I'm not sure how I missed this holiday. It should be a HUGE holiday celebration in our house. Tea for everyone!
International Tea Day has been celebrated on December 15 since 2005* in tea producing countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Kenya, Malaysia and India (just to name a few). It was started so they could draw attention to global tea trade and the impact on workers and growers with the hopes for price support and fair trade.
*2005 is very fitting because Bella was born in that year. Maybe that is why she's a tea aficionado?
How to celebrate International Tea Day
How about having a cup of tea?
Try a new brand/flavor of tea
Have a tea party
Research tea brands that support fair trade and (maybe) switch to their brand. Or try out one of their fair trade teas.
Oh, and when posting to social media, use #InternationalTeaDay to help recognize the day and to educate others about the tea industry.
I'll make sure I mark this date on our calendar for next year. I know I won't want to miss out!
Cheers!
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Friday, December 13, 2019
New Job Update
I have been working for a couple of months at my new job and thought I would give you a little update.
I am enjoying the fact that I'm actually doing something during the time that I am at my job instead of staring off into space. Sometimes it's a project or updating the features with new merchandise. Maybe I'm putting new merchandise out on the floor or doing mark downs. Or, maybe I'm a cashier. The time goes by much faster and I get to move around the store quite a bit.
Here are some things I've experienced in the last couple of months.
1. They play a lot of country music in our store. They do throw in some pop (from about 5 years ago) every once in awhile. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) they are the same songs every. single. day. I think I know them all by heart and I know which song is going to come on next. Yea. Pretty scary.
2. They haven't started playing Christmas music. I'm not sure if they will ever play Christmas music this holiday season. All I can say is at least they aren't playing Kidz Bop!
3. Working with the public can be quite interesting. I think you knew this one was coming. I'll have to give you some examples. This is my warning... skip to number 4 now if youhave a weak stomach don't want the details.
OK. You were warned.
I have found that some people don't bathe. Ever. I have had this experience with a few customers where I have walked by them andaccidentally inhaled and almost passed out. I'm not sure if these people are oblivious to their stench stink odor. Do they realize that no one wants to smell their nastiness? I think they should warn you before you take a job like this that working with the public can kill you be hazardous to your health.
Then, there are the farters. Those are the people that walk around (or stand in one place/area) and just fart. A lot. I was helping a customer and had to walk to the back to check if the item was there and passed a smelly guy and walked into the biggest fart cloud ever. You laugh, but, I COULD HAVE DIED! I thought there was something wrong with our bathrooms again (see #4). Turns out, it was some guy who must have been REALLY gassy. I know this because somehow the fart cloud moved to another area and the same guy was standing there.
4. The bathrooms. I'm not sure what goes on in the bathroom that the public uses. Maybe they use too much TP or they don't go for a week and then decide to finally go when they are at our store. The store had some issues with the sewer. The back of our store smelled pretty bad and the bathrooms were (obviously) out of commission for the day. We had to use the bathrooms next door. Thank God for Whole Foods!
5. Management is pretty lenient. There are quite a few employees that call in a lot or don't show up for work and they still have a job! Management also doesn't know when you come in or leave work. They also have no idea what you are doing during your scheduled work time.
6. As an employee, sometimes I'm a personal mannequin for customers. I have had customers tell me that the person that they are buying for is exactly my size and I have to try clothes and coats on for them.
7. Sometimes I'm a personal shopper. Finding items for customer to buy. Telling them that something doesn't look good on them (I did that for a few guys buying coats).
8. I have realized that I always have a good story after my shift. Oh, and they are usually pretty funny.
The Holiday season is just starting. I'm sure I will have a few more stories as time goes on.
I am enjoying the fact that I'm actually doing something during the time that I am at my job instead of staring off into space. Sometimes it's a project or updating the features with new merchandise. Maybe I'm putting new merchandise out on the floor or doing mark downs. Or, maybe I'm a cashier. The time goes by much faster and I get to move around the store quite a bit.
Here are some things I've experienced in the last couple of months.
