October Happenings

I hope you're enjoying the month of October so far.  We are having beautiful fall weather in Michigan this week - temps in high 60's - low 70's with beautiful blue skies.

Last Sunday my hubby and I traveled to Ann Arbor/Chelsea to attend church with Jeremy and Samantha and the kids, and then we all went out to dinner afterwards for a belated birthday celebration for Izzy and Jeremy.  They chose a Mexican restaurant, Los Tres Amigos.

I ordered Fajitas Amigos - marinated strips of sirloin steak, chicken and shrimp with sauteed onions, bell peppers and tomatoes.  It was yummy!  Afterwards we went to their house for freshly made warm pumpkin donuts dusted with cinnamon sugar, served with apple cider.  It was a fun afternoon.  

On Tuesday I had my life-long girlfriend and her husband for dinner before their move to Florida later this month.  I had hoped to invite a small group of classmates for the get-together, but with COVID-19 they were afraid to venture out.  We actually had a better opportunity to visit with just the four of us.

When I was putting my menu together I was thinking fall and Oktoberfest [my girlfriend is of German descent].  Below is a picture of my tablescape.

The menu was:  Smothered Pork Chops; Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Apples; Hot German Potato Salad; Southern Green Beans; Applesauce; and Blueberry Muffins.  Dessert was Apple Bread Pudding with warm Butterscotch Sauce [made in my slow-cooker].  Tea was Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice black tea.  The recipes served a lot more than four people, so we're still eating leftovers! 

After dinner we looked at my Shutterfly albums from grade school, junior high, and high school because they were in all three.  It was a fun walk down memory lane.  How blessed we are that our friendship has continued throughout all these years.

[Elaine & Dan]

Here they are in Jr. High School!

[Elaine & Me]

Here we are in 7th grade.  My, how time changes us - we had slim bodies, dark hair, and no glasses back then! ;-)  But still we're blessed and happy to be alive and well now.   I will miss them when they move to Florida.

I'm feeling a bit melancholy as I type this post today because my only remaining maternal aunt was diagnosed with terminal cancer yesterday.  It began in her breast and spread to her ribcage and liver.  She will begin hospice care today.  I've blogged about her on several occasions, but most recently on August 26th when we got together for a family dinner celebrating her 93rd birthday. She's been blessed with a long life, but you're never ready to give up a loved one.  Her three children [in the photo below with me] are taking the medical diagnosis hard, so if you happen to think of them and believe in the sustaining power of prayer, please remember them in your prayers.

I recently received an e-mail from a friend who used to own a tearoom in Clinton Township [I worked for her for awhile].  After closing her business she had several sales to sell all her china and accessories.  I bought several things [which I've blogged about] and thought she had sold everything.  But her recent e-mail said she's still in the process of emptying totes.  She knew I liked Royal Albert's Lady Carlyle and wondered if I'd be interested in what she had.  I already had the teapot, creamer & sugar and two trios, so I didn't think she'd want to break up her set, but she said she would.  I went yesterday to pick it up.    I now have six trios and two dinner plates which I will use as platters. I like Lady Carlyle because it goes nicely with my pink Depression Glass.

Cheryl remembered that at one of her other sales I purchased four luncheon sets in the Heirloom pattern, also by Royal Albert.  Yesterday she gave me three more luncheon sets in the pattern, a sugar & creamer and five 'orphan' plates.  I would love to get the teapot to go with the set, but it's way more than I'm willing to pay on E-bay.

She also has pieces of Blossom Time china by Royal Albert that I think is beautiful, and would  go well with pink Depression Glass too, but so far I've resisted.  I have to ask myself, "How much is enough?"  When there's no more places to store it, then I think that's enough.

Lastly, a man from church asked me if I was interested in two large vintage transferware pitchers his brother is wanting to sell.  One is blue and the other is red and they're both Mason pottery from England.  I told him I wasn't interested, but I would post them on my blog and if a reader was interested I'd provide contact information.   If anyone is interested, you can work out price details with him directly.

Enjoy these beautiful fall days where the trees are changing colors and providing a beautiful display of God's handiwork.  At the same time, prayers for those who live in areas impacted by hurricane Delta.  It's been a horrific hurricane season this year.

Farewell to September

As September 2020 comes to an end tonight, I decided my last post of the month should be about God's faithfulness.  As most of you know, my church is in the midst of building a new sanctuary.  It's been slow going with COVID-19 and other set-backs, but progress has taken place.  We're waiting for the new windows to arrive on Oct. 5th, and then the building can be bricked.  The roof is on, and the steeple is ready and waiting to be hoisted on top to make it look like a church.  

A very encouraging sight came Monday evening after it rained.  God encircled our property with a beautiful rainbow that was captured by camera.

You only get a rainbow after storms.  God is faithful every month of the year - and not just with our building project, but with our lives, our families, and our country.

Have a GREAT October!

