Tea time Tuesday

Welcome to Tea time Tuesday on my blog. 

Today since it's chili and wet we are sitting around the kitchen table and catching up with what's going on.

In the Garden.   

It might not look like much but my Spring bulbs are coming up in my memory garden.  Spring is around the corner.  

Library news. . 

My Mom helped start the community library. And my family volunteer at the library.  

What I picked up at our library : 

The New York Times bestselling author of Ming Tea Murder serves up heists, homicides, and herbal blendsin the latest in the Tea Shop mysteries.
 
Catering a high-class trunk show at Heart's Desire Jewelry is a shining achievement for Theodosia and the Indigo Tea Shop. After all, a slew of jewelers, museum curators, and private collectors will be there to showcase their wares and sip some of Theo's best blends. But just as Theo settles in to enjoy the fruits of her labor, the party is crashed by a gang of masked muggers who steal the precious gems and jewels on display. The thieves disappear almost as quickly as they arrived, leaving shattered glass, scattered gemstones, and a dead body in their wake. 
 
Although the last thing Theo wants is to get involved, she can't help but intercede when her dear friend Brooke, aunt of the victim and owner of Heart's Desire, begs for help in figuring out who committed the brutal burglary. Though the FBI believes this daring "smash and grab" is the work of an international gang of jewel thieves, Theo is convinced that the felon is someone much closer to home...
 
INCLUDES RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

Tea time recipe :  Earl Grey Shortbread cookies 

• 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 2 tablespoons Earl Grey tea leaves
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt

• Blend the butter and earl grey tea leaves together and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours, longer is fine. If you are running short on time, this step can be skipped and the tea can be added with the powdered sugar. Just note that the flavor may not be as strong.
• Once the butter has finished setting. Preheat oven to 350­° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Cream the butter and tea mixture and powdered sugar in a large bowl or stand mixer.
• Add in the flour and salt. Continue to mix until a soft dough forms. The mix will be dry and crumbly at first but will come together.
• Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface until it's 1/4-inch thick.
• Cut out cookies using a 2-inch round cookie cutter.
• Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown in color.

My Tea Project: Tea Cup Candle 

Tea Cup candles.   

I pick up Tea cups at our local thrift store and repurpuse them into candles. By adding a wick, wax and color . These make great gifts for the holidays.  

.

Thanks for sharing Tea with me today . And see you next Tuesday. 

Hello Tuesday

Welcome to my Home this Tuesday   It's afternoon tea time! 

February in Louisiana looks like warmer weather and more rain. I heard the birds this morning and some sprout in the garden .   Another month till Spring.   Depending on Phil. We will wait and see  

What's on today menu 

Frozen ravioli baked in crockpot! 

Using store bought ravioli. This could not easier. Low 3 hours. 

Leaves me time to read.

Dante has come to the small coastal town of Te Kohe, New Zealand, for a fresh start in life. But he doesn't want to open a BnB, or save a charming bookshop, or start a romance with a single mother in need of rescuing.

He just wants to forget about his past career (which involved a lot of dead bodies) and have everyone leave him the heck alone. Unfortunately for Dante, life has other plans..

 

Book pick: 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mysteries aren't usually my choice of read, but something about the summary appealed to me . Probably the humor in it. Either way, I'm glad I did read this. It's a longer novel (at least for me), but the characters are interesting, engaging, and not the typical neighbors in a small town, in some cases. Dante, the retired assassin, is a very quiet and compartmentalized man, but he's also intriguing and I enjoyed learning more about him. Charlie and Eleanor, the other two main characters, are also both interesting and not typical at all. Honestly, I'm dying to learn more about the other denizens of the town, as I think they hold an interesting number of secrets as well.

The mystery itself was both interesting and full of good twists and turns. I think it wrapped up to a satisfying conclusion. Honestly, I can't wait to read the next book in the series when it comes out.

Library Love in February 

 Make sure you stop at your local library this month. 

We celebrate black history month, loving our library and reading . 

We offer a meeting place, clubs ,events and after school help with homework. 

Why Afternoon tea / coffee@2pm 

This started with my grandparents  An afternoon break to catch up and chat about what's going on . When the weather is good it's outside on the patio or at the kitchen table like today. 

My latest project... 

Use spring water heated to a temperature of 195 degrees Fahrenheit to brew pu-erh tea. Use 1 teaspoon for every 8 ounces of water and steep the leaves for 2 to 4 minutes. In traditional brewing methods, the leaves are rinsed once or twice with hot water. To do this, simply place the loose leaves in a tea infuser. Add the strainer to a cup and pour hot water over the leaves. Swirl around and then discard the water before brewing tea as normal.

My Project : 

 

My Gran and Mom collected China of all kinds and I  pick up pieces too. And combine them with dollar store finds. 

Sunday Self care : Color Books

 

Sunday's Self care : 

What is self-care and why is it important?

It means that you are simply being mindful of your own needs, so you are better able to support the people you care about. When you take care of yourself and are not stressed, you are better able to meet the needs of others. Self-care comes in a variety of forms.

Today's answer : Adult Coloring Books 

Christian Coloring Book for Moms: Scripture and Images to Inspire and Bring Peace

Give yourself a break from mom duties with this Bible-based coloring book

Motherhood is a busy, beautiful, and amazing journey. You’ve been given a gift from God, but it can be easy to lose sight of your own needs when you spend so much time caring for others. The Christian Coloring Book for Moms is a simple way to help you slow down and take a break from the stresses of everyday life. Each beautifully drawn page centers on a Bible verse meant to bring you peace, support, and strength. So grab your colored pencils and spend some time with the Word as you color a little calm into your life.

That sets this Bible verse coloring book for adults apart from other Christian adult coloring books:

• Inspiring Bible verses—Reflect on a brief Bible verse every time you color, so your faith is always close to your heart.
• Creativity as self-care—Discover how being creative can help you feel calmer in the moment and alert your conscious that it's time to unwind.
• Let go and have fun—There’s no pressure to finish this book in one sitting (or at all). Use it whenever you need it, and enjoy the creative process as you color beautiful birds, soul-inspiring sunrises, and soothing scenes etched in stained glass.

Whether you’re a mom or a mother-to-be, this faith-filled coloring book will help you relax, de-stress, and feel more at peace.

Lisa Says: 

I love coloring books. And this one is wonderful. I great way to spend a Sunday afternook.