Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Life By The Cup



Did you labor over the Labor Day weekend?
I did not.

The kitties and I had a quiet weekend doing quiet things.

I finished my first watercolor pear.
This was done on left over paper from another project.
There is a horse lightly sketched on the other side.
Probably a leftover from Chinese New Year.
Recycle!

Pear

Since I'm becoming quite proficient in drawing pears, there will be more in my future --
this time on "real" watercolor paper!


**

It is September ... the first of the "BER" months.
That means fall is just around the corner and temps below 95 for me!
This is one of my favorite teacups.
It is a Bentley teacup and came with a selection of Bentley teas.



Bentley Tea Cup


***

Over the weekend I finished LIFE BY THE CUP.
I'll let you read my review.
After reading the book, I couldn't decide which tea I wanted to try
(other than Coconut Chai).
They all sounded so delicious so I bought two sampler packs.
(As if I needed more tea.)

Life by the Cup: Ingredients for a Purpose-filled Life of Bottomless Happiness and Limitless SuccessLife by the Cup: Ingredients for a Purpose-filled Life of Bottomless Happiness and Limitless Success by Zhena Muzyka
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Put a book about tea in front of me and I have to read it! LIFE BY THE CUP is Zhena Muzyka's story about heartache, hard work, a vision, success and tea. It is also a "how to" book filled with suggestions on ways to find happiness and success. I was less interested in the how to sections of each short chapter and simply captivated by the stories Zhena told about her life and her marvelous teas. Her stories would make a lovely movie. Using fair trade organic teas and her own essential oils, aromatherapy and herbal teachings from her Gypsy grandmother, Zhena builds a successful business: Zhena's Gypsy Teas .. a thriving, purpose-driven, fair-trade, multimillion-dollar brand. I'm a big tea drinker and had never heard of Zhena's teas until I saw them at World Market. Now I'm a big fan and after reading the book have a whole list of teas I want to try with Coconut Chai on top!

View all my reviews


'Afternoon Tea'
Afternoon Tea by Edward Cucuel (1875-1954)


Wishing YOU well, much joy and a wonderful cup of tea!


I'm joining the following tea parties.
Thank you to the hosts of:






26 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

That's a LOVELY pear!

Beth in NEPA said...

You did such a lovely job on the pair. And I do like the cup and saucer.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

A lovely pear, Snap, and a wonderful post featuring the pretty Bentley teacup. Your excerpt from the story sounds interesting. I love a story about tea as well and I have a habit of reading it over again. Thanks for joining me for tea today and enjoy this first week of September.

Blessings,
Sandi

Anonymous said...

Labored, then labored some more. LOVE our pear. You are a natural. xox

Karen said...

Hi Snap,
Oh my goodness! You are an amazing artist! Your teacup is so very pretty and I must try that some tea stories. Thank you for visiting me. Have a wonderful week! Karen

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I love your pear drawing, Snap, and your pretty teacup. I enjoyed the book review and will need to look for the teas at .world Market when I go next time. Happy Tea Day!

Bernideen said...

I think you are very talented Snap as that watercolor pear is lovely. Your cup and saucer with tea are lovely too and so glad you joined in at Tea In The Garden!

Martha's Favorites said...

You have amazing talent! Love the pear and the tea cup today. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

Michelle said...

That pear is beautiful.

Carrie said...

I really like the afternoon tea picture at the end. Great job on the pear! I've had Zhena's Gypsy teas--I didn't know there was a book about the creator! Thanks for visiting my blog, and have a great week! :)

Jill said...

What a pretty pear. I have always liked watercolors. I enjoy a good cup of Bentley tea. Didn't know that they had their own sweet tea cups.

Deborah Montgomery said...

I'm always in awe of artists. Your pear is beautiful. I have not heard of that tea either, but her story sounds fascinating. Have a good week!

Lynne said...

I labored . . .
Love your pear artistry . . .

Martha said...

What a lovely pear! I can see a whole row of water color pears lines up in a room! That would be splendid -- each one a masterpiece but each one a bit different!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your pear watercolor looks very realistic, Snap!


I love chai teas and a coconut chai sounds very delicious. I will look for this book at my local library!

Irene said...

Lovely pear, "real watercolour paper". I too did not labour on labour day.

Two Cottages And Tea said...

You are so talented! A beautiful gift you have! I enjoyed the review of the book, I too, enjoy reading books about tea.
Nancy

Janet said...

Snap, I love your pear painting! You do such lovely work...your entire post is beautiful.

My name is Erika. said...

Your pear is beautiful. You got the shadow just right! I will check back for the tea challenges- I am with you- animals, cups of tea, the garden, perfection. Thanks for the nice comment on my blog.

My Little Home and Garden said...

I really should try doing a pear. Thanks for the inspiration!

Millie said...

My first visit to your blog, and I like the painting!

Dianne said...

a cheerful pear...sweet bright color! love the tea cup and "Afternoon tea!" thanks for stopping by my blog too...

Veronica Roth said...

Had to pop over to see your pear. Nicely done! I think you'll have wonderful fun drawing/painting on watercolour paper. Come to think of it, I painted a painting of three horses for Chinese New Year. I had a piece card with some collaged papers on it...which I hated...and I painted three horses in pencil, acrylic and chalk on that...which I hated...and painted over them with oils...which I liked! Looking forward to seeing more of your art Snap. :D

Anonymous said...

I want to read this book! And your watercolor is lovely. Glad I found your blog...via Christina at Soul Aperture. Hope your September gets better and better.

Jacoba said...

It is fun to paint pears, they are never perfect and put around and upside down or on their sides are such a nice subject to use. Your's came out so pretty. On the table of the painting with the ladies I saw the bottle of wine first ..... and then the teacups. Lovely picture!
Can imagine the book has greatly inspired you!
Have a nice week!
Jacoba

Antiques And Teacups said...

Love your gorgeous pear! You are so gifted! The tea time art work is wonderful as well. Looks like a wonderful book! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth