One if by Land; Two if by Tea

A favorite writer of mine is Ce'leste perrino Walker who writes from Rutland, Vermont. I think I enjoy her writing because it her topics deal with real life things. In the Sept/Oct 2001 issue of Vibrant Life magazine she wrote an article that I've saved called One if by Land; Two if by Tea. In it she shares how a friend introduced her (and her French blood) to the gentle art of the English afternoon tea. She learned that tea is much more than a beverage in a cup, but rather something emotionally fulfilling, and a refreshing pause to the day.


To quote her: "Teatime fills a need for peace in our stressed-out society. Not only that, but the manner in which you 'take tea' lifts the spirits and fills the senses with beauty. Everything about tea time contributes in some

Marionberry Crisp

Berries make wonderful desserts! They are filled with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Their juicy sweetness delights the taste buds and satisfy any craving for a delicate dessert. Strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries, huckleberries, elderberries, lingonberries, blueberries and more come in a colorful palette of reds, blues, and purples. A simple half cup of Marionberries contain 4.4 grams of fiber and only 27 calories. Nutrient dense, they are not only tasty, but amazingly good for you as well!

Happy Birthday, America!

God Bless America!

Happy birthday to our country --- land of spacious skies, golden fields of grain, and purple mountain majesty. Be blessed on this 4th of July!

Patriotic Tea Towel

I stitched this patriotic tea towel for an exchange partner in Florida. It is definitely primitive and quirky! The pattern is by "Pieceable Dry Goods" and has a tea and a patriotic theme. Since this exchange was for the 4th of July, I thought the design appropriate. The pattern was originally designed to be made into a sampler, stitched on tea dyed muslin and embroidered in brown. Because I was stitching on a pure white tea towel, I decided color would be nicer. I started with a red, white, and blue theme, but quickly came to the conclusion that I needed to make the stars yellow. Everything fell together from there. Although this tea towel is not technically 'color appropriate' for the holiday, I decided it would do because there are many colors, including yellow, exhibited in the magnificent fireworks of July 4!

Magazine Heaven

Every now and then it is fun to sit down with a cup of tea and read a magazine from cover to cover. The opportunity is a rare treat. It's one I enjoy doing when at the cabin. It's quiet and there's no electronic media to distract me. Browsing through a magazine is a great way to inspire creativity in kitchen and home.

Ye Merrie Sudo Faire

Walks have always been a part of our family life. And walking in any of the area parks always gives us interesting things to see. It keeps us motivated to get our exercise! You never know what you'll see! Recently we discovered a merry group of people at the park.

Quietness & Solitude

Quiet beauty. Fragrance. Flutter.

Sudo & Sweden

We are loving having Sudo staying with us for awhile. She has adapted to our household very well. In fact, I'm afraid she is becoming very spoiled! The world revolves around her and she thinks that is the way it is supposed to be. Even Ms. Schnauzer has taken a secondary role to sweet Sudo. Every day they spend time playing together; pulling tug-of-war with a pair of socks or taking turns chewing up a piece of cardboard.

Almond Carob Truffles

Almond Carob Truffles



1 cup almonds
1 cup dates
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbsp. carob powder
3 Tbsp. water, warm
1 tsp. vanilla