Showing posts with label tea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tea. Show all posts

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Dream a little dream

Welcome!

All kaleidoscopes are original by inkspired and KaleidoCam 



‘You cannot get through a single day
without having an impact on 
the world around you.
What you do makes a difference,
and you have to decide
what kind of difference
you want to make.’
- Jane Goodall



One of my favorite quotes by Walt Disney is:

One of Disney’s Castles



An original inkspired Collage Paper Painting.
All recycled paper, junk mail, catalogs+ were used in the creation.


Today I find it easy to dream,
and be cozy by the fire.

Hadley Court Interior Design blog

Not so easy to get up and actually get something done.
Unless it is to make a nice cup of tea...
But that is not acting upon my dreams, is it?

Writing a blog was my dream for several years,
and it still is!
I so enjoy sharing beautiful things,
places I want to visit and places I’ve been.
Finding fun little facts and 
learning more about our world; 
discovering new foods and recipes,
and marveling at fashions both traditional and modern - 
these are all so very satisfying.
Okay, and crafts.
Lots of crafts!

 But what makes it all come together?


You!
You make this all fun!
While most of you choose to not leave me comments,
just the sheer number of people who
visit is very humbling.
Incredible!
Amazing!

And the countries where you live.
Wow.

Australia
Brazil
Canada
Denmark
France
Germany
India
Japan
Netherlands
Peru
Poland
Romania
Russia
Spain
Switzerland
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates 
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vietnam


To think, that was just some from yesterday!
Every day has new countries that visit.
Truly, the internet is an amazing invention.

Paper tealight village created by inkspired


I guess what I’m trying to say is
Thank you.

This is not what I thought my blog would be about today.
It just sort of wanted to be said.
I hope I continue to keep my heart open -
To share the things
that just need to be said.

Have a good day.
A really good day.


If you would like to leave a comment sometime,
you need to scroll to the bottom of the post.
There is a button that says
‘Leave comment’
Then just follow the directions.
My insecurities are anxiously awaiting,

(Unless you are selling something that is!)

‘Til next time,
inkspired 


Truth - usually experienced before 10am or cafe’:
Getting dressed can be quite challenging before coffee.
Some truths: 
Sit down when attempting to put on pants.
The loud crashing sounds disturb the dog’s sleep.

Look for labels in your shirt.
These generally go in the back,
thus saving you numerous attempts to put it on correctly.

Find the heel to your sock before putting on your foot.
Twisting socks on a foot can be quite frustrating,
and the heel really does need to go in back.
On your heel.


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

A view of China, Part I

"He Ping"

(Chinese for 'Peace')

painting by Judith Stein
www.steinwatercolors.etsy.com

I have recently been having more frequent viewers from China.
I also found several cool Chinese mermaids in a mermaid search.
I have always loved Chinese food and Chinese arts.
This all sparked an idea to do a feature blog on China.
Yikes!

Chinese watercolor
www.icollector.com

Since China is the world's most populous country,
with a population of over 1.35 billion...
and
China is the second largest country by land area -
9.6 million square kilometers to be exact...
and
China's civilization is one of the world's earliest -
and
China is the world's fastest growing major economy....

I think I would have to write a book, not a blog!



found on www.husth.com

Oh well, you know me, I have to jump right in anyway!!

Just a note here - 

a big WELCOME
to all my Chinese followers, 
whether you live in China or not!

(and over 40 million do not!)

Chinese Lucky Cat keychain
www.artyscapes.etsy.com

So, where to start?
I think FOOD, don't you?

The Traditional Chinese Feast
www.asianbistro.com

I found LOTS of information at this site:

www.asianbistro.com

Chinese take-out felt patterns
www.BuggaBugs.etsy.com

For Chinese people, food is an important form of greeting.
If you visit a Chinese household you may often hear
"Have you eaten?"