1. They play a lot of country music in our store. They do throw in some pop (from about 5 years ago) every once in awhile. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) they are the same songs every. single. day. I think I know them all by heart and I know which song is going to come on next. Yea. Pretty scary.
2. They haven't started playing Christmas music. I'm not sure if they will ever play Christmas music this holiday season. All I can say is at least they aren't playing Kidz Bop!
3. Working with the public can be quite interesting. I think you knew this one was coming. I'll have to give you some examples. This is my warning... skip to number 4 now if you
OK. You were warned.
I have found that some people don't bathe. Ever. I have had this experience with a few customers where I have walked by them and
Then, there are the farters. Those are the people that walk around (or stand in one place/area) and just fart. A lot. I was helping a customer and had to walk to the back to check if the item was there and passed a smelly guy and walked into the biggest fart cloud ever. You laugh, but, I COULD HAVE DIED! I thought there was something wrong with our bathrooms again (see #4). Turns out, it was some guy who must have been REALLY gassy. I know this because somehow the fart cloud moved to another area and the same guy was standing there.
4. The bathrooms. I'm not sure what goes on in the bathroom that the public uses. Maybe they use too much TP or they don't go for a week and then decide to finally go when they are at our store. The store had some issues with the sewer. The back of our store smelled pretty bad and the bathrooms were (obviously) out of commission for the day. We had to use the bathrooms next door. Thank God for Whole Foods!
5. Management is pretty lenient. There are quite a few employees that call in a lot or don't show up for work and they still have a job! Management also doesn't know when you come in or leave work. They also have no idea what you are doing during your scheduled work time.
6. As an employee, sometimes I'm a personal mannequin for customers. I have had customers tell me that the person that they are buying for is exactly my size and I have to try clothes and coats on for them.
7. Sometimes I'm a personal shopper. Finding items for customer to buy. Telling them that something doesn't look good on them (I did that for a few guys buying coats).
8. I have realized that I always have a good story after my shift. Oh, and they are usually pretty funny.
The Holiday season is just starting. I'm sure I will have a few more stories as time goes on.
Monday, December 9, 2019
Sometimes We Can Be Embarrassing
Bella went to hang out with some of her friends The cool thing to do for teens in our area is to hang out "downtown." Fun shops, including a Starbucks (a hang out the kids like), and a nice little Riverwalk. They meet up and will hang out for several hours on the weekend. The parents are pretty cooperative and we usually carpool, with one driving them there, the other picking up.
This particular weekend, the friends' parent drove them there. I let Bella know to text me when they are ready to be picked up. I already had it in my mind that RT would be on pick up duty.
The time arrived and I received a text from Bella. She tells me the time and place to be picked up. And then she tells me that I am not to send RT.
Bella and RT get along really well. They goof off together. She doesn't get embarrassed by us. I think I've mentioned that my kids think we are fun (probably more funny than fun). I'm sure that sometimes we can be embarrassing. I was curious as to why he wasn't allowed to pick up. So, of course, I had to ask.
The answer? We were also driving a boy home. A boy that Bella really likes. In other words, RT will (probably) embarrass her. I don't know....ask him too many questions? Maybe talk about how he likes Katy Perry songs? Play one of his dance playlists? Once I told this to RT, he really wanted to pick them up, but, I promised Bella that I would go. So, I had toget dressed up get a make over get myself together, hop in the car and head on over to Starbucks.
I did my best and tried not to embarrass Bella during the car ride. I almost belted out lyrics to the songs on the radio, but, I held it all back. I'm saving that for the next time.
*I'm thinking that this should be sponsored by Starbucks since I mentioned them several times during this post.
This particular weekend, the friends' parent drove them there. I let Bella know to text me when they are ready to be picked up. I already had it in my mind that RT would be on pick up duty.
The time arrived and I received a text from Bella. She tells me the time and place to be picked up. And then she tells me that I am not to send RT.
Bella and RT get along really well. They goof off together. She doesn't get embarrassed by us. I think I've mentioned that my kids think we are fun (probably more funny than fun). I'm sure that sometimes we can be embarrassing. I was curious as to why he wasn't allowed to pick up. So, of course, I had to ask.
