Martin Luther King Day

Today is definitely a tea drinking day in Michigan.  The Weather Channel says it's currently 2 degrees but feels like -15 degrees.  The sun is shining though so it's a good day!

~ In Memory ~

 Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968

Deceased 56 years

National Hot Tea Day

Good Morning!  It's National Hot Tea Day!  I was expecting to see lots of snow when I lifted the bedroom window shade this morning because 1-4 inches has been forecasted for our area, and more on the western side of the state.  There's nothing yet, but the day is just starting. Whether there's snow or not, it's a good day for hot tea.  What's in your cup?  I'm drinking Harney & Sons Blueberry Green Tea.

My daughter-in-law, Samantha, sent the picture below of granddaughter Ellie this morning with her freshly made snowman.  It's a school snow day over in Zeeland, MI where they're predicting anywhere from 8 to 18 inches of snowfall.  Yikes!

It's been a couple of somber days for me.  On Monday one of my high school classmates passed away.  He was the husband of one of the high school gals [Peggy] I have lunch with once a month [when I'm able to make the drive to join them].  Before his passing we were scheduled to have lunch together this past Wednesday, but instead we all went to Peggy's house to spend some time with her [at her request].  Yesterday was Ron's viewing and funeral service.  He was a Vietnam War Veteran serving in the U.S. Army, so the Wyandotte VFW provided a military honors ceremony before the Catholic priest officiated the service.

Below is Peggy to the left of me and Ron standing behind me, with another classmate on the right at our 45th class reunion in 2010.

Ron standing in the middle of us hamming it up.

Our 50th reunion in 2015.  Sadly all three ladies seated have lost their husbands since this photo was taken.  [Peggy is seated on the right]

Over the last few weeks I've had the sobering reminder that there's an appointed time when every mortal person will die and pass into eternity.  Ron is the fourth death in my circle of friends and family to die recently [a paternal uncle died the same day as Ron].  It's SO IMPORTANT our names have been entered into the Book of Life by salvation through Jesus Christ, so we can spend eternity in Heaven. [Revelation 20:11-15].  Confessing our sins to Jesus [our High Priest], seeking His forgiveness, and living a life acceptable and pleasing to Him is the greatest and most important decision we will ever make.  Where we spend eternity depends on it.

"Peachy"

The adjective "peachy" means something is nice or good.  Pantone's 2024 Color of the year is Peach Fuzz.

The Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute said the color is to capture the desire to nurture one's self as well as others.

I don't have any peach colored garments in my wardrobe or in my home decor.  Do you?  

I couldn't resist searching for peach colored teapots online.  Etsy has a cute peach teapot identical to one we have at The Whitney, but seldom use.   

Some days aren't always "peachy", but I heard a quote this morning that is worth sharing and definitely worth remembering as every new day begins:  "Each day dawns blank - a sheet of paper waiting for our story.  We start to create it the moment that we wake."

2023 in Review Part II

~ July ~

Tea Luncheon for Three

 ~ August ~

Julia Child Exhibit at Henry Ford Museum

~ September ~

Leaving New York City on the Queen Mary 2 voyage to England

Afternoon Tea on the Queen Mary 2

Tea Sandwiches

Grand Lobby Staircase

~ October ~

Tea at Ladurées in Covent Garden, London, England

Westminster Abbey

Eiffel Tower at Night, Paris, France

Riverboat Dinner Cruise on the Seine River, Paris

~ November ~

High School Girls from Church and their Etiquette Coach come to The Whitney for Mansion Tea.

~ December ~

Church Cookie Swap  [Hungry Yet???]

The Whitney Christmas Tea - Reading 'A Cup of Christmas Tea'

Jerry and Me on Christmas Eve

2023 Red and Green Christmas Tree at our home

Now new activities and memories begin for 2024...

2023 in Review

I wrote the least amount of posts in 2023 since I have been blogging - just 96 posts - but it was a great year full of fun and wonderful activities and memories. 

~ January ~

I was invited to Independence Village in Plymouth, MI to do a presentation for the residents about Detroit's Iconic Whitney Restaurant located in the former David Whitney Mansion [where I'm the Tea Director].

~ February ~

I celebrated my 76th Birthday with my hubby and son, Steve, by visiting the beautiful David Whitney building in downtown Detroit and had lunch afterwards at Slows Barbecue in Corktown.

Bust of David Whitney

~ March ~

I hosted a St. Patrick's Tea at Pamela's Banquet Facility for 16 family and friends.

Daughter and Daughter-in-law

Daughter-in-law and Granddaughters

Two of nine friends that attended

~ April ~

Welcomed Palm Sunday and Easter and learned a new quote.

"Life is like making tea!  Boil your ego, evaporate your worries,

dilute your sorrows, filter your mistakes, and get a taste of happiness."  ~ Anon

~ May ~

Attended Granddaughter Brooke's College Graduation from Olivet Nazarene University

 ~ June ~ 

Celebrated our 57th Wedding Anniversary at River Crab Restaurant on the St. Clair River

Attended Granddaughter Izzy's High School Graduation Party

Hosted a fun Fiesta Luncheon

This takes us halfway through 2023.  I'll conclude the review in my next post.

January - National Hot Tea Month

When I opened Facebook on my iPhone this morning, a graphic from Teacup Attic came through my feed reminding me that January is National Hot Tea Month. 

The Tea Council of the USA was founded in 1950 and they designated every January as National Hot Tea Month.  In 2016, they designated January 12th as National Hot Tea Day.

For tea lovers, drinking tea is a special ritual every day of every month!  With over 3,000 varieties there's a tea to suit everyone's palate.  So drink up for good health, comfort and pleasure!

Here's a couple of photos I took for previous posts commemorating National Hot Tea Month.

Welcoming 2024!

Happy New Year!

Did you stay up to welcome the New Year?  I was watching a Netflix movie and intended to switch over briefly to watch the crystal ball countdown and drop in Times Square at midnight, but got so engrossed in the movie I forgot until I heard all the fireworks going off outside my house. 

Happy New Year's Day!  I plan to make Hoppin' John [blackeyed peas] for one of the dishes at our New Year's Day dinner and I'm also trying a new recipe for Teriyaki Chicken Casserole. It's a quiet day at house with just hubby and me, but it's a nice way to welcome the New Year after a very busy holiday season.

My first tea of 2024 was Black Forest Cake from Adagio Teas.  It's a black tea with mini dark chocolate chips and natural wild cherry flavor.  I added milk to it, so it would be a substitute for hot chocolate without all the sugar.  If I would have froathed the milk it would have been a latte.  I may try that next time, but it's a very good tea.  

May God's peace, joy, and blessings be yours in 2024!