Steeped in Tea & Friendship

Digital technology has opened up the world. We are able to send instant messages, share photos, and post on personal websites and blogs. Friendships are formed and creativity enhanced. It has also provided many with opportunities to publish. Several of my friends have written their own books. Clarice from Storybook Woods has written a delightful book called "Wren Bay". You might remember one of my blog posts where I reviewed her book. Wren Bay, the story of making a home, portrays charm, creativity, and warmth. It is skillfully mixed with grace and elegance, with a true mix of practicality, economy, and the careful use of natural resources.  Another friend, Marilyn from Delights of the Heart also authored a book. It's called "Tea Party in Your Cupboard" and is filled with ideas for creating impromptu tea parties with products generally found in your cupboard. She includes recipes from her own kitchen.

Clarice and Marilyn inspired me to give it a try! Step one is finding a publishing company online. There are several reliable companies that provide this service. Check out amazon.com, lulu.com, and blurb.com as a start. They offer simple instructions about writing, layout, color, and publishing.

My book is a simple "coffee table" book, although I should be calling it a "tea table" book instead! 

Since my book is simple, I wrote it in a way similar to writing a short story, article, or blog post. My main intent was to find a way to use some of my favorite tea themed photos. Therefore, my book was about tea and I called it "Steeped in Tea & Friendship". It was not only a labor of love, but labor intense as well. That surprised me, as I thought something as simple as my little book wouldn't take much time. I wrote about tea themes and included some of my favorite tea quotes. I enjoyed sitting for an hour or two at my computer each evening and adding to "my book". 

I enjoyed choosing photos and prose for each set of pages. Each pair was laid out by theme like an Asian tea, royal wedding, tea and sewing at a friend's house, or family tea times at the cabin.

Although I only published ten copies which I gave to family and friends for Christmas, I now feel like I have had an interesting peek into the world of self-publishing. It was a fun creative process! I treasure my copy and keep in on my "tea table" to enjoy during quiet moments of the day.

Other blogging friends collaborated together to share their favorite recipes and with the help of a publishing company. They've written a wonderful cookbook called Mennonite Girls Can Cook. Volume Two will be coming out soon. 

If you have some time to share, you might enjoy publishing a book too. Are you a blogger? Have you considered writing a book or publishing your blog? Please share!

A Passion for Tea

Do you have a passion for tea? Hattie Ellis does, and she writes all about it in this delightful little book called "A Passion for Tea". Published by Ryland Peters & Small, this book contains a wealth of information about preparing a perfect cup of tea. Artistic photography by Debi Treloar accompanies each page. Ms. Ellis starts by explaining the origins of tea and of the different tastes of tea from around the world. Then she explains how to make this versatile beverage, including buying, storing, and using the best equipment for the task of tea making. The finer points of tea service are shared, beginning with adding citrus, milk, and sugar. Then she discusses pairing tea with food. The author doe not forget to talk about tea's health benefits. Before she's done, she shares some of the main points of specific types of tea service and gives some delightful recipes for tea, the beverage. Although this is a small book, it's packed full of information. As the description on the back cover states, this book has "Enough facts and flavors to refresh any tea lover. Perfect with a slice of cake!"


I'll be sharing about other tea books in my collection as times goes on. In the meantime, see if your library has this helpful book so you can enjoy it too!


Teacup: the marking says D & C - France. It was a $2.99 find at Goodwill.

Moon Flower

Moon Flower is the common name for several kinds of flowers that bloom during the darkness of night. Frequently they exhibit flowers that are white. I especially like the one named Angel's Trumpets because they have such pretty, fluted trumpet flowers. They are graceful and elegant.  My friend, Salina, relates to them so well that she has named her blog, Moon Flower,  for these night-blooming flowers. She says that her creativity comes out at night and that she enjoys creating in the quietness and peacefulness that comes at the end of the day. For several years I have enjoyed observing the things she creates. Each of her projects comes from her heart and is an expression of who she is. She enjoys nature and this love is translated so well in her creations. I'm always amazed at the items she produces from simple, natural ingredients.  

Recently I was happy to receive a package from Salina. It contained one of her beautiful, felted bird nests with three baby-blue felted eggs inside. It also contained a matching handmade book and four pretty, stamped gift tags. They are so spring-like and look pretty on a table in my living room. Thank you, Salina!


If you would like to visit her shops, you can find her on these sites:


Handmade Books and Paper Items


Crocheted, Felted, Home Decor, and Jewelry


She also has a vintage and de-stash shop; linked on the sidebar of her blog.


I think you'll enjoy visiting her and seeing the pretty things she makes. Enjoy!

Tea Party in your Cupboard

There is a new book gracing my shabby chic coffee table. It fits perfectly there and is special not only because it's a great book, but because it was written by my friend, Marilyn. Her book made its debut this month, and such a beautiful book it is. In it, she has combined her love for afternoon tea and photography. She's also included instructions for making a perfect cup of tea and recipes for many of her favorite tea foods. In her book's introduction she says that her book "is for the impromptu or simple tea party for yourself, one or two people, or a small group". Her book illustrates perfectly how this can be accomplished by serving something as simple as tea and toast or by using ingredients you have on hand in your kitchen cupboard to put together quick fillings for tea sandwiches, simple scones, and sweets. Each time you turn the page there is one of her beautiful photographs illustrating a recipe or cup of tea. Marilyn's book is hardcover and the perfect size to add to a home vignette when not being used for the delicious recipes inside it's covers. I found the forty pages perfect for perusing and a great inspiration to take a look at what's in my kitchen cupboard that would be good for afternoon tea! 


You can visit Marilyn's blog at Delights of the Heart. She can also be found at Marmalady's where she sells her lovely tea jams and original patterns that she has designed for tea time convenience (tea cozies, aprons, and table quilts and more). Additionally, you can see pictures of a delightful tea we shared together at Maryhill on one of my previous blog posts. Note the beautiful copper tea kettle that Marilyn uses to make perfect cups of picnic tea. So delish!

Clarice's "Wren Bay"

Several summers past I turned onto a road that was so hidden in the trees that I missed it the first time I passed.  The road was lined with tall evergreens and consisted of a dirt and gravel lane that wound through the woods.  It led to a quaint old house that was once the home to an Admiral.  As the car stopped, the back door opened and out popped Clarice and her two lovely daughters.  Warm hugs and friendly words were shared as everyone started talking at once.  It was our first meeting, but you'd have thought we had been friends forever.  The Wren-like warmth of this trio made me feel right at home.  I was directed through a old-fashioned kitchen to the living room.  A cozy coverlet-lined sofa provided a comfortable place to sit, but I couldn't sit for long because there were so many interesting things to see.  Clarice's china closets were lined with unusual vintage pieces and bits of artwork.  Mayra, a black, floppy-eared rabbit hopped across the floor.  It's crate was open nearby with a bowl of bunny food beside it.  Throughout the house, interesting vignettes created pretty places for the eyes to settle.  A wooden doll house that was completely furnished and artfully decorated by Chloe for an upcoming holiday was set at a focal point.  It fit into the decor in the most charming way.  Aubrerne's passion for Tolkien and characters in that genre could be seen in her artwork and the books she surrounded herself with.  In the center of the living room, a large, antique table was set.  An assortment of wooden chairs surrounded the table that was draped with a colorful vintage cloth.  Mismatched vintage china and real silverware was set at each place-setting.  Dainty ladies hankies served as place mats.  The effect was so unique and charming, you would have to be there to completely experience its appeal.  Even with all the lovelies throughout the room, one's eyes were always set on coming back to rest on the beautiful table.  While Clarice was putting the finishing touches on making the food for tea, her sweet daughters gave an enticing tour of their cottage home.  The girls, Auberne' and Chloe, shared of the projects they had been stitching, crafting, and enjoying.  A beautifully appointed library was lined with rows upon rows of old books.  A comfy sofa with a plaid covered table beside it encouraged the reading of a good book and some time out.  Here, Mr. Fox-Hughes was cheerfully ensconced, watching some television in this cozy man-den, keeping out of the way so that the ladies could enjoy a special afternoon.  Upon completion of the tour, we sat down for tea.  The menu was unique and the food delightful!  Summer Hill tea spoke of rosemary and lavender as it was poured into china teacups from a crown-adorned Roseanna teapot.  Individual pots of thick chocolate mousse, walnut-lavender scones, homemade espresso truffles, and lavender honey gave the palate an experience not soon forgotten.  Chattering voices shared topics near and dear to our hearts, covering everything from crafting, home education, home remedies, recipes, and more.  The time flew by swiftly.  Those moments shared cemented a friendship that is cherished still and meaningful beyond measure.  Kindred spirits are always connected, even when distance complicates togetherness.  

