Sunday Afternoon Tea

Silver in morning's soft glow.

My ponderings this week have been about taking joy in the simple things of life... such as honey... North Carolina Barberry honey to be exact... which a sweet friend sent me this past week after telling me how good it is in tea.

I've decided Barberry honey is the stuff angel food is made of... yum. Honey has always fascinated me... all this birds and bees stuff... and that something so natural and delicious is made by the bees. I believe there is some Pooh in me (although it is Jewels who says she is the Bear of Little Brain. :)

On a recent evening, a gentle rain fell outside so I lit a McIntosh apple scented candle and sipped the last of my Candy Cane Lane tea from last Christmas. I even pulled out the autumn Tea Time magazine which recently came in the mail (which has many delicious recipes) to get me thinking of cooler weather. I'm always ready for autumn by August, even after a cooler summer. :)

I wrote a post a few years ago about how nice a solitary tea time can be once in awhile, a type of mini vacation in my own living room. I remember when Christopher was a preschooler and I thought I'd never again in my entire life be able to read through a magazine... or finish a book... or slowly sip tea... much less have anything with a flame in it on a coffee table. Times goes by very quickly, doesn't it?

It has become quite hot and humid, more like our typical August weather. So, I have been out early and late to do the gardening and lawn work. While pulling the ever existent weeds, I startled a rather large frog. I must admit to stopping my work to admire his markings as one has to look carefully to distinguish him from his (her?) surroundings. Our Designer is such an amazing Artist.

Taking the time to look a little closer at nature is something I learned to do in all those nature walks we took during the homeschooling years... lessons taught by that hyperactive little boy... the same one who does everything in slow motion as a young adult (or so it seems).

I want to live the life I desire as much as possible, working within the limitations which hinder doing everything I'd like to do. To surround myself with beauty and candlelight on rainy days... the aroma of homemade bread (began in the bread machine then shaped by hand and baked in the oven)... great coffee... not to mention tea... a little chocolate now and then... old books and new British DVDs... music of all kinds... Miss Marple on TV... and family, of course.

I suppose when one thinks of a life of simplicity, their thoughts tend more toward those who live on a homestead and are completely self sufficient. Not necessarily one who enjoys solitary tea times and polishing silver. Yet, it is those very things that make for a pleasant evening at this stage of life.

I also love those early morning hours when the sun begins to filter through the lace curtains during my quiet time... with a cup of coffee, my Bible, and my favorite devotional... perhaps a great book that speaks to my soul at the moment. Simple things which only require my setting up the coffeepot the night before and rising from sleep before anyone else in the house.

I cannot do everything I would like but I can do something each day... to make my world that which I desire. My choices in books read, media watched, music on the itty bitty ipod, magazines perused, artwork on the wall, clothing purchases, meals and snacks made, etc... all come together to form each day of a lifetime. If I am more careful of my choices in these areas, I am far more able to handle that part of life which is out of my control. :)