A Ladies Spring Tea

Friday, April 13, 2018

While it seems that spring has taken a spring vacation... what with snow coming down out of the skies, this on the 13th of April... not unexpected of course, but as we have our hearts set on spring's blooms, it makes the season of "springter" seem more and more a reality. 

Just what we needed to brighten up the moody days of spring, our ladies Bible Study held their annual spring gathering with a tea, and it was a beautiful time of fellowship.  Each year the Ladies Bible study puts on a spring gathering with a different theme.  This year it was decided to hold a tea party.  So it was that each lady who attends the bible study was given a table (or two) to decorate with their own china, making it a very eclectic and special event for all involved. 

Setting up for the tea was pure delight, as each lady brought in their treasured china
sets and set their table up. 


I loved this delightful collection of china dishes. This sweet lady was gifted this set of
china on her wedding day over 40 years ago. 

I made fresh flower bouquets for each table. 

I printed up the little programs for the tea on some pretty writing paper one of the ladies
found at a thrift store.  

My china remains packed in storage, so I used teacups that I have been given through tea exchanges
and picked up at local thrift stores, as well as a set of 6 pretty pink Pyrex plates were also picked up at a thrift store.  

The centerpiece for one of my tables (I decorated two tables). 

I think we should dine on china every day, don't you agree? Food just tastes better on china :) 
 
The centerpiece for another table that I decorated. 

This teapot I found at a thrift store last fall.  It had no name on it, and I searched for a good while to find out what it was.  I finally spoke with an antique dealer who told me that it was a Coalport teapot circa 1860.  It still is in mint condition for being this old! 

Decorating for the tea was so much fun, putting different elements together on the tables.  
 
Well, I could just keep sharing picture after picture... but I think you get the picture... we had so much fun
just getting ready for the tea party, lol! 

Now the food... oh joy!  Such a lot of yumminess to partake and enjoy!
I made these cherry tartlets using cherries I had canned last summer. So good! 

Filling plates with delicious goodies... all the lovely hallmarks of a ladies tea!

Delightful finger foods eaten on china plates with a sip of tea... delight upon delight!
The tea was most enjoyable... each lady that came thanked us for all the work we had gone to, as we worked to make it such a special time for everyone.  We had a special speaker, along with a little skit and overall it was just a very enjoyable and special time for everyone.  We are already in the planning stages for another tea, quite soon.  All ladies from our local community bible studies were invited and it was nice to visit with each one, and put faces to names.  The Bible study I attend is an interdenominational Bible study.  There are 5 different churches represented at the weekly Bible study, and about 10 churches in the area had ladies attending, so it was really a special way to meet other believers in our community. 

I've come to realize that having tea with other ladies brings a special factor into the gathering, it just quiets and settles the heart to sip tea and fellowship with other ladies.  It takes us back to a gentler, quieter time without social media,  to just sit and visit with the lady beside you and share your hearts and lives together.  We didn't ask for this, but I was amazed to see that NO PHONES were in use during our time of fellowship.  Everyone was having such a great time visiting, sipping tea and sharing that phones/social media were set aside.  That was a beautiful thing to see! Most times when I visit any restaurant, at least several tables have phones laying on the table, or in the diner's hand while eating.  So I was quite thrilled to see each lady having such a grand time that phones were put away, and fellowship was a priority.  That in itself was a blessing, and I think it speaks of the quality of time that one has with fellowship over tea.  There is just something calming about a teapot, sweet and savory goodies, special friends, and chinaware that brings a soothing atmosphere to fellowship.  :)

That being said... I can't wait for spring/summer to get here so that I can have tea in my garden... soon, very soon it will be a reality!

These dwarf crocuses are popping up in my garden, and while they are tiny... their
color lights up the world around them!

Drops of pure sunshine they are!

Pockets of joy in the mostly brown world around them, bringing
the promise of spring. 
My tulips are now about 2" out of the ground, and so I think another 2-3 weeks, and I will see some blooms from the tulips, and I am really looking forward to that. 




All my "chickies" are doing wonderfully, and quickly growing new feathers.


Lots of springtime work awaits outside with pine needles that need to be raked and dead limbs and debris that have fallen through the winter that need to be picked up.  Now we just need some warm 60-degree weather for a few days to really feel like spring has arrived... until it does, I will enjoy my early spring blooms, the happy cheeps of my chicks, and the fact that snow is no longer on the ground (don't get me wrong, I love snow in winter... but in spring, I'm ready for it to go, lol!).  Blessings to all :)

67 comments

  1. How delightful your afternoon tea looked. The tables were decorated so beautifully and I'm sure your guests appreciated all the work that had gone into making it so special. I'd like to come to tea with you!

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  2. Such a lovely gathering, tea, china, good food...perfect!

