Monday, January 11, 2010

Project? Tea Time


It's project Monday...and I don't have a project to share. Here's where this blog of ours crosses over between our crafting lives and the messier stuff. If you've been following along, you know that I have breast cancer that metastasized to my liver. My liver is doing great--happily regenerating every day according to the scans. The problem is, I feel like the chemo is killing the rest of me. After my dose this past Tuesday, I quickly developed neuropathy, basically nerve damage. I've been experiencing numbness in my fingers and toes, but it's now more like burning pain. I'm also having eye problems. You can imagine how frustrating it was trying to thread my sewing machine to make a little tea cozy for my son's new tea set. It just didn't happen.

I was disappointed and cried, I admit. But then I thought, why not learn something from this month's theme? I need to turn over a new leaf, so to speak, a new way of thinking. Did I mention we're putting out 18 month old boy in day care for the first time this week? There's just a lot happening that I never would have imagined for my life. I can cry and agonize over it all (and I still will occasionally), or I can take a deep breath and take it easy.

While my little angel was taking his afternoon nap, I made some tea and just sat down.






Cinnamon Ginger Tea:
4 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
1 piece of ginger, peeled and sliced

Bring water and spices to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes. I added a little Agave Nectar and a splash of soy milk.

Ginger Green Tea:
4 cups water
2 mint green tea bag (I used decaf)
1 piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
lemon juice
honey or agave nectar

Bring water and ginger to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add tea bags and steep, covered for another 5 minutes or so. Add lemon juice and honey or agave nectar to taste.





What is tea time without a little treat? My mom was served these cookies, called Biscoff on the plane home from my house and loved them. So, she ordered enough to last through this century and sent me several bags worth. I should really say that she sent them for her sweet grandson who loves a little afternoon cookie snack. Who doesn't? Ari actually discovered dunking this week. I gave him a Biscoff and glass of milk and, without any prompting, he dunked the cookie...a huge grin spread across his face followed by the sound of pure joy. I experienced the same joy today. After fighting with my sewing machine, struggling with my numb fingers and ever-sore throat, I decided I deserved a spoonful of vanilla bean ice cream on a Biscoff. My throat and soul were soothed.

25 comments:

  1. Kindness. I cannot speak for everyone, but kindness is a hard thing to offer to oneself. I push myself and push myself and get angry and frustrated when I fail. In reality, the only thing I am failing is me. I fail to offer myself the kindness of appreciating what I can and do accomplish. I commiserate with your struggles, remembering all too well the struggles my husband went through, but am also learning that the best thing I can do for me is to love me. I need to let go of the things I can not do and appreciate the smiles of my children while they are still young enough to want to play with me. I think it is great that you and your son were able to cheers over a cookie of love. Best medicine. Medicine for the soul

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  2. I'm just full of tears lately and reading your post, brought more. You are so strong and manage to do the most amazing things, even when you are feeling your worse. You are my hero! I'm going to make a cup of tea, have a Biscoff and imagine we are sitting on our deck enjoying a warm summer day with no worries or pain. I love you my sweet daughter.

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  3. Dear Kelly,
    You continually amaze me. You inspire me and amaze me Kelly. I do not fully have the words but your post is incredible. The light inside of you that I could clearly see and was moved by the very first time I 'spoke' with you has never changed through everything you are going through. You inspire me in my everyday life with my family, just reading that you took this time with Ari to make this tea and special treat and enjoyed this moment will speak to me today and every day with my children and will keep me mindful of my time and how I choose to spend it. I have asked some trusted friends through email who are also a part of the wellness tree to keep you in their daily prayers. These girls keep in touch and let me know they are praying for you without ceasing and that they are lighting a candle sending out as much love and peace to you as they can and hope that you can feel this love from their families. It is as if my kids 'know' you, they ask about you and pray for you and feel in pieces we do know you. My mom is a very spiritual person and has put your name on three separate prayer chains. Warmest wishes to you Kelly and to your sweet family. And by the way you sure do know how to make a really delicious sounding treat! : ) xoxo Love, Nicole

