Serious Wednesday: Retreats, Teas and Fun!

Retreats, Teas, and Fun!

When I heard that the recent Women's Retreat (God Can Do the Impossible was the theme), that I was privileged to attend, was having a Tea Party, my heart—I'm sure—beat just a bit faster with excitement. Who doesn't love a lovely Tea Party? 

The setting was beautiful, the colors summery and light. I thought it created a relaxing atmosphere. With friends by my side and light conversation, it was a perfect atmosphere to enjoy an early afternoon tea luncheon.

Of course, the food was varied and delightfully delicious! Mini glazed ham sandwiches, along with chicken salad croissants, stuffed mushrooms and other goodies, plus a delectable selection of sweets served as the menu.

 Everything I ate was totally delicious. I felt I was dining with royalty. :)

When it came to the teas, there was a variety to choose from. 

Let me explain something here:  I'm a late bloomer when it comes to teas. What I mean by this is:  I wasn't raised drinking teas--any kind. 

But after I was married, my husband and a couple of close friends introduced me to a variety of teas, and I've gradually learned to enjoy several different flavors. 

A skit about worrying too much (lots of laughs) inspiring talks that made me cry and smile, fellowship, meeting new friends, singing together and, of course, the laughter, food and relaxation—all created an atmosphere that was perfect for me. 

A

What a weekend!!

Did you know that...

• originated in Africa? (Hibiscus Tea)

• tea first arrived in Britain in the 1650s, where it was served as a novelty in London's coffee houses?

• in the early 1900s, Jane Austen drank green and black teas?

• that these states, it is believed, drink the most sweet tea: Alabama, Arkansas, Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia?

About Hibiscus Tea and the Book:

In my most recent novel, Hunter's Rose, Book Two of the Troubles in the West series (a historical, romantic suspense), one of the protagonists—Rosita—is given a hibiscus plant by her Tia (Aunt) Maria, who relayed the tale of her mother bringing it to the plantation in Mexico years ago, after her marriage, and guarding it as if it was a person. Sharing it with Rosita gave the young girl the opportunity to be able to prepare it for her husband and the other cowboys at their new ranch, along with the mint tea that was growing on their land.

Here's a recipe that Rosita might have used, give or take a few ingredients.

Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) 

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Yields: 2 quarts

Ingredients:

• 2 quarts water

• ¾ to 1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you like your tea)

• 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers

• ½ cinnamon stick (optional)

• a few thin slices of ginger (optional)

• Allspice berries (optional)

• Lime juice (optional)

• Orange or lime slices for garnish

Method:

• Boil water with sugar and spices:

Put 4 cups of the water and sugar in a medium saucepan. Add cinnamon, ginger slices, and/or a few slices of allspice berries if you like. Heat until boiling and the sugar is dissolved.

• Steep with dried hibiscus flowers:

Remove from heat. Stir in the dried hibiscus flowers. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes.

• Strain:

Strain into a pitcher and discard the used hibiscus flowers, ginger, cinnamon, and/or allspice berries. At this point youu can store the concentrate ahead, chilled, until ready to make the drink.

• Add Water:

Add remaining 4 cups of water

Suggestions:

Alternately, you can add ice and chilled soda water for a bubbly version, or if you want to chill the drink quickly. Or...

Add a little lime juice for a more punch-like flavor. Or...

Instead of sugar, you can always use honey. Or...

Serve over ice with a slice of orange or lime.\

Hibiscus Tea is healthy, but research it and make sure it works for you! Most of all enjoy your tea and tea parties! “A cup of tea is a cup of peace.” Sen Sshitsu VX

About the book 

It's the late 1800s, and Hunter Carson has married the woman of his dreams and settled on the land he bought. He's never known God or even much about him. But his tender heart can be touched. His wife—the beautiful and exotic Mexican Rosita DeSantis, is totally in love with him—but something is wrong. Just days after their marriage, why is she crying and touchy? Has she fallen out of love with him already? Or is there something far more serious going on with her?

Rosita's past is haunting her emotionally. She adores her new husband, but she'll do anything to keep him from knowing what happened in Mexico before she fled the country. And not because she doesn't trust him, but because she's worried for his life. Her loving family in Mexico came to accept God into their lives through the ministry of a missionary. But can she hold onto her beliefs through the trials and tests she'll face when Carlos De Leon insists on forcing her to marry him?

After all, the Mexican Lord—Carlos De Leon—cares nothing for God or any man. His only desire is to obtain what he wants and when. He has a plan and will do anything to accomplish it.

And Rosita will do anything to keep him from succeeding.

Buy the Book here:  Amazon

I hope you enjoy the book! 

