A Cup of Tea and An Inspirational Article from Tea Time Magazine.

This morning I got my Tea Time Magazine and was delighted as always to find such comfort and inspiration with in its pages.  I enjoy the blue and white theme and how easy it is to mix and match. While I don't have the beautiful teapot on the front which is available through Tea Time Magazine, I do have a great Maxwell Williams one I picked up at Murchie's and my Buckingham Palace Morning cup and saucer set I picked up in England, I love how it coordinates on my table.

For some reason I cannot seem to turn this, but the most wonderful article that caught my attention was the one written about Tea Amo, a traveling tea room in Ontario, Canada, something I have dreamed about doing myself for years. I have thought of doing it for duel purposes as not just a tea party to go, but a writing retreat as well. I almost secured one this past winter, however at the last minute if fell through so my hope is that the opportunity will again present itself. 

The article got my heart racing and my mind wandering to the possibilities that the future holds. For weeks now I have been holding my breath, without realizing it, I have been slightly more focused on the negative aspects of the unknown. This article got me excited, anxious and inspired far more than I have been in quite sometime. 
What motivates you? What gets your creative juices flowing? What are you focusing on going forward?
I learned in the last few hours that I may be returning to work very shortly. I have missed my tea shop. I have missed my customers and I am anxious to learn about how the next phase of my tea journey will unfold.
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a look at this new issue of Tea Time Magazine. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Tea With The Queen On A Dime And The Little Things That Count...

The mail man did not have a cozy for me in yesterdays mail but he did bring my Tea Time Magazine. This indulgent magazine is one I so look forward to. I used to drive 90 mins to the USA so I could pick it up, now I have it delivered, I feel like it is the most worth wild magazine one could invest in. I read it slowly and last night, I made cookies, set my table and read it with the Queen of England. Best part it only cost me a dime...

I feel like each tea time is special in it's own way and sometimes it is fun to do small things to make those tea times even more enjoyable, like tea with Her Majesty The Queen... 

So how does one have an audience with the Queen of England on a dime? Easy I had my favorite photo of her printed at Walmart (10 cents for one hour service at time of publishing) and came home and framed it using an existing frame (sorry David Tennant, I had to move you from my tea table for The Queen and Prince Philip) and set out my tea and magazine. It may not look like much to you but I think it is kind of fun.

I love this photo of The Queen, she is seen here smiling, moments after realizing that the guard is actually her husband Prince Philip. The photo makes me smile. You can of course find your own favorite photo and print as I have.

My mothers adoptive parents were British I grew up a Royalist. My grandfather would write me stories about the Royal Family coming to Canada and visiting me, he sent me post cards and books and magazines that showed the Royal Family and I have gotten out of bed to watch every major family televised wedding or funeral since the early 1980's.  I still today love the Queen, the entire royal family actually, but there is just something I enjoy so much about The Queen. So I chose to honor her and her husband with my evening tea.
I guess for me it is the little things, the little details, the things I do for myself that make the difference in each of my tea times, I do them for myself and they make me happy. The idea that you enjoy it too, sharing these ideas with you, multiplies that happiness.

If you are looking for a great Royal Family series Rhys Bowen writes the most marvelous series called The Royal Spyness Mysteries  , I highly recommend it, it is not set in current day but it is around the time just before the current queen's father takes the crown, just before her Uncle's abdication.

I look forward to getting  Tea Time Magazine to my table 6 times a year and if you want it to come to your home to your own table please click here to learn how you can subscribe.
Thank you for joining me for A Cup of tea and A Cozy Mystery Suggestion. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

On My Table And In My Cup This Week April 26- May 2nd

 

This has been a very long feeling week. Sunday was my 40th birthday and I celebrated with my husband & boys and extended family heading to our Science Center, Telus World Of Science and then to The Old Spaghetti factory in historic Gas Town. The Science Center and Lunch were fantastic and a great way to spend my birthday. I spend most of the week enjoying Paris tea from adorabelletearoom.com this black tea with currant and bergamot has moved to the number one spot on my list of black teas. I also enjoyed Serenity Now from Davids Tea thanks to my friend Daniela.

 I was thrilled that my Tea Time Magazine arrived and with it the published letter I sent in about them featuring my favorite Royal Albert Pattern

 Thank you to my friend Laine Barash for this stunning photo of my letter in Tea Time Magazine along with her own china, she and I share many similar tastes.

Inspired by her photo I tried my own version of that photo with my favorite poem by Patricia Neeley-Dorsey called Country Living. This week I baked muffins and carrot cake. I did not get to the tea time squares and bars like I had hoped to. My week had lots of "Plot Twists" to it, I hope to get to them in the coming two weeks.

We had some wonderful rain and hail showers and Squirrel the cat had the right idea about how to spend the damp and cold morning. I am still reading and loving Hooked on Ewe by Hannah Read 65 more days until this lovely 2nd book debuts.

My sister gave me a sugar bowl candle for my birthday that is Earl Grey scented and handmade by Kelly Robinson of Vintage Charm Home Decor.

It is very beautiful and a great addition to my table.

 

 I was pleased and surprised to receive and Advanced Reading Copy of Caught Read-Handed from Terrie Farley Moran and I am thrilled to have contributed the recipe included at the end of this story! I hope you will all enjoy it. 65 more days until it is released as of today as well.

 

I was able to enjoy my tea in my new tea mug from my boys that says Keep calm and Embrace on, in the Sunshine yesterday, while opening my mail. I was relieved and beyond excited that Lemon Pies and Little White Lies finally was delivered by Canada Post from The Book Depository! Canada Post seems to like to hold my pre-orders from Ellery Adams and Lucy Arlington. I am just thrilled it has arrived. To order your own copies please click here. I must remember to pick my mail man up a coffee card to thank him for constantly checking on my missing orders for me!
Thank you for taking time to join me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery this week.
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com