An Amazing Nativity Festival Hosts Our Little Traveling Teacup
Let’s celebrate the holidays with our little Traveling Teacup as she spends some happy days at an amazing Nativity Festival! Her host is Kate Philabaum, Director of the HeART Gallery at St Paul’s Church in downtown Toledo OH.
The festival is really wonderful, and there’s so much to see! But before we jump into that, let’s revisit The Traveling Teacup’s previous adventures.
It all started in May of 2020 when I thought it would be fun to have the teacup visit a few readers for some travel photos. I never ever imagined that her quick journey would last over four years so far, span three countries, and introduce her to dozens of hosts!
She was named Rosie, then Tessa, then Tessa Rose (or TR for short) by her early hosts, and traveled non-stop for the first year.
The Little Traveling Teacup’s Previous Stops
You can catch up on her first year’s travels at this post. Then she started off on her second round of travels. Here’s where she’s been since May of 2021:
A gorgeous farm in Estacada OR, the home of brilliant blogger, table stylist, and entrepreneur Renae Frey.
An exciting train ride to Santa Fe NM with the always fun and creative Albuquerque blogger, Jeanne Washburn.
Amherst OH and the home of talented tea-loving Renaissance Woman and Mantel and Table reader, Valerie.
A Stop in Ooltewah, TN over the Memorial Day Weekend to visit Lilly, a nursing professor and fellow tea lover.
A lovely tour of Paducah KY with fabulous cook, writer, and food & lifestyle blogger Leslie Watkins.
Montz LA for a visit with Tracie, who shared her beautiful home, even in extra rainy weather.
Largo FL to share a great new Halloween tradition with M&T reader Corrine and her new husband.
Historical St Mary’s City, MD as a guest of Tammy, lovely author of the White Lilac Farmhouse blog.
Harrisburg OR to bake some delicious scones with beautiful Melody at Two Mums Takeaway Tea Boxes.
The amazing Montana ranch of entertainer extraordinaire, Alexis, a long-time M&T reader who’s become a great friend.
Azle TX with wonderful reader Dolle and her beautiful teacup, Dainty Rose, for tea and friendship.
A holiday dessert party in Acton MA with the talented interior designer Janet Lorusso of JRL Interiors.
Back to Ohio
Tessa Rose’s next port of call was about 765 miles from Janet’s house – Toledo OH, at the western tip of beautiful Lake Erie.
TR’s no stranger to this lovely state – she’s been here a couple times before. One of her very first hosts was here, and then another in year two. She – and we – had a blast both times, and her third trip to the Buckeye state is just as fabulous.
Our Little Traveling Teacup Visits St Paul’s
I’ll let Kate tell you the story!
The Traveling Teacup has had an exciting visit to St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Toledo OH. The church holds a Nativity Festival over four weekends that includes artists painting on-stage each Friday night and a concert series each Sunday night.
More than 300 nativities from around the world are nestled among 50 themed, decorated trees and tablescapes – representing 53 countries and cultural traditions.
The event takes place in a beautifully appointed historic church building covering four floors and nine rooms – each themed by a different continent. Our traveling cup has been in the “Vintage European” room with displays from Provincial France, England, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Iceland and Italy.
Creativi-Tea
She sits near a “tea cup tree”, which represents one of the ministries of the church called Creativi-Tea.
The church operates a MakerSpace on Saturdays where guests can create a 90 minute craft project with a local artist followed by tea, scones and conversation.
It’s wonderful to create new friendships and engage with the local community over a cup of tea!
Our Little Traveling Teacup Gives us a Tour
Here’s TR, giving us a tour of some of the lovely trees, displays, and tablescapes from this awesome Nativity Festival!
We’ve enjoyed sharing the Traveling Tea cup story with close to 1000 guests who have visited the Nativity Festival. May the love and joy of the season be yours to share with others in the New Year!
Thank You to Our Wonderful Host!
Thank you so much Kate! You’re a wonderful host, and what a gorgeous display! I’m so glad we got to share it with you and everyone who got to see it in person!
If you want more info about Kate’s ministries, check out this link to HeART Gallery. She’s doing great work!
Our Little Traveling Teacup Travels On
Tessa Rose still goes traveling whenever she gets an invitation, so if you’d like to have her visit, feel free to let me know in the comments below, via the contact page, or send me an email to barbara@mantelandtable.com.
She’s already had another visit since her holiday with Kate – I’ll post it for you very soon!
