Snowy Tea Tuesday!!!!

Patty's snow/tea post was quite lovely - and I would love to take my tea cup/mug outside - but balance being a rather tricky feat these days, with snow slick driveways and 3 foot snow drifts- my tea remains indoors!!!

With my rubber soled boots (the better for traction, my dear)my thermals, down vest, waterproof long drover's coat, and mismatched barn gloves, I totter out to the barn, aiming my path down the tire tread tracks left by the tractor. "The ol' man's" warm mash is hugged to my chest. It's hard enough keeping that warm on the trek to the barn - hot tea wouldn't have a chance!!!

But, once back inside, and shed of those extra outer layers, it becomes a TO-TEA-LY TEA-Riffic day! The kettle is always on, and I bounce between S. African Rooisbos, Jasmine Pearls (sent to me in a surprise packie from Judy :>) ) and some goji berry tea.
Another dear friend-also a Judy- sent me a tiny tea book - 365 Things Every Tea Lover Should Know! It is full of quotes, recipes, and tea info. I love it!!

Did you know: "a regular part of Tibetan life is to drink butter tea-made from black tea leave, yak butter and salt."!! MMMMM!!!

In the book is a timely quote from Menicus: "With melted snow I boil fragrant tea." Gee, that is something I could do with all that we have piled outside!!!!

Now, I am off to find my favorite taza de te- and fill it to the brim!!!!

Please feel free to join us for tea every Tuesday- snow or shine!!! Visit Kimmie or Patty for links to other ToT participants!

Another Giveaway

While blog surfing(what else is there to do on a snowy day?)I discovered Rock Hill Designs and their lovely bracelet they are giving away!!! I shouldn't tell you, because I REALLY want it - but that's the rules!1 I have to tell!!! LOL

All You Yarn/Fiber Fanatics Out There.......

Please visit my bloggy friend, Linda's blog! She is helping to spearhead a movement to support American grown alpaca fibers and alpaca farmers. It is important that Americans support American industry!!! Become a locavore in your own state!!!

Click on her link and be sure to add your name to the petition!!!

Tea on a Snowy Tuesday

These pictures are not from today - but they very well could be........the weatherman is telling us we are getting MORE snow this afternoon!!!!

I awoke the other day to snow gently cascading down. I had to pull the curtain aside for a better look - I had just gotten used to having the grass under my feet/boots, and the occasional warm day!

It snowed for 12 hours straight, leaving about 10 inches, a bit easier to accept than the 2 feet we got last time!!!

As I sipped my hot Lemon Zinger- I gazed out at the fluffed up little birds who depend on me for breakfast early every morning. They were down in the field, finishing up the last of the cracked corn that the deer left behind. I put out their breakfast and then sat back as they flew back to "join" me for tea!

I drank ALOT of tea this weekend - keeping warm inside most of the time,making more teacup bird feeders and sewing up wool and yo-yo pin cushions. I also made a yo-yo brooch for a swap - but can't show that one yet!! I kind of like the way they turned out - I have not made yo-yo's in a really long time!!! The yellow pincushion is much more vibrantly colored than the picture shows.I have a very tiny stash of hand dyed wool, that really needs to be used up! Not sure where these two pin cushions will end up - on Etsy,or as a surprise in the mail to someone...............

Here is a pic of a wonderful thrift store find- a ceramic tea caddy - a Williamsburg reproduction from their Tea Time Collection. This piece was adapted from mid to late 18th century tea wares. So cute!!

I know I promised to write more of what I learned in my tea class, but I will save that for another Tuesday.
Please feel free to join us- see Kimmie or Patty for links to other T.o.T-ers! And welcome to Mary Helen, who is joining us for tea!!

On Sale Now!!!

I'm so excited!! My teacup bird feeders are in two shops in town, Turner Ham/Fulks Run Grocery and Julieanna's!! Hopefully, they will be in two more shops next week. If I can figure out an inexpensive way to mail the taller ones, they will be in my Etsy shop soon!

I have some "new" vintage finds, ready to be upcycled into bird feeders, pin cushions, and shabby chic cake pedestals! Orphaned teacups and saucers are matched with new mates, slightly chipped or worn china is given new life and new purpose.
No two pieces are the same.

The bird feeders come with a starter packet of bird seed, and the cups are easily removed from the stake for cleaning. This way, you don't have to pull the stake out of the ground each time you need to clean or refill the cup.

They will come in two or 3 sizes- the smaller flower pot size would also fit nicely within a bushy garden plant - with just the teacup peeking out. It could be filled with seed, a small plant, or water for the birds to drink!

Feel free if you want to order one, if you can't make it to either of the local shops, to just contact me directly, and we'll work it out!!! Think spring!!!!!

Back in Time

Following Pat's lead-
I went back to 2005, took the 5th folder of pics and, instead of the 5th pic (I am not sure if that person would like their photo on a blog)- I went to the 5th row of photos.

I used to be "the jewelry lady" for Loudoun Hospital's Ladies Board. They have a huge rummage sale every year.
This magnificent tree was just outside the arena - and the wind took it down that day - right onto someone's car.
I haven't been back in 2 years, I think the stump is still there.

Tea on Tuesday

Late to the party again......
Here are two tea related gifts I got in the mail (just love goodies in the mail!)
A Republic of Tea cd from my brother. Don't have a cd player in the house, so I have to take this with me, next time I am in the car!!!
The other is a calendar,including 12 postcards- one for each month!!! I already sent the first one off - to thank the friend who sent me the calendar!!!!
And, lots of tea today, to ward off the chill, and yet another impending snow storm!! the brew pictured is one of my fav's P&G, in the triangular teabag!
Stop by to visit Patty, Judy, and Kimmie for a list of our other ToT players!!!