Cold Turkey Ain't For Chickens

So, let's start at the beginning. I broke my neck 15 years ago in a fall. At the time, I weighed a very lovely 14.2 stones, to be exact. When I woke from surgery, my darlin' neurologist said, "You must lose at least 50 pounds." I, being the over achiever I am (remember: my word for the year is Moderation), I lost a bit more.

Now, here I am, 15 years later and have allowed a portion of the weight to creep back on. Not much, but enough. Add to that the fact this year a number of folks near and dear to me have had their own serious health issues -- breast cancer, heart attacks, ruptured bowel, high blood pressure, diabetes and so forth -- and you can see that it seems that a warning bell is going off around me that I need to be more Moderate in my lifestyle.

Thus, I have given up caffeinated coffee and tea as well as reduced my sweets by 75%. Did I mention that I love all three?? And, have I mentioned that I now have a monster headache that seems to be my own special friend? On top of that, I am now having weird dreams which, I am convinced, stems from my lack of drugs -- er, coffee, tea, and sweets.

We had a speaker for in-service today who addressed the topic of "mental health crisis in the workplace." After five minutes, I turned to my suite mate and whispered, "Glory! Since I gave up coffee, tea, and sweets I am a poster child for 12 out of 15 of the illnesses she has listed!" My suitemate giggled, slid a little away from me, and whispered back, "Well, at least I now know how to get you committed for 48 hours if you act out!"

Do you think they would let me have caffiene and sweets in observation? It might just be worth it.

Surprise "Anne of Green Gables" Tea

Joshua, Corrie, Me, and Sara

There was no power on Whitetop Mountain today; the wind took 50 trees out along the main road, knocking out power to most of the area between us and the Tennessee border. However, it was a no-brainer today that we would have a surprise "Anne of Green Gables" tea party for Corrie and Joshua. Sara and I had planned it for a week and it is no small task to keep a secret from our Corrie. She has an uncanny knack for figuring out things.

However, this morning, she didn't know when her Mom told her they were playing dress-up and to get on her "Anne of Green Gables" dress just what was going to happen. Don and I scurried around this morning and baked cupcakes, sliced local cheese, brewed peppermint tea, and made a fresh fruit salad. We packed our 1950s picnic set, china plates and all, loaded the car and took off over the mountain.

The sun was brilliant as we wove our way up and over Mt. Rogers. It was such a lovely morning; the air was clear and we could see down into the valleys where the sunlight dappled the little farms tucked here and there in the bottom land.

When we arrived, Sara answered the door and I called out, "Excuse me; I am looking for Anne of Green Gables. I have a basket for her." Corrie ran and hid! She didn't recognize me as Miss Alice! Then, she realized who it was and scooted back to the living room and laughed and danced about us, clapping her hands and laughing!

As you can tell in the photo, the table is set and we had a lovely time! The woodstove was toasty warm in spite of the wind and cold without; we threw open the blinds and the sunshine streamed in, filling the room with the most wonderful light. No one noticed in the least the lack of electricity.

When the tea was over, we piled on the floor and played a "Tea Party Memory Game" that I found at Hallmark a few weeks ago. It is a memory game using tea cups, tea bags, cakes, and such. We had a ball trying to remember what was where!

What a grand way to spend a very cold morning! My Rx for those who are missing holiday spirit? Find a three and a six year old and have a tea party. You will be instantly cured!

Tea for Two

Good morning, sunbeams! So glad you dropped by for a little tea and conversation! Here is my little feast: a fine cup of tea and homemade pumpkin scone with Amish butter. Yum!

This morning I want to tell each of you how much you have come to mean to me. I've only been blogging for a few months; I have lurked at a number of blogs, but it wasn't until September that I took the plunge. You all have made me feel so welcome! Thank you!

Will you take a few minutes to post and then link to your blog? If you have a picture of your tea party, won't you share it there?

Have a glorious day!

Warmly,

Matty

It's a Tea Party! Y'all Come!

all posters.com

You are cordially invited

to a virtual tea party

at the Lazy Bee Farm

on Saturday, November 21, at 10 a.m., EST.

Okay, it is a little strange, I know. We will be celebrating the joy of female friends, blog or near, and the beauty of friends we may never meet in person but are kindred spirits just as surely as if we were neighbors.

The premise is simple. Please make yourself a lovely cup of your favorite tea and a pretty plate with your favorite tea goodies. Then, won't you leave a post here at Lazy Bee Farm sharing your joy of friendship for our many friends?

A little hostess gift (some handmade goat's milk soap in guest soap size) will be sent to the first ten ladies who post during the day on Saturday.