Happy Thanksgiving!

This is going to be a very busy week but one I have looked forward to for a very long time. I absolutely love Thanksgiving. I love planning the menu and cooking the meal. I thoroughly enjoy the anticipation of selecting a turkey and finding all the key ingredients to make the meal a time honored feast.

I must say that it saddens me to see how this day of gratitude seems to have been delegated to the status of  "that pesky day before Black Friday". What does it say about our culture when a day set aside to collectively honor all that each of us has been blessed with, where no monetary gifts are expected or exchanged, has become an inconvenience to those who would rather camp out in a parking lot to save a few dollars on a television or the latest I-product? Sadly, it speaks volumes of what we have become.

Thanksgiving will get its much deserved attention at our house. I will begin the morning prepping the celebratory bird and assembling the plethora of side dishes that will all battle for the much coveted space in the oven. I will watch the Macy's Parade with my daughter and embrace the warmth of harvest time. And when the table is set and the sideboards are filled with dishes of traditional fare, we will sit down together as a family and give thanks to our Creator for how we have been so richly blessed. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all in the Blogosphere! May we all have peace and prosperity!

November Tea Of The Month: Orange and Spice Black

I'm a bit late posting this. It's been such a busy month already and with Thanksgiving getting very close, it's about to get a lot more hectic. I sometimes despair by this approaching frenzy of our own making from Halloween on through Christmas. Sadly, we tend to put so much pressure on ourselves to live up to everyone's expectations that we lose sight of the quietness that can be found when contemplating what it truly means to be thankful. This year, I simply refuse to miss the deeper meaning. In spite of the seasonal social events and obligations that are sure to be approaching for most of us, I fully intend to enjoy the contemplative moments of this season and to stay focused on the message of peace, gratitude and joy.

To help usher in November, the tea I've selected for this month is Orange and Spice Black.  This wonderful tea instantly conjures the blissful imagery that is the essence of autumn. The comforts of cinnamon and essence of orange invade the air as they marry and release during their steeping dance. A variety of companies make delightful blends of Orange Spice but I would like to suggest the loose leaf blend offered through a Kentucky Tea Shop called Mon Tea. I am especially partial to this blend because it comes from my home state but more importantly, because it was recently given to me when my good friend, Polly, and her husband, Keith, came for a visit last month. I've asked this question many times before but it begs to be asked once again. Is there anything better than good tea from home and friendship? I think not.