Tea Stands for Tuesday - 12/21/21

 Happy Winter Solstice.  

free clipart

Is everyone busy wrapping the last gift and putting a bow on the last box?  We had an early Christmas get together with one part of the family last Saturday.  Will have a small group here for Christmas dinner.

Today I am drinking my coffee from a cup my Granddaughter gave me.  She has always called me Nana and when she was little it was Nana-Banana. Notice the banana is wearing glasses.  Lol. This is the third "Nana" cup she has given me.  Three is a collection, right?

Please join me at Elizabeth's blog as I lift my cup in celebration with long time friends there.

Tea Stands for Tueaday - 12/14/21

 Good morning friends.  Long time, no visit.  I hope the Tea Party is still going strong.

https://oliverpluff.com/

One of the gifts I needed to shop for this year was tea.  We all know there are lots of brands of tea out there.  I searched around and found this American company.  I bought some for a gift but wanted some myself too.  It is quite good.

We don't put up a tree but instead we visit the kids and grandkids and enjoy theirs.  I like to make a little ornament to hang on the tree each year.  This year I chose Danish woven hearts.  I made mine with felt.  They open and you can put a few treats inside.  Always fun.

I'm anxious to reconnect with some of those who attend the weekly tea party Elizabeth host.  If you want to join the fun here is the link.

EDIT:  Oh my, so many typing mistakes.  I hope I fixed them all.  Santa should bring me some new glasses.

 

 

Happy Halloween

 

mixed media card

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 10-19-21

I'm running late but it is still Tuesday where I live so I have time to join the tea party at Elixabeth's.  If you haven't visited the party before here is the link.  

I have plenty of tea.  This morning I'm drinking Lady Grey.  One of my favorites.

As long as I don't care if my house is clean, I think I'll play.  Did you play with paperdolls when you were a child.  I did.  One of my favorite things to do.  I believe if you click on the image and save it then you can print a page of Halloween paperdolls for yourself.  

Enjoy a cozy autumn day.

 

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 10/12/21

 

(from somewhere on the internet)

Hello Tea Party friends.  The above picture seemed perfect for our Tea Tuesday.  I am so glad Elizabeth continues to hold this get together every week.   Anyone can visit her at Altered Book Lover.

Some time ago I was given a Gelli plate for monoprinting.  The idea has been quite popular but I wasn't really on the bandwagon.   I haven't been creating much art for awhile and I think the person who gifted me thought it would be a nudge to get back at it.

 

My first try.

Prints done so far.

You can see I tried it on one card.  I think it would be useful for backgrounds in collage work.  I'm not sure where the technique will take me but it was fun to experiment.

If anyone creates Gelli prints I'd love to hear your ideas for creating and using them.

Second on the second 11/2/21

 Bringing this back for a second look.  I need to make some cards.  If you would like to join Second on the Second just follow me to Elizabeth's blog.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Another Owl

Speaking of owls, as I was a couple of days ago, here is a card I made some time ago.

I was going through some of my older art pieces.  Trying to get some inspiration.  The owl is a hand carved rubber stamp I created during a brief period of stamp carving I went through.  

I seem to like to try different things, like stamp carving, and then move on to something else.  Maybe it is curiosity or maybe I have a short attention span.

I think I will get those old stamps out. This is the perfect time of year to use the owl stamp.

Anyone carve their own stamps?

Welcome October

We usually have beautiful weather during the month of October here in Northern California.  I hope to get out and about to enjoy some of the beauty nature offers.

Welcome September

 

Tea Stands for Tuesday 8/3/21

Good morning.  Here I am joining everyone at Elizabeth's blog for a cup of tea.  I don't manage that every week so I'm kind of proud of myself.  Lol!

My tea is ready and there is a  slice of this bread in the toaster.  I like to try new to me breads.  This one is called Honey Rye Porridge bread and has just about every kind of flour in it you can think of.  It is tasty but I was hoping for more rye flavor.

Here is my latest watercolor.  I find painting with watercolors a little challenging.  No covering up errors.  On the other hand, I like the delicate or fragile feeling I can sometimes capture.

Hope everyone has a good week.

Happy August

 

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 7/13/21

It has been a busy July for me.  I am enjoying being social a bit more since I have my shots and some things are opening up in our area.  Fourteen of us were able to get together in a private room at a restaurant to celebrate my birthday this month.  

Meanwhile, back at the studio, I pulled out some paper scraps and created this collage.  I found the part of a cigarette carton (bottom of piece) blown up against our fence at the river.  That was my inspiration.

I think my post will make it just under the wire for Tuesday.  I'd better hurry if I want to join the tea party at Elizabeth's blog.

Happy 4th of July

 Happy 4th of July to my U.S. friends and to anyone else who wants to enjoy the holiday with us.  Stay safe out there.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 6/22/21

 Hello everyone.  Today's Tea post is full of surprising and interesting things.  All new to me.

Have you ever heard of a Tea Cup Holster?  What fun.

Here's an idea of how you might wear it,

Oh yes, I want one.  I will have to think of an occasion that makes one absolutely necessary.  Suggestions?  (I don't have links for the photos )

While we were at the River House I spotted something yellow from a distance.  What is that?   Has an alien landed in our palm tree?

The plants are at a side of the garage in an area that we don't really notice that much.

Our female Sago Palm blossomed.   Reading about it I found that the plants only blossom after about 10 years of age and then only blossom once every 3 to 5 years.  A first for us.  We are quite excited about it.

That's it for my interesting week.  I hope you found some nice surprises along the way too.  I'm going to visit Elizabeth and find out what everyone has been doing.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 6/1/2021

 June first.  Imagine that.  I barely noticed spring and here we are nearly in the summer.  I hope you are enjoying nice weather wherever you are.

'Shattering' 3D Mural in Helsingborg Sweden by Dutch Artist

Leon Keer.

Some days I need a really big up of coffee - or tea. I feel this mural captures my feeling really well. I would like to see it in person. I can imaging myself standing below it on the sidewalk, looking up and getting very dizzy. LOL!

Artists are amazing. I know because I know many of you are artists and are amazing people. I'm quite fond of this group.

Lets go visit everyone at Elizabeth's blog. I'm anxious to see some new creations.

Memorial Day 2021

 

Today, in the U.S. we remember those who served.  

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 5/25/2021

 

We had lovely weather all weekend.  Perfect for venturing out.  The family, except for the very little ones, are fully vaccinated and it is such a relief.  Masks are still being worn by most people, it is unclear just what the "where and when rules are and it isn't worth upsetting anyone so we do wear them in public.

For the first time in a year and a half, I was able to join my daughter and granddaughter for lunch.  We also wanted to visit a farmers market so we chose a restaurant that was near the market vendors.

Slow Hand BBQ.  

Hopefully you can click on the menu to enlarge it enough to read.

My daughter and I had the smoked chicken with blue cheese and bacon sliders (3 each) with cole slaw and fries.  The granddaughter had a Cobb salad.  Iced tea all around.

It felt so good to be out among people on a beautiful day.  Everyone seemed to be happy and just enjoying the world.  I know I was.

Creating this post has been fun and makes me realize how much I was really shut down (or shut up?) for the past year and a half.

I'm ready to visit  with everyone who is sharing a drink over at Elizabeth's blog.  Please join me there.

Tea Stands for Tuesday 5/18/2021

 

Hello my Tea Party friends.  So happy to be able to join you all again today.  We have been spending quite a bit of time at our river property and there is no wifi available there.  

We are back by the bay now and I am back to my morning walks. 

I saw these two windows in a small rather unused looking building.  I thought the planted tea pots, cups and bits and pieces were delightful.  I liked thinking of the effort someone took to make the display.  

One of thie things I enjoy so much about taking walks is the detail that I see.  Things I wouldn't notice if I wasn't walking.

Now it is time to go "notice" what everyone has been up to.  Please join me as I visit Elizabeth's blog.

Happy Mother's Day

 Happy Mother's Day

Happy May Day

 

image found on the web

The Victorians were fond of celebrating May Day.

Dancing around a May pole was popular for May Day; the Maypole was a tall pole erected in the middle of a clearing, decorated with flowers and long ribbons attached to the top.  Different age groups – especially children and the young adults – danced in specific patterns, each holding the end of a ribbon, and wove the ribbons in a pattern around the pole as they danced round and round. The May pole dance celebrated youth, fertility, and the changing of the seasons.

Tea Stands for Tuesday 4/20/2021

Hello friends.  It is Tuesday morning here but I may be the very last one to show up for Tuesday Tea

Instructions for Masala Tea

Somehow I got myself locked out of Blogger and nearly gave up. Today is the day I finally followed the needed instructions.   

I found the instructions for a cup of masala tea and followed those as well.

I've been occupied with knitting most of the winter months.  

Here is Himself in his new sweater.  He's a tall guy so I used a size large pattern but added length to the body and sleeves.  

I'm going to join the tea gang at Elizabeth's.  Why don't you join me?

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 3/16/2021

Hello my Tuesday Tea friends.  I'm happy to be able to check in at Elizabeth's blog today and catch up on everyone's news.

March can be such an uncertain month,  The weather changes from day to day (or faster).  This is the week we changed the clocks which confuses me for a few days.  Lately,  I have been turning off the screens and seeking out a little peace and quiet.

