Gingerbread House Benefit Tea

Today is the second Sunday in Advent. 

We light the  Bethlehem candle.  We use the traditional violet and pink candles and the traditional meanings - Prophecy, Bethlehem, Shepherd, and Angel in our home.

Our advent wreath is the first holiday decoration I unpack.  Prior to dinner, our children would recite their part for the church Christmas program, then light a small candle at their dinner place.  When dinner was finished, they would snuff their small candle.  Even though they are all either married or away at college, my husband and I still light our individual candles.  When we have dinner guests, they also light a candle. 

Yesterday my sister, niece, grandson, the teapot and I, attended the ISOH/Impact International Tea.  The group is a community based organization that helps people in need world wide.  All proceeds from the tea help Kids Against Hunger and Keeping Kids Kozy and Warm thru the Winter. 

Hot food on the buffet line included - Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Swedish Meatballs, Spanikopita, Mini Crab Cakes, Chicken Salad Croissants and PB&J triangles

The dessert buffet was available during the entire event.  The chocolate fountain is a HUGE hit and the strawberries are always the first to go.  Other dippers included, apple slices, orange sections, fresh pineapple, marshmallows and pretzels.  A huge variety of cookies, as well as some delicious baklava were also available.

Santa arrived to visit with the children.  The note on his chair said "Better watch out . . . Santa arrives at 1:30".  The teapot checked out his chair and determined it "just right" for Santa.

Our lunch goodies

And our plate of desserts

A peach apricot tea was served, as well as ice water. 

The other half of the ballroom was set up for gingerbread house building.  The teapot was checking things out before all the children converged on the area.  Plastic was put down to protect the carpet.  The "trough" down the middle of the table was made of foil and held all the decorations.  There were four or five stations set up like the one above.

Below are photos of gingerbread homes during construction by the many children.

I love the creativity, and as you can see, most parents let the children do the decorating!

This was my grandson's house during the building stage.

The completed back of his house.  He needed a "bonfire with puffs" (his word for smoke).  The huge pile of coconut and frosting on the roof kept getting bigger and bigger until he finally said very seriously, "I believe that's enough."  My sister almost fell on the floor laughing.

The front of his house.

You can see the teapot got in on the action.

This is my niece's house.  She is a junior in high school, so it isn't fair to compare it to the house of an almost three year old.  I love her horse drawn sleigh in the front yard.

Entertainment was provided by a piano player.  The teapot had a front row seat.  Can you find her?  Some years, groups of children will congregate around the piano and sing Christmas carols.  It is a very festive day and a must for many families.  As you can see, we had a great time, as well as contributed to a great cause.

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa

Mrs. Claus drinks Lipton

We had a fun filled day.  Our grandson is spending a couple nights, so the teapot has been helping keep him occupied.

We noticed this kit at the grocery yesterday.  Since it was a train, it made it's way into our cart.  

The kit is not large, but it contained everything but the butter to make two trains.  The mold is made of light plastic and may make a few more trains, if handled carefully.

The tubes of frosting work with either hand, or both hands if you prefer.

We didn't spend a lot of time decorating.

This little tea set is made by Hasbro.  It serves green, red, or yellow tea.  When you push the knob on the top, Abby Cadabby says many different things, such as "Glorious green tea", then she makes a steaming sound and says "Tea is ready."  The pot lights up in either green, red or yellow.  When you tip it to pour into the cup, the cup glows the same color.  We have had this toy for a couple years and it is a hit with any child who visits.

We had several more activities to fit in our day, such as picking out a Christmas tree at the tree farm and attending the local college's Christmas Carnival.  The proceeds were used to benefit the college's Dance Marathon project, which supports the Toledo Children's Miracle Network.

Students put on the entire event with help from some community sponsors.

The teapot enjoyed playing the Tic Tac Toe Santa Hat game.

The students were very creative in making games from items available to them.  This nerf football knocked over just enough cans to win a few tickets.  Winners chose which prizes to try to win, by placing the tickets in jars next to prizes.

It was time to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus.  This is Santa's house in Defiance, Ohio.  The teapot is waiting patiently on the bottom railing. Can you find her?

Mrs. Claus asked what kind of tea we liked.  She said she likes good old Lipton tea bags.

