A Blast from the Past-

There is a buzz in the air that my teaching career is on it's way to ending. This is the last year for me teaching 7th grade ELA. I now can concentrate on  catering tea and party planning. 

I have been moderately active in the tea biz, and it's been a lot of fun. I have been involved in many different kind of teas for various reasons; birthdays, adoptions, weddings...

I am now planning a "Witches Tea" for next month! It's my first one of the like, and am excited about it!

I know I haven't blogged since 2014, but my life has turned upside down and sideways since then, and we're landing back on our feet. 

Life is good- life is worth celebrating, and life needs to be enjoyed.

E-
                                  One of my fave students, Sarah...

SweetEandTea

Hello tea lovers!
It's been a very long time since I've last posted. Since 2014, many things have been happening with the catering business. The website is now up and I have a beautiful design and designer, Laura! I love the logo, and I'm sure you will too.
I have had a few teas since last year, and am looking forward for a few more this fall and winter.
My schedule is hectic like many of you- with graduations, My son included, reunions, birthdays and many other things the summer holds for us. My grandmother turned 100 and my great niece turned 1, so it's been a very emotional yet lovely summer so far.
Take a look at the website! www.sweeteandtea.com!
I hope you take some time to wander through the pages and enjoy and see what my goal has been all this time.!
Have a great week!
E-

Tea Times are Changing!

It has been way too long since I've last blogged-
Things are moving in the right direction for Sweet E and Tea! We have a wonderful graphic designer who has worked on our logo this summer for our tea catering business. We have created a logo that I love and soon it will be used for business cards, and my website that is currently under construction.
I have catered a few teas this summer, and have one scheduled for this November.
I like the fact that it has been slow, since we are still in our infancy stages with this business.
Still teaching, I cannot have this turn into a full time job yet. I have a few years left until retirement, and would love to persue a tea house at that time.
I had a tea for mom- It was for a great group of women who mean so much to my mother, and they all showed up in their hats, and gloves! It was precious!
Have a good weekend-
E-

 

Tea in January

As I was looking and drooling over my current January/February issue of TeaTime magazine- I noticed that there is a tea room in Ohio, which is not too far from where I live, that is hosting a Downton Abbey tea throughout the month of January!
Since I have a mother, sister, and sister-in-law all born in the month of January, guess where we are going? LOL
If you've never seen this magazine- please look for it in bookstores and/or on-line and order it! You can get back issues too!
(If you click on my link, you can access it quickly!) :)

I am still in the process of organizing my February Tea for mom and friends, so I looked through all of my crochet patterns and PINS, and found the mug cozies I will make as favors-pink, white and off-white.
I am also picking the menu, but keeping it simple-cream scones for sure!

Today I am going to be looking into beginning my website for my catering company called, "Sweet E and Tea", so I will be letting you know when it is finally up and running!

Well, I better make the most of my "snow day"-no school!!! ( We had the wonderful blizzard for the past 2 days!)

Keeping warm with Harney and Sons! Try it-you'll love it!! :)
E-

 

Time for Tea Planning

 

This is a photo of my dining room table in the process of being set up for a family and friends tea. I love the fall colors here, and the menu included a wonderful fall stew with sweet potatoes and turkey sausage. I also offered maple scones and cinnimon cream and preserves.

 

I am in the process of planning a Valentine's Day Tea for my mom, sister and a few friends from my childhood. I am going with the pink and cream color scheme, and plan to make crocheted mug warmers with those colors, on a cream mug, as favors for each guest. I will be posting these favors as I make them so you can see how they turn out. I don't want this tea to be over the top, just simple, and sweet, like the day. So, I am consulting my trusty TEATIME magazines, and Southern Lady magazines for those simple but wonderful ideas for a few tea sandwiches and treats.(Please click on the link for a great site!)

 

I'm hoping to hear from any of you who view my blog, and wish to ask any questions, make any suggestions, or just chat about teas in general.

I will be sharing recipes soon for the Valentine's Day Tea that I am planning as soon as I get my menu together.

