Good Morning Dear Friends in Tea, October 1st, Sweeping out the dust and cobwebs,

Good Morning Dear Friends in Tea. Welcome to the first day of a brand new month. I really felt the push to move September's furniture out of the way and arrange some seasonal decorations. I miss the early morning light of summer, but in true life fashion, candlelight and firelight provide breathtaking beauties.

My nonsense dreams have been replaced with plays of real life, so I am litterally working all the time. Now thats more non sensical than real, lol.

I am delighted to share this mornings tea, which just happens to be Red Rose, made into a concentrate in the little pot on top of the samovar. I actually prefer a mild Turkish black tea for this purpose as it shows no hint of bitterness or bite even after several hours of perching over hot water. It's as close to instant tea as you can get without sacrificing the beauty of ceremony.

This is a rather odd little observation of nature that I wish to share. Down in the valley, in front of the garden house is a stand of 4 pine trees. Three are quite tall and traditional looking, but the 4th has always wept with downturned branches. I was used to that, and considered that its way of being. This morning, I was very surprised to see that it has totally perked up. Almost every one of those branches are now reaching up like praising hands and it looks like a totally new tree. I haven't watered it or fertilized, it just came about. People are capable of growth and change, just like that.

and so.....day breaks and I must dance to the music. No, that's not quite right, I am anxious to be asked to dance. Your very grateful hostess and friend, Mary

Good morning, girlfriends!  Welcome to a beautiful new month.  Only 23 more days and we'll be flying to Michigan.  Can't wait to see the beauty that is there.  I don't cherish the idea of flying through the night but.....  I'm toying with the idea of just getting a hotel when we get there to sleep for a few hours before heading to family.  I know if we head right to my aunt's house, in St. Clair, she is going to want to drag me out running the streets right away.  Hmmm, what to do.

I need to find a place to order a cake to bring to my mother in law for a surprise 93rd birthday we are having for her.

Waving to everyone and wishing you a beautiful day

Hugs

Kathy

I love October. Football, the World Series, cooler weather, and Halloween.

It's just a perfect day today -- cool and sunny. I have the clothesline full of laundry and am off to get my haircut, then back home to clean house. I'm looking forward to being off on Saturday and maybe fixing us a big breakfast, which I don't do very often.

Hope everybody is having a good day -- I'm waving and sending some October sunshine your way!

Good Morning dear friends in tea. I am in a pancakes state of mind. Never one to leave well enough alone I have to add a little something to the batter and today that is bananas.

The weatherman is predicting a day of rain and last night I got out an afghan I started many moons ago. I fell right into the pattern and then I found out why I left off of it in the first place. Its a varigated yarn and won't be pretty even when its finished. Its time to put my time and energies into another project, and quit trying to like something I am never going to be pleased wth. Life is a lot like that, you have to know when to struggle and when not to.

While I am figuring out what I really want to do, let's have a cup of tea. It soothes the spirit and quells restlesses. Thank you to Carolyn for my trip to the cupboard for chammomile based teas.

Dear Kathy, I hope your itinerary includes some time for us to finally meet face to face. Where are you considering for hotel location? I don't fly by day or at night. I would make a poor witch as my broom is used just to sweet the floors...a little Halloween Humor has crept into my thinking, lol. I am not familiar with any good bakeries in or around the shores. Perhaps Susie could guide you.

Dear Elza, I am delighted that you are feeling cheery. You inspired me to join in breakfast!

Let's all gather and inspire one another. Your very grateful hostess and friend, Mary

Good October afternoon to all.  Yesterday was my next oldest Sis's B'Day.  All 4 Sis's took her to lunch and then on a shopping jaunt.  Fun.  My oldest Sis is doing pretty well considering.  She just recently lost her DH you may recall.  That is such a hard adjustment.

We are cool and sunny, too.  Got all of my house plants into the Sunroom.  Didn't we just put them out?  Where has Summer gone?  Well, time for change isn't it?  Every Season has its joys to recommend it.  

EMR MMMMM, banana pancakes-sounds just right for Indian Summer breakfast! 

Kathy, such fun anticipating a trip.  I do not enjoy flying in the day or the night.  I remember seeing flying in the movies and could not wait to try it.  What a disappointment-noisy, uncomfortable and costs an arm and leg. But necessary at times.  MARY, you have not missed a thing.  DH has never flown and vows he never will.

