FEED Project

Doesn't everyone need a feed sack? One of my absolute favorite shopping experiences is visiting the Feed Store at the Feed Project. I have one of their burlap bags and I'm hooked. The burlap gets softer and softer with use and holds just about everything. These Feed sacks can be used as purses, totes, picnic baskets, book bags, or, if you really want to know the truth, they look good just hanging on a wall.

FEED Projects' mission is to create good products that help FEED the world. They do this through the sale of FEED bags, bears, t-shirts, and other accessories by building a set donation into the cost of each product. Thus the impact of each product, signified by a stenciled number, is understandable, tangible, and meaningful. I love it when someone stops me and asks where I got my bag, or what the number means. They take great pride in using environmentally-friendly and artisan-made materials, along with fair-labor production, in creating all FEED products.

The Feed Project believes that everyone has the right to basic human necessities, such as healthy and nutritious food. FEED is proud to help FEED the world, one bag at a time.
Shop Feed!

Roma Boots

Continuing with the companies that give back, here is one with an adorable product. Roma boots. Their motto: warming the world, selling boots to the fortunate, giving boots to the less fortunate. They give rain boots to children who live in wet and rainy climates.May I say that we all need a good pair of rain boots. The south has certainly become a wet and rainy climate! Shop Roma boots!
adult boots $78 children's boots $42

Manna Meals

We have our very own business in Huntsville that gives back in a wonderful way! Cindy Caldwell, owner of Manna Meals, will deliver to your door (or anyone else's door) one of these delicious meals listed below! Comforting home-cooked food makes the best gift for sympathy, baby, thinking of you, hospital stay, holiday, birthday or numerous other occasions and situations. 10% of the profits go to Manna House, near and dear to many of our hearts. For Fran Fluhler's story, please read Peanut Butter Balls, one of my favorite all times posts.

Here is a note from Cindy and Fran and the Manna Meals:

Dear MannaMeal Friends,
Our heartfelt thanks for your continued support of MannaMeals and the MannaHouse for thepast two years. Literally thousands of pounds of food have been purchased over the past year(Aug. 2010 to Aug. 2011) with your contributions. And, as you may recall, in the previous year the MannaHouse was able to purchase a cargo van/ box truck and freezer as well as food items with your donations. Blessings to you, and in thanksgiving to our Lord for His many provisions,we look forward to another successful year in being able to feed the hungry of Madison County.(The MannaHouse also provides a clothing room if you have clothing -new or used-you would like to donate.)
With Gratitude,
Cindy Caldwell - MannaMeals
Fran Fluhler - MannaHouse

MannaMeals
"SOUTHERN COMFORT MEALS"
The joy of sitting around the table over a warm meal has long been a treasured tradition in the southern home. In keeping with that heritage, MANNA MEALS is now available to you when life gets too hectic to allow time to cook or you want to honor family, friends, co-workers or neighbors with a home-cooked meal.

1. CHICKEN DIVAN WITH BROCCOLI OVER RICE WITH CURRY & LEMON ZEST

2. CHICKEN DIVAN WITH BROCCOLI OVER RICE WITH WHITE WINE & PARMESAN

3. CHICKEN & DRESSING WITH GRAVY, STEAMED BROCCOLI AU GRATIN OR GREEN BEANS

4. DEEP SOUTH MEATLOAF, STEAMED BROCCOLI AU GRATIN OR GREEN BEANS

5. CHICKEN TETRAZINNI, STEAMED BROCCOLI AU GRATIN OR GREEN BEANS

6. CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP (toppings - tortilla crisps, sour cream & cheddar), CAESAR SALAD OR GREEN BEANS

ONE OF THE ABOVE CHOICES PLUS:
STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD, NANA'S YEAST ROLLS, AND ROCKY ROAD CHOCOLATE CHIP LOAF

$38

Each meal generously feeds four. Meals delivered free of charge within five miles of HSV Hospital. Entrees may be frozen or delivered ready for you to heat & serve.

Items may also be purchased separately:

DIVAN, CHICKEN & DRESSING, MEATLOAF, TETRAZINNI OR SOUP-$15.00
STEAMED BROCCOLI au gratin or KENTUCKY WONDER GREEN BEANS $7.00 STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD-$14/ROLLS-$3/ CHOCOLATE CHIP LOAF-$8.00

New Item: MARY SUSAN'S FAMOUS CHICKEN SALAD-pint/$8 or quart/$16

10% of proceeds to benefit The Manna House.
"Feeding the hungry-one day at a time."

Cindy Caldwell - 256.508.4407 - mannameals@comcast.net

Oh, magnify the LORD for He is good. Psalm 34

February - Love

As January brought a flood of Hope into my heart, certainly February reminds me of Love. It is the Love month. Being my anniversary today (36 years), I would like to give a great big shout out... Happy Anniversary, Ben! You are and always have been the love of my life.

