Virtual Advent Tour 2013

 
I am honored to be the fourth stop in the  Virtual Advent Tour . I am sharing this day with Kelley from the road goes ever ever on . This is a new me blogger and I am looking forward to checking out her post for today and her blog as well.
 
 
Before getting into my post I just want to thank  Kailana from The Written World and Marg from Adventures of an Intrepid Reader who take the time each year to organize this for everyone. They have been organizing this for over 5 years.
 
To see the other tour stops in the Virtual Advent Tour CLICK HERE 
 
I always find it hard to come up with a post idea and trying to figure out what everyone else could be writting about so its not repeating but its very hard. 
 
So this year I thought I would share a great gift idea that you can give that will give back in case your looking for something to give a friend, a family member, a teacher etc
 
This year I decide to give a gift that will make a lasting impact in our world and that is the gift that gives back. With every gift I buy I give back to the Free the Children community wither it be free education, clean water, food, health care etc.

 
Along with the usual Christmas cards I send out to friends and family I am incoperating some of the Me To We cards. They sale for $4.50 at Chapters.
 

The cards I have seen at my local Chapters are bright and jolly, and they have a variety of cards to choose from and I think this card is the perfect way to spread some holiday cheer and give back. Not only during Christmas but throughout the year.

The thing I like best about this is that with my purchase of these cards I am also giving  a child overseas pencils and that gives them the gift of education and opening up a whole new world of learning.

The recipients I send my cards and gifts to can track their impact with each card. The back of each card includes a unique eight-digit code that recipients can enter online at trackyourimpact.com to learn more about where their life-changing gift was delivered.

The other thing I am giving is the Rafiki Friend Chains. They can be worn as a necklace, bracelet, anklet or headband.

Each Rafiki Friend Chain you buy is handmade by a Maasai mama who earns a fair wage to send her children to school and helps you, the consumer, make a socially conscious fashion statement.

They come in five different colors, the Water Rafiki is a mixed blue which will give clean water for a year to a person, Health Rafiki is a mixed red, this will give health care to one child for a year, Education Rafiki is multi colored and this will give school supplies for a year to a child, Food Rafiki is mixed green and this will give a month of healthy meals to a child and Income Rafiki which is a multi colored black and white which gives sustainable financial tools to enpower women.

I know my local chapters only has the Water and Education Rafiki’s available and they are $10.00 but other locations might have different ones in stock. If not then you can always check the We to Me to order them.

Would this be something you would give?

I aplogize for the photos as I had to take them from the We To Me website since my computer is acting wonky and not letting me upload my camera.

 
 
 
 
 
 
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

24 Days of Tea 2013 Edition/ Day 3

 
Its day 3 of the 24 Days of Tea.
 
The tea of the day is:
 
 

We’re jammin’

Blueberries might just be the greatest fruit around – after all, they’re the star ingredient of North America’s favourite muffin. And hundreds of years before moms were making them into jams, jellies and cakes, blueberries were called “star berries” and revered for their healing powers. Another little known fact about blueberries is that they make for one great cup of tea – when you blend them with black tea, elderberries, cornflowers and stevia, it’s the perfect companion to your morning toast. (MK Kosher)

Ingredients

Organic: black tea**, blueberries, elderberries, pink cornflower petals, stevia. With organic and natural flavouring*.

Sadly I was unable to drink this because of the allergy to blueberries I have but it smelled really good.

I did make it for a friend and she told me that she really liked it. She was a little surprise that it was in the 24 days of tea because she feels as though this is more of a summer tea then a winter tea. She also commented that this would probably make the perfect ice tea in the summer.

I am wondering if I am wrong in assuming that all future teas will be based on other seasons and not just winter? Is that okay to have?

Since I missed out on today’s tea I am anxious for tomorrows and I can’t wait.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

24 Days of Tea 2013 Edition/ Day 2

 
Welcome to day 2 in the 24 days of Tea.
 
The tea for today is:
 
 

High altitude taste

Have you heard of the barbegazi? According to Swiss lore, they are a group of furry little men that live high in the Alps. They are known for their long, icy beards and enormous feet, which they use to ski down hills and surf on avalanches. But how do they stay warm up in the frozen mountains all year round? We like to think it’s with a fortifying brew like this almond-scented rooibos, with apple, cinnamon, and ginger. If you see some very big footprints next time you’re out hiking, follow them to the barbegazi’s cave and see if they offer you a cup. Limited edition.

