Enjoying a Few Days Off

School resumes the day after Labor Day in Michigan, so going to tea at The Whitney isn't a top priority for moms with school age children, and has caused the Afternoon Tea program to experience a brief lull.  Happily, I was off yesterday and today and got a lot things done for this Saturday's ladies' church tea.  

Jerry and I took some time today to go to Ann Arbor to get some items at World Market. Their closest store to me is 58 miles away, but it's worth the drive because of their great selection of international products. 

My biggest purchase was five bottles of Belvoir Elderflower Cordial for the upcoming Downton Abbey tea.  It's a nice non-alcoholic alternative.  I enjoyed it this spring for the first time when Jerry and I went to Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena, California, and they began our tea with a glass of it.  It was very appropriate for their British tearoom since it's imported from England, and it'll be perfect for the Downton Abbey tea too.

It's normally $8.99 a bottle at World Market, but is on sale right now for $7.99.  It's a great price compared to Amazon's $14.99 a bottle. 

I also got a box of yummy British cookies that are perfect with tea, and a few other food items.

They have the Downton Abbey teas by Republic of Tea, but I already ordered mine directly from Republic of Tea.  The sales girl said their other Downton Abbey merchandise will be arriving in a week or so.  I think I see another trip to Ann Arbor in my future!  I'll be keeping a watchful eye on their website.

We had a gift card to P.F. Chang's that was sent to us for our anniversary, and there was one right close to World Market, so we had lunch there.  Thank you, Frieda!  Jerry's standing in front of the white horse in the photo below, but you can barely see him.

They didn't have any white tangerine tea that I usually order, but our server told us they had a new white pear tea so we ordered a pot of that. It was SO good. I liked it even better than the white tangerine. Our server kindly gave me a tea bag to bring home.  Their tea source is Revolution Tea in Phoenix, Arizona. 

We got an order of Lettuce Wraps - Chang's signature dish.

I'm normally very predictable and order Sweet and Sour Chicken, but today I decided to order their Honey Chicken Bowl, and it didn't disappoint.

A fortune cookie concluded our meal.  My fortune said: "No need to worry.  You will have everything you need."  I don't worry, because there's a promise almost identical to that in the Bible.  

To close this post I'm sharing a picture of my granddaughter, Brianna, that was taken over the weekend.  She loves sunflowers, and so do I.  They're so cheerful and make me smile just looking at them.  They're also a sign that the fall season is upon us.

First Post of September

I hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day holiday.  Mine was spent at our son and daughter-in-law's house [Steve and Sharon] with almost all the family.  Life is busy for everyone, and it's the first time we've been together in a while.

Ellie was with us Saturday morning thru yesterday.  She had fun, but was glad to be with her parents and siblings again.  While she was at our house her Papa taught her how to play checkers and she loved the game.

Four of eight grandchildren were at the holiday festivities. Brianna's in Nashville, and Brandon & Venessa, Tiffany & John and their two little ones - Evie and Juliette, and Marissa didn't make it.

[Landon, Izzy, Brooke, and Ellie]

The guys played corn hole on boards Jerry made for Steve last Christmas.  Michigan State, of course!

The girls watched while waiting their turn.

Before the clouds dumped rain, we drove over to the nearby church property to see the progress.  All the underground work is completed, and the land has been graded.  The curbs are in for the circular driveway and parking lot.  Next we'll see the building going up.   We're so excited for our permanent place of worship.

See what I mean about rain clouds?  Shortly after we got back to Steve's house it poured. 

 No more outdoor games, so we shifted to the indoor game of Catch Phrase.  Fun!

We celebrated Brooke's 17th birthday and Lori's 52nd birthday.  Brooke's maternal Grandpa Conn teased her about the holes in her pants, and Sharon said Brooke paid big bucks for those holes!  How times change.  When I was a kid, holes in pants were a sign of poverty or being unkempt, so holes either got patched or the pants were tossed in the rag bag! Today, the bigger the hole, the more fashionable.  Who are these modern-day fashion designers? Are they related to those who designed the mini-skirts in my teenage years [1960's].  As I recall, adults disliked them too.  ;-) 

[Lori and Dave]


[Brooke, Izzy and Samantha]

I woke up this morning to these pictures of the four youngest grandchildren's first day of school.  It made me get a lump in my throat to realize how quickly time is passing.  Brooke is a senior this year.  I told them all to shine for Jesus this year at school.

