JANUARY IS NATIONAL HOT TEA MONTH

There are stresses associated with winter, starting with the commute to work over ice and snow!  Some people don’t mind driving on ice, but I’m not in that club!  If I turn a corner and just keep turning – well, let’s just say I don’t find it amusing.  Then once you get where you’re going, there are unique stress factors depending on the day.  Stress is just a part of life, isn’t it?  How do you de-stress?Chelmsford Tea is a wonderful place to rekindle friendships.  Just a quaint little shop, they have hundreds of blends to choose from.  They brew up a little cup of heaven – and it just melts the stress away.

https://www.facebook.com/ChelmsfordTea/

My mother’s favorite tea was Earl Grey.  I don’t particularly care for it – my tastes gravitate toward more sweet flavors, as did my Granny LaVella’s.  Right now I’m enjoying a cup of Sweet Cinnamon Orange from my favorite tea store, The Spice Merchant, in downtown Wichita.  Sweet Cinnamon Orange tastes like Harney’s Hot Cinnamon Sunset.  I’m sure Granny would share it with me…  oh if only!

http://www.thespicemerchant.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi

https://www.harney.com/harney-teas.html

When I was younger I hosted casual tea parties.  I put the kettle on and had various flavors to choose from.  Everyone picked their favorite and made their tea.  We’d sit around enjoying our tea as we talked about life in general – literature, work, family.  There was never a moment of silence, but so much laughter in my house…  making sweet memories with my friends!

Here’s my favorite poem from Lucinda Berry Hill, author of “Coffee with Jesus” & “A Second Cup with Jesus”. 

I knew my friend, Judy Janowski, author of Life is a Garden Party, would have some beautiful tea cups and teapots to share today.  Look at these – aren’t they pretty?

That last photo looks like she’s about ready to sit down and write her next book, doesn’t it???  Hint, hint, Judy!  

God has blessed me with author friends!  Deanna Stalnaker, author of Tea with Grandy Dee and Jesus, Me & Afternoon Tea, has been quite busy lately.  She’s in the process of writing a series of books called Women of God:  Lancaster County.  The first two books are complete.  More…  we want more.  ❤

Check out Deanna’s facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/deanna.stalnaker?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/teatimewithjesus/

https://www.facebook.com/KardeesAngels/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/grandydeesjournal/?fref=ts

These days, my husband and I enjoy tea and blueberry scones together.  It’s a quiet pleasure, but one that seems to make all the cares of the day just melt away…  there’s just something about tea!  We are in no danger of running out of teapots or teacups around here!  There’s always time for tea, scones, smiles and laughter.  I can’t speak for others, but in my mind, the table setting at a tea party is just as important as the tea you choose to serve.  I enjoy our own Hall Autumn Leaf Jewel Tea antique dishes.  They set a very pretty table and are particularly nice for an Autumn Spice themed tea party.

Tea combined with prayer help you establish a positive state of mind:

If you think you are beaten, you are.  If you think you dare not, you won’t.

If you like to win, but don’t think you can It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost.  For out in the world you find,

Success begins with a fellow’s will It’s all in a state of mind.

For many a game is lost ‘ere even a play is run,

And many a coward fails ‘ere even his work is begun.

Think big and your deeds will grow.  Think small and you’ll fall behind.

Think that you can and you will.  It’s all a state of mind.

If you think you are out-classed, you are.  You’ve got to think high to rise.

You’ve got to be sure of yourself before you can ever win a prize.

Life battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man.

But sooner or later, the man who wins is the fellow who thinks he can.

Sometimes I like to enjoy tea in a present from a friend.  This mug and tea bag holder remind me of her belief in my abilities, which makes it easier to believe in myself!  I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength!  🙂It’s a whimsical mug and tea bag holder made by GANTZ.  I was hoping you could read it from the photo, but apparently it’s too far away – or at least it is for me, so I’ll just write it here:

CREATIVI-TEA:

YOUR WONDERFUL IMAGINATION MAKES THE ORDINARY SPECIAL.  YOUR STYLE AND ARTISTRY SHINE THROUGH IN ALL THAT YOU DO.

Every time I use this mug, I’m reminded of her encouragement as well as her daily prayers for me.  It means so much!  It also inspired this poem:

Enjoy tea time today and pray…  know that God loves you each and every day!  🙂