The Tea Ladies

The Tea Ladies

The Gurgling Fish!

It's always fun when a friend comes to visit. Tari's been my friend since we were 15 years old and met at piano lessons. Recently she came for lunch and we had a pleasant time visiting and eating together.

We have birthdays just days apart. Her gift to me is on the table. Can you guess what it is? It's the cobalt blue fish pitcher in the center of the table. It is so whimsical and more! It is called a GurglePot.

It was designed by Matt Ellison and with the pitcher comes this story:  "Years ago, I attended my brother's wedding in a small village in Southern France. Since there were no hotels in town, all guests were matched with French hosts. My hosts spoke no English and I spoke no French which made the dinner conversation a challenge. Long stretches of awkward silences were compounded by the fact that French dinners can last for 3 - 4 hours. There was, however, one saving grace --- a fish shaped water pitcher that 'gurgled'. I found myself drinking more water than wine so I could fill the silent room with 'gurgling' and unite the table with smiles."

The story of the GurglePot continues by Matt saying that he was "inspired by the lighthearted affect of the gurgling sound, I returned home and began sculpting my own version. Ten years, two kids, 15 molds and one typhoon off the coast of China later, I can finally share the GurglePot with you."

How fun it was to have the GurglePot on our luncheon table! It is true. It produces a delightful "gurgling" sound as trapped air is released from the tail after pouring. Gurgle. Gurgle. Smile!

To Have a Friend

A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults; who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our face, and laughs at us behind our back.

Charles Kingsley

Respite

It is sometimes possible to get "the man" to take a break from work on the mountain. Having guests for supper on a summer day provided time for catching up with friends. Even Lucy, the retriever, enjoyed the day. Butterflies were abundant and a joy to see! Birds sang from the tree-tops. Except for a few deer that we saw along our way up the mountain, wildlife was scarce. That's not unusual for the hot days of summer. They tend to hide away in shady spots when it is so warm outside. Coolness arrived as the evening shadows lengthened. Reluctantly we boarded things up after dark and headed homeward. It was a pleasant, relaxing day.


Click on photo to enlarge.

A Little Bit of England

Karleen brought a little bit of England home with her.  The part she gave to me arrived in a golden shopping bag with the words Buckingham Palace marked across the front.  It was so much fun to open!  She knew that I have several "Princess Diana" decorative plates and that I would really love to have one from the royal wedding to go with my collection.  She found not just one, but two lovely plates that she gave to me.  The first is quite royal looking.  The colors are a deep royal blue with gold trim.  They encircle pictures of Prince William and Kate Middleton.  Their pictures are surrounded by their names, their royal coat of arms, and English flags.  I will be hanging this plate in a set that includes a decorative plate that my dad gave to me years ago when Prince William was born.  It commemorates his birth.

The second plate is somewhat smaller, but more romantic than royal.  It's very sweet in mauve with flowers circling a picture of Prince William and Kate Middleton.  It includes their names and the place and date of their marriage.

My package also contained a set of votive candles from Buckingham Palace.  Can you see the royal coat of arms?  The candle fragrance is English lavender and they smell wonderful!  Even when unlit, their fragrance fills the room.

I decided that the candles look best on the mantle and I love how they cast their lavender fragrance throughout the room.

An official program from the royal wedding was included in my package.  Karleen knew exactly what I'd enjoy!  After all, I'm probably the only person in her group of friends who got up in the middle of the night to watch the royal wedding live!

Lastly, the package contained a beautifully decorated box of English Afternoon Tea from Buckingham Palace.  The same lovely lavender color and golden logo is used on the tea box as was embossed on the votive candles.  I haven't tried the tea yet.  My tendency is to save it for a special occasion.  Maybe I should invite Karleen over soon for a cuppa!  That would be the perfect conclusion to a delightful bag of gifts!  Thank you, Karleen!

Spring Picnic

Pack the picnic basket 
with all the foods we love,
take along a frisbee, 
a baseball, bat and glove.


Bring a blanket to sit upon,
bug spray, and sunscreen, too,
get the kids into the car
with the dog, and me and you.


Finally we are on our way
to have a day of fun,
searching for the perfect spot
to frolic in the sun.


A grassy knoll and shade tree
beside a lazy creek; 
pull over, this looks just right
for a picnic quite unique.


Setting up a lavish feast,
joy we can't contain,
our happiness is dampened
when it begins to rain.
by Carol Gioia


Click twice on collage for larger view.

History of a Teapot

Teapots are a palette for artistic expression.  General thought is that English teapots are adorned with flowers and frills.  But here is an example of an English teapot that is about as far away from flowers as you can get!  For those who enjoy English history, this teapot is not only handsome, but creates a great conversation starter and a foray into the famous Battle of Waterloo 1815.  Tari gave me this creative gift, and although I have not yet made tea in this pot, I have really enjoyed learning about the Battle of Waterloo.  If you are interested, you can read about it here.  Next on the agenda is to determine exactly what type of tea would best be served in a Waterloo teapot! 

~ Sadler ~ Staffordshire England ~ The Battle of Waterloo 1815 ~ The Duke of Wellington & Soldiers of the Battle of Waterloo ~ Sergeant of the Coldstream Guards, Private of the Black Watch Regiment, Captain of the 3rd Foot Guards, Sergeant of the 1st Food Guards ~

Happy Birthday, Tari

Special birthday wishes to my friend, Tari. Your creativity and passion for life always inspires me. Friends since our teens, our mutual interests and perspectives on life provide common ground, while our dramatic differences keep life interesting. Having a friend who can wield a hammer and wire a house, as well as whip up a floral design and stitch a lovely seam, exibits diversity not seen in many. Hours of deep and thoughtful conversations over cups of Yunnan Gold seal the deal. This friendship is for "keeps". I hope the year ahead is blessed with many good things. Enjoy your day! Happy birthday to you!

Talk Like a Pirate

 

The pirate speaks,"Every beach town seems t' have its own version o' pirate fun! Most o' us be familiar with Captain Jack Sparrow and t' quirky kind o' pirate adventure he brin's t' t' big screen. Even grown up lads seem t' find intrigue and humor in pirate lore. Pirate food, attire, and trinkets be abundant in any seaside down worth its salt! Our seaside town had enough t' brin' a smile t' everyone's face. "

Time & a Perfect Day

When sharing time with friends, it is always interesting to observe what decisions people make regarding use of their recreational time.  "What shall we do today?" is a question asked each morning.  Responses vary and a melding of ideas occurs.  Tradition (things done or places visited on other trips) decrees that some things simply must happen.  Individuals new to the group come with their own, unique ideas.  Answers range from walking the beach (a must for each visit to the ocean) to shopping in the quaint little town nearby.  Favorite bookstores must be visited, fudge or caramel corn purchased in tiny candy shops, and trinkets examined in stores where shopkeepers work to vend the most unique things they can find.  Seagulls and sea lions beg be fed.  And it is always entertaining that fishing boats observed.  No matter what the activity, relaxation occurs (yes, even with shopping).  Lively conversation over a cup of tea and an afternoon nap cap off the days activities.  A perfect day.  

Wired with Friends

There are several things required for a get-away week-end when a group is involved.  You need adequate space (places to take a nap and sleep), a clean kitchen with lots of space for food, and Internet!  Twenty-somethings are fully wired these days!  So are fifty-somethings!  If the beach isn't right outside the door, that's alright.  A meandering walk to its sandy shore allows for many things to see along the way.  Kids, kites, cozy couples, dogs, quaint houses, driftwood, and more all entertain as footsteps lead to miles of sandy shoreline and the magnificent crash of waves!  Today, as we experience a wintry day at home, with temperatures in the teens, memory recalls the milder temperatures of the coast and a half-dozen or more flowers we observed in bloom.  Little things create pleasant memories that carry us through the rest of winter as we anticipate spring.  The ocean in the winter is one of my favorite things!

Sea Quest

The winter has been long, gray, and chilly.  News of a sunny week-end at the beach was welcome as we turned our wheels toward the beach.  The great Pacific did not disappoint!  Waves and sunshine mixed with the fellowship of family and friends created a lovely meld of activities inside and outdoors.  A pleasant surprise, miniature daffodils blooming beside the rental house, added an extra touch of cheer!

To the Garden

 

Karleen and I have been at it again; plant shopping.  We never go shopping for clothes or shoes or kitchen gadgets together.  But when it comes to plants, the fun begins!  Yesterday Karleen called to see if I wanted to go find sweet potato vine plants with her.  "Of course," I said.  And off we went.  Our sweet potatoes vines, in vibrant green and sangria were easy to find at our favorite nursery.  But, if you like plants and gardens, you will understand how many other green treasures are dropped onto the shopping wagon before the shopping is done.  Tiny daisies, ginger and chocolate mints, orange geraniums, lemon grass, lemon verbena, and more filled the car with enticing fragrances as we wove our way home.  What a delightful afternoon!  More soon, but right now, I'm off to the garden!

Pinky and the Plants

Karleen invited me to look for herbs and vegetable starts at the plant nursery this afternoon.  It was a warm and sunny day.  Beautiful blossoms greeted us as we walked through the street entrance.  The fragrance of herbs was enticing as we rubbed their leaves between our fingers, searching for the most fragrant and flavorful varieties.  Dill, stevia, oregano, rosemary, tomatoes, peppers, and more filled the baskets in our cart as we carefully choose just the right plant for our herb pots and vegetable gardens.  But what was the most fun of all?  It was finding Pinky and friends, hiding under the check-out table.  Thanks for a fun afternoon, Karleen!

