12-19-12

I HEART{ART}: Inspiration: PUP!

I painted this years ago when our Liberty Dog was just a pup. She's an old gal now, with gray whiskers. Back when she was a pup, there were no kiddos running through our home, just a hyper black labrador. It's fun to bring this painting out at Christmas; it is very playful, and my kids love it.

"Christmas Pup" Acrylic on canvas by Tina C. Wells

December 19, 2012

SIMPLY CREATIVE: Wrap it up!

Creative Wrap

A few days left until Christmas and still so very much to do. You haven’t wrapped all of your gifts either? That makes me feel better. I have a few creative wrappings for you that are easy and fun. 

I put together a gift basket, and tied it up with cellophane. I was transported to another place in time as I remembered growing up next door to a family that had 3 girls, two were the ages and grades of my sister and me. We were great friends and had worn a path between the shrubs that divided our houses. For a brief time, their mom ran a small business called “Wrap it Up!”  She put together these wonderful baskets, chalked full of good stuff, tied up with cellophane, and ribbons turned into fantastic bows. I remember gazing at her organized work station, with spools of colorful ribbons, and rolls of cellophane, hung neatly on horizontal rods to efficiently wrap up her baskets. I wish they still lived next door to my parents...I would have run over and asked for Mrs. P’s advise. I miss them all, especially my friend Wendy, who lives far away now. We truly grew up together...a beautiful thing.

Before I run off into the deep forest of memory lane, I will show you a few fun wrapping ideas:

The Artist Wrap:

I quickly splattered white butcher paper with red and green craft paint, but a solid color works well too. Two colors of raffia were used to tie on an inexpensive paint brush ($1). The tag is a paint chip with a hole punched in the corner. Viola!

The Traveler/Adventurer Wrap:

Here, an old map makes a fun package. Red raffia ties on a magnifying glass. The patch was something I found at a funny vintage store in Michigan, but any tag will do.

The Bakers Wrap:

Use a dish towel, or cloth napkin to package your gift. Here, a loaf of my Swedish coffee bread is tied up with dish towel in a Scandinavian print...finished off with a cute little spatula. Use safety pins to secure the wrap.

A Gift for Grandma:

I had Genevieve paint a picture on butcher paper. Tied up with multi-colored yarn and a handprint tag...a grandparent’s delight.

Turn on some fun holiday tunes, and Wrap it Up!

12-14-12

RECIPES: Chipotle Goat Cheese Appetizer

Are you bringing an appetizer to the Christmas party you were invited to this Saturday? Want to try something new? I saw this on a menu at Sol in Newport Beach, and had to try to replicate. It is creamy-salty-spicy-sweet! I brought it to a party last weekend and it was a hit. The best part...EASY!

Ingredients

Goat Cheese
Salted peanuts
Cilantro
Chipotle sauce (I used Fresh and Easy brand)
Tortilla chips (I used sweet potato chips, also good)

Roll the goat cheese in the peanuts, pressing them into the cheese. Douse with chipotle sauce just before serving, and top with chopped, fresh cilantro. Serve with chips. Great with Margaritas!
Feliz Navidad!

FEATURE: Sara's Aprons

My friend Sara Lighthall is a creative whiz with a sewing machine. She has a design degree from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) and uses her gifts and training to create amazing things. She has an Etsy store where she sells wonderful custom aprons. The buyer requests the colors, and Sara finds the fabrics and makes each apron one of a kind.  Each apron is $45- plus shipping.

Check out her Etsy store by clicking here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KitchieDesigns     

12-12-12 (love that!)
SIMPLY CREATIVE: Advent Calendar

Fun Advent Calendar Ideas

Is it possible that there are only 12 days left until Christmas? Don’t panic...at least that’s what I keep telling myself.  I’m going to take a deep breath, drink an extra cup of coffee, sit for 5 minutes in front of the sparkly Christmas tree, think of the things I am grateful for...and then plot my day, strategically. I think I may need even more coffee.

