Beauty from Ashes

If the world wasn't broken, the goodness of humanity wouldn't have a chance to shine.

The goodness of humanity is God's marking on His people, His children.

Written on a table @ Wild Spirit Lodge near Plettenberg Bay, South Africa:
"People travel to WONDER at the
height of the mountains, at the
huge waves of the sea, at the
long course of the rivers, at the
vast compass of the ocean, at the
circular motion of the stars, and yet...
They Pass by Themselves without WONDERING."
~St. Augustine

Re-Purpose.

I thought I'd just let this blog die out.
But, I didn't want to delete it. Too many favorite recipes and stories.
So now, a new purpose.

A place to share with friends what I share over a cup of tea.
Not simply the day to day happenings.
Rather. Emotions. Thoughts. Joys. Challenges.

A distance is taking shape. Literally.
The other side of the world.
But, a cuppa tea I can always have.
You, my friends, can always have.
The distance doesn't have to be so drastic.
For my relationships.

teawithmelissa.blogspot
New Purpose. Maintain relational depth. Emotional depth.
A place for ME to learn. to grow. to share.
My emotions. My experiences.
Your company. Your support.

Will you join me? For a cuppa tea?

Hello and Goodbye...

For any tea drinkers who have not yet heard:

Let's Do Tea has ceased operations as a Direct-Sales Business. That means, I no longer serve as an Independent Let's Do Tea Consultant and will not be hosting any parties or fielding orders. The Good News is, Let's Do Tea will continue to offer their fine selection of teas on www.letsdotea.com. If you, like I, have fallen in love with the product, you may simply go to their website and order all of your favorites!

As for Me:

I will continue to drink tea daily and invite people into our home to share a cup of tea and friendly conversation. I am grateful for my time with Let's Do Tea and was priveleged to meet an insane amount of lovely women and men. Fellow consultants taught me many things about tea, hospitality, leadership and running a business. Numerous customers taught me many things about tea, hospitality, friendship, and encouragement. As hard as it often is to let go of things we have loved and enjoyed, Mike and I find ourselves embracing the next stage of our life and would have gladly moved forward with Let's Do Tea but see perhaps a greater purpose in moving forward without the responsibility of running a small business. We now pour our energies into meeting with friends and family from January to June 2010 in preperation for our around the world and living abroad trip which will begin in late June or early July. Currently, our plan is to work in Laramie the month of June then catch a flight to Guatemala to meet our World Vision Sponsor Child and enjoy the sights. Then we will meet up with some dear friends in South Africa for the World Cup and hopefully some volunteer opportunities. Following South Africa, plans are less clear but get us to Bangkok, Thailand for some travel experiences and further into Asia for a year minimum of teaching. So, letting go of Let's Do Tea is, for us, a blessing and a gift as much as it was such while it was in our hands to operate.

Again, thanks to each of you for your support and encouragement! I've enjoyed knowing each of you through this business and other life avenues.

Until we meet for tea,

Melissa

Chai Cider

Adapted from Carrie Peterson's Have Your Tea and Eat it Too! Let's Do Tea Cookbook

In a large stock pot mix the following ingredients. Enjoy the drink warm with good company on a chilly winter afternoon and into the evening.

1 quart Apple Juice
2 cups Pineapple Juice
18 cups Chai Americaine Tea
- can brew 3 pots of tea with 8 tablespoons of tea, rebrewing leaves after first brew
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
3 Cinnamon Sticks

Thank You!

Thank you to all who stopped by for the Holiday Open House!

I always enjoy welcoming you into our home and sharing tea, treats and time with you!

May you each have the most wonderful holiday season with your loved ones!

Chai Rice

Ingredients:

1 cup dry Brown Rice
4 cups Chai Green Tea

Directions:

Bring tea to a boil. Rinse dry rice in cold water for 30 seconds. Add rice to boiling tea, reduce heat to medium high to maintain simmer. Simmer rice for 30 minutes. Pour rice through strainer to remove excess water, return rice to pot and cover - no heat. Let rice steam for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Thinking about making it again? Experiment with Jasmine Green Tea or any other tea!