Sakura tea on Tuesday...

...you may be experiencing the cold of winter's day..

but should you come across Sakura (Cherry Blossom) tea..

take a sip and I'm sure you'll love the "sweet" fragrance of this flower tea..

along side a steaming hot bowl of Hokkaido Ramen in thick "milky" broth

with slices of "melt in the mouth" braised pork with a hint of garlic oil

and chopped spring onions. 

And garnish it with a dash of sesame ( I love that sesame mill! )
and red pepper..

and steamed pastry with a seafood pattie with lettuce

Happy Tea Tuesday everyone!!

steph

my wish for you...

"To think of the immense potential hidden deep within our being,

to understand that the nature of mind is fundamental purity and kindness,

and to meditate on its luminosity,

will enable you to develop self-confidence and courage"

The 14th Dalai Lama

sending you warm wishes and kind thoughts...

steph

Listen to your heart....

"The heart has reasons that reason cannot know"

Blaise Pascal

stay happy

steph

Is it Tuesday already?

Hii!! Wow time flies and I can't remember when was the last time I had tea 

at home....

I'm looking forward to "restfulness" and "quietness"

and time to do some reading and yes Art...

"Art Helps me Breathe"

This came in a surprised "package"

which arrived on one evening, upon returning from a long day at work,

I was yearning for something pleasant to make me "happy"...

and I did, a million times....

a package came in from a very dear friend, Patty

who sent me her beautiful art, and mixed media art materials,

all artistically packaged..

and what a pleasant surprise when I saw this little pendant..

because it was all so personalized and special..

I love lavender and Patty had them in this heart shaped pillow. 

I've also been secretly admiring and hoping to covet her beautiful

match box with her handmade bird's nest....

and her zentangle ATC ..

THANK YOU dearest friend....

Your friendship means so much to me...

Happy Happy Holidays to you and yours!!!

(I'll be posting more art in the next few days..)

Warm hugs

Steph

Communal feasting in T land..

We had the rare opportunity to visit a village of the Miao minority group

 up in the mountains of Yunnan, China

last weekend.. 

The road was narrow, winding and the rain 

made the journey a treacherous one..

but once we were up there,

we were treated to a spectacular view of the village and the mountains afar.

The villagers prepared lunch for us

which was served at the back of the church

while they waited with much anticipation ...

The people were friendly and warm and yes happy!

And as we descended......

the beauty of this village will always remain 

for it was not just the beauty of the rustic mud houses and tiled roofs

but the inner beauty in these individuals...

Simple Abundance.... (that's what this is all about)

and we will surely return.....

Happy Tea Tuesday everyone!!

steph

Colors on T Tuesday..

Today's post brings us back to colors on our plates:

natural food colors....

warmed sweet corn juice (this drink is so yummy and full of 100% natural goodness),

fresh vegetable juice and sweet and sour chilli dip.

 slices of pomfret (a kind of fish) with fermented red rice wine on a bed of sweet peas

fried angel hair rice noodles with green vegetables, onions, clams and tofu 

with a sprinkle of fried peanuts and slivers of dried seaweed.

Happy Tea Tuesday and hop over to Kimmie's for more T tales...

steph

Untitled..

This is a get well card made especially for someone..

"Wake at dawn with a winged heart

and give thanks for another day of loving"

Kahl Gibran   

Happy weekend!!

steph

Light and Littles on Tea Tuesday

It's yummy home style cooking with ice cold lemon grass tea

at the country side...

and I couldn't help but to

"follow the light" and to check out on my "littles"

A painter works with color as the medium, 

a photographer works with light. 

Carlotta Capron

So, come along and follow me to Kimmie's  for A WONDERFUL  Tea Tuesday!!

steph

The Serenity Prayer...

God grant me the serenity

to accept things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

enjoying one moment at a time.......

Abstract collage on 6" x 8" cover of a book bound with coptic stitch.

(My apologies for the poor lighting on this photograph...

it was getting pretty late when I completed this. 

I like the original much better :)) ) .

Have a good week!

steph

ATCs

"Courage to the fearful,

freedom to the enslaved,

strength to the weak, mutual affection to all sentient beings."

Shantideva

Thankful for you!!!

steph

T at a Turkish countryside....

We were on a working trip to Turkey last month and after the conference,
we spent some time in Datca,

a beautiful and tranquil little town,
about 1 hour by ferry from the city of  Bodrum,  Turkey.

We had turkish tea by the beach side cafe...

and stayed in one of the most beautifully restored stone house
with a lush garden, called the
Mehmet Ali Aga Konagi Mansion
(built in 1809)

there was also a "secret" garden

where fruits, vegetables and herbs

are grown and freshly picked each morning;

where fresh olives are pressed in the traditional way,
 and delicious food made from farm fresh milk and cheese
and other natural produce from the village near by,
where we took early morning walks,
and amidst the tranquility of the countryside...
it is so therapeutic and calming
to listen to the call for prayer from the village mosque....

We visited the ancient Greek city of  Knidos

which reminded me of a busy port city during the ancient times...

and as we left Datca , we stopped by an old flour mill

and with much thankfulness in our hearts to our gracious hosts

who gave us the most precious gift of friendship.

Happy Tea Tuesday everyone!!!

~steph~