.

.

Sunday 19 October 2014

Crazy contradictions

Yesterday as I was driving I was listening to the radio, and in the same news headlines were reports of thousands of people dying from the ebola virus and then the news that a horse had won 3 million dollars for wining a race. I had one of those moments where I wondered about the absolute insanity and unfairness of our world. Surely in a sane world that money would be going towards health and safety rather than rewarding people for forcing a horse to run fast. I know this is a very simplified reaction to reality and usually I don't let these contrasts bother me, however every now and then it just all seems too ridiculous.

Today however is a beautiful Spring day in Sydney - I'm sitting on my verandah writing and enjoying a cup of tea. The world seems a little less crazy and as always incredibly beautiful because of and in spite of these contradictions.

Vanna xxx

Thursday 16 October 2014

Fabric memories

It's been a bit quiet at tea and contemplation lately - things are busy in other parts of my life so my energy is elsewhere just for the moment. I am however drinking large amounts of tea (what would I do without it!) and hope to have more time for blogging and writing soon.

In the meantime I've had another little story published in The Planthunter online magazine. Yay!
It's about my childhood once again - as I've said before, I really enjoy writing about my memories of this time. The theme for this month on the Planthunter is fabric, which reminded me of the fun I had with my Mum as we collected plants to use to make dye to colour the wool she had spun.

The story is called Adventures with sour sobs and lichen . Have a look if you like - I wonder what sorts of creative adventures you had as a child?



Staying with the fabric theme - this is a beautiful crochet blanket that my Oma hand made and which I now proudly own. Another special memory of her and her many talents.

Vanna xxx


Friday 26 September 2014

TTotaler

Its been a while since I've blogged about tea so here goes ...

Yesterday my friend Wendy and I had a wonderful tea experience at TTotaler in Newtown. Going there was on my list of things to do this school holidays and I'm so glad we did!


Wendy enjoying her Chai Yoga tea - and amazing apple and orange cake.






I couldn't resist one of my favourite teas - French Earl Grey. My cake was delicious too - carrot, walnut and chai!




I love the simple style of the cafe - it sort of felt like a very comfortable old science lab that was being slowly taken over by plants as they grew quietly around us.

I'm looking forward to going back and trying more tea - the selection is large and interesting. Have a look on their Facebook page or website  - www.ttotalertea.com



Sunday 7 September 2014

Love on Father's Day

I'm missing my Dad today on my first Father's Day without him, so in his memory I'd thought I'd share something he wrote in one of his many diaries:

“The free Nelson Mandela concert in UK closed with the chair closing the celebration with 4 words –

FIRST – HUMANITY

FIRST – JUSTICE

and   I say

FIRST & LAST: LOVE.     
 
May all Dad's and all beings be peaceful and well and loved.
Vxxx
 
                                                                                               

Thursday 21 August 2014

The landscape of childhood.

I recently read these thoughts on youth and writing about childhood, paraphrased from George Eliot:

...in the landscape of youth there is nothing important, except that is where we learned to be human. Sensitivity to one's childhood landscape is a sign of moral maturity.
(In a review of Rebecca Mead's The road to Middlemarch, by Helen Elliott SMH, Feb 2014).

This idea of sensitivity to childhood resonates with me as lately I have noticed that much of my writing is about my reflections of childhood. An incident from my memory is often the starting point for further discussion about something that is pertinent in my life today. So, if as Eliot suggests, this means that I have "moral maturity" then I feel pretty chuffed! 

There are reasons for my fascination with childhood. Obviously my work with young children  reflects and influences my constant thinking about this significant time in our lives, and I agree that it is when and where we learn to be human. We learn how to relate to others,  how to move and survive in this big crazy world, and our brains and hearts take shape. I do however also believe that this learning continues our entire life and that it's never to late to change, but that's a whole other conversation.

I also had a very happy and privileged childhood and I guess that as I age I am becoming more appreciative of this fact. I know that losing my Oma (grandma) and my Dad in the last year has also made me more nostalgic for my early years, as I remember the huge impact of both of these special relationships on the person I grew up to be. I'm also reminded of my childhood and adolescence as I watch my children grow towards adulthood. The emotions and experiences that they go through often feel familiar, sometimes painful, however mostly filled with that sense of excitement for the future and the idea that anything can happen.

At the same time I also remember the feeling of really enjoying and being in the present moment which was such a special part of being a child. I know that as I grow older I am doing my best to relearn that ability to appreciate and fully experience what is happening now - be it good or bad, and let go of worrying about what has been or may happen.



 
Loving the moment! All dressed up for my brother's party with my best friend.
Home, family, friends and celebrations are all part of my 'childhood landscape'. 
(That's me on the left).

 
 
I have to admit that I have wondered if my references to childhood in my writing were in fact childish! Did it mean that my thinking and writing were limited in some way? Perhaps not deep enough for an adult? After reading these words from George Eliot, which then motivated me to think more about why this time of life is so significant for me, I do feel much more confident about this aspect of my writing - and rather morally mature!


Tuesday 12 August 2014

Life and death

As I began my walk today I started by feeling so sad after hearing of the loss of the brilliant Robin Williams. It's always a weird thing to shed tears over someone you never knew personally - however being able to make people laugh and cry the way that he did is worth remembering.

As I continued to walk my spirits began to lift. It's cold today - only 12 degrees C, which for a Sydneysider is pretty chilly, but the sun was shining and as I felt it on my skin and I walked with my beautiful dog Mali beside me I felt truly alive. The park had that lovely clean and fresh atmosphere that you get after rain. The sky seemed extra blue and once again I felt so fortunate to have this wonderful space so close to home and the time to appreciate it.


It might sound a little corny, but the contrast between the sadness of death and the beauty of this day filled me with gratitude.  Being alive is such a gift and while life is full of sadness at times, the grief reminds us how precious life is and am I thankful for that. 



Friday 1 August 2014

Cheers to tap water!!

I've just realised that as today is August 1st, it means that I have gone for a whole 7 months without buying a bottle of water!! Pretty impressive I think.

You may remember that at New Year I resolved not to buy bottled water and while I didn't think it would be too hard, I'm actually surprised at how easy it has been. Buying a bottle of water, and pretty much any bottled drink, is just not an option for me anymore. I have to admit that I have had a few sips from other's bottles, however I would rather wait until I get home, or to a source of tap water to have a proper drink, or take my own bottle filled from the tap at home. I did this often during Summer when we were going out for the day, to the pool or wherever.

It's one of those funny things about our society that so many of us choose to pay for water and then don't think twice about throwing away the bottle that it came in. I think it is a good example of how easy it is to get caught up in what everyone else does, or what marketing tells us to do, without questioning it. Why should we pay for water? Why not drink from the tap? Why is it OK to add to landfill and use up resources by drinking from plastic? Why should convenience always be the priority?

I think that making this resolution has shown me that I can make a choice about my consumption. I am also aware of how fortunate I am that I can make this choice - that I have unlimited access to clean, safe water. There are some sobering statistics about water scarcity on this UN website  -  including the fact that 780 million people do not have access to clean water.

Someone once said to me that every choice we make is also a political one. This sounds pretty heavy, however I agree to a point, because everything we do reflects our beliefs and priorities. If we believe that everything is interconnected, then our actions, whether positive or negative, sustainable or not, will impact on each other and the natural world. I hope that my small change in habit will impact positively and perhaps make others think about the choices they make when it comes to buying water, as well as reminding us to be grateful for what we have.

Cheers!




Tuesday 22 July 2014

Early Memories

There was a discussion on the radio (702 ABC) today about our earliest memories and it inspired me to write and think about the early things I can recall. I find memory and the way our brains work to store memory really fascinating. I know that memory is influenced by emotions - particularly strong ones such as fear and surprise. We are programmed to remember negative things so that if we come across them again we know how to protect ourselves. I have done a lot of reading about the brain and about ways to also teach our brains to reinforce positive experiences and emotions. I do feel fortunate that my default is to be glass half full, and this positive bent means that I am generally happy and content. I believe that this has also influenced my memory as I also know that memories are reinforced each time we recall them - so that if you tend to recall happy, positive memories you seem to have more of them and vice-versa with negative ones.