It is with this scene in mind that I opened the colorful cover of the novel, Wren Bay.  It is the very personal and cherished work of Clarice Fox-Hughes.  As I read its pages, I came to realize more and more that the protagonist, Wren, truly was the substance of Clarice.  Clarice's creative spirit was reflected so well in the story of Wren as she worked to create a warm and loving home for her beloved Devlin and herself.  Wren's privileged upbringing and appreciation for fine things reflected the childhood of Clarice, a child raised with foreign travel and affluence.  One couldn't help but feel that Clarice really knew her subject as her writing voice speaks of European elegance and Boston society.  It was obvious that Clarice had researched her subject well as she wrote of herbal remedies, fine-crafted stitchery projects, delicious dishes made from gourmet recipes, and more.  Clarice described Wren's experiences of learning to milk a cow with equal assurance and expertise, although after meeting Clarice I really doubt she has ever milked a cow herself.  The characters in Wren Bay are well-developed and become intertwined not only in the life of Wren, but to the reader as well.  Aunt Sophie could be any one's favorite spinster aunt, and Mimi obviously cooks with the talent of Julia Child.  Mary becomes a reassuring figure to Wren, taking on a mother-like quality for her, as the reading audience is aware that Wren was orphaned a child.  Heart-strings are pulled by the child, Lily, whom Wren takes under her wing, teaching her about life by the same whole-child techniques that Clarice used to home educate her own daughters.  Holistic and creative, using nature and objects from daily life, these methods were illustrated by the experiences of Wren and Lily as the child learned effortlessly by natural teaching techniques.  Wren's practical ease in creating a nurturing environment is reflected in Clarice's home.  As I completed the last page of Wren Bay, reading the final sentence which consists of the words "Wren's blessing tonight. . ." I could not help but say three words of my own.  Wren is Clarice.

Wren Bay, the story of making a home, exudes charm, creativity, and warmth.  It is skillfully mixed with grace and elegance, with a true mix of practicality, economy, and the careful use of natural resources.  Later, as I pondered this delightful book, I remembered the day that I sat at Clarice's table and she shared with me that she agonized over any aspect of her life that required writing.  Her life-long experiences with dyslexia has caused her moments of concern and learning challenges.  I recalled how she shared that writing a blog post was agonizing at times as she struggled to choose just the right words and to place them correctly in a paragraph with spelling that was true.  These obstacles, the technical aspects of writing a book, were overcome by Clarice as she allowed her vivid imagination and creativity to shine forth.  She has written a novel that is fully developed, with settings the reader can picture, and with characters the reader comes to know as friends.  Wren Bay is a delightful book and a joy to read!  

Great job, Clarice!  Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart!  I anticipate volume two of the delightful life of Wren Bay.  


You may read Clarice's blog, Storybook Woods, here.  To visit other posts on Gracious Hospitality, click here or click on the header.

LaTeaDah@2011  

Bliss on a Winter Evening

 

A cozy winter evening is the perfect time for curling up on the sofa with a good book.  Timeless classics are the best!  Do you remember this quote from Laura Ingalls Wilder?  

"A long time ago, when all the grandfathers and grandmothers of today were little boys and little girls or very small babies, or perhaps not even born, Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura and Baby Carrie left their little house in the Big Woods. . ."  

