Kindred Spirits

 These two buddies have known each other since they were babies,

they have grown into a love for each other.

When they greet each other it is with a hug.

Now one is moving away and I wonder if when they meet again,

will they remember what they once had.

"When the spirits of two humans seem to automatically connect, when text and talk and testing one is addicting and joking is a a a, when convos flow so quickly that a separate language is created to accommodate the rapid firing of movie references, inside jokes, song lyrics, and long boring stories (zzzzz), when two people feel like they have known each other forever or previously or they just wish they had, and when love transcends romance- two people are kindred spirits."  from Urban Dictionary

Have you read or watched Anne of Green Gables?

Kindred spirit friendship was so important to her.

I have often wondered how do we find that special kindred spirit relationship.

Do we recognize it immediately or is it something that must be developed?

Do you have a kindred spirit friend?

If so, treasure them for I believe they are rare.

Tea Time under the Trees

Yesterday under the trees you see just past the roses three friends gathered together for tea time.

What a perfect place to spread a vintage quilt out under the trees and share stories and tea.

We savored the flavors of a lovely Alishan oolong, a black tea from a 1000 year old tea tree,

and Alishan black tea.  Fine teas are such a treat.

To this morning picnic we added fresh grapes and cherries, plus little bite size sesame treats.

A perfect way to celebrate a new grandchild and stories of life on a summer morning under the trees.

I can highly recommend sharing life's stories under the trees with a cup of tea.

A simple thing to do, just pack your backpack or basket with a thermos of hot water,

some cups, and tea.  The addition of goodies just makes it feel like a party.

Find time to savor the day!

Monday's Quotes

There is something in the nature of tea, 

that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life

~Lin Yutang, The Importance of living

"I want not wealth, nor earthly treasures
Nor fame, esteem as others crave
Let my fate ordain for me
My morning cup of tea
Nicely made for me.
Don't deny me, O my Lord
My morning cup of tea. "

 ~ Dwijendralal Roy

Happy 4th of July

Fourth of July is tomorrow and I just want to send best
wishes to all of you in the United States.
A day to celebrate.

May your weekend be filled with JOY, family, and good food.
Send out good vibes of love for your country.
Cherish and Embrace each other.
May there be PEACE for this country
and may it spread through the world.
Be safe and enjoy!

Happy weekend, dear friends!

Oolong Ice Cream Tea

Yesterday morning there was an email in my inbox announcing

a limited offer on a tea from Steven Smith Teamaker.

There were only 200 boxes available and then it would be sold out.

I knew it would go quickly, so I hopped in my car and rushed to their shop

for Oolong Ice Cream tea.

It is a collaborative between the Smith teamaker, TonyTellin, and

Salt and Straw ice cream maker, Tyler Malek.

I couldn't wait to taste this tea just to see if indeed it tasted like tea and ice cream.

The creamy milk "oolong is blended with flakes of house-made candied sugar,

Madagascar vanilla, Marcona almonds, and white jasmine blossoms from China".

It did taste like a gourmet cup of vanilla ice cream, something a large step up

from a basic cup of oolong or vanilla ice cream.

Definitely a treat tea to be savored on a hot summer day.

It was both good as a hot tea and then iced tea too.

When visiting the shop they told me they would be making other collaborative teas.

If you want to follow along and have first dibs on a special blend make sure you are on

their email list at www.smithtea.com
It is a treat in a cup.

Choices

Choices, which door?
The road of life can lead us down a windy path and present us with
doors that are often closed, choices to be made.
Structural architecture has always fascinated me, as you can see by all the photos here.
Windows become the eyes of the world.
But doors offer opportunities yet unknown.
Which door do we open?
Which turn of the road?
If once opened we find something that doesn't fit or bring us JOY,
do we learn to walk out the door and follow the path exploring
and choosing JOY over sorrow?

Writing this post this song came to mind, EnJOY!

Picnic Anyone?

Picnic music to get in the mood right HERE.

 When I recently spotted this picnic table waiting, I was struck with loneliness.
Songs of being alone sat heavy on my heart.
Even the houses have turned their backs to this lonely table.
Picnics in my mind are for sharing love and languishing delightedly in the day.
Picnics are for sharing laughter and a song.
Picnics are for good food and cold drinks.
Picnics are for sharing with a friend and family.

Let's pick up a quilt and tip toe through the grass to

those trees I see on the horizon?
I will bring a tall, icy pitcher of tea with sliced lemons,
sandwiches sprinkled with peppers and slabs of fresh garden tomatoes,
and a tall chocolatey confection wrapped with buttercream frosting.
But most of all I will bring love and laughter and a song to sing.
Come along with me, let's have a picnic today.
What will you bring to the day?

PS - my pansy pods are drying and when they are ready I will be sending
to Mark, Laurie, Judith, and Glenna.  There is one more pod drying if I missed
someone that would like one.  I have Mark and Laurie's addresses, but
Judith and Glenna, I will need your address.  You can find my email address
in my profile to send the address.  Can't wait to share.