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!