Well-Intentioned Words

"The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention . . . A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words. ” 

― Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.

Cashew Salad Dressing

I've been trying to use less processed foods and make more from scratch these days. I tried my hand at homemade mayonnaise and it was less than successful! I'll try again, but in the meantime I'm sticking with the old tried and true! This is a ranch-type dressing that is delicious and has been well accepted in our household. It's great on a green salad...or as an addition to baked potatoes. I hope you like it too!

Cashew Salad Dressing

In a blender mix:

1/2 cup water or soy milk
1 cup raw cashew pieces, washed
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 or 2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp. mineral salt
1/2 tsp. sweet basil flakes
1 Tbsp. celery flakes

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Can be used as a dip or dressing. For a thinner dressing, add more water. Dill may be added for additional flavor.

Tea Shops of London

Tea-shops, for instance. I remember when I first was an art-student in
London there wasn't such a thing as a tea-shop anywhere near where we--the
girl-students--could go and get some lunch or a cup of tea. The only places
of the sort were the 'Zoedone'. In the 'nineties they were very rough and
quite impossible to go to, though perfectly well conducted. Tea, coffee, or
cocoa was served over the counter at three-halfpence a cup. I remember the
joy and excitement caused by the opening of the first A.B.C. shop close to
Oxford Circus. I can only speak for art-students, but I am sure that every
girl or woman-worker in the neighbourhood felt that the era of luxurious
living had dawned on good old London at last.

Baroness Orczy, Links in the Chain of Life (autobiography), 1947
From The Victorian Dictionary

Oranges with Radishes and Dates

Oranges with Radishes and Dates

4 large navel oranges
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 heads romaine lettuce
10 red radishes, thinly sliced
2 tbsp chopped walnuts
1/2 cup pitted dates

With a small sharp knife, remove the peel and white pith from the oranges. Slice the oranges crosswise into 1/4-inch rounds. Place on a large platter.

In a cup, whisk together the lemon juice, honey and cinnamon. Pour over the oranges. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.

Tear the lettuce into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Add the radishes and walnuts. Drain the dressing from the oranges and pour over the lettuce. Toss well. Add the oranges and dates. Toss to combine.

Garnish with radish roses and mint from the garden.

Serves 6.

My Roses Teapot

The teapot is an original Chatsford with a rosebud design made by Sadler, an English maker of fine tea sets. James Sadler and Sons Ltd was a pottery manufacturer originally founded in 1882 by James Sadler in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom. In recent years, the company went into receivership and is now a part of Churchill China. My teapot is vintage, making it part of what was manufactured by the original Sadler company. I purchased sweet teapot on Ebay from a seller in the United Kingdom. This is the only teapot in my collection that I have ordered on eBay. But, I fell in love with the scattered print of roses and the shape and took the risk of an international transaction and shipping.

Delectable Form of Defeat

June in the garden is a wonderful month of the year. It's the month that my two favorite varieties of flowers are in bloom. Roses. Lavender. Roses and lavender. Lavender and roses. No matter which way you look at it or let those words roll off your tongue, they speak of beauty and elegance. 

"To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat. ~ Beverly Nichols ~