Friday, February 19, 2010

Where have I been? (and a giveaway)


Well, living life, all of it, the smiles and laughs and cries and worries and chaos that comes with being a married woman and a mother.

No matter how much I want to devote myself to posting on the blog regularly, I have come to realize that it's not up to me, it's up to my personal life and what is going on and some weeks, it's just not going to happen.

But don't think anything bad has been happening, oh no, it's just been normal craziness, a super busy week as we start heading into warmer temperatures......

as I slip into my flip flops and favorite summer dresses and shake off the winter cob webs and welcome the warm sun onto my skin

as I take down the winter curtains and replace them with flimsy white lace in the living room, open the screen door and watch them blow in the wind

White Lace Curtains

then mosey over to the kitchen and do the same. I love these curtains they make me smile and they remind me of sun and grass and blue skies.

Spring Kitchen Curtains

I've taken great pleasure in turning on the sprinklers again and watching my yellow dried out grass starting to turn green again.

Sprinkler

I've done a lot of baking and cooking and freezing because once the weather starts warming up, I don't want to be stuck in the kitchen for hours.

Breakfast Sandwiches

Breakfast sandwiches, Sausage, Egg and Cheese on English Muffins. My family loves them and they are super easy to make.

Sausage, Egg and Cheese

In between this there has the been the usual daily conquering of Mt. Laundry and the swimming through a sea of toys in the living room.

Oh and the tackling of homework which makes me feel like the dumbest mom in the world. Seriously? What is with this stuff lately? They are teaching my first grader 3rd grade work, they are teaching my 5th grader high school subjects. I happen to believe that they are pushing kids too hard nowadays. Maybe it's just me, but that's what I feel.

But it hasn't just been go go go go go all the time. Nights are my favorite time of the day, when the kids have had their baths and said their prayers and are tucked safely into bed, when I can sit down and watch a favorite show or a movie or read a book.

I've gotten so many great books lately, everytime I open the mail box there is one waiting for me and I don't know about you but it's like winning the lottery lately, that's how happy books make me.

I've watched good movies, like 2012, Love Happens, Everybody's Fine, New in Town and The Christmas Card. I recommed all of these if you haven't watched them yet.

So there you go, now you know where I've been and what I've been up to, so I'm going to leave you as I need to turn off the sprinkler and refill the bird feeder.



But before I leave, I'm going to do something as a thank you to all my faithful readers who continually visit me, even when I'm not the gracious host I am supposed to be and leave you hanging for days on end.

I want you to go to Spice Trader Teas and take a look at their tea mixes then come back here and let me know which tea you would love to try.

I'm going to hold a giveaway until Wednesday the 24th of February, then I'll randomly select a winner through Random.org and send you the tea you selected. Just as a thank you!

The contest is open to US residents only!

Go on, scoot, go pick your tea and then come back and let me know, oh and I can tell you that their Assam and the Cinnamon Apricot is to die for.

33 comments:

Keeper of the Home said...

Oh yeah...the tea...I forgot to add....
Earl Grey would be the one I would choose. That is Hubby's favorite so I would get that for him.

~Mrs. M

Sarah said...

taking care of family is a full time job ;) happy you posted today! have a great weekend... the ambrosia tea sounds sooo good!

Linzi said...

I would love to try the Genmai Chai (decaf)!

win said...

I love your blog! I say Polynesian Green sounds yummy!

Luci said...

Great to see you back. As I am infecting my hubby with the tea bug, we would love to try winter storm. This was a super hard choice.

Ladipierce said...

Nice to have you back. I think I would like to try the Chai Latte. Sounds interesting.

Anonymous said...

I really have missed you posting more often but I so understand why you aren't. I have had the same problem! If I win I would say Pirate Chai looks pretty good to me!

Conny said...

spring changes already?! I'm moving to Arizona!! We've still got snow on the ground!

As for tea, if I won, I'd want passionate kisses - mainly because it says it's a "sleepy time" tea - and that is my fave from celestial seasonings - I'm an evening, decaf tea drinker.

Renee said...

If only there were more hours in the day! It's still cold here but I am SO ready for spring.

If I won,I think I'd like the womans blend~decaf.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Laura said...

I'd choose Jasmine.. and then give it to my neighbor/friend. She loves it!

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Chai Latte--mmmmmm.
You are making me crazy with the summer talk and pics. It is so cold here and they are calling for more snow!★Linda

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandra, I did miss your Monday "Happy Homemaker Blog".

If I would win the tea I would chose the Cinnamon Apricot or the Raspberry. Maybe it would be fun for you to pick one out for me.

Thanks for the fun. Debbi

Mari said...

Sandra - this post makes me happy! We are still having snow here, but the promise of Spring and warm breezes makes me smile.
I'm not a big tea lover, so don't enter me, but I know you will make someone happy!
PS - I just finished Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and enjoyed it!

Angelina said...

OOh sign me up for the Womens Blend...They are always incredible!

Thanks for hosting a giveaway..

You are a good blogger- family comes first....:)

Amy said...

I can't wait for Springtime to hit the south. We have had so much snow this year.

My tea selection would be oolong. A favorite here. MMM

Jen said...

I would enjoy the Morning Rose. I have these tea cups and saucers I bought at a thrift store and would just love to get them out.

So glad to see your enjoying life and not worrying about the blog. I have come to terms with that as well.

Oh yes and the books....I love running out to the mail box and seeing what goodies I have today. I can't wait for my next book.

Erika said...

I am so jealous of your warm weather. It is still cold with snow on the ground where I live. So blackberry tea sounds so good and will keep me warm.

Erin said...

Glad your back, Sandra! I took a litle hiatus from my blog too- we all had bronchitis! I am living vicariously through your warm weather- we're still under snow in the midwest! As far as the tea, my dream tea is definiteley "passionate kisses"! What could possibly be wrong with that? :D

Kelli said...

Hey, Sandra! I'm jealous of warm weather coming your way already! In Arkansas the kids were just out 3 days last week for snow, which is pretty uncommon!

I would love to try the fruit blend tea... I do love apricot though, but there are so many that look good! Good to see you back!

Kelli

Michelle said...

The muffin sandwich looks scrumptious! Joe would spoil me with those and breakfast burritos - it's just not the same when I make them myself :)

You're too kind! I'd like to try the chai latte if I won :)

Anonymous said...

So glad you've been enjoying your family.

Love and hugs

xxxxx

janice said...

Im an earl grey girl.

I had not thought of changing curtains seasonally -thats a good idea.

Unknown said...

Spring?! I am So jealous! We are under piles of snow here in Latvia (next to Russia). It's been snowing all day- we already have had the coldest winter on record for the last 20 years. A cup of that delish tea, earl gray my fav, sure would be delightful! Thanks for your lovely blog!

twinkletoe said...

That cinnamon apricot sounds delicious. However I don't expect to win as this is my 1st(but not my last) visit to your blog. I found you by googling lemon drizzle cake which I am going to make in a few minutes.
But I will be a faithful follower and be back for your next give a way!!

Elenka said...

Passionate Kisses!

Stacey said...

I'm a long time browser. You are always such an inspiration in the way you love on your family and love the Lord. I also love your recipes!

Thank you for sharing your new tea love. I checked out their site and can't wait to try some. I think I like the sound of the mango madness the most because it is something completely different than I have ever tried and it reminds me of summer!

Blessings!

Stacey

Lora @ Motherhood Moments said...

I think I would choose the Licorice Mint. I love both licorice tea and mint tea, but have never tried them together!

It's great to see you back posting and I'm totally jealous that it's already starting to warm up where you are!!

lora at 4everfamily dot com

vwestermeyer said...

raspberry sounds lovely. I so enjoy your blog

Wendi said...

I know what you mean about school. I don't have a school age child and I am scared for when she goes. It is push, push, push. I understand the need for a strong education, but what happened to letting a kid have time to be a kid.

I think the Black Current flavor sounds wonderful.

Mrobert@ahint.com said...

I love chai latte! Your blog is awesome. I read everyday.

T.A.M. said...

Passionate Kisses.Yum! A delicious blend of some of our most coveted flavors. This tea has a strong and delicious sweat smell almost reminiscent of candy at your local carnival. A true sleepy time tea to help with anxiety so you can rest better. This would be my choice most definitely!
Thanks for a chance to win an awesome giveaway!

aloysen said...

I love your blog!! I look forward to your messages.

As for the tea...Mango Madness looks good.

Keep those messages coming!!

Alison said...

I just found your blog today...
I am very jealous of the nice weather you are having. We're supposed to get another foot of snow in the next couple of days.

I'm not much of a tea drinker, but I do like Orange Spice MMmmmm!