Izzy's first day of high school - 9th grade.  More 'fashionable' jeans with holes in them!  ;-)

~ Landon - 5th grade ~

~ Ellie - 2nd grade ~

For those who have an interest in Jeremy's Simple Victory short YouTube videos, the next two in the series are: Simple Victory - Mindset and Simple Victory - Purpose. 

Last Day of August

In this last post of August there are several things I want to share with you.  The first is an upcoming event that's open to the public, sponsored by The Taylor Conservatory.  Their events are always lovely.

Tea people are the most sharing people I know.  On August 19th, Angela at Tea With Friends blog, posted an adorable Mackenzie-Childs teapot lunch tote [below].  It was on sale for $20, imagine that!  When I looked at it I saw a washable, travel toiletry bag instead of a lunch tote, so I ordered one and it arrived in yesterday's mail.  I couldn't find it currently listed at their website, so it might be sold out but keep checking if you're interested.

Next week at this time the ladies' tea I've been coordinating for my church will be over, and I'll be down to just one tea to work on [Downton Abbey].  I found some cute Paris themed fabric at Hobby Lobby that was 30% off, so I bought 2 1/2 yards to make large squares for the center of each table.  It doesn't show in the picture, but the Eiffel Towers are glittery, and will be perfect for black Eiffel Tower centerpieces to sit on. 

Another thing that recently arrived in the mail was Tea Time Magazine's new Christmas book.  I'm anxious to leisurely look through it with a cup of tea.  Only 116 more days until Christmas!

Our youngest granddaughter, Ellie, arrived this morning to spend a couple of days before school starts back next Tuesday.  Her Papa took her shopping for school supplies, and a toy.

Lastly, our youngest son, Jeremy, has just started a Youtube video series [I think there'll be five or six in the series].  I know I'm prejudiced, but they're well worth viewing if you have an interest.  Each video is short, 7-8 minutes.  Simple Victory - Intro  and  Simple Victory - Identity.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!  

Family at The Whitney

Yesterday family members came to The Whitney to celebrate a significant birthday.  My maternal aunt will be turning 92 years old on Saturday.  She is the only remaining sibling of seven - my mother's baby sister.

A cousin, who presently lives in Arizona, contacted me weeks ago about getting a group together to come to The Whitney for the mini reunion/birthday celebration.  Our aunt still lives alone, drives, bowls on a league and plays cards in a pinochle club.  

L-R:  Me, Aunt Bobo [Frances], Mary [who organized the gathering], Tammy [Aunt Bobo's daughter] Heather [Tammy's daughter], Reygan [Tammy's granddaughter], Holly [Tammy's daughter and mother of Reygan], Amelia [Mary's daughter] and Harper [Mary's granddaughter].  How fun to see them again, and it was the first visit to The Whitney for all of them.

When my aunt was very young she used to say "peek-a-bobo" instead of peek-a-boo.  The result was a nickname that stuck throughout her life.

Nothing better than celebrating over tea, especially since my aunt is a tea drinker.

First tea party for Reygan and Harper.  

I love my job everyday, but yesterday was especially fun.

Yoshi Handbags

Are you familiar with Yoshi leather handbags from the UK?   I had never heard of the company before until one of my blog readers told me about them. She knew my tea friend, Teresa, and I like tea themed purses.  Turns out they have a summer sale going on right now.

A cute novelty "Afternoon Tea" brown leather purse with hand sewn appliques.  It comes in three styles:

Shoulder Bag was £85 now £51 [US $61.85]

Multiway Grab Bag comes in two sizes.

[The larger size is the same price as the purse above]

The Hudson purse was £35 now £24.50 [US $29.71]

International shipping for each is £15.00 [US $18.19].  It's a fun website to browse.  They also have a 'Perfect Pantry' purse - not on sale, and in multiple styles.

And a Tea Party Zip Top.

