Tuesday Tea: A Sweet Reward for a Diligent Homemaker

 

Ahhh…what a wonderful feeling when the breakfast dishes are put away, the counters are wiped,  the laundry has been deftly sorted in piles and the washer is merrily singing away on the first load of the day! Hopefully, the living room has been all tidied from the family activities of the night before and the bed has been neatly made with ‘hospitable corners’. (Thank goodness we don’t have to do THAT anymore!LoL).   The morning rush is finally over and everyone is busy at their day’s work whether job, school work, or play time for the little ones or nap time. It’s my favorite time of day…time for tea!

I’ve always felt that tea time is the homemaker’s reward for a morning well spent.  It’s something I really have to work towards, but if I’m doing my ‘morning routine’ the way I should, 10:00 am is that perfect time. Yes, I still have lots to do, errands to run, receipts to tally, rooms to clean, and phone calls to make and a myriad of other projects to complete, but this is the time of day that I most look forward to..a morning break from the rush of the morning with the misc. chores finished and the house tidied. (If the house isn’t tidy—I don’t enjoy the tea time!) :o)

 

That’s when Rebekah and I like to sit together at the dining room window with our cups of hot tea or coffee and perhaps a little toast to chat about yesterday’s events and the things on our minds. It’s a good time to listen to what is on her heart.  And when she isn’t there, I have a little chat with the Lord about what’s on MY heart or more importantly..vice-versa. 

Tea time is more important nowadays, I think, because it gives us the motivation to STOP and be STILL…and just enjoy life..even if only for half an hour. I think other cultures understand the importance of this little ritual  better than we Americans ever will. We are too rarely quiet..too rarely thoughtful…and we’ve lost the value of ‘routine’.  It’s not only important to know when to Start but also when to Stop.  :o)

I’m the worst for failing to do this. I used to be very good at it when the children were smaller and I had more control over the schedule, but this is one of those busy seasons of life where I have to MAKE time for God..and tea… because it simply won’t happen otherwise.   Enter Rebekah, my daughter, who pulls me away even when I haven’t thought to stop for that break in the day.

It seems like the topic of stress is always making headlines on magazine covers. I don’t remember seeing it that often as a headline when I was a young homemaker. I  personally think it’s become an epidemic in today’s culture. Perhaps it’s because we have forgotten the fine art of rest… naps…tea time..and Sunday’s off.

What I love best about tea time is that I take the time to be in the MOMENT…to enjoy my orderly home, the birds chattering and soaring through the tree tops, the blooming bulbs in the window sill..the happy chatter and antics of toddlers.  Every season of life has it’s beauty as does every place.

What about you? Do you need to rediscover the art of quieting yourself?

Don’t let time drag you through the day  like a runaway horse. Take hold of the reins, tidy up before going to bed, and in the morning, you too can have your morning chores done and be able to have that special quiet time for a break.  Whether you are at home or at a job, do those important little ‘daily’ tasks early, so you can really rest at your ‘break time’.  When I worked, I used to make a real point of going outside to sit in a quiet place or of finding a quiet corner to be alone.  Nature is the best reviver in a less than cozy environment.  And it’s a must for those of us who spend a little too much time working indoors. :o)

What about you? How do you ‘revive yourself’ during a break in an otherwise hectic day?

I love these quotes from Natasha’s 5 Minutes Just For Me.. Tuesday Tea post.

You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. C.S. Lewis

and

Tea is liquid wisdom. ~Anonymous

My new bloggy friend, Kathy, at A Delightsome Life shared a lovely recipe for cream puffs by Laura Caulder last week for Tuesday Tea. It looks just delicious! And the music she plays on her blog..sigh..I could listen to it all day! 

Do drop by and visit her lovely blog and read her tea time post. :o)

Sharon of Faith, Hope, and Cherry tea wrote such an inspiring post about God’s love for us and the true meaning of love. It was very encouraging to me. She writes such faith-filled posts. I always want to say, “YES” when I read her thoughts on God’s word. And the music she plays on her blog..sigh..I could listen to it all day! Do drop by and visit her lovely tea time post.:o)

England..shared by Rayanne

And Rayanne…dear Rayanne shared that she was having one of those days—a bad haircut day.. It just so happens that I was too! It’s one of the most powerful and amazing things to me, that we ladies, at tea time can share our hearts whether we are having a lovely day..or are struggling for one reason or another or just can’t get our hair right—tee-hee!. And that our bloggy friends, will always be there to encourage us, is one of the reasons I consider the internet a blessing. We women don’t often get to visit from door to door as we once did..but now we can…via bloggyland. She has been such an encouragement to me…and I hope I can always be that for her too…and for you. :o)


 What are your having for tea today? What is on your heart..and what are your favorite tea time rituals. Let’s chat.. I’d love to hear from you and feel free to join our linky party. :o)

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2nd Corinthians 1:3,4

Linking with
Raising Homemakers Homemaking Link up

Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday

The Plumed Pen's  Tea for Two

Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday

Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday