Good morning, friends.  This edition of Tea Time Talk is a very short one.  Although many things happened this past week, they seem pale compared to Wednesday evening. We lost a beautiful family member.

Ida, whom we called Nonnina (Little Grandma in Italian), was 95 years old. I have so many incredible memories from a woman who was not a blood relative, but who welcomed my entire family as her own.  (She was my Uncle Gino’s mom.  He passed away in 2006 at the age of 50.)

Today, we say our final goodbyes to Nonnina…

Be Blessed, my friends.  Hug your loved ones and always let them know you love them…

Good morning, friends! Happy Sunday! This past Thursday, America turned 241 years old!  Can you imagine being that old?  The cake would be an inferno with all those candles.  Anywho…Grab your tea, iced or hot, make yourselves comfy and let’s talk!   🙂

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: it was an odd week with a day off towards the end.  The 4th of July was on Thursday, and while most companies give their employees the long weekend, hubby wasn’t so lucky.  So having him home, then not home, then home again, confused the heck out of me.  I mean how many times can Sunday fall in one week?

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: I may have found an illustrator for my children’s bedtime poem!! I am so excited.  I am sending the artist my specs and praying we can work together!  Fingers crossed.  Thought and prayers are always appreciated, too!

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: if you haven’t checked it out, Sally Cronin has me over at her place.  Click the links for Week One and Week Two.  She’s been digging into my archives and sharing some of my older posts with everyone.  It’s a lot of fun to see what she decided on.  Stop by, if you haven’t already, and check it out! And if you’re not following Sally, OH, the fun you’re missing out on.  She has a fabulous blog filled with so many different things. Could be why she calls it the Smorgasbord!

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: I found a new stress reducer.  Alyssa has been coloring on an app called Happy Color, and would randomly send me pics.  I browsed the app store and chose one.  Turned out to be the same one she has.  I have coloring books for the older generation, (after all we never really grow up), but to find the time is another story.  This I can do before bed, or during breakfast, because it’s on my phone.  This particular app is color by number, but trust me, some of the pics are by no means easy.  Here are a couple I’ve done, just to give you an idea.

It’s very relaxing, but also very addicting!  So beware, should you decide to check it out.

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: l started driving again this week, so best get off the roads! 😀  Alyssa has an issue with her ankle and we wound up in the ER.  Poor kid couldn’t even walk on it.  They told her she may have shin splints, and we’ll be seeing the orthopedist next week.  The hospital told her she should stay off it for 4 days, so I took her to her jobs and helped her walk her pups.  She’s doing better, but we don’t want her to push it.

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: as I said earlier, this past Thursday was Independence Day for the United States.  Most Americans celebrate with BBQ’s.  We just took it easy, ate at our leisure and enjoyed the day.  It was a hot one, but beautiful.  Our town had the fireworks the night before, on the 3rd, but the community next to us had theirs on the 4th.  Boy, was that loud!

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: speaking of…we have a neighbor who is extremely loud.  So loud, in fact, that on Friday I actually looked out my kitchen blinds to make sure she wasn’t on MY patio!!  So much for a quiet afternoon.  Oh, did I mention she has a mouth like a truck driver?  Yeah, it’s going to be a long summer.

As for the week ahead:

If we were sipping tea, basking in the sun and talking I would tell you: we’re hoping to do some walking on the trails at Garret Mountain today.  The day is supposed to be beautiful, after a bit of a stormy night.

If we were sipping tea, basking in the sun and talking I would tell you: I’ll be taking Mom and Lys to their doctor’s appointments this week.  Hopefully it will be good news, for a change.

If we were sipping tea, basking in the sun and talking I would tell you: it’s time to be on my way.  Church is calling, as it always does on Sunday.   Have a blessed week ahead, my friends!   ❤

Good morning, friends! Happy Sunday!  Another week in the Land of Oz.  Can you believe it’s the end of June?  Half the year is already gone! Sigh. Grab your tea, iced or hot, make yourselves comfy and let’s talk!   🙂

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: it was a bit of an off week.  I wound up taking my mom to the hair dresser on Friday (I’m still not supposed to drive) because Alyssa has been having trouble with her shin and ankle.  This is not a good thing when you’re a dog walker!  And she can’t get an appointment to see the doctor until the middle of July.  I’m trying to help out as much as possible so she’s stays off that leg.

