Two days ago I purchased some peonies. Squeeeee....!!!!
I have been waiting for Trader Joe's to get these in stock. I loved them so much last year when I bought them as a hostess gift for someone. But, when I went back, they were gone :( (booo!)
I quickly gave these a fresh cut and arranged them into a mason jar, so they would be ready for our afternoon tea.
They are amazing. You can practically see them change and open as the hours tick by!
Here is how they look after 48 hours.
Gorgeous Peonies
Last week I discovered a HUGE display of the newly popular "adult" coloring books at WalMart. I personally do not consider these just for adults, as I have been copying them for my daycare kiddos, and nieces as well.
After browsing for quite some time, I finally settled on the one I was first pulled to (naturally), which I had already "favorited" on CBD.com.
It was on sale for $9, & no s/h (whoop!) :)
One of my "love languages" is "Words of Aspiration". This book is filled with them, so it truly speaks to my heart.
TEA represented. YEEEEEES!!!!
There are several styles throughout... a little something for everyone.
Here is the one I did yesterday. I plan to mail it to my sponsored child in Guatemala, along with a copy she can color :)
The pages are perforated at the top, so you can easily remove them.
There are even some cute bonus pages at the back, like these bookmarks and
these gift tags.
Sometimes, when I scan a page, I like to shrink it (printing 4 to a page), and add personalization (like this scripture).
I then print them on small, papercrafting pages to use as tuck-ins when mailing to people. Some people (ahem, me) might be intimated by coloring a larger page, so this might help.
Besides colored pencils, my niece loves coloring on the phone.
So I decided to attempt something else!
I scanned this page and saved it.
I emailed it to myself.
I opened it in my phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 4).
I clicked save.
I clicked the edit button and used my stylus to create this:
You have to be a little creative, because you are coloring on top of the picture. It also takes patience. However, it was a fun diversion.
I'm thinking this might be easier on an iPad or something similar.
Once I was satisfied,
I clicked save again,
and was able to email & text it to friends/family,
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.
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.
Very
disappointing.This book seems
to be trying to cater to two different audiences; Christian and secular. I kept
expecting the tone of inspiring lust to change, but instead it continued to
build. It made me very uncomfortable to
read. I kept thinking about my best
friend that I share books with, who then passes them to her teenage
daughter. I would never want her to read
this book.
The story takes place at the 1893 World’s Fair, the same as
the first book in the series, but only once do we “glimpse” the original
characters from book one, so they are both stand-alone books. Dr. Billy Jack Tate has hung her shingle in
the exciting town of Chicago, and is pushing the odds to attempt to run her own
practice. She has an outstanding resume,
but people are prejudice against female doctors. Hunter is a Texas Ranger on
loan to the Fair. The story is ripe for
an enjoyable diversion, and exploration as they get to know each other. Instead, this book delves deeply into the
deplorable conditions of the west side tenements, the disgusting jails, where
children are kept with men who have syphilis and half their tongues are missing,
and hookers, and other criminals, while they all share the same cup for
drinking, and trough for relieving themselves.
That’s just one example of the details shared! The two main characters are constantly drawn
to each other, and think about each other provocatively. Ch. 53 Pg. 404 “Shaking
her head, she started soaping and washing her instruments…. He admired the
view, mesmerized by the jiggling that occurred while she scrubbed.” So much of this was throughout the book, it became
an annoying distraction. In addition, there is rape, and murder of
innocents. Just because the author found
these deplorable conditions in her research, does not mean we, the readers, want
to sit back to enjoy a pleasant evening reading, and be slapped in the face
with all of it. I did finish the book,
in order to give it my best effort, but I
can not, in good conscience recommend this book.
H (1 star)
Read: 04/21&22/2016
I purchased this book from Christian Book Discounters (CBD)
and my opinion is my own.
