Home is only a sip away! The Iced Tea Conversation

My daughter was born in the South.

We only lived there briefly before returning to California,
but it seems that the roots run deep.

She loves all things southern, 

the hospitality, the food, the scenery,  the lifestyle and most of all 

the sweet tea!

She's a Junior in high school and in just two short years she'll be leaving for college. 

During a recent lunch at California Pizza Kitchen,
we had a powwow about where she's thinking of going.

I came prepared with a map and college guide book and braced myself...

While sipping Gold Peak Teas and enjoying a BBQ Chicken Pizza, 

we talked about all of the great schools in the West...

heading to my alma mater in the Rockies...

and the intrigue and allure of the East Coast...

There are many steps to take and lots of looking to do 

but she confessed that she may be leaning toward 

the simple and sweet South.

A place with so many wonderful colleges,
where the people are friendly, life is a little simpler
 and the sweet tea flows freely...

Until then, she can enjoy a little taste of the South with Gold Peak Teas
 right here in California.

They are crisp, refreshing and especially for Carolyn, bring a unique sense of comfort. 
It is always her beverage of choice.
You should see her face light up when we go a restaurant like CPK 
and she sees their teas on the menu.
But make no mistake she's a "Sweet Tea Girl" all the way.

I grew up in California and had never heard of sweet tea until we moved to Georgia.

So I prefer unsweetened iced tea, it reminds me of how my Grandma used to make it.

Evidently our time in the south didn't influence me!

I love to enjoy its home brewed taste with just a touch of fresh mint,

and when I am feeling really festive, I serve it in heart shapes.

They are so fun and easy to make -

paired with Gold Peak Tea, they just make you smile.

Slip a large fresh mint leaf into a clean heart paper punch...

press down...

and they are ready...

So cheers to the future, to special conversations over iced tea 

and to the taste that brings you home.

I'm curious, 

are you sweet or unsweet?

Thank you to my friends at Coca Cola or sponsoring this post.  All opinions and love of Gold Peak Teas are entirely my own. #IworkwithCoke #sponsored

Arnold Palmer Pops - Perfect Summer Treat

My daughter guzzles Arnold Palmers by the gallon.

In an effort to slow her down, and cool her down...

we made Arnold Palmer Popsicles!

Pour in 1/3rd Iced Tea and freeze, 

1/3rd Lemonade and freeze, 

then top with 1/3rd Iced Tea for a final freeze.

It is on a Par to be the best cool Summer Treat ever!

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Country Club Sweet Tea Bar

I created my Sweet'N Low Sweet Tea Bar as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #SweetNLowStars

Iced Tea always reminds me of being a kid and

going with my best friend to her Country Club.

Everything there was perfect, pretty and oh so preppy.

We spent long days playing tennis and swimming, 

eating and drinking to our hearts content.

Sweet Tea also makes me think of living in the South.

It is the perfect drink for the hot, humid weather and amazing food.

I put my two memories together during this Indian Summer 

and created a Sweet Tea Bar!

Easy to make and even more fun to drink.

The secret ingredients are Sweet'N Low and just a touch of baking soda...

Poured into tulip glasses with golf and tennis ball stir sticks, 

and topped with fun, fresh fruit...

 you'll be transported right back to The Club!

How does it look with my

"tennis" bracelet?

The Club Sweet Tea

8 cups water

6 tea bags

1/8th tsp baking soda

10 packets of Sweet'N Low

Boil water then pour into a heat proof pitcher.  Add baking soda and tea bags.  Steep tea for about 5 minutes. Once cooled, add to serving container, stir in Sweet'N Low, top with ice and enjoy!

Follow Sweet'N Low on Facebook for more ideas, recipes and sweetness.

I am honored to be able to continue blogging with the support of my wonderful sponsors.

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Farmer's Market Inspired Iced Tea...a Beau-TEA-ful Summer

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Lipton, but all my opinions are my own. #bemoretea #pmedia  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

I love going to the Farmer's Market, especially in the summer.

Everyone is carefree and happy, 

the farmers are handing out samples of their bounty left and right, 

it is so colorful and fun you can't help but be inspired.

But it has been HOT! 

All I could think about at the Farmer's Market last weekend was how to cool down.

The peaches and lavender were calling my name...

and I can never resist strawberries...

The perfect pairings for cold, refreshing iced tea.

I popped Lipton K-cups into my Keurig, 

poured over ice and instantly I had fresh brewed iced tea.

To stay true to the Beau-TEA of the season, 

I garnished with

peaches on lavender stems...

and strawberry straws with sugar rimmed glasses...

It was all ready so quickly,

 I barely had time to get dressed for the occasion with my

Summer Strawberry Shirt!

(to make strawberry straws:

simply poke a straw through the bottom of your fresh berry and push up toward the top... 

it even hulls it for you!)

(to make strawberry sugar:

I combine 3/4 of a cup of sugar with 5 Tablespoons of freeze dried strawberries in a blender and 

pulse until berries and sugar are about the same consistency...

keep in a mason jar so you always have some on hand)

Lipton K-cups come in 5 fabulous flavors and

are available in most supermarkets and on line.

Cheers to a Beau-TEA-ful Summer

and the ease of Lipton K-cups!

Join them on Facebook and Twitter for other great ideas.

Thank you for your support as I work with fabulous brands 

to be able to keep creating for Jaco'lyn Murphy Designs.

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