I want to share my advent calendar with you. Advent is a season of anticipation. We anticipate the beautiful celebration of Christmas, the birth of Christ. Some advent calendars are pre-loaded with chocolates. The one I grew up with was a cute Scandinavian fabric calendar with 24 small pockets to hold little treats. As a little girl, I loved waking up to find what mom put in the pocket. I wanted to carry on the tradition with my kids, and got it in my head that I could and should make my own Advent calendar. How hard could it be, right? Well, it could be hard, long, and laborious, and indeed it was. I now call it the heirloom advent calendar, and I am expecting my children to pass it on for generations as the Christmas calendar that Great-Great Grandma Tina made. Just kidding (sort of). It is cute, and I am glad I made it, but it was a very time consuming project that I should have started in June. But I am getting side tracked because what I really want to share with you are ideas for the daily treats. The basics are a quarter, a piece of chocolate, gum, a candy cane, a small dollar bin item, etc. This works fine for my 2 year old, but slightly redundant for my 9 year old. And, there are 24 pockets...and I don’t want 24 more junk items in my house! This year I came up with experiential ideas. They are things we can do in this fun season, or a little break from the rules. It also helps me to slow down and do something fun with my kids, instead of frantically crossing off things on my TO DO list. I will share 12 with you, as we have 12 days left.

I roll up a little note and put it in the pocket, sometimes accompanied by a piece of candy: 

1. Your friend _______ is coming over for a play date after school.
2. A bag of microwave popcorn with a note attached that says “Christmas movie tonight”
3. Donut run on the way to school!
4. 10 extra media minutes
5. Hot chocolate packet with a note that says “with extra marshmallows!”
6. A walk or drive to see Christmas lights after dark
7. Let’s make cookies together after school
8. Let’s do a craft together
9. Surprise them with the news that they have been invited to a party, and it’s tonight
10. A friend is coming over to spend the night
11. A bottle of nail polish and a note, “Spa night at home with a pedicure”
12. After school date with mom or dad to a favorite spot

These are the days of wonder. Soak it in.

December 5, 2012

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: TREE OF LIFE

The Tree of Life is present in most cultures around the world. I particularly like the European folk art depictions with flowers, birds and other creatures. So, I set my brushes in motion and created my own folksy tree of life. The loose, whimsical style made this project fun and enjoyable. 

European Tree of Life, acrylic on canvas by Tina C. Wells

December 5, 2012 Tradition

RECIPE: Coffee Bread (Vetebrod)

Cardamon flavored bread, enjoyed with coffee

Tradition comes in many forms, especially where holidays are concerned. One of our favorite traditions is baking together with my mom, sister, cousins and great aunt. Every year we gather together in early December to make our Scandinavian Coffee Bread . Without getting into the whole family tree, let’s suffice it to say that there is a strong Scandinavian heritage. My Norwegian grandmother (my Dad’s mom), who passed away 14 years ago, was the recipe source. Her version of a recipe was “a spoonful of this, and a sprinkle of that...”  My Swedish grandmother on my mom’s side, carefully watched her, and wrote out a true recipe with standardized measurements. We are all grateful for this, because I am sure we’d never be able to make our beloved bread otherwise. 

The Swedish bread bakers in our aprons

The bread is called “Coffee Bread” not because it is coffee flavored, but because of how lovely it is with coffee (a Swedish staple; “the best earthly drink” as my grandmother would say). The Swedish name for the bread is “Vetebrod”; it is a braided loaf of cardamon flavored bread...lovely indeed. 

I will, of course, give you the not-so-secret family recipe, and warn you that the bread (4 large loaves) takes about 5 hours in total to make. At our celebratory baking party, the time goes by in a flash. There’s the morning coffee break while the dough “rests”, then a luncheon while the dough rises. There’s lots of chatter and laughter, party favors, champagne, and sweet treats. While both of my grandmothers are gone, I enjoy the comaraderie of my family as we carry on the tradition.

Baking our bread has a beautiful, rich history. The smell of the cardamon is the smell of Christmas for me. My children love the bread, as I do, and wait with anticipation for the first slice. And so, the tradition continues...

There was the year I tried to dress up my sister as Santa Lucia with her candle wreath crown, until my sensible cousin intervened, imagining my sister’s golden locks aflame. 

Our very own Santa Lucia- LOL!

The Christmas season is packed full, and the TO DO list is long...but, these are the days I look forward to all year. Connecting with family and friends, creating memories. 

What are your traditions? Do you bake or cook something special at Christmas? Leave a comment; I’d love to hear from you.

