June Is Iced Tea Month

June is Iced Tea Month.

Perfect timing because it's hot (90s) and humid (75 dew point) here.

Time for lots of iced tea.

Especially if served in pretty green glass.

The year was 1904, and the event was the St. Louis World's Fair.

A merchant of Indian tea tried unsuccessfully to sell hot tea to the

sweltering crowds, and finally, in desperation, poured the hot brew over ice.

He created an instant success with this refreshing new beverage, and

iced tea has been an American favorite ever since.

At least that's the story you will hear on a tour of St. Louis!

*

I'm a lucky girl.
All my sisters-by-choice know my love for tea
and when my birthday comes around .. the tea and tea things arrive!
This is what arrived, hand carried from Japan:

If you look carefully you might be able to see the geisha face in the bottom of the tea cup. 
Love the blue and white fish pattern.
A whisk for the matcha.
She also brought matcha candy, but I've eaten it all! 

Isn't this fun?!
I made it at Fotor.
Truth, too!
Love Life
(and have a cup of tea).

**

My buddy Steph, at Steph's Cup of Tea posted this on her blog.

I thought since I was celebrating Tea Day,

I should post it here.

Thanks, Steph!

The Tea Party

~Jessica Nelson North

"I had a little tea party

This afternoon at three.

'Twas very small-

Three guests in all-

Just I, myself and me.

Myself ate all the sandwiches,

While I drank up the tea;

'Twas also I who ate the pie

And passed the cake to me."

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

A big thank you to the hosts of:
Mosaic Monday

Teatime Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Catching Up

I've been away for awhile.

I have lots of catching-up to do.

Be patient.

I'll be around to visit -- I promise!

First, here's what's happening around here:

I have some new neighbors.
When I went out to take a photo of them,
Mom wasn't too happy. 
She kept an eye on me the whole time .. along with the babe.


I have a crocosmia blooming in Musashi's Garden.
I planted them last year ... this one and a red one.
They are grown from corms and are a relative of the Iris.
Native to South Africa and the Sudan.
In the states they are known as copper tips or falling stars.
I'm sure I saw then on another blog.
Do I remember which one?
No! Sorry!


Index Card a Day is going strong.
This is Bingo Lady -- torn book pages, acrylic paint, collage.
Some wonderful little pieces of art are being shared on the ICAD FB group.
Why don't you join us?
No pressure .. work at your own speed.
This is my fourth year and I learn so much.


I've had a birthday.
One of my surprise gifts was this wonderful Grapefruit/Mandarin
candle from Goose Creek.
I won this candle in the give-a-way that BJ at Sweet Nothings had.
I love this candle.
The whole house smells like citrus -- summer time!
A big thank you to BJ and to Goose Creek.


**
I spent sometime in Raleigh, North Carolina.
It's not a good place to go if you are on a diet!
BGD (beautiful god-daughter) and her handsome fella
asked me to come for their confirmation.
Here they are on confirmation day.
Look at those smiles!

They have a beautiful home and BGD sets a gorgeous table filled with memories.
The china from her maternal grandmother,
the shell napkin rings and crystal from his maternal grandmother,
and the silver from me.

The other reason to visit was to meet my god-dog.
Oh, my, but he is a handsome guy ... and big!
He's a sweet boy, gentle (rolling on the floor with moi).

More photos to come.

Hope all is well with you and yours.
Wishing YOU well and much joy!

A big thank you to Judith for hosting Mosaic Monday.

Lotus Number 1

The official opening of Index Card A Day (ICAD) is today.

Here's my first card of the challenge:

I'm calling it Lotus #1.

I started with a 4 x 6 index card.

Added some book paper and other papers to thicken up the card.

Then the paint.

I love painting with my fingers.

It feels good! 

There is just nothing like Smooshing (technical term) paint!

For more information on the ICAD challenge please go here.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

When I Think of Bisquick

When I think of Bisquick,

I think of my Granny.

She always had box of Bisquick on the shelf.

Bisquick was one of those things that was supposed to save time

for the "modern" housewife back in 1931! 

The Impossible Pie is still one of my favorite things.
So quick and easy.

The one I make the most is Spinach and Feta.
This time I added some fresh, thinly sliced home grown tomatoes to the pie,
right on top of the spinach, cheese and onions. 
I make some minor changes -- mostly to taste -- all the time.
This is the original recipe.



Spinach and Feta Impossible Pie

1 package (12 ounces) frozen chopped spinach thawed 
and squeezed to drain

1/2 cup feta cheese

4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4cup)

1/2 cup Bisquick Original or Fat Free

2/3 cup  milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 eggs

1. Heat oven to 400. Grease pie plate. 
Mix spinach, cheese and onion in pie plate.

2. Stir remaining ingredients until blended.
Pour into pie plate.

3.  Bake 30 - 35 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

Quick and easy. 



Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Through These Doors

Welcome!

Through These Doors
you will find the new gorilla habitat
in the African Forest at the Houston Zoo.

You enter the main room.
 Walls with art.

Walls with glass overlooking the exhibit
where the gorillas and red river hogs live.
The Houston Zoo's gorillas
are all western lowland gorillas.
All of them were born and raised in American zoos.

The Red River hogs are named for their striking red hair 
and their ability to wade and swim in rivers.
The long white tufts on the tips of their ears are called tassels.

You will also find pictures that tell the story of the gorillas
along with descriptions of all of them.

And on this special day,
part of the welcoming committee,
a little human dressed like a chimp.

You can read more about the
Gorillas at the Houston Zoo here.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Thank you to the hosts of:

and Mosaic Monday.