Bliss on a chilly winter evening.  A book.  A cozy place to read.  A warm fire.  Contentment.

Books from Scratch

Sometimes its enjoyable and relaxing to break from routine to create! So, with glue, string, and papers I sat down to see if I could make a book from scratch. I've always admired the handmade books found in places like Etsy. Although my book was small and simple, it surprised me how much time it took. Embroidery floss and a buttonhole stitch trimmed an edge while strong thread on a needle bound the book at its fold. Giant rick-rack was glued on the edge, creating a scalloped look on the back. Another book was bound in the Japanese style and its pages were individually crafted with the help of a Dremel (power tool) after being dipped into tea and dried with a blow-drier. A plastic bracelet expressing 'gentleness' worked as a fastener for one, while another was bound by brad and a crocheted string of floss. Relaxing and fun, these little journals are a special place to keep notes, express feelings, or write goals. Creativity really is fun!

The Full Plate Diet

The Full Plate Diet

I've been reading The Full Plate Diet, a book published by Lifestyle Centers of America. The book promotes a healthy lifestyle, achieved by adding fiber to the daily diet. Acording to the authors, you can eat until you no longer feel hungry. The goal is to get enough fiber each day for optimal health. Since fiber is filling, there's no need to count calories, carbohydrates, or protein. They take care of themselves when fiber goals are met. The book is colorful, inviting, and easy to read. The information inside the cover talks about the full plate concept, the health benefits of the program, how to get started, and all about adding fiber to foods. It is a healthy eating program, although also touted as beneficial for weight loss. The book shares great recipes and excellent tips for incorporating fiber at work, in restaurants, and on the road. I love the book! The program is right on! But the thing I like the most is a handy little gadget that they have online that helps those 'new to fiber' achieve their 'fiber goals' each day. It's a fiber calculator which helps you determine your fiber score each day. A thermometer on the side registers red, yellow, and then green as it goes up the scale. Green is the goal! There's no measuring, no counting calories, no fussy charts. Just fiber in the most delicious forms: legumes, grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. If you'd like more information about this program, check out The Full Plate Diet website. Starting on August 15, they will be giving free access to the electronic version of the advanced reading copy of this book.

I am challenged to start counting my fiber ingestion daily. With fiber the goal, making meal choices becomes simple. My fiber calculations are started for the day. Here's what I had for breakfast this morning:

Fruited Quinoa

4 cups quinoa, cooked

1/2 cup chopped almonds

1/3 cup dried cranberries

2 bananas, sliced

1 packet stevia powder (NuNaturals brand)

1 tsp. cinnamon

Stir until well blended, but be gentle with the bananas. Dish into a bowl and then add about 1/4 cup soymilk. For added flavor and fiber, add 1/3 cup pineapple chunks.

The original recipe serves 6 (about 1 cup servings).

*To hear more about my Full Plate adventures, check my cooking blog. I'll be posting at My Cozy Kitchen as time goes on. . .

The Hidden Art

Have you read Edith Schaeffer's book, "The Hidden Art of Homemaking"? In it she outlines creative ideas for enriching everyday life. Her writing is real and practical, yet she is quick to encourage adding little details to make home a special place to be. Each chapter describes elements that she believes should be focused upon in a home: art, music, interior decoration, gardens, flower arranging, food, writing, drama, recreation, clothing, integration of others, and the environment. Edith speaks fondly of children and of a mother's role in creating elements in a home that provide color, texture, shape, repetition, and line. Baking bread becomes a communal connecting point in a family, and the always present table centerpiece is created from objects readily available during any season in nature. Her writing draws the reader into her home with statements like this: "The kitchen should be an interesting room in which communication takes place between child and mother and also among adults. It should be interesting in the same way as is an artist's studio, as well as being a cosy spot in which to have a cup of tea while something is being watched or stirred, or while waiting to take something out of the oven." Most of all, the author reminds each reader that we are to extend hospitality especially to those whom we may not normally extend it, as Jesus said doing "for one of the least of these" is as though doing unto Him. If you haven't read this book yet, take a moment to find a copy and enjoy an afternoon read.

