Let it Snow

 Oh the weather outside is frightful!

 But I must say the snow is delightful!

The tea camel made it through the snow

and for that I am smiling with glee.

 No, it doesn't look like much you might say.

 Just enough to play.

 Sipping my new Yunnan Gold from Floating Leaves in Seattle

and enjoying new tea cups just found at a ceramic show.

You might say, but gifts are for others.

Yes, that too!

But don't we need a gift or two also.

As I wrap my gifts for others I am enjoying the gifts of tea and snow.

From my snowy garden to you,

I am sending wishes for a weekend full of delights and JOY.

linking to Bernideen:  http://blog.bernideens.com/

I Heart my New Kettle

My old electric tea kettle had been limping along for quite awhile.

I hadn't realized how bad it had gotten,

but I just wasn't enjoying my tea as much as I use to.

 I am a bit slow in realizing the temperature was way off

and it would shut down at odd times.

My "live-in gardener" this week surprised me with a new tea kettle.

Exactly the one I wanted.

I had seen several of my tea friends using them and knew it must be the one to have.

Recently I had mentioned it and he was listening.

Oh I love it!

It heats up to whatever temperature you want very quickly.

It is rather elegant too with that curvy spout.

If you ever find you need a new electric tea kettle,

definitely consider the Bonavita.

Our local kitchen shop had it on sale,

so watch for sales.

A Child's Heart

Like Strands of Shining Tinsel

Like strands of shining tinsel,

Hope will ever weave

Through his sorrow, who remembers

Candles Christmas Eve.

His tongue will not grow bitter

Who learns in youth the glory

Of the old sweet Christmas carols

And the manger story.

Nor love and faith quite vanish

For one with memories

Of dreams come true on laden,

Star-tipped Christmas trees.

So fill the house with fragrance

Of cedar boughs, with laughter-

These are gifts a child heart

Will keep forever after.

~Kitchen Sonnets by Ethel Romig Fuller 

What gifts of your child heart remembers

the laughter and the tears

of Christmas memories from the past?

Remember and treasure your memories.

Hold them close and share your stories.

sending a hug from me to you!

 

Tea Time at Newell House

Each year as Christmas approaches my sister and I gather together

to have tea and celebrate the season.

This year we had tea at a very special place.

The Newell House is a historic house just south of Portland

at Champoeg State Park.

It is run by the DAR.

Each year they have a Christmas tea as a fund raiser

and this was the first year in about 15 years that I had that particular day

open and could have tea there.

The decorations were just wonderful in the main house,

the log cabin, and the school house.

Above are glimpses of the outside of the school house and log cabin.

This is the main house where we had tea and enjoyed the museum.

The first course was cranberry scones.

The soup, which was Tomato-Basil.

The tea in my cup was Stash English Breakfast.

There were tea bags on the table and hot water in the teapot.

The sandwiches and savories were as follows:

Turkey and Cranberry Cream Cheese on a Croissant

Cucumber with Dill on White Bread

Tomato and herbed cheese on Seven Grain Bread

Swiss cheese and Applewood Smoked Bacon Quiche

Spanakopita

Grapes

After the sandwiches and tea we were excused to

view the other buildings and listen to the Intel choir sing for us in the log cabin.

I loved the tea table they set in the school house for the teacher.

The entrance to the log cabin.

Another table setting in the log cabin.

Now back to our table for sweets.

The sweets were:

Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake

Lemon Bar

Chocolate Brownie Bites

The sun was beginning to set by the time I left the Newell House

and headed home through the beautiful farm country.

It was a lovely tea time with my sister.

Do find times for just sipping tea and celebrate with someone special.

Notes from the Garden - A Winter Garden

My winter garden just a few days ago.

It was so special for that snowy day.

Do you like to walk in the winter 

and enjoy seeing winter gardens.

We must search for the beauty in every season.

Enjoy!

Time for Tea

As I sit here working on my next and final book on tea, it is time for tea.

Dreaming of walking by the sea or floating on a little boat sipping and nibbling.

The boat in the picture I made as a young girl.

It is a bit tattered, but still holds my Banana Sushi.

Have you made Banana Sushi for tea time with a little one?

It is a delight and oh so easy.

Take one banana and cut in 3/4 - 1 inch slices.

Wrap banana in a strip of same width fruit leather,

holding in place with a pick.

For the fish on top add Swedish gummy fish.

And there you have it, the perfect little delight to go with a cup of tea.

.................................

Reading short stories by Rosamunde Pilcher, The Blue Bedroom and other stories.  From Home for the Day:  " The kettle boiled.  He made tea, and filled a vacuum flask, found mugs, a bottle of milk, a packet of lump sugar.  He went through the cake tins and found a huge fruit loaf.  He cut three substantial slices, then put everything into a basket, pulled on an old jacket, and let himself out of the house. ...............He came up with his basket, feeling like the farmer's wife, He said, I thought it was time we all had a cup of tea."

Maybe some Banana Sushi could go into the basket

and take down to the sea.

Happy weekend, dear friends!

Make time for tea!

The Christmas Tree

Sunday we ventured to the muddy tree farm,

thanks to our realtor that so graciously gives us a tree each year.

There is my tree laying on the ground.

Grandson, little D, had his first pony ride at the farm.

Yes, he enjoyed it along with reindeer antlers with jingle bells.

The tree came home with me.

It looked so tiny.

This was the first year we didn't need to cut the top off

and it fit perfectly on my little table.

The french horn at the top of the tree, a gift from my daughter.

Decorating is like walking down memory lane.

The soldier above is the first figure ornament

my "live-in gardener" and I bought in a flower shop in San Francisco

oh so many years ago.

The clothespin ballerina on my tree was made by

mom's when our daughters were taking ballet as young girls.

The vintage teapot hanging by a string of beads is from

one my favorite vintage shops.

Oh, Mr. Bear, where did I find you.

I just love the glass ornaments that have adopted us along the way.

Margaret Furlong ornaments like this seashell one holding a teapot

have graced our trees throughout the years.

And a sparkly reindeer is always welcomed here.

This year we added multi colored balls to the tree.

This white clown just sings to my vintage heart.

Anything sparkly is always a happy addition.

Sparkly crystals and silver balls, oh yes!

But my favorite is this little picture of our little D

when he was a bit younger.

A few years ago I started making these for my two sisters and a cousin,

pictures of their grandchildren.

I didn't realize what I had started and this year had 5 ornaments to make.

I think they need to stop having grandchildren, HA!

My work table this week.

Ornaments done and ready to send.

How fun to reminiscence and add to the season.

Do you sometimes make special decorations?

I hope you have time for a little play and sparkly in your lives.