The Tea Room

It's "Tea Time" Again, Summer Style

The July issue of Tea Time arrived in my mailbox today.  Before reading the feature stories, I always leaf through the magazine just to look at the beautiful photographs.  Here is the cover.  It's so summer-y!

Raspberries always remind me of my mother.  She loved that flavor jam and especially liked it in combination with chocolate.  A chocolate layer cake with chocolate cream and raspberry filling was the best.  Coincidentally, her birthday was in July, so raspberries befit well a summer celebration. 

I'm looking forward to reading the stories and recipies in this charming publication!

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ June 9

Another Monday, which means it's time for The Simple Woman's Daybook hosted by Peggy.  I'm writing this Sunday evening since I'll be at work on Monday. 

FOR TODAY

Outsite my window

. . . it's dusk.  The skyline is a black silouette of treetops and mountains against a pink-blue sky.

I am thinking . . . how lovely it is to always have peace and quiet in my home. 

I am thankful for . . . my sister's feeling pretty good lately.

From the kitchen . . . a red candle in my favorite scent of apple orchard sits beside a fresh bowl of cherries. 

I am creating . . . efficiencies at work and at home.  It comes naturally!

I am going . . . to try to post to this blog every day in June.

I am wearing . . . the usual, relaxing Sunday-at-home attire; hair and make-up are done as always!

I am reading . . . Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger, who also wrote The Devil Wears Prada.  I'm taking my time with this one.  No rush, just enjoy languishing.

I am hoping . . . my sister's medical appointment goes well on Tuesday.

I am hearing . . . my television announce the beginning of this season's HGTV's Design Star, one of my favorite shows!

Around the house . . . night is falling and all is quiet. 

One of my favorite things . . . is chatting with my sister online as we both read email and surf the Internet on our computers.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . sticking to routine and making sure I get plenty of sleep each night.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . I included a photograph of my granddaughter here two days ago.  I'm an equal opportunity grandmother, so here is a photograph of my grandson, Austin, taken a little over a year ago at a fundraising event for my sister.

   

Back to Work

Well after three lovely days of vacation solely to spend time at home-sweet-home, I'm back to my routine today.  But the end of this week is a fun part of my routine, facilitating a 2-day class that always reaps tremendous benefits for participants and facilitators. 

I checked off my list several chores and errands I wanted to accomplish during this little break, much of which was fine-tuning nooks and crannies in invisible parts of my home.  For example, inside my bedroom closet looks great!  I didn't get to another closet in the hallway, and I have to admit I did procrastinate a bit in that case.  It's a deep closet where I store everything from wrapping paper to lampshades to the vacuum cleaner.  I could probably have it all buttoned up within an hour, but then there would be stuff I wouldn't want to put back in the closet, which leads to more sorting and finding new homes for odds and ends.  That's the part I was avoiding.  Maybe I'll get a surge of energy this weekend and just get it done. 

One section of my garage needs some attention, too, and that project will get my attention soon.  In past years I've spent time cleaning the garage on Father's Day in honor of my father who passed away in 1982.  It seems a fitting activity since he and I would sometimes spend time cleaning our garage.  Sounds like a good plan for this year, too!

  

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ June 2

 Another Monday, which means it's time for The Simple Woman's Daybook hosted by Peggy.  This Monday is different than most in that I'm on vacation.  Ah the luxury of sitting at home on a lovely spring morning! 

FOR TODAY 

Outsite my Window . . . I see the beginnings of a beautiful spring day.  The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the dozens of tree branches covered in spring's leaves are bending with a gentle breeze. 

I am thinking . . . about how I'll spend my day.  A decision really as I have a number of options and a list of things I want to accomplish in the next 3 days. 

I am thankful for . . . my sister's good days lately.

From the kitchen . . . the smell of morning toast wafts through the air.  Sunshine is beaming through the window, the prettiest time of day there.

I am creating . . . order.  As funny as that sounds, order and organization bring me the most peace.  I'm naturally organized, so my tasks entail fine-tuning a few areas of my home. 

I am going . . . to run a few errands today, but mainly I'm going to enjoy being at home!

I am wearing . . . a long, pink and white seersucker summer robe.  My hair and make-up are done, but putzing around the house in my robe on days when I get to stay home is such luxury.

I am reading . . . Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger, who also wrote The Devil Wears Prada.  It's a fun read so far.

I am hoping . . . there will be further clarity this week in indentifying the Democratic candidate for President. 

I am hearing . . . the chirping of birds, which is a welcome change from a few minutes ago.  For the past hour or so, a loud carpet steaming van was fully operational outside a neighbor's home.  Ah the silence!

Around the house . . . I'm beginning to plan changing spring decor to summer.  More fun!

One of my favorite things . . . is spending time with my family.  I was invited to my son's and DIL's house for dinner last night and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my grandchildren.  Austin is 7 and Haley is 3.  We all had a great time!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . include getting everything on my list finished.  Some items are definitely more fun than others!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . . a photograph of another hydrangea.  This one is placed inside my home in front of my fireplace.