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Pin Our Little Traveling Teacup’s Adventure for Later
I am so happy to see Tessa Rose (I call her the lil teacup) traveling again. I love reading what the different hosts do with Tessa.
I remember my Grandmom and teatime in England, and this reminds me of those very happy times. Grandmoms had the “ordinary” set (as she called it) for family meals, then the “good China: for Sunday dinner and holidays and her tea cart with cups and saucers for teatime. When I was coming to America, she let me choose anything I wanted off her cart and I chose the honey jar with a bee on it. She never let on that it was a cherished gift from her late first husband. Rosie reminds me of those teacups except Grandmom’s were blue flowers on white. Also, they served sugar cubes with special tongs and had special spoons (demitasse sounds familiar but not sure).
Cannot wait to hear more of Tessa Rose’s travels.
Oh that’s the sweetest story, Pam!! Your Grandmom must have been a wonderful person. I’m sure she knew her honey jar would be safe with you, and you’d cherish it whether or not you knew its history. I love the tongs and spoons and different pieces for tea. It makes it so special! I’m so glad you like TR’s travels, and that they bring ou such wonderful memories. Thanks so much for sharing it all with me! More coming up soon –
A very lucky teacup. Has done more in her 4 years than I have in 42 years (of marriage) – oh I do camp but mostly local BC. She travels the world and has interesting stories to tell which is awesome. Happy Travels Tess!!! Always love to hear all your adventures.
Barbara, it’s so nice to see TR on her travels again! The Nativity Festival looks like a very special place to be and what a wonderful place to visit. All the trees are beautifully decorated and I especially love the one with teacups lol. I can’t wait for her next visit. Take care down there my friend and happy Monday!
Isn’t that cool? I wish I could have gone too, and yes I loved the teacup one! Also the flamingo! What I wanted to do was walk around and look at the architecture – what a beautiful place! Thanks so much for following along all this time – it’s been such a fun journey! Take care up there, but I hate to tell you – it’s Thursday! 🤣 Ahhh – to be retired … ! 💛
Your traveling tea cup series is so much fun Barbara! Such an inventive way to make friends and connections and learn about what’s going on in different places!
I am so happy to see Tessa Rose (I call her the lil teacup) traveling again. I love reading what the different hosts do with Tessa.
I remember my Grandmom and teatime in England, and this reminds me of those very happy times. Grandmoms had the “ordinary” set (as she called it) for family meals, then the “good China: for Sunday dinner and holidays and her tea cart with cups and saucers for teatime. When I was coming to America, she let me choose anything I wanted off her cart and I chose the honey jar with a bee on it. She never let on that it was a cherished gift from her late first husband. Rosie reminds me of those teacups except Grandmom’s were blue flowers on white. Also, they served sugar cubes with special tongs and had special spoons (demitasse sounds familiar but not sure).
Cannot wait to hear more of Tessa Rose’s travels.
Oh that’s the sweetest story, Pam!! Your Grandmom must have been a wonderful person. I’m sure she knew her honey jar would be safe with you, and you’d cherish it whether or not you knew its history. I love the tongs and spoons and different pieces for tea. It makes it so special! I’m so glad you like TR’s travels, and that they bring ou such wonderful memories. Thanks so much for sharing it all with me! More coming up soon –
A very lucky teacup. Has done more in her 4 years than I have in 42 years (of marriage) – oh I do camp but mostly local BC. She travels the world and has interesting stories to tell which is awesome. Happy Travels Tess!!! Always love to hear all your adventures.
Ha – I know! I sure wish I could travel with her! And camp with you! You go to some beautiful places! More TR adventures coming up!
Barbara, it’s so nice to see TR on her travels again! The Nativity Festival looks like a very special place to be and what a wonderful place to visit. All the trees are beautifully decorated and I especially love the one with teacups lol. I can’t wait for her next visit. Take care down there my friend and happy Monday!
Isn’t that cool? I wish I could have gone too, and yes I loved the teacup one! Also the flamingo! What I wanted to do was walk around and look at the architecture – what a beautiful place! Thanks so much for following along all this time – it’s been such a fun journey! Take care up there, but I hate to tell you – it’s Thursday! 🤣 Ahhh – to be retired … ! 💛
Your traveling tea cup series is so much fun Barbara! Such an inventive way to make friends and connections and learn about what’s going on in different places!
I know – this one makes me want to go to Toledo! Thanks so much for sharing the adventures Jenna! It’s so much more fun with friends!