Here we are on the last day of August, and y’all know what that means! Labor Day is just around the corner and FALL starts in earnest! So let’s talk about all things “fall-ish”–it’s the favorite season of MANY people I know!
When I was growing up, I remember looking forward to the first day of school each year. “Back then” we didn’t start back to school in the fall until after Labor Day. In Oklahoma, it was still hot as blue blazes in September, but at least, the evenings and nights were cooling off. I dreaded seeing summer end, but by September, I was feeling the pull to go back to school, see my friends—and I’d never admit it—start learning again!
By the time October rolled around, things had definitely become more “fall-like” and the sun had taken on the “autumn slant” as the days grew shorter, as well. My mom used to take note of the seasonal changes very keenly, and I remember her saying, “Well, fall is here.” There was no need to explain—it was in the coolness of the air, the more orange tint of the sun, the shorter days.
Of course, to a child, “fall” meant that Halloween was coming! Back in those days, it was still safe to go door-to-door with friends, all of us together in the crisp night air, a giggling mass of energy all dressed in our finery (most of us with homemade costumes, not store-bought) and those little plastic pumpkins with the handles to carry our “loot” home in. “TRICK OR TREAT!” we’d call out at each door, and our neighbors would always pretend they thought they were giving candy to princesses and pirates, superheroes and witches.
November brought Thanksgiving—a time when we’d usually go to my grandparents’ houses. I was the “lucky” one of all my cousins (and I had 40+ cousins!) because in the small town of Calera, Oklahoma, I had my dad’s parents who lived at one end of town, and my mom’s parents who lived at the other end. Cousins, aunts, and uncles from both sides also lived there, so many of my cousins from both sides of the family went to school with each other and knew one another as friends and fellow sports teammates. Those were simpler times—we could walk all over town without fear of any foul play, and I had grandparents at each end of town, so no matter which cousins I was with, we had somewhere to walk to.
The big treat was stopping in at the one and only “grocery store”—more like an Old West mercantile store—that was about at the halfway mark through town. It had a glass case with bologna and ham inside and a big slicer that the store owner, Petey, would use to cut your lunchmeat. Then, he’d wrap it in freezer paper and tie it up with twine. Petey’s store also had one of those big chest-type coolers with a sliding top, filled with ice and bottled pop. That was back when a bottle of pop was ten cents or so—and a candy bar could be had for a few pennies more.
There’s nothing like family and Thanksgiving dinner all together to bring “Autumn Fever” to the highest level. Doesn’t Thanksgiving just speak to us of autumn? By that time of the year, even in Oklahoma, the leaves have turned some beautiful rich colors of gold, red, orange, and brown and drifted from the trees. The winds have become colder and more cutting (and that’s saying something here in Oklahoma!) and of course there’s that “fall smell” in the air. And probably that’s one of the things I love most about autumn—the smell. There is nothing like the feeling of being tucked up inside four strong walls with food to eat, a fire going in the fireplace, and a good book to read. And did I mention a dog’s head on my lap? But celebrating fall took on a whole new meaning when we moved to West Virginia. I had never seen colors on the trees like what we saw there–such a wonderful display of nature–and it happens every year!
I know a lot of people will think this is strange, but I’ve never been a coffee or hot tea drinker. Yet, in the fall, I DO want something warm to drink—and this is it. This drink is very easy to make and keep on hand—and I haven’t tried making it with any artificial sweetener yet, but this year I’m going to do just that instead of using sugar and see how it turns out. This “friendship tea” is also good to make and give as a gift in a pretty container (that’s how I got it in the very beginning, and I have been so glad someone did that for me so many years ago!)
FRIENDSHIP TEA
This wonderful drink is ready in 5 minutes, and makes 4 cups of the instant mix.
Ingredients:
1 -1 1/2 cup sugar (or less, to taste)
2 cups instant Tang orange drink
1/2 cup sweetened iced tea mix powder
1 (1/4 ounce) envelope unsweetened lemonade mix (about 1 and 3/4 cups)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (or you can also put in whole cloves if you like)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients well and store in an airtight container.
To use, fill a mug with boiling water and stir in 2-3 tsp. to taste (some like it stronger!)
This recipe has been around for many years, and it stands the test of time!
If all you can find is pre-sweetened lemonade, then use the amount of dry mix needed for a 2 -quart pitcher according to the package instructions and leave out the sugar.
