The Sun Has Not Disappeared Forever

The sun came for a visit.
It brought spring time temperatures
And pink mornings.

Pink Sky in the Morning

Mina in her sun puddle.

The sun is only visiting for a few days.

Cold, wind and rain come back this weekend.

We'll have to remember the words of Arnoud Desjardins:

"On days when the sky is grey, the sun has not disappeared forever."

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a sunny day!

Thank you, Kim.

Thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Well Rounded

All the Christmas decorations are down and packed away waiting for next year.
All except the Snowmen.
After all, it is still winter!

Snowmen are well-rounded

just like my favorite handmade, hand thrown teapot.

I know it looks funny, especially with its stubby spout,

but it pours beautifully and has a strainer that can be removed.

I can do multiple brewings just by lifting out the strainer.

The design on the exterior has an Asian feel.

The last of the yummy Snowmen sugar cookies.

I'll be sorry to see them go as I'm sure they've helped in keeping me

well-rounded!

The teacup is from Bentley.

Bentley put out a collection of teas several years ago and included the teacup.

It's become a favorite.

The little watercolor is one of mine 

and part of a series of snowmen I'm doing.

I seem to have to do a series ... one isn't enough!

My little snowman would like to remind you:

Be a jolly, happy soul.

Spend time outdoors.

Stay cool.

It’s okay to be a little bottom heavy.

Avoid meltdowns.

Be well-rounded.

Live well, life is short. 

Enjoy sugar cookies! 

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

I'm joining several parties today:

Tea Time Tuesday

where Sandi is having a party to celebrate Tea Time Tuesday's 5th Anniversary.

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

When The Red Red Robin

On the first day that the sun made it's reappearance,
after 8 days hiding away in the clouds,
this fellow appeared at the bird bath.
I think he was as happy as I was about the sun's return.

"My favorite weather is bird chirping weather."

~Loire Hartwould

Animal Sprit Guide

The Robin

If a Robin shows up, it means:

it’s time to let go of anything in your life that’s outmoded and stagnant and plant the seeds for the new by setting your goals and intentions for the coming year. 

Let go of your attachments to drama and allow as much joy and laughter into your life as you possibly can. 

Your spiritual path is steady and slow, with challenges along the way, yet it inevitably leads you to your achieving your spiritual ideas. 

You have a beautiful song inside you, so do whatever it takes to share it with the world. Expect new growth in a number of areas in your world. 

Make a wish, be patient, and watch how it comes true.

From the Handbook: Animal Spirit Guides by Steven D. Farmer

Thanks, Kim!

Thanks to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Wishing YOU well, much joy, and beautiful songs.

Still Hanging On

This gerbera daisy is still hanging on.
It hasn't gotten the message that it is winter
and it's COLD!

"Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts." 

~Dodinsky


Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Sun Lit Sunday

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark;
the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."
~Plato

A big thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Happy Tea to Me!

This holiday season Santa and his elves supplied me with tea
just in time to celebrate the month of January as Hot Tea Month!

I had a big surprise when I won a Yixing teapot from Tea Time Magazine.

They were celebrating Christmas on Face Book with a few give-a-ways.

I have several Yixing teapots and this tiny beauty will be a nice addition to the collection.

While we are talking about Yixing teapots, here's some information from a Tea Time article:

"The most delicate of teapots are likely the Yixing pots often used for steeping oolongs. These Chinese clay pots are porous, and over time, the clay retains the flavors of the tea. A tragic tea faux pas would be to steep Earl Grey in one of these because it would mean that every tea steeped from that point forward would be tainted by the flavor of oil of bergamot.

Yixing pots have for centuries been used for only one specific tea. An Asian tea drinker might keep one teapot for a Taiwanese Bao Zhong, one for a Chinese Big Red Robe, and another for a Chinese Ti Kwan Yin. Soap is never used to clean these revered utensils. They are simply rinsed and allowed to air-dry. It is said that some ancient Yixing pots could make tea today simply by having hot water poured into them. The accumulated flavors of past steepings would add their flavor to the water, and tea would magically appear!"

*

The god-kids sent tea from Tin Roof Teas in Raleigh, NC.

Tin Roof is on my list to visit when I get to Raleigh.

I made a promise to myself -- I can't open any new tea until I finish the 

wonderful Harney and Sons Cranberry Autumn.

Soon I'll open Tin Roof's Cloud Catcher.

Isn't that a great name?!

It is a fruit tea: apple pieces, freeze-dried kiwi, sour cherries, cranberry slices, coconut flakes and natural flavor. 

Sounds like fun!

*

And, lastly, a gift to myself from Crop Circle Clay

a handmade, wheel thrown "Believe" mug.

Cloud Catcher tea in a "Believe" mug sounds like the perfect pair!

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

I'm joining several parties today:

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Happy New Year!

Sun Lit Sunday

It's time for Sun Lit Sunday.

My blogging buddy, Karen, hosts Sun Lit Sunday during the winter as

a spot where people could share the "sunny" side of winter. Every season has its own beauty and this one is no exception.

Where I live plants are still green.
It's damp and temps are in the 40s.

Getting cozy, like this pair of doves, helps!

But it is also the time of year when I can open the front door for awhile and the "babies" can get a touch of fresh air while watching the action in the neighborhood!

Thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Reading Challenge

My Best Friend by Sally Rosenbaum

I read 68 books in 2014.

I'm always looking for new ways to spice up my reading selections.

I found a link on Face Book from Susan Wittig Albert (one of my favorite mystery authors) to a Reading Challenge on Popsugar.

Looks like fun! 

Here's a few of the selections:

- A book with more than 500 pages

- A classic romance

- A book that became a movie

- A book published this year

- A book with a number in the title

- A book with nonhuman characters

- A funny book

- A book by a female author

- A mystery or thriller

- A book with a one word title

- A book of short stories

- A book set in a different country

- A nonfiction book

- A popular author's first book

- A book from an author you love that you haven't read yet.

- A book a friend recommended

- A Pulitzer Prize winning book

- A book based on a true story

- A book at the bottom of your to-read list

- A book your Mom loves

- A book that scares you

- A book more than 100 years old

- A book based entirely on its cover

- A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't

- A memoir

and that's just the first half of the list!
I think I'll take the challenge.
Anyone else???

You can find a link to the entire list at Popsugar.

Wishing YOU well and much joy in this new year!

The game is on!