Today's Fancy Friday Finds are inspired by Mississippi and poetry by Patricia Neely-Dorsey. She is trying to get her poem called Meet My Mississippi declared the state poem. It is truly wonderful how it captures the warm and inviting feelings that Mississippi should be known for. As the hospitality state, I think these Etsy finds would be lovely to sit and enjoy on the porch with neighbors and friends.
Thank you for joining me here for this week for a cup of tea and some fancy friday finds. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmial.com
What a crazy week that has just passed. I continue to recover from pneumonia and though I am on the mend I am not 100%, I spent Thursday back in hospital with Pleurisy, which is a posh word for inflammation of the lungs and had it been the early 1900's possibly fatal. Thankfully the makers of Advil are my savior this week and I am hoping that I am on the mend. As I write this I am feeling ever so slightly better. The raging forest fires this summer have added to the slowness of recovery with the air quality not being the best for recovering. I try not to complain about it as many people have been displaced and their lives ruined due to these fires and I have only been inconvenienced.
Upon arriving home Thursday a delivery from Berkley arrived, with these two books for September and I am beside myself with excitement at the chance to read and review them. Julia Buckley has become one of my most favorite authors and who doesn't love a great magical cat mystery?
I was blessed to receive to care packages in the mail this week from my friends Lin and Sheryl! Feeling the love this week!
Earlier this week my youngest son and I made carrot soup from all the rainbow carrots he grew over the summer. This carrot and rosemary soup was extra special knowing that he was so proud to harvest his own veggies this summer.
We have been so lucky to have moved to a home with an established orchard of Figs, we have been amazed at the bounty we have received and how much we can share with our friends and neighbors. Our landlords have been kind enough to allow us to harvest and process the figs... I have the most amazing friend who shared her recipe for Fig and Balsamic Jam! It is almost gone and such a treat to have with crackers and cheese, or a turkey sandwich!
Carole shared her D.I.Y book with the recipe in it and we all made the jam. This was the first day I had visitors in two weeks and Squirrel would not leave my side, guarding me and caring for me these past two weeks. On my table and in my cup was the English Breakfast tea my dad picked up in London, the Westminster Abby Blend. Last remaining Walkers Shortbread on the table too. I had lovely visits with Carole, my friend Banafshe and her daughter Rana, who baked me a lovely chocolate cake, Hey-Jung, A-hin, Hoon who joined me for tea and fig jam, cheese and crackers.
My friend Daniela who kindly visited twice with macarons and treats to lift my spirits. My sister, nieces, dad and in laws and puppy niece too! I felt lots of love this week.
There have been books too! I read loved and pre ordered my own copy of Monica Crosson's book The Magickal Family, it comes out in October and this lovely resource guide, self help and pagan life guide was such a wonderful read I can not wait to have it in my hands to refer to often.
VIctoria Laurie, wow 15th book in the series which is out now and a great read, lucky I am to have been able to read this book and its entire series, one of the first I ever bought and still love.
Chime and Punishment by Julianne Holmes I reviewed on Sunday, this was a surprisingly great read and a series I hope will continue.
Jean Flower's book Addressed to Kill the third book in the series was wonderful also. I can relate so much to the main character and love the idea of working at the post office. As a lifelong lover of mail and admirer of those who carry the mail this is a series I just love!
I will have the review of Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase tomorrow. This is a series that earned a place in my heart and favorites list late last year, book three was the best and I am thrilled to have had the chance to read it before it comes out this September.
I also finished From Ice To Ashes by fellow Sisters In Crime- Canada West Member Jessica Simon, I had 4 hours to read it mostly uninterrupted at the hospital on Thursday. Every time a nurse came to get me for a test or to take blood my nose was buried deep in this adventure mystery. I will have this review for you on Tuesday.
Thank you all who reached out this week and over the last few weeks, I am touched by your concern, generosity and friendship. Thank you all who continue to support me by visiting my blog here and the sponsors on the page.
I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com
Such a fantastic group of books on my table this week. I finished Occult and Battery last night and will share the review Monday with you. So happy to have had this one to escape with this week.