 

Have a great New Year! 2014!

E-



Christmas Already?

Wow- I have been so busy with all of the things that keep me from blogging...
The going back to work to teach ELA to my 7th graders, my son's hockey schedule, my other son's college courses, work and social life, and my husband and his crazy schedule with family, jobs, and keeping our books in order!

I have had a wonderful Fall, and now Winter is here!
Can you believe it? I hope everyone is enjoying it as much as possible, even though I'm not a big "winter " fan-

I catered my first tea this Fall for a wonderful girl. When I first met her, she was about 5, and then I taught her in the 3rd grade, and now she is married and is teaching English in the high school! Time does fly!
She had a lovely, small Fall tea for her friends and sister. It was simple, and quaint and loving. I am not only happy with how the tea turned out, I am happy at how this young woman turned out! What a neat thing to see in my lifetime.

I am seriously going to get our Sweet Eand Tea website made this holiday break. I have had a few people ask me about my catering business, and I have no website to direct them to! I am going to investigate and make it work-

Here are some great shots of the table setting. Enjoy!

 

What a Summer

Summer has surely slipped away from me! I feel like the last few weeks have just come and gone without notice! We have been busy with back to school shopping, last calls for baseball tryouts, hockey training, WW meetings, walking, crocheting, the deck,oh it goes on and on!~
I have only one week left before I am required to go back to work for the new school year, so I hope I can enjoy it as much as possible!
We are woking on the boat today since it is going to be a beautiful Michigan day (washing and waxing), and the deck tomorrow! Things just can't get done fast enough.
I hope to join kitty here for a glass of wine this evening after a day of marina time. A well deserved treat if you aske me! LOL
I have started a new Blog called "Staying Healthy at 49", so if you are interested, the website is: HealthyMeAtAlmost50.blogspot.com.
Hope you can join me there as well!
Have a great day!
Have some iced tea-
E-

The Boys of Summer...Play Ball!

Summer is nothing without the sport of baseball- I guess this is something I should be used to, but I have to say, as I get older, it's something I enjoy just because I can watch my son(s) play and have a good time, and I can relax either in the shade or sun.

Our team is traveling to Myrtle Beach this year for a Triple Crown tournament. We are looking forward to fun and sun, and hopefully a good turn-out from the team! Both of my boys will be on the trip with us, so it will be nice to be with both of them at the same time on a "vacation". It's harder as they grow older and more responsible (jobs) and college-to see them and spend quality time with them.

 

I feel like summer is flying by! The deck is not comlete, yet looking great! The books I'm wanting to read are not getting read as fst as I would like, and other summer projects are slow going...

I'll just try to take it all in stride. It's ok to not finish or do everything I wanted to get done- it'll be done in due time.

 

Well, hopefully everyone is either surviving the rain and floods, the heat and humidity, or both! LOL  This has been a very eye opening summer for the reality of climate change and global warming!

Stay cool -

Have your tea-

Go in the pool-

and think of Me!

 

E-

Busy, Busy Busy!

This summer feels as if it were flying by too quickly already! I've only been on vacation ofr a week and a half, and I feel like things are just taking over! It's out of control!

One of our sons had hernia surgery, the other has been in two baseball tournaments, with only 5 more coming, including one in Myrtle Beach! (OMG) Our deck is slowly but beautifully coming along, and we are trying to get some quiet time in, in between commitments...

I know I'm not alone in this- but wow!

 

I'm trying to get a whole new perspective on work in the Fall. My doctor diagnosed me with chronic stress, which is causing me to feel much discomfort in my lower skull and neck. The glass of wine and chiropractor she suggested is what I'm banking on for summer help- but come September, it's another story-

Well, hubby and I are off to visit Sr. sister, yes, we have a nun in our family, and we plan on visiting at the lake for  2 days for R&R.

Hope everyone is surviving the heat and the rain- not sure which is worse at this point!

With that in mind-

Time for Tea-

(Iced!)

E-

It's a Wonderful Life !