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  3. Having people set aside their phones tells you how really successful the tea gathering turned out---and I am so happy to see this kind of thing happening. Blessings- you did a great job!!!! xo Diana

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    1. It was a lovely time Diana, and so wonderful to see the ladies interacting and fellow-shipping each other!

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  4. What a lovely Tea for your Bible Study ladies, anyone would have loved the fellowship and tea.
    I love all the food and teacups and that first teapot is beautiful.

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    1. It was a lovely time indeed Sylvia, a great way to spend quality time with other ladies :)

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  5. The china, the tables, the food, all of it is so pretty! I love the teapot you found! Oh, and your baby chicks are adorable.

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  6. What an amazing celebration with like minded people. The table settings looked stunning.

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    1. Tea with other like minded ladies is just a delightful time, appreciate your visit!

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  7. Your tea looks lovely! Everyone's gorgeous dishes are a sight to see.
    Yes, soon spring will be here to stay. We've had snow, too.
    God be with you, sweet Marilyn.

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    1. Spring is finally showing up here, we are to have 70s this week, yeah :) Blessings to you too sweet friend!

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  8. I enjoyed seeing all the different aspects of your ladies tea party. It's been years since I attended such an occasion but I know it was a pleasure.
    I agree that eating off real china makes a difference. Now that my DH and I are eating alone we use different plates from my collection of odd dinner plates, or if it's a smaller meal I also have a number of 8 inch china plates that I love to use. I know which plate my hubby eats off makes no diff to him but I enjoy picking out which ones to use.

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    1. How wonderful to use different plates from your collection of china, I love that idea! I have done it as well, I do think food tastes much better served on china. :)

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  9. Gorgeous tables at the tea party with the bible study ladies. Those cherry tartlets are gorgeous! I imagine it tasted great. Ohh the flowers looks so pretty! No flowers here yet. We have a 32 degrees and everywhere we look we see white. Those cute chicks looks so healthy and so cute!

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    1. I hope your snow has melted Angela, and that you are getting a taste of spring! The chicks are doing great, and flowers are about to be in bloom, an exciting time of year :)

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  10. Oh my!
    The tea party looks so lovely.
    What a special afternoon you enjoyed!
    Thank you for sharing.
    And inspiring!!!!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet visit and comments Billie Jo, it was a really special time that we had together :)

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  11. Oh wow! That tea party looks absolutely wonderful.I would have loved being a part of that.I love fancy dishes.Enjoy those early sings of spring. Unfortunately I still see snow on part of my lawn.

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    1. Hopefully your snow is melting, or gone! Ours is completely gone, and flowers are about to be in bloom, oh happy day!

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  12. Oh, be still my heart! All these tea loveliest are just so beautiful...I don't think I could pick a favorite centerpiece. You certainly have a talent for putting different pieces together to make something beautiful! And those floral arrangements are so cheerful. I loved what you said about quiet, simple times and being able to enjoy fellowship with one another without phones even making an appearance...truly a gift and blessing!

    By the way, we're having a cold spell this weekend here in Tennessee, so don't feel too bad about Spring not quite being there yet...it's coming!

    Wishing you a lovely Sunday! ♥

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    1. It was truly a gift and a blessing to enjoy these ladies, and the special fellowship we had over tea. I hope your weather is warming up and spring is happening where you live, spring finally seems to be here. Oh happy day! :)

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  13. Lovely!
    It gives an idea for getting together with my sisters.

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    1. Oh good! It is a special way to enjoy visiting with other ladies for sure :)

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  14. What beautiful decorations! The teapots, the china, fresh flowers... all of it was so pretty! You mentioned your tulips, mine are just about ready to open! I planted them last fall and can't remember what colors I bought! The daffodils are in full bloom though and it adds such bright color to these gray, rainy days in Seattle.

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    1. Oh how exciting! I just love spring flowers, and ours will be another week or two before they bloom, but it is very exciting! I imagine they do brighten up the gray rainy days for sure! :)

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  15. Your tea pictures are gorgeous! It brings back memories of my old homeschool group tea parties. We would have volunteers to host a table and we would bring our tea sets.

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  16. Oh, how lovely it all was! I loved seeing all of the beautiful pictures and hearing of the sweet time of fellowship you all enjoyed together. Surely this is SO needful in these trying, dark days. We need one another's attention and prayers more than ever. I know God smiled down upon you all and graced your gathering with His presence! You did an amazing job, sweet friend...all of your ideas and creations were just so perfect and colorful. You can just feel the love of Jesus even through the pictures, so I can just imagine how wonderful it was to be there in person and talk and share. I was so blessed to hear that there were no phones. I know what you mean...it just irks me to no end to look around in a restaurant and see families sitting together at tables with each member of the family doing their own thing, absorbed in their own world via their phones, while they aren't even realizing the preciousness of the moment and the people in front of them. Whew....you probably don't want me to get started on this! My rant may never end! LOL!! I so appreciate you, my dear friend, and thank Jesus to have you in my life. Thank you ever so much for ALL you do and for all you share here on your blog. You are a dear gift to us all!