This iteration of this recipe came from GENIUS KITCHEN and is close to the one I’ve had in my recipe box for all this time.
I have to admit, by Christmas, I’m certainly missing fall, and “Autumn Fever” takes on a new meaning—I want it BACK! As sad as I was to see summer end, that’s how I feel when the winter ice and snow comes—I’m immediately nostalgic for fall!
What do you do in the autumn months? Are you glad to see them come and herald summer’s end? I do read a lot, as I’m sure many of us do here at P&P. Please share any good books you’ve read so we can all build our reading list!
Right now, I’m re-reading one of Rosemary Rogers’s classic stories, SWEET SAVAGE LOVE--the book that got me reading romances all those years ago–all her stories are sooo darn good you can’t go wrong. Next on my list is another wonderful re-read– NOBODY’S DARLING by Teresa Medeiros.
I’d love to hear your childhood memories of fall–and I do hope you’ll try this wonderful “friendship tea” recipe when those autumn winds begin to blow—it’s a sure cure for AUTUMN FEVER!
Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for a digital copy of the wonderful PRAIRIE ROSE PUBLICATIONS boxed set MAIL ORDER BRIDES FOR SALE: THE REMINGTON SISTERS! This is a complete boxed set of four full length novels by Livia J. Washburn, Cheryl Pierson, Jacquie Rogers, and Celia Yeary!
Here’s the blurb to whet your appetite:
Brought up in the wealth and comfort of Eastern “old money” in staid and proper Philadelphia, the Remington sisters are forced to scatter to the four winds and become mail-order brides. In order to gain a fortune, their sinister step-father, Josiah Bloodworth, has made plans to marry them off in loveless marriages. Time is running out, and no matter what lies ahead in their uncertain futures, it has to be better than the evil they’re running from…
LIZZY: Livia J. Washburn
Elizabeth Remington’s world is turned upside down when she is forced to become a mail-order bride. With her cat, Fulton, Lizzy flees to Alaska—only to discover the man she’s to marry is not who she thought he was! Now, she must protect herself from the biggest danger of all—her own heart. Handsome Flint McKinnon has signed his soul away to her step-father, hasn’t he? He’s chased Lizzy across the continent, but can she believe him when he says he loves her?
BELLE: Jacquie Rogers
Belle Remington must marry someone before the dangerous Neville Fenster catches up with her. She hightails it out of Philadelphia to the wilds of Idaho Territory to become a bootmaker’s bride, but when she arrives in Oreana, she discovers her groom has been murdered! Now, handsome, inebriated rancher Cord Callahan insists on fulfilling the marriage contract himself. Belle is beautiful and smart as a whip. But she has a secret. When Fenster shows up, can Cord protect the woman he wants to love forever?
SABRINA: Cheryl Pierson
Impulsive Sabrina Remington, the youngest, weds a man she knows her family would disapprove of. Though Cameron Fraser’s family owns a ranch in lawless Indian Territory, he’s made his way in the world with a gun, living barely on the right side of the law. With everything on the line as Bloodworth and his henchmen close in, will Cam be able to protect Sabrina from the desperate man who means to kidnap her for his own wicked purposes?
LOLA: Celia Yeary
Sensible Lola Remington, the eldest of the four sisters, must be certain the others are on their way to safety before she can think of fleeing Philadelphia herself. With the help of a local bridal agency, Lola finds the perfect husband for herself—in the wild countryside of Texas. Jack Rains owns a ranch and he’s in need of a bride—and children, of course! But just when Lola starts to believe there might be a future for them, she discovers a hidden letter from another woman…Jack’s first wife.
HERE’S THE AMAZON LINK: http://a.co/d/5XSkiX7
A native Oklahoman, I've been influenced by the west all my life. I love to write short stories and novels in the historical western and western romance genres, as well as contemporary romantic suspense! Check my Amazon author page to see my work: http://www.amazon.com/author/cherylpierson
I live in Oklahoma City with my husband of 40 years. I love to hear from readers and other authors--you can contact me here: fabkat_edit@yahoo.com
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https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules
The nights got pretty cold in the fall were I grew up, and I remember snuggling under a warm quilt Mama had made and sleeping much better because of it.