I'm trying really hard not to succumb to one, but after writing this post I'm leaning perilously close to getting the multiway grab bag purse.  Thanks, Cara, for telling me about these cute, unique designer purses!  They're perfect for a tea lover!

The Wizard of Oz

I don't think I've ever worked on three teas simultaneously before.  In addition to the Downton Abbey tea for The Whitney, and the ladies' tea at church [Julia Child in Paris], the monthly tea at the assisted living facility is this Sunday, the 25th.

The Activities Director has never requested a specific topic before, but this month the 25th falls on the 80th anniversary of when the Wizard of Oz was released in theaters, so she thought the residents would enjoy a program about the movie.

That's been a favorite movie of my granddaughter Brianna's ever since she was a little girl.  To be honest, I've started watching it numerous times, but I don't remember if I've ever watched it through to the end.  So that's on my agenda this week.

My hubby went on a 'guy trip' with our son, Jeremy, and grandson, Landon, Friday thru last night, so I had the weekend to myself to work on research.  I learned a lot of interesting trivia about the movie.  Did you ever wonder how L. Frank Baum came up with the name Oz?  He glanced at his file cabinets that were organized A-N and O-Z!

I don't normally shop on Sunday, but yesterday after church I was very close to the Country Store that sells unique candy [and made only in the USA].  I was in search of a treat for the residents that would tie in with the Wizard of Oz theme. In my mind I thought I remembered a rainbow shaped candy.  The owner promptly told me it's made in China and he wouldn't have it in his store.  Well okay then!  ;-) 

I ended up purchasing these sucker sticks that weren't exactly what I wanted, but will do if I can't find anything else.  Suggestions anyone???

Last month's presentation was the Women of Meadow Brook Hall:  The matriarch, Matilda Dodge Wilson; her daughter, Frances Dodge Van Lennep; her adopted daughter, Barbara Wilson Eccles; and her granddaughter Judith Frances Lavender.

~ Meadow Brook Hall ~

Matilda was the widow of John Dodge, founder of Dodge Brothers Motor Car Co. with his brother, Horace.  She built Meadow Brook Hall with her second husband, Alfred Wilson.

All four women were equestrians.  Frances had a state-of-the-arts stable complex built at Meadow Brook called "Dodge Stables".  When she married and bought Castleton Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, it then became the headquarters of Dodge Stables.  Matilda had her own stables at Meadow Brook called "Wilson Stables".  She died in Brussels, Belgium during a trip to purchase a new team of Belgian horses.  [She was 83 and had a heart attack.]

In trying to decide what treat to give the residents for that presentation, I recalled seeing several pictures of Queen Elizabeth II feeding a carrot to her horses.  So I ordered cellophane carrots filled with jelly beans from Oriental Trading.  The residents loved them.

We even had some men attend that tea and program, so we'll see if they return this month.

Church Ladies' Tea

As mentioned in my last post, I've been working on another tea for the ladies of my church [and ladies from the community].  The venue I chose is one I've used before, Sycamore Hills Banquet Center. The photo below was taken last February when snow was still on the ground.

  

Below is the promotional flier that I've been using. 
 [Click on image to enlarge for reading.]

I used to do teas for our church ladies twice a year - once in the fall or Christmas and once in the spring, but then they seemed to become commonplace and enthusiasm dwindled. I always made the count on the banquet facility contract, but not without a lot of work and frayed nerves, so I decided to suspend them for awhile.  Time passes quickly, and life gets busy, and before I knew it the last tea I coordinated was December 2013.  With a lot of new ladies in our church, it's time for another tea!  I'm hoping the enthusiasm and turnout will be good.

I'll be doing my Julia Child presentation and will be sure to post pictures on the blog when it's over.

A check arrived in the mail this week from my girlfriend, Lori, who is bringing four ladies with her.  The handmade note card that contained her check was so cute, I took a picture of it to share with you.

Now I'm off to buy Paris-themed fabric at Hobby Lobby for the tables, and sometime today get a publicity poster made to display at church tomorrow.   Never a dull moment!

Sunday A.M. Postscript:   I finished the poster shortly at 11:00 P.M. last night.  It's not my best work, but it's acceptable.