In Wednesday Bible study we are studying I John. One could say it is the Love book, written by the beloved disciple. Did you know you are deeply loved by God? Soak this in right here before Valentine's Day. Be loved and love!

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. I John 4: 16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3: 16

God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5: 8

It should give us great joy to know that it is the purpose of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to give of themselves to us to bring us true joy and happiness. It is God's nature to act that way toward those upon whom he has set his love, and he will continue to act that way toward us for all eternity. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology

glassybaby

I received one of these wonderful little candleholders, called glassybaby, for Christmas and fell in love with their design and light. The glass is light and airy but durable; the colors exquisite; and the light they radiate makes me smile. I want an entire collection.

Glassybaby has given back $837,000 since November 2003.
Their story is a must-read:

When the first glassybaby was created in 1998, Lee Rhodes, glassybaby creator and founder, was raising her three small children and fighting what would become a 7-year battle with a rare form of lung cancer. She had endured surgery, countless rounds of chemotherapy, and was searching for a few moments of serenity to escape the fear that encompassed her life. Inspired by the beauty of these elegant vessels, Lee filled them with tea lights and scattered them throughout her home. She found great hope and healing in their color, light and love.

Lee's 12 year old son wrote the very best description of glassybaby and presented it to her early one Christmas morning. Don't miss these precious words. Shop glassybaby!

Companies that Give Back

Several of my favorite Christmas presents (presents I gave and got) were items made by companies that give back. These companies, some small, some quite large, have the philanthropic philosophy ingrained into their business models to give a portion of their profits to the truly needy.

This is becoming something of a trend - and a good one! Over the next little while let me introduce you to a few of my favorites.

Tom's shoes. Lots of colors and fabrics, mostly the same style - very comfy, affordable ($54). With every pair purchased Tom's will give one pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for one. Here's their story.
I'm not a huge shopper but I could do some damage here. And ballet slippers are coming February 1st! I am in line for a pair. Shop Tom's!

Guarding Marriages, part 2

If you read the post on November 9 titled Guarding Marriages, this is the follow-up. After my two questions, 'How are you guarding your marriage?' and 'What do you believe would guard your marriage?', I got several comments on the blog, but even more emails personally to me.

I want to get back with you a few findings. Here is what you said guards a marriage... in no particular order:
1. Prayer - any kind of prayer - praying for one another, asking others to pray, and especially...
2. Praying with one another
3. Date nights
4. Going to church together - worshipping God side by side
5. Lots of communication
6. Making the marriage a mutual focus
7. Celebrating personal anniversaries, first date, the date he proposed, trips we take every year
8. And one other that may sound odd, but the more I think of it, the more truth I believe this friend speaks... getting to the root of 'your stuff'... whether with the Lord, or in counseling, or however... not his stuff, my stuff. Amen.

If this spurs you to think of other things that guard your marriage, please comment or email. Friends, we need this! Much love and prayers sent for marriages out there. Let's find ourselves in the category below.

drybar San Francisco

Have you ever heard of drybar? It is a cool hair salon with nothing to offer but a wash and blow dry. Nothing = everything. Only in 12 locations nationwide (California, Arizona, NYC, & Atlanta), you make your appointment online, walk in, choose from a menu of about six styles, and get started. 35 minutes later, $35, voila!

Molly and I made a stop while in San Francisco just so we would not have to worry at all about hair while there. I'm sold. Would someone please open one here?


The schematic is grey and yellow, even the wobbly glasses. I should have known that Molly would match the decor (every stitch of clothing she owns is grey), but I laughed when I realized I did too!

Nancy Franke at Museum

It's almost Gala time again and the 2012 Featured Artist is Nancy Franke from Atlanta. I love her work! I've posted a brief collage including her famous boxes and amazing colors. Her yellow lab is fantastic. I wish I were a better photographer!

Nancy also writes a good art blog, Musings on Painting. From her blog you can get to her website and see more of her work. All of her paintings, along with all the Gala art, will be on view at the Museum by mid-February. It's well worth a trip!

Settling In

I have spent the day there. I have painted, had visitors, had a meeting, looked out the windows, gotten my bearings, made phone calls, run an errand and run back. I love my studio!

I finished up two paintings, signed them, and hung them on my walls!
Tuscany Table
Limoncello

My first visitors - Cathy, Megan, Molly and the little girlsIn a few weeks I will post studio hours. Stop in and see me!

Bitten by the Bug

I am talking about Pinterest.

