Sure House Chai Lavender with chocolate ganache

For my birthday I was given a couple Sure House gift cards....so I have had so much fun spending them over the last few weeks.

I always get excited then my friend, Rachel, is working!  She makes the best drinks.  REALLY, we can tell when she makes it!!

I picked some drinks for my friends in the office.  My go to lately has been the Lavender Chai.  I like their chai and have been fun adding different flavors- chili is a fun option too.

These are the treats that I avoid...but boy do they look great!!  They are just not in the healthy habits plan any longer.   But, man!!!  They look and smell delicous.

Okay, another office run.  I got the lavender chai and this time with chocolate ganache- it was life changing!!  Maybe the best tea I've ever had.  WOW!  That chocolate tipped it over the top.  Not in the healthy habit living, but a super fun treat.

Today, just a chai with coconut milk.  This is great option too.  

This was the day of my book Meet and Greet at the library.  I treated myself to a chai.  It did not disappoint.  I am a fan!

Last of the gift cards....sad day, lol. I will have to start paying for my drinks again.

I did a run again for work.  

I got the lavender chai with chocolate ganache one last time.  I think it is just too much to get a on a regular basis.  

All these drink were 5 tea cups.  Amazing how far they have come.  I used to think they were just "okay", but I think that they have upped their game. I think that their teas have gotten better over time.  

The first time I went I was not overly impressed.  That is one reason I suggest you try something twice.  The first time could have been someone's "off" day for making the tea. Or maybe you got a tea that you did not like, so next time try something different.  

Also with tea, if you don't like it, make sure you made it correctly.  Was your water temp right?  Did you steep it for the right amount of time?  Give it a second try.

Same with people, try not to judge them- you never know what they are going through.  Don't immediately write someone off.  Give some grace!

Eternally Nuts, Ohio Tea Company

                               

         

I have been enjoying some of my birthday treats!  Turning 50 is not bad at all!  I received a fun vintage mug from a co-worker.  A fun Born to Sparkle cup from a friend at church, and this Eternally Nuts tea from Ohio Tea Company.

I went there on my birthday and Kurt was kind enough to give me this tea to try.  I love trying their new teas.

https://www.ohioteaco.com/Eternally-Nuts_p_3133.html

Ingredients:

Apple, hibiscus, rosehip, cocoa beans, almond pieces, Natural flavors (organic compliant). **Allergen Alert - Contains Almonds**,

This tea is great!!!  I love it.  The nuts have this fall aroma.   I wish I could play all day and come up with tea flavors.  But, I have to say, I am not sure I could do as well as Ohio Tea Company does- they are rocking it!!!

I recommend this tea.  The flavor of notes apple, almond, and hibiscus play so well together.  The aroma of nuts are cocoa beans is wonderful.

Some fun Tea t shirts

I have found some fun Tea T-shirts.

I love to wear these fun shirts that publicly announce I love tea, lol.

I got this from Shien, I did check, they are currently out of it. So, I have not attached a link.

I liked my shirt so much, that I got my friends each one with their favorite things..... cats and butterflies

This one is fun, but I have to say I hate sweet tea, but I do love Jesus!

I am drinking my homemade Kombucha...not iced tea, lol.

This shirt came from a Christian T-shirt company, but I can't remember which one, sorry.

This is one I got on Amazon.  It is a little loud and out there, but still fun. 

 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TLNZ49K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&customId=B0752XJXKP&psc=1

This shirt came from a Christian T-shirt company, but I can't remember which one, sorry.

It is super fun to have these tea shirts.

SELECTEES Women Funny Tea Shirt Graphic V-Neck T Shirt Teen Girls Tops, $13.99 with 35% off, what a deal!

https://www.amazon.com/SELECTEES-Women-Graphic-V-neck-X-Large/dp/B07L4Q7VHD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14D3DB0993LLR&keywords=SELECTEES+Women+Funny+Tea+Shirt+Graphic+V-Neck+T+Shirt+Teen+Girls+Tops&qid=1649443352&sprefix=selectees+women+funny+tea+shirt+graphic+v-neck+t+shirt+teen+girls+tops%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-1

For my birthday, my friend got me this wonderful cat/tea shirt...also some cat earrings.

Saturdays Kettle's On with Thai Tea, purple tea, and bubble tea

I had a day planned with friends and things changed, so I randomly did "Kettle's On" for about 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon.

I posted on social media that the kettle was on and anyone could come over for free tea.  That is the fun part- seeing if anyone will show up and who it might be.  

Be open to open your home. Reaching out to others is important.  We are in this life together.  We are a community. Share kindness and  joy with others.

