The Childrens Tea in the July Shade

The Children's Tea in the July Shade A BLUEJEAN AND TEACUP COZY MYSTERY July in St. George, Utah, had a way of wrapping the whole town in sunshine. By afternoon, the sidewalks shimmered, the red cliffs glowed warm in the distance, and even the wind seemed to move more slowly. But behind Bluejean Corner, beneath a striped umbrella and a little bit of welcome shade, Neva Jean had made the day feel gentle and cheerful. She set the patio table with white teacups, little plates, blue napkins, and a pitcher of cool lemonade with floating lemon slices and fresh mint. Nearby sat apricot scones, soft sugar cookies, and tiny tea sandwiches just right for little hands. Mae Belle arrived with a basket of paper napkins and smiled at once. 'Oh, Neva Jean,' she said, 'this looks like the prettiest little children's tea party in all of St. George.' Neva Jean laughed softly. 'I thought the children deserved a July afternoon to remember.' This was no ordinary tea party. Neva Jean had prepared a little clue game for the children, with six paper clue cards shaped like teacups and tied with tiny blue ribbons. Hidden around the patio and garden path, they would lead to a basket of summer surprises-coloring pages, bookmarks, lemon candies, and small blue ribbons. Soon the children arrived. Lily came first in a yellow dress, Ben hurried in full of questions, Emma came with neat braids and bright eyes, and little Josie clung shyly to her grandmother until she spotted the cookies. Mrs. Boynton settled into a shaded chair as official grandmother supervision, and Mr. Watts arrived with extra ice, insisting that every important July Clue gathering needed it. The children gathered as Neva Jean reached for the first clue card. Coloring Bluejean Corner Pages Summer Surprises

The Children's Tea in the July Shade Page 2 'Now,' Neva Jean said, 'we may begin.' She reached beside the lemonade pitcher for the first clue card-and stopped. The little teacup card tied with blue ribbon was gone. 'Missing?" Ben asked. Josie whispered, 'Then we have a mystery.' Neva Jean remained calm. At Bluejean Corner, mysteries were solved by paying attention. 'First,' she said, 'we remember what we know.' 'It was beside the pitcher,' Lily said. 'It had a blue ribbon,' Emma added. 'And it was shaped like a teacup,' Ben said. Near the table lay a tiny mint leaf. By the mint pot on the stone path, Emma found a short piece of pale blue ribbon. Then Josie noticed a small damp spot near the garden gate, as though a cool glass had rested there for just a moment. The gate itself stood open a little wider than before. Just beyond it stood a boy of about eight or nine, holding the missing clue card in both hands. He had sandy hair, dusty shoes, and an uncertain expression. 'I'm sorry,' he said quickly. 'I didn't mean to take something important.' Neva Jean stepped toward him kindly. 'Tell us what happened, dear." The boy looked down at the card. 'I heard the laughing and saw the table. Then I saw this card. It said, "Take this clue to begin the game, and follow the path of kindness." I picked it up because ... I wanted to pretend I was part of it for a minute." The children grew quiet. 'What is your name?" Neva Jean asked. 'Caleb,' he said. 'My aunt just moved to Willow Lane. I'm here for the summer.' Lily spoke first. 'You can play with us if you want.' 'Yes,' Ben said quickly. 'We haven't even started yet.' Emma nodded. 'We can follow the clues together.' Little Josie held out her hand. 'You can stand by me.' Caleb looked surprised. 'Really?" 'Really,' Neva Jean said. 'At Bluejean Corner, there is always room for one more child at the table." Take this clue to begin the game, and follow the path Bluejean Corner-ge of kindness."

The Children's Tea in the July Shade Page 3 With Caleb beside them, Neva Jean placed the first teacup clue back on the table and read it aloud. The children hurried from rose pot to lemonade stand, from the striped umbrella to the blue chair, laughing each time another clue was found. At last the final clue led them to a basket beneath a wooden star near the back step. Inside were coloring pages, bookmarks, lemon candies, and blue ribbons, along with a note in Neva Jean's neat hand: 'A happy summer grows wherever kindness is shared.' The children cheered. Caleb smiled so brightly that even Mrs. Boynton dabbed at her eyes and blamed the heat. Mr. Watts filled the cups with lemonade while Mae Belle passed out cookies and apricot scones. Before long, the children were talking and laughing as if they had known one another for much longer than a single afternoon. Before Caleb left, Neva Jean handed him the first little teacup clue card. you 'For you,' she said, 'as a reminder that kindness can begin with something Belong very small-a clue card, a table in the shade, or simply someone saying, Here "Come join us."" When the patio grew quiet again, Neva Jean gathered the empty cups and whispered a thankful prayer-for July, for children, for lemonade and shade, and for the gentle mystery that had reminded them all that COLORING PAGES sometimes the missing thing we are searching for turns out to be a person who simply needs a place to belong." Gentle Thought Lemon Children notice welcome. A small invitation can become a big blessing, and a little kindness can A happy summer Candies help a child feel safe, seen, and loved. grows wherever kindness is shared. Bible Verse "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 19:14 Closing Blessing May our tables, patios, and hearts make room for one more. May every summer memory carry a little reminder of God's love. Bluejean Corner

Bluejean Corner July Honey-Mint Lemonade A bright summer pitcher with floating lemon slices for a warm July afternoon. Ingredients . 1 cup fresh lemon juice . 4 cups cold water · 1/3 cup honey · 2 tablespoons sugar, optional . 1/2 cup sparkling water, optional . 1 lemon, thinly sliced . 8 to 10 fresh mint leaves · Ice cubes Directions 1. In a small saucepan, warm 1/2 cup of the water and stir in the honey until dissolved. Let cool. 2. In a pitcher, combine the lemon juice, the cooled honey mixture, and the remaining cold water. 3. Stir in the sugar if you like a sweeter lemonade. 4. Add the thin lemon slices and fresh mint leaves so they float throughout the pitcher. 5. Chill well, then add sparkling water just before serving if desired. 6. Serve over ice with extra lemon slices and mint. Serving Suggestion Lovely with apricot scones and a shaded patio tea in July. Bluejean Corner