   

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ May 19

I just discovered a charming weekly activity hosted by Peggy over at The Simple Woman.  It's called The Simple Woman's Day Book and it reminds me somewhat of Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach.  I used to love to read that book every day; it truly does celebrate the simple joys of this world and our lives in it.

FOR TODAY

Outside my Window... the sun sets over Spring's newly green trees and rolling hills. 

I am thinking... what a lovely weekend I had, spending time with my family and watching Miss Potter yet again. 

I am thankful for... good news that my sister's health is stable for now, and cooler weather than the 100 degrees days of late last week!

From the kitchen... ice cold soda and, later, a bowl of refreshing sherbet sparkled my taste buds.

I am creating... a job opportunity for someone who is interested in working part time.

I am going...to have a routine week working full time during the day and enjoying beautiful evenings at home.

I am wearing... black jeans, black ballet flats, a black tank top, and a crisp black and white tailored blouse, plus gold watch, necklace, bracelet, and earrings.

I am reading... all my favorite monthly home decorating magazines, and want to soon dive into the pages of a good summer read!

I am hoping... the decisions made in the impending political elections lead this country and the world to a peaceful state of being, and I am hoping my sister's energy remains good.

I am hearing... birds chirping and my favorite music playing from my iPod.

Around the house... a huge new white hydrangea plant located at my front door is beginning to bloom, birds sing all the live-long day, a heritage oak right outside my living room and dining room windows make me think sometimes that I live in a charming tree house, the swimming pool is lit by sunshine by day and by underwater lighting by night.

One of my favorite things... the sight and smell of fresh cut flowers on surfaces in my home: dining room table, coffee table, bedside table, and kitchen table. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... think ahead to the 3-day weekend and take full advantage of that extra day to optimize how I spend time with family and friends, and fine tune my home to make it feel even more welcoming. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... I love the sturdy hydrangea blossom comprised of delicate petals in blues, pinks, and whites; the more flowers per plant the better!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Weekend Wishlist: April 19 ~ April 20

• Celebrate with my family my son's 26th birthday
• Plan panels for the Birds & Bonnets Swap
• Select recipes for the Tea Blog-a-thon
• Re-organize one of my hall closets
• Read magazines that arrived this week
• Toss old magazines into the recycling bin
• Choose a tea room in San Francisco to visit with my sister

     

Tea Time Calendar

Each year I order a couple calendars designed by Ling Chang.  A new and colorful hand-painted arrangement of flowers celebrates each month.  The calendars are available in two different sizes and Ms. Chang offers on her website other equally delightful items such as clocks and cards.  Her work is both stunning and cheerful.

Even though it's nearly the end of March, I couldn't resist ordering just now another calendar through Tea Time.  The theme for this calendar is, of course, tea!  Is it ever too late to get a new calendar, especially one that is as beautiful and cheerful as this one?   

Lovely Victoria, Another Journey with Bliss

The March / April edition of Victoria arrived yesterday and I can't wait to pour over its pages.  It was my favorite magazine for nearly a decade and I kept all volumes I ever received.  I was so disappointed when publication stopped a few years ago.  When I moved in 2006, I hesitantly tossed my entire collection knowing I might regret it some day.   

I was delighted to receive last year a postcard from the publishers announcing its return and inviting me to subscribe again.  Happily, thank you! 

Lovely Victoria.  Another wonderful way to greet the new season.

Winter Nights

And so it goes that winter nights are dark and cold.  Sipping a cup of hot tea, watching the dance of a roaring fire, and listening to music by Enya feed the soul and brighten the spirit. 

It was a wonderful Christmas season: there were many good days with family and friends.  May magical scenes in snow continue to delight us. 

Welcome to The Tea Room

There is an extra bedroom in my home that I have furnished as a guest room for overnight guests.  The furniture is dark wood and traditional in style, and the fabrics are small floral prints of blues and yellows, crisp white, and a faint touch of pink.  This inviting room has a daybed under a window, a small fireplace, and an oval hand-painted occasional table I've placed in front of the daybed.  There is a writing desk, as well as an old toy chest, and collections of plates as well as a few mirrors are hung on the cream colored walls.  When my older son saw this room taking shape, he commented that it looks like a tea room.  It was a few days later when I decided I would not refer to it as a guest room, I would call it The Tea Room.

I have been a subscriber to several beautiful home decorating magazines, my favorites are Victoria, Tea Time and Traditional Home.  In the January / February issue of Tea Time, there is an interview with Paul Burrell, Royal Butler to HRH Queen Elizabeth II and to Princess Diana.  The interview focuses on the importance and routine of afternoon tea, and has inspired me to reclaim my love for sipping a warm cup of hot tea in space filled with beautiful things.   

On this New Year's Day, I know the year ahead will be rich with both opportunities and challenges, and there will be days that are calm with routine.  The Tea Room is a place to spend time reflecting, thinking, planning, and enjoying the comforts of life.