It's also intriguing to me that we all remember different parts of the same experience, or recall it in various ways. My cousin Nicole often remembers things from our childhood and adolescence that I had forgotten - although I can usually find some memory of the event in the back of my mind. My friend Hilary has an amazing memory for detail in books - she remembers the names of every character and has a wonderful ability to visualise scenes. I am not known for having a brilliant memory, particularly for everyday details, however I am greatly influenced (and often overwhelmed!) by my emotions and I am aware of this when I reminisce.

So ... my earliest memory? It is a bit like a series of old polaroids with blurry edges that trigger feelings. A brown paper bag filled with Autumn leaves  - I took this for show and tell at preschool. I would have been 4 years old. I can see the bag and I can hear the crackling noise that the leaves made as I gently squashed the bag. A child in a wheelchair holding the bag of leaves and he is smiling ... I remember asking my Mum about this memory years later when I was a teenager and she confirmed that when I took the leaves in, some of the other children including this boy had a turn at holding the leaves and hearing the sound they made. I was apparently very excited about taking the leaves which I had collected from my garden to show everyone. I guess there was something special about that day, or those moments, or the people I interacted with that made them imprint in my memory. I wonder if it has had an impact on the person I am today, maybe even the choices I have made that have led to me being a preschool teacher? This memory feels very comfortable to me, and its significance in my mind sits well with the things that are important to me today.

What do you remember from your early years? Do your memories tell you something about the person that you grew up to be?








Tuesday 15 July 2014

Literary surprises!

This weekend after cleaning out one of my bookcases, I left an offering of a pile of books out at the front of my house. I've mentioned before that one of the ways I soften the blow of decluttering books is the hope that someone who loves them as much as I do will stop and pick one up as they walk by my house. I get a little thrill each time I pop my head out the gate to check on them, and notice that one or two have gone. I admit to being a little obsessive about this, and check a little more often than necessary! Within a few hours the pile of books was almost gone, which filled my book-loving heart with happiness.

On one of my walks around the neighbourhood with my big dog Mali, I recently picked up a couple of books that someone had left out in the same way. What goes around comes around doesn't it?

When I opened the book of short stories by Elizabeth Jolley I got a lovely surprise to find a double page from a literary supplement from the Sydney Morning Herald, dated December 31st 1988. The paper is yellowing and nice and big (like the Herald used to be) and contains a short story by Elizabeth Jolley. My Dad's old books, many of which I have inherited, are similar. Slipped inside I often find a newspaper clipping that is relevant in some way; an interview with the author, reviews of other books by the author, or a comment piece that is in some way related to the book's topic. Most of the clippings are adorned with Dad's comments and important parts underlined and marked with asterisks! (By the way I just discovered that the word 'asterisk' comes from the Greek 'asterikos' meaning little star - isn't that beautiful!).When I find one of these treasures I feel like Dad is with me once again sharing his love of books, which is very comforting. Just as I was, I know that he would have been thrilled to know that somewhere, long ago in 1988, someone else was saving newspaper articles for the same purpose!








Tuesday 8 July 2014

A new pact with myself

I've never been brilliant at making decisions.  I tend to over think situations and I know that I definitely try too hard to keep everyone happy which can sometimes be to my detriment. I have written about decision making before here - Make a pact with yourself - where I talk about always making time with my children a priority. In the last few weeks I have been mulling over an offer of extra work and wondering whether I should accept it or not. I have tossed around the pros and cons over and over, but just haven't been able to shake the feeling of discomfort it gives me. I have feelings of obligation, guilt, desire for recognition (and money!) and so on, however none of these are enough for me to commit to a job that, based on my past experience, I am pretty sure will result in me feeling stress and anxiety.

Yesterday I spent time with two old friends who both work in the same field as me, and I talked to them about my decision. Both reminded me that yes! I had asked them to please tell me not to do this type of work again. I thought about what advice I would give them if they were in the same situation and I know that I would tell them to make themselves a priority. And this is where I had the idea of making a new pact with myself - to do what is best for me. This focus on myself feels slightly uncomfortable. I definitely fit into the category of women who worry about everyone else before themselves. I have had major health issues in recent years and yet I still don't make my health and need to reduce stress the priority that it should be.

Later in the day as I was grocery shopping I was thinking about this new pact with myself and I ran into another friend who without even knowing what I had been thinking over, gave me the final encouragement I needed. In the checkout at Woolies -  where many wise words are spoken - she reminded me to rest, to take care of myself and to be creative.

