Found this yummy recipe in Tea Time Tidbits and Treats for your Spring tea time pleasure! Enjoy!
Cucumber Garden Vegetable Tea Sandwiches
1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 C. sour cream
1/2 C. carrot, shredded
1/2 C. zucchini, shredded
1 T. fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 t. seasoning salt
1/2 t. garlic powder
dash of pepper
1/2 C. water chestnuts, drained & chopped
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
butter
8 slices dark rye or dill rye bread
Combine cream cheese, carrot, zucchini, parsley, salt, garlic powder, pepper and water chestnuts. Add enough sour cream to desired spreading consistency.
Butter a slice of bread. Spread cream cheese mixture on bread slices. Trim off crusts and cut into desired shapes - long rectangles, squares, triangles, etc. Top with a cucumber slice. Enjoy!
Makes about 32 tea sandwiches.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Simple Steps to Better Tea
For anyone in the "tea world" you will be familiar with the name Bruce Richardson. He is a tea guru and someone I follow faithfully (theteamaestro.blogspot.com) and read faithfully (The Book of Tea, Benjamin Press 2011). In the March/April 2012 Tea Time magazine, Richardson gives seven simple steps to set you on the right path to making good tea.
I am asked occasionally if water for tea can be heated in a microwave or a coffeemaker. The plain answer is yes, however, as Mr. Richardson asks, the leading question to the inquirer is...does the use of a microwave add to your sense of ritual? In today's hurry-hurry-rush-rush society we need to consider transforming tea making from a utilitarian chore back to a honored ritual. If you are a tea novice, here are a few simple steps to set you on the right path to making good hot tea.
1. Teakettles and teapots are not the same. This may sound basic, but both utensils are necessary to making a good pot of tea. And a microwave does not replace a teakettle! You can control the temperature of water only with a stove-top kettle or an electric kettle.
2. Coffeemakers are not designed to make tea. Tea takes time to steep, and coffeemakers are unable to perform that task. Be aware that the oils in coffee will contaminate a vessel after one use and forevermore negate the possibility of making good tea in that container.
3. Collect teapots in various sizes. Consider expanding your teapot collection to include a variety of teapots - I use my English or traditional Western teapots for making black tea. Asian iron and clay pots hold heat well and are the pots of choice for making green, oolong and white teas. Teapots are also conversation sparks!
4. Try various tea suppliers. Just like parents who want to talk about their children, tea merchants are eager to share the pedigrees of their teas, brewing techniques, water temperatures and tasting notes.
5. Be sure your tea is fresh. If your tea has been shelved more than nine months, leave it for some else. Buy in small quantities, and buy often.
6. Store your tea at home in an airtight container. Tea is like a sponge. Keep it away from odors, heat, moisture and light. Don't store tea in the freezer, and store only green teas in the refrigerator.
7. Water temperature is key to brewing great tea. When it comes to water temperature, just remember - the blacker the tea, the hotter the water. General guidelines are as follows:
white tea - 165 degrees
green tea - 175 degrees
oolongs - 200 degrees
blacks and herbals - 212 degrees
Placing a small amount of hot water in the teapot first to warm it is always good, but be sure to discard that water before adding the tea leaves and the final water.
I am asked occasionally if water for tea can be heated in a microwave or a coffeemaker. The plain answer is yes, however, as Mr. Richardson asks, the leading question to the inquirer is...does the use of a microwave add to your sense of ritual? In today's hurry-hurry-rush-rush society we need to consider transforming tea making from a utilitarian chore back to a honored ritual. If you are a tea novice, here are a few simple steps to set you on the right path to making good hot tea.
1. Teakettles and teapots are not the same. This may sound basic, but both utensils are necessary to making a good pot of tea. And a microwave does not replace a teakettle! You can control the temperature of water only with a stove-top kettle or an electric kettle.
2. Coffeemakers are not designed to make tea. Tea takes time to steep, and coffeemakers are unable to perform that task. Be aware that the oils in coffee will contaminate a vessel after one use and forevermore negate the possibility of making good tea in that container.