Friends have mentioned it to me, but I always steered clear because I did not want to do Facebook. I know, I know, I am the only person on the planet reluctant about Facebook. Anyway, last weekend I desperately needed a mindless, thinkless, entertaining, fun, zone out on the computer, whittle your time away activity. I was almost brain dead from all the travel and emotional stress. So I signed up for Pinterest, created some virtual bulletin boards, and started 'pinning' away. I am just learning, but now have a teensy collection of such things as yummy things to cook and fabulous paper I would have in a store, if I had a paper store, which I have always wanted.

It's fun! I'm just learning, but I'd love to know any tips you may have, who you follow... and I'd like to follow you. Let me know if you do Pinterest. Whoever thought this up was a genius!

Another Word on Hope

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, spoke to me this morning.

Hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to hope, and My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness.

Do you read Jesus Calling? You can get it downloaded to your Kindle ($7.16) or an app for iphone or ipad ($9.99). It is well worth it. Start your year off with this amazing little devotional. Most importantly, read Sarah Young's Introduction.

January - Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13

I must apologize for being so long in posting on the blog. Just before Christmas my father-in-law had a mild stroke, and on January 30th my beloved brother-in-law, John Buchanan, went from death to life after an eleven-month battle with pancreatic cancer. I know many of you were praying for him and have been praying for our family through these difficult days. Thank you so much. I have felt prayer holding me together as we have traveled to Naples and back, to Nashville and back, and soon to San Francisco and back. Please continue to pray for Lucy's comfort and Big Ben's quick improvement, healing, and return home soon.

Lucy and John in July at Sarah's Rehearsal Dinner

All of the above has landed me in January and it has been very hard to say "Happy New Year". But I have. And I have meant it. Somehow through the grace of God, hope springs up in my heart and I am grateful and humbled by what the Lord has done this past year, and has done in just the last few days. It gives me great hope for the year ahead.

I want to follow Him more closely, love Him more dearly, and be more surrendered and sold out than ever before. I want the year ahead to be all about Him and not about me. I pray the same thing for you. Happy New Year, my friends.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65: 11 NLT

Launching Tailored for Education

Hello Coffee, Tea and Thee readers!

I am not sure how I can follow up such a fabulous introduction by my amazing Fairy Godmother, but I am extremely honored to share my new venture with you today. Suzanne, my fairy godmother, has been right beside me (physically or virtually) for every important moment of my life (and some not so important fun ones as well) so it is very fitting that I am guest blogging on the same day I launch a project that is very near and dear to my heart, Tailored for Education.

After completing graduate school, lucky to have a job I love in a big city I love even more, I needed to do something to help someone other than myself. While discussing this feeling over dinner, my friend Elaine casually asked if I knew about the minimal cost ($16- $22) needed to provide a child in Tanzania with a school uniform. My mind raced the next day as I researched and learned that in a number of countries around the world children are required to wear a uniform to school and that it is one of the only things their family must pay for. I was shocked to learn such a small thing could keep a child from being able to attend school. I had certainly taken for granted the 12 years I spent putting on my plaid uniform each morning and going to school. After telling Jess, my close friend and colleague, we decided to see what we could do to fix this problem. We were about two weeks into our search for information and schools that might be in need when I read this post this post of Suzanne's. Instantly, I knew we were on the right track.

Now seven months, several IRS forms, hundreds of emails and conference calls later, here we are officially launching Tailored for Education. We are now a 5013c registered charity with a mission to provide children with uniforms in order to increase enrollment rates in schools globally. All of the uniforms we provide are made in the local country in an effort to increase jobs and vocational training. We have learned a lot, first and foremost that there are over 100 million children not enrolled in school worldwide, with a majority of the these children living in war- affected, poor countries. We have also learned that for a minimal cost we can change these statistics. We all know the impact education has had on our lives, but for a child in a poverty stricken area it might be their only hope at breaking the cycle of poverty. Studies have shown that women who receive an education are less likely to become mothers too early and more likely to prevent the transmission of HIV.


As a test run we funded our first school back in August and provided 200 children in La Vallee, Haiti with uniforms for this school year. As you can see in the picture, it was a success. Since then we have developed partnerships all over the world, working with other nonprofits to provide uniforms. At this time we have identified almost 30,000 children between Haiti, Cambodia, Rwanda, El Salvador, Congo, Lesotho and India that could benefit from Tailored for Education. Our goal is to provide at least half of these children with uniforms for the 2012 school year.

I can not tell you how excited I am about this project and the impact I know we can make on the lives of countless children. As you saw by yesterday's post the bond I have with my Fairy Godmother and her daughters is beyond wonderful and today like many other days, I have been carried by their love and support!

If you are still reading, thank you. You are all troopers! Feel free to take a look and see what we are up to. Please like us, follow us, blog about us! Anything to help us spread the word!

Suzanne, thanks for being the author of this fabulous blog which is a calm during many stormy days, thanks for inviting me to guest blog today and tell MY story and most of all thanks for loving me and being the BEST fairy godmother!

xo, Megan