Yes Virginia….. There really IS a way to get FREE merchandise!

If you’re reading this – you likely have subscribed to our website – which means you LIKE us!  We’re sooooo glad  because we really work hard at “this”.  If you like our products – we want to reward you for sharing us with your friends to spread the word about our products.  Our “virtual” tea party puts a fun and easy spin on typical “home product parties’ .  No obligation.  No cost.  A discount for your friends.  Free stuff for you!   Win-Win all the way!  Check out our “What’s New” page for more details!

Tea party on!

Inspiring…

It was an ad for True North Snacks. This commercial didn’t promote how wonderful, fabulous and delicious the snacks were. It didn’t sell the snacks at all.

The commercial was about the Inspiration Café in Chicago. (A perfect name for such a wonderful place)

Inspiration Cafe was founded in 1989 by Lisa Nigro, a Chicago police officer who began searching for a personal response to the homelessness she encountered in Uptown. She began by loading up a red wagon with sandwiches and coffee to distribute to homeless individuals on the streets.

Then she opened Inspiration Café.  Located uptown on Chicago’s North Side, Inspiration Cafe provides restaurant-style meals to the homeless. The guests come into what looks like an actual restaurant. The tables are set with silverware, napkins, condiments and even have table clothes. The person is handed a menu so they can choose what they would like to eat. How wonderful! What a fantastic idea! These homeless men, woman and children are treated with dignity and respect, AS THEY SHOULD BE.

The guests of the Cafe have access to the full range of Inspiration Corporation’s programs, including employment training and career services, voice mail, and subsidized housing. Inspiration Cafe’s goal is to help men and women overcome the causes of their homelessness and find stability by securing income and affordable housing. 

I was so inspired by this idea and what Lisa has done I started to cry. I was also inspired by True North snacks. They thought outside of the box. Rather than telling the world how wonderful “they” were, they told the world how wonderful a person Lisa is and how she has done something that has made the world a better place.

Thank you Lisa!  Thank you True North Snacks! I know your actions have inspired me and I know they will inspire others to do wonderful things! Has something inspired you? We would love to hear your story. 

Thanks! “Queen” Lizann!

Types of Teas

“All tea is not created equally”.  There are thousands of types.  Check out our “learn” page for interesting information our “Queen Stacey” has found!

Regrets…… only

Regrets Only……..  We regret to inform you………….  Regret this ….. Regret that……..

Sorry…. I am NOT living life with regret!  Lucille Ball said it best “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done”.

We all need to learn a lesson from this.  Sometimes we won’t try something new because we’re worried about how “it” will turn out.  I’m not talking about really risky behavior or something that’s harmful.  I’m talking about living life to the fullest.

My husband and I celebrated our 25th anniversary last week.  Those who know us – know we’ve gone through some tough times – as most people do.  The funny thing is… I’ve been sitting here trying to think of things I regret  (I mean really regret) and I can’t think of one.   I should  be regretting my decision to merge my former business – which cost my family EVERYTHING financially.  We wen’t through a couple or really rough years.

The amazing thing is - if I didn’t do that – I wouldn’t have started my current businesses.  I wouldn’t have had the freedom in my schedule to help out my in laws when they were ill.  I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to share a trip to China with my daughter when she was 16.    I would’nt be sitting here writing this.  I have  a pretty great life.  I can’t regret a few years of disruption.

The thing is – I could have let regret, anger, resentment and all those “lovely” emotions paralyze me.  I could have used my bad “luck” as an excuse to wallow in regret.  Instead…. I did…… We did.  And we still keep doing and trying.  At nearly 50 – my husband has decided to “switch teams” from skiing to snowboarding.   I watched him stuggle last week trying to get through the learning curve of a new “venture”.   I watched with pride.  (I’m still not trying it though!  I like my 2 skiis too much to give them up).  No regrets!

So….. go out and do something new today.  Try a new food you’ve always thought you’d hate.  Take a bike ride with your child.  Go sing Karaoke!   Whatever you do – do NOT regret something you COULD have tried – but didn’t!

Please share your thoughts below.  Please look for the comment area in our blog!  Be an inspiration!

How To Make a Good Cup of Tea

In the 8th Century the celebrated poet Lu Yu wrote that in order to enjoy a really delicious cup of tea a porcelain cup should be used, the smaller and finer the better.  Most people think making a cup of tea is a “no brainer”.  However, there is a science behind it!  I followed these directions and honestly, it was the best cup of tea!  So, get your porcelain cup and check out the Royal Recipes Blog Page for the directions….

Cooking with Tea

Who knew, Tea-not just for drinking! It’s a marinade, a tenderizer, a condiment and certainly a unique flavor. Check out the Royal Recipes Page for some great ideas for a “Tea Dinner Party”.

The History of “Tea” is very interesting!

This week my daughters and I had an American Girl Doll Tea Party. As we were drinking our tea, my daughter asked  me, ”How was tea discovered and by whom?”  This question sparked my curiosity. I had never thought of the “tea” itself. So, I did a little research on the subject…

In 2737 B.C., Legend has it that the first person to drink tea was a man named, Shien Non Shei, who one day took his wife and children mountain climbing. During the climb Shien Non Shei became quite thirsty and while he was feeling thirsty a leaf drifted onto his foot. He picked this leaf up and twisted the leaf with his fingers. The juice of the leaf went on to his fingers and he tasted the juice with his tongue. The taste of the juice was quite bitter, so Shien Non Shei felt that this leaf could have medicinal properties and could help quench thirst, when brewed. Thus, according to legend he was the first individual to drink tea. The rest is history!!!

Tea Bags…. and Women!

As I woke up this morning – I was thinking about the pretty amazing women I have in my life.  All have faced “something” in their lives.  But they all have the amazing ability to pick themselves up…… dust themselves off….. and go “on”.   I love  a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:

“A woman is like a tea bag…. You never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water”

Don’t get burned ….. get strong!

A “Hopping” Tea Party

What can be more fun than a bunny themed tea party?  Whether for easter or in the “Alice in Wonderland” tradition – check out our “Create” page for super Spring tea party ideas and our “Recipe” page for great recipes posted by our talented “Queen Stacey”.

Please……………….  share your own ideas with us to publish.  Just type in the comment area at the bottom of the page!

As a mother of two and having a husband who travels, I am always looking for fun activities to do with my children. Check out the Royal Recipes page and Create page in our blog for some great craft and party ideas – just in time for Easter!