Happy Reading! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Praise to God!

 Lift up your hands in the holy place, 

and bless the LORD.

 Psalms 134:2 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Patience, Peace and Determination

 Patience

When I want things done NOW or yesterday...

God's helped me to learn that HIS timing is always right.

Peace

God has taught me to appreciate and take advantage of a

slower pace; to use the beautiful, simple things

in my life to gain peace.

Determination

When the devil says I can't

When circumstances look impossible

When my confidence in my ability wans

then God stirs a big courage into my life. 

Have faith.

He knows what we need.

Sunday Morning Sunshine: What Can God Do?

 Can God do the impossible?

Jeremiah 32:17 declares, “Ah, Lord God, behold thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too difficult for thee."

God can NOT...

Lie

Allow sinners into heaven

Change

God CAN...

Take care of you

Give you knowledge and power to live as you should

Give you peace in difficult times

He knows all things; therefore, he can be trusted. 

With humility, he will roll burdens away

Be our best friend

Defeat our worst enemy: Satan

Take us to heaven

Love us with an everlasting love

And much more! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: All Good Things are God's!

All God's Things are Good! 

When God made the trees, animals and birds,

He said they were very good.

The vine is for grapes.

The wheat is for bread.

The bee to give us honey.

The sheep gives us wool.

Even the cat is good to catch mice.

All God's things are Good!! !

And God saw everything that he had made, 

and behold, it was very good!

Genesis 1: 31

Rambling Friday: When Troubles Come...

When troubles come, what do we do?  

Complain?

Put on a grouch?

Question why does it have to be ME?

Put on a martyr'd face?

*  We had to put off Christmas celebration because of circumstances, till January. BUT it turned out just fine. Relaxed and fun.

*   Hubby and I both got a serious case of covid (in spite of all precautions) in February and March. BUT, you know what? It drew me closer than ever to God. He loves us so much, and I trust in Him!!

* In late Spring hubby lost a beloved brother suddenly and unexpectedly. We were heartbroken and sad, but God gave hubby the strength to speak at his funeral. He comforted us when we needed it although we surely didn't understand the why.

* We lost close friends from our church who felt it was time for them to move on. Sad.

* Hubby and a son have been way too busy trying to complete some jobs they took on. WHICH means, they had little to no time to complete some landscaping and repairs needed on our property. Sigh. 

* Hubby had a bad case of kidney stones, and I've been going through another serious physical problem.

OR...

Can we, do we look heavenward and claim the Biblical verse:

The Lord is good, 

a strong hold in the day of trouble; 

and he knows them that trust in him.

Nahum 1:7

God has given strength to face each and every battle that has come our way this year of 2022. 

Because, sure as we are breathing (right now!), God knows our problems, our very being, and He will honor His word. He cares about us and whatever befalls us, He will see us through each and everything that comes. He is our anchor! 

What a wonderful God!

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Revival

 When Do We Need a Revival? 

It is very evident that we need a revival:

When it is easier to stay at home than to go to church.

When it is easier to work than to worship.

When it is easier to be critical than kind.

When it is easier to read fiction than the Bible.

Then it is easier to shirk God-given opportunity than to do it.

When it is easier to support the club than the church.

When it is easier to sleep in church than stay awake.

When it is easier to grumble than to praise.

When it is easier to condemn souls than to pray for their salvation.

when it is easier to hold grudges than to forgive. 

Amen?

Amen!

Sunday Morning Sunshine: A Huge Blessing

 

This Dog...

Spoiled rotten

rambunctious

obedient

loving

companion

smart

loved more than he'll ever know

loves to pretend I want his bones

loves to play ball with me

and so much more...

Became VERY ill before Thanksgiving

I cried constantly

sooooo afraid he'd die

but after a week 

we have a glimmer of hope...

He looks like he's on the mend.

That's said with cautiousness

but a faint bit of hope glimmers through 

that awful tunnel of sadness and despair.

I cried out to God

and if it be His will,

God will heal Axel completely

and allow us to have this precious, 

sweet dog a little while longer.

That's my thanksgiving blessing today! 

Rambling Friday: Fallen Leaves and Smoky Skies

I love Autumn!

It's a beautiful season,

but... 

God says...

There's a time for everything.

and a reason.

No matter the season of our lives,

God is in control. 

We trust and believe

that He will work 

everything out according to His will

for our lives. 

Ecclesiastes says in Chapter 3:

To everything, there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Hang on. God's got this! 

Rambling Friday: Thanking God

 Let us come before His presence 

with Thanksgiving...

And today I give thanks 

for His Help, 

His Graciousness in considering me,

His Power in situations I can't handle

and His everlasting Love!

