A Parent's Love ...

 From the time we are born.... Our parents are our world. They are the one's we run to when we are hurt, sad, don't understand something, are afraid or just need a hug.

They make us feel safe! Protected!

Parents take the time to walk with us in this journey of life..

Parents are the foundation for the adults that we will be...

Susan - from My Place to Yours ..

Wrote about the reality of what can happen when children - especially girls are born to parents who do not provide the basic necessities of  nurturing, caring and unconditional love.  Susan has also shared an opportunity for us all to make a difference!!!

(from Susan's post)

But what happens when there were no conscientious, caring parents?  When a young girl is abused ... or prostituted ... by her parents?  When she's taught that her only value is as a sexual object?  How can she possibly understand what true love is?

That is the reality for most of the girls at Hope Unlimited for Children. The concept of dating and marriage, love and family, evoke feelings of confusion and guilt and fear.  But their story doesn't have to end there ...

In Brazil, the Day of Love is in early Summer.  On that day, surrounded by godly women who love them, the girls at Hope Unlimited are taught about true love and purity and what it means to be of value as one of God's highest creations ... and loved by their Creator. As part of their celebration, each girl receives Valentines that show them they are special.  Valentines that come from people who took time to make a few extra Valentines for someone they don't know.  People like you and me.  It's a very small act that has a huge impact on the way young girls think of themselves ... and how they face the future.

If you'd like to join me in making Valentines for the girls of Hope, you can be certain you'll bring happy smiles and growing confidence into a young girl's life.  It can be as simple as making a couple of extras when you write Valentines to your loved ones ... or you can make an "event" out of it and involve your Sunday School class, ladies Bible study group, mission group, civic organization, Girl Scout troop, sports team ... parents of daughters.

Send your Valentines marked "Valentine Project" to

Hope Unlimited for Children

P.O. Box 2707

Los Alamitos, CA 90720

All Valentines received between now and the end of April will be translated and shared at the 2012 Day of Love celebration.  To read more about the Valentine Project, click HERE.

Susan, thank you for sharing "VALENTINE PROJECT"with your blog readers and giving us the opportunity to pass it on to readers of our blogs.  I encourage readers of Falling Off A High Heeled Life to not just pass this on but to get out your pens and send a card, or two, or three or ........ to the project. Let's let these girls know that WE CARE enough to let them know how precious to the world they are!! A handwritten card is priceless!!

February Tea Trolley

Welcome to all my Afternoon Tea friends and special welcome to all the new friends who have visited; left wonderful comments and are now following Falling Off A High Heeled Life!!

While it's cold outside and the gardens are still covered in a blanket of white snow; it's wonderful to be into February. With the arrival of February also comes the colourful displays of flowers at our local markets. Potted tulips,  daffodils , join the fresh cut-flowers with a promise that spring is getting closer.

A new month means the tea trolley in my writing area also changes.

February being the month most celebrated by love I've decided to stay with the reds.

How lovely are these?

Paris is known world wide as the city of romance and love, so I added a little memento of my trip last year with an Eiffel Tower souvenir. A view from above. 

And a view from the ground....

Our teacup sits proudly on top of Shakespeare & Love Sonnets book and below that Emily Dickinson Poems.  These are both perfect for curling up with a cup of tea during a cold winter's afternoon. Shakespeare's sonnets are some of the finest and most graceful expressions of love and devotion to come from the Elizabethan age.

The teapot I have chosen for the trolley this month is a plain white one. But don't let it's simplicity deceive you. Did you notice ... wait there is something missing!!!  

Ahh .. there it is ... Did you notice what was missing? How could one not have chocolates during this wonderful month of love!!!

Ok .. now that we have chocolates; flowers; a symbol of the most romantic city; some wonderful reading material to inspire us in dreams of love; a pot of tea brewing... we can get back to our teacup. This little darling comes to us all the way from Poland. I love the raised white detail that wraps around the  cup and saucer. The rose buds really are a wonderful sight ...during these cold, dark days of winter. The bottom of the teacup is stamped with WALBRZYCH  made in Poland. 

What's that? You want to see the teapot again? ... sure...

Here it is ... I love the design of the handle ... the scalloped base, the detail around the opening of the pot and the overall shape of the body. Looks like the tea is ready ... 