Coffee Bread
Ingredients
1+ TBS freshly ground cardamon seed
1 QT whole milk
1/2 C butter
1/4 C crisco
2 tsp salt
2 C sugar
11+ cups flour (buy 5 lb.)
3 pack of active dry yeast
1/2 C very warm water
1 TBS sugar
egg white
cinnamon sugar
VERY large bowl
wooden spoon
4 standard loaf pans

Heat milk in a sauce pan until scalding, not boiling (scum will form on top).
Remove from heat and add cardamon, butter and crisco; after they melt, add 2  cups sugar. Cool.
In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup very warm water (not boiling) with yeast and 1 TBS sugar. Let this sit for 10-15 minutes (it will expand), then add to the above mixture. 
While waiting for the yeast, sift 11 cups of flour. 
Add the liquid to the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. 
Let the dough rest for 15 minutes, covered with a cloth. 
(Take a coffee break:)
On a floured pastry cloth, knead for 20 minutes, adding more sifted flour if the dough feels sticky, a little at a time.
Place dough in bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a cloth; allow to rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Dough should double in size. 
(Have lunch:)
Punch dough. Divide into 4 equal parts. Divide each quarter into three and braid into 4 loaves. Place in standard size loaf pans (spray with cooking spray) and allow to rise another 45 minutes.
Brush tops of loaves with egg whites and heavily sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Bake in a preheated oven of 350 for 30-45 minutes. Bread should be well browned. 
Remove from pans and cool. DO NOT slice bread until completely cooled.
Slice and toast. Serve with butter and cinnamon sugar...and coffee, of course.

Winsome Wednesday November 28, 2012

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: TABLE

I have rotating art in my home...as well as rotating decor, dishes, and color schemes. I guess my artist nature gets a little bored and needs to change it up. For me, seasons are a natural path to change the decor. My house is pretty small, so the question is always “WHERE do you keep all this stuff?” Fortunately, my little cottage has an attic! I feel like Ariel from The Little Mermaid when she goes to her sea cave where she keeps her found treasures.  
We are all changing our home decor this season, as Christmas demands. I always take out these two paintings I did a couple of years ago; they are a compliment to this season when there is much gathering around the table together.

"Serving Pieces" by Tina C. Wells, acrylic on canvas

"Silverware" by Tina C. Wells, acrylic on canvas

Reprints on canvas of these paintings are available for sale at my Etsy store:  www.etsy.com/shop/WinsomeWren

November 19, 2012

My friend Leeana Tankersley is a touching author and writer. Her blog, Gypsy Ink, is thought provoking, insightful, and touching. She interviewed me this week, and I'd love to for you to take a look:

Here is the link: 

http://www.gypsyink.com/2012/11/women-in-the-trenches-tina-wells/

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Friends!

November 16, 2012

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: TREES

"Steadfast" by Tina C. Wells

This tree of paint, if it were real, would be a full of life, abundance, and shelter. I love its strong roots. Life giving.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Custom Name Cards With a Twist

SIMPLY CREATIVE: Thanksgiving Name Cards

11/13/12

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday, and uniquely American. I experienced a homesick Thanksgiving in Germany, back in college. Our whole group was in a funk as we imagined our families gathering together, the smell of the turkey filling the house, mixed with that of pies and cider... 

It is a great tradition to take a day to celebrate all that we have to be thankful for. We will be spending Thanksgiving week with my in-laws in Phoenix. I enjoy helping my mother-in-law take out her china and linens and decorating the table. This year, I thought it would be fun to make a simple place card at each spot with a fresh sprig from the garden with each name tied on. In addition, to be intentional about the reason for the holiday, I want to attach a question to each one: “What was your greatest blessing this year?” “What was the best event of the year?” “What are you hopeful for?” “What are you most thankful for?”...etc. Then, take turns around the table answering the question you were given. Initially, this can feel uncomfortable, or awkward, but in the end, we will all share a moment together, listening to one another around the table, instead of just small talk with Uncle Bob. While I am a really big fan of tradition, I also like to add a twist to the gathering, or a new addition to the menu. It keeps it fresh. 

Blessings to you.

