It is an overcast, grey day and the wind is moaning around the house. I had hoped to get into the garden today but it is just not a day to be out mucking around in the windy wet. I have so many plans for the garden that are on hold. I am champing at the bit to get into doing what needs to be done but weekend weather has been bleak. During the work week we have had beautiful sunny days, come the weekend it all turns to muck. I know it is making me slow right down and just do nothing but because my focus is on the garden I am finding it very difficult to turn the other things that are half done; I have a half written story about Circe, a half finished painting, a half finished goddess and a half cleaned house and I just can’t be bothered finishing any of them. I will probably sit around and finish the half read story I have on the go.
In an effort to lift my state of being I chose Smokey Chai this morning a mix of Lapsang Souchong and Assam Black Tea, Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon, Cardamom Seeds, Ginger, Star Anise, Green Cardamom Pods.
“The exotic and multi-layered flavours of cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and star anise are complemented with a smoky twist” TLeafT.
Your first connection with this tea is the scent that arises as you pour the water over the tea. Spicy, scented steam wreathes around, entering your nose bringing a sense of warmth and comfort, the colour is a rich mahogany that gleams, the cup my speckled gold, cream and brown handleless cups and in the first sip ginger and pepper roll across the tongue followed by the sweetness of cardamom and cinnamon the come the depth of cloves. A beautiful way to start the day and a perfect complement to kale, field mushrooms, hauloumi and eggs all up a wonderful blending of flavours.
My indoor garden of houseplants has been bringing me pleasure and giving me an outlet to look after growing plants. I am a little concerned with my button fern, it is not looking happy at all and I really don’t know what it is that it needs, so I have decided to repot it , not the best time to do this but at least it won’t hurt it any more than it currently is. Four of my eleven Begonias are in a new growth stage, they grew extremely well over summer then their leave started looking dry and burnt on the edges so I removed all their leaves over a course of time and they are all showing beautiful new growth. I got myself a Alocasia -Elephant Ears, I have not had luck with this plant before, so fingers crossed.
Today I chose my muse to be Thich Nhat Hanh.
“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.”
And
“Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. Every breath we take, every step we take, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
And finally
“There is no enlightenment outside of daily life.”
Blessings to all may peace, joy and serenity fill you in this coming week.
Image for my Virtues Album - Silence