The answer? We were also driving a boy home. A boy that Bella really likes. In other words, RT will (probably) embarrass her. I don't know....ask him too many questions? Maybe talk about how he likes Katy Perry songs? Play one of his dance playlists? Once I told this to RT, he really wanted to pick them up, but, I promised Bella that I would go. So, I had to
I did my best and tried not to embarrass Bella during the car ride. I almost belted out lyrics to the songs on the radio, but, I held it all back. I'm saving that for the next time.
*I'm thinking that this should be sponsored by Starbucks since I mentioned them several times during this post.
Friday, December 6, 2019
Shoe Hoarder
I know I have mentioned in various blog posts about RT and his shoes. I'll try to fill you in if you missed all of the shout outs to his shoe hoarding collection.
Over the years, I have noticed the growing number of shoes that RT has accumulated. Yes, that includes Dead Guy Shoes. The shoes have beengathering dust accumulating by the front door, in the front hall closet and the basement closet. I find that the shoe obsession collection is a sore spot. I ask that the shoes that haven't been worn in the last twenty years be donated. Seems reasonable, right? Unfortunately, this suggestion is not happily received.
Once in a great while, RT will go through his shoes and part with one pair. We are talking once every five or ten years.
This past summer, we were going through our house and getting rid of things. I carefully approached RT about his shoe collection. RT did oblige and three pairs left the house.
Last weekend, RT told me that he needed a new pair of running shoes. Bella overheard this request for another pair of shoes and immediately said, "No! You don't need any more shoes. You have more shoes than Mom and I put together."
They both agreed that RT would get rid of one pair of shoes for every pair purchased.
On the way home from the store, RT was telling me how he recently got rid of a pair of shoes. Just tossed them in the garbage. I'm not quite sure if I believe him. I think he's just saying this so he doesn't have to go through with the whole process of letting go a pair of shoes.
By the way, this all happened last weekend and no shoes have been tossed from our house.
Over the years, I have noticed the growing number of shoes that RT has accumulated. Yes, that includes Dead Guy Shoes. The shoes have been
Once in a great while, RT will go through his shoes and part with one pair. We are talking once every five or ten years.
This past summer, we were going through our house and getting rid of things. I carefully approached RT about his shoe collection. RT did oblige and three pairs left the house.
Last weekend, RT told me that he needed a new pair of running shoes. Bella overheard this request for another pair of shoes and immediately said, "No! You don't need any more shoes. You have more shoes than Mom and I put together."
They both agreed that RT would get rid of one pair of shoes for every pair purchased.
On the way home from the store, RT was telling me how he recently got rid of a pair of shoes. Just tossed them in the garbage. I'm not quite sure if I believe him. I think he's just saying this so he doesn't have to go through with the whole process of letting go a pair of shoes.
By the way, this all happened last weekend and no shoes have been tossed from our house.
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Compost Pile
I briefly mentioned my Dad's compost pile on this blog post about raking leaves. I thought I would expand a little more on my life of compost piles.
The dictionary definition of compost is: a mixture of various decaying organic substances, such as leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil.
When I was really little, I remember Yiayia saving food scraps in a milk container on the counter. The milk containers back then were a waxy cardboard. She would cut the top off and fill the container with scraps. Once the container was full (more like over flowing), Yiayia would take it to the garden, dig a hole, empty the container and cover the scraps with dirt. Seems simple and easy. The only problem was the smell from the container in the kitchen. Oh, and the little fruit flies hanging around the container. Yiayia did have a great garden though. I'd like to think that her composting helped out a lot.
I briefly mentioned my Dad's compost pile here. My Dad had a HUGE compost pile in our back yard. It was at the back of the yard behind some trees. My Dad would put all of the grass clippings in this pile during the summer months. He would throw in branches and sticks. In the fall, we would put all of the leaves there. My Dad would tell me that everything we put there would decompose and turn back into dirt. I was impressed.
