One Year Later

Good morning,

One year ago today, Feb. 11, 2012, I placed my first blog post in this space. It doesn't seem quite possible that over a 365 day period I published 295 posts. For half of that time I was logging 11-12 hours away from home at my full-time job.

But this was something I was determined to do and it has been a satisfying endeavor. There have been few days I haven't had light bulb moments for future blog subjects. It's a big old world out there and it's my wish to keep growing, keep learning, keep gaining inspiration from all that's around me.

To those who have chosen to spend a few moments here over the past year, I say thank you. To those who have joined as a follower, I appreciate you. And most of all, to those who take time to leave me a comment, I appreciate you most of all.

It's been very rewarding to get to "know you," to have a dialogue and to share thoughts and ideas. And to sometimes have a laugh or two along the way.

From you I have learned much. You inspire, entertain and educate me. All of us are different. We have different backgrounds and upbringings. We live in different parts of the world. Out life experiences are different.

And yet, we can come together through blogs and form a bond. We seek ways to live our lives in a meaningful fashion, embracing each day to the fullest extent. Finding joy and comfort in small things of life.

I look forward to the journey ahead. We shall continue on our path, learning and loving the things around us that bring happiness.

As I briefly review some of the topics I've covered, I wonder if I've "stayed true" to the goal I set out for this blog.

Halcyon Days for me represents carving out time each day to slow down, enjoy the small things life has to offer and appreciate the beauty that's always there. Nature; my pets; poetry; books; photography; music; inspiration and wisdom gleaned from writings of others; little stories about people I've known; food; gardening; healthy living; a little bit of fashion. 

Who knows where the future will lead.

 Will I decide to keep chickens?

Credit: Lovely Greens via Pinterest

(Tanya describes herself as a country-girl in the Isle of Man who, after years of living the big-city life, has returned to her roots as a country girl.  Through her blog she shares her passions for gardening, cooking and making useful and beautiful things. Check out her blog)

Travel?

Tuscany, Italy
Credit: mostbeautifulpages via Pinterest

Start a business?

Potpourri image via Pinterest

Or perhaps I'll just relax and have virtual afternoon tea here with you!

Summer tea image via Pinterest 

"Afternoon Tea" by William Henry Margetson 1861-1940

via Pinterest

I'll be putting the kettle on to boil and making up a tea menu fit for a king. Do put it on your calendar and make plans to join me.

Credit: ballastone.com via Pinterest

Happy Monday to you.

The Many Uses of Baking Soda

What makes you beautiful?

cleans your house?

and extinguishes kitchen fires?

That would be soda. Nope, not the kind you drink, but the kind that comes in a box for baking. Good old bicarbonate of soda -- an item in practically everyone’s cupboard.

I am aware of some of the uses for baking soda. As a kid, when we ran out of toothpaste my mother would give us soda to brush our teeth. I hated it, but it prevented a trip to the store. And I saw my daddy mix with water and take as a treatment for upset stomach.

Other uses? Well no, not really; not beyond placing a box in the refrigerator to neutralize odors.

But then I got on Pinterest. (Oh my, are you there yet? if so, are you hooked?) I am, at least for now. I trust the new will wear off soon, but I find myself there far to often looking at all the beautiful photos and finding useful information.

There's so much from which to choose: beauty tips, makeup tricks, decorating, gardening, crafts, photography, technology. Think up anything, search for it and you'll find it. 

I keep seeing “pins” on the wonders of baking soda. It seems many people are "into" this so I'm listing below some of its uses. This information is from the websites Arm and Hammer and care2 make a difference.

Care2 makes the point that we, as consumers, can "combat the ills that many corporations are perpetrating in the name of fighting grime and germs" by lessening our use of the products that produce environmental pollutants in our water systems.

Substituting baking soda for these products would show kindness to aquatic life and protect us from the "toxic tangle of pollutants" in personal care products, which are mainly in the form of synthetic fragrance and parabens.

I've only provided skeletal information on baking soda usage, but do click on over to the care2 page for details and further explanation.