Looking forward to the candy exchange.  Now I must get hopping to do the shopping with the way time is flying by me these days.

Blessings to all this Fall.  Carolyn

Kathy,

Good morning Dear Friends in tea. Welcome and fill your cup from the tiny pot on top of the samovar, add hot water and dress it to your preference. Michigan is wet and the falling leaves are slippery...whee! Despite that, a patch of bluesky is perched in a hole through the massive forest and the air is so sweet. If you look for good news you will find a blooming bouquet in family and friends alike. Take a bite of crisp apple, bake a pie..bake two and share one with your neighbor.

Dear Carolyn, Happy Birthday wishes and prayers are winging to your sister. I hope her life knits pleasantly together giving her joy to temper her sorrow. How beautiful to have 5 sisters! Are you feeling better from your kidney pain? Have your nerves steadied? I am praying for you.

My first experience with flying was not pleasant at all. I had an ear infection and the cabin pressure made it very challenging. I was such a quiet girl and didn't seek treatment or counsel and gritted my teeth for the return flight...somehow I made it and vowed never to indulge in it again. I would much rather see the countryside from the car window, when I can manage. My travelling thirst has been quenched at this point.

I always miss my home and the people who are not with me and that is my story. Noone has ever remarked on my suitcase packing skills. I will be here when you come and go.

I love the expression, Hopping to the the shopping! I am going to do my own rendition of that my hopping into the shower!

I am scouring the world looking for earmuffs with solid bands. I wear them everywhere, even to bed when my ears ache. If you happen to run into some, please share as they are rather scarse here. No real fur goes on my head...or the cats munch them, lol.

Make tea, enjoy the day and hug your friends. Your very grateful hostess and friend, mary

Hi tea angels.  Today is the day that Olivia Rose enters our lives in person!  Our first glimpse of her in the flesh-all 81/2 lbs. of her.  So excited we are!

Then we are all going to Octoberfest for some fun. Woo woo.  Yes, I think my nerves are better LOL.

40 degrees here this morn with a sunny afternoon.  What could be better.

Mary, you must describe those earmuffs in better detail.  I used to have the most awful ear aches when my children were growing up-more than they ever did.  I can empathise with you so much on that, and many other things-We are Sister kin from far away me thinks!

Good morning, girlfriends!!  Carolyn, congratulations!!!!  Can't wait to hear all about that big baby girl.  How exciting.  My girlfriend invited me to go to Octoberfest with her last weekend but I was already out running the streets doing something else.  I just love this time of year.  I haven't put out my Halloween decorations yet, inside.  I think I'll do it next weekend.  I noticed that the housekeeper found one little pumpkin in the china closet and pulled it out for decoration.  I thought that was so cute of her.  She's been with us for over 20 years.

Earl and I went out to some yard sales this morning.  I came home with a brand new set of appetizer plates.  Just what I needed (NOT).  They are simple white with a cocktail in the center of each plate.  Looks like I'll have to plan a party around them.  I also found a small cluster of milano glass fruit that I can add to my little collection.  All that for a $1.50 and some gas in the tank.  We were really hoping to find some bathroom vanities for the second rental house.

This evening we are joining friends for a birthday celebration.  It started out as several friends but now we're down to just the birthday boy and his wife and Earl and I.  We are going to Bucca di Beppo.  I'm sure we will have a nice time.  One of the friends that was supposed to be there got swine flu that turned in to a bad pneumonia.  I'm happy to say she is on the mend but was sick for several days.

Mary, I do want to make plans to meet up with you.  What works for you? 

Is everyone totally getting excited about their chocolate swap?  You can't give credit to me for that one, it was our own Elza who thought of this great idea.  I still want to plan on doing a homemade candy exchange for the holiday.  Keep that in the back of your mind. 

Hugs and smiles to everyone!

Kathy

Good afternoon angels,   hope everyone is having a great weekend.  I am feeling a little sluggish today,  just going to lay around and watch some tv today.  Just wanted to jump in and say hi to all of you and say have a great weekend.

Hugs

Carole

Good morning Dear Friends in Tea. It is a beautiful day here in Michigan. DH and I decided to converge on the bathroom at the same time to try to make it to early Mass. It had us both laughing and dodging each other. I am happy to report that Father Harvey looks wonderful and his singing voice was so moving, I almost clapped [little red face here].