So now, with thanks to my 3 wise friends, I've made a decision. I will take on work that feels good, that doesn't give me that awful tight feeling in my chest whenever I think about it. I will do work that fits in time wise - so that other things in my life and my family's life aren't compromised. I am also going to commit to use the time I do have to be creative - to write at a regular time at least once a week and to exercise regularly.

I'm looking forward to seeing where this new pact will take me. I expect I will find it hard at times, and of course I know I will continue to consider others in my decisions. I had a look for quotes about self care, of which there are many. This one really resonated with me - its about letting go which I believe is a bit of a theme in my life.

“When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits – anything that kept me small.  My judgement called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-loving.” ~ Kim McMillen   When I loved myself enough

I also like this one - if I take care of myself I'll be more able and available to take care of others.

 

Do you agree that looking after yourself is a priority? How do you think you are doing in this area?

Vanna xxx







Monday 30 June 2014

Reading - the silver lining.

It's been a while between posts as I had a small health hiccup, however am thankfully all recovered and ready for life to return to 'normal'. There is always a sliver lining and  having to take some time off to heal meant that I got to do lots of reading! I finished both books that I posted about previously - Far from the Tree and Currawong Manor.

Currawong Manor was a wonderful escape into another world full of interesting and eccentric characters and mystery. The atmosphere that Josephine creates is thick with suspense and her words build such strong and beautiful pictures. The story is set in the Blue Mountains and I always enjoy reading about somewhere that is familiar to me. I'm looking forward to my next visit to the mountains so that I can enjoy the beautiful scenery with the images and characters from Currawong Manor playing in my mind.

Far from the Tree also lived up to expectations. I was overwhelmed by the stories of family, love and resilience that Andrew Solomon presents as he explores identity and difference. My work as a teacher has given me a small amount of understanding of how having a child with a disability or who 'doesn't fit in' can impact on families, and this book explores such a wide range of children and families that I feel I have expanded my knowledge enormously by reading it. He covers so many issues, particularly the significance of identity, without judgement and with love and sensitivity, and highlights the incredible strength that can be gained from tough times and experiences.

I also re-read The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - such a fun and clever book.

I am so thankful that I enjoy (actually adore and couldn't live without!) reading. Knowing that I can escape into a book helps me to move beyond my own concerns and makes my life bigger and more amazing. 






Saturday 7 June 2014

Long Weekend Reading

It is a long weekend in Sydney and I plan to spend large amounts of it reading!

After a visit to my favourite local book shop- Better read than Dead, I am well prepared.



Currawong Manor is the fabulous Josephine Pennicott's new book. Find out more at josephinepennicot.com
Her previous book Poet's Cottage was beautiful and intriguing, so I am really looking forward to this one.



I first saw Andrew Solomon doing a TED talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_love_no_matter_what  which just blew me away. I had to wait for this book after it had sold out as a result of his popularity at the Sydney Writers Festival.  

Two very different books - I'm not sure where Ill start. Perhaps I'll swap between the two. At the moment I am enjoying that gorgeous feeling of having brand new books just waiting to be opened.

Time to make a cup of tea and let the long weekend begin!



Thursday 5 June 2014

The Way of Tea





Finding out more about the tea ceremony was high on my list of things to do while we were in Japan.

I have always been drawn to rituals - they make me feel comfortable and give me a sense of being in control. I think this is why the ritual of making a cup of tea is such a big part of my everyday. If I miss out (or if there's no milk at home or work!) I feel quite lost.

I found a place in Kyoto called "En", which offered an introduction to the tea ceremony. The information on the En website appealed to me as it talked about connection - a concept that is very important to me.

Our host began by telling us about the spiritual aspect of the tea ceremony and the 4 attitudes that must be present at the tea ceremony and that everyone attending must observe -
"WA-KEI-SEI-JAKU" which means:

Harmony - everyone is equal at the tea ceremony, there is harmony in the room as there is harmony in nature.

Respect - for everyone and everything including the objects that are part of the ceremony.

Purity - leave any worries or thoughts from everyday behind before coming into the tea room.

Tranquillity - this occurs when the 3 attitudes above are present.

What a wonderful way to approach any event - and life itself!


