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! 

Serious Wednesday: In Love With ...

 I'm so in love with...

SUSPENSE!

and by that I mean...

WRITING suspense.

Why?

Keeps my attention.

Gives me enough thrill without being overly scary.

I enjoy plotting the hard times 

the protagonist goes through.

But also,

the triumph he/she feels,

the victory she/he can claim,

the joy and/or relief in overcoming

the hard time.

What else?

In suspense, you can add touches of

whatever you want.

Meaning,

quirkiness,

romance,

Science fiction,

a bit of inspiration

or anything else that interests you.

You can make it as fun as you want,

as serious as you love,

or as spiritual as you feel called to do.

Suspense.

The Best of the Best! 

My opinion. 

Rambling Friday: Getting Away

We didn't get to take our usual vacation at the beach this year. Hubby was too busy, and we had
(me: reluctantly) to agree that it just wasn't possible this year. For the first time in several years. 

But we did sneak in a short weekend away with some interesting and fun things to do. And we did decide to take a week off for a trip to one of our favorite places to visit: Tennessee. And our family with us made it just that much more enjoyable. 

Besides taking in some fun things to do, we love walking by the streams, driving slowly up the mountains to enjoy the scenery, and trying to catch sight of bears, deer and other various animals. We also have special stores that we enjoy visiting and occasionally buying an item for a gift or that just catches our eyes. 

One good thing about going to Tennessee is that it's not a bad drive. Plenty of places to stop, eat and even visit. We've gone to so many sites through the years that it's usually a re-visit for us. Still, after so long a time, it's nice to re-visit. 

Sometimes we stay in hotels, other times we rent a cabin. Either way has its advantage, depending on the length of stay, reason, and desire.  One great reason to choose a cabin is the freedom to eat there if you want. Another is: cabins, many times, have "built-in" activities to do. Especially as cabin rental businesses want YOUR business so anything they can do to attract you to rent from them is a plus. That means you have games and other entertaining things that keep children, teens, and adults alike busy if it's raining or you want to stay in an evening, etc. 

Whether far away or close by, I highly recommend taking a few days to relax and enjoy yourself. It's totally worth it.

Next, on the list of being with family and friends? Thanksgiving. We'll talk about that later...

Rambling Friday: Footlongs and Ice Cream

As many of you already know, I love my grandsons. They are special people and their grandfather and I have enjoyed many activities with them thru the years, whether small, simple and inexpensive to more elaborate times that take traveling, money and planning. 

One of my favorite things to do is pick up my grandson, Jonathan, from school and spend a little time with him. (We delivered our older grandsons to school and took them on special trips too when they were younger). If the weather is permissibly travelable, I like to do this once a week. Sometimes we go to town and visit the pet shops. Sometimes we stop for a quick small ice cream blizzard close to his school.  

This week, after I'd picked him up, I asked what he'd like to do. There's a Whit's IceCream Custard shop not too far away, and that's what he chose. (and, wow! Was their ice cream good!) We both ordered our choice of ice cream, but he informed me, being well-versed in their selections, that they had footlongs too. 

Now I don't eat much hot dog food, but we do enjoy now and then a good hotdog roast, or a footlong at a local dairy queen. I'm careful about how much is eaten because his mother is an excellent cook and prepares supper every night (in spite of the fact that she works two jobs). 

He didn't tell me he'd never had one from that shop: that information came later. :)  

We each ordered a footlong, and was it good! 

So ice cream and a footlong was our after-school outing. A fun time with a grandson and a time spent talking, laughing, teasing and relaxing. More bonding. More time to listen to his good times at school, his problems and building a grandparent/grandchild relationship.

I do love my grandsons! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Fabulous Vacations!

Where's your favorite vacation spot?

The beach?  

Camping?

Finding Treasures, like feathers?

Boating?

Visit historical sites?

Stay home and do special fun things? Like: 

Helping with the farm animals? Picking berries? Painting the porch?

Wherever, have fun! 

Serious Wednesday: A New Day, A New Series: Raisins for Racy

 What fun it is to sleigh tonight...No! I meant, write a book...   

Seriously, I just began a new series in Children's Books, called The Character Traits. The first book is titled:  Raisins for Racy:  Unselfishness. 

These fun books are for younger children who, with their parents guiding them, will learn about Character Traits that will encourage them to strive to make the traits a part of themselves. 

In Raisins for Racy (the rabbit), he so loves raisins that he refuses to share with anyone and even goes so far as to steal them. He thinks its funny to see everyone so upset until one day Racy comes face to face with his selfishness...and what do you think happens?

Find the book here to learn how little Racy learns that sharing is the best option.

https://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1624460388&sr=1-1

I think children and even parents will enjoy this cute book! 

Happy Reading! 

Rambling Friday: Don't You Just Love to Get Free Stuff!

I love free stuff (well, most of the time!)


I wanted to share with all of you this opportunity. Celebrate Lit--one of my favorite places to advertise my books--is holding a Summer Book Bash Multi-Author Giveaway! It is a fantastic opportunity to possibly win a prize.

I have a new book out (just in case you haven't heard), 

and my Caleb's Destiny is one of the 

First Place Prizes! 

Here's the link where you can sign up, but don't put it off. Hurry! And if you win, let me know! I'll rejoice with you. :)

https://promosimple.com/ps/fa43/2020-summer-book-bash

Rambling Friday: Silly Things

I think I should never see

something as silly as a...

donkey in a basket

a girl in a hammock

hanging over a city

or a chicken giving me a 

thumbs up!

Squirrels having a party...

an owl pretending to be a spider...

a potato so shocked at his future...

A wooden band in the woods...

But then, 

I haven't seen everything in the world.

Smile today.

Give yourself a break.

Enjoy life. 

Rambling Friday: Up, up and Away!

Up, up and away!

Summertime --although to be truthful--

is too hot for me,

but I love the activities!

Water at the lake and beach,

flowers in bloom and the green of the earth,

visiting U.S. sites filled with history, fun and interest.

Traveling, camping, cookouts, visits.

Way too busy,

but who NOT wants it to continue?

have a fun-filled and safe summer!

Rambling Fridays: Birds and Puppy Dogs

It's always relaxing and fun to enjoy time spent with people you love. Recently I was able to spend an evening with my youngest grandson. I allowed him to choose the eating place and we visited one of his favorite places: a pet shop to connect with some of the animals. 

It's not only rewarding for me to savor throughout the following days, but it builds rapport between us, making memories, solidifying our relationship, and establishing a pattern of enjoying creative activities that are good for both of us.

Here are a few pics of that evening:

Enjoying his choice of food for the evening

Interacting with a friendly parakeet

Puppy Time! Sweet couple...

Building important relationships with children is important!

What do you do to enjoy time with your loved ones?

Sunday Sunshine: A Bit of Childish Cheer

A Bit of Childish Cheer This January Morning

Mother and Daughter love

Training our Children to be patriotic

Having Fun!

Taking time for the kids: Grandpa and Grandchildren

Zoo Time/Family time

Children are the best!

Don't lose the opportunity...