Then we went for a ride on the holiday trolley through Defiance.

The teapot wanted a seat of her own, since she didn't want to miss any of the city light display.  She also enjoyed the gentleman riding the back of the trolley playing his guitar and singing Christmas carols.  She was bopping her handle and spout in time with Jingle Bells.

Skaters on a pond

These lights are large enough to drive under.

In keeping with our train theme today, this is the the locomoty and caboosy.

Another large display, this time candles.

Our bedtime cup of tea was courtesy of Rosemary again.  We shared the last mint tea bag.  The little cup had several "marshmallows" (sugar cubes) in it.  The biscotti was delicious, and you can see the back wheel is missing from the top train.

This is just one of many Christmas tea cups in my collection.  It has glowing Christmas candles nestled in "Christmas Holly" (which is written on the side of the cup and top of the saucer.)  The bottom has C-889 and a sticker "Hand Crafted in Japan".

Until Tomorrow . . .

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa

Welcome to Ohio! - Team Oolong

"The Teapot" for team oolong arrived in Ohio yesterday!

Rosemary tucked in some goodies.

This sweet little box held . . .

Thank you so much Rosemary!  I sampled the three mint tea (in my new holiday cup) and  a piece of biscotti before bed last night.  Yum!  I can hardly wait to soak in a tub with the wonderful Rosemary (How appropriate!!!) and mint soap. 

I do not have a personal blog, so I hope you will bear with me as I host the traveling teapot for the month of December.  

We hit the ground running, as I strapped "the teapot" in our vehicle as soon as our mail lady dropped her at my door.  No time for a big "Welcome to Ohio" tea party.  We were off to the Christmas Tree Festival at the 

in Lima, Ohio. Can you spot the teapot?

This was their 43rd Annual Christmas Tree Festival.  This was my first visit to the museum.  The 85 plus trees were on display throughout the historical museum. The theme this year is "The Majesty of Christmas." 

Here are just a few of the trees on display.

The Lima area Barbershops - "Barbers give Bikes"

Happy Hours Garden Club - Nature's Grandeur

I could not find the sponsor of this tree, but I loved how each of the ornaments were obviously made by different children.  

Ornament close up

Lima Lioness Club - Glad To Serve Our Veterans

Allen County Master Gardeners - Heaven and Nature Sing

Wyngate Senior Living Committee - The Magnificent Monarch's of Wyngate

RMS of Ohio - (I couldn't find the theme)

Allen Metropolitan Housing Authority - Family and Home

I liked the sign on this tree.  It says "The best of all gifts around the Christmas Tree:  

The presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."

Children's Smiles Dental Care - The Majesty Of A Christmas Smile

Close up of an ornament - how cute!

The Learning Castle Child Care Center - Whoville (Dr. Seuss)

Dianna's Consignment Boutique

Close up of the ornaments

My vote for tree with the best sense of humor!

Lima Rehab And Nursing Center - The Golden Years

Closer view of their ornaments

Girl Scout-Brownie Troop 20080 - Girl Scouts - Filled with Fun!

(I loved the brownie hat as the tree topper.)

Ornament close ups - it appears the girls filled empty bulbs with "fun".

I think this tree was done by Forest Park Preschool - Jesus is Our King

Ornament close up

The Golden Bridge Academy - Glitter and Grandeur

(ornaments made by Pre-K to 4th Grade Students)

I noticed many of the trees were sponsored by schools or day cares, with many of the ornaments made by the children.

Lima Fire Department - Ladies Auxiliary - Everyday Heroes

Derek Morman in memory of Steve Morman- Majestic Memories

And "Evergreen" the talking tree

We discussed the various birds who nest in her branches.  "Evergreen" said the bluejays visited just the other day.  She really likes the cardinals, because they are so bright.  She asked us to feel her needles.  When we did, she giggled and said it tickled.  (That little hand belongs to my 2 year old grandson.)

We had a wonderful visit.  The trees are on display through Sunday December 6.  The museum complex also includes a log cabin and Victorian home.

I will try to post some photos of the regular museum exhibits, as well as the cabin and home in another post.

Glad you were able to join us for our visit to the Allen County Museum Christmas Tree Festival.  

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa