My Niece's Birthday Tea Party!

This past week was Spring Break for the Fuentes family and we have been away on vacation! We have returned happily refreshed and I have many wonderful photos to share with you-- our vacation kicked off with a tea party for my niece in Chicago:

The lovely birthday girl table...

Island of goodies--aren't they pretty?

And they tasted amazing!

Chocolate dipped strawberries and American girl shortbread cookies!

Happy faces eagerly anticipating the tea...

The place settings were sweet...

The table of older tea partying daughters....

There were plenty of games, races, etc. Here is my little Joy all dressed up in a colonial dress that Janai, my oldest daughter hand made for her for another occasion (more on that later) passing a Tea Book in hot potato fashion. They had so much fun and she would not stop laughing!

All the girls in a circle and see my beautiful mother-in-law in the background?

The craft table had keepsakes boxes ready for decorating...
(hmm--I think I need to lighten these pictures up but my virtual assistant, Naomi, is fast asleep so it will have to wait!)

The excited girls carefully decorating their treasures...

Beautiful girlhood in all her glory!

A sweet group picture---aren't they adorable?

The Grand finale--presents and a beautiful heart shaped cake made with love!

Thank you for viewing our tea party pictures!

And since so many of you have written me sharing how you would love to throw your first tea party for your daughter (or yourself!) but not sure where to begin I've included some resources for you...

Tea Party Resources:

Beautiful Heirloom Tea Set with Carrying Box 
(don't let the pictures fool you, this is a beautiful large set!)

Lovely White Crocheted Gloves

Tea Trolley Set

Afternoon Tea Parties

For your sweet little daughter(s)--
My Very First Tea Party

And if you need help getting creative:
Tea Party: 20 Themed Tea Parties with Recipes for Every Occasion, from Fabulous Showers to Intimate Gatherings


Whatever you  choose be sure to have fun with it
and begin making those special memories today!


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Fathers, Daughters, Butterflies and High Tea

Daughters

need time

with their fathers...

I've heard it's wonderful. 

If you are able to attend, definitely do!

You can sign up here.

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If you are looking for a set of beautiful heirloom teacups to buy for your daughter or her hope chest
look no further! Click here for the perfect set.


 

Sense and Sensibility

Look at the beautiful details of this dress...

It is from a 1780's portrait gown pattern...sigh...don't you just love it?

and look at these:

So lovely and looks like she is straight from a classic art painting...

I suddenly have the urge to watch Jane Austen movies!

My friend, Mrs. Jennie Chancey, has these patterns at her lovely store:


Sense and Sensibility Patterns


Be sure to stop by and visit!

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She also has amazing patterns for little girls too!

Charming Surprise Birthday Tea Party!

My sweet friend, Juliet Rodriguez, recently had a beautiful surprise birthday tea party for her daughter.
You must look at her adorable pictures:

The charming table all set and ready to go...
don't you love the paper tissue flowers in the cups?

What a great idea!

A gorgeous glowing cascading fountain...

Sweet sisters in matching dresses....

Homemade strawberry cake on a pretty platter!

Aww, so lovely---nothing like the fun of dressing up a bit for the occasion!

Happy smiles...

And precious memories made for a lifetime...

 Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful pictures, Juliet!

(If you are reading this please leave a comment
and share with us where you got the beautiful fountain!)

And for my readers--if you are looking for tea party accessories for you daughters
here are some I highly recommend:

 The Beautiful Girlhood Heirloom Tea Set

(with cloth carry case)

Now on sale for 20% off

 The Classic Tea Trolley Set

This elegant wood cart arrives complete with its own silver tea set and dainty floral print china!

Now 21% off and only $99

and we can't forget the dainty gloves!

White Crocheted Gloves---$7.20

and a bit of reading material to go with the occasion:

How to Be a Lady-$12.00

now 20% off

“What you are while you are a girl, you will be when you become a woman.” Somewhere within the recesses of every girl’s heart is the desire to act, and be treated, as a lady. But a true lady is more than just graceful and feminine; she has a Christ-centered character that regulates her inner thoughts and motives, as well as her outward graces. In this book, originally published in 1850, extraordinarily practical wisdom is offered to young girls in the practice of developing womanly character. The girl’s equivalent to Thoughts for Young Men, this book is excellent for mothers and daughters and a must-read for every young lady-in-training!

Have a blessed day!

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Vision Forum is having a special New Years Clearance with 20-50% off everything in their store and every order of $95 gets a FREE $25 coupon toward your next offer.

Purposing To Teach Our Daughters New Skills For a New Year

Over the years I have taught my daughters how to do many things so that if there is illness or someone is in the hospital they know how to run a household of ten-- as they have proven in the past with a rocky past year behind us! I think it is so important to not underestimate what  a child can do and to continually encourage them to reach for higher goals. Culture misleads us into thinking that we need to constantly do things for our children. I once knew of a father that was making lunch for his children (probably 13 and 15 at the time) to take to school! When he realized he was actually hindering them, he stopped. At this age, children can make dinner for a large family and do it well. They can do many things, and we as parents need to think about ways to constantly challenge them and teach them how to gain skills and be prepared for life.

This year I have many plans under my belt but my heart is to continue to teach my daughters skills that will one day benefit them. I will be purposefully teaching my daughters to cook more healthful recipes from scratch (not from a box) and new skills that could help them to be industrious one day. I am so pleased to say that we will be using the new Homestead Blessing videos (pictured above) to complement what we are doing this year---here is a sample of one of their newest videos on quilting that I have just recently purchased:

They also have videos on:

• canning
• cooking
• candle and soap making
• dairy delights
• gardening, and sewing and much more. 

These excellent videos not only teach our daughters but are wonderful for us moms as well!

Learning domestic skills is an art and are vital to every day living. Without skills we can waste money. Mothers, pay attention to what natural gifts the Lord has given your daughter(s) and run with it. Teach them all you can, bring in outside help, grow them and nurture those gifts the best that you can.

I know for my daughters I also have goals for them to be entrepreneurial. I want them to learn skills that will get them through hard times or help their husbands to bring in money--they must  learn to be business savvy in a fast paced, competitive world and shaky economy with the gifts that God has given them. I want to help them do that early on so I am teaching them how to bring in multiple streams of income into a household from their home.

We must never entertain the thought that we are depriving or robbing our children of their childhood if we teach them how to work. Children will play and find time have fun on their own--trust me! :) Instead we are equipping them for life! Children must learn good character--diligence, perseverance and so forth. How will they ever get to do it if never given a chance to stretch themselves?

Lay out your plans, mothers, and purposeful!
What will you teach your daughters? What new skills will they acquire?

May we be found faithful as we intentionally teach them new and valuable skills for the new year!


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Dear readers,  I am affiliate for Vision Forum--if you decide to make a purchase from them please consider making them through this site through any of the links above or the catalog in the sidebar. I love Vision Forum and am happy and honored to be able to continue to introduce you to their fabulous resources for building up your home! FYI, the set above is on sale for a limited time. 

Additionally, every order placed online during January will include a FREE copy of their new homeschool curriculum guide, Building a Winning Curriculum. Plus, use coupon code ONLY5 to ship your orders via regular ground for just $5, or use coupon code SAVE10 to take an extra $10 off your orders of $75 or more. Limit one coupon per order.

(This post is also being featured over at Raising Homemakers! )