Giveaway - Tea and Trouble Brewing

I was only a few pages into Dorcas Smucker's latest book, Tea and Trouble Brewing. And I laughed. Out loud.

I didn't even realize it until my son walked over and asked why I was laughing. How do I explain how a description of tea drinking could make me giggle?

A few pages later I'm wiping tears - with furtive glances at my son. I don't wish to explain mom's tears in five year old's logic.

Dorcas writes about life - the laughter, the good-byes, the birthdays, the challenges, the long discussions (formerly called arguments) in a family of six children (a few of which are finding their wings and leaving the nest.)

I discovered Dorcas' blog five or so years ago, back when she had only written one book. I enjoyed her writings from the first, but it may be getting even better with the passing years. Or maybe, with time marching on in my own family, I'm more eager for some wise mother advice wrapped in candid humor.

In Tea and Trouble Brewing, Dorcas' fourth and newest book, you will travel with Dorcas as she shares about harvesting grass seed in Oregon, surviving the swine flu, joining facebook, forgetting birthdays, enduring her boy's escapades, and researching her Amish roots. Each chapter stands alone - perfect for busy moms who needs a dose of encouragement. Dorcas has an amazing ability to write about normal life, in a way that is poignant and humorous  Her books are not to be inhaled, but rather sipped chapter by chapter, rather like a cup of tea.

Deciding on my favorite chapter is difficult, if not impossible - probably race between Skipping the Garden (yes, a Mennonite can choose to not have a garden!)...

"In future springs, as the seed catalogs call my name, I hope I have the wisdom to choose to do a few things well rather than many things haphazardly. I hope I can find a way to fit a garden into the larger goals for my family. And I hope I have the discernment to know what is about growing my own vegetables and what is only about proving a point."

Or Lambs and Children...

"I hope my children are absorbing the most important point in all this — that what is true for lambs is even more true for children. They are worth all the risks and uncertainties and costs and noise and disappointments and midnight feedings. An orphan cannot be left out in the cold, the weak have as much value as the strong, and for our little flock we would do all of it all over again."

Or maybe The Ant of Marriage...

"Nature and life and Newton’s laws are not conducive toward either a clean, ant-free kitchen or a happy marriage. Both are won by fighting against natural regression. Everyone you ask will offer you their own wonderful solution, but it’s less about easy magic than about persistence, vigilance and hard work, pouncing on the destructive little beasts that come crawling out of the corners."

But the best thing about Dorcas is that she is real. She doesn't pretend to be the perfect mother or minister's wife. She admits her failures, laughs at her blunders, and gives herself, and me, the courage to accept the grace of God to pick ourselves up and try again tomorrow.

You can purchase Tea and Trouble Brewing at Amazon or directly from Dorcas. Mail a check for $15 per book (includes postage) to Dorcas Smucker, 31148 Substation Drive, Harrisburg, OR 97446



Or take advantage of a discount by ordering all four of Dorcas' books for $40, postage included, U.S. customers only. This includes not only Tea and Trouble Brewing but also Ordinary Days, Upstairs the Peasants are Revolting, and Downstairs the Queen is Knitting. Perfect idea for gift giving!

And Dorcas has given me a copy of Tea and Trouble Brewing to give to one of you! Leave a comment and you will be entered in the giveaway. Be sure to include an email address so I can contact you.

Giveaway ends one week from today. Winner will be chosen by Random.org. I was given a review copy of Tea and Trouble Brewing but all opinions expressed in this review are my own.