Good Morning!

Tetsubin

Tetsubin cast iron teapots were first crafted in the mid 17th century in Japan to brew the whole leaf Sencha green tea that was becoming popular at the time. They became status symbols featuring intricate and symbolic designs, The Japanese believed this imparted a zen-like quality of peace and inspiration for the tea drinking ritual. *

Today, with their fine raised relief designs, they are admired and collected not only for their quiet beauty but also for their ability to brew the perfect pot of tea. Forged by the most renowned iron producers in Japan, a fine Tetsubin can be distinguished by hand-crafted, high grade iron exterior and the smooth enamel interior.*

I'm sharing with you my Tetsubin teapot with its bamboo design (good fortune, fortitude, and resilience) and a hand thrown porcelain teacup that I found at the December student art sale at the Glassell School.

I don't make New Year resolutions, but I read one on a blog that I follow that I think I'll try to keep. I'm going to try to drink the good tea first! I'm not going to save the good stuff for a special occasion. I'm all the special occasion that is needed!

Thanks to our tea party hostesses.

These are just a few of the tea parties in the Land of Blog.

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Tea Party Tuesday

Tuesday Tea For Two

Friends Sharing Tea

Wishing YOU well and a wonderful cup of tea!

*Information from Teavana

Happy New Year!

One of the blogs that I follow is Lines and Color.

Each year for the New Year, 

he posts illustrations from

J.C. Leyendecker.

Leyendecker is said to have originated the contemporary idea of

representing the new year as a baby, starting with his New Year's cherub

that welcomed 1907 on a December, 1906 issue of the The Saturday Evening Post.

I decided to join in the tradition and found this little guy

who I am sure grew up to be a Knight in Shining Armor! 

Happy New Year!

A Look Back

When I started looking at images from 2011,

I soon decided that it would take me a year (!!) to

make all the mosaics.

So, I decided to try to pick my favorite image from each month.

Here is my look back at 2011.

1. It's All About the Shoes!, 2. Cardinal, 3. Tea Set, 

4. Cassie and Flowers, 5. Mosaic Musashi's Garden, 6. Buddha, 

7. Chimpanzee, 8. July 4, 9. Color Pencil Sketch Robin, 10. Curtains, 

11. Pygmy Falcon, 12. Asian Elephants, 13. Santa Claus

***

It was a difficult year for me with the passing of Mr. Dragon.

But there were also moments of great joy and beauty.

I look forward to 2012.

Wishing YOU well and JOY filled 2012!

Good Morning!