If there’s one thing Southerners do right, it’s iced tea. Sweet tea. With enough sugar to make you gain weight just looking at it. I could drink a big ole’ pitcher glass every day (to be honest, I do most days!). As much as I adore sweet tea, it doesn’t even compare to the deliciousness that is a cup of hot tea with milk. I’m thinking I might just have my status as a Southerner revoked over that proclamation, but I’m willing to take the risk.
There’s something comforting about hot tea. It’s cozy and relaxing. Something to savor. England has built its days around the tradition of the afternoon tea. It’s a time to take a break and enjoy good company. Personally, I’m in favor of America doing the same. I’m not holding my breath, though. In the meantime, Emilie Barnes has written some wonderful books for those who adore tea as much as I do.
The first, The Tea Lover’s Devotional is filled with short devotions and guided prayers that are perfect for an afternoon break with God. Recipes and tea time ideas are woven into the book. Small enough to tuck into your purse, it’s great way to take a few minutes out of a busy day and feed your soul.
In An Invitation to Tea: Special Celebrations with Treasured Friends, Barnes shares quotes, recipes and ideas for incorporating tea into your life.
Both books are fantastic gift ideas for anyone who loves tea…be it a special friend, aunt, or co-worker.
Another way that we can show hospitality — to those outside or within our family — is to prepare a meal for them. Jennifer reviewed Mary Ostyn’s Family Feasts for $75 a Week on 5 Minutes for Mom (click through the link to read her full review) and enthusiastically recommends it for anyone who would appreciate some family-friendly recipes as well as tips for saving money on their food bill. This book is especially good for someone who might be new to the kitchen or who is trying to make an effort to prepare more meals from scratch.
Melissa has been captivated by books for as long as she can remember. She resides in Virginia and blogs at Breath of Life.
For our gift guide and giveaway, one winner (U.S. only) will receive a copy of Family Feasts for $75 a Week, An Invitation to Tea: Special Celebrations with Treasured Friends, and The Tea Lover’s Devotional.
Leave a comment if you’d like to win these books for yourself or pass them along to someone looking to serve up some comfort from the kitchen.
This giveaway is now closed.
Entries will be closed on December 8, and we will announce the winners on December 9. Please watch your email and check the site for your name, so that we can collect your shipping information and you can get your gift by Christmas.
Be sure you’ve entered all the giveaways in our 2009 Gift Guide and Giveaway event.
I would love to win these books. My sister-in-law loves Emilie Barnes and my sister loves to cook. So it would be win-win for both of them if I won these.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
Ok, just the THOUGHT of sweet tea makes my stomach upset and my teeth feel furry. However, I do love a proper cuppa. (british mother, so I make it right!) Plus, I really want to read Mary’s book! So please enter me in the drawing.
Please include me to win these fabulous books.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I have been a fan of Emilie Barnes for a very long time and would love to have these books. Thanks for sponsoring. kimlessig@yahoo.com
These look darling!
My mother would love these books for Christmas!
My Mom loves tea these would be a great gift for my Mom.
Yum! Sweet tea!! I love Emilie Barnes’ tea books (even if they are about hot tea)!!
What a great set! Please enter me.
These books are beautiful! I love Emilie Barnes.
artandjen at juno dot com
I would love to win these books for myself. But, I’d like to share them with my close friends.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
This is a nice collection of books. Would love to be entered.
sharon54220@gmail.com
My granddaughter would love these books. I have one of them and love it.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’d love to win these books. I’d keep the menu planning and send the tea books to my best friend. We had a tea for her wedding shower years ago and we keep exchanging tea gifts. How perfect!
[...] Comforts from the Kitchen — 1 winner, 3 books, U.S. only [...]
I am a tea lover and cook as much as possible from scratch, though I’m often at a loss for what to make. I would love to win these books. Thanks!
Are you kidding? This is incredible!
I enjoy Emily Barnes’ book. I like the looks of the feasts book too.
Great books, great present for my daughter in her new apartment. Great giveaway, thanks!
These look great!
My neighbor would love these – she has the most amazing selection of tea.
I’d love to win these -I’m an avid reader and just started getting into cooking.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
I would love to win these books as a gift for my mother.
I’d love these books!!
Would love to pass this gift along to my mom for Christmas!
I would love these! My sister and mom would enjoy them too! Thank you!
I would love to win these. I would keep them for myself, but I would most definitely share them with my few bookish friends and my mother.
My mom and I are big tea drinkers and I would love to see America adopt afternoon tea!
$75 a week?!?!?! Sign me up! THanks for the chance!
wow…i would love to win these books…i love to cook as well!
please enter me:)
I would love these books for my daughter.
Great kitchen book giveaway! Thanks!
I would love the Family Treats for 75 a Week for myself. >.< The other would be nice too, I feel like I can learn so much about tea, it’s not something I have much experience with.
Goes nicely with a cup of tea
Please enter me.
thanks for the give away
What a wonderful gift for any tea lover.
I would end up passing the books around to my whole family.
I can always use books for these long winter days. Thanks for the contest!
I would love to win for myself and them share with my sisters.
Thanks for the giveaway:)
I would pass the prize on to my sister-in-law who loves having afternoon tea, and makes a big production of her special tea parties. She would be thrilled!!
I love books and these would be great to give or get.
I’m not a big teadrinker, but my mother in law adores it. This would be a great gift for her.
These would be so helpful.
We drink iced tae every day all year long.
Yummy! I’ve been looking for ways to make the kitchen a more friendly place in our house…
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Great books — I love retirement and books!
I am not a tea drinker, so I would pass that along to my sister who loves it. The $75 feasts book would be wonderful. Even though I use coupons and check ads, I’m always shocked at how much we spend on groceries.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
Thank you!
My neighbor so likes tea!
Family Feasts sounds like a great book Even if I don’t win which i real really hope I do I may have to go find this one at the book store
Great contest.