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: after I took mom to the hairdresser, she wanted to get lunch.  Today she wanted pizza, so I took her to her favorite (and mine) place.  She was in her glory.  She had a mushroom, onion, & pepper slice, and took home an eggplant, roasted peppers and balsamic slice.  I had the eggplant slice.  It’s so good, and so filling!

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: about a week ago, Alyssa went all out and had her hair dyed purple and blue.  This is something she has been wanting to do for a long time and the opportunity came up for her.  It’s beautiful.  In the sunlight, the color reminds me of an amethyst jewel.  What do you think?

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: we wanted to join our neighborhood lake, and went to the township to do so.  Since Lys lives with us, we were signing up as a family of three.  No go.  She would have to go in as an adult, single membership, which obviously costs more money.  So we walked out of there without the passes.  I grew up in this town, I’ve lived here for 52 of my 58 years, and this is how it goes.  It’s all about the almighty dollar.  Pffft.

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: this is a short one this week as my health isn’t cooperating.  For those wondering, I schedule my posts way in advance, unless they’re specific day challenges.  I do it when my hands allow me.  Otherwise, I’m off the keyboard, sometimes for a couple of days.  You may also notice it takes me a bit to reply to you.  I apologize, but don’t give up on me.  I’ll get to you soon! Otherwise, my response may look like my bitmoji below!! ❤

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: on a brighter note, the weather has been perfect.  Sunshine and summer temps during the day, sometimes thunderstorms at night. The week ahead looks about the same.  Have I said how much I like air conditioning? lol

As for the week ahead:

If we were sipping tea, basking in the sun and talking I would tell you: I’m not really sure what will happen.  It all depends on how I’m feeling, as well as everyone else here.  Lys comes back home on Monday, so I’m looking forward to that!

If we were sipping tea, basking in the sun and talking I would tell you: it’s time to be on my way.  Church is calling, as it always does on Sunday.  Another gorgeous day ahead!  Have a blessed week ahead, my friends!   ❤

Good morning, friends! Happy Sunday!  Can you believe this makes the 20th week of me blabbering about myself!  And you’re still here!!  Thank you for visiting, again.  Grab your tea, iced or hot, make yourselves comfy and let’s talk!   🙂

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: it’s been a busy week for me.  On Wednesday, I had to take my mom to the eye doctor, after she sat on her glasses, to have them repaired.  Then Alyssa’s car had trouble and had to stay overnight at the station to be fixed.  So on Friday,  not only did I take my mom to the hairdresser, but I was Alyssa’s chauffeur, taking her to her puppies, so she could walk them.  All this when I’m not supposed to be driving. I felt it Friday night but you do what you have to when the family needs you.

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: I have been working on a new poetry book.  It’s one with poems relating to God, faith, mostly for inspiration.  I have put my novel, (ironically “Devil’s Pond“, and yes, it’s been in the works for three years now), on hold until my health improves a bit.  Although, it keeps nagging at me to come back.  My muse is so bossy!!

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: on Friday evening, we went to a quaint park called Dahnerts Lake County Park, to hear our friend, Kooch, sing about the Lord.  The highlight of the evening was a young boy, no more than 10, coming over and telling Kooch he remembered him from last year.  The boy took a gospel (Kooch does all of this for free), and walked away.  About 20 minutes later, he came back to tell us he called his friends and told them to find the guitar player in the park.  His name was Emmanuel. For those who don’t know, the name means, “God is with us”.  I don’t think this was a coincidence at all.  He came back with two more friends, who also took the gospel.  It was awesome to watch.  ❤

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: on Saturday, we went to Turtle Back Zoo!!  Oh my, such fun!!  We spent almost five hours there.  To say we were pooped at the end, is putting it mildly.  Thankfully it’s only about 30 minutes from home. Here’s a peek at what we saw:

The two mails were vying for the win of the female. She was wondering when they’d knock it off already.  Did you know that males use their necks when fighting, because it is the strongest part of their body?  Amazing animals.

Want to see more zoo photos?  Head over to the photography blog, Photos by We.  I’ll be uploading them throughout the week (and probably beyond!).