Dim Sum foods felt patterns,
including Buns SiuMai, wontons, spring roll, fried dumpling and rice dumplings.
www.DollyAndPaws.etsy.com

China has many different regions.
Think 'states' here in the USA.
Just as American Southern food is very different from let's say
the state of Maine's food, so does Chinese food vary from region to region.

radishes
www.orientaloutpost.com


Some popular cuisines that we find here in the USA:
Cantonese
Dim Sum
Hunan
Mongolian
Szechaun, (sometimes spelled Sichuan)


'the third series of Chinese food'
www.iwallfinder.com

I moved a LOT until after my college years.
One of the first goals my mom had, I think, 
was to find the perfect Chinese restaurant in each city.
She was really good at it!
And so, I grew up eating Chinese food.
No take-out, no Chow Mein, but the real stuff!

(Mom's second goal I think was to find the best doughnut shop!)

Rose Chinese tea pot, Qing Dynasty
www.TriquetraaBoutique.etsy.com

Tea is a part of every day life in China.

tea dao
www.chinesetimeschool.com

For example, a part of a Chinese wedding ceremony is the serving of tea.
The bride and groom serve tea to their parents,
as a sign of appreciation.

traditional Chinese marriage dress
www.costumeplanet.blogspot.com


www.prostyblog.com


Well, that does it for today, and I still feel like I have barely touched 
on the subjects I have shared!

Coming soon:

the Panda bear
Chinese paper dolls
the Dragon Festival
coloring and maze pages
Chinese mermaids!
and another favorite of mine - Chinese paper cutting

til then,
inkspired

www.inkspired.etsy.com
www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com
www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com
and on pinterest:  kkloberdans

c. 1917 vintage song sheet cover
courtesy Indiana music libraries

some of the web sites I visited for information and graphics:


www.doverpublishing.com

http://bloggerjb.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-say-Peace-in-100-languages

http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/inharmony/browse/title/index.jsp

www.asianbistro.com

www.etsy.com

www.orientaloutpost.com


Thursday, July 21, 2011

Great FREE craft site

Hi!

personalized hangings and more

Having a really tired day.
I got up early to go meet a friend for breakfast.
Before 10am.
I usually don't speak to anyone, much less be dressed
and ready to go anywhere
Before 10am.
yawn.
Then when we were saying goodby,
I was getting into the trusty red van when
ooww!
something poinged in my back, and now I hurt.
ouch.
It's hot again today, but not nearly as hot
as elsewhere in the states.
I shouldn't complain.
It's hot.



Today I am going to be brief
(is that possible for me?)
and just share some cool things
and a website where you can find tons
of free craft patterns.


soda can purse with ultra suede lining

travel house pocket with peeps



dragonfly doll from a wooden spoon


spoon herb garden markers


vintage suitcase redone to a picnic getaway

The following website has tons of free craft pages.


You can easily spend an hour or two just grazing.
Here are some samples of what she offers.
It is a very random, very small sample!

Terra Cotta Birdbath
Handmade Mulberry paper Card
Milkweed Pod Poinsettia Ornaments
Easy Potpourri Pie
Round Crochet Rag Rug
How to Air-Dry Flowers
Decoupage Plant Markers
Make candles from Old Crayons
Girls Journal
Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas
Coffee Can Container Gardne
Homemade Beaded Candles
Homemade Scented Bath Salts
Flavored Vinegars and Oils
Beautiful Balloon Wedding Decorations
Soap Crayons....
the list goes on and on and on!

Have fun exploring today!
Better yet, go get a glass of
Celestial Seasonings Tea, cold or hot
and a small bowl of M&Ms.
Or mixed nuts if you can't do that chocolate thing.
sigh.
Relax.
Take 3 Deep Breaths
and go!

see you tomorrow,

inkspired


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Time for a Tea Party!

Salutations!