Hey! It's finally Spring in Michigan- the temperature hit 80 today and the boat is now un-shrink wrapped! Time to go fishing!!!!
I have 5 and 1/2 weeks left of the school year and the kids are getting anxious for the Big Day! June 12th! I have been up to my neck with NCA, NWEA, STAR, BRI, MEAP, CCSS, CA60's, PD and everything else that the world of education hands it's teachers.
I have been very pleased with my own boys-they are both doing well in school. Even my "struggler" is now on the honor roll as a sophomore and the 2nd year college student is Acing every class. What more can a mother ask for? Well, let's see: June 14th, sunny days, no hockey, a good baseball game, grilled dinners, crocheting lovely things, tea with the girls, a great book, wine, wine, wine...oh! Sorry!  LOL-
...long walks at dusk, trolling around the river with the sparkle of the sun on the crisp ebbs of water, saying, "I love you" to your boys, and knowing your husband is always there and loving you-

It's that time to appreciate what we do have, and show gratitude for being here and being healthy. Getting older makes me realize more and more what went unnoticed as a younger person. I see the changes in my boys as they become young men and I delight in the fact that they are seeing the importance of family, friends, and being true to themselves. I see, in their acitons, that I haven't been that bad of a mother- not perfect by any means, but good. They assure me in so many of their recent acitons. The trip to visit their gandparents, without being coerced, the gathering for a birthday just to spend time together, the words they say, even if it's in a TEXT! LOL

The walking cups of tea make me laugh, and I hope it does for you too! I think of the energy we get from walking alone, let alone the energy we get from a good cup of tea with friends, or with a good book on the side table.
This is the time for every BODY to stay in motion; in mind, spirit, and body.

With that in mind-
Time for a WALK!
E-

It Truly is A Wonderful Life

Ahhh- my two favorite things, owls and wine! My owl is a cork holder, and the wine bottle is my recent favorite...Zinfully delicious!!
I am so happy this week. I have had some feverishly crazy weeks lately, and monstrously busy schedules since March, hence, the lack of Blogging!
So sorry-
I am grateful for so many things: my son's grades in both college and high school, their health, their love. My father's health, which has altered him a bit, but he is dealing with it the best he can-bless his heart! (Literally!)
My husband-who is ever supporting me, no matter what...I love him.

I have re-joined WW for the 3rd time in my life. I have been on program for 6 weeks and hav elost 6.2 pounds. I am forever looking for low point recipes, and healthy snacks. I want to keep my family as healthy as possible for as long as I can. I only have 10 pounds to go- so I am diligenlty working at this goal, but 1 pound at a time!
I have been obsessed with Pinterest, so I have found many recipes and exercises to keep me interested. We walk outside when we can, and I walk with my Leslie Sansone tapes every morning before work. It is a goal I have kept up since I began.

School is at it's last long lingering weeks. I have been inundated with data, reports and the like for NCA, NWEA,STAR,BRI, WWTE, CCSS, MRA, IRA, and a few others I can't think of at the moment. LOL All of ;yoiu teachers out there know what I mean! It's crazy!
THIS is why we need our summers off- it's getting out of hand.

I hope this week proves to be as wonderful for you as it is to me. WE, as a family, have been through some struggles lately, but all will work out in the end. My father always told me that- I, only now, see what he means by that. Have faith-
With that in mind-
Let's have tea-
E-

 