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  17. Marilyn, I so enjoyed seeing this post. We have done several ladies teas at church and I know how much work they are. The tables are lovely and your artistry shines through on each of them. I agree that everything tastes better on china. I think with the news always swirling around us, we, as believers in Christ, need times like this to just “be” with like minded women. Thank you for providing such a wonderful occasion for these special ladies.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  18. Your tea party looks wonderful. I love the idea of bringing your own tea set and setting your own table. I miss those times of fellowship with other ladies. My crocuses are up and my tulips have sprouted their green but we are a long way away from Spring here. Ice storm here last night but not as bad as past years. What is going on with the weather??!!

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  19. What a delightful spring tea! I agree that tea tastes better in pretty china. I liked how you used the teacups that you've received from past swaps.

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  20. Sweet and serene. Those cherry tarts look fabulous!

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  21. That tea sounds absolutely delightful, Marilyn. Loved the centerpieces you designed; as I've said before, you are quite the talented lady! And I found it so refreshing, too, that no one at the tea gathering took out their phones. Hooray! There is still hope . . .
    Blessings, and Happy Spring!

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  22. So glad you had such a wonderful fellowship with the ladies. No social media - that is the very special. Your flowers are very pretty. Ours were coming out but we're under a huge storm again here and received over 1 ft. of snow yesterday. The drifts are so large that I'm not sure how I'm going to get out for work tomorrow. I don't recall snow like this in April. It just won't quit. Wishing for springtime. Have a wonderful week ahead.

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  23. There's something very lovely about tea. I agree. The tables are just gorgeous. Friendship and fellowship seem to be in short supply lately, so I think you are very lucky to have such a wonderful event to celebrate it. And I can picture your pretty garden at summer tea time, filled with your girls milling about...soon, I hope is right!!

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  24. What a beautiful tablescape and fellowship with the ladies. The flowers, teapot and china look lovely. I would have put my cell phone away because this gathering was something to cherish. How far do you live for the next one?

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  25. Well, your springtime may have temporarily left but it sure was springtime at your tea party! How fun...and lovely, lovely china and decor! Oh those darling chicks...

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  26. What a beautiful tea...such lovely china.

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  27. As I scrolled through your beautiful photos I could hear the chatter and laughter as you dear ladies shared sweet,sweet fellowship one with another.
    Those tables were all decorated so beautifully and yes, food tastes all the better on China.
    How lovely that many churches in your area gather together. That's the making of friendships for certain.

    Bless you ♡

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  28. Oh Marilyn, Sitting together and having sweet Christian fellowship over tea and treats is a wonderful way to encourage and edify one another, rejoicing in ALL the Saviour has done for us! I'm so glad you shared your lovely photos! And the chickies....oh my chicken loving heart! I love them!!! Have a blessed week, my dearest friend!!! Much love to you!

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  29. Oh lovely lovely. To take tea with those we love, to break out the china and crystal and pretties is sheer delight.

    I can't remember the last time I took tea in such a sweet fashion.

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  30. Dear Marilyn, what a wonderful blessings for the ladies; I know that attending teas always makes me feel pampered! I am so ready for spring to stay, especially after being in the rain on vacation.
    Have a blessed week!
    Noreen

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  31. I just wanted to reach right into that photo and eat those cherry tarts! You're beautiful touch is on everything. I like the way your Bible Study reaches out and touches other women with so much creativity! What a lifter of spirits in your circle.

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  32. Such a wonderful gathering and spread! Love it. I'm so behind in visiting but soon I'll be back fresh when all this listing, selling and moving is behind us. Blessings!

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  33. Wow, I love the idea of a ladies tea party like that!
    It is still cold here by the Jersey seaside. Spring is on vacation for a bit. But it happens from time to time.
    Lovely photos of the garden flowers. Such pretty color.

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  34. What a pretty tea party! I loved how you decorated your tables. :) And I also really love all the pretty flowers. We also have chicks in our home...I just did a post on them about 15 minutes ago, actually. :) 'Tis the season for baby chicks and flowers...even if it doesn't look like it outside! :)

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  35. What a fun tea party! That is a unique touch-having everyone decorate a table with their own tea cups and items. :) Thank you for sharing about your lovely time.

    I hope you are having a sweet and wonderful day!

    love,
    Ashley

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  36. I love your tea parties, and SO look forward to your spring garden party.

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  37. What fun, Marilyn!! Those tables were lovely and you're making my tummy grumble looking at those cherry tarts!