Ingredients

Rooibos, coconut chips and rasps, apple pieces, cinnamon pieces, ginger bits, cardamom, black pepper, rose blossoms, almond flakes, artificial flavouring*.

Allergens: Tree nuts and coconut

This is a favorite of mine right now. I loved the smell and to me this is the perfect fall tea and one I would certainly buy this when I am done the tin.

I loved the taste of this and no extra sugar was needed. You can also nibble of the coconut chips, apple pieces and the almond flakes.

So far so good with the teas. Would you drink this?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

24 Days of Tea 2013 edition/ Day 1

Today is the first day of the 24 days of Tea. I am so excited and can’t wait to dip into this box.
 
The tea today is:
 
Say what you will about winter, but it might just be our favourite season. We love getting good and chilly out in the snow. And warming back up with a comforting drink is even more fun. So we created a cool, creamy drink that brings togethereverything we love about the season. It has peppermint for a burst of freshness. White chocolate for comfort and warmth. And pretty peppercorns just to make you smile. Sweet, comforting and refreshing, it’s a warm hug and a cool winter’s day – all at once. Limited edition.

Ingredients

Peppermint, white chocolate, pink peppercorn, stevia leaf, natural sugar flavoring, natural and artificial white chocolate mousse flavoring*.
Contains milk and soy.

This is my second year of having the 24 Days of Tea advent calendar and I have to say that this year the box is much cuter then it was last year.

I love the element of surprise and when I opened the box I was happy to see that today’s was White Chocolate Frost. I am not a huge fan of white chocolate but I was pretty impressed with the tea. I enjoyed the cup I brewed. The only thing was I had to add a touch of sugar to it. This one will definitely be used up.

The tea was perfect for today because it was a chilly day out and it was a perfect day to curl up on the couch with a book and this tea.

As you can see the daily tea comes in reusable metal tins (can’t wait to use these for something) with enough tea for 3-4 cups of tea. You also get instructions on the tab on how much tea you need to make a perfect cup.

Are you a fan of tea? Is this something you would want to try?

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Countdown to Christmas 2013

 
I am in total shock as I sit and write this post, can you believe tomorrow is December 1st?
 
Were did the year go? It literally just felt like yesterday was summer vacation. This year has definetly flew by at record speed didn’t it?
 
I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that starting tomorrow I will be doing my countdown to Christmas. I know last year was a bust so I am hoping that this year will be a better year.

I actually have the Lego Advent calendar ready to go to give Michael tomorrow morning as this is his favorite advent calendar to get year after year so we will be sharing what he opened each day.

I won’t be posting what he got in lego daily but instead doing it every saturday.

 
 
I will also being doing the Davids Tea advent calendar and showing what the tea of the day is. I really enjoyed it last year and I am dying to share it with you this year.
 
I will be posting the tea daily. I will try to make a collage of the pictures so its not to heavy in pictures
 
Do you still do advent calendars? What is your favorite?
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

In Bed With a Book #2/ Fakebook

 
My awesome friend Kate from Midnight Book Girl has introduced a new blog hop/meme to her blog called In Bed With a Book. This was a Sunday feature on her blog (and I believe she is still doing it on Sundays) and its basically a meme that you share what book you are reading today/this week.
 
There will be a link on her blog every Sunday so you can put your book there no matter what day of the week it is.
 
I was doing so good with my posts on Sunday but then things in life got in the way so I am thinking that this could be a good way to get back into doing this meme.
 
Since this is a blog hop you have to check out what everyone else is reading. Now this is a catch 22 because you will discover new blogs but you will always be adding books to your every growing wishlists.
 
I think for right now I am going to be making this my regular Wednesday posting.
 
This week I will be reading this:
 
 
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

To go or Not to go to this Author Event

 
I was just checking out the Chapters website to see what authors were going to be at my local Chapters and I spotted this:
 
Colin Mochrie will be signing this book Thursday November 28th at 7pm.
 
The book sounds really funny.
 

Colin Mochrie, a man known worldwide for working without a script, tackles the classics in this surprising, delightful collection of stories.

Borrowing from a well-known improv game, Mochrie takes the first and last lines from familiar classics and reimagines everything in between. With the same engaging humour he exhibits on stage, television, and film, he takes the reader in bizarre and hilarious new directions.

Imagine Herman Melville”s Moby-Dick featuring a killer toupée. Imagine Sherlock Holmes doing stand-up and The Night Before Christmas with a time-travelling twist. This inspired collection is comical, quirky, and clever-classic Mochrie.

 
copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.