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  4. You have held a special spot in our family's prayers.
    This tea sounds great - what a simple but so good for you idea. Thank you for sharing.
    We will keep you close in our hearts.
    Warm wishes, Tonya

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  5. Kelly, our family has been holding you up in prayer daily. Your perspective is just lovely considering the hardships facing you. Thanks for the tea recipes. Blessings, Joy

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  6. Hi Kelly,
    I sent you the little box of hope as part of the wellness tree project. I had somethings come to me after praying for you that I wanted to share. One is this post I read on chelsea's blog shortly after praying for you:
    http://chelseab.typepad.com/lady_i_swear_by_all_flowe/2010/01/may-light-stream-into-you-that-can-take-hold-of-you-i-follow-its-rays-with-the-warmth-of-my-love-i-think-with-my-thinking.html#comment-6a01053581f851970b012876c2fb80970c
    The other bit I'd like to share via email if you are up for that. If not, I understand so I'll give you mine and you can let me know....elizablessed at yahoo com
    Glad to read that your spirits are bright despite these new health issues.
    Blessings~elizabeth

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  7. Oh my precious Kelly,

    How I wish I was with you. I love you.

    Kan

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  8. Kelly, I too have tears for what you are going through and I had to take a deep breath and thank God that you are strong and will get through this. You and your family are always in our thoughts and prayers and we love you very much. Barb

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  9. Nicole (Frontier Dreams)January 11, 2010 at 9:19 AM

    Kelly,
    I am not the best with words but I wanted you to know that my girls and I have been praying for you every day. You are so amazing and inspiring. Your little one is so blessed.

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  10. you are so strong! i am so happy that you found some comfort and peace simply by sitting and enjoying some tea and treats. my hope for you is to keep finding comfort and peace in the little things.....

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  11. Kelly,

    Good for you for listening to what you needed in the moment. You are in my thoughts and prayers this day and always. May you feel the loving supportive presence of all of your women friends in the blog world. Thinking of you and wishing you healing and peace. xo

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  12. Kel, even though we don't see each other every day, know that I hug you and tell you I love you from wherever I am, sis. And when I complain about the stupid inconveniences in life, I think of your courage and strength to go through so much more. You inspire me and I am so sorry you have to go through this.
    I read this on a yahoo group for cancer: "What cancer cannot do: It cannot cripple love, or shatter hope, or corrode faith, or destroy peace, or kill friendship, or surpress memories, or silence courage, or invade the soul, or steal eternal life, or conquer the Spirit." Erin

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  13. Thank you so much, Katherine. It is so hard to let go of things I can't do. I so with I could have my son home with me right now. I have to remember to not waste our time together by mourning our time apart. Cookies do help:)

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  14. Love you too. Let's imagine sitting on my porch swing and taking a break from gardening together (we should imagine away the mosquitos while we're at it)!

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  15. Thank you Mellie--cheers! I love your site, by the way.

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  16. As always, your words just make me feel better.

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  17. Thank you so much, Tonya. Your family's prayers mean so much to me.

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  18. Thank you, Joy. It's really strange--most of the time, I really forget that I have cancer. It's the chemo that's hard to get through for me. My liver is happier every day, so why does the rest of me have to be falling apart?! Your prayers will help me through:)

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  19. Thank you so much for sharing chelsea's post. I love it.

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  20. Me too. I want to put Ari in the middle of all your boys and let him go crazy.

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  21. Don't make me cry too, Barb:)

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  22. Thank you Nicole--your words are perfect.

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  23. Such a good reminder, Lorena. The big things are too overwhelming anyway and the little things are often wonderful.

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  24. It's unbelievable how many supportive, amazing blogging women I've met. I can't explain what a difference you all make in my life.

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  25. Thanks for the quote, sis. And don't worry about complaining a little--I do it too! It's great to complain about stupid stuff sometimes, because it means life feels normal:)

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