3. Collect teapots in various sizes. Consider expanding your teapot collection to include a variety of teapots - I use my English or traditional Western teapots for making black tea. Asian iron and clay pots hold heat well and are the pots of choice for making green, oolong and white teas. Teapots are also conversation sparks!
4. Try various tea suppliers. Just like parents who want to talk about their children, tea merchants are eager to share the pedigrees of their teas, brewing techniques, water temperatures and tasting notes.
5. Be sure your tea is fresh. If your tea has been shelved more than nine months, leave it for some else. Buy in small quantities, and buy often.
6. Store your tea at home in an airtight container. Tea is like a sponge. Keep it away from odors, heat, moisture and light. Don't store tea in the freezer, and store only green teas in the refrigerator.
7. Water temperature is key to brewing great tea. When it comes to water temperature, just remember - the blacker the tea, the hotter the water. General guidelines are as follows:
white tea - 165 degrees
green tea - 175 degrees
oolongs - 200 degrees
blacks and herbals - 212 degrees
Placing a small amount of hot water in the teapot first to warm it is always good, but be sure to discard that water before adding the tea leaves and the final water.
What I've Learned: "Remember that You're Onstage" | Politics & Personalities | Washingtonian
What I've Learned: "Remember that You're Onstage" | Politics & Personalities | Washingtonian
I know Pamela Eyring and she is my mentor. I recommend her as an example and great read, too! You would love meeting her!
Bobbi Graves
I know Pamela Eyring and she is my mentor. I recommend her as an example and great read, too! You would love meeting her!
Bobbi Graves
Jacket Dressing
Many professionals wear a jacket as part of their business attire. Select a jacket that is complimented by your shoes, slacks or skirt, shirt or blouse, tie, jewelry or other accessories. It should be current with the acceptable business trends, but not too "fashion forward" - neutral in color and age appropriate. Check for color, texture, pattern and overall style compatibility.
1. A jacket should either be part of a matching suit or not be too close in color to your pants or skirt. Generally, only one pattern, texture, or type of fabric should prevail.
2. Keep a double-breasted jacket buttoned.
3. If you normally work without your jacket on, a long-sleeved shirt or blouse looks much better than a short-sleeved one, even with sleeves rolled up to the elbow when it's hot.
4. As a sign of respect, put on your jacket when - or before - an outside client or boss enters the office.
1. A jacket should either be part of a matching suit or not be too close in color to your pants or skirt. Generally, only one pattern, texture, or type of fabric should prevail.
2. Keep a double-breasted jacket buttoned.
3. If you normally work without your jacket on, a long-sleeved shirt or blouse looks much better than a short-sleeved one, even with sleeves rolled up to the elbow when it's hot.
4. As a sign of respect, put on your jacket when - or before - an outside client or boss enters the office.
Nitty Gritty on Personal Business Grooming
Here's a few suggestions to consider regarding your grooming for business occasions. You also may wish to consult (especially before important occasions) the BASIC GROOMING CHECKLIST (see previous post) to be sure you are A-OK.
HAIR
In some offices a man's clean-shaven, beardless face, though not mandatory, may be expected.
1. Keep hair combed or brushed at all times, but DON'T perform the ritual in public.
2. Use a minimum of hairspray, especially if it's perfumed.
3. Abstain from the habit of stroking or playing with your hair.
4. Avoid curlers in public at all costs.
5. If a wig or hairpiece is worn, make sure it is conservative, fits properly, good quality, and that the color is consistent with your complexion and age.
MAKE-UP
1. Learn to apply make-up to enhance your appearance. A make-up specialist can offer you hints to help you more deftly disguise imperfections and accentuate attributes.
2. "Subtract something" is a good rule before going out the door. Critique your face, then remove, lighten or blend as needed. Less is truly more.
3. Rule of thumb - use less make-up in the daytime office than you might use during evening hours.
4. Types and amounts of make-up needed for the office may include: a moisturizer, a colorless or skin-matching foundation, a light dusting powder, light blush to the cheeks, thin eyeliner (without noticeable color),and eyebrow pencil lightly applied to the contour of your natural brows.
