A Cup of Tea

Hope and Quiet in Advent

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On Sunday when I led the children’s moment at church, we lit the hope candle and talked about being quiet. I shared with them how my sister and I were asked to play the quiet game on long road trips when our parents had reached their limits on our sisterly bickering. And I asked them to share how they find moments of quiet in our busy lives especially this busy season!

I hope while you are preparing for the birth of Jesus that you find moments of quiet this season. You know I would recommend you make a cup of tea, sitting by the tree, and have a prayerful quiet moment. And if that is too much for you this season, simply pause and give thanks for a moment of silence while waiting for the return of our Prince of Peace.

Originator of Hope, This season of preparing is filled with so much noise. Much of it is joyful noises-carols, laughter, conversations. And yet sometimes it is just too much. We long for quiet. We long to feel hope. We long for your return as the Prince of Peace in our lives and in this world. So, quiet our hearts and our minds and focus them on you. Renew our hope. And guide us back into a close relationship with the One who inspires our hopeful silence. Amen.

Pumpkin Pie Tea

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Recently, a new tea appeared at my door. It was a gift from a dear friend. Yum!

I love pumpkin pie and the flavors of fall. This tea combined both of things into one tasty cup. I enjoyed that the fall flavors were subtle in this tea. It made me want to watch the leaves fall or put on a jacket to protect myself from the cooling temperatures. This tea works in any season to fill you up with the warmth of fall flavors.

Tea from the tea shop in
Fuquay Varina!

Harvest Apple Spice by Tea Forte

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My tea shelf is overflowing with so many delicious choices that it was challenging to know what to share with you. Then I sampled this tea and knew this tastiness had to be shared.

When I first smelled Harvest Apple Spice, I felt like it was Fall. It smells like apple cider and made me want to put on a sweater and jump in a pile of leaves. I was hopeful that the taste would be just as good and I was not disappointed.

On their website http://teaforte.com this tea is described as “Flavor: Juicy apple spice, orchestrated with notes of berry richness and a hint of oak. Aroma: Sweet apple cider with mulled-spice fragrance and faint berry undertow”.

If you are missing the season of Fall, try this a sip of Harvest Apple Spice!

8 Years Yesterday! Happy Anniversary Tea and Theology!

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It has been 8 years since I began writing here. Of course, so many things have changed in the last 8 years. I have moved from a time of sabbatical to youth ministry to full-time hospice chaplaincy. I have physically moved from the apartment where this blog was born to a lovely home and then a different lovely home. I think of the adventures, joy, and sorrow of the last eight years too. Thank you to the readers who quickly jumped on board and all the readers who have joined along the way. Thank you all for reading and being part of this journey.

It all began with these words-

“Welcome to my new blog.

Here you will find book reviews, worship words (liturgy), and recommendations for a good cup of tea. I hope you’ll find books you’d like to read. I hope you’ll find words that help you connect with God. And, I hope you’ll find a new tea to enjoy. I’m looking forward to walking this journey with you.”

So thank you all for reading, commenting, sharing, and growing with me these past eight years. Blessings to each of you and know I will give thanks for you when I have a cup of tea today.

Peace and Love, Susannah

Brew a Cup of Tea

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When I read this poem by William Gladstone, I loved the words so much that I knew I wanted to share them. I encourage you to brew yourself a cup of tea and read these words. Take another sip of tea and read these words again. Maybe even keep sipping and reading until you feel what he is describing deep within yourself. My wish is that all of us will feel solace and see the beauty in creation regularly after reading these words and savoring our favorite cup of tea.

When the world is all at odds
And the mind is all at sea,
Then cease the useless tedium
And brew a cup of tea.
There is magic in its fragrance,
There is solace in its taste;
And the laden moments vanish
Somehow into space.
And the world becomes a lovely thing!
There’s beauty as you’ll see;
All because you briefly stopped
To brew a cup of tea. -William Gladstone

How are you, my friends?

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Honestly, life hasn’t been a piece of cake lately. After some time away, my work load was extra challenging and busy this week. My time away included laughter and tears as we remembered my Mom and celebrated life together as a family. My regular to do list grows instead of shrinks. The news is filled with sadness. People seems angry all the time.

And then I found myself with time alone at the beach. I had a few hours with nothing to do except what I wanted. I walked the boardwalk. I window shopped. I bought myself a delicious tea beverage. And I felt myself relax. As I write this, there is a breeze blowing off the ocean, birds are chirping, and all seems a bit more right in the world.

I hope that if you are feeling worried or stressed or overwhelmed you might find your free morning at the beach (whatever that looks like for you). As a closing prayer, I leave you with these words from the coffee shop I visited today.

Take a deep breath and inhale positivity and exhale gratitude.
What little things can you do for yourself or someone else? These things do mean a lot!
Peace to you!

Earl Grey Creme Tea

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You won’t be surprised to know my tea cabinet is always stocked with tea. I have no good reason to buy more tea except I love tea. So here is my latest happy purchase.

Earl Grey Creme Tea is described as, “The comforting flavors of vanilla and cream combine to lighten the citrus notes of a traditional Earl Grey. With its soft, warm flavors, this is a great tea to start off your day.”

I agree with this description. This tea invites me to inhale the warmth and flavors as a way to slow down and be present. The taste is smooth and delicious. I started my morning off with this tea which means it will be a good day!

A Prayer for This Day

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I wrote this prayer earlier this week. I have prayed it many times lately in thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness whatever the day may bring. Peace to you, this day.

Holy One, On the hard days be our cup of tea and warm blanket comforting us and holding us close. On the easier days be the birdsongs and sunshine reminding us of joy and consistency. On the days in between, give us strength for the journey for whatever we may encounter today. Amen.

Honey Lapsang by Cup of Life

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This tea is part of an awesomely beautiful and tasty tea gift set I was given by a dear friend.

The Honey Lapsang is described as “Organic Black Tea with Cinnamon, Cocoa, Licorice, and Lapsang”. It is delicious. I would describe it as a smooth black tea which leaves you with a good smokey taste on your tongue. I have been enjoying this fun tea to start my mornings this week. And I am enjoying the other teas in this gift set too.

Black Raven Tea

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On a beautiful winter day, I shared a tea date with one of my tea drinking friends. It was on that day I first enjoyed Eastern Shore Tea Company’s Black Raven Tea. It was delicious tea with delightful company.

Black Raven Tea is a strong black tea with black currant flavoring. It is a great cup of tea to wake you on a Monday or a rainy morning. I would recommend it on a regular day as well. So, I am looking forward to ordering some more of this tea as I highly enjoy it and cannot wait to drink some more of it!

#EasternShoreTeaCompany