I keep to go cups on hand, for just such an occasion.  You never know when someone will want tea to go, lol.

I had 4 people show up for some tea.

I did butterfly pea iced tea for two of my friends to try.  I love the purple color.  

I also made a bubble tea.

Then I made a new tea...Blue Thai Tea.  It was really tasty and different.

The Blue Thai Tea was definitely Thai, it had all the notes of the Thai tea I had when I was in Thailand.

It was a beautiful blue almost turquoise color.

https://www.facebook.com/thelamoontea/

Entertaining in your home does not have to be hard or elaborate.  It is not about entertaining but connecting and people with each other.

I also made and bottled some homemade kombucha.  I love this stuff and have been making it for over 5 years.  Every 2 weeks I make a different flavor.  It is so good for your gut too.

Golden Moon Jasmine Tea

Shout out to Rudy Whistle Pottery- she made me this adorable mug!!  She is a friend, neighbor, and great pottery maker!!!

https://www.facebook.com/RudyWhistlePotteryStudio/

I like a good jasmine tea...some people don't, they think it is too floral.  But, me, I like it.  

I got this tea as a trial tea.  It is a green jasmine tea.

Since it is a green tea, you do not want to get your water too hot.  I'd say 175 to 180 degrees.  If you get it too hot you will bruise the leaves and it will taste bitter and you will not enjoy your tea.  

I think that is why some people think that they don't like tea...they just have never had a proper cup of tea.

You want to steep for around 3 minutes.  If you over steep, again you will have an awful cup of tea.

https://www.goldenmoontea.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_b6WBhAQEiwAp4HyIDozThUnT3RqVlF4WvHsfZmY5DHoSpanuz84NIWz0iiN4tsxxrmPLhoC1R4QAvD_BwE

I liked this tea.  I did not think that the jasmine was over powering.  I did not think the green tea was too grassy.  These are important issues to me.  I don't really like an earthy, grassy, green tea...but, some people do.  That is what is fun about exploring teas- finding which ones you like...and even better, the ones you love!!

I came home from work the other day to find these on my porch.  A guy I go to church with, was at a job site and picked them and gave them to me.  I love fun little surprises like this.

 

Brewed Awakenings, Salted Caramel Chai Latte- Vermilion OH

While in Vermillion for a benefit auction for Beulah Beach Camp, I stayed in this adorable little cabin.  I enjoyed starting my morning and ending my day with some tea by Lake Erie.  It's a gorgeous setting.

I enjoy my travel tea set, but I do have to be careful, because they are fragile.  But, it is fun to use.  And there is a nice protective case that the pot and cups fit in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083TPFKF5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Travel Ceramic Tea Pot Set, Chinese Kung Fu Teapot 1 Pot 2 Mini Cup Porcelain Gongfu Teacups with Infuser Portable Bag All in One for Outdoor Picnic Camping Hotel

I love this place!! It's quiet and relaxing.

I only get up here 2-3 times a year.  I come up every year for the benefit auction over Memorial Day in May.  I also come in July during the Bible Missionary Conference for Ladies Day.  Then I may come up some other random times if I get the chance.  It is only 2 hours away, but I don't get here as often as I like.

Beulah Beach Camp is where I felt the calling of God on my life.  I felt called to full time Christian service overseas.  Even though, I have not lived over seas, I still get to serve Him full time.  We are all called to serve.  And I try to do one mission trip a year overseas.

It is so important that everyone hears the Good News!! The Good News is that Jesus loves you!!!  No matter what you have done, you can be forgiven and have eternal life.  Jesus gives grace and mercy freely- you can't earn it, it is a free gift He offers to all!!

If you are curious about Jesus or a personal relationship with Him, let me know.  I would be happy to share more with you.

Jesus came to save each person.  He died on a cross, but didn't stay dead- He rose again in three days.  He is alive today and wants to have a relationship with you.

He lets you make the decision, He won't force you to have a relationship with Him. But, a life with Him will give you peace, joy, forgiveness, and eternal life.  It doesn't mean an instant easy life, but it does give you daily hope and you just have to step out in faith.  Want to start reading the Bible and know more- start with John or Romans in the New Testament...and know I am always here for questions.

Below is the apartment building that I lived in when I worked at the camp over 20 year ago.  For a year I was the guest service coordinator.  It was a really fun job- I enjoyed seeing new groups coming every week.

I went into town for lunch at Brewed Awakenings.  They have a great chicken salad salad.  I also ordered a Salted Caramel Chai Latte.  It was really good!!

https://www.brewedawakeningvermilion.com/

The salted caramel chai is good- it is sweet, but not too sweet.  I love the salt with the caramel.  It is a nice mix of flavors.