Mosaic Monday

“Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.”
-Lao Tzu

Hello! I hope you had a great weekend and if you have today off as well, good for you. Today's mosaic is a simple one celebrating something so simple, but without it life would cease to exist! Enjoy!

“Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.”
-Albert Szent-Gyorgyi




Thought of the Day:
“Keep your head above water”
-Proverb

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Mosaic Monday

“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand-and melting like a snowflake...”
-Francis Bacon, Sr.

Hello! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! My family and I enjoyed ours immensely! Have a great week and enjoy today's mosaic!

“Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand.”
-Henry David Thoreau




Thought of the Day:

“Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.”
-Author Unknown

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Souper Saturday!

"Good manners: The noise you don't make when you're eating soup."
-Bennett Cerf

Hello! I know it is summer, but I decided to bring back Souper Saturday! There are so many great cold soup recipes that I can share, that I decided, WHY NOT! If you have never had a cold soup, the first time that you try one it is odd. However, they are very enjoyable and a great summertime meal! Enjoy!

"There is nothing like soup. It is by nature eccentric: no two are ever alike, unless of course you get your soup in a can."
-Laurie Colwin


Cucumber Soup
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

* 1 small sweet onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
* 3 tsp minced Garlic
* 1 seedless cucumber, peeled
* 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
* 2 containers (6 oz each) plain yogurt
* 8 oz sour cream
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 2 Tbsp finely chopped mint

Equipment Needed:

1.) Food processor
2.) Soup pan

Directions:

1.) Heat 3 Tbsp water in pan on medium heat.
2.) Add onion and garlic.
3.) Cook, stirring, about 6 min, until onions are soft and translucent.
4.) Peel cucumber. Cut into quarters; reserve one quarter for garnish.
5.) Add 3/4 of cucumber, onion, garlic, and lime juice to food processor.
6.) Pulse 10 times, then puree for 30 seconds.
7.) Open lid and scrape sides.
8.) Add yogurt, sour cream, and salt.
9.) Puree until smooth and frothy, about 30 seconds.
10.) Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

To serve:

1.) Finely dice remaining cucumber.
2.) Ladle soup into chilled bowls.
3.) Top each portion with diced cucumber and mint

Silly Joke of the Day:
What kind of ties can't you wear?
...Railroad ties.

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Wordless Wednesday!

Tea, tea, everywhere, how many cups do you drink? Part I

Hello and good day to all!

Well, I mentioned before, tea is my topic for the next few blogs - there is so much to say about it. Before I start, let me share a quote that I think is fitting for this cold february day. Actually, there are so many great tea quotes/poems, etc.. I may share quite a few.

As the centerpiece of a cherished ritual, it's a talisman against the chill of winter, a respite from the ho-hum routine of the day.  ~Sarah Engler, "Tea Up," Real Simple magazine, February 2006

Well, that just about sums up my feeling for tea. I like coffee, but I adore tea. I love my tins of loose tea, the pretty silk tea sachets I have are just too cute, my teapot collection is really getting out of control (so my husband says), the tea cozies, strainers, spoons, etc... so much fun for such a simple pleasure, and don't get me started on the sweets I serve with tea! (that will be part III).

In case you haven't noticed, yes - I am a nut about tea, but we all have our crutch!!

There are many fine tea companies out there, but I have always loved Harney & Sons. http://www.harney.com. They sell loose tea, tea sachets, iced tea, teapots, tea cups, tea gadgets and yes - sweets for tea.  Every order I have ever placed with them has gone smoothly and their products are wonderful! 

One time I placed an order online and they were having trouble processing it, so, instead of sending me an e-mail they called me and took care of everything over the phone. They were so friendly and accommodating, you could not ask for better service. Their tea tasting room is located on route 22, in Millerton, NY, those of you who live nearby should stop in -  if you have not done so already!

Not only can you sample tea in their tasting room, you can stay for a bite to eat, shop for tea accessories and have a lively discussion about tea with their knowledgeable staff. The Harney catalog is always packed with wonderful products, pictures and stories about their tea travels. 

One of my favorite authors had this to say about tea:

We had a kettle; we let it leak:
Our not repairing made it worse.
We haven't had any tea for a week...
The bottom is out of the Universe.
~Rudyard Kipling

So funny, don't you think? But I feel that way if I don't enjoy my nightly cup of tea. It is so soothing to sit with a hot, flavorful cup of tea after the kids go to bed, like I am now!

After all, tea is not only tasty and enjoyable, it is very good for you! (that will be part II)

I found some cute shops on etsy that make their own tea, take a peek:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5715114

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6831206

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6183654

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5813303

If you get a chance, take my tea poll! It is located on the left hand side of my blog!

to be continued... part II - the health benefits of tea.

-Ciao