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-