Supplies:
Card stock
Hole punch
Raffia
Garden Sprig
(Alphabet stamps optional)

Make the tags using a paper cutter and card stock about the size of a business card 2"x3"(if you don't have a paper cutter, measure and cut). Punch a hole at the top. On one side write the guest's name, on the back write a question to be answered around the table. 
I stumbled upon this berry laden sprig on a shrub in the backyard. Any sprig will do as long as it doesn't have thorns. String the raffia or other ribbon through the hole and tie around the napkin and sprig. 

Baked Sweet Potato Entree

RECIPE: Sweet Potatoes Topped with Blue Cheese and Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

Sweet Potatoes

Brussels Sprouts

Blue Cheese

Toasted Pecans

Dried Cranberries

Olive Oil

Salt/Pepper

After reading how to prep this dish, you will have to decide how much you want of each ingredient.

Make a deep, long slit down each sweet potato. Bake sweet potatoes at 375 for an hour, or until soft (if they are large, you will need to bake them for over an hour). Steam brussels sprouts until bright green, about 5 minutes (place about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom of the pan, boil, add sprouts, cover on medium for about 5 minutes, then test for doneness). Toss warm brussels sprouts in olive oil, salt, pepper.

Open steaming sweet potato, heavily sprinkle:  good quality blue cheese (cheese will start to melt), toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and brussels sprouts. Bon Appetite.  

November 7, 2012

RECIPE: Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Carrots

I’m so excited it’s “that time of year.” There are so many wonderful traditions and dishes that we only make for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Carrots is one of those recipes. We typically spend Thanksgiving with my in-laws and I have added this tasty side dish to our feast. It has become a favorite with the Wells; maybe it will become a favorite with you and yours too.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Carrots
(adapted from Silver Palate Cookbook)
4 large sweet potatoes (2 lbs.)
1 lb baby carrots
2 1/2 cups water
1 TBS sugar
3/4 cup butter
salt/pepper to taste
1/2 c sour cream
1/2 tsp nutmeg
pinch cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 370 degrees
Clean potatoes, cut a deep, long slit in the top of each potato
Bake 1 hour until tender

Put carrots in a saucepan with the water, sugar, and 2 TBS of butter, salt/pepper, on medium heat, boil and cook uncovered until water has evaporated and carrots sizzle in butter, about 30 minutes.

Scrape out flesh of sweet potatoes into saucepan with carrots. Add remaining butter and sour cream. Mash until almost smooth.

Add nutmeg, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, to taste and blend/mash until incorporated.

May be made ahead. To heat/reheat, place in covered casserole dish in preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until steaming hot.

ENJOY!

Winsome Wednesday! November 7, 2012

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: BOUNTY

"Bountiful" acrylic on canvas 18x18, by Tina C. Wells

We are quickly approaching the big feast, Thanksgiving. While it is still a few weeks off, I look forward to looking around the table at my true blessings, the faces of people I love. The bountiful meal is an added benefit. May you be overwhelmed this season with all you have to be thankful for. Cheers!

October 31, 2012

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: OWL

"Great Horned Owl" original painting on canvas by Tina C. Wells

Owls are all the rage. They are on dishes, pillows, in art, crafts, ornaments, etc. I have to admit, I’m a fan. Besides the obvious, that owls are beautiful, elusive birds, I have a sentimental attachment. Owls always nested in the trees on my grandmother’s property. In the front guest room, where I always stayed, I would hear the “WHOO-WHOO...WHOOOO” at night. I have always had an owl fascination, and finally decided to paint the Great Horned Owl. 

Owls are a little spooky too; they are carnivorous and nocturnal. More than once I have witnessed the owls keen hunting skills as he swoops down on unsuspecting prey that is carried off in his able talons. I was raised on the stories of the eye-plucking-owl on Mt. Helix that somehow mistook a teenage girl as his prey. You can fill in the blanks. It is Halloween after all...so be careful out there tonight if you hear a WHOOOOOing coming from the trees. 

Have a wicked Winsome Wednesday...

October 30, 2012

RECIPE: Pumpkin-a-la-King

"Pumpkin-a-la-King", Chicken-a-la-King filling in a baked sugar pumpkin

Baked, hollowed out sugar pumpkins become the edible bowl for Chicken a la King. Sugar pumpkins are readily available this time of year at most grocery stores, for about $2 each. Choose small ones as each pumpkin is for an individual serving. Because this is a bit time consuming, I recommend this for a smaller gathering of 4-6 guests.

