Unexpected Joy
A Winter Primrose in the dining room bay window. Ceramic planter from Clear Mountain Craft.
These little primroses are my favorite way to decorate mid-winter. You can find them at your local nursery or grocery store: typically for about a dollar a plant. And while they will spruce up a winter-grey yard quickly, I like to place them in ceramic planters I’ve collected and tuck them into unexpected corners of our home for a touch of spring where you might not expect it. Long dark winters need moments of unexpected joy, don’t they?
Rose Tea: A Winter’s Cup
A lovely cup for a mid-winter day.
Rose tea is traditionally an iced beverage. It’s perfect in the summer time, and it makes sense to make it then–as roses are readily available.
But I love hot, hot, (can you see the steam?) on a winter day. It’s so evocative of summer, earthy and sweet and romantic.
It’s so easy to make. Usually made with green tea, I prefer mine with Harney and Son’s Vanilla Comoro. I use just a pinch of cardamom and let my tea steep until it caramel colored.
Usually, I use a Rose Water from Cortas, but our local store was out so I gave this a try. It’s a French brand and is really very pretty. So fragrant. I think it’s stronger than the usual Rose Water, so you don’t need to use quite as much. If you’re looking to buy some, this is made by Noirot.
Once your tea has steeped, add 1 TB of Rose Water. Then shut your eyes and dream of warmer weather.
Don’t Eat the Snow
Taking a late night walk and eating snow in 2007
I’m sitting in the pink room, on break from work… trying to summon up the energy to go downstairs to make a cup of tea. But I’m watching CNN’s coverage of Nemo; it just makes me want to curl up with a warm blanket in front of a cozy fire. Maybe coax someone else into making tea. It looks COLD out there. And crazy blizzard white already. Brrr…
I hope if you’re in the path of this storm, you are safe and surrounded by loved ones. I’m holding good, warm thoughts for you. Praying your power will stay on and that you have a someone to bring you tea. Stay safe and warm and INSIDE friends. And, um, maybe don’t eat the snow.