*Tyndale Press 1971

River Walk and Yellow Boat

Brent loves exploring along the river, but since I don't like rattlesnakes, I won't go with him during the summer months. Yesterday he decided that it was cool enough that the rattlesnakes would be hibernating. It was time for a river walk.

Although it was overcast, the temperatures were pleasant and there was no wind. Walking along the railroad tracks gave us an easy pathway along the rocky shore. From sagebrush and driftwood, to loons and cormorants, there was much to explore and see.

Brent spotted something yellow in the driftwood along the bank. Can you see it on the lower left of the picture above? He discovered that it was a small boat, crafted out of Popsicle sticks and coated with hot glue or silicone. Dried foam made up the top. Light and watertight, it was ready to sail! In fact, it probably had been sailing, but had been washed ashore during a recent stormy day.

Why am I telling you all this? Seeing this boat flooded my mind with memories. Early memories of one of the first books I remember my mother ever reading to me. Perhaps you have read it too. It's called Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling C. Holling. It was a 1942 Caldecott Honor Book. This book tells the story of a Canadian Indian boy from Nipigon country in the Canadian wilderness who carves an Indian figure in a small canoe that he names "Paddle-to-the-Sea". Wishing he could go traveling, he cannot. Instead, he sends his small boat afloat with a carved note that says "Put me back in the water. I am Paddle-to-the-Sea". His little boat meets much adventure as it floats from a river near the little boy's home to the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, and finally the Atlantic Ocean. Four years of floating to the sea creates a story that captures geography, nature, drama, and adventure. It's an imaginative and captivating story.

As children, my sister and I were inspired by it. We would both create little boats out of whatever materials were near and set them sailing when we were by a river's shore. We hoped our little boats would have as many wonderful adventures as "Paddle-to-the-Sea" did.

I suppose there are some things you never outgrow. It seemed so appropriate to ask Brent to please place "Little Yellow Boat" into the river so it could paddle to the sea as well. It has a long journey ahead, but given enough time and a few hydroelectric dams, it could soon be to ocean shore --- albeit it won't be the Atlantic like the Indian boy's boat, but rather the mighty Pacific. Brent was happy to indulge me and sent the little boat sailing on it's way again.

The sage is fragrant, although it's yellow flowers are drying and it's foliage is taking on blue-gray tones rather than sage-green. It was a pretty resting place for the "Little Yellow Boat --- for awhile. It's on it's way again, taking a journey to the sea. Soon maybe someone will find it as it passes by evergreens and forests as it nears the coast. Who knows where "Little Yellow Boat" might end up. My imagination takes it even farther; to Japan to visit a dear friend or maybe even to Australia.

The adventure, mystery, and intrigue of it all leave much to the imagination, and that's what makes it so much fun!

If you haven't read "Paddle-to-the-Sea" yet, be sure to pick it up at the library. I am quite certain that a youngster you know will enjoy the book immensely (and so will you!).

Enjoy a lovely day! Let the imagination soar!

Unleashing Your Inner Wild

I'm excited about a new book I found recently. What wonderful ideas; a real inspiration. It's MaryJane Butter's recent book called MaryJane's Outpost - Unleashing Your Inner Wild. Have you read it yet? MaryJane has reached deep into her inner-child, focusing on the good things of days gone by, making vintage fun, practical, and so very fashionable. It's a quirky mix of home crafts and decor, gardening, outdoor living, outdoor recreation, recipes and cooking ideas, and living with nature. Her goal is to help the reader look beyond the front door, reaching towards the romance of the outdoors. She says "why sit around indoors when you can invite your friends, young and old, to a unique picnic? Not only do people bond better without a roof over their heads, you don't have to vacuum the floor afterwards." Hmmm, good point. This book presents ideas that break all molds and is beautifully illustrated with photos that bring ideas to life. An outdoor kitchen established on a front porch, furniture made from twigs, ironing boards used for tables or displays, a bed made up with ruffles and frills on the back of a flat-bed truck (to be driven to a field for a night under the stars), tidbits of nature study, care for the environment while living wild (backpacking, believe me, is wild), setting up a 'story tree', and much, much more. This is the kind of book that I like to keep on a coffee table or bedside stand to review over and over again. See if your local library has a copy, or order one for yourself from MaryJane's Farm at www.maryjanesoutpost.org. Happy, inspirational reading!

