Adagio's 2022 Tea Advent Calendar

Tea Advent Calendars abound this year.  A quick scan of the Internet revealed no less than 20 ranging in price from $19 to $105.  That's why recommendations are so helpful.  Tea Advent Calendars are a fun gift for a friend or yourself and the perfect way to count down to Christmas.

I received Adagio's 2022 Advent Calendar to write a review. It is moderately priced at $34 plus shipping, and contains 24 artisan teas.   The holiday evergreen box opens like a book, with elegant gold details.

[back cover of calendar]

~ This is what the calendar looks like when open. ~

There's a different tea for every day leading up to Christmas.  For those who don't like surprises,  a 'spoiler alert' is at Adagio's website listing the teas inside the calendar, which includes a wonderful selection of white, green, oolong, black and Puerh teas, as well as non-caffeine herbals such as rooibos, honeybush and mate.

Even though it's not Dec. 1st yet, I peeked behind the perforated tab and discovered the tea for that date is Honeybush Pumpkin Chai.  

I couldn't resist steeping a cup, and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The gourmet teas are available in either single-serve loose leaf or pyramid tea bags.  My calendar contained loose-leaf tea.

If you have a tea lover in your life, the Adagio 2022 Advent Calendar will not disappoint.  The family owned company was founded in 1999 and is based in New Jersey.  Presently it's an online store with a great website.   Pay them a visit and be sure to read the excellent reviews.

Order early from the comforts of your home so you'll be ready to sip the first tea in your calendar on Dec. 1st.

Happy November!

November is the month for focusing on our blessings and expressing gratitude for them, although an attitude of gratitude is important every day of the year.  

As promised yesterday, I took pictures to share from our son and daughter-in-law's Halloween 'Open Garage' and the spread Sharon prepared for family and friends inside their house.

When I left my house shortly after 5:00 p.m. it was pouring down rain.  When I arrived there, it was overcast, but the rain hadn't made its way to their area yet.

Sharon likes to decorate the inside of her house for all the holidays, and this hallway vignette is just one of the areas I photographed.

The dining table was filled with all kinds of yummy munchies, and the kitchen island [which I didn't photograph] had crockpots of chili, grated cheese, cornbread, and hotdogs.

[Sharon, Jerry, and Sheena - Sharon's mom]

Containers of hot chocolate and coffee from Tim Horton's and next to them [but not visible] was apple cider from Blake's Orchard.  On a separate table were plain and sugar/cinnamon donuts from Blake's Orchard.  As the night progressed the trick or treaters and their parents really enjoyed the refreshments.

When the Washington Twp. siren sounded at 6:00 o'clock the trick or treaters began making their rounds.

About a half hour into the evening, the rains came down which thwarted some of the trick or treaters [temporarily], but others braved the rain with unbrellas.

Fortunately the rain lasted less than a half hour and the crowds of children, accompanied by their parents, picked up again.  

The rain completely extinguished the fire in the portable fire pit, but Brian [a man from church] got it going again when the rain subsided.  Steve, pictured below, with his bucket of full-size candy bars to give out.  He lets the kids pick which candy bar they want.  I wasn't one of the trick or treaters, but I picked a Snickers!  ;-)

Hubby enjoying the roaring fire.

At 8:00 o'clock the siren sounded again and trick or treating came to an end.  It was a fun evening and I enjoyed seeing all the children in their cute costumes.

I'll close this post with a picture Granddaughter Tiffany posted of her two sweet little princesses, Elsa and Belle - Juliette and Evie. 

October Endings

Last Saturday, The Whitney cancelled their 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m seatings for Mansion Tea and did an Absinthe Tea for 36 guests instead. The servers came dressed in costume.  It was a short work day for me as I only went in long enough to make the tea, organize the teapots and put the warmers and fresh candles on the tables.  One of the servers texted me afterwards and said it was a lot of fun.  She sent some pictures to share.

    

Is this what you call "laying down on the job?"  It's actually Steven, who covers for me on Sundays when I'm not there.