It's All Worth It

Things have been crazy lately. Yes, Spring is certainly here! We seem to have found ourselves in the midst of a lot of hullabaloo-It almost feels like the Christmas rush-but it's not! Our youngest son just finished his school hockey season, wants to play in the Spring season, is on the school baseball team, and on a Travel baseball team for summer. He really keeps himself, and us, busy!
With the school year coming to an end in 2.5 months (roughly) and our oldest son finishing his 2nd year of college and looking the Police Academy in the eye-time just seems to be flying! When he turned 20 last month, I felt like my body insantaniously got old! LOL
We are looking at all the Spring and Summer projects we have to finish this year. We have our gorgeous deck to rebuild as I menioned the other day, we have an add-on room to the garage to build for the riding mower and my potting shed. We have the backyard to design/plant/develop-all wrapped up into one massive package. I can't wait!
I keep telling myself that it's all worth it in the end. Everything we are doing now, looking forward to doing, and hope to do is all worth it-it may not be easy- but well worth our time.
We all need to keep our chins up through all the hardships we may have, or the troubles we go through-
My father always said to me that "things always work out in the end". As a young girl, I never saw how- it seemed impossible. Now, I find myself saying the same thing to the boys, and even to my dearest husband. I guess I've been through enough trials in my life to see that this line of thought is usually true-
Thinking of you-

Time for Tea-
E-

 

Spring is Here? Well-Almost!

Well, the first day of Spring has sprung and I've yet to see a full day of sun. In Michigan, we can only expect so much. Today I am writing from a wonderful room in a wonderful hotel in a wonderful city-Chicago! We are here on business, but I look at it as total pleasure. I have a great view of the lake as I type, and the room is spacious and inviting. It is a little modern for me, which is surprising because the rest of the hotel is vintage and dated from it's conception.
 

I do love it here though- I will be looking for a tea house to have lunch in tomorrow after my visit to the museum. I am on my own for a whole day in the windy city! Watch out!

Tonight we visit Chinatown, and for Palm Sunday mass, we will be celebrating at one of the many beautiful Catholic churches in the city. Maybe Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica! How beautiful! 

 

I have begun my endeavors in the tea catering business.

So far I have my price lists for the different types of tea, the menus for each and I have purchased a new set of pink glass cups and saucers to add to the china cups and saucers I already have.

My first catered event will be in May- I am very excited about it!

I added a new Board on my Pinterest account for Tea House ideas, so that one day, when I retire, if the catering is going well, I might be able to open an actual tea house.

The ideas are endless.
 

 

I am looking forward to the Spring warm up. There is so much to be done. Our backyard is on my mind all the time. We have a deck to rebuild, and a wonderful garden to replant. I am looking forward to the times we get to spend out there. It's like another world for me since it is wooded yet elegent.

I will leave you with this:

 

The Deck

The deck. It runs along the entire back walls of our house. It acts as a stage for our wooded lot, brick pathway and unplanted flower gardens. I like how it is an extension of our house-bringing the life of the outdoors closer to the indoors and into our hearts.

The fireplace is a gathering space for family to sit and spend time thinking, talking, dreaming and reminiscing. The heat and the glow that casts off warmth and comfort while listening to the twilight sounds of nature.  We listen to the sound of the nocturnal owl, the light and breezy hummingbird, the noisy cicada in the trees in the summer at dusk.

I feel safe and secure in our little piece of heaven in this backyard world of ours. I feel stingy hording this space, but sharing it is not a problem. Many a treasured time has been spent with our families during a celebration of life, another year, another accomplishment. The times with the kids, trying to get a grip on what’s to happen next in their lives still ahead. Lastly, the quiet most intimate times alone with my husband, with our hands together, and just breathing in the quiet moment together.

It is a place I treasure because I am “me”-

Not a always a mother

Not always a daughter

Not always a wife

Not always a teacher

It is a place I treasure because I become “me”-

A lover of nature

A lover of family

A lover of life

xoxo

Author Known :)

Time forTea-

E-

 

 

 

 

Twas the Week Before Christmas

So the presents are almost done being purchased, some were already given (at church) and still others need to be found and wrapped. I have a potluck next week at work and three family gatherings to prepare for.
Am I alone in all this? I know I'm not. It is taking all I have to keep my holiday spirit in tact, but it sure is a tough one. I am all about the reason for the season-but sometimes I just think it's a little rediculous and over rated. I'm not understanding why we do what we do-just for the sake of doing them. I won't go into detail, but it is just making me think way too much this year. I think a lot of what we do is just not necessary.
Having a nice time with good friends and family-that we actually have a relationship with, is great and lovely. Everyone should do more of it-
I hope everyone can muddle through these next couple of weeks with me-
God bless everyone-
Time for tea-
E-