 

God Bless America and My Family

Facebook's been busy the past few days with posts about National Daughters Day on Friday, September 25th, and National Sons Day yesterday, September 28th.  I'm blessed to have a daughter and two sons, so I proudly posted my pictures.  After sorting through photos, I decided to share some pictures on my blog too.

I have many photos of Lori and me together, so it wasn't difficult to assemble a collage.  The hard part was deciding which photos to use.

It was harder with Steve and Jeremy because I don't often have my picture taken with them individually, but I did manage to make one collage for each of them without going too far back in time.

~ Steve ~

~ Jeremy ~

~ My boys are 10 years apart in age ~

Today is Jeremy and Isabella's birthday.  What a great birthday present to have your first born child born on your birthday.  Jeremy's 41 and Izzy's 15.  Happy Birthday to these two who are very dear to my heart.  I well remember the happy day Jeremy was born in the photo below, and Izzy's birth too!

Izzy's in driver's training right now.  She's growing up way too fast!

~ Pictures of my three blessings taken on Mother's Day over the years ~

I had to work last Saturday so I missed seeing the 2020 Prayer March live at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., but I watched it on the Internet when I got home.  It was inspiring and reassuring to see so many Christian believers coming together to pray for the healing of our country and its future.  Amidst the turmoil going on all around us, God and His church are alive and well!

[Internet Photo]

My hubby and I received our absentee ballots in the mail earlier today and we prayed for God's will to be done in this election as we filled them out and then took them to the secure, locked drop box at City Hall [as opposed to the US mailbox].  We all need to exercise our privilege and right to vote.

While waiting for church to begin last Sunday in our open air tent, I couldn't resist taking a picture of our pastor and ministry team as they formed a huddle to pray for the service before it began.  

God bless His church, America, and all of you my faithful blog readers and followers.

So this post will contain a mention of tea, I've been enjoying a 'new to me' tea from Harney & Sons - Lemony Gunpowder.   Its citrusy taste is very refreshing and enjoyable.  It will be my 'go to' green tea until the 8 oz. [65-75 cups] tin is empty.

The Blessing of Friends

I drove down to the city where I grew up yesterday to take my girlfriend, Sandy, out to lunch for her birthday.  We've been friends since we were in 7th grade, and that's a very l-o-n-g time!  ;-) We were so busy talking and catching up on each other's news that I forgot to ask our waitress to take our picture.

I bought a small decorated cake for our dessert and even took a candle to light, but the waitress said with COVID no desserts brought in from outside sources were allowed.  So I sent the cake home with Sandy to enjoy with her hubby.  As we were driving back to Sandy's house, I got the idea to stop at an iconic Frozen Custard stand in Wyandotte for our dessert.  It's been in business since 1947 and was practically in my backyard growing up. Everybody in Wyandotte and surrounding cities knows about Bob-Jo's.

While we were enjoying our ice cream treat, another girlfriend that I've known since grade school walked up to my car window.  She and her hubby [also a grade school classmate] were there enjoying a frozen custard too.  I couldn't let the opportunity pass without taking a picture.  Elaine said they're preparing to move to Florida next month, so I'm in the process of planning a luncheon for her and a few other classmates.  It was a very enjoyable day!

[L-R: Me, Elaine, Sandy]

[Dan and Elaine]

Now to bring this post around to tea...   I belong to a Facebook group called Afternoon Tea Across America [ATAA], and they share the most interesting topics related to tea.  I've discovered there's always something new to learn in the world of tea.

Last week one of the members shared a picture of a 'Teapoy' she recently acquired.  I had never heard of a teapoy before much less seen a picture of one.  A teapoy is a small pedestal table or stand that holds a tea caddy.  They were popular among England's upper class during the 19th century.  Below is a photo of the teapoy the lady on ATAA recently acquired.

According to the comments posted, most of us were unfamiliar with them and were drooling over it.  My friend Angela McRae of Tea With Friends blog said, "Pretty sure I'm gonna need one of these now in order to live a normal life."  ;-)   I thought the same thing until I Googled them and discovered they're very pricy [$2,000 and upwards] and since most of them come from England there's shipping on top of that.  But isn't it beautiful!  

I pulled one of my tea books out and sure enough, one was featured.   How did I miss it?  Are you familiar with teapoys?

I'll be content with my two antique tea caddies that I got in 2011 and 2016 even if they aren't on a beautiful pedestal stand.  

Saturday Happenings

Have you ever wished you could be two places at once?  That was me yesterday. 

We've lived in our house 42 years, and our neighbor has been in theirs just as long. We've experienced a lot of life together during those years.  Yesterday, the youngest daughter got married. COVID-19  made the wedding plans very challenging.  The date was changed once, and the couple decided to proceed with their second date, but the church ceremony and reception would be limited to the bridal party, God parents, and family members.  