Bessie Randall is age twenty-six from a prestigious family
in Boston. She is the older, plainer and
quieter sister to Lenore, who is beautiful, and toast of the town at age twenty-one. On a whim, Lorna has decided to correspond
with a handsome soldier, from Fort Bridger, Utah Territory, who is interested
in marriage. She thought nothing would come of it, but the letters continued
over six months. She had used her older
sister’s name, knowing her parents would never approve of her writing. When he asked for a marriage by proxy, it
sounded exciting, so she just did it.
Then she met Richard and changed her mind. She tells her sister, “I know
you would like Jasper. And you’d make a much better soldier’s wife than I would”. Bessie feels both betrayed, and bound to a
promise made in her name. Fearing her
sister may even go to jail, she agrees to follow through on the marriage.
Jasper is smitten with the beautiful photo of Lenore, who he
thinks is “his” Bessie, and feels connected to her through their many
letters. Knowing she craves adventure,
he intends to surprise her with the fact his regiment is being reassigned to the
untamed land of Arizona, filled with Indians, and other dangers. When the real Bessie arrives, he feels duped
and betrayed. Bessie prays he will
accept her and not send her packing. He has little choice when his timetable
gets moved up. Either try to deal with
the situation along the way, or leave her behind, legally married to him. They decide to wait until they get to Phoenix
to figure out the best course. Along the
way, Bessie finds an Indian baby, destined to die in the dessert. They immediately help care for the baby, and
Jasper discovers there may be more to this tiny waif of a woman than he
originally thought. They encounter
hardships together, and walk on eggshells with each other, constantly assuming
and reevaluating things in their minds, as they muddle through their new
relationship. They finally agree to use
the Bible as a road map for love, and try to figure out God’s direction for
that. FAVORITE QUOTE: The Lord called me
as His own when I was ten years old. I
will do my best to raise my daughter in the ways of Jesus as we travel among my
people to tell them of His love.” Thomas, Ch. 15
Because this book is only 224 pages, it felt quite rushed to
me. I would have liked things to develop
at a more realistic pace. It is well
written, but also lacked the mystery element this author is usually famous
for. It is a nice diversion, and I
easily read it in one evening. I also
noticed more than one cover. I liked the
one featured on NetGalley, but I did not care for the one I saw on Christian
Book Discounters, which appears dated.
I recommend this book as a light read, and appreciate
receiving an advance eCopy through NetGalley. My opinion is my own.
HHHH (4
stars)
224 Pages
Thomas Nelson Publ., scheduled for release June 19, 2016 - UPDATE: THIS BOOK APPEARS TO BE A REPACKAGED BOOK FROM 2000, PER THE LINK SHOWN IN GOODREADS.
Seriously, this book does not let go. I often found myself quite worked up with all
of the injustice the characters were dealing with, which tells me the author
was doing her job and really pulling me into the story.
1897. Stella West
(aka Westergaard), has left the extravagant art world to come to Boston,
undercover, in search of her sister’s killer.
The police have ruled the death an accident, but she has reason to
believe otherwise. As she follows the
clues and her gut, she does more than just ruffle some feathers, and becomes
the target of people seeking to silence her.
Romulus White, part owner of an esteemed scientific
magazine, has been trying for years to lure her to Boston to come work for him,
and finally push his advertisements to the next level. When he receives a letter returned to him,
listing her new forwarding address, IN BOSTON, he cannot believe his luck and
immediately sets off to find her, landing himself smack dab in the middle of
her investigation. Romulus is a
self-proclaimed bachelor, who enjoys frolicking about town with many beautiful
women, and who will not entertain the idea of marriage until age 40. An idea he came up with to fend off his many starry-eyed
suitors, and keep the risk of getting hurt again at arm’s length. He has a keen
fashion sense, far above most men in the city (I kept picturing Rupert Everett
in the 1999 Rom-Com, An Ideal Husband). Ch.
5 “Mr. Townsend looked stunned. “Did you run off and get married while no one
was looking?” “Perish the thought,” Romulus said with a mild shudder. “If I
ever get married, the entire city will know it, as my mother shall hire a choir
of angels to sing from the mountaintops.”