Tea with Family and Friends

I had a wonderful tea at my home not too long ago with some wonderful friends and family members. I called it "The End of Fall" tea. It was a kick-off to my entrepreneurial efforts to begin The Sweet E and Tea catering business. I was pleased with the menu of sweet potato stew, maple glazed Canadian bacon on cheddar and thyme biscuits, chicken cranberry tea sandwiches, cream scones, maple walnut scones, cinnamon cream, and various curds. I also presented guests with a caramel apple trifle. Mom brought a spice and raisin bread to add to the table. Various teas were available per guest, as was a gift bag full of hand made acorn candies, and a sunflower favor. Each recipe was delicious as usual, and everyone went home with happy memories and a full stomach.
I gave out menus, price lists and business cards. I'm hoping that the word will spread through friends and family, and then eventually out and onward!
I have been planning this day for quite some time now and am pleased with the results.
If anyone has any tips on catering for small groups for tea, please let me know! It would be greatly appreciated-
Time for Tea-
E-

Stop the World! I want to get off!

I just love that saying-and boy do I feel it! I would love to get off this world of ours and step into another realm that was just full of the stuff I love and enjoy-wow...what a dream world! Stress of every day life, work and drama is just about made me "mad". I know it will soon be over with once the Thanksgiving holiday week begins, but omg! I wish it would hurry up and get here!  Anyone with me? I need to become a hermit and enjoy some silence for a while!

This too shall pass! Have a good week!

E- and TEA!

Reinventing One's Self

How does one go about "reinventing" one's self? I feel like I am wanting to do so much- but things that come up in life get in the way of it.

I want to become a very healthy person- all the way...not just losing 5 pounds or so, but constantly eating healthy without binging urges and worrying about how many glasses of wine can I have in order to not gain ounces!

I want to join a women's gym to make sure I keep moving in the cold months and not gain a muffin top like I usually do during these lovely Michigan winters!

I want to begin my tea catering company. I think I am ready to do this now! I have menus, I have a pricing range, I have business cards ordered, and I feel like if I don't just try it-I'll never know what might come of this want I have of creating and hosting a most wonderful tea for someone!

I want to make my husband proud of me and keep him happy because he has become the most important person in my life, besides my sons of course-but as they grow older, they are moving away from Mom, and becoming their own person. I am not their center anymore.
My husband and I have always been hard working people-it's what we came from and it's what we know-
his "retirement" was pretty short lived seeing we still needed a little more to get by with, along with my teaching paychecks. I don't do poorly there, it's just that the one high school son is still spending a lot of money on school sports, activities and etc. So, we will keep at it! :)

I have realized that we have to keep loving all of those who are important in our lives- but not to forget to love yourself as well-I think that if we forget to take care of ourselves, on every level of being-we won't be there for them when they need us!

Hot tea for me!
E-

I Love Fall

 

 

     The Fall season has hit Michigan with a slam of wonderful weather, beautiful skies, and the scent of burning leaves. Football games, Homecoming parades, fire in the pit, and coffee with Bailey's! This is my time of year. Hubby just cleaned up the shrubs and trees for the winter, and I am eager to decorate for the Halloween/Thanksgiving season.
With brick pavers in the entryway, and a nice cozy bench to greet people, it is easy to make the front of the house a welcoming home. The plan is to do it up with hay bales, pumpkins (orange and white if possible), mums and corn stalks with Fall ribbon.
I don't know what it is about Fall- but in Michigan it is a season to treasure. Most people love Spring because of all the new growth and bright colors afgter a drab Winter, but Fall does it for me. I love the hues of Fall-oranges, reds, browns and greens and yellows. When the sun hits these colors in the late afternoon, and the breeze wafts in the Fall air- there is nothing better.