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: how incredibly beautiful the past two days were.  Friday started out kind of dreary and rainy, but by the afternoon, the sky was so blue, with hardly a cloud in the sky. Saturday was in the low 80’s with blue skies.  A perfect day at the zoo.  Ah, summer.   ❤

As for the week ahead:

If we were sipping tea, basking in the sun and talking I would tell you: I’m starting to weed out all the clothes that I don’t wear anymore.  One of our pastors runs the “River Mission” for the homeless, and they’re always looking for donations, so that’s where my things will be going.  I hope someone can make good use of them.  🙂

If we were sipping tea, basking in the sun and talking I would tell you: it’s time to be on my way.  Church is calling, and then who knows.  Another gorgeous day ahead!  Have a blessed week ahead, my friends!   ❤

Good morning, friends! Happiest of Father’s Day to all the great Dads out there!  I hope you have an awesome day! Grab your tea, iced or hot, make yourselves comfy and let’s talk!   🙂

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: that Yahoo mail has, once again, been throwing you into my spam email folder.  That makes me sad, because I don’t get to see your posts.  What’s worse, is some of you don’t even show in the reader!  So, no email, no reader, means no visit from me.  😦  I don’t know what to do anymore.  And yes, the email address is in my contacts so this isn’t supposed to happen.  But it does anyway.

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: how thrilled I am for all the bloggers who won awards at the Annual Bloggers Bash yesterday.  I’m so happy for all of them!!  Also, thanks to everyone who voted for my blog.  I can’t say that enough.  It was a strong field and I was thrilled just to be nominated! You can view all the winners here : Annual Bloggers Bash Awards

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: I got the official letter telling me everything appears to be okay from my medical tests.  I’m sure you heard me sigh wherever you are.  Finally, some good news!!

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: Alyssa is taking online courses for Bible School.  She’s been doing so well, and I am very proud of her.  This past week, she took her exam on Joshua and scored 100%.  Could there be a ministry in her future?  The possibilities are endless.

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: hubby and I spent yesterday just soaking up the beautiful weather (before the rain returns today).  There was a breeze, which eventually turned into a wind.  Thank goodness we were home already!  Otherwise, you might have seen me waving as I flew by.

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: I’ve taken to walking with Alyssa when she walks Darty.  It’s a decent walk but short enough that I don’t tire easily.  Plus I love how Darty turns around to make sure I’m still with them.  He is so adorable!!

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: normally on Friday nights, we go for pizza, but this past week, I wanted pasta.  I have not had it in six months or more, carbs spike my sugar, but I indulged.  Hubby had his with sausage and I had the meatballs.  We love the pizzeria/restaurant we’ve been going to for years.  The owners are awesome, as is the staff. All the food there is delicious!  You can follow their Instagram, @PrimoPizzaWayne to see all the goodies.  Oh, did I mention I do their social media?   😉

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you:  As I mentioned up top, today is Father’s Day.  I’m hoping the rain holds out so we can enjoy some of it outside.  Otherwise, I’m cooking steaks indoors, and they never taste the same as when they’re grilled.  We’re also having home-made potato salad, sauteed mushrooms and onions, corn on the cob, and an olive salad with provolone cheese.  Do you celebrate Father’s Day where you are?

My Dad passed 34 years ago.  Hubby’s Dad passed 31 years ago.  I miss them both dearly.  You can imagine how hard the day is for both of us.  But memories come up and we talk about silly things that happened, etc.

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: I decided to stop my 10 PM blog posts from now until the Tuesday after Labor Day.  I usually cut back during the summer months, and the 10 o’clock slot drew the short straw.  My two daytime posts will still be here, so I hope you’ll continue to visit.

Speaking of, I have a huge milestone coming up, concerning my blog, two actually.  And when it happens I will be doing a giveaway.  I haven’t decided which book yet.  Most likely, my newest, “Short & not always Sweet”, so if you’d like a chance to win a signed copy, keep looking for the announcement!

If we were sipping tea and talking I would tell you: just a quick reminder…Alyssa and I would love it if you would follow our photography blog, Photos by We.  It’s gotten off to a wonderful start, with many of you already joining us.  If you love nature photography (me) and fluffy puppies, kitties and critters, (that’ll be Lys), we’ve got you covered!

As for the week ahead:

If we were sipping tea, basking in the sun and talking I would tell you: we’re planning on going to the zoo next weekend.  That means plenty of photos will be going up on the photography blog!!  I can’t wait!

If we were sipping tea, basking in the sun and talking I would tell you: it’s time to be on my way.   Have a blessed week ahead, my friends!   ❤