Sometimes You Just Need To Go Shopping!

I'm a big Susan Branch fan.
I love her books.

And, I love her mugs.
She designs them all.
First on paper!
She sends the designs off to England where they are made.
Dunoon, fine bone china.

Many months ago I ordered the first three of her mugs.
The mugs are covered with her wonderful watercolor designs --
even on the handles.
They arrived in time for my birthday coming up this week.

Each mug is very different.
They hold 16oz of tea, soup, stew -- anything you might want 16oz of!
I admit, I haven't tried beer in a mug!

I think my favorite is the Go Green or Earth/Nature mug.
I love the quote:
"Most know the earth is utterly enchanted."

Susan recently announced that she had more mugs in the works.
I decided I just needed to go shopping!

Shop I did.

There are four new designs:
Bluebird, Martha's Vineyard, and Santa -- all 16oz.
Some folks requested a smaller cup and 11oz Autumn will fit that bill.

Each cup is sold separately or a group of three
(Bluebird, Martha's Vineyard, and Santa).
Autumn is sold separately only.

New designs mean the old designs will be retired.

Yes, I ordered all four -- Christmas presents for me!

You can find details on her blog -- click on the shopping icon.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Found at Celestial Seasonings

Amaze Me Monday

Make It Pretty Monday

Mosaic Monday

Tenth Tea Cup and Mug Exchange

Today is the big reveal.

Enchanting Rose

Stephanie is definitely the hostess with the mostess! 

She makes the exchange so much fun and I can't imagine what a lot

of time and energy must go into arranging the exchange.

And, the amount of LOVE that Stephanie pours in.

So, here we go!  

This was the second time that I participated in both the mug and teacup exchange.

The pretty mug is from Grace Bone China.
The decoration reminds me of a water-color painting.
I smiled when I opened the package.
The sugar cookie mix with the bunny on the front was the first thing I saw.
Cute carrot cookie cutter, too!

I've put the pretty towels directly to work in the kitchen.
Such pretty spring colors.

I love lemon everything 
so I am really enjoying the Lemon organic tea by Moringa Tea.

This was Stacey Keeling's first time to participate in the exchange.
I was so lucky to be paired with her.
You can visit with Stacey at her lovely blog: Poofing The Pillows.
Thank you, Stacey!


*

The beautiful Chatsworth Duchess Bone China teacup
came from Caroline (Carrie) May.
You can visit Carrie at her blog: Tea Time Journeys.

I love the cup with it's spring flowers -- especially the Morning Glory.
The box Carrie sent was filled with goodies:
an assortment of teas,
(I really enjoy trying all sort of teas and this was perfect.)
hand lotion,
chocolate,
a wonderful counted cross-stitch of a cat
(can't wait to start)
and
an iced fortune cookie strategically placed in the tea cup!

I had never tried an iced fortune cookie
and was in such a hurry to taste it that I ate part of the fortune!
Nevertheless, the fortune said good things were coming and tasted yummy.

Thank you, Carrie.
It was such a joy to open my spring tea package.


Another big thank you, hugs and love to Stephanie.


Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Why Be In A Hurry?

Did you have a nice holiday weekend?

Hot dogs and hamburgers?

No hot dogs here, but I did have a turkey burger 

and some delicious macaroni salad and a beer (or two).
I watched the 4th of July festivities on TV .. beautiful!
How do people stand being out in the heat??!!

I have taken the red, white and blue buntings off of the balcony.

The Uncle Sam windsock has been replaced by a bright red flag

with a large sun, cactus and red pepper ...

a colorful message that the HOT summer has arrived! 

**

TeaVivre sent me samples of their Spring Green Teas.
I love the TeaVivre packaging ... really sealed!
The first one I tried is La Shan Yun Wu.
Opening the package I could immediately smell the tea ...
sort of a roasted spinach odor.

The dried leaves have an interesting texture.
Really dark green.




I like brewing the TeaVivre samples in my little red pot.
Perfect size for the sample and it has its own strainer.
I can lift it out, drink the tea, and steep another pot if I like.






I brewed the tea for 5 minutes.
Such a pretty light green color.

It has a chestnut flavor ... not overpowering and slightly sweet.

I haven't put up all the indoor holiday decorations yet. 
Why be in a hurry?!

You can see what the leaves look like after one brew.

Still delicate looking, but they really open up. 

TeaVivre said this was a good large mug tea,

so I got out one of my new mugs.

This is one from a set of four given to me on my birthday

 by another of my sisters-by-choice.

She knows how I love my tea and the birds!

I have a tea quote for you:

“As far as her mom was concerned, tea fixed everything. 

Have a cold? Have some tea. 

Broken bones? There's a tea for that too. 

Somewhere in her mother's pantry, Laurel suspected, 

was a box of tea that said, 

'In case of Armageddon, steep three to five minutes'.” 

― Aprilynne Pike, Illusions

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

Thank you to the hosts of:

Mosaic Monday

Teatime Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday