ways to relax --- proper tea time

(thank you,Patrick, for this wonderful gift which reminds me to slow down and enjoy)

Step 1: select tea...
perhaps a delicious white chai ? yes, please.
... and start boiling that water













Step 2: place loose tea in strainer & set in tea pot


Step 3: pour boiling water into kettle
















Step 4: light that candle
















Step 5: let tea steep for a few minutes


now enjoy your afternoon tea :)

aw, thank you all so much!

♥
Thanks so much
to the junior kindergarten and kindergarten kids
for the lovely valentines today!
♥
My heart is warm
and my tummy full of lollies and chocolates. Yum!
Hope everyone has a fun weekend & a great holiday!

-Lynsey

[] greener [] pastures []

i completely underestimated the way 3,300 miles would change me
finding myself longing for simpler ways
less bustle more living for the moment
appreciating simpler things
like cast-shadows on the valley below
cows sprinkled on the rolling hills
a hinted smell of lavender
pulsing through the mountain stream below

there is an openness i'm having to create for myself
or recreate, as it were
harder to do amidst the twice-daily commutes on bike and in car
trying to allow more time for art
maintaining a space for my imagination
it holds me loosely enough
to continue exploring but close
enough to keep coming back

lately watercolors
with school, practicum, an assistantship, & life...
watercolors allow a quick, sure way
to make art
fluidity pushes my thoughts effortlessly across paper
allowing enough time to create a small and intimate place
for my thoughts to rest.

how do you make the time?
xo,
Lynsey