To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano TEAWARES and Advent

 

Welcome back friends!  I'm ready to kick off the Christmas season. We had a wonderful time in church today, lighting the first Advent candle of the season and singing Christmas worship songs.  I hope you enjoyed a blessed Lord's day as well.

Yesterday was a bit of a difficult day for me as I decided to dramatically downsize my teawares.  I'm at a different stage of life, and most likely need to move soon, so the decision seemed like a wise one.  I'm happy to say my church women's ministry group agreed to accept the donation and my wares will all get new love bestowed on them in the future.

If you're reading this, please say a little prayer for me for strength and direction in this new season.  Thank you!!

To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano – January 18, 2022

HISTORICAL ROMANTIC COMEDY/MYSTERY-DRAMA

1887, New York. "Considering she'd once shot the man sitting across from her, Eunice Holbrook was beginning to get the sneaking suspicion her past had finally caught up with her." Great opening line and gorgeous cover! Arthur Livingston is a no-nonsense, black and white sort of aristocrat; or at least he thinks so, until he reunites with the one woman who tends to unhinge him.  Eunice co-runs the Bleaker Street Inquiry Agency and is rather headstrong and direct.  These two have several wonderful arguments and join forces to solve a long past murder.  The part of the book where she goes undercover had my gut clenching.  I was rather glad it was not the major focus of the book because the conditions were abysmal.  I enjoyed the twists and turns with her family members and their reuniting.  The amount of money these people had was catastrophic even by today's standards!  I was drawn to Chase Livingston, Arthur's younger brother {"I've always been old for my years, and I spend countless hours counseling men and women when I volunteer at a mission in Five Points."},  as well as their whimsical,  eighty-two-year-old grandfather {"I don't believe I've ever seen a lady flee from you before. I suppose it's not very grandfatherly of me to admit that I found that amusing, but that was very amusing indeed," Lloyd said, his eyes twinkling}.  I hope we hear more of them in a future series. I also enjoyed the star Pinkerton, Agent Cooper who has returned.  I love that he trains the girls in self-defense and that female agents are proficient in firearms. "The pistol was mine. It's a very distinctive pistol, silver with an inlaid handle of mother of pearl and my initials carved into it..." There's also a bit of society and a bit of the old west in the book which was a fun change of scenery.

Very few faith or tea moments this time.  I could always do with more of those! 😉

Very good read, 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was gifted a copy of this book for my honest opinion which is mine alone and without compensation or further expectation.

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS: When Arthur Livingston arrives out of the blue at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, anxious to hire the agency to seek out a missing heiress, Eunice Holbrooke realizes her past has finally caught up with her.
Having fled from the scene of her grandfather's murder seven years before, Eunice is a lady with secrets--the most important that she is the missing heiress Arthur is seeking. She has no intention of allowing him to learn she's been disguising herself, especially when she has reason to believe Arthur could hold her responsible for her grandfather's death.
In order to avoid Arthur and conceal her real identity, Eunice takes on another case that requires her to go deep undercover. With secrets from the past--and Arthur--appearing wherever she looks, she wonders how she will ever uncover the truth behind her grandfather's murder.

Paperback, 352 pages / Expected publication: January 18th, 2022 by Bethany House Publishers

Series: To Steal a Heart, To Write a Wrong, To Disguise the Truth

https://jenturano.com/

Until next time, hugs and a warm cup of Christmas tea,

FREEBIES, Mother's Day and Adventures

Dear Friends,

I have been having loads of fun lately. But, FIRST, in honor of yesterday being Mother's Day, here is a little freebie (at least as of this posting it was) for all of you book lovers!

Elizabeth Camden's eNovella, Summer of Dreams
Now, I have not yet read the book, but usually enjoy her work.

Last Thursday was the National Day of Prayer, as many of you probably know.  I had fun making photo collages of all my daycare Littles praying, saying the pledge of allegiance and reading a new book.

Purchase info by clicking here

Although it indicates it is for boys, the inside does not read that way at all.  It teaches kids that they can pray any place, any time, and for any thing.  I love the artwork too!

Friday night was my daughter's graduation as a 2nd year student at the South Hills Assembly of God Leadership school.  She has grown so much in her walk with the Lord and built many amazing relationships. I'm so proud of her for taking the time to grow her spiritual walk with God.  In the photo, are some fun ways to display food.  I've seen these items recently at WalMart for not to much money.  I thought some of you might like to see these as potential outdoor tea service items :)

Saturday morning, I decided to travel to downtown Riverside when I heard that one of my favorite jam vendors would be at a little outdoor vendor fair.  They have some amazing old world architecture there!  Here are a few things I saw.

I was blessed with the sound of these
bells ringing!

Backside of the historic Mission Inn

Check out that spiral staircase on the right, coming out of the window.

I love this tree growing right up in the middle
of this covered walkway.

Backside of Mission Inn as
viewed from across the street

I splurged on some fancy English hand cream in a luxurious Lemon Basil fragrance.  Do you know that my hands are still feeling soft today (Monday), and I put that cream on my hands Saturday?!  I thought these furniture pieces were so charming for a baby's room.  My lunch was a very delicious veggie enchilada casserole.  I may need to make one soon! I love Susan Winget art, and I spotted this very large rooster art of hers on a shelf.  The cute little shop in the corner is called Mrs. Tiggy-Winkles. If you are not familiar with that name, it is one of Beatrix Potter's stories.  Just for fun, (another freebie) you may enjoy the full story video in the 25 minute youtube link below, which starts off as real life, and then switches to cartoon. Naturally, Lucy and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle do take tea together (-smile). There is also a bit of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny featured.

Adorable stamped (in purple!)
bag, and a fun postcard I purchased

I recently purchased some adorable items to create a fairy garden next to my front porch where I like to sit, and take tea.  I had been wanting to do so for a very long time, and when I spotted the teapot house at a discount store, well...

In shopping Mrs. Tiggy-Winkles.,I found a few more items to add including the Little Prince and his fox, a gazing ball for Mr. & Mrs. Gnome, & a pinwheel for the fairy.

As if my day wasn't pleasant enough, I came home to find the items I had ordered only a few days prior, had arrived from Vermont!  I can not wait to try these new teas.  She even enclosed a "teany" sample of her signature tea named for her etsy shop: Sunshine Cottage (shop here: SUNSHINE COTTAGE).  I love how the earrings arrive in Tiffany Blue boxes :)  I of course, ordered lavender teapot earrings, and everything was wrapped in lavender tissue - Yay! And, I then decided to also order green, because they were just so pretty!

"You've got Tea-mail"

Sunday, of course, was Mother's Day.  And my children certainly spoiled me this year.  We started off with flowers, filled with my favorite fragrance of Stargazer Lillys and several gorgeous purples, and then off to church.

My pastor spoke on Mark 5:25-34, which tells about having faith and the Master's touch.  This is a beautiful story about a woman who

has been sick for 12 years, but knows if she can just "touch the hem of Jesus garment as he passes by, she will be made well."  Now that IS BIG FAITH. My pastor also noted that this is the only place he has found where Jesus calls someone daughter.  v.34 "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."  Isn't that beautiful?  Here is an old Sam Cooke song (2 minutes) about this very story!

After church, the kids drove me to Old Town Orange.  Everything was a SURPRISE.  We went to The Filling Station; a popular indoor/outdoor diner.  I ventured outside my normal comfort zone, and ordered a veggie sandwich on soft ciabatta role, with sweet potato fries, and cran-apple juice (btw, that's not on the menu, but whenever I see apple and cranberry juices, I just ask for 50/50 & am one happy girl!)

Ducking behind menus for more whispered plans, while we waited for seating.

Next we headed to Mission Viejo, for an outdoor vintage market.  My daughter did not even know I had been wanting to go there. I thought this old book was so cute, along with the stepside truck, and the trailer.

Below are the treasures I found which my son purchased 

as gifts for me :)

vintage, lavender plate $10

modern, toile teawares $20/set!

After shopping, we went to see the new Captain America movie.  I always enjoy super hero movies.  But, we were so far from home, and the freeway held two accidents, so we did not get back until nearly 9pm.  They planned to take me out to dinner too, but I respectfully declined in favor of fast food, and my PJs!!  It was certainly a day I won't soon forget!

I pray you all enjoyed your mother's day as well.
Thank you for sharing in my adventures!
Hugs and a cup of tea friends.

photo courtesy of FB

Linking up to the following blog party: The Charm of Home

A VERY MERRY UNBIRTHDAY, Choosing Joy and Shopping Fun

Yesterday, July 1st, I received a most unexpected surprise in the mail from my friend Sam, in Florida.  She shared with me she thought it would be fun to celebrate my birthday, 6 months early, to the day! I met her through a teacup exchange several months ago over at: The Enchanting Rose, 

and had later sent her a fun package for her birthday.  She used the very same box to send ME a birthday box. Enclosed within my box of goodies, was a note reading SURPRISE! which was placed perfectly so it was the 1st thing I saw.  Next there were goodies wrapped in birthday paper including a teacup notepad and loose tea in a tiny tin!  There are key lime straw cookies (since key limes are a thing in FL), a bag of chocolate covered cranberries, a Florida mug (where Sam is from) which notes that Tallahassee is their state capitol, the mocking bird is their state bird, and orange blossom is their state flower (a personal favorite of mine).  January 1st is my birthday, so she included a sweet little January cup/saucer from Royal Albert bone china, England, and several individual tea bags.  Everything was arranged in a lovely lavender box.  Thank you Sam!  How fun and thoughtful.  I hope you have a wonderful time in Belgium with your cousin :)

~ Now for Some Fun Finds ~

Today, I only had 1 daycare Little in care with me.  Sooooo.... we went shopping of course.

But first,

Image found on etsy. Click here to purchase.

I thought I'd share something, because maybe it will bless somebody else. You see, something not so nice happened to me today.  I am nearly out of my shampoo & conditioner which is salon grade.  It is  really the only thing I splurge on because it's the only thing I have found that does not bother my head.  My massage therapist friend who used to be able to send a co-worker to  the supply store for "Licensed Hair Professionals" could not help me out this time, so completely outside of my normal character, and with some anxiety, I took a chance and waited in front of the store.  Eventually, somebody came and I approached her and explained my situation, asking if she wouldn't mind getting me my supplies.  She agreed, albeit begrudgingly, I sensed. I thanked her and smiled, and handed over the money.  After about 30 minutes, she came out with my products.  One was much smaller than the other, because it's all that was in stock.  I thanked her again and tipped her $5 for her trouble.  She took it and left.  I buckled up my Little, and prepared to leave.  I decided to count my change and discovered instead of around the $45 she should have given me, she had only given me $28.  I was just ripped off :(

Now, I could get angry, or I could do what I have been trained to do, and what my summer women's bible study group has been studying.  I took it to the Lord in prayer, and asked Him to help me to choose joy.  In the bigger picture, this life and what happens is only temporary, but a vapor.  So, I choose to focus on Eternity.  To solidify that decision I texted my sister and asked her to also lift it up in prayer, knowing full well I tend to re-hash things in my mind.  She texted me comforting words and scripture.  Do you know after that it was so easy to (like the song from Disney's Frozen says) "Let it goooo. Let it goooo" and enjoy my time shopping.  I'm so thankful we have our heavenly Father to run to with our troubles (and a sissy I can run to for prayer).  Now, please don't misinterpret this. In no way is this a pat on my  back.  If just one person finds encouragement in my situation, that's awesome.  I'll probably need reminding of this as I'm learning to 'choose joy' more everyday.  

We headed in to a local Upscale Resale store that is a ministry of a one of our community churches. 

I found this charming toile pillow for $2, the china frame for $1 and the book (story originally written in 1942) for .50c

We brought other goodies home as well.  Children's Veggie Tales VHS tapes and a couple of Christian fiction novels.  We spent a whole hour, taking our time, slowly perusing.  I let the Little push a doll's stroller around she found.  It was heaven.

Then we went to TJ Maxx.

I found these oh-so-fun Matryoshka dolls storage containers.  I have a thing for Matryoshkas & I love that these are white and will go with anything!

I also found more of that Touch Organic tea I blogged about before.  This time, not only the very berry, but also apricot.  I'm looking forard to trying it.  Perhaps I can persuade my sister and nieces to drive out!  I live 2 counties away from her; around 50 miles.  We have crazy freeways here in So Cal, so she jokingly refers to my home as being 'across the pond'. ;)

LOOK at these gorgeous teabag rests I found.  Only $6.99 for a set of 4.  They feature lovely white roses with lavender flowers.  I bought both the sets they had (perhaps some will become gifts).

If you like this round 24" round table cover,
you can get it by clicking here. Currently on
sale for only $5!

After that, we headed to the .99c Store.  The one on this particular side of town is SO much nicer, so if I can, I try to stop in.

While browsing I found THESE!

melamine dessert plates.

melamine mini trays

They would be perfect anytime, but especially with children!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend, full of memory-making fun with loved ones, and prayers of thankfulness for our freedoms.

Blessings & a cup of tea,

Heather