by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
“Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought that no one but myself. . .'” -C.S. Lewis, The Four Love
Today’s celebration is the “Sharing Your Treasure” Tea.
I hosted this tea for my life group ladies. It’s been several years now, but the memories from our time together still linger.
“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh?” he whispered.
“Yes, Piglet?”
“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand. “I just wanted to be sure of you.”
―
A.A. Milne,
Winnie-the-Pooh
And our most faithful Friend, Jesus:
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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 particular tea gathering is a new one for me. I created it out of a desire to stretch myself beyond the borders of comfort. As a long-standing introvert I admit that inviting people I know only in passing isn’t a comfortable place to be, but rarely is comfort the catalyst for anything eternal bound.
Stacks of books and fertile dust bunnies have often dictated when God’s home could be used for His glory. I’m learning, however, that the captivating aroma of Christ can only be released to its fullest potential when I’m willing to open my imperfect home to the perfect Host.
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
Do
not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have
entertained angels without knowing it. – See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Hospitality#sthash.8noAT4jm.dpuf
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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 fluffy. Beat in sugar and vanilla. Gradually beat in enough whipping cream to form a mixture of spreadable consistency. Do not over-beat. Cover and chill 2 to 24 hours. Makes 1 cup.
(I always double this recipe. After all, who could ever resist a second helping of scones, Devonshire cream, and raspberry jam? No one I know!)
Cream Scones
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/3 c. cold butter, cut into pieces
1 c. whipping cream
2 T. whipping cream or 1 egg white
1 t. orange zest
1/2 c. currants, dried cherries, dried cranberries (optional)
1/2 c. chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt with a pastry blender until the consistency is course and crumbly. Add 1 c. whipping cream, stirring just until moistened. Option: Add 1/2 currants, dried cherries, dried cranberries, chopped pecans or chopped walnuts as you stir in the whipping cream.
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, knead 5 or 6 times. Roll until 1/2″ thick. Cut with a round biscuit cutter and place each scone about 2 inches apart on a nonstick baking sheet.
Brush the tops of the scones with the remaining 2 tablespoons whipping cream or egg white. Sprinkle the tops with sugar.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 1 dozen. Serve scones warm with Devonshire cream, jam, and lemon curd.
Tea and Thee
Graceful china cup
Sterling silver spoon
Devotions set apart
My heart to His attune
Time in His presence
Sips of English tea
Moments to remember
His great love for me.
– Patsy Clairmont
Oh, the sweet aroma!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Tea and encouragement. I prayed God would weave them together for a greater purpose. I’d hosted tea parties in my home but sensed God shaping my desire into something even more personal.
One day, while browsing an antique shop in Myrtle Beach, SC, I spotted the answer to my prayer sitting on a shelf, painted in delicate blue/yellow stripes and shaped like a petite one-cup tea-pot. With it, all the other details flowed into place.
When we returned from the beach, I wasted no time assembling a “Barnie Basket,” Barnie, aka Barnabas,”Son of Encouragement,” from Acts 4:36.
Each week, I’d pray for God to give me the name of a woman in our church in need of encouragement. On Sunday mornings, I would ask her to meet me at my car after the service. There, I would hand off the basket and point to the enclosed note card for all the details.
In the note, I shared how God had laid her on my heart and that inside the basket was an opportunity for one-on-one tea time with her heavenly Father.
In the basket, I placed:
- One answer-to-prayer teapot
- One teacup, along with an individually-wrapped teabag
- A journal and pen (the recipient was encouraged to journal about her time with the Lord and to read the entries made by previous recipients.)
- Homemade cookies, packaged biscotti, or tea cookies
- Mini-scripture notes written specifically for the recipient
She need only place the teacup, teapot, and journal in the basket to return to me the following Sunday morning.
That was almost twenty years ago.
Five years ago, a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. I desperately wanted to lift her spirits as she would soon face a double mastectomy. Then I remembered that this friend was one of the first recipients of the Barnie Basket all those years ago. I searched my shelves for the journal that had traveled home with so many friends and turned to the page of her entry. In it, she shared in detail how she trusted God above all else — no matter what. I carefully removed the page from the journal and framed it for her, presenting it to her a few days before her surgery. It was a special moment, indeed.
We never know, do we? But God does.
Tea Maker
Steeped in His Word
Infused with His love
Sweetened by His Spirit
Stirred from above.
-Patsy Clairmont