Quiet Reflection on Purpose

Life is quiet right now. A quiet, peaceful, and rainy week-end would be boring as recorded in blogland. But oh, it was so tranquil. There's something about watching clouds drift by and raindrops fall, and about walking in the woods, or baking apple cake with cinnamon and eating it while sipping a nice cup of hot tea. Even the dogs relaxed and slept by the fire, not worrying about squirrels or noises in the night.

Since life is quiet, I decided it would be a good time to review another chapter of one of my favorite books, "Disciplines of the Beautiful Women" by Anne Ortlund. The chapter called "Your Goals" speaks to my heart during a time of transition in my life. It could be applicable to all of us collectively as well, as election day draws near. Goals not only help us in our individual lives, but in decisions that impact the future of our nation too. Anne starts this chapter by comparing establishing life goals to a journey on a ship. She says that along the way, all kinds of contrary winds and cross currents could try to take us off-course. It is only by continually refocusing, redirecting, and recentering on our destination that we end up in the right place at all. In other words, we'll get nowhere we want to be if we just drift along. However, goals do more than head you in the direction you want to go. According to Anne, they also give you your identity! Identity --- who I am --- who you are --- all tied up in goals and objectives, and lead us in the direction we want to take our lives from this point on. When we make goals it helps us focus on who we are and how we are different or the same from those around us. They help us identify who we are in this world. Anne then discusses how we must live out our goals in an authentic manner, reflecting the love of the Lord. Life's goals combine with life's purposes, what we hope to be, what we hope to do, by the time we die. Achieving these goals and purposes is clarified by writing them out so we can read them frequently and use them to measure our success in achieving them. I could not help but smile when I read this paragraph of Anne's: "I don't deserve a single day, but I must say I want to be like that woman of Proverb 31:25; she 'smiles at the future'. 'Little old ladies' have been kicked around so long that I'd love to be a way-show-er, an old woman with God's glory on her head who would help change the image." Isn't that an awesome objective? I'm imagining a little old lady dressed in red with a purple hat covered with flowers, on tour with her tea group, being a way-show-er to everyone around her! What a valiant purpose!

Establishing our goals in life should not be something we are cautious in! Anne reminds us to recapture the visions of our youth, or get fresh new ones; to be courageous to make them specific and large --- and all for His glory! And she continues with these words: "If you're young and you figure you've got another fifty years to live, you could fool around for another forty-nine years, figuring then you could scramble like mad to get everything done. But only God know how long you have, and He isn't going to tell." So true, but even if you could live your life into old-age, think of all the things you'd be missing out on by living with purpose only at the end and not during the entire process of living. Life isn't just about 'product' but about 'process' as well.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Anne says that God makes no two flowers or snowflakes or women alike. Therefore, the way we establish our goals will be different from one another. She recommends, though, that goals be broken down into smaller units so that we can evaluate them in order to check our progress. Quarterly, monthly, or weekly --- whatever works best for you and your personality will do. Some people are 'paper people' and write everything down in detail. Others are more 'fly by the seat of your pants' types. Either way can be dangerous, but through self analysis we can avoid the dangers of over-planning (and not having time to get past the planning and to our goals) or seat-flying (taking each day as it comes without having anticipated it, planned for it, shaped it, or prayed over it). Anne suggests establishing guidelines for ourselves so that we can control our days rather than letting them control us.

Living by the goals we've established on a daily basis is precious and important. When we establish goals and life purposes, some daily duties get eliminated, some streamlined, and others highlighted in the scheme of our whole life! Life becomes meaningful and fun! We live on purpose and with purpose.

A Life Spent

"A life spent in the service of God and communion with Him is the most comfortable and pleasant life that anyone can live in this world."

Alexander Whyte
Written the day before he died