When my mom came a few months ago, she brought me four coasters as my birthday present. I always struggle trying to figure out what to request as a special occasion gift. Christmas and birthdays and anniversaries are fun, but I always find I don’t need a single thing. A little thoughtful gift is more satisfying to me than anything expensive or extravagant. Unless it was a trip to an exotic island, then I’d be totally game. If someone wants to give me one of those, please go right ahead. But I digress. When I saw the photos she picked for these, I couldn’t help but tear up. My favorite places from home all of which I miss and can’t wait to visit again.
The first is the most beautiful street in my home town. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love this road. It’s also where we had some of our wedding party pictures taken. Gorgeous!
The second is the view from the porch of my grandparents' beach condo. All my life I have enjoyed visiting their NC beach. It is quiet, calm and relaxing. As a kid, I used to watch my grandmother fish and we used to beg my granddad to take us to the hot tub. I remember watching my granddad prepare the freshly caught fish and enjoying it home fried by my grandmother. I have such fond memories of visiting there.
The third is a beautiful photo from our family vacation in Blue Ridge. We have gone twice now to a cabin as a giant family. Autumn is my favorite season. The rainbow of changing leaves and the smell of bonfires is something I truly miss here. Our third visit is already scheduled for early next year. With a family as big as ours, we need a giant place to all stay under one roof. Being together is such a special thing. We enjoy cooking, game playing and sightseeing together.
The last is a photo of my grandparents’ house in North Georgia. I always look forward to going to their house and swinging on the front porch swing. I know their 50 acres well from countless walks through the woods. When we were kids, we used to climb trees, play hide and seek, and have three-legged races in the yard. Their log cabin is homey and welcoming and I love visiting there.
I use my coasters for tea time. Whenever I set my mug down, I decide where I’m going to have tea that day. The beach? The mountains? At home? My new favorite tea is this chai rooibos my mom found while she was here. I’ve always enjoyed the smell of chai tea but I had never had it because I don’t drink caffeinated drinks. However, the rooibos chai is decaf! It is great with a bit of milk and sugar.
If you’d like to receive some chai rooibos along with some genuine english toffees, just comment on the blog or on the link and tell me your favorite place to relax. The beach? The mountains? With family? At home? I’ll do a random drawing and post the winner soon. Then I’ll walk to the Mokhotlong post office and mail out your package. We’ll cross our fingers that it will have a safe and successful journey across the pond! Happy tea time!
~Abby