Janice, that is a precious memory! I think when we are kids those memories are impressed on our minds (and hearts) forever. I know, sometimes I can even remember that “feeling” I had when I remember something like that, and it sounds like you did, too. I’m so glad you stopped by!
fun tea drink name
It’s also known as “Russian Tea”–no matter what, it’s YUMMY. ( I would just call it yummy tea!) LOL!
welcome today. my mom was an iced tea drinker in hot weather and in cold it was hot tea and friendship tea. myself, I prefer iced tea/water in hot weather and hot tea in cold weather. I used to love friendship tea, but now cant do all the sugar sigh. this sounds like a wonderful give a way. thanks for this chance. I love reading mail order brides and their journeys the first 9 years of my life was in Pasadena CA and we started school first of September. we moved to the Mohave Desert CA and started school mid September. In high school we moved to Illinois and started school first week of October. Our two kiddos started school first week of October
Lori, I have always loved this stuff, but like you, I can’t do a lot of high sugar intake any longer. I’ve been thinking of putting in Splenda and just seeing how that might work–maybe just changing up a couple of things would make it drinkable for those of us that can’t use the sugar so much. I grew up in a small Oklahoma town and I don’t ever remember starting school until after Labor Day–probably because none of our schools were air-conditioned and it was just too hot in August. My kids started school in late August, but the schools were all air conditioned by then where they went to school here in Oklahoma City. Now, 17 years since my oldest graduated, they are starting school in some of these districts the 2nd week in August.
I love fall – it is when My Grandmother, Mom and I all have birthdays! The smells and colors are wonderful and different every year!
How cool to have close birthdays with your mom and grandmother! We lived in West Virginia for about 10 years and there is just nothing to compare with the beauty of the countryside and foliage out there in the fall. Growing up in Oklahoma as I did, I had not ever seen anything like it when we moved out there when I was 17. In our family, the birthdays all fall in September–both my kids, two of my sister’s kids, and a dear family friend. The only people in our entire family whose birthday was even near mine was my dad’s father, July 23, and one of my cousins, July 22– Mine is July 28. I agree with you about the colors, smells, and that ‘nip’ in the air. Love that, and wish it could just stay that way until spring. But alas…winter always comes. LOL
Florida does NOT participate in Fall! We don’t really participate in Spring, either. Winter we sometimes participate in, but summer we have almost all year!
HAHAHAAAA! I LOVE IT! You know, I think I could “do” Florida just fine! There are many years I just hate to see our summer end, but this year, we have had very little rain and everything is baked to a fare-the-well so that’s why I’m anxious to see fall. We’ve had some cooler evenings lately and oh, my goodness! My dogs have been the happiest boys on earth! They get out and chase and play like they are puppies again. It’s been so hot they’ve only been able to go out just briefly and then we have to come back in again due to the heat, so they are feeling like birds out of a cage right now.
We’ve had 90 and above temps for about 117 days I think they said last night. Well, technically, that’s Orlando, and we’re usually a degree or two cooler, but we’ve had those feels like over 100 days for more days than I care to count! They said last year was about 137, I think, with 90 and above. The record was 150 days but that was back in 1919. That’s one record I wouldn’t want broken!
Oh, my gosh, Trudy. That is something else! We had one summer several years back I can remember that we had over 30 days of 100+ degree weather, and that was bad enough!
I love Autumn, it is my favorite season. I’m a November gal, I love cooler weather, boots, sweaters, college football, fall colors, spicy scents of apples baking, etc…
It’s been years since I’ve had friendship tea. Thanks for the recipe.
Hope you have a wonderful Fall.
Denise, I really love fall too–it’s just winter I despise. LOL And of course, that’s always coming right along. Sometimes we have a really short fall and then winter hits us. We don’t always get a lot of snow, but we are just about guaranteed to have at least one crippling ice storm every year, and sometimes more than one. Always leads to several deaths, usually in car accidents. So I have been in the “stock up for winter” mentality ever since we lived in West Virginia many years ago. I get really nervous if I don’t have the basics at all times. LOL I hope you enjoy the Friendship Tea!
I must admit, that I get every moment of summer I can. We can get early snow sometimes in late October and early November. I can remember a few Halloweens having it snow. But that what happens when you live in Canada. In fall I cozy up on the sofa with a hot beverage, usually tea and a good book.
Kathleen, you sound like a kindred spirit! I have always felt that way, too. I LOVE SUMMER! I think I have just been anxious for a change this year because the heat has been sooooo bad and we’ve had so little relief. Many, many days over 100, and many others that have been close to it. We have had a few Halloweens with snow here, too! But the weather can be really crazy in this part of the world. I remember one year, as a kid, all my neighborhood friends and I asked for sleds. It was “the thing” that year. Well, we got our wish, and that year was had a Christmas that was close to 80 degrees! LOL
Michigan usually has a long winter and a short spring and summer. Fall comes in and lasts maybe 8 weeks if we are lucky. I love the colors in the fall.