Work is nothing but stress lately. I love teaching the kids-it is my passion, but there are so many changes with mandates that are making the teaching into nothing but assessment and data. I feel like the creativity that teachers once had, and could actually use, is all put to the side now. There is no time to languish the event when a student has an "ahaaa!" moment- or to praise and celebrate knew found ideas or beliefs in what kids get out of their education. It is a sad day for teachers, and, unfortunately, for retired or soon to be retiring teachers. Educators are so under appreciated in America- if anyone could have a truly good day in the shoes of an Educator- they would see that all of these beurocratic add-ons to our day is just a waste of time in the life of a growing student.

I'm glad it's Fall- it helps me to deal with the trials of my career, and bring me back to what's really important in the scheme of my life- my husband, my family, my friends, and loving this wonderful thing called Fall.

Go BLUE!!!

E-
 

Fall into Reading (and writing!)

This is a great time to snuggle down with a good book and a comfy blanket and read 'till your heart's content. I have several books on my "read me" list. Several are adult fiction, some are young adult fiction, some are reference books for my teaching career, and others are for my addiction to crocheting and yarn.
I adore Debbie Macomber, Jodi Picoult, Susan Wiggs, as well a Anita Shreve...and where would we be without James Patterson, Richard Paul Evans, and David Baldacci? (Oh! and Nicholas Sparks!)
I am currently reading a Sandra Brown novel entitled, Lethal , a Cornelia Funke novel called, Inkdeath (the last in a young adult trilogy), and am listening to an audio book by Joyce Myer, who is a wonderful speaker for those of you who need a little spiritual inspiration!
I can't seem to get enough of the printed word.
Today in class, my 7th grade students and I had wonderful conversations about how reading and writing are considered an "art". I asked them why they thought my job title was an English Language Arts teacher- and the responses were so cool.
One student said it's because writers see images in their heads and describe it, and thoughts of characters on paper. Another said that it's because it's what you feel about a topic, and you share it with the world through writing. Yet another said that it's a way to communicate emotions, like in music and painting, only it's in story form.
We then went into how good books can become movies, and are generally blockbusters and rake in millions of dollars; Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, The Help, The Lovely Bones...the list goes on!
It is fascinating to me that 7t grade students can see so much, and understand so much, but are so afraid to try it themselves because of lack on confindence. 
As an ELA teacher, it's my ob to get it out of them, and speak their mind on an issue, create another land, or reflect on life experiences and create memoir.
Think I have an easy job?
No, I don't ... but the class discussions that I have just mentioned are what keep me grounded in my belief that I can pull it out of the majority of them-even if they outnumber me 165 to 1. LOL-

Keep reading-and check out some young adult books- some of them are better than adult fiction!

Curl up with me and tea-
E-

 

It's That Time Again

 

This week I began another year of teaching. I am in my 26th year, but my 24th year in the school district that I hope to retire from in 7 years. I am a 7th grade ELA teacher, which just means I teach Grammar, Literacy (Reading) and Writing. My group of kids consists of around 160 students so far, but as the year unfolds, I usually gain another 10 or so. My students are of all races, sizes and religions. It is a regular melting pot! That's what makes my job so special and unique. I have been a little nervous with some of the politics that are happening with retirement, and wages, but I think we will pull through somehow. I had a great first week so far, and I can only hope it is the beginning of a good year!

I have crocheted 1 children's blanket for Project Linus so far. I am now working on a red cowel neck poncho for my son's fall baseball and hockey games. I still need to finish my tank top, but since I can't wear it until next Spring- I will work on it in the dead of Winter when I'm dreaming about the warmth of the sun. I will make one more children's blanket before I send them off to the hospitals, for Project Linus. I figure if I can make 2 at a time, that's a good start tot hem program.

I went to a health fair at work, and won a drawing for a free 30 day trial at Planet Fitness- I hope I can find the time to see what it is like.

Hubby and I are still with the WW points. We are getting more serious about it though, because we are not happy with our Summer results. I am weighing and measuring all of my food, and keeping up with my points and tracking them. Wish us luck!

Maybe this calls for some tea-

Have some with me!

E-