SCENT-LY or SENSE-LY FALL

I wonder if the color orange, or the spice of Cinnamon and the tastes of fall are prevalent in other areas of the world. You might say they would be if they grew pumpkins or have changing leaves and cooler weather.  If you are reading this from a country outside of the US other than Canada, please share your experience with Autumn scents, smells and sights. 

Here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, not far from the Canadian border, mid-October, we are thankful for every day that the sun is out and there is no sign of the next season. (In case you don't know, its winter, but we don't want to say it out loud!)  Though wind is blowing the leaves off the trees, and the rain is often and more than we'd like, and in 2020, the snow has fallen way too early, its a perfect time to savor hot and scented beverages that not only warm you physically, but comfort your soul.

I found this healthy version of a hot drink, and since I have all the ingredients for Cinnamon Apple Tea Latte, I'll be sipping on this today. (Anything that says Cinnamon or Latte is speaking my language!)

Next time I make this, to keep it simple, and for more apple flavor, I would use apple juice instead of the apples/process.   

If latte is not to your liking how about this hot cranberry orange duo? Check out this recipe for a crock pot tea here, or how about this! Pumpkin hot chocolate!

Tell me about your Scent-ly Fall drink - what do you enjoy drinking in this time of year?   Are you a coffee drinker - do you enjoy pumpkin flavored cream?  Do you have a favorite after dinner drink that is Scent-ly Fall?   I'm waiting to hear. Feel free to share your recipes or send us to where we can find it.

Now on to Senses - Sense-ly Fall is beyond the taste and smell.  I'm thinking of those who celebrate and enjoy with their sight and the colors that speak to Fall.  Carole loves to celebrate Fall with antique collectibles.  (Read the post HALLOWEEN TREASURES) After discovering her love of antique pumpkins and Halloween items, I decided to check out her antique shop.  She is one of many vendors at this marketplace who display colorful and expressive items that draw you right in.

Now if like me, orange is not a particular favorite color of yours, with Carole's eye for items and display, you could love Halloween more than ever before - because who doesn't like a pumpkin of natural twigs, or one of black and white checks or green satin? 

I know I'm rambling here, but I just want you all to see the variety of decorations, a lot or a little, colorful or subtle that could brighten any corner table or small shelf in your home. And right now, let's do what we can to create a little bit of happiness or joy to help us get through some unpredictable times.

I'm so glad you shared your antique Halloween collectibles, Carole.  They have brought the joy of memories of years past, and ideas for little corners. Visit Carole's antique booths at Lowensteins's Antique Market Place.   Or if you're not shopping in person (with your mask on, Halloween or not), take time for yourself and enjoy a nice hot seasonal drink, take a walk or creative time.  You deserve it!  

Thanks for stopping by.  Support your local little shops and small town businesses.  

Till we meet again, be blessed!  SB

  

BLESSINGS IN A CUP

As soon as the leaves start to change to fall hues (which could happen as early as August here in the U.P. of Michigan), a great deal of excitement starts.  Its not that we want summer to end, but all that the autumn season brings is so enjoyable.

We are so blessed to live in an area where the changing of the leaves from green to golden yellow, orange and red is a welcome sight, especially because we know the season to follow can be so long and dreary.  Every year is different, and it seems that there are other sights that make the colored leaves really stand out even more:   the blue sky above, the white birch within the trees of color, the bright sunshine, and the dark pine that proudly stand along side the maples.  The oak tree leaves are not as colorful, and hang on till there is often a lot of snow on the ground, but their brown leathery shades are part of the fall colors, too.

Fall also is the beginning of hosting tea parties for me.  The weather has changed, the days are cooler and shorter, and though we're all trying to enjoy every day outdoors, we're also spending more time indoors.   My list of expected guests is ever growing, so here is the first tea of the fifth season of having tea parties.    When asked why I continue to invite friends and strangers for tea, here are the answers.

• I like to share my creativity with others - handmade invitations, themed tablescapes, creative take home favors   
  
• I enjoy trying new recipes especially from Tea Time Magazine and other places around the web such as my Pinterest boards   
  
• I love to serve others

• #1 reason: I love to create a time when every one can leave the cares of the world behind, meet new people, participate in delightful conversation, and enjoy a respite afternoon while drinking tea and eating delectable foods.

Today's tea was all these reasons, and one more.  Having guests in for tea brings me such a blessing as well - that the people I meet out and about are asking to come to tea, which tells me that I have succeeded in offering an event that ladies want and need.

Once I set the date, I review the notes of people who weren't able to attend last month's tea, the one's that have spoken to and asked to come to tea, others I've met along the way, and always, one or two that have come to tea before. 

Here's the menu I chose:

The recipes for the salad (South by Southwest, with my own variations)

pumpkin scones, 

chocolate oranges

and pumpkin pound cake can be found in my Pinterest Boards: Tea Party and Healthy, and the cloth pumpkins are in the Fall board.  

The Apple Brie scones recipe is in the September issue of Tea Time Magazine.

The tea I served, Peach Rhubarb, and the take home teas are from Tea Forte, one of my favorite tea sources.  

From the moment the first guest arrived, excitement and conversation filled the house.

The "tea time attire" requested was evident with each of the guests - so much beauty.  They found their places around the table, and in no time a buzz of conversation, networking, sharing, laughing and enjoying one another began.

Looking back, I can smile with contentment, knowing I've been able to meet my goals, and again have found blessings in a cup.

Thank you ladies for a delightful afternoon - you have been a blessing to me: Janice, JoAnn, Bonnie, Rosie and Kathy.   

If you or someone you know, would like to come to tea, just leave a comment.  I'd love to meet you and welcome you to my home.  If you are joining me from far away, keep coming back and sharing in my afternoon teas.

Thanks for stopping by, and until we meet again, may you find a small blessing in every day! SB

Goodbye, Splendor!

Where I live in Northern Michigan, not Northern Lower Michigan, but the Upper Peninsula, it is hard to say goodbye to the warm fall breezes that give way to the cold brisk winds that bring on the snow. This year in particular, it seems that the cold brisk winds and snowflakes have come way too early.   I'm not ready for this, but then maybe I say that with each passing year.  It is time to say goodbye to the splendor that fall brings.
 

On Tuesday, October 22, one of my cousin's was having surgery.  Though we don't live close to each other, he was still on my mind.  Actually, he was on all of our minds.  So I gathered my first cousins, aunt and my mother together, and had lunch.  We prayed for Bob, enjoyed a light lunch, and great conversation, amidst the snowflakes that blew around outside.

 

 

My brown-eyed Susan did not bloom till late this year, so I rescued it the night before from the snow that was forecasted.  It looks so lovely here, but I don't think it does well as a vased, indoor flower.

 

 

October 22 seems awfully early to be measuring the white precipitation on the ground, which really had accumulated in my sister's neck of the woods.  There's only one thing that makes the change in weather more tolerable, at least to me.  That is a nice hot cup of comfort - tea!

Here's the menu I chose for our lunch, all of the recipes I found on Pinterest.

French dip crescents (I did not make the au jus)
Butternut Squash salad
Crock pot apple sauce
Trifle
White grape/peach juice
Tea, Coffee, or water

We certainly enjoyed our afternoon of catching up and sharing some fall foods, and we always part with this age-old message, "Till we meet again."