Perfumery of Tea

Often when I step into a tea shop
I am reminded of perfume shops in Paris.
We open containers and sniff.
Oh the fragrance sitting there.
Sometimes the fragrance is of earthy tones
or is a sweetness we smell there.

Maybe what we smell is bergomot or orange and cloves.
But whatever the fragrance,
take a sniff and savor the special smell of tea.

***********

"The fragrance of adventure and poetry endlessly 

pervades each cup of tea."

Henri Mariage, founder of Mariage Freres.

Photo taken in Barcelona, Spain, as I stepped inside a beautiful, small tea shop.

Don't forget the give away mentioned on Tuesday.
The drawing will be announced on Monday morning.

The Sea is Calling

I love a winter sea.
Do you?
It is calling me to come and wiggle my toes there.
I shall return.

Don't forget the give-away mentioned yesterday.

Heart and Flowers - Part 2

Hearts and Flowers can be displayed so many different ways.
The flowers here are my first crocus of the season.
If you saw them in a wider angle you might notice that they
grow in my lawn in the shape of a heart.
They always make an appearance for Valentine's and
they haven't disappointed this year either.
There are other hearts here too.

Since I haven't had a give away in awhile and it is Valentine's Day,
I am having a small give away.
I will pick one of these hearts to come your way
along with a copy of the newly released issue of Tea a Magazine.
Just leave a comment here to be placed in the drawing.
The winner will be announced next Monday.

Happy Valentine's to all of you.

May your day be filled to overflowing with love.

Hearts and Flowers

 

For Aye and Aye

They say that we are growing old,

You, my dear, and I,

Which may be so by count of years-

Figures do not lie.

And yet-and yet, how unaware

Are figures of this truth-

Love triumphing time is far

More sweet than love of youth.

And I am still all yours, my dear,

As you, thank God, are mine-

For life, and then for aye and aye,

Each other's Valentine.

Kitchen Sonnets by Ethel Romig Fuller

The passion of red hearts and flowers is seen here.
As my eyes no longer see as clearly,
the brilliant color shines.
Do you love chocolates and flowers for Valentine's,
or is it just the thought, dear friend.
For Valentine's is just another day, but
yet set aside for you.
We will share our hugs and love so true,
and celebrate the day.
Happy Valentine's, dear friends.

Sending you Love

February 14th is the day of LOVE.
Valentine's Day it is called.
So my heart and my mind is beginning to look forward to this day
with cookies made of all things sweet.
I am surrounding myself with those I love
and cherishing the thoughts of LOVE.
But I am reminded as I think of Valentine's Day
that each day should be a day of LOVE.
There may not always be heart shaped cookies,
but certainly a hug and the hearing and telling of LOVE.

I see PASSION in this day.
A day of red hearts, red roses, and boxes of chocolates.
So today I am celebrating Valentine's Day
because I know each day is a day of LOVE.

Tea Potholders

Marmalady's is my business.
One of the products sold at Marmalady's is sewing patterns for tea lovers.
One of the patterns is potholders for teapots.
The pattern has two different potholders inside.
One is a butterfly inspired by a friend.
The other looks very simple, a circle in fact,
but inspired by the one in the picture.
How clever, I thought, to have the potholder loop over the nob
on the top of the teapot.  It keeps it in place quite nicely.
So if the handle on your teapot gets warm you could sew a circle
potholder quite easily and put a lop there.
The butterfly on the other hand, I do think you would need
a pattern.  Come by www.marmaladys.com and check the patterns out.
If you don't sew, you might have a friend that would love to make it for you.

Are you my Neighbor?

Not a very pretty picture, but the house next to mine.
It has sat empty for 2 years as it has been in foreclosure.
Oh how I wish there were a neighbor there.
A neighbor would bring "soul" back into this house.

Seeing this empty house has given me thought as to who is my neighbor.
Is a neighbor only someone that lives next door?
Is my neighbor someone I meet face to face at the market?
Is my neighbor someone that touches my heart from around the world?
Is my neighbor the ones that suffer with ill will in their countries?

Looking in the dictionary it says that my neighbor is someone close to me.
I hold those in my heart that are suffering, is that close enough to qualify as my neighbor?
Who are your neighbors?
As Mr. Rogers use to sing, Won't you be my neighbor?