March Metaphor

Winter Reveries/Revelries

Except for a couple short little posts I haven’t been writing much this winter.  Normally I would say that winter is the best ever time for writing and thinking poetic thoughts, but I have been preoccupied this winter. (That is, OCCUPY HOLLY has been going on here in Portland). Movie night with the girls

I know it is considered boring to tell people how busy you’ve been, but at the risk of bad etiquette I feel a need to say:

I had a trip to Washington, DC, to use my frequent flier (I wish) miles before they expired (because I hardly ever really do fly anywhere) and incidentally to see my ADORABLE grandson and sweet daughter and  son-in-law. Arlington National Cemetery

I rushed home just in time to get the house ready for a double baby shower for a daughter and daughter-in-law who were both expecting girl babies. The shower was hosted by another daughter and I was a “consultant” and “site manager”. Emily and Nichole preparing for girl cousins

The day before the shower, my sister arrived from Denver to spend a week with me clearing out my mother’s closets and book shelves, her awesome hat collection and costume jewelry collection and…let’s face it: my mother was a collector.  My dad wanted pictures taken of her things before we parted with them, and we made a bibliography of her books which dated back to her English Lit major college days. My sister Gretchen modeling one of Mom’s hats

Our daughter arrived for a 2 week visit with our grandson.    Then a dear friend was having a BIG birthday and  I pulled out my tea cups and table cloths and silver and we partied, girl style.  Fun!  Work! (I would do this more often if I had a cleaning lady or were a better housekeeper myself).     Our DARLING granddaughter arrived (the same day as the tea party, of course).  We are so thrilled with this precious new little life.  Tillie’s first bath

I had a long weekend at the beach with old longtime friends. Whipped foam at Pacific City

I was/am teaching the women’s Bible study each week at my church, which seems to take a lot of study time.

This past week I have had 3 dental appointments including an extraction.  I’m not getting older: I’m getting more expensive.

And the odd little other things that come up, like food and friends and lending a helping hand and taking a finance class (for which I have homework due. On which I should be working. But I have always been more attracted to words than numbers).

Remember my “word for the year”, "sweeten up" ? Look what I found! A gentle reminder!

Necessi-Teas

“She did not think that people now were any worse than they used to be, but it was very clear to her that they had less time.  In the old days Botswana people were rarely in a rush to get somewhere else - why should they be?  Nowadays, people were always thinking of getting somewhere - they traveled far more, rushing from here to there and back again.  She would never let her life go that way; she would always take the time to drink tea, to look at the sky, and to talk.  What else was there to do?  Make money?  Why?  Did money bring any greater happiness than that furnished by a well-made cup of red bush tea and a moment or two with a good friend?  She thought not.”

THE SATURDAY BIG TENT WEDDING PARTY

By Alexander McCall Smith

Diane’s Tea Party

My friend had her 60th birthday and we celebrated with a tea at my house.  The guest list grew from 10 to 12 to 19 with a possibility of 3 more. Guests were requested by the birthday girl to wear hats.  She herself wore several different ones during the course of the party, mysteriously appearing in changed hat, earrings and scarves occasionally:

All the ladies in their hats:

  some of whom were quite elegant:  and others more casual:

I pulled out all the ‘girly’ stops, gloves, purses, flowers, embroidery and ladies’ hankies:

  (Shabby-chic spoon rack displays leftover hanky collection)

  (My mother’s hats and purses and gloves)

(My Grandmother’s tea towels which I salvaged in embroidery hoops)

Our menu was:

Tea:

Harney Bros. --“Paris”  and “Mother’s Bouquet”

Teavana—Monkey Picked Oolong

Zhena’s Gypsy Tea—Ambrosia Plum (White)

 

Savories:

Open-faced Vegetable Sandwich by GlennieEgg Salad Pinwheels by DianeChicken Salad on Croissants

“Teapot” Scones with Clotted Cream and Jam by Amanda

    Tomato-Basil Bruschetta with Olive on Rounds

Shrimp/Chives/Cream Cheese on Cocktail Pumpernickel

Brie Triangles with Crackers

Broiled Mushroom Caps Stuffed with Spinach or Artichoke Dip

Fruit Garnish: Pineapple, Strawberry, Orange

Olives, Artichoke Hearts

Sweets:

Cupcakes made by Bethany

Shortbread made by Lindsay

Russell Stover Truffles

For a get-acquainted game we played a Trivia from 1952 game that my daughter had concocted. [What was the Brylcream slogan? (extra points for singing it) Fill in the blank: “Look, Ma, no ………” , etc.]

Over the years I have been given books on teas and tea parties which I enjoy:

and of course I have my own inclination toward tea:

and then Susan Branch keeps me inspired:    (My 2012 calendar, copyright by Susan Stewart Branch)

And here is my wish for Diane the birthday girl and for all of you, my friends:

May you always be blessed

with walls for the wind,

a roof for the rain,

a warm cup of tea by the fire,

laughter to cheer you,

those you love near you,

and all that your heart might desire.

Blessings,

Holly