Today we are going to have a tea party!
rubber stamp for sale, found at overstock.com


vintage Limoges cup & saucer from TheCottageWay.etsy.com

First, let's make invitations!
You can purchase pre-made ones, like this:

10 PERSONALIZED HANDMADE MOTHER'S DAY BIRTHDAY SHOWER TEAPOT PARTY INVITATION STAMPIN'UP SPRING EASTER
for sale at EspeciallyInvited.etsy
and this:

for sale by mulberrymuse.etsy.com
or
You can print out your own, like this:

for sale to digitally download from LandofEnchantment.etsy
or
you can make your own, using stamps like this:

hand carved stamps by cupcaketree.etsy.com

Don't forget to add in some sprinkles!

for sale by DanisWeddingPretties.etsy.com

"Come along inside...
We'll see if tea and buns
can make the world a better place."

- Kenneth Grahame, 'Wind In The Willows'


for sale by ElsiesFlat, etsy

I love this apron!


Here's the web site, if anyone wants to purchase it for me:

tee hee.

"Remember -
hot tea is always a good idea."

c. 1906


c. 1906

A beautiful teacup necklace:

for sale by CuteAbility.etsy.com

We will have to wear beautiful big hats to our tea party.


hats by AwardDesign.etsy.com

and of course, our prettiest earrings:
DesignsbyShauna.etsy.com


LiciaBeads.etsy.com

Have you rediscovered shoe clips yet? These will get you started:



Let's move on to the tea party food delights!

Here is a recipe for ICED ALMOND TEA
from Southern Living 1989 Annual Recipes


Almond Tea by Rhonda G. Ford, Tennessee

4 regular size tea bags
2 Cups boiling water
1 1/2 Cups sugar
1/3 Cup lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
2 quarts of water

Warm teapot by rinsing with small amount of boiling water.
Place tea bags in teapot; pour 2 Cups boiling water over tea.
Cover and steep 3 - 5 minutes.
Remove tea bags from teapot.
Add sugar, lemon juice, and flavorings, stir until sugar dissolves.
Add 2 quarts water to mixture, and stir well.
Refrigerate tea mixture and let chill thouroughly.

Serve tea over ice.
Yield: 2 1/2 quarts.
CozyTeaTreasures.etsy.com

c. 1916

Here is a simple recipe for Mint Daiquiris, from the same cookbook:

Mint Daiquiris

2 (6 oz) cans frozen limeade concentrate, thawed & undiluted
2 Cups light rum
1/2 Cup fresh mint leaves
Ice cubes
Fresh mint sprigs (optional)

Combine 1 can limeade concentrate, 1 Cup rum, and 1/4 Cup mint leaves in blender.
Blend mixture 30 seconds.
Add enough ice cubes to bring mixture to a 4-Cup level; blend until slushy.
Pour into large freezer container.
Repeat procedure with remaining limeade concentrate, rum, mint leaves and ice.
Freeze until serving time.
Let thaw until slushy (about 20 minutes).
Stir; serve immediately.

Garnish with mint, if desired.
Yield: 9 Cups
note:  Mint Daiquiris may be prepared one month in advance!

Let's have some fancy tea party food!

3 tier cupcake tower by mimicafeunion.etsy.com

The following are cupcake toppers - they are all edible!

sweetlydone.etsy.com


edible plumeria flowers by milisweet.etsy.com

Here are 3 lovely dresses to wear to the tea party, from Liana!



Check out more of Liana's paper doll creations - see side bar for web site.

To set a pretty tea party table, collect pretty tea cups from online sales and second hand stores. These do not need to match. The charm is in the variety!
TheVintageTeacup.etsy.com


PinkDahliaStudio.etsy.com


PeonyandThistle.etsy.com


ilovelucy8.etsy.com

Tired of all the negative death and doom news?

Here's an article about real people doing the right thing:

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_17981639?source=rss



I think that is enough Tea Party preparations for one day!


inkspired
http://www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com/
http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/
dominoes@myinkspired.com