Did you have a tea set as a child? I did, and still have it. It's funny what you can remember from childhood. I can recall having a tea party with my older sister and parents in the kitchen when I was a little girl.
I adore tea out of a nice tea pot and pretty cup. When I was invited in someone's home recently the woman offered me tea and said I struck her as a tea person.
I've been to Alice's Tea Cup (Chapter 1 location) in New York City with some wonderful women from work to celebrate everything from the winter solstice to this outing, a Valentine's Tea Party, and I suspect I'm not the only one who instantly turns into a little girl when walking in the door. I don't think we have enough play and whimsy in our lives as adults, don't you agree?
I always stop to admire this shadow box table.
Admittedly, I was drawn to this tea by the name: Sparrow's Soul, $6 a pot. I wanted something with rose in it (this was a Valentine's party, after all). This tea had rosebuds, chamomile, French Vervain and linden blossoms. I feel relaxed just looking at this photo.
Half a roasted carrot cumin sandwich with goat cheese and olive tapenade, a cup of black bean soup, and a warm roll, $14. People ask me about vegetarian protein sources, and one of my favorites is beans: they're hearty, filling, and natural.
Warmly recalling this passage from the Prairie Winter chapter of Laura Ingalls Wilder's On the Banks of Plum Creek, which actually makes me long for a winter storm,
"All day the storm lasted. The windows were white and the wind never stopped howling and screaming. It was pleasant in the warm house. Laura and Mary did their lessons, and Pa played the fiddle while Ma rocked and kitted, and bean soup simmered on the stove."
I had been eyeing the Queen of Hearts lemon tart with berries when reviewing the menu, but I like to support vegan options when they offer them. Tonight they had banana blueberry vegan scones, but I couldn't say no to a vegan German chocolate cupcake, $3. Divine!
I might be too old for these princess costumes...
...and fairy wings, but you're never too old (or young) for a cheerful apron.
One thing I hope eReaders will never replace: print children's books. Another happy childhood memory: my mother reading a story to me on the couch. My mom stayed at home with me and my sister. I think "stay-at-home mother" (or "father"!) is our most underrated profession.
What were your favorite books as a child? Do you still read books for children and young adults? I've so fallen in love with the Little House series as an adult, and am happily incorporating children's books into my life.