I give Thanksgiving to MY GOD!

Sunday Morning Sunshine: It's the Truth!

Trust! 

 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Spring!

 Spring is God's way 

of saying...

ONE MORE TIME!

--Robert Orben

Rambling Friday: Music Makes Me Happy

 I love music. Why, you ask? 

It makes me happy. 

I can smile again

It gives me a chance to exercise, breathe deeper:

I want to dance, or sing, or laugh out loud. 

When my spirit is down or sad,

Positive music uplifts me.

I forget my troubles for a bit 

and rejoice in my space of relief.

When I need renewed in spirit--

I turn to spiritual music.

I draw nigh to God once more,

I leave my burdens at His feet,

I trust once more,

I lean on Him,

I grow to love Him more

and feel assurance once again of His love for me.

Question for you:

How does music affect YOU?

Rambling Friday: Rambling About Blessings and ...

 Sometimes it seems a person has more troubles than blessings. Have you ever felt it? Oh, yeah, I have. 

• Everything breaks down at once: the stand-up mixer refuses to mix up the dough another time, the lawnmower gives up the ghost, and your favorite vase, dish, mug, whatever--well, you or someone else drops it, and of course, it doesn't bounce. It breaks. 
• You're coming home from a nice dinner with friends, or you're in a hurry to get to your
  
  
  destination or you want to get home before the storm hits--doesn't matter what the situation is--and a beautiful, doe-eyed deer decides to jump in front of your vehicle. Uh, huh, right.
• Or it's winter and you slip on the ice and injure your knee, elbow, or some other part of your anatomy. If it isn't that, lines freeze up. Or the electricity goes off and everything thaws...

Yep, some of this has happened to us, recently! 

But... (there's always a but, isn't there?) there are blessings too. And when the blessings come, somehow the world seems a wonderful place.

And I think to myself, "What a Wonderful World."

You kinda forget about the troubles you've just gone through. The blessings outshine the hardships. Everything seems top of the world. Those troublesome troubles seem to fade out--almost as if God has your back. Almost as if he's saying, I truly do love you. See...

It's then I whisper, Father, forgive me.

And he does. 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Christmas Love

Merry Christmas! 

 

Rambling Friday: This is November!

 This is November, the thankful month. So this month, every Friday, 

I will post something I'm extremely grateful for. 

Today:  

I'm so thankful for the protection of God on us as we've traveled, 

through many years, to so many places all over our country! 

What are you thankful for today?

Sunday Morning Sunshine: I Am Blest

 

From vegetables and eggs,

monthly gifts of food supplies

peppermints, cheese, meat and gift cards

cakes and pies and candies

DoTerra Essential Oils

Cards of love and appreciation

prayers

support

kind words

and even a porch swing!

Our church family has been wonderful!

And in this month of October

when churches show appreciation for their pastor and his family,

our church has encouraged and blest us

with their kind endeavors to show love! 

Our hearts are filled with gratitude!

Sunday Morning Sunshine: In Times of...

In Times of...

Storms. Turn to the scriptures:

Isaiah 23:4:  For you have been a refuge from the storm when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

Fear. Turn to the scriptures: 

Psalm 91: 2:  I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in his will I trust.

Evilness around us. Turn to the Scriptures:

Psalm 91:10:  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come night thy dwelling.

Confusion:  Turn to the Scriptures:  

I Corinthians 14:33:  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.

Doubt. Turn to the Scriptures:

Isaiah 41:10:  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Sickness. Turn to the scriptures:  

Jeremiah 33:6:  Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.

Needs. Turn to the Scriptures:

Philippines 4:19:  And my God shall supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory.

Success. Turn to the Scriptures:

Proverbs 16:3:  Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: My Love is Not Shaken

Though the mountains be shaken

and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you

will not be shaken,

nor my covenant of peace 

be removed.

--saith God of Heaven

Isaiah 54:10

Trust in the Lord! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Uncertainty

Life is strange, sometimes hard, sometimes uncertain, but we know we can face our fears and our questions by turning to God and his power. Today, here are some quotes that may give you a little encouragement.


Of all the liars in the world, sometimes, the worst are our own fears. ---Rudyard Kipling

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties. --Oswald Chambers

Don't let today's disappointment cast a shadow on tomorrow's dreams. --Unknown

Darkness comes. In the middle of it, the future looks blank. The temptation to quit is huge. Don't!
You will argue with yourself that there is no way forward. But with God, nothing is impossible. He has more ropes and ladders and tunnels out of pits than you can conceive. Wait! Pray without ceasing. And hope! --Unknown


Don't give up! TRUST! BELIEVE! HOPE!