Te Teas

A gift from my son of several kinds of tea
from Te Teas
several years ago
and I remember it was some of  the best I had ever tasted.
With him soon visiting his mom,
this needs to be on hand.

Finally located their website once again
(do not know how I misplaced it)
and ordered by phone several days ago.
The tea arrived in the mail yesterday.

Lately have been buying tea at the market
and for some reason thought it was less expensive.
Not so when these tea bags can be used for more then
one cup of tea and the quality is excellent.

This tea is shipped from California
and if you would like to read about it
and order some
here is the website www.teteas.com.

Something I Rarely Do

Always a planner
but this morning something was done that was not planned.
 I took off for the big city.
Many months had gone by, holidays past
and the sun was shining.

Stopped in one shop for them to adjust the 
cane that I sometimes carry.  Thought their sale would be
in progress but was not. 

Whole Foods, I like to visit a couple of times
a year, traffic was so bad so instead stopped at
Trader Joe's.
A Basil plant  was spotted among herb plants in pots (have missed this herb and because of frost I no longer have)  Eucalyptus soap and Crumpets were purchased.  Fond of Crumpets
not available in my small town.  Looked longingly at the bouquets of tulips, hyacinths,  roses and the mass of blooming plants - but did not weaken and purchase, but sure made me think Spring.

A stop at the special bakery for Tuscany Bread and their
tasty chocolate eclair.

Traffic was heavy, time going by quickly and did not stop for lunch.   A nursery stop
on the return to the country and found my Apple tree.  Told them if they could put it
in my car I would buy it.   So it was loaded in back seat with window open and on towards
home I headed.

A different chili that was made yesterday was waiting to be warmed.  Instead of red beans you
use white beans and corn along with carrots, celery, onions, red and green peppers,  tomatoes and chili powder.
This along with Tuscany bread with melted cheese on it, my tea and ate the whole eclair with
a glass of milk was more satisfying then anything I could have had in the big city.

So good to be home.
I thought maybe I would be missed
but do not think anyone knew I was not home
"except Miss Callie."

Icy Glaze

Early morning beauty
All the trees look like
they have been decorated.

Late afternoon and
everything looks the same
nothing melted.

Took a long time for ice
to melt on truck doors and windows
as I let it run to warm up.

Very careful as I went down
icy wood steps and drove out the long drive
to mailbox at noon.

Even with boots on
everything is so slippery....

Words

It is only with the heart
that one can see rightly...

~~Katherine Woods~~

An email received from Mary Kay...

"When she arrives
her name will be
Autumn Elizabeth

hoping she will have red curly hair and blue eyes."



My garden at dusk.....

Gray

Looking out the window
it looks gray and cold.
Several loads of wash, yoga, breakfast, going over floors,
bird feeders filled, writing reviews on Amazon, driving out
for mail and morning
has gone by quickly.

Batteries and charger ordered from Amazon and they do not
charge but for 24 hours and  as usual such good service and when
I contacted them new ones are on
the way.

Tomato soup for lunch and
still able to clip some chives and dill
to sprinkle on top along with Gouda cheese.
Also crackers with peanut butter and a slice
of cheesecake with tea made a satisfying lunch.

Arriving in mail a lot lately  offers for magazine subscriptions
at give away prices.  Like $8 for two for a year that would cost
over a $100 if bought at the store.    In the past there were
magazines delivered to my home, now just a few favorites
English Garden (and have so many old issues I will not renew
this subscription)  also the Yoga magazine which I keep for
my son to read on his upcoming trip home.
My daughter "Laurie" in Florida sent me a subscription to the magazine
"Garden and Gun" and looking forward to the next issue.

Computer gives me all the information  I need and with
 many unread books I need no more
reading material in this cottage.

Time to sit down and go through my mail
and I love this burning candle that my daughter "Beth"
gave me for Christmas.  A "Winter Pine" scent.

Wonder about the flu in the areas where so many of my visitors live.
One of our local schools is closed and they say ER is full.   So this one
is not venturing out much - but then she never did....

Last night was a night that hopefully does not repeat.
Decreasing Prednisone dose  has a lot of side affects.
I thought this issue was going to bless me and pass me by  - but then
did not sleep well, anxiety and when I did fall asleep unpleasant dreams
surfaced.  Rarely dream in my past years unless something really disturbs me. 
  It seemed I was lost in them and it
left me unsettled when I became fully awake...

Looking forward to sun shining on Wednesday
and also to a better nights sleep tonight.

Sunday

All day rain and
at times blowing so heavy on the windows
that it is difficult to view the outdoors.

A good day to read the growing stack of books
but she does not feel like reading.
For a short time she curls up in the old leather chair
with a blank mind.  So nice to have this active mind
empty.....  She has learned in these late years that the mind
is difficult to control and wonders why she was not aware of this
many years ago.  Now she replaces thoughts that disturb
her peace - as quickly as possible -  with a pleasant one.
 Most of the time something her
two youngest granddaughter's have said to her :)
Their comments always make her smile....

A few chores finished but a long list that needs to be tackled.
Will do them another day.

On rainy days ironing is pleasurable.
Probably a lost art for most but there are Christmas tablecloths
and half a dozen pillow cases that need to be ironed.
She still enjoys starched and ironed pillow cases
and has memories of all the ironing done for a big family.
In a way it seems like yesterday and then in an instant
 so long ago.

The storage room is a perfect place for ironing and the ironing board
stays up all the time. 
Dropping temperatures throughout the day and this area is still nice
and warm.  Tomorrow it will be cold as no heat and air were put in this area.
May still do this even though
this enjoyable room  stays comfortable most of the time.

 Tablecloths are handy and stay wrinkle free on quilt racks

Linens not like in the past and most sheets and pillow cases she has are very old
and almost feel like silk.  Purchases over the last years
have been disappointing as the quality is not like those in
the past.   It seemed that in a short time an imperfection would surface
then it was too late for them to be returned.
Making a call I would be told it had been 2 years since they were purchased
and I commented but I have sheets that are over 20 years old and still perfect.

She wonders why she still cannot download her images on blogger and has to go
to FireFox to do this?

Some Resting and Many Just Sleep

Yesterday it was almost 70 degrees
and felt so good to have my hands in the dirt.
Pulled out some Winter weeds and even
transferred pieces of another plant.
Lavender in a pot looks healthy and green

Walked a short way into the woods
hoping to see something of beauty
to take an image of.

I see nothing
just leaves, bare trees and limbs
laying everywhere.
It is  like everything is sleeping.

When in the woods the thought
continually comes to mind
"what if these old scarred trees could talk."

Some objects I could not throw away
they sit about and guess resting.
The trees and different wild flowers sleeping and
I smile and wonder, why One Woman do you take an image
of yourself in an old mirror she placed
in the woods?

A small bowl of greens and turnips were picked
for evening meal.  They continue to provide and these may be the last.

Monday morning predicted in the 20's
so it was so good to be outside,
feel the sun on my face
and even had lunch on the deck.

A magnificent sunset
ended another day
for One
who lives at the edge
of the woods....