TRIBUTE TO TEA (tea
is my thing): Ch. 7 – One of the few tea moments in this book, and rather
amusing… since even though he is quite vexed, Romulus still feels good manners
are paramount. “I’m heading downstairs for a bite to eat,” he said. “Miss West
is shamefully late. If she arrives while
I’m gone, please scold her for me, then offer her a pot of tea until I get
back.”
This book is filled with strong characters and story line,
great detail, art and subway history, danger and intrigue. Romulus and Stella complement each other
nicely and are able to help each other grow and shed some of their insecurities
and flaws. Prayer and God are softly weaved into the story line as well.
I do recommend the book, and appreciate receiving an advance
eCopy from Bethany House through NetGalley. My opinion is my own.
HHHHH
(5 stars)
368 Pages
Bethany House Publ., scheduled for release June 7, 2016
The Reluctant Duches
– Ladies of the Manor- Book#2,
Roseanna M. White, Bethany House Publ.
•°o•:*:•. RIVETING .•:*:•
o°•
Really enjoyed this new-to-me author. In short, dangerous
and faith filled, Edwardian romance, set in August 1912 Lochaber, Highlands,
Scotland and further in Nottingham, England.
I enjoyed the strong Scottish dialect of Lady Rowena
Kinnaird and her clan. She is so broken by life and family torment in the
beginning, and she is brutally attacked by the man who she has given her heart
to. She becomes plagued by the nightmare
of what happened to her, making it extremely difficult to move forward.
Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham and most eligible
bachelor in England, has his own share of troubles he is dealing with. The Fire Eyes are rare diamonds he has been
entrusted to protect form devious foes, Lady Pratt and her brother, Lord
Rushworth, and he desires no distractions.
However, when he comes into contact with Lady Rowena and discovers he
may be the only one who can protect her, he is faced with a moral dilemma. He is an interesting character in that he
continually prays and “listens” for the voice of God, which he DOES hear. I love that he is so in tune with the Lord.
This story has complex twists and turns, and various
villains will make appearances, which kept me interested. I definitely want to
read book #3.
Scriptural Reference:
P.244 “Ye’ve read your Bible, Mr. Abbott, I ken ye
have. So tell me. What do ye make of the fact that Saul went to
a medium and called Samuel up from the dead”? “Or perhaps ye’d prefer a New
Testament example, since ye’re all about the modern and enlightened. So what of when the graves opened and the
dead were seen walking about after our Lord’s death?” Or the way the disciples
prayed over a handerkerchief and sent it to the sick, and they were healed –
proving power can be put on an object, aye?” And so curses could be too. Why
were they willing to believe in the one but not the other?”
**Now, I will say, this was the only scriptural reference I recall, save a
brief reminder from the Lord (pg.294 “And Joseph was minded to put her away
quietly…but an angel appeared to him in a dream-”} and the only mention of
Jesus [our Lord’s death], which was well into the book and had me wondering up
to that point. Brice prays regularly,
but you don’t really see people reading The Word, or referencing scripture in
general. The scriptures referenced above
were meant to prove a point by Rowena who believes in ghosts and curses,
fairies and spirits, common in her heritage and folklore. I tend to believe that the devil will use
anything he can to distract us from God and lead us astray. I think it is important to acknowledge where
things actually come from vs. believing in some mystical and mysterious
folklore. Darkness is encouraged by
satin and the light is directed by the hand of God, our Lord and Saviors Jesus
Christ. I mention these things only for
the Christian who looks for such detail in a review, and appreciates them like
I do. Further, the Bible is clear we are
not to dabble in things such as mediums, fortune telling, witchcraft, etc. I
also enjoyed the references about missionary, George Mueller, a man of great
faith. I do recommend the book. It is a good and interesting story and it is my privilege to be included in Roseanna M. White’s
Influencer List and I received this copy for no compensation. My opinion is my own.
I quickly gave these a fresh cut and arranged them into a mason jar, so they would be ready for our afternoon tea.
There are even some cute bonus pages at the back, like these bookmarks and 
Sometimes, when I scan a page, I like to shrink it (printing 4 to a page), and add personalization (like this scripture).