Dear Carolyn, Welcome to little Olivia Rose! That is just the most splendid news to read today.  My favorite muffs have a nonadjustable band [those kind don't snap you in the nose when you put them on or off] and have very soft furry earpieces for all day or bedtime comfort. My best pair has a felty feeling band and lime/aqua earfur. So many people have asked me where to get them but they are soooo old. I did sport a natural foxfur pair [a gift] but...the dog ate them. Since I don't want to have my head used as a chew toy, I look for nonfur. Thank you so much!

Dear Kathy, We are in the same spirit of fall decorating. I held off the last few years, opting to head right into Christmas but this year I am wild for pumpkins, mums and lovely ribbons! My next project will center on making a Christmas cousage for my winter coat. I remember my mother always had one and I was so proud when she bought one for me.

I cannot resist beautiful tableware! I think in my mind I see a celebration and happy people in the reflection.....

Dear Carole, I hope that you get a burst of energy and an invitation that you can't refuse to make your day. Is your DM still enjoying camping? Have you run across any lovely recipes to add to your collection?

Oh my dears, this has to be shared.

I heard the most telling little phrase today...you know THAT LOOK you can't describe...when you are a wee bit piqued..or not receptive.

It has a name..."The Hairy Eyeball!' As in the phrase, "Don't give me the hairy eyeball"...

LOL....now I have a perfect description...and it might even make a little chuckle.

Laughter is good for the heart, mind and body. Your very grateful hostess and friend, Mary

Have y'all ever heard of an Admonition Cake? I am making one for our Wed. night potluck at church. I remember having them years ago but for some reason it came to my mind this week and I just got the itch to make one myself.

Here's how it works.

First, you take 2 cups of sour cream, 2 cups of sugar, and 2 (6 oz) packages of frozen coconut. Mix it all together and refrigerate overnight.

Then, you make a regular yellow or white cake mix as directed, making it in 2 layer cake pans. Cool completely and split both layers in half.

Use the coconut mixture to fill and frost the cake. Now comes the hard part. Refrigerate for 3 days before serving. (That's where the "admonition" comes from!)

I remember this being so moist and delicious. Hopefully it will be worth the wait and turn out just as good as I remember. I'll let you know --

Good evening angels,  hope all of you are doing good this weekend.  I am ok I guess.  It is raining right now.  It is just a dreary afternoon.

Mary,  I would love to plant some mums across the front of my house but it would be just a waste.  They would just as fast as I put them out.  LOL.

Elza thanks for the recipe.  Do you have to use frozen coconut?   

Kathy,  is your weather cooling off out there?

Well got to go see if I can round up something for supper.

Hugs

Carole

Carole, I imagine you could use canned or bagged coconut instead of frozen. That's just what the recipe called for.

MMMMM Admonition cake sounds so creamy and  good.  Hairy eyeball-not so good, lol.

Yes, Mary, Olivia is just a perfect little baby girl with little round eyes and the perfect little pink lips and moutn.  She is a calm baby I say, but her Mama says come to visit her about 3 in the morning.  I guess she puts up a LOUD fuss when waiting for her middle of the night feeding.  She is just so beautifully colored-like a little pink doll baby with straight dark hair.  Well, I could go on, but you get the picture that her Great Grand Mimi is in love with her already.

We have really cooled down and Octoberfest in the afternoon was just lovely yesterday.  So many talented people with their crafts and ideas.  Foods of every kind.  I had a funnel cake that was so good.  A bit illegal for me, but I shared it with others so I did not totally do bad.

I have not decorated much for fall other than Mums and a pumpkin out front.  Need to get some more color out there since so many other plants are either inside or have gone by the wayside.  The real leaves here have not turned much yet.  They should be pretty as we have had lots of rain.  Just not cold enough yet.  The Hummers have quit coming to the feeders I believe so time to bring them in to clean them for the las time this yr.

I have been snooping around to find the sweetest day treats and think I have narrowed down to 3 types.  I am going to buy just before shipping so they will be nice and fresh.

All have a lovely Sunday evening.  Blessings to all Carolyn

Good morning dearest of angels,  rushing through this morning.  Hope everyone has a great Monday. 

Hugs and Love

Carole