After sharing lots of interesting information , our host performed a short tea ceremony for us. It took about 20 minutes - apparently they can take up to 3 hours.

I found the experience meditative and beautiful. Each movement was considered and had significance. The absence of words meant that we could hear and appreciate every sound - the water as it was poured, the tea whisk mixing the tea. It was totally focussed on the present moment which was very calming - I certainly felt tranquil after watching the ceremony.


We didn't take many photos during the ceremony, however these ones from when we had tea at Kinkaku-Ji, a Zen temple known as The Golden Pavilion also in Kyoto, show the beautiful frothy, green matcha tea. Tea is usually accompanied by a sweet - this time decorated with gold leaf.


 
Happy me drinking tea!


When we came home my Mum gave me this lovely little book which I'm looking
 forward to reading, and learning more about The Way of Tea.

 
 
 
 


 
 
 

 



Sunday 11 May 2014

An abundance of (mostly green) tea!





Cherry blossom tea - we were given this on our arrival at the ryokan (traditional guest house) in Kyoto. It was very salty and served with a slice of watermelon which balanced the taste.



I loved this teapot which was also in the ryokan for us to serve ourselves green tea.



Tea was offered on arrival or available at every restaurant. This is at a fantastic sushi train place in Kyoto which had lightly flavoured green tea on tap! By this stage of the trip I was really enjoying green tea after drinking so much of it!



As green is my favourite colour I just loved seeing the many shades of it and the way it contrasts so beautifully with the cups. 



 
Green tea bags - all the way from Kyoto! Now in my kitchen in Sydney waiting to be enjoyed during a quiet moment - or used to encourage some quiet when it's needed.

 

Tuesday 6 May 2014

The Planthunter

I am very excited and just have to tell you that I have had a story published in the wonderful online magazine The Plant Hunter - http://theplanthunter.com.au/

I have written about childhood, children, and the natural world - something very close to my heart, and it's such a wonderful feeling to know that someone else believes that my ideas and thinking are worth sharing.

Have a good read and look at the rest of The Plant Hunter too. I love the concept behind it - a place to document and celebrate the connections between plants and humans.

Vanna xxx





One of the many beautiful flower displays we saw in Japan.

The hydrangeas remind me of my childhood. They were favourites of my Oma and my brother. Oma used to have big bushes of them growing at the front of her house, and I was always intrigued by the way she covered them up with sheets in the middle of the day to protect them from the sun.


 
 
 

Saturday 19 April 2014

Iced green tea on the Shinkansen

Hello from Japan!!

We have been in Tokyo for the last four days which has been amazing and fabulous!!! We have done lots of shopping, eating ramen and noodles, and enjoying being swept along by the crowds as we explore different parts of the city.

Today we travelled by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto. As we had been told by everyone who has been to Japan, the rail service is amazing. The train is clean, comfortable and punctual. We were able to buy drinks and snacks from a cart that arrived twice during the trip. 


I don't really like green tea, however I am trying to learn to like it! It is very healthy and in Kyoto it is the tea used in the traditional tea ceremonies. Ella likes green tea so when she ordered a bottle of cold tea I decided to join her. 


I love the packaging here in Japan. This close up of the bottle shows the gorgeous detail - and it didn't taste too bad either.


Isn't this chip pack great? I love this image of The Great Wave. This one is coming home in my suitcase! 

More from Kyoto when I get a chance - hoping to do a traditional tea ceremony here. 

Vanna xx




Saturday 12 April 2014

A colourful cuppa!

 
The books are old Enid Blyton's that I saved from the library last year. **
 
 
During the week I met my friend Josephine at a local café for a quick cuppa. As far as writing goes Josephine is the real thing. She has been an inspiration to me for the last few years, always encouraging me to write and sharing her thoughts and ideas about writing. Josephine's blog was the first blog I ever read, and has been a big part of giving me the courage to start my own blog. I love to spend time over at her gorgeous Tale Peddler blog and encourage you to have a look, and also discover her work. I am excited to read her next book which will be published soon!
 