It's an Italian/Polish family, so the Polish custom of a "music greeting" at the home of the bride before the church ceremony was arranged.  A band ensemble performed tunes for the bride, her family, and attendants as they prepared to leave for the church.  

Yesterday was a big day for me at The Whitney with the Teas and Trees event at 11:00 a.m. and Afternoon Tea at 2:00 p.m.  I left for work at 9:00 a.m., so I missed the pre-wedding festivities, but my hubby took pictures for me to see when I got home.

Since everybody loves a wedding I thought I'd share some of the pictures with you.  Below is the three piece band ensemble playing on the front porch of my neighbor's home.

The bride leaving her house with her sister behind her.

Below is my sweet neighbor and mother-of-the-bride.  Her husband [the bride's father] passed away two years ago, and his car remains a treasured family possession.  It only comes out of the garage for short drives to keep the engine running smoothly, but it was the vehicle that transported his daughter to the church.  A very touching way to honor his memory on the wedding day.

The Teas and Trees event was enjoyed by 37 attendees.  They were seated in Mrs. Whitney's bedroom and sitting room, daughter Catherine's bedroom, and Mr. Whitney's bedroom [all second floor dining rooms now].

Whitney co-owner, Patrick Liebler, and his wife, Ann, were there to chat with the guests and Pat shared how his vision for the blending and development of White Pine Needle Tea at The Whitney began.  Three blends of White Pine Needle Teas were introduced to the guests. An informal vote [show of hands] was taken to see which blend they liked the best.  Forest blend seemed to be the most popular [pine needles with dried persimmons and elderberries], but management will decide which one[s] will be offered at Afternoon Tea. Mary Jones, tea blender for The Whitney, was also present.

Mrs. Whitney bedroom, the largest dining room on the second floor, seated 17 guests all 'socially distanced'. 

One of those guests was Amy, a follower of my blog.  It was so nice seeing you again, Amy!

Each guest received a bag containing White Pine Needle tea, 25% off vouchers for Afternoon Tea and a White Pine seedling from Stempky Tree Farm for planting and participating in the David Whitney reforestation commitment.  It was a fun event!

First Day Back to Work

Children recently prepared for their first day back to school, but I prepared for my first day back to work on Saturday, the 12th.  We welcomed 34 guests to Afternoon Tea at the Whitney, so we're off to a great start.  I've decided I did far too much sitting while scanning and editing those 1,200 old photos, viewing countless negatives, and creating five Shutterfly albums during the five months I was off on COVID-19 shutdown.  In short, I really got out of shape!  I made it through Saturday just fine, but my legs have been protesting ever since!  Muscles were used that have been inactive.  I love my job for several reasons, and one is exercise.

My hubby took my picture before I left for work on Saturday morning [just like I used to do for my kids on their first day of school! ;-)].  My top looks sparkly, but it's really tiny white polka-dots.

I ordered a new pair of black semi-dress Clarks shoes with underfoot cushion for comfort and a 1-inch heel, but they're not comfortable when standing/walking for 4 1/2 hours non-stop on mosaic tiled floors.   I ordered myself a pair of black nurse's shoes this morning!

I recently got a new pair of glasses.  I've worn an assortment of wire frames for years, so decided to get something very different this time.  

And the newest accessory... face masks.  I've tried four different styles, and all of them fog my glasses.  They make me sweat too, but I know they're necessary so I'll work through the challenge.  Below is the one I bought to wear on Saturday.

I thought it was ironic when I saw the inside tab that said 'made in China'.   The country responsible for spreading the COVID-19 virus around the world is now profiting by selling face masks! If I would have known it was made in China before I purchased it, I wouldn't have bought it!

For local readers... The Whitney is having a Teas and Trees event this Saturday, Sept. 19th from 11:00 - 1:30.  The cost is $25.  White Pine Needle herbal tea is very healthy, so owner, Pat Leibler, asked our tea blender, Mary Jones of Intu Tea, to create some blends that will be exclusive to The Whitney.  Guests will be sampling 'Forest' blend [Eastern White Pine and Mason Pine needles with dried elderberries and persimmons] and 'Twist of Pine' [two pine needles blended with Assam black tea with lemon flavoring].  Both will be served hot.  The third tea 'Gathering Pines' [two pine needles mixed with Lemon Lime Soda and Vodka] will be served cold as a cocktail.  Snacks will also be served throughout the tasting.  You can make reservations online by visiting The Whitney website or their Facebook page.  Aside from the health benefits of the tea, Mr. David Whitney made his fortune in white pine lumber, so the blend is a nod to him as well.  

In closing... most of you know I love blue and white china so when I saw this blue and white wedding cake on Facebook recently I had to share it with you.   Isn't it stunning?  Makes me want to get married again [to the same man, of course!].  

I also saw the picture below of a 3-D mural of teacups about to topple over painted on the side of a building in Helsingborg, Sweden by a street artist.  It was posted on Afternoon Tea Across America's Facebook page yesterday.  Love the creativity!