As another week has come and gone I wanted to share this is a photo of me last week in Penticton BC for the boys hockey tournament. I was so thrilled to find this cup and saucer before we left on our trip. I got it at a store called Echo's China, a little gem of a store within walking distance of my house. I brought it with me and enjoyed some lovely tea in the hotel room before and after our games.
This week was World Autism Day and we celebrated by participating in an adaptive hockey tournament and this was our pregame game faces photo. We lost all three games, but the last one was very close and we had so much fun.
I did get some reading done this weekend as well and loved Silence of the Jams by Gayle Lesson.
I came home to the Magnolia Trees blooming and Patricia Neely- Dorsey's Mississippi In Me her latest book of poems. Some truly lovely and inspiring work in this book and a delight to have all three.
I adored Tonya Kappes latest mystery Souther Fried, this is a delightful cozy with a light paranormal twist, a ghost in the form of her later grandfather really ads some whimsy and grit to this story. Out now and a great read.
Also on my table this week Town in Maple Madness, loved the cover on this 8th in series.
In my cup this week the Paris Blend of tea from a little tea shop in Richmond BC called the Arabella Tea room, it is a lovely black tea with the taste of currents and one I found about two years ago on my birthday. I find the afternoons I have been craving something a bit richer and this tea is full flavor and rounds out the afternoon hours nicely.
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea a week in review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com
April is poetry month did you know? Today's post is about a poet I hold dear. I love the works of Patricia Neely-Dorsey. She now has released her third book called Mississippi In Me.
The art, beauty and mystery of words is their ability to evoke feelings of longing for a place you have never been, feelings for things you never knew you had and to transport you to places you have only dreamed about. For me Patricia's words do just that.
Yesterday I arrived home after my weekend trip for a hockey tournament to find my own magnolia tree blooming!
In Patricia's new book my favorite section his her poems about Magnolia's. It is so hard to choose my favorite from the Magnolia section but Mud and Magnolias made me smile! I loved her Steel Magnolia poem as well.
This book is a selection of some much loved favorite poems and wonderful new ones as well. You can find out more about this wonderful new book of poetry and more about Patricia Neely-Dorsey by clicking here.
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and poetry this Monday April morning. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com
It is Saturday again and I am not home, third week in a row, not normal for me. This morning I am in Penticton BC at a hockey tournament with my two younger sons. This is a huge moment for us and one I don't take lightly. Being a Hockey Mom is a huge deal to me. The Canucks Autism Network helped our family in so many ways and changed our lives beautifully with the addition of the hockey program and I am so proud of my boys and our team for learning this game and having this life long skill like their typical peers.
While home briefly this week I was thrilled to find the mail lady has brought me 5 wonderful April releases to read through and I am reading Silence of the Jams right now.
Also on my table this week was the third book Mississippi in Me, a collection of Poems by Patricia Neely-Dorsey. Her inspiring words will transport you and her love of Mississippi is contagious! More on this book early next week.
This week I read No Charm Intended by Mollie Cox Byran. This is out later in May I believe and a good read, love the idea of a crafting get away weekend.
I tried out a new cookie cutter this week which I love and I got to use my new little chick salt and pepper shakers I bought at Cracker Barrel while I was in Arizona. I was so thrilled to be home this week and enjoying my loose leaf Vanilla Murchies Black tea. No time to get out and grab something different this week and on my last trip I did not get to a tea shop I had wanted to so nothing new to try and share this week in the tea department.
It was a good week of reviews as I shared my love of A Good Day To Buy, the 4th book in the series by Sherry Harris...
I thought that Sharon Pepe's Magick and Mayhem was fantastic as well.
Laura Childs wrote what I think might be my most favorite of the series with Devonshire Scream!
I also enjoyed the Alice in Wonderland themed The Tempting taste of Danger by CeeCee James this week.
One book I read this week was so incredible and I can not wait to share more about it. I read a new paranormal cozy mystery book that will be coming out by Vicki Vass that will stay with me forever. She is working on the cover art now and as soon as I get word of the cover and publishing date I will let you all know. Stay tuned for more on that!
I hope you have a wonderful rest of the weekend and I look forward to sharing more photos and reviews upon my return.