Personal Use

Toothpaste
Freshens  Mouth 
Soak Oral Appliance 
Facial Scrub and Body Exfoliant 
Invigorating facial and body scrub
Deodorant
Antacid
Treat Insect Bites & Itchy Skin
Hand Cleanser and Softener
Hair 
Clean Brushes and Combs
Bath Soak
Soothe Feet 

Cleaning

Surface Soft Scrub
Handwash Dishes and Pots & Pans
Freshen Sponges
Clean the Microwave
Polish Silver Flatware
Clean Coffee and Tea Pots
Clean the Oven
Clean Floors
Clean Furniture
Clean Shower Curtains 
Boost Liquid Laundry Detergent
Gently Clean Baby Clothes
Clean and Freshen Sports Gear 
Remove Oil and Grease Stains 
Clean Batteries
Clean Cars

Deodorizing 

Refrigerator 
Cutting Board 
Trashcans 
Recyclables
Drains
Deodorize and Clean Dishwashers
Deodorize Garbage Disposals
Remove Odor From Carpets 
Remove Odor From Vacuum Cleaners 
Freshen Closets 
Deodorizing Cars  
Deodorize the Cat Box 
Deodorize Pet Bedding
Deodorize Sneakers
Freshen Linens 
Deodorize Your Wash
Freshen Stuffed Animals 

Miscellaneous

Camping Cure-all
Extinguish Fires
Septic Care
Fruit and Vegetable Scrub

I don't know about you, but I want to give some of these a try! Actually, I've already tried a few and can report it's not a bad toothpaste substitute. I've used as a face masque (mix with lemon juice) and spot cleaned woodwork.

Now I just have to find a 10 pound bag of the stuff!

What about you? Do you think you might try some of these uses for baking soda, or have you done so already?

A note about Pinterest: I'm trying to "figure out" how to install the "Follow Me on Pinterest" widget on Blogger but haven't quite got it yet. I have set up quite a few "Boards" there, with much useful information. Once I am successful with the follow me button, I likely won't be doing so many products/things to try posts here; you can just pop over to Pinterest and read that type of information. You have to join first, though.

 I was, however, able to add the "Pin It" button, and it now appears below the comments section on each post. It should  be showing up above the comments, along with the other widget buttons, but who knows the ways of Blogger?

Tea, Daffodils and Dogs

You'll be thinking I'm talking too much about tea! You might say I'm on a tea kick, and every day finds me trying a different one.

Tea tin reclining against lettuce leaves from the garden

Today seemed a good time to have a pot of Red Lavender by Zhena's Gypsy Tea, a Roobois and Lavender blend. I like it very much. The tin was a gift from  my sweet co-worker Jessica when I retired last year. It's almost empty but I know I'll be seeking out where to find more.

kodjoworkout.com

Roobois leaves are oxidized and the reddish brown color is due to that process.

Some of the nutritional and health benefits given for Rooibos, which is low in caffeine and tannins and high in antioxidants and phenol compounds:

• Reduces nervous tension, allergies, rashes and digestive problems.
• High in antioxidants, which is good for the immune system.
• Known for its anti-aging effects..
• Can be used as a spice, a vitamin or a dye.
• Contains calcium, zinc and other nutrients.
• Traditionally, has been used to alleviate infantile colic and allergies.

Rooibos was unheard of for centuries, known only to a tribe of African Bushmen called the Khoisans. The extract was used as a remedy for a wide variety of ailments. It was then acknowledged by Swedish naturalist Carl Thunberg in 1772 as a ‘good plant’ for curative purposes.

It was only in 1904 that a Russian/Jewish settler, Benjamin Ginsberg, perfected the art of curing, by fermenting the tea in barrels covered by wet hessian sacks. 

Rooibos Flavor:

It has a naturally sweet and unique taste, with the tinged flavor of cherry, vanilla and toffee.

Daffodils

These are miniature daffodils I found blooming in the garden today. They really are tiny, although my close-up shots make them appear normal size.

Dogs

My girl Valerie is not feeling well today. I think she has a bit of an upset tummy. Nothing serious; she's still wagging her tail happily, but just being more contented than usual to lounge around and nap.

 I place this throw across the bed to protect it when the dogs decide to nap there (not usually). But because Valerie chose that spot today, naturally Kris had to join her. You can see Val trying to push him away, as if to say, "Leave me alone. I'll be better tomorrow and we'll play then."

Kris apologizes and gives Valerie a kiss.

"And if I just rest my nose on your paw, that'll make you all better."

It Was a Good Day

Hooray for the sun!

It was a gorgeous day in my corner of the world today.

The birds were singing, the daffodils are in full bloom

And look at the noon reading on the thermometer.

I hadn't planned to spend the day outdoors, but with this kind of weather who could resist? Besides, the prediction is that the weather will change tomorrow and RAIN will be back once more for the next several days.

My little potager garden need some attention. Why is it that weeds can survive the cold when desirable plants cannot?

But the strawberries are still green

And the garlic looks good

Some of the leaf lettuce I planted in the fall didn't grow enough to harvest before first frost

but has survived and is ready to resume growing.

A few arugula plants are still green and edible.

I bought onion bulbs a few weeks ago and decided today would be a good time to get those started. February is the month onions and cabbage are planted in this area.

The dogs enjoyed being outside as much as I did

 and lay patiently until I was ready to come inside.