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  38. Oh my! I don't know how I missed this on Friday! So delightful! I love ladies' tea parties, and this one looked especially lovely. Love the table settings, and the food is making my mouth water! I can just imagine the wonderful hum of voices, smiles and laughter, prayers and blessings going around the room. We do need more of that today, don't we? Love your crocuses! They truly are bright and cheery...and your chickies are adorable. I know you are getting anxious for spring to finally arrive in all its grandeur. Thank you for sharing this grand event with us. I would have loved to have been there.

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  39. Such a lovely tea, Marilyn, and so thoughtfully put together. I enjoyed seeing all the pretty place settings and centerpieces and imagining all the sweet ladies ooohing and aaahing as they found their seats. Your cherry tarts look so delicious, too. I loved your thoughts on the fellowship of the tea, with all the ladies fully enjoying each other without the distractions of this modern world. So nice to see the colorful spring flowers and the growing chicks, too. I hope you get some warm sunshine to end your week! xo Karen

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  40. That fellowship tea looked so lovely and your did a fantastic job decorating your tables. I miss being able to do that. One of the churches that I used to go to did this also and it was a very special time of fellowship. One of the churches here in our little town also does this once a year and each lady can invite a certain number of guests.
    Your crocuses are so pretty. I was so delighted when mine were all blooming. Now they have faded, but the sunny and happy daffodils have taken their place and the tulip buds are starting to show. :) Be blessed!

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  41. Oh this was so lovely ... your tables look great ... perfect in fact!
    Wonderful to see your photographs.

    All the best Jan

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  42. Tea with other ladies is just a delightful time, thank you for your visit sweet friend :)

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  43. Awesome idea dear Marilyn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    what stunning collection of china tea cups and teapots
    splendid and delightful!
    loved the arrangements from each lady and special thanks for making us part of your wonderful gathering my friend!
    yes i agree that in china food tastes better as not often but occasionally i use gifted from my mom and hubby loves it so do i :)

    yes such gatherings bring best way of socialization and beautiful way of sharing views over the delicious food!

    flowers are so lovely!!!
    i hope they will surround you with colour and fragrance soon

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  44. The tea party looks delightful! I enjoyed seeing all the pretty dishes and decorations. We have been wanting to host a tea party but right now have a lot of other busy things planned (like a Medieval Feast and a graduation party) so it is put off for the time being. My daughter Megan was given a tea set for her birthday so it will be fun to put it to use. I agree with your appreciating for a time without phones in hand. That does seem to happen so often anymore and it is a blessing when you can have conversations without adding phones to it.

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  45. Nice to see all your tea cups and pots. Yummy dishes! Beautiful flowers:)

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  46. Hello Dear Friend, Here's hoping that all is well with you and your family. You haven't blogged lately and I just want you to know that you are missed.
    God bless you,
    Connie :)

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  47. Hi There, Nice to meet you!!! Thanks for coming to my blog. Please check out my post today for some beautiful flowers.... So you are in Northern Idaho? We are in Tennessee ---and even here, Spring has taken a Spring Vacation. This may be the first week that we can actually say that Spring is HERE....

    Your tea with friends sounds wonderful... AND--I love seeing the FIRST flowers of Spring. Our Crocuses and Hyacinths are gone --and most of our Tulips are gone. BUT---we are now waiting on the IRISES and ROSES --along with the Lilies and Day Lilies.....

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  48. So cheery, so feminine, so fun!

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  49. What a wonderful tea for your bible study! It was so nice to see all the pretty tables. That teapot you found in mint condition is a beauty! Your cherry tarts look so scrumptious, and from your own cherries that you canned. Lovely!

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  50. How nice Marilyn! I love your teapot!!! I recognized one of those tea cups too!!! ;) That was one large platter of cherry tarts!! YUM! I love cherry everything!!! Bet they were good with tea! Your table looks lovely! Wish I could join you!!! Hugs,
    Linda

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  51. Your afternoon tea looks so lovely, all the more so when enjoyed with friends.
    Amalia
    xo

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  52. Hi Marilyn.. I've had this post "saved" so I could respond when I had a little more time. Where did it go since April 13th??? I'm stymied! Your tea party looked like so much fun.. .and how neat that each lady got to decorate her own table. The centerpieces are so pretty and creative.... and love all the china and plates and teacups... just "my cup of tea" also! Glad you are enjoying some spring finally. Your town sounds wonderful, with all of the churches sharing their ladies for bible studies. One of these days I WILL see your town! I love your discussion of the lack of social media at the tea..... I think phones can be so invasive of those special times... glad everyone put them away and silenced them! I sometimes long for the old days when we didn't have cell phones or computers or any sort of "social media" other than making a real telephone call to someone, or writing them a letter.

    Here we are into May already... hard to believe..... and we've had a few day so nice warm weather - was 82 two days ago.. but cloudy today.. but still warmish. I'm actually getting in the mood to plant things! Take care and sending you many blessings... Marilyn J.

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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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