Right Now . . . . . . .

               Right now we are thankful for so many good things and so many friends, family and co-workers.  It is such a a joy to travel through life with those that can make us laugh and bring a smile to our faces. To those that love us through the thick and thin of it.  That endure long absences of contact and pick up right where we let off. we are thankful for a home and heat and clean water and food for our tummies. We are thankful for the gifts of our skills that we can earn a living and make life richer for others.

                Right now we are shoveling out from a snowstorm leaving about 10 inches of heavy wet snow.  Many friends, co-workers were without power but we were lucky to only lose the internet . . . 3 teens with a day off from school - did not see that as lucky.  They had a Lord of the Rings Movie Fest instead.

                  Right now we are cleaning out  and repainting the room that our 19 y/o occupied for  the last 15 years . . . . . soon to be taken over by our 14y/o.  It is a Bittersweet time.  So many good memories, the room was painted to look like a Beach, clouds on a blue ceiling, This umbrella in a corner just perfect for reading . . .Kites, lighthouses, birds, crabs, Starfish, we had it all. Packing up all the treasures is both difficult and pleasurable as we recall all the moments that surround them

               Right now the tea kettle is whistling on the wood cook-stove, sounds like the wind from outside.. almost time for Hot cocoa and tea on a 19 degree morning!!! Soon we will be off to family's house to feast.  We have the Cranberry-Orange Relish, Brussels Sprouts and 4 different pies!!  Feasting, game playing and napping.

               Right now- wishing everyone a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Why do I drink Tea?

Oh my goodness the list could be so long. . . I was thinking of this as I received some bad news of the death of a friends husband . . unexpected as it usually is.  My next thought was time to have tea. Tea quiets us, makes us slow down, to pause to think  things through , to pray for others, Tea is the great equalizer, it is enjoyed and served in most all parts of the world.
  
 Let me count the ways . . .
          I like tea:

• when it is cold out
• when I am tired
• when I need to think
• When I am frustrated and anxious
• when I am angry
• when I want to be creative
• when curled up with a good book
• when it is cold and snowy out
• with fresh bread
• with breakfast
• with dessert
• first thing in the morning
• when writing

Pretty much all the time. 

I like all kinds of tea - Earl Grey, Jasmine Green, Lemon, Herbal teas, White peach, blends, I am not to picky when it comes to tea.  I do not like it really hot and I do not add any thing to it.   In the spring we make Maple tea, with hot sap water and a black tea bag.

.Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water, and can be found in almost 80% of all U.S. households. It is the only beverage commonly served hot or iced, anytime, anywhere, for any occasion. On any given day, nearly 127 million people, or half of all Americans are drinking tea.

 “There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.”
Lin Yutang

Book Chatter . . .at Chestnut Hill. . . .

           So I am clearly having issues with formatting this post, but bear with me. I am currently reading this book and could have finished it long ago ( just a few pages left) but am trying to savor it a little longer. It is the current read on my nightstand and I like it for that, because each chapter per Se' is short enough to read before I fall asleep although the past few nights, my eyes have shut with the book unopened in my hands to be removed by Erik when he comes in.
             This is an easy to read rich and lovingly written memoir about cooking, friends, love and time spent around the table. It is a gift to provide food and nourish our friends and family with soul filling comfort food. This book traverses the seasons of the year and the seasons of life. Each chapter is short, that it is easy to start and finish. Many include a helpful yummy recipe at the end! Read, savor, enjoy and spend time with those you love around the table!



 Bread and Wine, a Love Letter to Life around the Table by Shauna Niequest




 

Postcard Swap Fall 2013

So usually once or twice a year ihanna from Sweden coordinates a International Postcard Swap, I have participated for many years now.  Here are a couple of what I sent out this year and soon I will post ones that I am receiving.  They go to USA, Italy,England, Sweden . . . all over.  I create 10 postcards and then I am given 10 addresses.  I send my 10 to those addresses.  The 10 I receive are not from the people I send to. IT is lots of fun to see what others do and are thinking. One year I received one that was all knitted. Some are simple and some are complex.  Stay tuned for more on this great postcards swap!!

First Snow 2013

This season the first snow fell of a  measurable amount on 11-12-13, while not enough to make a snowman or a fort- it was enough to tell us that despite all the fabulous fall weather we have been having . . . we are again transitioning into a new season of winter, when the Earth sleeps.   This was the light fluffy snow that coats everything in a soft embrace.  Like all of nature getting a new winter coat.  Since it is early in the season the pumpkins are still out and about and look especially smart in their snowy coats. Mind you when December arrives or the first Major snowstorm we will get excited all over again.  Such is the party fun of Mother Nature.

" The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event.  You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?"

J.B. Priestley

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?

J. B. Priestley

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jbpriest159615.html#WOivYz2lkQJ8Z6Pe.99

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?

J. B. Priestley

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jbpriest159615.html#WOivYz2lkQJ8Z6Pe.99

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?

J. B. Priestley

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jbpriest159615.html#WOivYz2lkQJ8Z6Pe.99

The Moments No.40

This was a picture - that I did not know that got taken . . . . none the less it is rather cool looking . . .

Works in Progress . . .

In the quilting stage

Pumpkin Blanket- goes with book of same name by Deborah Turney Zagwyn

25th Anniversary sampler quilt needs stashing and binding

Christmas gift for daughter

Now the irony . . . while away on my sewing weekend . . . the sewing machine died and I had made so much progress on several things and was so close to getting to the next stage and then in a moment it was making a horrible noise that just kept getting worse, so we had to abort sewing and start knitting . ..  Life just never goes as planned does it?  But it is what we do when the plans go awry that counts I guess.