TEA CONUNDRUM

It's Saturday.  This morning has been slightly overcast & the squirrels are chasing each other up and down the trees outside my open windows. Ahhhh, bliss.  It must be time for tea!

Yesterday I was at the .99¢ Only Store (a name that mocks me regularly since they have changed their prices) (& FYI, if you want to type the ¢ sign - hold down the Alt button while you type 155 😁).  I happened to spot two well-known name brand teas; Pukka and Tazo.  I thought the Apricot Vanilla Creme white tea by Tazo looked interesting, so that's what I brewed this morning.  I will preface this by saying I am HYPER-sensitive to smells and tastes.  I brewed the tea as directed (about 3 minutes) and added honey.  As I brought it up to sip, I noticed an odd dirty smell.  I sipped anyhow and the taste was gentle and sweet, really quite pleasant. But, every time I lifted the cup the smell assaulted my nostrils.  I tried to puzzle this out.  Could it be my cup for some reason?  I tried another and even a new tea bag, but the problem remained.  I checked the expiration date = Nov. 2021.  Well, this is quite the conundrum and perhaps someone out there has had a similar experience or thoughts.  Anyhow, I brewed something else and will share this tea with my daycare Littles and other tea lovers and see what they think.

I took several pictures which you may click to enlarge if you like:

I do like how the bag gives precise
instructions on the back, as well as being 
individually wrapped both for travel or
gifting.

Box side

Box side

Exp Date

Onata China Made in Occupied Japan
"Occupied Japan" (OJ) is a term used
for the time period from 1945
(after World War II) through April 25, 1952;
it was during this time that the
Allies "occupied" Japan.

This cup has so many lovely things going on!
I just love all the details. And the colors are
perfect for Autumn.

It was a birthday gift from my sister a 
few years ago.

Sweet little bowl is Pioneer Woman 
found at WalMart

I love this beautiful display featuring
Autumn Apples. Today is National
Johnny Appleseed Day, so a wee nod
to him. IG photo credit shown at top.

Here is a sweet sketch by an 
artist I follow. Again, click photos
to enlarge. You can check out
her art on her IG page & she 
also has an etsy shop. 
IG photo credit shown at top. 

Today, thousands of people are marching,
united in prayer with Franklin Graham, 
praying for our nation.  If you have a mind
 too, please add your prayers to theirs (and mine 😊).

Thought that this was a good word.
God bless you all.

SHOEBOX SURPRISE

Hello Friends,
Yes.  This is another book review but WAIT.  This one is rather unique, so please hang in there ((smiles)).

IF YOU HAVE EVER SENT A CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX OR WANTED TO OR SIMPLY ENJOY A GOD DIRECTED ROMANCE.

This book was sent to me by a friend.  We became friends about a year ago on a mutual FB page all about sharing Operation Christmas Child ideas.  So this book was too perfect. 

Josif’s family fled Serbia when he was just 5.  He’s now 30, living in TN and running his family’s hotel. Apparently, his mother’s best friend did not escape and her daughter, Mirela has remained in her prayers all these years; until today.  This morning Mama Sesely has seen a newspaper from a town just 45 minutes away and she is certain the young woman in the article is her best friend’s daughter. Twenty-five years ago the two best friends promised each other their kids would marry each other.  But wait, Josif is dating Sabrina who works at the hotel with him and he has grown content with over the last 3 years.  He does not have any interest or time for a modern day fairytale.

Mirala received a Christmas shoebox when she was a little girl.  She was told all about the love of Jesus and she was adopted by missionaries.  She is constantly thankful and kind to the point of allowing a co-worker, in the daycare she works at, to walk all over her.  She is best friends with her adopted sister Ivy and dearly loves her adoptive parents, though it has been 5 years since her father passed. 

This story is an adventure of God bringing this couple together, growing each one's faith individually, various characters overcoming misunderstandings, fears and assumptions and all of it for His glory. 

I would give it 4.5 stars because there is one teeny part of the story with some side characters – Emily and her 2 kids: Bella and Benny that did not get resolved.  I guess there is more ministry work that needs to be done there, but the indication that it was a serious situation should have had a wrap-up. I really, really enjoyed reading it over an afternoon into early evening.  God is so present throughout the story and I got choked up several times.  It makes me look forward to shoebox season again.  

I have been privileged to pack shoeboxes, with my kids, for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry (click here) for over 20 years now and have volunteered at one of the inspection and distribution warehouses several times.  See my previous post about the fun here. This ministry is led by Franklin Graham and Samaritan’s Purse if you would like to know more. 

