This and That

1. I made a new friend last week.

His name is Bruno.
He belongs to a friend of mine.

Bruno is a three month old Mastiff.
He is a big teddy bear in a dog costume.
Like my kitties, he loves to have his chin scratched.


2. I'm working on another baby blanket.
Using my favorite pattern again.
It is quick and easy and looks complicated.
You can find the free crochet pattern here.

If I finish with time left before the baby shower,
I might try making one of these:

These little gems should be a good stash buster!

3.  I had a birthday at the end of May 
and all of my sisters-by-choice spoiled me.
They know all about my love for tea and I hit the jackpot.

One of my sisters is an accomplished needlepoint-er. 
She always has a project going on. 
The pillow is from her.
Perfect for her tea lover sister.

I love the Rosina teacup.
Very different with it's fluted tulip cup shape and high handle.
The saucer is fluted,too.
The blue design is very delicate.

The teacup sits on a Serendipi-tea Tea Box full of chocolate tea.
Sounds decadent, doesn't it!

Serendipi-Tea is a World Tea Awards Finalist for the Best Tea Brand.

4. In Musashi's Garden the plumeria is blooming.
Perfect timing: the gardenia just finished.
The garden has gone from one glorious scent to another.

5. When I put the crochet hook down,
I pick up Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick.
I heard an interview with Philbrick on NPR.
I enjoyed it so much, I decided I would have to read the book.
It isn't exactly what I would call Summer Reading,
but it is a fascinating look at the American Revolution,
especially George Washington and Benedict Arnold.
With luck, I'll have it finished by July 4. 


Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five on Friday

Home Sweet Home

I Need It To Keep Me Warm

I realized that, as much as I like Emma Bridgewater,

I didn't have an Emma Christmas mug.

So, I got myself an early present and have been using

the mug and my Portmeirion Holly and Ivy teapot

all month, drinking Harney and Sons

White Christmas Tea

(a blend of white tea, almonds and vanilla).

When I'm finished drinking White Christmas,
I get to start on my new teas.

My BGD (beautiful god-daughter) and her handsome knight
sent me Fearrington House Afternoon Tea.
It smells so delicious: Black China Tea
 with carmel, grapefruit, and lemony bergamot.
Plus, Fearrington House Jam:Raspberry, Star Anise, Thyme.
The Fearrington House is one of their favorite places for a romantic get-a-way.
Looking at it in the magic of cyberspace --
it looks like a wonderful spot for tea and belted cattle gazing! 
You can check out the Fearrington Village and Inn here.




More tea!
Liliuokalani tea from Serendipi Tea:
Organic China Black Tea, Safflower Petals, Orange Blossoms, 
and Tropical Fruit Flavor.

Taylor Maid Farms: Pacific Coast Breakfast - Organic Yunnan Black Tea.

There is a cold front blowing through.
I'll need all of this tea to keep me warm!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Thank you Martha for hosting
Tea Cup Tuesday.

Thank you - Tuesday Cuppa Tea.

Thank you Bernideen
for Bernideens Tea.

Thank you Sandi for hosting
No Place Like Home.


 

Celebrating the Pansy

I love Miltonia orchids.
For me, they are charming and irresistible.
They bloom profusely.
Miltonias are often called Pansy Orchids because of their flat-faced,
open flowers that resemble pansies in shape and markings.
Richly colored, fragrant flowers.
From the time that the flower bud on the stems open,
they remain in bloom for 4 to 6 weeks.

**

I thought sharing the Miltonia orchid was the perfect time to share

another new to me teacup.

It was sent to me for my birthday from another of my sisters-by-choice.

This sister is my Saurian sister -- we both love dragons!

And, we both love pansies. 

This is Spring Melody by Queen Anne.

Queen Anne is a fine quality china produced by Shore and Coggins,

Staffordshire potteries in England from 1911 to 1966.

This is beautiful fine bone china that is very translucent when held to the light.

The background is pure white, and the design is a bouquet of pansies

in colors of purple, pink, blue and yellow.

The teacups are footed and there is gold trim on all the edges and handle.

She also sent me Persian Nectar tea from Serendipi Tea.

Persian Nectar is organic Indian black tea with

organic peach flavoring.

YUM!

A little treat with my tea today.

Key Lime Pie cookies from Oreo.

Oh, my! 

***

Thank you to the hosts of:

Mosaic Monday

Teatime Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

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

When the world is all at odds

And the mind is all at sea,

Then cease the useless tedium

And brew a cup of tea.

There is magic in its fragrance,

There is solace in its taste;

And the laden moments vanish

Somehow into space.

And the world becomes a lovely thing!

There's beauty as you'll see;

All because you briefly stopped

To brew a cup of tea.

~William Gladstone

(Thank you to Marilyn at Delights of the Heart for the poem.)