Karijean, West Virginia was like that too. Fall lasted a good long while. I loved that about living there. But when winter hit, we got a lot of snow. I had to learn to drive on it safely–I had to get to work! And there were the curvy roads combined with the heavy snow, AND I had to learn to drive a stick shift and hadn’t been doing that very long…There were a couple of very exciting winters, to put it mildly, before I got comfortable with all that. LOL
I’m ready for Fall, those crisp temperatures and brilliant colors!
Yes! I’ll just be glad to have the cooler temps. It’s been so hard here this summer on livestock, even. It got so hot that cows were dropping dead from the heat at one point. I tried to leave a dog sized water bowl on the patio at all times for the birds and squirrels, and they sure took advantage of it.
Good morning, Cheryl! I really enjoyed this glimpse into your childhood!! If only kids today could have such small-town freedom and happy memories as you – and I – did. Sometimes, i wish social media had never been invented – not always good for our kids!
I’m a summer-and-sun girl, and while I love autumn, too, it only means that winter is right around the corner, and I pretty much hate Nebraska winters.
Oh, that friendship tea brings back memories!! I loved that drink – so good!!!
Hey, Pam! Awwww, thank you! I totally agree with you about those bygone days. Yeah…I remember getting our first color tv, and what a wonder that was, and we actually could “sometimes” get FOUR CHANNELS. Always got the networks, but if the stars aligned, we could sometimes get PBS, as well. That was our “technology”–oh, and a transistor radio! LOL
Yes, I feel the same way about looking forward to autumn, but just dreading winter. I think a lot of that, for me, is having kids (yes, they are “kids” even though they’re grown up now!) out driving on those bad roads, and the worry that comes with that.
You know, I don’t drink a lot of hot drinks, but that friendship tea is one I never get tired of. I’m going to experiment and try to figure out a way to at least cut back on the sugar.
Hugs! I’m so glad to see you!
I remember in elementary school, collecting colorful fall leaves and pressing them between 2 sheets of waxed paper with a warm iron trying to make a picture of something with them. We always had plenty of leaves to rake up in the yard at home. We had fun jumping in them, but I also loved the smell of burning the leaves, I will always think of fall whenever I smell leaf smoke in the air. Several years ago, some of my co-workers brought some friendship tea mix to work and several of us shared to make a warm drink during our break. It was very good!
Connie, I love that smell of burning leaves, too, though it’s not common anymore where I live here in the city. We had several elm trees in our yard, growing up, but the man across the street from us on the corner had a silver-leaf maple. There was a street light nearby, and many was the time I’d go into the bathroom and peek out that window and watch the wind blow those leaves and turn them silver by the light of that street lamp! In the fall, those leaves that fell from that tree were just gorgeous!
I have a memory of a task we as high school students did each year. We went out to the older residents in our small town of 2,500 to 3,000 people to remove screens and put up storm windows in the fall. Also raking and clean up for them to make their transition into the fall and winter season easier. I really love the smell of the leaves beginning to turn colors and the wonderful fall breeze and everything about fall. Until it began to turn cold that is! How I miss those days when it was a time of innocence before reaching the age to take on the responsibility of a job after graduation. Oh sweet memories!
Judy, I love that your high school taught your young people to help and care for the elderly that needed someone to do those things for them! I wish more schools did things like that. When I was leader of my daughter’s Brownie troop (MANY YEARS AGO!) we had the girls do things for nursing home residents–make “tray favors” for holidays, go sing Christmas carols, and so on. Those girls were 5-6 when we started that troop and my daughter was in it until 5th grade. We got another mom to join myself and my co-leader, and this 3rd mom knew EVERYTHING there was to know about Girl Scouts. So I learned a lot and we tried to think up things the girls could do “in service to others” to work on their badges and so on. But there just aren’t many community things like that in today’s world that are there to teach young people how to think of others. You were very lucky.
I miss those days of innocence, too. It’s really unrealistic to expect an 18-year-old who has just graduated to go right in to an adult world and have to try to figure out how they’re going to live. But, so many good memories of childhood days and highschool years, too–you’re right. A time of innocence!
Hi Cheryl. I am definitely ready for Fall, I like all the seasons for different reasons, but this summer has really been hot and not very good at all for my plants here in West Texas. I love Fall because of the weather cooling down and the leaves turning and falling, I also love the sound of fallen leaves when they are stepped on . I will always cherish my memories of when I was growing up of Fall and the cooler weather . After school my siblings and I would go outside to play for awhile while our mom fixed supper, she would call us in when supper was ready and I remember and can still smell the hot cocoa as we walked inside the house. My mom would make us a big pot of hot cocoa on the stove so that we could have it with our dinner. Lots of great memories. I had never heard of Friendship Tea, it sounds good, thank you for sharing the recipe. Have a great rest of the week and stay safe.
Alicia, this summer has been a killer! I don’t know–maybe I’m just getting old and cranky. But I truly have wondered often this summer how our ancestors survived living here in summers like this with no air conditioning. I remember when I was growing up, though, neither one of my grandparents’ houses had any kind of a/c–just box fans. And even when we’d go to visit them, Daddy would pack up OUR box fans and take them with us so we’d have a cool breeze (somewhat) when we went to sleep.
You have some very precious memories of your childhood days, for sure. By the time I was 8, I was the only one of my siblings in the house, as my sisters were 10 and 12 years older than I was. Dad worked in the oilfield, so had very odd hours, and it was, many times just Mom and me there at the house. No fast food then to speak of. I didn’t have siblings there to play with, but my best friend lived right across the street from me, and there were so many kids in our neighborhood, so always someone to play with. I remember one time my best friend’s mom made “Mexican Hats” and I got to eat dinner with them–Oh, I thought I’d never had anything so wonderful. A piece of fried bologna with a scoop of leftover mashed potatoes on top of it–the edges of the bologna curled up to make the “hat” and then you put a cheese slice on the top of it all. I thought that was the best thing I’d ever had in my life! LOL
Hope you enjoy the Friendship Tea! So glad you stopped by today!
I am so ready for fall the cooler tempt. and beautiful colors! Have a great day!
Sarah, I am ready for those cooler temps this year too! You have a great day, too, and we’ll look forward to fall together!
Aww, Cheryl I love the recipe for Friendship Tea! Sounds like my mama’s spiced tea which we drank a lot of, especially in the winter or if we had a sore throat! lol These books sound so awesome! I’m from a family of Okies, but I am the oddball, having been born in Ft. Worth. TX. But. I was so proud to be different. When I was little, around 3-5 yrs old, I told everybody that I was a “Long, tall Texan”, from the famous song! Anyway, I’ve been living in Oklahoma since I was 15 in Ardmore or near Ardmore! We are not too far from each other!!
Oh, wow, Lana! That’s cool that we are so close! I have a LOT of relatives and ancestors ( you know me and my Ancestry . com journey I’m on right now!) who came “up from Texas” to Oklahoma “back in the day”–many of my relatives just stayed in Texas. I think that is so funny–I remember that song about the “long, tall Texan…” (I ride a big white horse…He rides from Texas on a big, white horse…) Now you know I’ll have that song on the brain for the rest of today! LOL You know, I bet that friendship tea would be GREAT for a sore throat! I’m going to remember that this winter! Thanks for stopping by, and I’m so glad you mentioned living so close!
Cheryl, fall is my favorite season and I just love everything about it. The cooler weather is much better for my MS. I don’t do well in the heat so my heart is happy to say goodbye to it. I’ve had that Friendship Tea before and it’s delicious. I need to make me a cup.
Hey, Linda! I know y’all have been having the same kind of summer we have here in Oklahoma! UGH…yep, this year I’m ready for fall, but be sure and remember I said that so you can remind me along about New Year’s, cause we know what comes AFTER fall…LOL
Yes, that friendship tea is really comforting and WONDERFUL!
Fall is my favorite season! When I saw your pic above, I immediately thought of WV & the name Rick Burgess rang a bell. 🙂 I lived in WV for six years when I was a kiddo (from the age of 8-14) & I’ve not seen the colors of fall matched anywhere else! WV is beautiful anytime of year, but fall is just spectacular!!! We traveled to WV several times before moving there & I go back to visit every chance I get since moving back to Missouri in ’87. WV will always hold a big piece of my heart. <3
Here in SWMO, we live only two hours from Branson & one of my very favorite things to do in the fall is go to Silver Dollar City, I love the crisp coolness in the air, the pretty colors of the season, & the memories of past visits with my family. We’ve had a very hot summer here this year & I’m looking forward to the cool, beautiful days of Fall! 🙂 <3
I’m not a tea or coffee drinker either… not fond of the taste of them. It has to be really cold for me to enjoy a hot drink & when I do, my choice is hot chocolate. 🙂
That is soooo cool. I hardly ever meet anyone from WV, or anyone who has lived there. Believe it or not, and I’m sure you’ve run into this too, a lot of people don’t realize there is an actual STATE of West Virginia. They think when you say “West Virginia” you are talking about living in the western part of VIRGINIA. We moved out there from Oklahoma the summer before I started me senior year in high school. I was one very sad senior! LOL But I met my hubby out there, so all worked out for the best. I know Missouri must remind you a LOT of West Virginia, with the beautiful foliage! It’s been hot here in Oklahoma, too, and I am really looking forward to some cooler days. We’ve had some cooler early mornings and evenings, and boy, my dogs are loving it!
I don’t drink coffee–I like how it smells but not the taste. But…I’m a Dr Pepper FIEND. LOL In the winter I will drink friendship tea, but have to not drink too much because of the sugar, and that stuff is so good, it’s pretty addictive, so I try to just limit myself.
I love Rick’s photography. He has such an ‘eye’ for it and every picture he takes is just gorgeous work. I see my link disappeared for going to his page to see other pictures of his, but he’s got a facebook page, if you are interested in seeing more. He is so talented!
Thanks for coming by today–warms my heart to hear you talk about West Virginia. It’s my second home, too!
Yes, besides the people I already know, I don’t meet many from WV either. I think most people who are born there tend to stay there. Can’t blame them… it’s a place that gets in your bones & fills your heart. I’m glad to find someone who loves it as much as I do. It’s a beautiful place! 🙂
I LOVE Fall. It is my favorite season. I am not a hot weather fan so always look forward to the end of summer. I grew up in apple country of Northern New York State and apple season was a bonus. There are apples grown where we live now, but “of course” they aren’t as good as those from NNY. We try to go north every Fall to stock up. I never really minded winter except when the weather got bitterly cold or the roads were bad. Winter walks in the woods were always delightful. A different experience than other times of the year. On days when it is snowing, if you are very still, you can actually hear the snow hitting the branches and ground. It is a good time to practice your tracking skills. So much can be learned from signs left in the snow.
I have a similar recipe to your Friendship Tea but it is called Russian Tea. Many years I made multiple batches and included jars of it with Christmas gifts. It is a good relaxing drink on a cool or cold evening. I haven’t made it in a while and will do it this year for gifts. It is a nice addition to a plate of cookies.
I have the MAIL ORDER BRIDES FOR SALE: THE REMINGTON SISTERS, but haven’t read it yet. Not sure why. I love mail order bride stories. One issue is books on kindle are hard to keep track of easy to forget you have them.
I do miss those “simpler days.” We played outside all day and sometimes into the evening. You could walk or ride your bike where you wished and not have to worry. Life was an adventure and imaginations were a big part of our lives. The library was a refuge I walked the mile or so to every Saturday and spent the day reading books on science and ancient history. The world has changed and not always for the better. A bit of simplification would benefit us all.
Enjoy the rest of summer and have a great Fall.
Patricia, those snowy walks sound wonderful. Even though I’m not a winter person, you made me think of Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost with that description of yours!
When we lived in West Virginia, I taught piano lessons my sr. year in high school One of my students gave me a really cute jar of that along with the recipe for my Christmas gift and I think that has been one of the best gifts I ever got! I bet I have drunk gallons of that stuff over the years since that first cup so long ago! She labeled it “Russian Tea”, too.
Oh, I hope you’ll get to read about the Remington sisters before too long! I know what you mean about forgetting all the books we have on our kindles! It’s easy to do.
My mom would drop me off at the library on Saturday mornings when she went to the beauty shop to get her hair done. That gave me 2-3 hours to just look and read and pick out my stash of books to take home every week. What treasured times those were!
So glad you stopped by today. Like you, I miss those simpler times, too.
That poem by Frost is one of my favorites. The library was my escape. I am the oldest of 6 and there was little privacy or me time at home. I never did check out books. What reading I could fit in was at school or from my aunt. She had a nearly complete set (for the time) of Nancy Drew books and generously let me borrow them. It really wasn’t until high school that I was checking out books from the school library.