Around the House

 After receiving the perfectly imperfect live tree I decided to pop over to IKEA

and see what they had in faux trees.

I love the little tree I found there;

so it was set up in the dining room.

There were a few candles, tea themed ornaments and golden baubles

placed on this little tree.

 Then my white themed cast of characters joined two festive teapots

on the cabinet.

Since taking this picture I have added a few votive candles.

Don't you just love candles at Christmas?

The more light the better sprinkled all around the house.

 Here is the tree all lite up and ready to sparkle.

 A view of the china cupboard from the opposite side of the room.

I love the reflection in the glass of the tree.

And then just outside the window I can sit at the table sipping my tea and watch the

hummingbirds come to the feeder wrapped in old Christmas lights.

The new lights don't get warm enough to keep their water from freezing;

so every winter we leave these lights on the feeder until Spring.

No freezing and I love seeing our delightful little ones flutter around.

They are my best winter decoration.

Are you enjoying the lights of the holiday season?

Delighting in the day?

Traditions

Each December my half-sister and I meet for tea or lunch,

just a small Christmas celebration for the two of us.

This year we met in Salem and enjoyed a walk on the grounds of

Deepwood Estates.

There was a holiday bazaar which we browsed,

but what we really enjoyed were just enjoying the sights around the grounds.

Looking back at my pictures I realized how much of the grounds is set for a party.

Each area had it's center focus.

And we found flowers still in bloom too.

It doesn't really show on this winter camellia,

but there was a lovely soft blush of pink on it.

Stepping into the greenhouse always feels like steeping into

a quiet, safe, warm womb. 

And again there were flowers in bloom.

I was delighted to find some whimsy in the greenhouse pond too.

Do  you see it?

Poinsettias always say Christmas.

And again two different places in the garden,

perfect for a quiet cup of tea or a special event like a wedding.

Next time I think I will take my cup of tea and sit awhile

in the gazebo and sip.

I love holiday traditions, especially when it includes special, dear ones.

Hoping you find time to include a dear friend or family member

in a time just to be together, walk, talk, sip some tea, and just enjoy the day.

Monday's Tea Quote

"Another novelty is the tea-party,

an extraordinary meal in that,

being offered to persons that have

already dined well, it supposes

neither appetite nor thirst, and

has no object but distraction,

no basis but delicate enjoyment."

~ Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. The Physiology of Taste.

May you have moments of "delicate enjoyment" with

a cup of tea and a sweet this holiday season. 

What would be in your cup?

And on your plate?

Gaiwan Style Tea

 Did you think I forgot my occasional posts on making tea?

The cup that the tea is sitting in is a gaiwan.

Pronounce: Gai (guy) Wan (like wand only without the d) 

It is another form of Asian style of making tea.

It is fascinating that each way of making tea can make for a bit

different flavor.

 Pour the water into the gaiwan and cover with the lid.

You can shift the tea around in the cup with the lid,

then use the lid to keep the leaves in the gaiwan

when you pour into the cups or a pouring pitcher.

 In the gaiwan I had Jin Jun Mei from Harney & Sons.

A nice tea to try.

I probably don't use my gaiwan as often as I should or could,

but often when I taste tea with friends this is the way the tea is made.

The wood tray under the gaiwan has slots to catch any spills

in the tray below.

Often we rinse the tea leaves first, pour that off into the tray,

then make the tea.

When making tea this way you might use as much leaf as you

do for a large English style teapot, but you steep a shorter time

and resteep the leaves throughout the day.

To learn more you can check out the link here:

https://www.meimeitea.com/blogs/latest-news/essential-teaware-explained-your-guide-to-gaiwan-pt-i-background

Believe it or not there are still more ways to make tea to be shared on another day.

Have a great weekend, dear friends!

Sip tea and enjoy quiet moments.

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh, Christmas Tree

Each year our realtor has a free Christmas tree day

where for a few hours we can come and cut down a tree.

This year we decided it was getting too much for us to cut a tree;

so we weren't going to attend.

Then we were told there were pre-cut trees we could choose;

so off we went.

We love going to the farm and seeing what is happening.

This year was no different.

It was great fun to have a bowl of hot chili and some hot cocoa too

plus see familiar faces.

That's our realtor, Kama, in the red cowgirl hat.

We love getting to see her and one day will use her services again.

Then it was time to find the right tree.

You might not know this about me, but I am rather picking on the type of tree I choose.

There just wasn't a tree I liked.

So we picked a little taller than needed tree and then cut it to fit.

I sort of wish now I got down on my hands and knees and tried one more time to cut.

Well this is the tree all decorated.

It is a bit strange in shape for sure;

but it is what it is and we will live with it.

I guess this is the year of a tree only a parent could love.

This in a way is good for my very organized soul,

one that teaches me I need to loosen up a bit.

So I sing "Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree"

loud and clear.

More pictures of my home to come next week,

but just couldn't resist showing you "the tree".

Let's Talk

 Usually by this time of year I have a word picked for next year.

Do you pick a word each year?

Does it impact your life and guide you through the year?

Some years there are words that really impact me and some not so much.

I had two words this year: Courage and Kindness.

Kindness was a carry over from the year before,

but just wasn't ready to give it up.

With our world the way it is I just felt like I needed Courage.

And I guess just making it through some of the mud I did survive with Courage.

Many words have come my way for 2019, but not one yet has really

jumped out and grabbed me.

So far I have thought of Adventure, Awake, Aware, Alert,

all A words. And then Clarity also was added to the list just yesterday.

 I am still open to my word and what direction to go, but I know

when the time comes, the word will say this is the direction you must go.

I can see the direction I am headed.

Right now I am taking an online class called 21 days to Write for Change.

Maybe the word will come in my writing,

maybe in meditation,

or maybe it will just pop up randomly.

I am open to moving forward,

it is the way I find my way,

a resolution.

Open!

"There's an old saying, to sing like nobody can hear you,

dance like nobody can see you and

love like you've never been hurt."

~Dick Van Dyke

This quote was in the Sunday Parade in the newspaper
and I loved reading it.
It sings to my heart.
Originally it came from someone else. 
In a way through this post I am seeing my
way more clearly and I know by the end of the year
I will know which direction to go.
And I will sing, dance and love.

Join me in choosing a word for 2019.
What direction do you want to go and grow?

Monday's Tea Quote

Tea should be taken in solitude.

~C.S. Lewis

This picture is from last year,

but it is in my bedroom again this year. 

Is it crazy busy for you these days?

I realized this morning I am late to posting.

It seems like there is so much on my "to-do"list.

But, I don't want to miss connecting with you.

So a cup of tea, quieting down,

and now you, dear friends.

Have a good week and do have some

quiet times with a cup of tea.