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a week in review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com
Today I have a special request, a friend of mine Poet Patricia Neely-Dorsey is trying to have her poem Meet My Mississippi become the official state poem. Today I ask that you help her make her dream come true. Reading Patricia's work for the last two years has helped me personally, insipired and changed me in ways only poetry can. Her two books Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia and My Magnolia Memories and Musings have been constant treasures on my table for the last few years. Below is the poem Patricia Neely-Dorsey wrote about her love of her state and now you have a chance to help make history!
MEET MY MISSISSIPPI
Faulkner's Sanctuary
Eudora's home state
Elvis' birthplace
The bulk of the Trace;
Sprawling beaches
Along the Gulf Coast shore
One blues man's crossroads
And inspiration for more;
An abundance of history
Tradition and folklore
Warm front porch welcomes
With a wide open door;
A ride down the mighty river
On the American Queen
And some of the most
Beautiful countryside
That you've ever seen
She's music and melodies
And the mockingbird's songs,
By valor and arms
And faith ever strong;
She's magnolias blooming
Around Jackson's capitol dome
And the sweet scent of honeysuckle
That forever says "home"
She's My Mississippi
She's "The Hospitality State"
"Go Mississippi"
You're a true State of Grace
2013 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
Below is how you can help make history for Mississippi's Bicentennial
"MEET MY MISSISSIPPI" THE STATE POEM
FOR OUR BICENTENNIAL YEAR!
Once Patricia has successfully submitted her poem as a bill, it would be assigned to a committee Last session the bill was assigned to the Tourism Committee More than likely, it would be assigned to the same in 2017
Patricia requests that we send emails in support of her poem becoming the State Poem. Please write too: Becky Currie - is the Chair of Tourism in the House bcurrie@house.ms.gov Lydia Graves Chassaniol -Tourism Chair in the Senate lchassaniol@senate.ms.gov PLEASE CONTACT THEM PLEASE CONTACT YOUR REPRESETATIVE IN SUPPORT OF "MEET MY MISSISSIPPI": AS STATE POEM
Saturday morning and my table is full of wonderful August reads. I am currently reading Much Ado About Muffin by Victoria Hamilton.
Yesterday my table received some wonderful new releases for August and I quickly dove right in. So hard to know what to choose some favorite series here on the table!
New to my Kindle Thursday was CeeCee James The Sweet Taste of Murder, I am looking forward to reading this one and I love the cover art!
I have been so delighted to have such wonderful books on my table this week that I read. The Traveling Tea Shop by Belinda Jones was absolutely fantastic.
A Skelton in the Family was a surprising and fun read. Leigh Perry has three books in this series and I look forward to reading the other two soon.
Also on my table yet Tail & Trouble by Victor Catano I do love a Witchcraft Mystery!
Ghostly Paws by Leighann Dobbs was another first in series I enjoyed this week. A great story with magical cats and more mystery to come.
I have been in a peach mood this week and made some blackberry peach scones which I paired with a poem by Patricia Neely-Dorsey. Click here for the recipe. This paired nicely with my peach black tea as well.
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a week in review. As with all my posts I invite you to comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com
Saturday morning and a week in review from what has been on my table and in my cup. I try very hard to keep my posts up lifting and positive. It would be wrong of me not to acknowledge the deep sadness for the chaos that has occurred and the senseless loss of lives this week. It is hard to find comfort in the chaos, however I have found some words that express the feelings in this cycle of pain from my friend Patricia Neely- Dorsey and her poem Heartbreak (This Too, Shall Pass)
I cup of tea in silent remembrance and in support of an end to the trauma for all.
So many wonderful books released this passed Tuesday and I have been thrilled to have them on my table and review them with you all here. Kay Finch's The Black Cat Knocks On Wood spent a few days on my table this week and in my lap.
I was enchanted with Laura Morrigan's Take The Monkey and Run, so much so that I can not wait to read the previous three books in the series.
Julie Hyzy's book Grace Sees Red spent the 4th with me....
The Great Catsby was a warm and cozy escape even with the fast passed mystery!
Dressed to Kilt by Hannah Reed stole my heart and was my favorite in this three book series.
Yesterday was my friend author Terrie Farley Moran's birthday such a pleasure to have her book on my table and being able to share one of my recipes in the book! I hope you will enjoy Read to Death as much as I did and that you try my recipe in the back!
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a week in review.
I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@mail.com