I didn't mind the short work day because I came home to a quiet house and was able to work on a new Shutterfly photo album that will be a Christmas gift.  I received a coupon for unlimited pages which is in effect until November 13th, so I'm diligently working to get the album completed on time.

My hubby drove out to Chelsea to watch the rival U of M / Michigan State football game with our youngest son and his family.  When he got there Izzy and Landon were all dressed in their Michigan State clothes ready to cheer their team on to victory.  Unfortunately the Spartans lost 7 to 29, but my hubby enjoyed being with family in spite of the loss.

In addition to today being Halloween, it's also Reformation Day.  Thank you, Martin Luther!

Granddaughter Brooke posted a Halloween picture of her this year as Cat Woman with her kitten Gus.

And our son, Jeremy, posted a picture of Ellie in her 2022 Ghost Busters costume.

Now I'm off to our son Steve's house for his annual Halloween Open Garage.  My hubby's been there all afternoon helping him set-up.  He serves coffee, cider, hot chocolate and donuts to the trick or treaters and their parents who want to come in out of the cold to warm up for a few minutes.  The forcast for tonight isn't too cold - 62 degrees, but there's possible rain.  If I get a chance, I'll take some pictures to share.

Happy Halloween to you and yours [if you celebrate the day].  I know it has dark and evil origins, but most children see it as a fun night to dress up and go door to door with their friends to get lots of candy.

Celebrating Our Middle Child's Birthday

Yesterday was Steve's 53rd Birthday.  How have 53 years gone by so quickly?  He makes my hubby and me very proud and grateful.   We invited him and his wife to dinner and I made some of his favorite things.  The birthday plate came out of storage.

The meal began with Minnesota Wild Rice soup.  The main course was Creole Chicken - a recipe I got from a co-worker over 43 years ago - served with white rice.  Veggies were Steamed Broccoli and Corn Pudding.

Dessert was a Boston Cream Cake.

I'm very thankful to be his momma!  💓

A Beautiful Fall Weekend

Last weekend was a busy one.  As usual, Saturday was a work day at The Whitney, serving tea to 77 guests.  After work I came home, changed my clothes, and hubby and I headed out to our church's annual Harvest gathering. We were an hour late, but two hours of fun still remained. There were lots of attendees and an activity for everyone to enjoy, plus lots of yummy food.  I took lots of pics to share.

There was a petting zoo and horse/pony rides for the children, and a pumpkin painting station.

~ Inflatable bounce structures ~

~ Hayrides ~

~ S'mores Fire Pit ~

Barbecued Pulled Pork, Mac'n'Cheese, and Coleslaw from K-Blocks Fire Pot BBQ

Apple Cider and Donuts from Blakes Orchard and lots of assorted pies [I had cherry]

~ Dining Tent ~

And a Chili Cook-off Contest.  I think there were 20 different pots of chili.

This pot of chili didn't quite make it to the competition.  The contestant had her crock pot sitting on the front seat, and when she unexpectedly put on her brakes it slid off on the floor.  Thank heavens for floor mats!

It was a beautiful day to be outdoors.  We've been blessed with several gorgeous Indian Summer days [temps in the low 70's], and the colors have been so vibrant this year.

Grandson-in-law, John, posted these pictures of Evie and Juliette playing out in the leaves at their house last Saturday.

I'll leave you with a new Cinnamon Roll recipe that was shared on Facebook by a friend from Heavenly Recipes. It's perfect for a fall breakfast/brunch accompanied by a cup of Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea or Spiced Apple Cider.  I took the picture hot out of the oven.

2 cans of Cinnamon Rolls cut into quarters

1 can Apple Pie Filling

1/2 cup chopped walnuts [or pecans]

Gently toss together cinnamon roll quarters and apple pie filling until all the quarters are coated. Turn into a buttered 9 x 13 baking dish.  Sprinkle top with chopped nuts.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  When it comes out of the oven drizzle the icing [which is included in the Cinnamon Roll can] over the top.  Best served warm.  My hubby thought it would be good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and I thought it would be good with some drizzles of caramel syrup.  Leftovers reheat beautifully in the microwave oven.