Ye Olde McCormick Tea House...This Week's Find

I don’t know about you, but certain things will strike a chord with me, and this teapot is one of them.  In the shape of “Ye Olde McCormick Tea House” (after the original landmark in Baltimore, MD, circa 1969-1976, where hostesses, in Elizabethan gowns, served tea both hot and cold), my mother acquired this decades ago, and I loved it. My hope was that she would give it to me, but she liked it too, so she kept it. Now it is mine, alas, and I enjoy it every day, as it has become a part of my decor on the kitchen island. 

Armed with my favorite teabag assortment, this is going to be my “go to” teapot for the winter. It just speaks to me, shaped like a tea house, with all of those people inside, it makes me feel all warm and cozy.

In the winter, drinking hot tea is always a pleasure, but it will be even more so with this teapot, now to decide what color cups to use with it.

Is there an item that strikes a chord with you? Tell me about it.

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Relax & Regenerate

When I was a little girl I couldn't wait to grow up. I was convinced that life would be so much easier. I wouldn't have to ask permission to do anything; I would be completely on my own to do what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it. As a seasoned veteran of adulthood, I have to say that I miss those old days of playing in my room and having all of my meals prepared for me. I wouldn't even mind it if someone told me to take a nap, in fact, I think I would like that very much.

 The older I get, the more complicated life seems...complicated, exhausting, and stressful. One of my plans (I won't say resolutions) for the New Year was to try to carve out some time each day to decompress. Time to give myself permission to read a chapter in a book, watch an old Grissom episode of CSI, knit a few rows in my ongoing attempt to try to knit something (anything!), or have a cookie and a nice cup of tea.

 Rituals are important in daily life; they ground us, and these days, how I long to be grounded (as it were).

I have a special place for my daily dose of relaxation. It is in the great room near large windows, in the quietest part of the house where I can think (or not) and just breathe.

Setting up a special place for this activity ensures that I will treat myself. Here is my cozy corner, in afternoon light, waiting for me.

This post is linked to: Celebrate It Sunday, Silver Pennies Sunday, Merry Monday, Table It, Amaze Me Monday, Inspiration Monday, Metamorphosis Monday, Cooking & Crafting Monday, Dream Create Inspire Tuesday, Inspire Me Tuesday, Tuesdays At Our Home, Two Cup Tuesday, Tutorials and Tips Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesday, Work It Wednesday, Wine’d Down Wednesday, Wake up Wednesday, Moonlight & Mason Jars, Share Your Cup Thursday, Create It Thursday, The DIY Collective, Thursday Favorite Things, Tablescape Thursday, Simple and Sweet Fridays, Foodie Friday & Everything Else, Fridays Flash Blog, Friday Frenzy, Five Star Frou-Frou, What To Do Weekend,  Weekend re-Treat, Weekend Blog Hop, Simple Saturdays, Saturday Sparks, Bouquet of Talent Saturday

Tea, Scones & Sherlock Holmes TBT

We were on our way home from a two-week vacation in Italy.  Our plane was late leaving Malpensa Airport in Milan, so we had little time once we got to London Heathrow to make our connection into New York.  We were dragging heavy suitcases, loaded with goodies (Venice has the most AMAZING paper stores...but I digress), breathing heavily, worried that we wouldn't make our gate on time.  We zoomed past younger passengers with skilled ease.  We ignored our parched throats every time we passed a beverage stand or café, knowing our gate was our only mission.  And then I saw it.  The most wonderful little Sherlock Holmes teapot in the front of a shop of British goods that I knew belonged in my collection.  I had nothing like and I knew that I must, MUST!! I say, add it to my collection.  Without breaking stride I veered to the right.  I shifted my purse and two cases into my left hand, pulled my credit card from my pocket and secured it between my teeth.  With my free arm I scooped up the boxed teapot and in the blink of an eye slipped into the checkout, leaving heads of tourists behind me in a spin.  My lips parted and my credit card dropped onto the counter.  I nodded at the checker who knew what to do.  Swipe!  And the deed was done.  I signed, thanked him, and pressed on.  I made it!  And so did this little gem from England.  I smile every time I see it remembering that moment as though frozen in time.  Ahhh, the beauty of it all!

The cinnamon scones are delicious and the recipe is a breeze.  

You can find it here.

Nothing beats clotted cream with any type of scone, but

when it's not readily available you can make a reasonable

(though not authentic) Devonshire Cream at home.

DEVONSHIRE CREAM

1 cup whipping cream

½ tsp. cream of tartar

½ cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Beat all together until stiff. Refrigerate. Serve with scones and jam.

This post is linked to:

Make it Pretty Monday

Amaze Me Monday

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Teach Me Tuesday

Inspire Me Tuesday

The Scoop

Wow Us Wednesday
Work It Wednesday

What’s It Wednesday

Before and After Wednesday

Share Your Cup Thursday

Thursday Favorite Things

Tablescape Thursday

Create It Thursday

Home and Garden Thursday

Show and Tell Friday 

Friday Unfolded

Fridays Flash Blog
Simple and Sweet Fridays

What To Do Weekend 
The Weekend re-Treat

Flashback Friday