As you can see we had a very colourful cuppa which suited our conversation and spirits. It is so lovely to spend time with like minded souls who share interests and ideas about the things that matter in life. It is easy to get caught up and feel like you don't have time, however for a while now I have been mindful of using my time well and spending it with people who make me feel good. Rick Hanson - who writes about the neuroplasticity of the brain and mindfulness, talks about 'watering your fruit tree', a phrase that he accepts is rather corny, however makes a lot of sense. In order to maintain your well-being he says, you need to 'nourish the things that nourish you'. For me, finding time for people who inspire me, who make me laugh and who make me feel good about myself, is an important part of my self nourishment. As is making time for cups of tea too of course!
 
Vanna xxx
 
**photo taken by Josephine Pennicott
 

Monday 7 April 2014

'Why Not' cafe - our last morning in New York

This is my last 'tea post' from New York - when I get a chance I'll post some photos of a couple of book shops and thrift shops we visited as well.


Sadly we are leaving for home this evening (March 8th) and we are starting the day at the cafe on the corner of the street where we have been staying in an apartment in the West Village.

I have watched the cafe from our apartment window and have seen a steady hum of customers at all times of the day and night - many of them sitting with laptops, I guess working, reading and communicating. It really seems to be the thing to do in this city - also cafes are cosy warm places to get away from the cold. 


I have finally ordered correctly and once again got a lovely large mug of English Breakfast with room for milk! Steve had his usual hot chocolate and we shared a delicious pain aux raisins.



I love the way the milk is displayed here in this cafe. Right next to it is a turn table playing Stevie Wonder - so cool.

So off we go now to fill as much as we can into our last few hours. The sun has come out and its a beautiful day in New York! New York!!


Vanna xxx

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Make a pact with yourself.

This morning while drinking my morning cup of tea I had one of those realisations that I always knew but hadn't totally formed into a nice neat awareness until that moment. It's about what I call 'making a pact with myself'. I've done this a few times in my life and on reflection it's made decision making easy, and the results of that decision satisfying. 

Pacts I have made include giving up smoking when I decided to have children - and promising myself that I would never smoke in front of them. This isn't unusual I know, however in moments of temptation the pact helped me to resist.

 I also made a pact not to constantly complain about my children when they became teenagers - as I so often heard other parents do. This isn't always easy to stick to - however it has really helped me to shift my perception and to always begin from a positive place. 

My favourite pact with myself is my promise to be at as many of my children's performances, school events and important occasions and moments as possible. I made this pact after I had breast cancer (the first time) when my desire to be there for my kids was really heightened. Now 9 years later this is still a priority for me and each event gives me reason for a little celebration with myself - I'm still here!! 

The thing about the pact is that faced with a decision or choice about what to do or if I have time to go - the decision is easy, actually I've already made it by commiting to my pact. Ill be there for my kids and this is something ill never regret. 

This pact has influenced some big decisions and life choices, particularly around my work and subsequently the amount of money I earn (not that much - but enough!). Time and presence always beat money in my book.

This may not sound all that enlightened but for me who finds it hard to make decisions, making a pact gives me real freedom. For those of you who also struggle with decision making you'll know how much mental energy it can take up. Even deciding what to cook for dinner can be exhausting for me on a bad day! 

I have this card from www.cecily.co.nz on my kitchen wall right next to my kettle

I guess making a pact is a bit like committing to follow the rules of a club, or even spiritual teachings or a religion. These things give you structure and perhaps moral and ethical guidance. Every thing we do is the result of a choice and having some clear guidelines is essential. On the other hand I do believe that there are always many ways to consider a situation, and points of view to respect, hence my slow decision making. There are however some things that are personally not negotiable and in these instances having a pact with myself is comforting and gives me strength to make the decision that is best for me.

 I wonder if you have made any pacts with yourself? Do you think it's a helpful strategy?


Monday 31 March 2014

Breakfast tea at The West Lane Inn


This is the beautiful inn we stayed in at Ridgefield ...

 
... and this is my morning cup of tea in the sweet dining room.
 Another perfect start to the day .


Love this wallpaper.


Sunday 23 March 2014

Physical Graffitea



Last night we walked past a tea shop in St Marks Place in the East Village, that I was very keen to look in, however it was late and we needed food rather than tea. I knew we'd be back this way today*  and made sure we took the time to pop in, and I'm very glad we found Physical Graffitea .


 I had discovered another warm and cosy place to escape from the cold, with friendly people talking knowledgeably and enthusiastically about tea, and happy to share some of their time with curious Australian tourists.



