Tea Talk

Strange how a teapot can represent
at the same time the comforts of
solitude and the pleasures of company.
~Author Unknown

I'm having...Irish Breakfast tea with just a bit of sweetener.

My teacup is...is part of a Chocolate Set hand painted by a former neighbor and given me by DH for my birthday and Christmas many years ago. Sipping from this cup brings a flood of memories.



I'm feeling...the anticipation of one who must get on with the day and finish it before I can participate in what I consider the most important part of this day, Mass celebrating Christ's institution of the Eucharist.

On my mind...Preparing to be in the proper frame of mind to celebrate these Holy Days!

+
~~+++~~
+
Thanks be to God!

Now won't you join me and visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house? Share a cup of tea with us.

Tea Talk

Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world.
~T'ien Yiheng

~~~

Yes, it's Thursday again and I find myself looking forward to it every week now. I sit with my tea and ponder nothing. It's very relaxing and relieves stress a new day can bring.

I'm having...Pomegranate Pizzazz herb tea with just a bit of sweetener.

My teacup is...my teapot/teacup set. I got it when we were in California a number of years ago when we visited David and Kelly there. It reminds me of the wonderful aroma of lemons and strawberries. It was an all around beautiful place to be.




I'm feeling... Grand! It is Thursday and there is only one day until the weekend. This week has not be very stressful at work. The doctors are in Florida on Spring bread with their children.

On my mind...getting properly prepared for Holy Week.

+
~~+++~~
+
Thanks be to God!

Now won't you join me and visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house? Share a cup of tea with us.

Tea Talk~There's Always the Day After

May you always have walls for the wind.
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you
and all your heart might desire.
Irish Blessing

For all those who had a most grand celebration, recuperation may not be as hard as you think. Sit down with a hot cuppa tea, put your feet up, and be profoundly grateful it's only a headache you're havin'!

I'm having...Good Earth Tea with it's warm cinnamon sweetness.

My teacup is...my plain white mug (nothing too flashy this morning).

I'm feeling... Grand! Though the foot is a wonderful shade of black-and-blue I can walk on it without any discomfort today and have been without "the boot" for two days now!

On my mind...is gratitude for a strained foot not a broken foot!

+
~~+++~~
+

Thanks be to God!!

Now it's time for you to visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house.

Tea Talk

"Tea pot is on the, cups are waiting,
Favorite chairs anticipating,
No matter what I have to do,
My friend, there's always time for you."
Anonymous

Welcome to my house. Come in and linger. There is nothing like a cup of tea between friends.

I'm having...Good Earth Tea with it's warm cinnamon sweetness.

My teacup is...my Irish mug.

I'm feeling... a bit ambivalent. It's gloomy, gray and raining outside. And after the glorious day here yesterday, a bit of a letdown. But I am excited, too, because this weekend we'll be traveling to INDY for fun with the kids and grand kids. In other words, mixed emotions.

On my mind...at this time is getting the chicken soup done for this weekend before we leave for INDY. It will b served for lunch for the women's Christ Renews His Parish weekend here at Saint John the Baptist. It's a privilege to serve!

+
~~+++~~
+
Thanks be to God!!

Now it's time for you to visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house.

Tea Talk

There is a great deal of poetry
and fine sentiment in a chest of tea.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson, Letters and Social Aims

Welcome to my house. Come in and linger. There is nothing like a cup of tea between friends.

I'm having...Constant Comment tea with a bit of Splenda

My teacup is... A Suzy Toronto mug I got a couple of years ago. The verse on the outside of the cup says, "I may do foolish thing...But at least I do them with Enthusiasm!" and along the inside rim it say, "Sometimes my inner-goofball just slips out." It makes me smile at who I can be sometimes.

I'm feeling... Perky! They say the sun will shine today and I am soooo looking forward to that! Wishing everyone a grand day!

Thought you all might like to try this recipe. These cookies melt in your mouth!

Scottish Short bread Cookies

1/4 cup EACH: confectioners sugar, granulated sugar
1-1/4 cups butter (2-1/2 sticks), refrigerated and cut into 8-10 pieces
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. Place sugars in food processor and process until very fine. Ad butter; pulse until sugar disappears. Add flour; pulse until no dry flour particles remain. (Mixture will be moist and crumbly.) Place in plastic bag and press together to form dough; knead lightly until dough holds together. Remove from bag. Shape with a cookie press, fork, or the bottom of a glass lightly moistened with water. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until pale golden. Remove from cookie sheets; cool completely on wire racks. Yield: about 4 dozen cookies.

Thanks be to God!!!

Now it's time for you to visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house.

Tea Talk

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough

or a book long enough to suit me."

C. S. Lewis

Welcome to my house. Come in and linger. There is nothing like a cup of tea between friends.

I'm having...Namring Upper Estate tea steeped for 3 minutes. It was gift from daughter, Marianne. The first time I prepared this tea I steeped it for 5 minutes. I drank it and was wired for the entire day. It's not a feeling I am particularly fond of. That's when I learned that the time you steep your tea is most important.

My teacup is... a favorite mug of mine. It is white with simple white roses on it. When I drink from this mug I am reminded of my friend, Fay, who spent many hours with me drinking tea and chatting for hours. The mug recalls one of those visits.