Baked Sugar Pumpkins

Cut out the top of the pumpkin. Clean out the seeds, and scrape away the stringy insides. Rub inside with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Replace tops.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake pumpkins 25 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. 

Remove tops, turn upside down, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool.

Filling:
Simmer 1 hour:
Approximately 3 whole chicken breasts with skin and bones (or entire fryer chicken cut up)
1 qt water
1 TBS parsley flakes
2 carrots peeled and sliced 
1/4 cup chopped onion
salt and pepper

Remove skin and bones, discard. Set aside chicken and carrots. Reserve 2 cups broth.

1/2 cup butter
1 cup diced celery
4 oz sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup flour
2 cups broth (reserved from cooking chicken)
10 oz bag frozen peas
1 cup milk
1/3 cup sherry

Saute celery and mushrooms in butter until tender. Blend in flour; slowly add broth, then milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Add chicken, carrots, peas; heat thoroughly.

To Serve:  Spoon warm filling into room temperature, baked pumpkins. Bake in 350 preheated oven for 15 minutes. Serve hot with biscuits. 

October 26, 2012

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: Trick-or-Treat

"Trick-or-Treat" by Tina C. Wells, 10"x10" mixed medium

This was a fun piece to create. Last Halloween, this picture was taken of our Trick-or-Treater group...in front of the garage door. I loved creating the right setting for this photo with a little paint and imagination. 

I think the one thing I truly like about halloween (because there are lots of things I don't like) is the creativity, and role playing. Both of my kids spend lots of time dressing up (year round). I love their world of imagination, and halloween is the one time that they get to celebrate it.

Have a safe, fun evening next Wednesday!

October 24, 2012

SIMPLY CREATIVE: Monster Cupcakes

Kristen's Monster Cupcakes

My friend Kristen first made these for her son's 2nd birthday a few years back. It has become tradition, as his special day is at the end of October. I absolutely love these! They are fun, funky, and oh-so-creative. As Kristen told me, there is no 'right' way of decorating these- just have fun! My motto exactly.

Some simple instructions and tips:

When using your basic cake mix, Kristen has a few great tips. She either slightly under bakes her cupcakes (start with a minute less than that of the given range, and test with a toothpick to make sure it isn't doughy). Her other great tip that always makes the cupcakes more moist, (plus has the added benefit of less fat) is that she substitutes the oil for applesauce, in direct proportion.

The cupcakes above are base frosted in 3 different colors, green, grey and white. They are decorated with all different kinds of candy: assorted licorice, white chocolate chips, different gummies, marshmallows, etc. She used these to create one-of-a-kind silly monster faces. 

Basic Buttercream Frosting:
8 TBS butter, room temperature
3 3/4 powdered sugar
3 TBS milk
2 tsp vanilla

Add ingredients one at a time on low, and then beat on medium 1-2 minutes. Adjust powdered sugar or milk to change consistency.

Separate into several bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to get desired colors.

October 23, 2012

Halloween Party

Fun Jack-o-Lantern

I have such fun memories of Halloween as a kid, and the best is carving the pumpkin with my Dad. I remember feeling antsy about him getting home so we could get started. Being a man of methods, we always went out to the patio with newspaper to cover the table; the mess then was neatly wrapped up into the newspaper and thrown away. He was, of course, in charge of the knife, but we got to recommend placement of the eyes, nose, etc, and then help with pulling out the slimy insides. Mom often roasted the pumpkin seeds, which I still have a fondness for. The very best moment, however, was lighting the candle and seeing the Jack-o-Lantern face glow.

There seems to be 2 versions of Halloween out there, the terrifying kind, and then the Pottery Barn Kids type. I am a fan of the latter, a fun night out for kids playing dress up, candy and jack-o-lanterns. A couple of families will be coming over for dinner and then heading out to trick-or-treat in our neighborhood. It has become mandatory that the adults dress up too. We plan our menu and everyone brings food to share.  Three of our kids all have birthdays within 2 weeks of halloween, so my friend will be bringing her famous monster cupcakes she always makes this time of year. I will be experimenting with serving lime sherbet punch (very swamp-like) in a ‘cauldron’ of dry ice, and making Chicken-a-la-Pumpkin (chicken a la king served in a baked sugar pumpkin- more on that, later in the week). But, I am most looking forward to carving the pumpkin, now with my kiddos. I can’t wait to see their faces light up when the Jack-o-Lantern comes to life. Delight.