Claudia who served us was lovely and let us have a sniff of lots of different teas before we finally decided on 3 to bring home. There was a lot to choose from!


 I couldn't go past my favourite Earl Grey but this one is special as it is Cream Earl Grey - its got the yummiest smell! I also chose Assam, and Steve chose a Rooibos Chai.



Happy Vanna with her bag of tea to take home all the way from New York City!

* We were here on March 5th.






Wednesday 19 March 2014

Decluttering update

In amongst my tea posts I thought I should let you know that I haven't forgotten about my decluttering goal. Obviously while I was away I did a bit of shopping, although I did try not to buy stuff just for the sake of it. 

Since I have been home I have returned to one thing less a day and have let go of 3 kitchen knives, a handbag, and Steve has given away some electrical bits and pieces. I did a great clean out of the cutlery draw a few weeks ago and it now looks so good that even my 16 year old son noticed it! In the next few days I plan to declutter my emails and computer files - I always find this hard as I'm guilty of thinking 'I might just need it one day', so I'm working on being more realistic in this department. 

I am also proud to say that I still haven't bought any bottled water this year! 

Vanna xxx

Sunday 16 March 2014

elizabella's

Thus afternoon (March 6th) we spent a few hours looking around the beautiful town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, where we are staying the night to see The Cowboy Junkies at their local Playhouse.

We had to stop at Elizabella's Bakeshop as it looked so inviting through the window, and as we walked in a group of girls told us that the cookies were great! 



















                       Elizabeth, the owner, and her son, were very friendly and we had a long chat with them as we looked at her beautiful display of tea, cups and pots,  and baking goodies.
 


Isn't this display gorgeous! I wish I could have taken it all home with me! 

We left with some English Breakfast tea, chamomile and lemon tea bags, and a box of delicious chocolate cookies baked by Elizabeth. Oh, and also 3 jars of caramel and chocolate sauce - yum! 


I had to take a photo of this divine green cup and saucer. 

One of my favourite things about travelling is the opportunity it gives you to talk to so many different people. Over here our Australian accents are like an invitation to start a conversation. Today as well as loving being in such a gorgeous and fun shop, I feel like I learnt a little bit about what it would be like to live in this town which is so different from home in Sydney's Inner West. 

Vanna xxx

Friday 14 March 2014

By the fire in Branchville

 
I began this post on March 6th ...
 
We have just arrived in Branchville Connecticut, around two hours from New York on the train (and bus today due to track work). 

It is still cold and we have found a café with a warm fireplace to stop and have a cup of tea while we wait for a taxi to Ridgefield where we are staying the night.

I am still learning how to order tea here and keep forgetting to ask for them to leave room for milk - which is always available for you to help yourself.



  The tea bags are big here too!!!


 
The café is called the Tusk & Cup and we found out later that it has a great reputation locally. I love elephants as well as tea so felt very at home here.

What a lovely way to fill in time - warm, cosy and so nice to have time just to stop and sit and enjoy the moment.

Vanna xxx 

Thursday 13 March 2014

A cup of tea in NYC

I began to write this post over a week ago and just didn't finish it - too much else to do! So here is it, now that I am back home with some time to spare. I will finish a few other posts that I started in New York over the next few days - so keep your eye out for more tea!

I can't really believe it but I am in New York having the most incredible time. We have spent the last 4 days walking, walking and walking through the city, and along with the occasional cab ride we have barely scratched the surface of this amazing town!

Along the way I have had, and plan to keep having a few cups of tea and have done my best to document these important little moments!




My first cup of tea at a New York Café -  Café O in the West Village. It is freezing here - actually below zero, so a warm cup of tea inside a cosy café is perfect.
I was happy to see that they like big cups in the USA! Delicious pumpkin bread to go with it.
 


A cup of tea and crumb cake at The Met.
A welcome relief amidst the overwhelming feeling of so many amazing things to see in such a beautiful space.

 

We walked past this gorgeous tea room - I think it was in Greenwich Village.
Unfortunately we were on the way to somewhere else so didn't stop - maybe next time!

More tea moments to come, along with book shops and vintage/thrift clothes shopping .... stay posted.
Vanna xxx