped with such care. I so enjoyed participating this time around :-). Your goodies are just precious :0)

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    1. This was such joy to participate in... both giving and receiving have been blessed, and I've been blessed seeing how other ladies were blessed! Truly a joyful day in blogland, isn't it! Appreciate your visit Maria, and we continue to pray for the Lord's healing and blessing in your life too!

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  11. That mug is so you! What a fun exchange and treat to get happy mail. I didn't do the exchange this year and I wish I had. But, its still fun the see what delights everyone received.

    Have a great weekend!
    Hugs, Amy

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    1. You have had a lot going on Amy, working on your house, you have really made some wonderful improvements, and I just loved how your den turned out! Maybe you will have time this fall to participate, it really is such fun! It has been a blessing both to give and receive, but I've also been blessed just reading the stories of different ladies, and how their new friendships have blossomed through this exchange. Appreciate your visit Amy, and trust you are having a lovely week!

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  12. I'm visiting from Ida's blog and I'm enchanted by the pretty mug and thoughtful gifts that she sent to you! Your gifts to your exchange partner all all so darling and exceptional! This teacup/ mug exchange is such a wonderful idea--I hope to participate one day.

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    1. Thank you so much for your visit... and what joy it was to pop over and visit you too! Indeed this tea exchange has been such a lovely way to meet new friends, and be blessed, both in giving and receiving. Truly joyful! Appreciate your visit, and hope we can become friends too... after all, this exchange just keeps on giving and growing :) Have a blessed day!

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  13. Oh, how beautiful! I LOVE the journal you made for Anne and also the lovely teacup bookmark! The dear Lord has blessed you with so many gifts and talents, and you are so precious to share them with so many others. I was amazed to read that the dear lady who sent your package had already bought this mug before she knew. GOD knew who were recipient would be, and He absolutely orchestrated the details. It was SO nice to see the package you sent and the package you received. Dear Stephanie is doing SO much good through this exchange. I know what you mean, I can hardly wait for the next exchange, either. :) Love and appreciate you, dear friend.

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    1. Isn't it amazing how the Lord just works out the little details in our lives, without us even knowing it! It has been such a joy to participate in this lovely tea exchange, both the giving and receiving have been so blessed, and as I read of other ladies and the joy of their exchanges, the joy continues... our God is so good indeed! I too can hardly wait for the next exchange! Much love to you dear Cheryl... enjoy your roses, they are just beautiful!!!!! And do sing with the bluebird too :) Have a blessed day my friend :)

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  14. The swap has been such a joy, hasn't it? It is lovely to make that connection with others.

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  15. Oh such lovely goodies! I know you were thrilled to come home and open this delightful box. Wasn't this exchange the most fun! I enjoyed it greatly. Love the rooster mug, I like chicken things in my kitchen too. I gave the Ree Drummond mug to a friend for her birthday last week. She has the prettiest dishes in WalMart.
    Have a beautiful day dear one....

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  16. What a wonderful exchange you participated in. I love both the things that you received and you gave. You can tell that each item was carefully chosen for the recipient with great care and love. :)

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  17. What a wonderful exchange you participated in. I love both the things that you received and you gave. You can tell that each item was carefully chosen for the recipient with great care and love. :)

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  18. You received and gave such beautiful items. The rooster mug is absolutely perfect for you. All the handcrafted items are wonderful also.

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  19. You received and gave such beautiful items. The rooster mug is absolutely perfect for you. All the handcrafted items are wonderful also.

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  20. Special treasures sent and special treasures received. I love Stephanie too!

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  21. Oh my, the mug is PERFECT for you! Once again, only the Lord {{smiles}}

    I just loved seeing what you received from Ida. The pot holder is simply lovely and the extra goodies are all delightful.

    And everything you sent to Anne is absolute perfection! You and Ida put a lot of love and care into your packages and it blesses my heart to see that.

    Thank you, precious friend, for joining the exchange. Much love to you!

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  22. Such whimsical gifts you received. Your new mug is a beauty isn't it. That rooster is a handsome fellow isn't he. I love the pretty gifts you gathered together for Anne. The journal and bookmark you fashioned are lovely.

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  23. Oh Marilyn, I LOVE the mug your received! In my NC farm house, I have chickens and roosters decorating my kitchen. I've collected them for years. Ida sure did gift you with the perfect items.

    Thank you for my box of goodies! I sincerely teared up when I opened it and carefully unwrapped each item. I'm so glad we are getting to know one another even better. Blessings, my friend!

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  24. I love seeing what all you all exchange with each other. It's so sweet all the pretty things and thought you all put into it.

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  25. I love seeing what all you all exchange with each other. It's so sweet all the pretty things and thought you all put into it.

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  26. Stash peppermint tea is a favorite here too! I like peppermint essential oil and get it as gifts. It's great to slurp on your wrist for fresh breath and now I found a smoothie recipe I add it too. When I get a headache I smear it on my forehead or back of the neck and I diffuse it. I like the gifts you received but I also like the package you made up. Oh, that journal screams love! Thank you for this uplifting post; what a blessing!

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  27. I have been friends with Ida for awhile now, and I am not surprised that she did such a wonderful job on your parcel. I love that mug, and it is obvious that you will treasure it for years to come!
    From southern Saskatchewan, Have a great weekend!

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  28. The goodies that you sent and received are all lovely. I really like the pretty blue (turquoise?) colour of your rooster mug and the super cute teacup bookmark!

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  29. Marilyn, I hope your mother is feeling much better! I have enjoyed seeing all the tea/mug posts. I didn't participate this time. Love all your treasures that Ida sent you. And your treasures that you sent Anne are gorgeous! LOVE the journal that you made. ♥

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  30. What a wonderful package you received from Ida, and so perfect for you!! That was a nice treat after tending to your mother in law, who hopefully is doing well. The package that you sent to Anne was so thoughtful. Isn't this the best blessing of giving and receiving? Enjoy your teatime treats!

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  31. What a sweet exchange to participate in. I've seen other posts like this one, where bloggers were blessed with tea cups, and other gifts. The rooster mug is perfect for you, and the mug you sent out was very pretty and I'm sure perfect for the receiver. Enjoy your gifts, and your new friendships!
    Debbie
    xo

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  32. Hi MM! I participated in the teacup exchange a few years ago. Anne Payne sent me such a beautiful package! I love how this simple idea has grown to become a really lovely way to connect bloggers. What a great mug! I like mugs better for my coffee, and this looks like such a colorful one :)
    Enjoy all your gifts and new connections!
    Ceil

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  33. Such lovely gifts to give and receive. I have to join the fun next time.
    Amalia
    xo

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  34. Hello,
    I just wanted to let you know I replied to your comment. I'm sorry it's a late reply. http://creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-mud-bog.html
    Love,
    Ashley

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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