"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

DECEMBER 17 A TEA PARTY

 


My Annual Bible Study Christmas Tea has been a tradition for years, hosted by my friend Bobbie for all the ladies in our Bible Study group.

We've been part of this Bible study for over two decades.

I am going to experiment with AI rewriting this for me.

Some years, Bobbie's house welcomed up to 30 attendees. This year, we numbered eight, with one unable to attend. Our group's size has reduced following the split in the Methodist Church earlier this year.

It's a somber reality to face—the church we departed from appears to be faltering, which is distressing to observe.

Bobbie, one of five sisters raised solely by their mother, exudes kindness alongside her sister Jimmie, who also joins the Bible study. Their genuine warmth and soft-spoken nature, accentuated by charming southern accents, are truly endearing.

Known as the Christmas Queens, Bobbie and her sister lavish their homes with extensive decorations. Their annual shopping spree kicks off on Black Friday and spans roughly 18 hours, a feat that once garnered them a feature in the newspaper.

Bobbie's collection of over a hundred candles is a sight to behold. She diligently arranges them, keeps them lit, and ensures each one remains aglow day after day.

(Not sure if I like it how AI wrote it or not.)


Starting the tour:

She has a back entrance ramp, and this is the sunroom.










This is her kitchen.








Party favors for us to take home.


Even her bathroom was decorated to the hilt.



Her living room.



One of her Manger scenes.

Another Manger scene.


The stairs to go up!  She had candles on each step to the left.


And candles on the right!



One of her ten trees.
Her husband is retired police and this is his tree.


One Santa welcoming on one side of the door.


Another Santa welcoming on the other side of the door.


Our luncheon - complete with China, silver, and crystal!  
A real tea party.










                                                   Family room where we sang carols and had our bible study.
                                                                                        The Nutcrackers are huge.
                                               
                                                                                 

                                            My bible study teacher of 20 plus years in red.


Know you know that this is what I have been doing on Thursdays for the past 20 years.


“We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have learned to live together in the same box. ”

—Author Unknown


    

Use a Post-It note when drilling to catch the dust.
 





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14 comments:

MadSnapper n Beau said...

Her home is really beautiful, i like all three of the trees, or were there 4? I like the old man and woman praying at the table, that hangs on the wall. beautiful. 8 is perfect for having good conversations, 30 would not be as personal. we have attended 5 churches in 35 years in this house, every single one of them had a breakup and split, and half left half stayed. all of the five. that is why we stopped going to church,

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

What a wonderful way to celebrate ! That house is really beautiful. Sharing a cup of tea on a cold winters day sound wonderful!

Mari said...

I can't think of a better way to spend Thursdays for the last 20 years!
Her home is beautiful and I can't imagine all the work in doing all that decorating!

Chez Cheri said...

How wonderful that you ladies carry on this tradition. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Buttercup said...

What fabulous decorations! I am still part of a study group set up at our synagogue in 1994. I joined in 1996 -- we joke I'm a newcomer -- and we meet for study the second Saturday every month. It's a wonderful part of my life.

Sandi said...

I LOVE the nutcrackers on the stairs!

But I gotta say, that wood ceiling is AMAZING.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Sorry about the size of your Bible group changing and the church also. That is lovely about Bobbie and her sister. Sounds like Christmas is huge for them. The candle sounds beautiful and amazing. Wow, it all looks fabulous. I love the staircase. That's an interesting idea on the drilling. Have a wonderful day.

photowannabe said...

That's quite a legacy..Lots of years of loving, learning and letting the Lord work in your lives.
Your leader has a beautiful home and so wonderfully decorated.
Its sad when churches split but that's because we are human. Glad you still can get together.
Sue

Ginny Hartzler said...

Her home is gorgeous! Kind of like a Christmas store! Those nutcrackers on the steps...they are candles? I sure don't have the talent or ability to do all of this, and make it look this good!

Terri D said...

Oh my gosh, what a beautiful home!! I just kept wondering where she stores it all each year!!! It is so great that you have all been together for so many years. Thank you for sharing this all with us!! Merry Christmas!

Red Rose Alley said...

Your friend's home is charming and all decked out for Christmas. I like the picture of the red pick-up truck with the wreath. The manger scenes are very special, and I love those nutcrackers. Wow, she has 10 trees! It takes an effort to put up even one tree! Her mantel is so festive with the lights and Santa. And the favors were a thoughtful and nice gift. She set a really nice table for all of you. I love that "crayon" quote, and the dog quote made me chuckle. This really is the most wonderful time of year, isn't it?

~Sheri

Inger said...

Gorgeous and amazing! I loved the staircase, well, I loved everything.

acorn hollow said...

What a lovely home she has. It really was an elegant and festive tea.
Cathy

Debbie Nolan said...

Oh my what a wonderful place to visit. Thank you for sharing your dear friend's home and decorations...she must work weeks to do all that lovely decorating. So wonderful to get together and have Bible Study...now I will know what you are doing on Thursdays. May you have a blessed Christmas friend and a Happy New Year too. Hugs!