Here's Valerie scratching her back against the fence.

Before I knew it, lunch time had arrived. How times flies when you're having fun.

Making a salad is never quick work: all that chopping and peeling. I like to think of constructing a salad as designing a work of art. Silly me!
But all those colors and shapes remind me of placing paint on a canvas.

Lettuce, avocado, egg, bell pepper, carrot, tomato, marinated artichoke, cucumber, black olives, croutons, sunflower seeds.

Making the lunch was almost as tiring as digging in the garden.

Got to have my cucumber and lemon water.

Drinking a lot with all the activity.

Back outside for a short time for the second walk of the day with the dogs.

I happened to see this weed growing underneath a tree. I have no idea its name but I think it's quite pretty.

Very prickly though.

The day ended with a pretty sun sinking in the western sky,

 but the clouds are rolling in.

Kitty Carl is safe on his pillow in the garage. He's waiting on brother Murtie and baby sister Myrtle so the door can be closed for the night.

All's well; everyone's here.

Carl wishes you a goodnight.

My Imaginary Tea Room

Following up on yesterday's post, I decided to open an imaginary tea room, where I could do things my way.

We'll make a couple of assumptions:

 1) money is not a consideration in the set up or operation. 

2) I won't have to work in it.

 I'll only do the fun stuff -- choosing and designing the space, buying the appointments, choosing the menu. I'll only be there to greet the customers, go around to their tables to ask if everything is to their liking.

I'll be making sure the staff is doing everything correctly and I may occasionally find a little table in the corner to relax, bask in the ambiance, read a book, sample the sumptuous fare I have myself chosen and had someone else lovingly prepare.

Are you with me? Ready for a journey into the perfect tea room?

*********

I'll find an ancient stone structure seeping with the patina of age. 

I'll live upstairs so I'm never very far away from my pride and joy tea room.

(Pinterest images unless otherwise noted.)

Flowers spill from boxes outside each window.

Old wrought iron chairs at the front entryway bid visitors to sit and relax in the sunshine while they wait their turn at the table. The tea room is so popular that there's always a long wait, but diners aren't bothered by that. The food and the dining experience is well worth the wait.

Upon entering, diners are met by the strings of Vivaldi. So soothing and relaxing. The music puts everyone in such a fine mood, to the point there are never unhappy customers and a dish has never been returned to the kitchen. 

The trickling of a fountain is heard when there's a pause in the music.

Scattered throughout the tea room are green topiary and fresh-cut flowers.

The always friendly staff, ladies in black dresses and white aprons, escort diners to tables that are individually appointed.

Each table is adorned with fresh flowers of the season.

My picture 3/2012

Tea -- Earl Gray, Lady Gray, Jasmine, Darjeeling and Lapsong Souchong, served in a  silver footed pot,

a blue and white ceramic pot

or a pot somewhat more modern in design.

After brewing the proper amount of time, the waitress returns to pour.

Since there'll be those who insist, iced tea also is available. (After all, this is the South, and Southerns love their tea, sweetened, no less!)

On a sideboard against the wall sits pitchers of cucumber lemon water -- a refreshing and healing beverage.

See my previous post for details about this drink.

My picture 7/2012

Scones anyone? Yes, and I'll have strawberry jam with mine.

And Double Devon Cream. Or do you prefer Clotted Cream? Expensive, yes, but nothing is too good for MY customers.

What's a tea room without tea sandwiches? We'll be making cucumber, egg salad, chicken salad and cream cheese with pineapple and chopped walnuts.

Oh so many other things to choose from. Victorian Sponge Cake, lemon curd tartlets, banana nut bread, cheese straws and other delights too numerous to name.

But wait, I got ahead of myself. We have to eat a main dish before dessert, don't we?  I think we'll have the following choices:

We must have a soup of the day (seasonal)

Caesar Salad and two other green salads

Pasta Salad

Fruit Plate
Assorted tea sandwiches

Club Sandwich

Chicken Lasagna (hot)

Savory Crepes

All of the offerings must be cooked prepared fresh each morning. No menu items will require cooking after the customer orders (except for the crepe choices, which cook in a flash anyway).

In the entryway, I think I'll carry a selection of items for sale. Tea, tea cozies, tea towels, teapots, cups and saucers, aprons, gift baskets. Anything with a tea connection. And how about these darling  note cards?

zazzle

I'm still thinking! There will be other additions/changes as we go along.

Now I need your input on any or all of these questions.

Would you visit this tea room?

What additions/subtractions/changes would you make?

Do you have suggestions for the menu?

I look forward to your feeback.

Disclaimer: I am not even THINKING about opening a tea room. This exercise is all in fun!