Additionally, my dear friend who introduced me to the book creates Joydorables; the cutest, little stuffed animal friends to go into her shoeboxes which she includes an Operation Christmas Child patch on when she can!  You can find those here on FB.  I really do get excited about this ministry and am so glad Jennifer Collins Johnson thought to include shoeboxes in a romance novel!

Find the eVersion here or here 

It's like 2 bucks! ;)

*Modern day setting* © 2011 Heartsong Presents by Barbour Pub*170 pages Only 19 chapters + epilogue

I received a copy from a friend and this is my honest review.

Read: 2/10/2018 - Reviewed: 2/11/2018

4.5 stars

CBD / GOODREADS / Amazon.com / My Pinterest  / Author’s FB page  

Hugs and a cup of tea to you dear friends.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by.  Would love a wee comment if you have the time!

Operation Christmas Child and Christmas Happy Mail

Hello friends,
Just thought I drop in & post a little.  I've sort of lost my mojo for blogging.  It takes a ton of time and effort, vs. posting a quick snip on Instagram (smile).  Seasons change as you no doubt know.

from my fairy garden

Last Saturday I had the privilege of serving at *Operation Christmas Child (OCC) Processing Ctr.  It is one of only 8 in the country, so I am blessed to have access to it.  I am even more excited that I am going back Friday to hear Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham) speak, along with some others who will share how these shoeboxes have impacted poor children of the world, and blessed them with a tangible representation of Jesus.


Some of the highlights of the day: •Praying over our boxes •A note from a child that cracked me up •Meeting a new friend who lives literally blocks away from my dad in Central CA and drove 4 hours to come serve! {behind us / photos on a wall for us to write prayers on} •a child's fun note with scriptures & games •a look at the warehouse •The OCC Christmas Tree
😊🎄❤👫👫👫🎁
but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:14 ESV
😊🎄❤👫👫👫❤🎄😊
#IpackedAShoebox #OperationChristmasChild

"it shows my generosity" :)

Inside the Processing Ctr.

Outside of Child's note - scriptures

Inside of Child's note - fun!

Made a new friend :)

Next to the *OCC Christmas Tree

 I also wanted to share that I am participating in a fun ornament exchange this season hosted by sweet Karina over at: "Merciful Moments".  She is a charming teenager with a heart for Jesus.  A super fun surprise was that my swap partner's name is....drum roll please....DIXIE!  Some of you may recall my 80-year-old aunt's name

If you are sending cards out, would
you consider sending an extra one to
my Aunt? She lives alone with no
modern media.  Old school mail
really brightens her day. 
Email me & I will send you her address.
(Email button to right).

is also Dixie and we write to each other regularly.  So today when we went to the post office, TWO DIXIES were sent happy mail!  Since Dixie #2 has no idea who I am, I will share my fun package which I truly hope blesses her!
She says: "I am a true "farm wife" (although in Montana it is called ranch instead of farm! LOL) I love all livestock and any farm related tools...and rust and galvanized stuff makes my heart quicken! My house is totally an older farmhouse. I love anything which is old and worn! Antiques and well-worn items "float my boat" I enjoy Hot Chocolate...anything containing chocolate...milk chocolate!!!!!"

Christmas card, magnetic calendar, stickers, Christmas teas, Organic hot cocoa [& how cute is that vintage looking packaging from Trader Joe's?], mini box of chocolates, cozy socks, Christmas towels, rusty-look metal Cross ornament, teeny-weeny rustic stocking ornament, tiny die-cast pickup... which, I TOTALLY thought was an ornament, & then found out it wasn't - ooops!

 

All wrapped up!  I included a sweet coloring page from the only thing I purchased during Cyber Monday, and that was only because I saw it was 1/2 off on her IG page! (artist: Karla Dornacher - find her awesome, brand new color book here: Christmas Color Book or the PDF version here: Christmas Color Book PDF) and then some darling advent cards from the lovely Abbey over at: Little Birdie Blessings - She had a sweet contest on her Instagram page and she gifted EVERYONE who entered the PDF printables.  How sweet is she?

I always teach the daycare Littles to pray over our outgoing packages.  It helps reinforce "pray without ceasing" and makes people far away a little more real to them.  Just an idea to share if you have Littles in your life. :)

 I hope to do a followup post when my swap partner mails me an ornament package :)

This year I am really attracted to
vintage Pointsettias. I have loved
vintage Christmas cards for years.
I spotted this one on etsy & thought it
so pretty!  And a lovely way to
close, as I wish you
"A Happy Holiday Season"