Halloween Party Treats and Decor

Adorable Trick-or-Treaters

Love this Jack-o-Lantern lined walkway!

October 20, 2012

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: TEA

"Morning Reflection" Art by Tina C. Wells, 12"x12" acrylic on canvas

Reflecting over a cup of tea can be the perfect break in the middle of an otherwise busy day. 

The perfect cup of tea: Boil water in a kettle; once the boil has stopped, add water to teabag in teacup. Allow to steep 3-5 minutes. To keep tea from tasting bitter, do not squeeze teabag into the cup. Enjoy black or with a splash of milk and honey. Sit. Sip. Savor.

Shop for Winsome Wren art at: www.etsy.com/shop/WinsomeWren

SIMPLY CREATIVE: Packaging Appeal

October 18, 2012

Packaging appeal for homemade gifts

Sometimes there is nothing better than a homemade gift. But it can be challenging to make the homemade gift look polished and clever. I placed the cookies I made yesterday into a canning jar, tied a hand stamped tag on with raffia, and added a personalized tea bag. Simple, inexpensive, homemade gift with packaging appeal!

Alphabet stamps, and ink pads, are available at craft stores, such as Michael's. They are a fun, easy way to add personalization to a gift. The personalized tea bag is a unique touch. I covered the existing tag with a blank address label and then stamped a message on both sides

RECIPE: Bruna Brod

October 17, 2012

Happy teatime memories

Tea time with Swedish Bruna Brod cookies

A favorite cookie of mine with tea, is the Swedish Bruna Brod butter cookie my grandmother always made. I became very fond of tea in college when I took a month long trip to England with my grandmother. I love the pause of afternoon tea. I have wonderful memories of sitting at my her kitchen table, talking, drinking tea, and eating her almond flavored, buttery Bruna Brod cookies. She seemed to always have them on hand. Warm memories.

BRUNA BROD        
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg yolk
1 TBS molasses
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
2 1/2 cups flour

Beat butter and sugar; continue beating and add egg, corn syrup, almond extract and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together and mix with other ingredients, a little at a time. Divide dough into 7 parts. Form each part into a long, log roll. Place on parchment lined cookie sheets. Leave adequate room between rolls as the dough will flatten out. Bake at 350 preheated oven, for 14-16 minutes (if you are not using parchment, start with 12 minutes and check). Cool 3 minutes, then while still warm, cut into diagonal strips and remove from pans.

My Little Kitchen Helper!

TEA WITH FRIENDS

Impromptu Tea with Girlfriends

Tea is wonderful. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love coffee! I can’t live without it. It is my morning ritual. I seem to need my coffee buzz to make it through the hectic-morning-get-everybody-out-the-door routine. But then, after that, a mellow, warm cup of tea can really hit the spot. I get together with a few of my girlfriends a couple times a month over tea. We drop off the kids at school and meet at one of our houses where we talk, laugh, cry, vent, encourage, pray, and just sit and sip together. With our hectic lives, these times are often quite impromptu. Sometimes it’s a text sent out the day before “come for tea tomorrow?” Other times there is actually a little planning and prep, but always simple and easy. There is the freedom to serve tea in mugs, sitting on the couch, barefoot, or in your grandmother’s china, at the table, if you feel like it. It’s really just about connecting.  This is not afternoon tea with its dainty sandwiches and bite size delicacies. This is a last minute, mid-morning get together. At my house, I usually have a few staples, like a variety of teas both herbal and caffeinated. I always have on hand cheese, nuts, dark chocolate, and fruit. Sometimes I get a wild hair and actually bake something, but it is never expected, which is a relief.
So I encourage you to invite your girlfriends over (the ones who won’t judge you because the morning dishes are still in the sink) and whip up that scone mix in the cupboard if you have time...if not, heat the kettle and pull out the cups (and that dark chocolate that you have been hiding). You’ll be glad you did. Sip and savor. 

Tea Time