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! 

Rambling Friday: A Time to Be Quiet

We live in troublesome times. Few people would deny that. Work, diseases, living issues, family, friends, expectations and more increase the pressure on our lives. I'd love to offer some tips that may help:

1.  Exercise. It doesn't matter how old you are or young, exercise (if you're physically able with
doctor's permission) you can do some type of exercise. Stretch, move, walk, raise your arms, march in step. Take a walk, jog, ramble through a park or on a beach or in the woods. Whatever you choose will get your blood pumping and your mind more alert. Just remember to get your doctor's permission.

2.  Take your vitamins regularly. They add the essential nourishment that your body may lack. Think about it, and again, Check with your doctor if you have questions.

Eat right. Enjoy your vegetable, watch what you eat and how often.

Doing good for your body will be doing good for your overall health and mental state.









3. Take time to do things you love.  Have a hobby? Make sure you spend time on those. Puzzles? Needlepoint? Ancestry research? Traveling? Sports? Whatever you love doing, do it. It will be well worth your brain time!

4.  Spend time with family and/or friends. Read a book together. Play games. Go exploring. Listen. Laugh. Relax. Don't argue. Don't bring up touchy subjects. Realize you only have one life, and that is meant to do and be the best you can be. Use it wisely.






5.  And last, try some of these ideas:  light a candle, soak in a tub of warm water, swim, listen to music, take a boat ride, have lunch with a new or old friend or a relative you haven't seen in a long time. Try journaling, scrapbooking, carving, painting, praying, reading your Bible, talking with a minister. Get a pet, volunteer at a nursing home or hospital or lunch center for the homeless. There are plenty more things anyone can do to help ease the pressure of everyday life.

Stay determined. Stay focused. Resist negativism. Stay positive. Take action. YOU are the one responsible for yourself. Do it!

Prayers for a happy, healthy and productive rest-of-your-life!

Losing My Sanity

It's a fact. The Christmas season is a rushed, overly commercialized holiday. With ads and promotions pushing you to buy more, do more, be more, it can get too hectic. I've been there and done that. 

But it doesn't have to be. When you've reached that spot in your life where you wonder if it's all worth it, then STOP.  Take a deep breath (or several) and walk away for a few minutes. 

Here are three ways that can help you produce a spiritual and comforting season for yourself and those you love who surround you. 

1. Focus on what's important.  Too many activities or duties will wear even the strongest down. Don't! Don't try to cram everything in. When I looked at all the things that were interesting, that I'd love to experience or share with my loved ones, I knew I couldn't do them all. Some filtered out because of the distance we'd had to travel, others because of pressing duties. But two items have remained, and both will give us time to spend one-on-one with those we hold dear. 
2. Go with the flow.  Allow time for the unexpected. Life happens, plans change, ideas evolve. Don't stress out over it, but breathe deeply over the unexpected, savor the moment, and know that all things happen for a reason, even when we don't know why. You only get to live once. Don't allow even one second to pass without you squeezing every bit of joy from it.
3. Enjoy the season.  Relax, breathe evenly, rejoice in the blessings you have, remember the good times, the lessons learned, that God loves you...and keep the joy or the reason for the season and the hope that is ours who love Him. 

Don't lose your sanity over a wonderful month of celebration. Do you have other ideas on how to keep the stress from your life? Share!

Merry Christmas!

For the Stressed Out Writer . . .

Okay, so ANY woman can enjoy these. Just remember to take some time out for yourself. Even five minutes sometimes does the trick for me.

* When you get home from work (or running errands or acting as a chaffeur for everyone) take fifteen minutes for yourself. If your children are young, settle them into an activity that will keep them occupied. Other than that inform everyone you're NOT to be disturbed!

Lie flat on the floor (or your preference of position. Relax each portion of your body. (and enjoy the nap!)

* Try open-eye meditation. Gaze at a pleasant picture, a candle, a scene outside a window. Keep your mind focused on it and/or pleasantness.

* Try a home spa! Turn your favorite music on and light a candle. Scent your water or use scented shower soaps/creams. A hot tub, whirlpool tub, even a hot/warm shower can do lots to relax tense muscles.

* Other times: go for a stroll after dinner. Take a class you've always wanted to learn about. Play a game with your family. Let yourself enjoy a craft.

* Even if you can't live your dreams all the time, enjoy what you do have. You may not live in a mansion, but take pleasure in those new pots and pans. Enjoy the hummingbird that persists in showing up outside your window every morning. Or go chase some fireflies in the evening or the butterflies in the morning. Thank God you're alive!

Blessings

The Good Ole Summertime . . .

• Pick a leaf off of a tree and study its structure
• If you're not already a photo-buff, buy a throw away camera and snap shots of random items
• Go lie in the grass and study the clouds in the daytime
• Sit on the porch in the evening and talk
• Make up a continuous story together
  

* Sit on a swing and lazily glide back and forth

• Watch the stars at night; count them; wish on the first one (nonsense that it is)
• Stroke a purring cat
• Play a game of fetch with Rover
• Rent a cabin and get away from it all
• Or . . . turn off all electronic devices and live simply
  

* Get an aquarium and sit for ten minutes watching your fish

• Dig in the dirt (plant a garden, or if that's too ambitious for you, try to plant ONE plant)
• Choose a good book and read one chapter every day
• Climb a tree, ride a bike, take an evening walk, skip a rope
  
• Get up before the sun rises
• Learn something new this summer
• Pick a new hobby
• Play hide and seek in the semi-darkness with your kids

* Play hopscotch

• Take a nighttime walk. Listen to the sounds
• Watch the sun come up
• Adopt a pet
• Lose weight
• Walk in the sand

• Visit the ocean and play in the surf
• Go to the mountains
• Walk in a cold water stream

* Look for a four-leaf clover

• Find an unusual rock (love rocks!)
• Write a poem, write your thoughts, write a story for your kids
• Contact an old friend
• Cook out
• Go camping even if it's just the back yard

• Volunteer
• Plant a theme flower garden--all white, or a scented one, or a night blooming one
• Invest in a hot tub
• Enlist the whole family in canning a bushel of tomatoes, or peaches, or something
  
• Wash your face in the dew of the morning

* Look for all the spider webs with early morning dew on them. They're easy to spot!

* Walk in the rain

• Love lots
• Walk down your street; wave and speak to everyone you see
• Plan a garden party
• Have a themed grill-out

AND . . . enjoy the summer. Autumn will soon be here.

Quote:
Line by line, moment by moment, special times are etched into our memories in the permanent ink of everlasting love in our relationships. --Gloria Gaither


Blessings