I'm feeling... a bit tired. Amazing isn't it that after a retreat one should feel fatigued, but here it is three days after I returned from Saint Meinrad and I'm bushed. I guess it's haveing to return to the real world and all its challenges.

I'm wishing you all a wonderful day! Sun is supposed to shine today, so in anticipation of that, I say, "Enjoy!" And...

+
~~+++~~
+

Thanks be to God!!

Now it's time for you to visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house. I'm wishing all a grand day!

Tea Talk

It's Thursday after Ash Wednesday. A perfect time to reflect on our journey this Lent with a warm cup of your favorite tea. Join me, won't you?

I'm having...Irish Breakfast tea this morning.

My teacup is... is a plain white cup. No frills. A reminder of the simple life we are called to

I'm feeling... happy in anticipation of the retreat I begin tomorrow at Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

Pray with me this Prayer For A Lenten Journey found in Lent and Easter, Wisdom from St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. Compiled by John V. Kruse.

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God,
give us miserable ones
the grace to do for You alone
what we know you want us to do
and always to desire what pleases You.
Inwardly cleansed,
interiorly enlightened
and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
may we be able to follow
in the footprints of Your beloved Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
and, by Your grace alone,
may we make our way to You,
Most High,
Who live and rule
in perfect Trinity and simple Unity,
and are glorified
God almighty,
forever, and ever.
Amen.
~St Francis of Assisi~
"A Letter to the Entire Order," 120-121

+
~~+++~~
+
Thanks be to God!

Now it's time for you to visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house. I'm wishing all a grand day!

Tea Talk

Teapot is on, the cups are waiting,
Favorite chairs anticipating.
No batter what I have to do,
My friend, there's always time for you
Author Unknown
from Take a Little Time for Tea
by Kathy Hatch

Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house. I do enjoy a good cup of tea. And this is just the perfect time to celebrate! Yes, first thing in the morning before the mind gets muddled with all the things it has to process. So visit Ruth, have a cup of tea and then share with us.

I'm having...Irish Breakfast Tea from Taylors of Harrogate. It is great on a cold morning as it warms me from the inside out.

My teacup is... actually "tea mug" that was given to me by Ron's sister and brother-in-law along with the Irish Breakfast tea. It's very plain with a bold shamrock and simply the word Ireland on it, but it means a great deal to me for it was given with love.

I'm feeling...invigorated. Yesterday was my meeting with Sister Dorothy for Spiritual Direction and I feel renewed.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Now dear friends please stop in at Ruth's delightful and cozy "tearoom" and enjoy! The book, Take a Little Time for Tea is a delightful book with recipes and sayings by the wise and learned.

Tea Time With God

I did it!! Yes, I did. I accomplished everything on the list. It really didn't take all day and I was determined to complete it. I didn't want to fail. So it is that I came upon another one of those lost treasures. A gift given by a friend some time ago. The book is called Tea Time With God. It is a treasure in many ways. First, I call to mind the person who gave it to me and offer a prayer for her and her family. And next it gives me an opportunity to share a lesson I found meaningful to me from the book.

The Grande Finale

For the vision still has its time...

if it delays,wait for it

it will surely come it will not be late.
Habakkuk 2:3 (NAB)

Many of the major symphonies we know and love have what has come to be called "a grand finale." Beethoven's symphonies, in particular, are noted for this. The final movement of the symphony may begin with a gentle and melodious theme, then suddenly there will be a flurry of sound and rhythm that builds, increasing to a climax that often includes a great deal of percussion and every section of the orchestra playing at full tilt. The listener is swept toward a glorious conclusion.

Most projects, and most work days follw a similar pattern. We may call it "momentum," but at 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. we find oursilves shifting into high gear to accomplish everything listed on our agenda.

The closer we get to completion of the project the greater energy we pour into it and the more we are focused. Our work output during the final hour of the day--of the final segment of the project--may be many times more.

Rather than attempt to change this dynamic, go with the flow of it! Enhance the process by giving yourself a tea time. when you can put your feet up for a few seconds and enjoy a little nourishment. Use these quiet moments to regroup, rethink, replan, refocus.

Consider carefully what you must do in the final hour of the day and what you can set aside. Let the advise of the Scriptures ring true in your spirit: "Do not worry about tomorrow; it will take care of itself." (Matthew 6:34 NAB)

Jesus' final three years of ministry were intense and eternally meaningful. They were preceded by at least 25 years of preparation. Take time to rejuvenate yourself before your grand finale!

Though my Saturday was certainly on no grand scale a life changing experience, I did indeed get done the things I set out to do except for one...vaccuuming the family room. The glory in this reflection is that I see that taking time from the chores (and they were chores), I could go back and continue because I took a minute or two for tea...literally.

So, some time today, when things seem to be hovering about, say, "Excuse me, I need a cup of tea (coffee)." It'll do you a world of good. It did for me. And you know the list wasn't so bad...will now doubt make one for next weekend, too.

~~*~~*~~*~~
Thanks be to God!

~~Picture by 3littlemiracles~~