I woke up this morning with a lightness of being, as if part of me was floating serenely in the universe like thistledown. Taking my Winter Gift this weekend gave me three days off work and I have really enjoyed the time. I have done a lot of reading, being creative, being domestic; cooking and cleaning, cuddling cats, and a workout at Curves on Friday. The third day adds a large amount of time to the life balance side of the scales. Looking forward to the time I can tip the balance away from work and more towards life’s enjoyments.
It is a drear day overcast and damply cool. The type of day that I light candles to invite the element of fire into my home bringing energy, warmth and a cheerful comfort in it dance.
With my feeling of light I decided to stay in that spectrum with my choice of tea and cup. Today I choose the beautifully delicate and uplifting White Peony from TLeafT a delight to eye with its long silvery withered leaves, delicate fragrant steam wreaths upwards when boiled water is added and then poured in a light golden stream into my white Magnolia cup. When you take the time and mindfully focus in the moment every little thing you do can become beautiful.
Sometimes throughout the week I find it difficult to remain mindful when tasks and people overwhelm my sense of balance. When this happens I then expend more energy to bring myself back into balance in an environment that does not particularly support my energy and that is why I have enjoyed my Winter Gift so much.
As normal with this time of the year the garden is primarily green with the odd touch of colour from the Camellias. I cut back the old growth from my mints as the new growth is coming away vigorously; currently the tub it totally waterlogged with 5 cm of water sitting on the top. In summer I use the mints for Sun Tea. I have the usual Peppermint and Spearmint then there is Japanese Emperor Mint, Ginger Mint and Chocolate Mint. I also have the balms: Lemon and Turkish and Pineapple Sage, they are all really good to add to the tea. A few years ago I was thrilled when I found an old glass teapot at the Salvation Army secondhand store which I got for $2 it is wonderful for making Sun Tea.
I need to work on my herbs again this year, my tiny Rosemary has now big enough for me to plant in the garden and I need to get some new parsley and sage. I do have other herbs growing but need to clear back to find some of them. I have a couple of Navel Oranges and a couple of Grapefruit on my citrus tree I planted last spring looking forward to getting my own fruit.
Sharing a poem I wrote last year
Tea, Simply Complex 07/08/2016
A slow and gentle awakening
As fragrant steam softy rises
Gently touching my face
In amber liquid endless reflections
Dreaming into the day
The first sip a benediction
Flavours burst across my tongue
Of long ago and far away
A world bounded by the china rim
Blessings to you all and happy Sunday may you all have a week in which you maintain your balance.
