Friday, April 3, 2015

This and That


- Got my hair cut and then had a lovely lunch at the Black Walnut.
I sat outside enjoying my salad, ice tea, and book.
And, I admit, I listened to some nearby conversations.
People are funny!

- I haven't found my Easter wreath.
I know I had one.
I looked in all the carefully packed bins marked Easter.
No luck.
So while I was out and about yesterday,
I found this little guy who now welcomes everyone at the door.
Better late than never!


Easter Bunny


- I'm becoming addicted to iced chai tea. Spending way too much time at Starbucks.


Happy Easter

- Easter is just around the corner. I'm sharing a reproduction vintage postcard. Fun!

- I'm spending most of Easter weekend at the ballpark. The Rice Owls have a three game series this weekend. They always have an Easter egg hunt for the kids. It will be colorful and fun!



Wishing YOU well and much joy!
Happy Easter


A big thank you to Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.



Monday, March 30, 2015

Here Come The Bunnies!



Easter is just around the corner.
I pulled my favorite bunny porcelain tea pot and mug from the cupboard.
They were made in New Mexico by a husband and wife team.
He did the hand building of the pieces and she was the artist.
They are some of the first ceramic pieces that Mr. Dragon gave to me.


Ready for Easter


I love the bunny wearing tennis shoes.
Guess he's getting ready for a busy Easter!


Bunny Tea Pot


The teapot reminds me of Old MacDonald's Farm with the veggies and bunny!


Porcelain Bunny Mug


Then there is the mug with all the wonderful hearts filled with bunnies.


Easter Tea


The egg-shaped bunny plates I found at Pier One.
Orange-cranberry scones.
Yum!

I selected Tazo Zen tea to steep in my bunny pot. 
It is a green tea blend made with pan-fired green teas from China
and blended with lemon verbena leaves, lemongrass and spearmint leaves.
It has a sweet, lingering taste ... very Zen.

I decided on Tazo tea today as a way to celebrate the life of Steven Smith,
the co-owner of Tazo tea who passed away recently.

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

I'm joining some tea parties in the Land of Blog:

Teatime Tuesday
where Sandi is celebrating with an Easter Tea.

Teacup Tuesday









Friday, March 27, 2015

Potpourri



It must be spring.
How can I tell???
I walk out into my postage stamp back yard (Musashi's Garden).
It smells like orange blossoms.


Buddha


- My Satsuma, Clementine and Grapefruit trees are blooming!


Clementine Blossoms

- I love rain drops on blossoms.


- It's loud around here again. The guys working on the streets in the neighborhood have made it back to my street. I'm like a little kid! Sitting on the balcony watching them with their big machines tearing up more of the old street before they get to the oiling and then asphalt for the new surface.

- I've almost finished reading THE BOOK STOPS HERE, a Bibliophile Mystery by Kate Carlisle. It is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Brooklyn Wainwright is a bookaholic. She is a bookbinder and knows her rare books. She has been asked to appear on t.v. show as a rare book expert and appraiser. Her first subject is a first edition copy of THE SECRET GARDEN. A dead body can't be far behind when Brooklyn is around! 

- The weather has been nice. Coolish long enough in the morning (before the humidity gets to be too much) to walk up to the Village. I did a little shopping at Half-Price Books and then had breakfast.


Wishing YOU well and much joy!



Thanks Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.




Monday, March 23, 2015

Tea With A Lady


Let me introduce you to Lady Carlyle by Royal Albert.
She was a gift from one of my sisters (by choice).



Tea with Lady Carlyle


A classic example of the romantic, floral tradition of Royal Albert,
Lady Carlyle draws inspiration from the extravagant rococo styles of the 18th century.



Tea with Lady Carlyle


The Lady is decorated with a highly stylized floral design,
a deep pink border and elaborate gold scrollwork



Tea with Lady Carlyle


I've paired her with a teapot with roses by Grace.


Tea with Lady Carlyle


I made a pot of Harney and Sons Chinese Flower tea.
Chinese Flower is a beautiful blend of hand plucked green tea with flowers and citrus.
There is a light aroma of orange and flowers.
One sachet makes two cups of tea.
A real delight with Lady Carlyle.

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

I'm joining some tea parties in the Land of Blog:
Teatime Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday





Friday, March 20, 2015

Nana Stamp of Approval





Mini-Daffodill
Mini-Daffodil in Musashi's Garden

- Last year when I went daffodil hunting in the grocery stores, I found mini-daffodils in a pot at Trader Joes. When they had bloomed themselves out I took them out of the little pot and planted them in a big pot outside. I thought if they lived, maybe they would bloom again, but really didn't expect success. Surprise! I've been watching for weeks. Lots of green, but no bloom when WOW. All of a sudden there was one blooming mini-daffodil. Too cute! More on the way! 

- Did you know that the dandelion is one of the first spring foods for our precious bees???
I have a nice crop of dandelions growing in my little garden.

- I was hoping all the rain from last week was over. Alas, that isn't true. It's been raining again and this time with thunderstorms. The kitties don't like the thunder. Can't blame them.  The trees are doing their "thing". Pollen everywhere. Cars are covered with yellow dust. Sniff, sniff, sniff.

- When the rain ends the mosquitoes will be here in abundance. UGH. I guess I needed something to complain about!

- I'm reading A DRAGON'S GUIDE TO THE CARE AND FEEDING OF HUMANS by Laurence Yep and Joanne Ryder. It should be no surprise to anyone that my grandson likes dragons almost as much as his Nana. I, of course, have to read his dragon books first in order to give the Nana stamp of approval.


Wishing YOU well and much joy.


A BIG thank you to Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.