Teamug Treasure

Hello dear friends,

Welcome to Leisure Lane.  I’m very glad to be able to join you today for Teacup Tuesday, sponsored by those lovely ladies, Terri and Martha.

Well, as you may remember from last week, I mentioned that I was running out of traditional teacups, but  that I had a special item to share with you.  This is my tea-mug treasure, given to me by my son, Robert, on Mother’s Day, nearly 14 years ago.  He was 7 years old at the time ~ the same age as in the photograph.

It came in a kit with special crayons with which to decorate the ceramic mug, then you pop it into the oven to cure (I’m sure dad helped him with that part).  How surprised and happy I was to receive this.

I think one of the things that makes this cup so special to me, is the thought that he put into it when he decorated it.  To celebrate my love of art, he drew a paint brush, canvas with paint on it, an easel, and a brush and palette, as well as his sweet hearts, rainbow, and affectionate words to celebrate his love for me.  What mother would not cherish such a gift.

As you can see, some of the decorations and his signature have faded from use.  So to preserve the memory from fading, I don’t use it anymore to drink from, but rather keep it on a shelf in my kitchen where I can see it everyday, and smile.

Robert is now 21 years old and in college.  It seems a lifetime ago when he presented me, not only the with cup, but with his very self.  He added a light to my life which no words can express, and I thank God for him everyday.

Thank you for letting me share this with you.  I hope you enjoyed it.  While looking for something in my closet I came across another teatime darling that I think you will all enjoy.  I forgot all about it.   It seems, sometimes, that my life is packed away.  I look forward to sharing it with you next week.

Ta-ta for now, and until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne

Children’s Storybook Series

Hello dear friends,

In my January 17th post, Inspiration Strikes Again, I mentioned I was beginning to write a story.  Well, that story turned into another and another, and now I’m writing a series of the same little girl.  It’s been keeping me very busy, but I will try to post for Teacup Tuesday tomorrow.  Today is another rainy day here, and I don’t have to go into the job, so it’s a perfect opportunity to get another story written.

Until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne

One More Tea Cup

Hello friends,

Well, today is Teacup Tuesday, sponsored by two lovely ladies, Terri, from Artful Affirmations, and Martha, from Martha’s Favorites.  I actually have another cup to share.  Painfully, this may be my last one to share for now (until I get another), but it won’t stop me from enjoying all of yours.  So I will keep looking forward to Teacup Tuesday.

Well, this cup/saucer is from a set that a friend gave to me.  The set includes a creamer, sugar bowl, and some dishes.  I like the color and the toile design very much – don’t you?

As you can see it’s made in England, and I’m very fond of it.  I’ve really never been a mug person, though I do have some that I enjoy; they’re just too clunky, awkward, and heavy, and detract from the quiet ‘energy’ of drinking tea in my opinion.  For me nothing says “tea” (or even an occassional cup of coffee) like a real teacup.

Though, I would like to say a little something about mugs.  I do have a favorite – it’s the one that my son gave to me for Mother’s Day many years ago when he was 7 years old.  Hmmmm…maybe I can share that one next Tuesday – what do you think?

Speaking of tea, I’d like to mention a wonderful tea blog that I think you will enjoy.  Tea Pages, by Katrina, has everything from tea reviews and the business of tea to wonderfully written musings, and much more.  A perfect topper to Teacup Tuesday.  I’m looking forward to her new book  “Tea Memories”.  Just click Tea Pages to find out more.

Thank you for dropping by.  It’s always a pleasure visiting.  Until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne ♥

Inspiration Strikes Again

Hello dear friends,

Last night, as I was trying to go to sleep, a little sentence popped into my head, and a children’s story emerged.  I had to get up and begin jotting it down, which meant I didn’t get to sleep until after 11pm…too late for me if I’m going to be perky the next day (which now I’m not).  But, this morning I took the time to start writing out the story…now I’m going to be late for work if I don’t get a move on.

So many things I wanted to do before going off to the job…Does this happen to anyone else?

Have a wonderful day, and I’ll let you know when I finish the story.

Stay pleasantly perky, and until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne

A Crumby Day

Welcome, dear Friends,

Today was very cold and dreary here on Leisure Lane.  A perfect day to try out a new recipe that brings back old memories ~ Crumb Cake!  That yummy-licious goodness better known as “Crumb Buns”.   I grew up in the northeast, and every Sunday my mom and dad would stop off at the bakery down the street from us and bring home some crumb buns…oooh, how we loved those big chunks of crumbs, lightly dusted with powered sugar.

I found a recipe online, and have been waiting for the right moment to try it.  I was a little disappointed with the cake part, so I think next time I will use a standard, but reliable cake recipe I have from the Joy Of Cooking cookbook, instead of the one featured in this particular recipe.  The crumbs came out perfectly, and as you can see I didn’t spare any ~ perfect combination of small and large crumbs…mmm~mm!!

All in all it’s a delicious cake to make on special occasions; or on a cold dreary day.  I’m glad I tried it…would you like to join me with a cup of hot tea and a generous size of crumb cake?

Here is the recipe for the topping.  If you have a good cake recipe you can use that and top it with this delicious crumb topping:

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. salt

8 tblsp. unsalted butter , melted and still warm

1 -3/4 cups of cake flour (I mixed in a little white whole wheat flour)

Whisk sugars, cinnamon, salt, and butter in a medium bowl until well mixed.  Add flour and stir with wooden spoon until mixture is like thick dough;  set aside at room temperature to cool.  About 10-15 minutes (While you make the cake).

Pour cake batter into an approx. 8″ square baking dish.  Top with crumbs starting on the outside edges and make your way into the middle (do not press the crumbs into batter).  For some larger crumbs, press some dough together with fingers.   Bake until wooden pick comes out clean.  Let cool completely, shake a strainer with confectioners sugar over the top of crumbs, and EnJoy!!!

If you want to lift the cake out of the pan for serving, lightly grease pan, use a 16″ parchment paper folded to about 7″ width, put it across pan with edges hanging over pan for lifting.  After it cools about 30 minutes, make sure the sides are loosed from the sides of pan and gently lift handles of paper to move cake over to cake dish.

The Swans Swim So Bonny O

Hello, dear friends,

I would like to offer you a glimpse of a very deep part of me.  Last evening I was reminiscing through some of my files, and I came across a painting I had done some years ago, inspired by a beautiful song by Loreena McKennitt called “The Bonny Swans”.  My oil paintings were always created to music; usually a song which exemplified the meaning or the tone of the painting.

Of course finding the painting, led me to some of Loreena’s videos, and I was newly enchanted again.  Her music awakened, or at least rekindled a sentinel spark within me that just cannot find the sustenance to flourish working at a grocery store. I cried, but only for a moment, remembering that beautiful spirit within me that I thought was long gone; or worse, sent away.   (The same feeling I had when I finished the painting “Erdgeist“, a spiritual self-portrait, that I may share with you another time).  But there she was, huddled deep within only needing the proper nourishment. Though I must admit I am a bit afraid to nourish her too much, for once she is stronger and feels like herself again, where could she go?  What could she do?  Then again, perhaps if I would let go of fear and revive her completely, she could perform her purpose for existing.

The Bonny Swans is about jealously, treachery, and true love.  I chose the second verse to illustrate; where the youngest sister begs for the helping hand of her hardened sibling.  The middle sister interacts with the swans, perhaps and hopefully, unaware of the eldest sister’s enacted plot.  The castle looms above in the background in clear sight, that if it weren’t for the distance, the crime could be seen by all there.  The cattails along the water’s brim are symbolic of the reason for the act, and the guilty sister wraps her cloak tightly around her in her resolve.   Here is a link to a video of the song.  And you might enjoy clicking on some other songs…her music will take you altogether to a different place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsNJuhBfbPg

Loreena McKennitt, in my opinion, is talented beyond my vocabulary.  She wrote the The Bonny Swans, based on an old Celtic story.  She is inspired by stories, poems, and her own interpretation of life, and expresses that interpretation exquisitely through words and music.  I think that perhaps somehow we are kindred spirits, because we seem to be attracted to the same things.  I was very much moved by a poem from Yeats called “The Stolen Child”, and painted my interpretation of it.  I found out that she had also been inspired by that poem, and put it to music. After becoming intrigued by the history and roamings of the Celts, she began a journey “in their footsteps”, which took her, surprisingly, to exotic parts of the world, like Turkey.  In all her travels she is inspired by the music, instruments, and interrelation of cultures.  She is an extensive traveler who journals her experiences through song.

Thank you for taking a little walk down memory lane with me.  If this has been thought provoking or inspiring for you, or if you have any questions, please let me know.  I always like hearing from you.

Don’t forget to vote on your favorite Valentine Fairy on the January 5th, 2011 post.  Today is the last day to cast your ballot.

Until next time, may happy days abound,

Marianne

The above painting is titled “The Bonny Swans” inspired by the song of the same title by Loreena Mckennitt.

Wedgewood Wednesday

Welcome dear Friends,

It’s a beautiful day here at Leisure Lane, but also quite busy…hmmm..this is suppose to be LEISURE Lane!

Well, an idea has come, inspired by all the lovely bloggers I’ve met who take one day a week to share their collections;  Wedgwood Wednesday!  Since I have some lovely Wedgwood Valentine plates, as well as a few more items, I would like to share them with you for the month of February, or for as long as my collection will stretch. The above photo is from a ceiling panel in Dublin…isn’t is marvelous?!!!!     The photo above and below are both from Lord Cowell’s blog Willowbrook Park ~ well worth a look if you like Wedgwood.

If you have some lovely Wedgwood items you would like to share, please join in the fun!!  I will post a reminder before the first Wednesday, to give you a chance to look through your wares and take photos.  If you know of anyone else who might like to share in Wedgwood Wednesday, you are welcome to send them an invitation.

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite St. Valentine’s Day Knittington Fairy on the previous post.

Thank you for stopping by.  And until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne

Many thanks to  http://willowbrookpark.blogspot.com for the above photos.

Fun Giveaway Links And Valentine Vote

Welcome to Leisure Lane, dear Friends,

I’m very happy you’ve decided to stop by for a visit.  It’s a cloudy day today, but I’m hoping to at least get in some painting.  Perhaps just some dabbling.

Also, I have to decide which St. Valentine’s Day design I’m going to introduce to you.  Perhaps you would like to help…here are two St. Valentine’s Day Knittington Fairy designs.  Leave a comment to vote for the one you would like to see in card form.  This could be fun.  Just write the name of the fairy you’re voting for in your comment…the voting will extend until January 10th.

We’re not quite sure what put our Eloise in such a tiff, but she’s determined not to give her heart away to just anyone.  However our gnome friend mustn’t dismay ~ love is closer than he thinks. (Eloise was made for the 12 month Knittington Fairy calender I hope to someday soon see in production).There’s more to Francesca than her perky ponytail and cute ens amble.  She’s ever quick to reciprocate a kindness, which only adds to her already “hip” demeanor.  Knitting fun scarves and creating unique “you-can’t-find-this-anywhere-else” gifts for her friends is her favorite past time.  She encourages all the Knittington fairies to let their imaginations soar, and create ~ create ~ create!

I’m also working on my next giveaway which should be around Valentine’s Day.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY LINK INFORMATION!

My giveaway was so much fun, but if you didn’t win, there are more contests to enter all the time.  Two very special ones are from two very special ladies…and if you love teacups, then you don’t want to miss their giveaways.

Martha’s Favorites is hosting a delightful giveaway with an exquisite teacup and ‘bling’ surprise, so stop by and check it out…it’s on her Thursday, December 30, 2010 post.

Laura’s Rose Garden is sponsoring her first giveaway of a beautiful tea cup with scarf, and more ‘bling’, so don’t forget to go by her blog to her Tuesday, January 4, 2011 post and sign up…  I say, “the more, the merrier”, and they’d be happy to see you.

Once at their sites, you might want to take the time to browse around awhile; I think you’ll like all the wonderful items they have to show, and their posts are fun and inspirational.

My Tea Cups

Artful Affirmations and Martha’s Favorites hold Teacup Tuesdays…and I love looking at the extensive collection of their beautiful teacups.  Though I only have a few teacups, myself, I do appreciate their beauty, and would like to share my humble “collection” as it were.

This lovely petite cup and saucer was given to me by a dear friend who knew of my desire to one day gift a special teacup to each of my beloved friends…something tangible that would connect us together…isn’t it sweet, with it’s delicate flowers and shape?  The gold accent, though a bit worn adds just the right touch.  It was made in England.  This is the cup I used in my previous post to hold that yummy-licious  hot chocolate.

This cup and saucer are my everyday set, but I enjoy it very much nevertheless.  The cup design is very pleasing to me, and I like the simple, yet elegant flower buds and colors used to decorate it.  This set is from Ireland.

I hope you enjoyed looking at these.  Let me know what you think, and thank you for allowing me to share these with you. If you’d like to see more beautiful teacups, teapots, or other fun, creative things, take a stroll and visit Terri and Martha at their blogs.

Until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, dear Friends!

Today I’m relaxing…working on a little project, drinking a delightful cup of  yummy-licious hot chocolate (yes, that absolutely is a mini scoop of  Breyer’s Vanilla ice cream), and enjoying the pleasant cool front blowing in from the north.  It’s dropped the temperature quite a bit, so that now it feels like winter once again (or at least, if my memory serves me, what up north you would call a clear, crisp, cool, breezy mid-autumn ~~ but I’ll take it, nevertheless).

My wish for everyone is a healthy, prosperous, creatively expressive New Year.  I pray all of our dreams come true, and that we are able to create for ourselves more balanced and joy-full lives.  Oh! What a wonderful thought ~ I can see it now!

May blessings, without measure, abound in your life,

Marianne