Oh .. you noticed the cookies! 

Well ... since you are such a dear BlogLand friend I am happy to share ONE with you. 

You see they were a delightful surprise sent to ME us, from our dear friend Mariette. The Amaretti Hearts are made with the finest ingredients and with the love and care that can only be tasted in home baked goodness. 

Mariette has the wonderful blog  Mariette's Back to Basics where she shares delightful photos of her beautiful gardens [ Information on booking her gorgeous gardens for a special event or garden tour can be found here.]  and history of items from a era when simplicity and hand crafted items were truly appreciated. In her Mariette's Back to Basics Boutique you will find the most lovely treasures  from around the world. 

This lovely card with a touching note accompanied  MY our yummy treats, and I thought it was a perfect addition to the February Tea Trolley ... can you see the darling little Cherubs?

Ok .. how about now .. without the flash...

A delightful setting to inspire my writing through the month of February...

Mariette thank you for your thoughtfulness;words of encouragement, friendship and making February afternoon tea a little sweeter.

 Mr. G. has been enjoying the Amaretti Hearts with his morning espresso.

Please stay awhile and enjoy your tea ...

For more fabulous afternoon  tea inspirations, please visit these wonderful hostesses...
Tea Time Tuesday ~ with Sandi 
Tea Time with Bernideen's

Tea Party Tuesday ~ with Trish

Martha's & Terri's Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Thursdays

Antiques And Teacups

For some wonderful vignette inspirations visit Marty for   Table Top Tuesday

Semi Wordless Wednesday with Flip Flops & Pearls

Tablescape Thursdays ~ with Susan

Reflexology and Chakras for Balanced Health...

It's hard to believe in just a couple of days we will be saying good-bye to January 2012... Wow time certainly is flying by.  As 2011 came to an end you reflected on the year ... did you make any resolutions? Plans? Goals? for 2012.

If you read my post HAPPY NEW YEAR.... What Are Your 2012 Plans? you already know, like many people I wrote out some plans that I have for creating Me and my life ~ moving forward. Looking back over January I have started taking action of my plans: 


Embrace Country Living ~ I researched and discovered a fun activity to do with a couple of girlfriends HERE in the country you can read it here.

Make a Difference in the Life of  a Child ~ we had Miss M. (God Daughter), come and spend of  few days. read it here..

Just before the month comes to an end I'll also be able to say I'm also starting on my plan to Reduce the toxins in my body from medications, by sourcing alternative healing methods. I'll be starting with Reflexology (though I've done this before ... I need to start again).


WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY? Reflexology  focuses on reliving stress and tension in the body through  feet. There are reflexes in the feet that correspond to glands, organs and other parts of the body. A Reflexology Therapist can detect imbalance within the body by palpating the  feet. By massaging and pressing specific landmarks they can stimulate and send energy to the unbalanced areas of the body.


WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? Reflexology has short and long term benefits. Immediately after a session of reflexology relaxation and a release of stress and tension are apparent benefits. More long term benefits have been reported as reduced pain from migraines, constipation, neck and back problems, reduced PMS symptoms, increased circulation and an improved immune system. 

Along with reflexology I'm going to be doing some Chakra Healing (balancing) work.

WHAT IS CHAKRA HEALING (balancing)? Chakras are vital energy centers where spiritual energy flows into the body. Chakra healing involves developing awareness, releasing blocks and increasing the flow through these spiritual energy centers.

BENEFITS OF CHAKRA HEALING (balancing): A healthier flow of energy through the aura creates greater physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Though I will be going to someone who is a specialist in this area, with a little research you can learn to heal/balance your own Chakras.  Below are the results of an on line test I did to see where my Chakras needed some work.  You can do your own test by CLICKING HERE (Chakra Test).

I would love to hear if you have done either Reflexology or Chakra Healing (balancing) and what you thought? Or are there other things you have tried that you would like to share...

Chakra Test Results for Celia

YOUR Root Chakra

is CLOSED

YOUR Sacral Chakra

is WEAK

YOUR Personal Power Chakra

is CLOSED

YOUR Heart Chakra

is CLOSED

YOUR Throat Chakra

is CLOSED

YOUR Intuitive Chakra

is CLOSED

YOUR Crown Chakra

is CLOSED