Tea with Aunt Nette

As some of you might know, whenever my great nieces turn 5, they get to go to tea with Aunt ‘Nette. I am just now posting about our teas. I’m a bit late. But then, again, I was a bit late taking the girls to tea this year. So I ‘m going to give each one a post of their on. Hope you don’t mind…

Mackenzie was the first.

She is now 8 so she’s being going a long time.

Our favorite place is Camilla Rose in Plant City, FL.

I’ve been to other tea rooms, and they are nice. I’m not taking anything away from them. It’s just, well, they make you feel so special from the time you walk in the door, until the time you walk out. That’s the feel I wanted my nieces to experience. I remember the first time I took Mackenzie and she saw her name on the board, she was so excited! She turned to me, wide eyed and said “I didn’t know they knew my name!”

She felt so special! She loves to look at her place card/marker with her name on it too. I hope they never discontinue that. All the girls love it and look forward to seeing their name.

One of their “signature” features also is the rose napkin at our place setting. I taught Mackenzie how to make her own last year. She’s been turning everything into roses. I think even her bed sheet!

Cute Story alert: When we sat down, this was Mackenzie’s place setting. She looked at me and asked “Why do I have a kid’s tea set?!” She’s a perfect lady so she wasn’t going to make a scene. Our server picked right up on that and brought her out the “big-girl” settings. Mackenzie instructed the server” “Next year, I’m going to be 9…just so you know. So I’m going to need the big girl tea set then too” LOL

Yep! A big girl. She pours her own tea.

What little girl can resist going for the gummy bears first? Look at the cute smiley face PB&J sandwich on the bottom tray. I order the special little girls tea for them. Camilla Rose always asks if there is anything the child does not like so they can tailor it to their tastes. I like that.

I took a lot more pictures, but by now I was getting this with every one…

You sneak ‘em whenever and wherever ya can!

This was my food. If they ever take away the chicken salad sandwich (pictured on the second tier, way in the back), I’ll be a very, very sad lady! It’s so incredibly gooooood!!!

(I think I’m pushing my luck with the pics!)


So on the last picture of the day, I get this. I guess all us “big girls”, get a little crazy now and then, right?

The next Tea is with her sister, Mackayley and this was her first tea! Stay tuned!

Simple Acts of Kindness

Do practice Random Acts of Kindness? We all have chances every day to do so.

One thing I want to do is to practice doing Random Acts of Kindness more. I’ve done a few paying for the customer in line behind me at Starbucks drive through and that was fun. I’ve done a few other things in the past too, but this post isn’t about me bragging. It’s a new commitment to consciously being aware of the opportunity for new and inventive ways of practicing random acts of kindness.

Call it “Pay if Forward” or “Random Acts of Kindness” it all boils down to being kind to our fellow man/woman and blessing someone who probably - by society’s standards - doesn’t deserve it. That’s what makes it an act of kindness! I really loved the movie “Pay it Forward” (ok, I’m not crazy about what happened to the kid, but…) and if you haven’t, rent it and watch it, then come up with something to DO. I’d love to hear about it, so please come back and let me know…or e-mail me so I can do a whole post at the end of the year of our actions! Neat, eh?

Oh, and along the lines of “Pay It Forward”, I was surfing today and came across someone talking about making tags. Briefly, here is how the process works: People make tag cards. Commit an act of kindness. Give the person a tag card which asks the stranger to do another act of kindness. Kind of a tactile “Pay It Forward”. (I thought that was neat but I’m not sure if I’ll employ that idea, just sharing in case you wanted to)

I would love it if at the end of the year we have a great RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) party, wouldn’t you?

Let me know your thoughts!

PRAYER REQUEST TUESDAY

This is the day set aside for prayer, for you.

If you have a prayer request, please list it in the comments below. You don't have to give any information you don't feel comfortable with. (A simple "unspoken" comment is sufficient).

If you would like to pray, then please pray for the comment above yours.

Also, if you would like to share a "praise" for a blessing you have received please feel free to leave a comment so we can all rejoice with you!

Creamy Mushroom Chicken

What could be better than (A) a dish you can toss in the crock pot and (B) freezes well too ? I know! This dish fits the bill. And, seriously folks, is so easy. I call it Creamy Mushroom Chicken. When I make this (as I do with a number of dishes) I just do a double batch. One for now, and one for the freezer. I know, I'm bright aren't I?

Creamy Mushroom Chicken

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 package of dry Italian Dressing Mix

1 package of dry Ranch dressing mix

8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened

1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 can (small) mushroom stems and pieces, drained

Sprinkle dressing packets on chicken breasts in crock pot. Do not add water. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours. I serve mine with noodles. Usually the flat ones, but I didn't feel like running to the grocery store, and had Rotini. :)

Enjoy!