Perfectly sliced berries in a strawberry shortcake Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite treats!  Nothing says early summer to me like...

The DH's braised leeks Leeks are a new crop for us.  They like long, mild growing seasons which we have plenty of around here.  We feas...

I chose the title of this blog post deliberately... practicing joy .  Because sometimes we just have to make ourselves practice something t...

I'm happy to be participating in Sew, Mama, Sew!'s latest giveaway day.  Spring is so special, for so many reasons - even with the...

Circle of Friends I've been tracking moments of joy this year, and one thing's for sure...there are joyful moments each day when we...

Woodland Hyacinth If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft, And from thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left, Sell one, and wit...

Just a quick note about a couple of Giveaways... Pop over to This Good Life and support her first blog giveaway.  It's tea-themed!  T...

Josh Chamberlain, making a refreshing and like-no-other iced tea On a fine, fine spring day last weekend I shared several cups of tea with ...

Photo by Mitra Kanten, cherry blossom floating in agar agar So many times I have mentioned feeling really fortunate here in Portlan...

My new spring dress My friend CO Tea Lover gave me this great pattern for Christmas, and encouraged me to up my sewing game.  With the prom...

Happy Earth Day!  (And happy birthday to Esme!) Photo taken by Voyager I, 1977 Today, as we sip our tea, let's think about its impa...

Sweetcakes has done it again with her master crafting and creativity.  She made for me this lovely tiered tray.  I'm dreaming up reason...

Marilyn has published a book!  I'm so thrilled for her.  It's called Tea Party in your Cupboard , and it encourages us to make a tea...

It's like a fairy tale around here right now...with all the pink cherry blossom! I've had a little fun in PhotoShop Elements.

What's your Saturday morning look like? Tell me about its colors, textures, visuals. What story does it tell?  What's the central fe...

Not to be missed!  (Thanks for the link, Roxyred!)

I spent a lovely hour recently drinking matcha thin tea in a serene tea room among friends and tea enthusiasts.  Our host, M (in the light...

I have long been a fan of the Imperial Tea Court .  I remember my first visit to the original tea room in San Fran's Chinatown.  The fr...

Savories - finger sandwiches and other small tasty nibbles - are my favorite tea party course.  Here are three that I made for a tea gatheri...

I had the joy recently to attend a special tea event at McCormick & Schmick's, sponsored by the Tao of Tea.  These two organizations...