Tea with a Friend

The other day, whilst pruning back my garden, I dithered with myself in God's range as to whether I should return to the bloggy world.  I missed that funny sort of virtual thingy that has brought so many new friends into my life.  I questioned myself about time and presence and came to no solid conclusion save the one I always found at the end of this conversation; namely:  "You'll know if and when the time is right."

So, I finished the pruning, went in for a cuppa tea, and stopped thinking about blogging.  When next I checked my email  I found a lone new comment left upon a distant post.  It read:

I miss you Debbie..

I wish I could come visit, 

we could chat over some hot tea and a cookie or two..

I hope you are well! 

Dear sweet Elizabeth, busy mom of five from the other side of the US, had written to me . . . missing me.  A tear sparkled in that knowing little way as my heart whispered, "It is time."  Thank you, Elizabeth, for letting me know.

And so once again the kettle has begun to sing here at Wisteria Cottage amidst the familiar clatter of blue willow teacups placed onto a tray as I ready for the first of many chats together with my sweet friend(s).

But, Elizabeth, before the chatting can commence I simply must know . . .

 Gingerbread

or

Sugar

Cookies?

: D

Fairytale Cooking

 Go out into the gardens

(beautiful flowing dress and dancing slippers optional)

Gather fragrance-bearing beauty with abandon

(organic only, please)

All colors

All shapes

All beautiful

Then . . .

 

Shed the petals

Pour into a bowl

Add boiling water and steep for six hours

(Be prepared to relax and enjoy the amazing aroma)

 Drain and reserve the rosewater

~~ a shade of pink I can only call LUSCIOUS ~~

and cook as you would any jelly.
(recipe link below)

Ladle into jars and cool.


Stand back in amazement at the beauty . . .
then taste

(preferably dolloped onto a freshly-baked scone).

And They Dined Happily Ever After

* * * * *

Find an inspirational post with recipe here.

(I just LOVE Mia's blog!)

Oh Joy!

My oven is fixed!!!

 

After more than a week without oven or microwave

I am all about celebrating the joy of baked goods. 

Can I interest you in a freshly-made

whole-wheat-buttermilk-almond scone?

Naturally we'll have a cuppa tea, too.

* * *

Aaaahhhhhh . . .

Normal life returns

to Wisteria Cottage.

: D

Up the Lazy River

Rivers know this: there is no hurry.

We shall get there some day.

~~ Winnie The Pooh ~~

* * * * *

I rolled out the deck rug, set up the seating, smoothed out the damask . . .

. . . brewed White Jasmine tea, arranged the macaroons . . .


. . . and then sat out under the clear blue skies, watching a jet mimic a shooting star.

I eased my way through the afternoon tea hour, being joined by various sippers and nibblers. Even Mr. Bingley expressed interest in my little respite .

So much work for a mere cup of tea? It proved worth it . . . if only for a single day (though I see no sign of rain on the horizon and shall surely sit out again tomorrow if given half the chance).

; )

* * * * *

Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge
And lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you,
You will suddenly know everything there is to be known.

~~ Winnie the Pooh ~~

Join Me for Tea on Pink Saturday

Step inside my parlour for a spot of tea and something sweet. Please select your favorite from among my collection of antique teacups. Would you like a slice of strawberry pudding? Now, I must insist you have some good, dark chocolate with that -- we all need those beneficial antioxidants. After we sip and catch up on all of our latest hopes, dreams, and accomplishments, let's step out into the garden for a stroll. I can't wait to show you my latest blooming beauties. Shall we pause for a moment to stargaze at a lily?

This peachy pink Colette smells heavenly and those dainty ruffles -- ooh la la!

Lastly, we come upon my "Forever Pink" hydrangea, which looks to be almost completely blue. A mere handful of blossoms retain a mauve hue which will definitely go the way of all my other pink hydrangeas -- BLUE. (Someone once asked me how I got my hydrangeas so blue. I replied, "I plant pink ones." Sarcasm aside, my soil is so acid even my WHITE hydrangea has a powder-blue tint -- actually quite lovely.) Since I planted this "Forever Pink" hydrangea two years ago, I guess two years seems like forever around here. ; )

Along the walkway back to the cottage we meet up with three of the four kitties in residence. Now being quite an integral part of our family life, these clever kitties know all about Pink Saturday. They also know that Connie's cat Floppy made an appearance on one of her previous Pink Saturday posts. So, they have prepared "pink" poses for the Kitty Klub.

First we have Toulouse, the talented. Not to be outdone, Mr. Darcy cranks out his pinkness. Mr. Bingley, being acutely aware of his lavender-hued tongue, poses more discretely in case the "Pink Police" happen by.

Edward, being older than some and wiser than all, refuses comment.