Tuesday Tea ~ A Moment of Peace

My parents gave me this mug for Christmas - so I have yet another awesome cup for my "tea and coffee" collection! In case you can't make out the script on the front of the mug, it reads:

peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." (unknown)

I've shared this quote here before, at least once or twice. I keep it up on my fridge, and for years now, it's been a kind of motto of mine. It's not something I always manage - inner peace, that is - but I do try. And I pray daily for extra help on that matter!

So for tea today, I'm drinking Vanilla Comoro again. I find vanilla a very soothing flavor (and smell). It's also a decaffeinated tea which for me, at this time of day, is a must ...

And the tree is down as you can see - there are no sparkly lights in the background of my tea picture. :( In a perfect world, we'd keep the tree up till Little Christmas but - in the interest of keeping me "calm in my heart" we had to get that tree out of here! It was shedding like mad and the cats were really ramping up their daily ingestion of needles and sap. So now I have a well-swept, well-lit, wide-open corner ... and just wait till I tell you what's going in there next! (A birthday present for me ... ordered by Bill ... and due to arrive later this month!)

Other ways I find peace? Aside from (or in addition to) tea and prayer, there are many activities I find soothing ... watching the birds at our feeders, playing with our cats, taking a warm bath, working in my journal, sitting by candlelight, watching a sunrise (or sunset), listening to the rain and the wind, talking with Bill after the kids have gone to bed, and even occasionally indulging in a nice glass of ...

... wine. :)

(My brother gave me this bottle for Christmas - and I'm sure it's a very nice wine - but I also think it's a brilliant marketing strategy, lol!)

Well my friends, I hope you all had a nice day, and I hope you were able to find time to "take tea," or whatever it is you do to reboot. I'd love to hear about your day - and your tea - or whatever you might have on your mind. For now, though, have a nice night, and as always, thanks for stopping by ...

And of course, PEACE to you all!

*❤*

 

Comments

[Penny]

Teatime (yesterday at this point) was PG Tips and lemon bars. I lifted my cup in a toast to you Dawn, and wished you joy.

And I cannot WAIT to see the surprise! lol

I'm hoping to get caught up on DA this afternoon while I put together a home keeping binder, inspired by you, and very much needed by me - thank you for showing that the everyday things can be stunningly beautiful...)

Off to find BCL!

[Casey]

So relaxing - but I have to admit that I have bought that wine after being sucked in by the name. And it really wasn't all that bad!

[Dawn]

Thank you so much, for these wonderful comments! :D

I can't tell you how happy I am that this weekly teatime has struck a chord with so many of you. I hope to continue these weekly posts throughout the winter and hopefully beyond. :)

Donna, I just popped over - your pictures are lovely!

Elizabeth, I am anxiously awaiting the new British Country Living - since they didn't have it this weekend, I splurged on the Mollie Makes. Such eye candy, I love it! :D

Mic, I have used various books and online resources for my liturgical cooking. One I like very much is "A Continual Feast" (http://www.amazon.com/Continual-Feast-Celebrate-Throughout-Christian/dp/0898703840/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325720708&sr=1-1). I also find LOTS of great recipes and activity ideas at Catholic Culture's liturgical year section: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm.

Caroline, I just sent you an email. :)

Blessings to you all!
~ Dawn

[Kristine]

I have been reading your Blog for a while now and I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy it. So uplifting yet real. These tea time posts are just lovely.

[Caroline Haydu]

Love the lamp...it's exactly the same one I have, lol! Also, Dawn, I am hoping to post on my system of financial recordkeeping. I based it on your file crate idea, and I want to be sure it's OK with you if I expand on your thoughts. Could you reply to this comment or email me (on my blog there's a link) about that? I love your file crate ideas and wouldn't want to have you feel I was usurping them without permission!

[San]

My last sit by the tree with a mug to cheer! I love the quote on your mug it is one of my favourites and so true!!

I thought of you during my moment of calm.

Hugs San x

[mic]

Great mug!

An unrelated question for you, Dawn, I really enjoy your food posts about recipes to celebrate saints days and other Catholic holidays throughout the year--something I want to do more with my family this year. Do you have a go-to book or website that is good resource for Catholic traditions?

[Elizabeth Quigley]

Hi Dawn,
I see you have Mollie Makes. I just love that magazines. I have all the issues from day one.It is such a pretty magazines. I was in Micheals tonight and I thought about you. They had so many pretty Valentines Day Craft supplies. I am going back this week end to get a few things when I can use my coupons.
Have a wonderful week.
Elizabeth

[Lisa Taylor]

I have the same mug and it's one of my favorites! I've been enjoying chai quite a bit of late, as well as a spicy mixture of black holiday tea, and good ole Lipton with a dollop of peppermint syrup :-)

I'm also looking forward to your birthday surprise!

[Helene]

I love that peace quote! I think I'll have to copy it to my own fridge. I will be having cinnamon apple tea tonight as soon as I find a moment. Can't wait to hear about your birthday surprise....

[donna]

I have always been so inspired by your blog, Dawn. I am really enjoying these tea time posts. Thank you so much! The mug I had tea in today inspired me to look back at some pictures from a trip my daughter took this past summer. I would love to have you stop by if you like.

http://islandinthegrove.blogspot.com/2012/01/taking-tea-i-am-joining-dawn-at-by-sun.html

BTW - All my boys (Dh and my 2 rascally boys) were away last Friday and I watched 5 episodes of Downtown Abby! I did manage to fold a lot of laundry and sort through papers at the same time, otherwise I'd really be blushing. I was delighted to see Elizabeth McGovern. I loved her in "She's Having Baby" and always wanted to see her again. What a pleasant surprise!

[RuskinDownunder]

For me, I like to unwind with something funny. I find laughter and humour gets me through anything. My second child was quite a 'challenging' sleeper, to put it mildly. Think waking every half hour until 5:00am from the day she was born and me not sleeping until 5:30am. My husband bought me a portable DVD player and watching comedies really helped. Now, after the children have gone to bed, my husband and I watch something funny when we can.

I also feel peaceful when my learning spaces are tidy and ready to go in the morning :)

[Tanya W]

I love the mug, Dawn. That quote is so apt for me at this time of my life~ with three little ones and a very busy home life. (though truly, it isn't as busy as yours, I think!!) It's taken me a while to realize that I do need to recharge~ I spent a lot of last year in constant stress before I knew it was important to take a few moments for me every day.

My favourite way is a quiet cup of tea or coffee and just a few moments to sit down. However, I love reading magazines too and or a novel (though those aren't often on my table right now....not enough time!) or spending some time in my Bible and in prayer. Thanks for the inspiration to take time for Peace today :)

Tea time is a quick cup of Holiday Chai and some apple before we head into the craziest time of the day! Speak soon.