Creative Tea Gift

 

Ok, one more picture of Joey in his Halloween costume before I get started here.

He just stopped by to say "Happy Halloween" to all his fans at Delights of the Heart.

He is ready to play and have some fun.

Last week on the same day I received the wonderful package from Jeanie an envelop
arrived.  I could see through the envelop and was fascinated by what was inside.
It was not expected.   No, I sent her teabags and used tea strings in an envelop
for her art.  So the surprise that somepinkflowers sent me in this little book was
definitely a delight.  She calls me MarilynTea.  Everywhere I looked were tea references
and little notes tucked here and there.  It made me smile.  Very creative, I must say.
And for all you tea lovers out there, a very fun project.

Apple Festival Time

October is Apple Festival time around Oregon
 I love apples, so off I went to explore.
Aren't they beautiful?
The varieties were numerous.
The addition of autumn settings made it delightful.
I love autumn for the celebration of color and harvest.

What delights you about this season of harvest?

Gift Exchange and New Friend

A few weeks ago Relyn of Come Sit by my Fire
hosted a gift exchange.
I really wasn't sure I wanted to do it, but Relyn
emailed me and encouraged me to play along.
We had to answer a few questions about ourselves and
then Relyn played her magic matching game.
She matched me with Jeanie at The Marmalade Gypsy.
As Jeanie and I emailed back a forth we found so many things in common.
We realized Relyn was very good at this matching game.
Well finally the time came to exchange our gifts and mine arrived recently in the mail.
As you can see there was a lovely array of special surprises including
a little gift for Joey, some little nibbles in the soft gray bag.
A slightly used book, which is next on my table by my bed to read.
Some touches of Autumn, lovely notecards made by Jeanie, Michigan maple syrup,
Jordan almonds (because I am planning a trip to Jordan), and just the best of
all - a new friend.

What I have learned from this exchange is to be more open to new friends,
you never know where they will pop into your life and bring JOY.

Golden Colors of Autumn

Autumn always brings back a vividness of golden warm colors.
Autumn was created to warm our hearts in preparation for the cold white of winter.
Touches of the warmth of autumn have begun appearing inside my home.
Flowers tucked into my favorite copper kettle.
The French pumpkins on the porch and the masks sitting on my mantle remind me of happy Autumn travels.
Do you decorate your home with the colors of Autumn?
What special touches begin appearing in your home?
Autumn to me is a time of preparing and savoring the touches of color.

Peak at Autumn

Today I was going to share a look of autumn in my home,

but Blogger is not cooperating with me.

Take a peak from my heart of

the colors beginning to show their pretty faces outdoors.

Autumn has definitely made an appearance here

and we are hunkering down for the long spell of rain and cold.

The teapot is sitting ready for many warm cups of tea.

The sweaters have been pulled out of storage.

And the fragile plants have been brought inside.

What are you doing to prepare?

Sweetened Tea?

Quote by George Orwell:

"I know very well that I am in a minority here.

But still, how can you call yourself a true tea lover if you

destroy the flavor of your tea by putting sugar in it?

I would be equally reasonable to put in pepper or salt.

Tea is meant to be bitter, just as beer is meant to be bitter.

If you sweeten it, you are no longer tasting the tea,

you are merely tasting the sugar; you could make a very similar

drink by dissolving sugar in plain hot water."

What do you think?  Agree or Disagree?
Just curious!

Sweet Give-Away
The winners of the Strong Women give-away are:

Brenda - Somepinkflowers
Jeanie -The Marmalade Gypsy
Martha E.
Jeanne - Jeanne's Bliss Blog
Marion - Create Joy and Wonder
Congratulations!

Return to your Inner Child

This picture has made an appearance here in the past,
but I just had to show it again.
Each time I see it, it makes me smile.

Lately I have come across several blogs that have talked about
allowing your inner child to be celebrated.  To notice
the child-like fantasies to be released and enjoyed.

So I have been thinking.
For me a fantasy is to wear a tutu, a crinoline (do you know that word?),
or a twirly skirt and dance in the sunlight with bare feet.
Laugh and delight in the day.

Can you just picture it, an overweight 67 year old woman wearing
a tutu.  Now don't be surprised if someday you see
someone like me dancing in the sunlight.
They are just allowing their inner-child to shine.

Last Day to sign up for give away tomorrow.
Sign up on Monday's post.