I enjoy working on a good old fashioned jigsaw puzzle.  This puzzle is smaller (300 pieces) with larger pieces than what I usually do.  I found it at a thrift store for $1.15.  I'm hoping all the pieces are there.  Have you seen the prices of puzzles lately?  Eek!

With my cup of tea and some fancy chocolate cookies (those tubes in the glass) I can have a lovely time.  Right now we are still "sheltering" so we don't have company but in years past I found working puzzles with someone often led to some wonderful conversations.

Here is a little trivia for you.  A person who enjoys assembling jigsaw puzzles is called a dissectologist.  Do you ever work jigsaw puzzles?

Happy Monday

 

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 2/9/2021

 This is what February during a pandemic looks like at my house.

I spend a lot of time drinking tea and knitting. 

I know this post is brief but it is about all I can manage these days.  I really miss my online friends,  making art and my neighborhood walks.  Maybe one day I can get back to that. 

I hope you are all keeping warm and well.  Please join me in visiting Tea Stands for Tuesday at Elizabeth's blog. 

What's for dinner? Artichoke and Chicken Bake 2/4/2021

 I've been looking through some of my recipes.  A few and hand written, some came from family members, many are from pre-internet days.

I'm going to post a few.  That way I'll know where to find them and maybe my friends will find some cooking inspiration. 

This is what I made last night.

Artichoke and Chicken Bake 

1 (14 ounce) can water-packed artichoke hearts, well drained and chopped 
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 
3/4 cup mayonnaise 
1 dash garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves 
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves 

Preheat oven to 375. 
Spray an 11 x 7 inch baking dish with Pam. 
Salt and pepper the chicken breast halves and place in the dish. 
In a bowl, combine the artichoke hearts, parmesan cheese, mayonnaise and garlic powder; mix well. 
Spread artichoke mixture over chicken breasts. 
Bake, uncovered, 30-35 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

NOTES:

. Be sure to trim any fat off the chicken breasts
. I cut my chicken breast halves into two pieces, just easier to serve as a whole half breast is more than some folks want
. I always grate fresh parmesan cheese but imagine you can use the packaged kind. Same with the garlic, I prefer fresh to the powder.

Tea Stands for The Second on the Second today 2/2/2021

 Hello Everyone!  Every once in awhile I manage to pop out of my dormant state and post something.  I only seeems fitting that I do that on a Tuesday that is both The Second on the Second and Tea Stands for Tuesday.  I'm bringing back last year's post because truthfully my life feels like it has been at a standstill for a year.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 2/11/2020

It is still Tuesday morning in my part of the world but I may be the last guest to arrive at Elizabeth's tea party.  February means it is Valentines Day soon and spring about to begin.

This is my favorite teacup/mug.  It was a gift from my granddaughter.    I'm going to enjoy using it every morning

Speaking of Valentines, isn't this a cute hat?  I haven't made it but I plan to sometime before next years V Day.  The hat pattern is free on Ravelry until Valentines day.  For anyone interested put "love-hearts-hat" in the pattern search engine there.

I didn't make any Valentines this year but I'll bet some of the other tea party guests and Elizabeth did.  Lets go look!  Click here

Don't click on the old link, click HERE for what is going on at the party today.  Special thanks to Elizabeth for keeping things going.

February First

 

Welcome February

Cicely Mary Barker art

The Snowdrop Fairy

Poem and art by Cicely Mary Barker

Deep sleeps the Winter,

Cold, wet, and grey;

Surely all the world is dead;

Spring is far away.

Wait! the world shall waken;

It is not dead, for lo,

The Fair Maids of February

Stand in the snow!

Second on the Second 1/2/2021

 Thanks go out to Elizabeth for keeping The Second on the Second going.  Be sure to visit her HERE.  This is the post I'm bringing back for a second look.

First published on Jan. 2, 2015

One of the things I was thinking about with the beginning of this new year is the Goddess Hekate (or Hecate) from Greek mythology.   Hekate is associated with a crossroad or a new path and often a new  year. 

Hekate

pen and ink on mixed media paper

Hecate is most often depicted as having three heads, or three separate forms. That of a young maiden, a mother, and a crone. This symbolizes the cycle of life.  She often carries a torch. I suppose that is to light the way. 

While there are many other symbols associated with the goddess, those are the features I chose to illustrate.  I have an admittedly superficial knowledge of Greek mythology.  I do find it interesting though.

Are you familiar with any of the old myths?

Happy New Year

 I am cautiously opening the door to 2021 and wishing all my friends a Happy New Year.

pen and ink with watercolor