All set for a great success.
We made a total of $8,050 from the tea proceeds and online giving
Our third tea and new additions to our table layouts and many more silent auction items were coming in from so many sources.
The word was out !!
This year an artist neighbor contributed pictures and prints and she and her husband ran a stall. I bid for her large watercolor and it has pride of place in our home. My photographer friend Kim N produced a calendar which boosted our revenue quite a bit. My sister, once again, sent necklaces from NZ which continued to be popular. Deanna supplied floral accents. Even when on holiday Kim and I had the Silent Auction in mind and brought items back from the UK. Gifts of baskets and pots of flowers were also donated.
This was the year that I approached local businesses and received soaps and photo frames and gift certificates for the silent auction. A quilt was given by a lady at my work and once again a lovely cross stitch from my soon to be daughter-in-law Melissa. Hand painted Victorian ornaments, hand stitched pillowcases and even cushion covers from my sister-in-law in Scotland. Tartan Lavender bags sent from a lady in Scotland who let us a holiday apartment in Scotland. The generosity was amazing. My dear friend Mary washed many teapots for the big day.
The day arrived and the color co ordinated tables added a new twist to the set up and also Deanna’s floral arrangements. Many more people attended and friends from work came along, invited friends and family and even offered to help.

This was the year of families. young and old and in between attending. I remember three really special people and gifts. There was Sadie who returned again with her daughter. She was 98 years old and said that coming to the tea was a highlight of her year and was looking forward to next year! The gift of appreciation. There was Melissa who brought her mom, aunt, cousin and niece. Melissa and our son Andrew donated the money which they would have spent on favors at their wedding that year to Mesothelioma Research. The gift of love. Chrisje from Holland – who took many pictures and whose husband is pictured. She was here for a short time and heard of the tea through a mutual friend. She came, she supported and worked. A gift of service.