At social gatherings, my Dad got a kick out of telling people about his compost pile. He was quite proud of it. Then, one day, it happened. My Dad was boasting about his compost pile and the couple he was telling asked, "What do you do with the dirt?" That silenced my Dad for a little bit.
My Dad never did anything with the dirt. We didn't have a garden. He didn't use the dirt when my Mom planted flowers. The dirt, leaves and grass clippings all remained there in the back yard in a huge pile just decomposing.
The composting "bug" has reached me. I feel my garden has benefitted from my composting, probably because of what I've learned over the years. I compost from April through November in my garden. My bin that I keep in the house has a lid. Yes, I learned from Yiayia's experience. And, I learned from my Dad because I compost in my garden, so I know that the compost is being put to good use.
The dictionary definition of compost is: a mixture of various decaying organic substances, such as leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil.
When I was really little, I remember Yiayia saving food scraps in a milk container on the counter. The milk containers back then were a waxy cardboard. She would cut the top off and fill the container with scraps. Once the container was full (more like over flowing), Yiayia would take it to the garden, dig a hole, empty the container and cover the scraps with dirt. Seems simple and easy. The only problem was the smell from the container in the kitchen. Oh, and the little fruit flies hanging around the container. Yiayia did have a great garden though. I'd like to think that her composting helped out a lot.
I briefly mentioned my Dad's compost pile here. My Dad had a HUGE compost pile in our back yard. It was at the back of the yard behind some trees. My Dad would put all of the grass clippings in this pile during the summer months. He would throw in branches and sticks. In the fall, we would put all of the leaves there. My Dad would tell me that everything we put there would decompose and turn back into dirt. I was impressed.
At social gatherings, my Dad got a kick out of telling people about his compost pile. He was quite proud of it. Then, one day, it happened. My Dad was boasting about his compost pile and the couple he was telling asked, "What do you do with the dirt?" That silenced my Dad for a little bit.
My Dad never did anything with the dirt. We didn't have a garden. He didn't use the dirt when my Mom planted flowers. The dirt, leaves and grass clippings all remained there in the back yard in a huge pile just decomposing.
The composting "bug" has reached me. I feel my garden has benefitted from my composting, probably because of what I've learned over the years. I compost from April through November in my garden. My bin that I keep in the house has a lid. Yes, I learned from Yiayia's experience. And, I learned from my Dad because I compost in my garden, so I know that the compost is being put to good use.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Vegan Diaries - Mexican Quinoa Dish
Time for another edition of Vegan Diaries.
I found another vegan dish to add to my list of recipes. I've made this Mexican Quinoa a few times. It's been a success with the family and I plan on adding it to the meal rotation. It's pretty easy to toss together for a quick dinner. You probably already have all of the ingredients on hand.
Oh, and don't tell everyone that it's vegan. Sometimes just using the word "vegan," "vegetarian" or "healthy" seems to put a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Well, it definitely is off putting to some of the people in my house.
Anyway.... Here's the recipe:
Mexican Quinoa Dish
ingredients:
1 TBSP olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, minced
1 cup quinoa
1 cup vegetable broth
1 can black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
avocado, diced
lime, juiced
2 TBSP chopped cilantro
directions:
Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the garlic, jalapeno and onion*. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add quinoa, broth, beans, tomatoes, corn, chili powder and cumin. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer until quinoa is thoroughly cooked (about 20-25 minutes).
Serve with chopped avocado, lime juice and cilantro.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* I add some chopped onion (one small onion should be just right)
**I also serve this with a little salsa. You can add to the side or put directly on top when serving.
Enjoy!
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Christmas Crafts and Holiday Gifts
It's that crazy time of year again!
Snow. Holiday Parties. Snow. Crafts. Gifts. Gift wrapping. Snow. Cookie making. Hot Chocolate. Sledding. And, more snow!
I thought I would make your life a little easier and put some links up from my blog to some easy Holiday Crafts and Gifts that you can make yourself, with kids or even a Girl Scout Troop.
