Tea Cup & Mug Exchange ERS7

Today is the link up party for Stephanie's Enchanting Rose Swap 7 !!!
For me this has been a while in the making because I mailed out my swap goodies so quickly & in turn received my box quickly as well.  I am very happy to finally get to share this all with you today!  So, let's get to it!

Here is my package arriving on my porch!  I created the above hashtag so others on Instagram could join in the fun if desired!

I received the MOST FANTASTICALLY personalized bucket of goodies!

I was blessed to have Erika from Alabama send to me.  She really did her homework browsing my blog to find out just what I would like!  I do not think I have ever had such a wonderfully customized gift!

She saw that I like mugs that speak to my spirit & chose this one featuring Ecclesiastes 3:1.  It features a tree for each season.  The handle is awesome because you can get all your fingers in it!  She also found one of my favorite seasonal teas; Harney & Sons Pumpkin Spice (herbal).  If you don't already know it, you can also find this tea in a bright orange tin at Trader Joe's.  It is EXACTLY the same tea (repackaged for TJs) & slightly more affordable if you are lucky enough to have a TJs near you!

This tea just evokes feelings of Autumn for me, and since we So Cal girls don't get much Autumn in true season, we make due "pretending".  BTW, 2 sachets make a whole pot, so it's very economical. 

Here is a closeup of three other items in the cute Autumn tin.  A selection of my favorite color writing sticks from Crayola.  I have never seen anything like this before, and I literally squealed with delight!  Next, some charming tea themed note cards - be still my heart.  And 3rd, some orchard peach artisan tea from a local dealer in her area.  I have yet to slow down long enough to brew this, but I CAN tell you it smells heavenly. The business card is so unique, as it is made out of wood.

Lovely Lady Stephanie instructed us to each send a thank you note to our shippers.  I had every intention of doing so, but then I spotted a gorgeous mug with feminine curves featuring an E & just had to send that along to Erika.  I included a couple of bags of the pumpkin spice tea in case she had not gotten any for herself, and some cranberry biscuit tea cookies.

Here is the box I shipped out.  Can you tell I had fun decorating it?  It was all I could do to not spoil the surprise and say, Hey, expect a box on your front porch!

Here is Erika's Instagram picture (printed with her permission), featuring her thank you mug!

We have become Instagram friends and I am enjoying getting to know her better thanks to this swap!!

The person I was assigned to ship to is Lynn over at Quaker Hill Farm blog.  Because I had THREE different swaps I was participating in, I mailed my boxes post-haste which was super fun to take to the post office!  Who doesn't love sending Happy Mail?

Here is what I put in Lynn's box.  I decided to decorate the inside flaps of the lid with printed pictures of happiness.  Thinking outside the box, I sent her a giant soup mug with lid, and I included some soup as well.

Here is a quick little craft I came up with to dress up the candle I sent to her (Febreze candle, seasonal duct tape, fabric circle, rubber band). Try it! ;)

Lynn didn't just send me a simple thank you... oh, no! She sent me a fun video!!  I hope it works so you can see it, but if not, here is a link to her blog post featuring her own post about all of this :)
Quaker Hill Farm Mug Exchange

This sure has been fun!  Be sure to follow Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose where I am linking up today.  Her next swap is slated for the spring.  She is such a treasure and an inspiration. 

Thanks for joining me today!

Blessings and a cup of tea,

Heather Elizabeth

Sweet Blessings

Adorable package, blackberry jam on toast,
& Darjeeling Tea w/local honey & milk

Click here for music to read by ~ Hillsong - Oceans

Yesterday, I unexpectedly received a lovely package in the mail from a sweet sister in Christ.  Today's blog post is dedicated to her.
It was a hectic day, and I was plum tuckered out!!  I knew I would enjoy opening it, but I wanted to wait until I could truly savor the moment.
This morning I awoke and got ready, made tea and toast, and headed to the front porch with my package and a little quite time with my Savior.

Happily, our Cali weather changed to overcast; my favorite. Here is a glimpse of my backyard this morning: 

I wish you could smell the overwhelming fragrance of the orange tree today!









Anyway, Max wanted to see what I got too!

And here are all the pretties: 

Lace, Washi Tape, Scripture, Bling, Pretties - hooray!

I L-O-V-E scripture to enhance, well, anything! I received scripture tea, scripture on stickers, and scripture with bling.  I also love bling, but in tasteful ways like this. These sweet little card attachments will probably be used as lovely book marks since I love to read, and bookmarks are wonderful ways to remember the person who gave it, and keep them in prayer.  The Friendship Tea note cards are actually sitting in my wish-list at www.CBD.com.  My friend had no way of knowing that!  Isn't that fun?! 

Now, when I opened the little bag on the left, inside was this sweet little treasure that seriously brought tears to my eyes.  It just touched me so much to have received it.  I had admired them when she made them, and to be called friend is such a gift!

Finally, inside the tissue was this gorgeous towel in soft green with dark green lace.  It will be perfect for my shelf for St. Patrick's day!
A huge hug and thank you to Stephanie, my sweet friend and newest sister. God bless you!



I also wanted to share with you these amazing seasonal cards from Ann Voskamp:  

CLICK HERE for free printable

 They are free at her website: A Holy Experience.com

You can click the link, close the pop-up window and scroll down to FREE TOOLS.  It is currently the first box and says Lent to Repent when you hover over it.  It is really cool, because it gives you something to fast from each day to help you grow closer to Christ between now and Easter.  I didn't let the fact that I didn't start on time stop me, because every day with Christ is important!  I hope it blesses you too sweet sisters.

-Hugs and a cup of tea,
Heather Elizabeth