Jesus Retreat and tea

I was so excited to go with some girl friends on a ladies retreat in TN.  We did a few pit stops along the way- I took those stops as opportunities to get some tea. 

In Cincinnati we stopped at Dunkin Donuts and I got a Matcha Smoothie.  It was good, I am sure not healthy in anyway, but it was a nice pick me up.

Somewhere in KY we stopped for gas... I have to say that I was not able to finish the chai.  I forgot how awful sugar-free syrup was.  So, I can not tell you if I enjoyed the Seattle Chai, cause I tossed it.

We drove to LaFollette and 14 or so of us ladies shared a lake house for the weekend.

It was so much fun to talk and pray and grow closer to God during this weekend.

These two sisters have been my friends since the 80's when we went to summer camp together.  I loved being together and reconnecting.  Spending time with friends is always a good idea.  

Even though I only see these gals a few times a year it is a blessing to have friends that you share so much in common with.  Friends that also love Jesus and care about others.  Friends that you can share your concerns with, pray with and laugh with.  These are those friends for me!!

During the weekend I bought my tea, syrups, electric kettle, frother and other tea items.  I had fun playing barista and sharing my love of tea with the other ladies.  My love language is gifts and I considered it a joy to share this gift of tea with them.

I made Pumpkin lattes.

I made coconut lattes.

I made new friends this weekend too.  Friends that I look forward to seeing again, laughing with, drinking tea, and loving Jesus together.

I made chai Lattes.

I made butterfly pea tea.

I made mango Bubble Tea.

On the way home I got a tea at Sonny's restaurant we stopped at.  It was really good, I had 3 cups.

What fun gift do you have that you can share with friends?  Sharing your gifts and talents with others is a great way to share joy and encourage others.

Share you love and passion with others...for me that is Jesus and tea.

 

Laser Engraved Glasses

                               

I found some fun Pilsner glasses hat I thought would be fun to use for Kombucha and bubble tea when I had friends over.

I began searching for more glasses at Goodwill Shops and other thrift stores.  I end up finding a bunch of them, so decided to have them engraved at Wayne College. 

I have completed several projects at Wayne College and always had great success.  Plus, they let you work on projects for free.

During Covid, they closed the lab, but  you could still drop off projects and they would complete them for you.

I messaged Wayne College and Tom, the Lab Specialist,  he got back in touch with me and completed the glasses in 3 hours.  That is service!!!

**as of 5/26 the lab is back open to the public**

https://blogs.uakron.edu/waynec3/

                                                 

I created this logo and sent the jpeg to Wayne College for them to be able to create the Pilsner glasses.

The University of Akron Wayne College

1901 Smucker Road

Orrville OH 44667

Phone: 330-684-8722

E-mail: tjh1@uakron.edu

Here are the glasses before....

Here is the finished project.... I could not be happier with the finished glasses!!

Teavana Sakura Allure and Ohio Tea Company Tulsi Leaves

Shout out to Rudy Whistle Pottery for my mug!!! I  love Jody's pottery.  She has such a talent. She is a gem herself too.    https://www.instagram.com/rudywhistlepotterystudio_/?hl=en

I love to play with my tea and mix it up a bit.  I like Tulsi leaves, or Holy Basil tea. There are some great benefits of these leaves too.  So, I decided to buy just the leaves at Ohio Tea Company and mix them with teas that I drink so I can get the extra benefits.

https://www.ohioteaco.com/

Ohio Tea has over 60 kinds of herbs and spices that they sell.  You can have fun mixing and matching for some extra health benefits with teas that you already love.

Tulsi Leaves- "Regular consumption of tulsi may lower blood pressure and cholesterol by regulating cortisol levels, reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other related diseases. It can also help relieve headaches and may lessen anxiety and depression for some.  Regular consumption may lead to better sleep... Treats Gastrointestinal Disorders...Relieves Arthritis... Regulates Blood Sugar and more." https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-tulsi-766436#:~:text=Regular%20consumption%20of%20tulsi%20may,may%20lead%20to%20better%20sleep.

When I make tea in the french press, I put the tea above the press so that I can lift the press when the tea is done steeping, that way I don't over steep it.  Or I put the loose leaf tea a tea bag to steep.

This Sakura tea is an older tea that I have had for awhile, so I doubled the amount of tea that I put in to be sure I would get the flavor notes coming through. 

The sakura tea was super tart and I am not sure that it was the best to mix with the Tulsi leaves.  But, you don't know until you try.  If you don't play around you could be missing the next best thing!  Never stop trying and thinking outside the box with your teas. 

This one was just okay.  The thing I realized that it might be time to toss the the Sakura tea.  Four years maybe too long to have a tea. 

GTS, Tantric Turmeric

https://gtslivingfoods.com/offering/synergy-kombucha/tantric-turmeric/

GT’s Kombucha* (Kombucha Culture*, Black Tea*, Green Tea*, Kiwi Juice*), Fresh Pressed Turmeric Juice*, Fresh Pressed Carrot Juice*, Fresh Pressed Ginger Juice* and 100% Pure Love!!!

I love turmeric and I love this kombucha!  I have my first homemade batch of turmeric ginger kombucha brewing right now at home.

This stuff is great.  I love that there was carrot juice in there too.  This is definitely my new favorite kombucha. You get that ginger kick and the earthy carrot notes and then the almost undeniable curry notes from the turmeric. 

Glasses up, I love this one!!!!

 

Super Milk Tea

https://www.amazon.com/500g-Super-Original-Sachets-Order/dp/B013OW3GD8

If you like the idea of a 2 in 1 or 3 in 1 tea, google it.  There are lots of varieties and choices out there.  I have seen Earl Grey 3 in 1 teas, Roasted Milk Tea 3 in 1, Ginger Tea 3 in 1, and more.

From the website, "SUPER Milk Tea Original is made with premium milk tea blended with sugar and non-dairy creamer giving you a full-bodied and creaminess tea taste we know you love."

I became a fan of these 3 in 1 teas when I was in Malaysia a few years ago.  I don't drink them too often because of the sugar that is added.  I try not to add sugar to my tea, but I have to say I love the combination of these teas with sugar and non-dairy creamer that is added.

This tea is super easy to make.  It is instant, so you are just adding hot water and stirring.  The only down side is sugar that is included.  The tea is flavorful and creamy with a bit of sweetness.

Dreamland Tea house removable kettle

I could not believe that this set was only $11.05 and free shipping.  It is so cute.

It comes from China, I think that is why it is so inexpensive.  It also does not come boxed.  But, thankfully it comes with instructions.

This one is super cute and I really want to finish it in one evening, but Earl Grey keeps sitting on the pieces, making it hard to get it completed.

The actual "shop" part of the cafe is the mug itself, which is clever...and it comes out and it also free standing.

There are lots of extras with this one.  2 people, a cafe cart and the covered umbrella table.

My little collection, is not so little any more.  

Tea Drops, Citrus Ginger

https://www.myteadrop.com/products/citrusgingertea

Ingredients: organic raw cane sugar, organic dried orange peel, organic dried ginger, organic dried spearmint, organic orange extract, organic lemon extract

Enjoying my birthday mug with this instant tea.  You put the tea drop in the mug, add hot water and go.  I stir it at first and then not again.  I let the sediment stay at the bottom of the mug and then add more hot water and I can get two cups of tea out of one Tea Drop. 

This instant citrus ginger tea would get a 5 out of 5 if there was not sugar in it.  I wish they made some Tea Drops without sugar.  I like my tea plain, no sugar.  But, there is no denying this tea is good.  I like the subtle citrus notes with the kick of ginger.  I am a fan.