Julie's Quilts

 

My friend, Karleen, invited me over for a lovely morning of quilting 'show and tell'.  The quilts all belonged to her friend, Julie, who creates beautiful quilts in many different styles and colors.  From 1930's prints to holiday or hunting themes, each quilt represents something important to Julie.  She knows each quilt intimately, even able to point out individual pieces and comment on the fabric or color shade.  Even Lucy, Karleen's dog, enjoyed the morning as we draped quilts over the patio rail for photographing on a chilly day.  Colorful, creative, and cheerful, Julie's quilts helped create a warm and happy day!  What an inspiration!

Click on the photo to see a close-up view.

A Kindred-Spirit Friend

A kindred-spirit friend celebrates the best in you, reveres and completes the deep unspoken part of your innermost being, honors your victories, and mourns your losses. Such a friend opens doors of discovery into places your soul never knew existed. You have a sense that the very act of giving from your heart is at the same time a refilling.

~ Heartlifters for Friends ~

Time

"Father, give me the grace today to take time. Time to be with you. Time to be with others. Time to enjoy the life you have given to me. Help me remember that today is the day you have made. May I rejoice and be glad in it! Amen."

~ Luci Swindoll, Joy Breaks ~

Natalie & Baby Blue

Teachers know that the period between Christmas vacation and Spring Break can be long and arduous for both student and teacher.  Cold weather, gray skies, and a lengthy stretch of school after the excitement of Thanksgiving and Christmas can create some weary students.  So, when a teacher gives a creative assignment during this period, it really does help the days pass by more swiftly.  Catching the attention of students is both challenging and rewarding.  With that in mind, let me share with you about a recent experience that brought all this back into focus for me again.

Last week a friend from high school, Tari, came by to visit.  Her niece, Natalie, came with her.  Natalie is a senior at Tari's and my alma mater.  This creates a point of interest for us, as we like to reminisce about days gone by, what our friends are doing now, and of the adventures we had.  I'm afraid Natalie gets lots of advice from us, but she takes is very well.  When Natalie arrived she was holding a baby carrier.  I thought "that's unusual, she must be babysitting".  But it didn't take long to realize that something else was going on.  Natalie had a gender specific computerized doll in her baby carrier.  I remembered my own teaching days and instantly realized that the flour sack or egg babies that my students tended for their Consumer and Family Science projects were very low tech compared to the very realistic props used today!  I also felt very 'dated' in comparison!  The purpose of the 'infant simulator' is to help the student realize the care that a newborn requires.  Each doll is about the size and weight of a newborn.  They are programmed to cry, coo, and burp on a schedule that the teacher programs into them.  They cry audibly and loudly when they need a diaper change, food, rocking, or burping.  Care is given by feeding them with a baby bottle that has a special sensor in it that records its use.  The doll also responds to rocking, burping, and a diaper change by specific prompts that its internal computer recognizes.  Natalie had a special wristband that the teacher put on her (and that she could not take off) that recorded things she did and how quickly she responded.  I suppose this factor was added so that mother or grandma couldn't 'babysit' for her, thus giving her full responsibility for the baby doll.   Natalie used great care to keep the doll's head stabilized and to handle it gently, as sensors would record baby abuse.  Every time Natalie changed a diaper or fed the baby doll, her journal came out and she recorded every task with care.  Students are graded according to their actions and tender loving care.  The computer makes it impossible to cheat.

I'm sure Natalie will receive an A+ on this project.  She was diligent in meeting the needs of this demanding little bundle!  I think she'll agree that she found 100% infant care no easy task.  She said the looks she received from those nearby who thought her baby was real were sometimes a bit judgmental or curious.  One mother offered to trade her the computerized doll for her real baby (I'm sure she was simply making a point).  With a baby doll programmed to exist on the same sleep and wake schedule as a regular newborn, I suspect that deep sleep and diligent homework in other school subjects was not quite as usual.  And I suspect that Natalie, as did the rest of her class, decided that the glamorous aspects of being a young parent were best delayed until maturity, readiness, and the adventures of youth were well past.  It really was fun sharing an evening of Natalie's 'project infant simulator' with her! 

Great job, Natalie.  I know you will make a terrific mother someday. . .when you are ready.    
 

Too Cute!

Some things are just too cute for words! Featuring Paula's darling grandson. . .such sweetness!

Wedded Bliss

Andrew and Annalisa celebrated a beautiful and blissful wedding with family and friends during the holiday week-end. An organic farm with Mt. Hood as the backdrop created an idyllic setting for such a special occasion. Guests were welcomed graciously and their comfort considered during the entire afternoon. It was such a pleasure to share their joy with them.

Wishing them God's blessing upon their marriage with much happiness in the years ahead!

[Click on photo for larger view]