Love… One Sip At A Time // A Valentine Tea Party
I started hosting tea parties in an older home propped as pretty as you please on the corner of a quiet street. A family of four in a two-bedroom, one-bath home made for a tight fit, and tea parties felt downright snug, but no one would change a thing. Some teas were scripture-based, and others celebrated holidays, but every time, the room filled with the scent of scones, floral tea, and...
Why Everyone Needs An Encouragement Folder
by Cathy Baker I remember the day I created my Encouragement Folder. I'd not been writing very long when my mom surprised me by emailing her friends and family a copy of something I'd done. Soon afterwards, she forwarded a response she'd received from her cousin, Marie, to me. As I read Marie's email, the words soon became murky for all the tears. You see, just one day prior, I'd asked God...
4 Influential Seeds to Sow
by Cathy Baker "We benefit from the faithful artists and influencers who came before us. They did not live to see the change, but we live because of it. Be faithful to plant. Release the growing to God. Open up the clenched fists and let the seeds drop into the ground, let them burrow down deep and do their secret work in the dark. Sacred shaping happens in the waiting." -Emily P. Freeman, A...
Celebrating Our Uniqueness Tea – Invite the Neighbors!
by Cathy Baker Searching for a way to connect with other women in your neighborhood? What could be more inviting than conversation over a cup of tea? With the Celebrating Our Uniqueness Tea, each woman brings her favorite teacup or mug to the gathering. It's a casual way to learn more about those around our table—how God wired them, our commonalities, as well as our differences. This...
What Happens When the Fragrance of Christ Mixes With Metal
Having the likes of Edie Melson and Marcia Moston in our local writer's group Cross N Pens is a tremendous boon for those of us striving to hone our skills. Over the weekend, our group enjoyed a mini-workshop featuring these talented women. Below are just a few tidbits from their talks. Marcia Moston, the author of Call of a Coward, spoke on Creative Non-fiction (the 4th genre!) In...
Why I Almost Didn’t Register for Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference
by Cathy Baker While traveling home from the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian's Conference last year, I sensed very clearly that "play time" was over. Not that I'd viewed it as such but I'd wasted spent a lot of time debating with myself if writing was where God wanted me to spend His time. Through a series of confirmations at BRMCWC, I left feeling confident I was exactly where He wanted me to...
Two Favorite Tea Recipes by Patsy Clairmont
by Cathy Baker One of my favorite tea books is Tea with Patsy Clairmont, which is why I'm sharing two of her recipes with you today. Friends ask for this Devonshire Cream recipe long after the tea party is over. Yes, it's that good! Devonshire Cream 1- 3 oz. package cream cheese, softened 1 T. sifted powdered sugar 1/2 t. vanilla 1/3 - 1/2 c. whipping cream Beat cream cheese until light and...
When Words Puddle on Paper
by Cathy Baker Words hold power. I can testify to this truth after recently having led a Writing to Heal workshop at a retreat for mothers who've lost children of any age. Our goal during each session was simple: Take what's on the inside and put it on paper. The handout provided a list of writing prompts, such as: I am... I wonder... I hear... I see... The prompts were simple—filling...
Cathy Baker
Join the Creative Pauses Facebook Community
I Recommend Fistbump Media!