Here we go:
Christmas
Animal Ornaments
Brazilian Holiday Flower (great children's craft)
Candy Cane Sleigh
Christmas Cards and tags
Felt Heart Ornament
Foam Gingerbread House (children's craft)
Foam Ornament Gift Tag
Jingle Bell Bracelet (children's craft)
Mitten Gift Tags
Mosaic Christmas Tree (children's craft)
Picture Frame
Snowman Ornament
Stocking (out of construction paper) (children's craft)
Winter Scene (children's craft)
Snowman Ornament
Snowman Winter Craft (children and adult craft)
Ugly Christmas Sweater Felt Banner
Gifts
Homemade Bubbles
Bath Bombs
Laundry Detergent (powder)
Homemade Hair Detangler
Homemade Liquid Hand Soap
Homemade Lip Balm
Homemade Lotion
Miscellaneous Crafts/Gifts
Bangle Bracelet (wrapped)
Blank Books
Bubbles (homemade)
Book Mark
Bottle cap necklace
Cork Board using Old Picture Frame
Decorative Wrapping Paper
Dryer Balls
Fun Scrapbooks
Gift Box
Paint Chip Monthly Calendar
Pumpkin Soap Recipe
Twine Napkin Holders
Note cards
Homemade Sidewalk Paint
Sit upon (a cushion to sit on)
Wrapped Bangle Bracelet
Don't forget to make some cookies this season. They go great with hot chocolate! (They go great with everything!) Here are some links to cookies that appear on the blog:
Cookies:
Butterscotch Chip Cookies
Avocado Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate Chip Blondies
Chocolate Chip Blondies (vegan)
Chocolate Chip Chokies (Mom's famous recipe)
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Deep Dish Cookie Pie
M & M Cookies
Nutella Cookies 1
Nutella Cookies 2
Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Raisin Bran Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Vanilla Pudding Cookies
My favorite cookies are the pumpkin cookies and the M & M cookies.
Snow. Holiday Parties. Snow. Crafts. Gifts. Gift wrapping. Snow. Cookie making. Hot Chocolate. Sledding. And, more snow!
I thought I would make your life a little easier and put some links up from my blog to some easy Holiday Crafts and Gifts that you can make yourself, with kids or even a Girl Scout Troop.
Here we go:
Christmas
Animal Ornaments
Brazilian Holiday Flower (great children's craft)
Candy Cane Sleigh
Christmas Cards and tags
Felt Heart Ornament
Foam Gingerbread House (children's craft)
Foam Ornament Gift Tag
Jingle Bell Bracelet (children's craft)
Mitten Gift Tags
Mosaic Christmas Tree (children's craft)
Picture Frame
Snowman Ornament
Stocking (out of construction paper) (children's craft)
Winter Scene (children's craft)
Snowman Ornament
Snowman Winter Craft (children and adult craft)
Ugly Christmas Sweater Felt Banner
Gifts
Homemade Bubbles
Bath Bombs
Laundry Detergent (powder)
Homemade Hair Detangler
Homemade Liquid Hand Soap
Homemade Lip Balm
Homemade Lotion
Miscellaneous Crafts/Gifts
Bangle Bracelet (wrapped)
Blank Books
Bubbles (homemade)
Book Mark
Bottle cap necklace
Cork Board using Old Picture Frame
Decorative Wrapping Paper
Dryer Balls
Fun Scrapbooks
Gift Box
Paint Chip Monthly Calendar
Pumpkin Soap Recipe
Twine Napkin Holders
Note cards
Homemade Sidewalk Paint
Sit upon (a cushion to sit on)
Wrapped Bangle Bracelet
Don't forget to make some cookies this season. They go great with hot chocolate! (They go great with everything!) Here are some links to cookies that appear on the blog:
Cookies:
Butterscotch Chip Cookies
Avocado Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate Chip Blondies
Chocolate Chip Blondies (vegan)
Chocolate Chip Chokies (Mom's famous recipe)
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Deep Dish Cookie Pie
M & M Cookies
Nutella Cookies 1
Nutella Cookies 2
Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Raisin Bran Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Vanilla Pudding Cookies
My favorite cookies are the pumpkin cookies and the M & M cookies.
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