5. Thick mascara and eye shadow, beauty marks and false eyelashes are best left for after-hours socializing.
6. Blot lipstick before a social meeting where drinks are served to avoid getting lipstick on your glass.
NAILS
1. Well-shaped, clean, unbitten nails and cuticles are important for both men and women.
2. Brightly colored or excessively long nails tend to be a distraction. A quiet, neutral colored polish on shorter nails is attractive and recommend by most businesswomen.
FRAGRANCE
1. Buy only quality perfume, after-shave lotion or cologne. Apply fragrances lightly so that others are only slightly aware you are using them.
PIERCINGS/TATOOS
Nothing showing that would draw attention to yourself in any way. Blend in.
Remember: Good taste is mostly a matter of common sense, mixed with taking the time and thought necessary to improve and refine your appearance.
HAIR
In some offices a man's clean-shaven, beardless face, though not mandatory, may be expected.
1. Keep hair combed or brushed at all times, but DON'T perform the ritual in public.
2. Use a minimum of hairspray, especially if it's perfumed.
3. Abstain from the habit of stroking or playing with your hair.
4. Avoid curlers in public at all costs.
5. If a wig or hairpiece is worn, make sure it is conservative, fits properly, good quality, and that the color is consistent with your complexion and age.
MAKE-UP
1. Learn to apply make-up to enhance your appearance. A make-up specialist can offer you hints to help you more deftly disguise imperfections and accentuate attributes.
2. "Subtract something" is a good rule before going out the door. Critique your face, then remove, lighten or blend as needed. Less is truly more.
3. Rule of thumb - use less make-up in the daytime office than you might use during evening hours.
4. Types and amounts of make-up needed for the office may include: a moisturizer, a colorless or skin-matching foundation, a light dusting powder, light blush to the cheeks, thin eyeliner (without noticeable color),and eyebrow pencil lightly applied to the contour of your natural brows.
5. Thick mascara and eye shadow, beauty marks and false eyelashes are best left for after-hours socializing.
6. Blot lipstick before a social meeting where drinks are served to avoid getting lipstick on your glass.
NAILS
1. Well-shaped, clean, unbitten nails and cuticles are important for both men and women.
2. Brightly colored or excessively long nails tend to be a distraction. A quiet, neutral colored polish on shorter nails is attractive and recommend by most businesswomen.
FRAGRANCE
1. Buy only quality perfume, after-shave lotion or cologne. Apply fragrances lightly so that others are only slightly aware you are using them.
PIERCINGS/TATOOS
Nothing showing that would draw attention to yourself in any way. Blend in.
Remember: Good taste is mostly a matter of common sense, mixed with taking the time and thought necessary to improve and refine your appearance.
"Wash Behind Your Ears!" Basic Grooming Checklist
As a child did your mother ever chide you to wash behind your ears when learning the basic rules of grooming? Mine did! Basic personal grooming and cleanliness is essential in every aspect of life, business or otherwise. Here's a basic grooming checklist to check yourself out before other people do:
BASIC GROOMING CHECKLIST
HEAD: Clean face, ears and neck. Hair clean, cut and combed. Men: Shaved or trimmed facial hair. Women: Make-up carefully applied. Earrings and/or necklace shined.
BODY: Clothing clean, pressed, checked for fraying and no tags showing. Deodorant applied. Underwear fresh. Clothing spot-free, buttoned and checked for lint and dandruff. Men: Shirt collar and cuffs clean and adjusted. Tie neatly tied. Women: No straps or slips showing. No make-up on blouse or collar. Fragrance applied sparingly.
HANDS: Washed with nails clean and in good shape. Watchband and rings free from soap film. Women: Nail polish well done and in neutral color. Hand lotion applied.
LEGS & FEET: Shoes in good condition, polished and free of scuff marks; laces or tassels not broken or frayed. Men: Clean socks pulled up high. Women: Hosiery run-free.
HANDBAG/BRIEFCASE: Polished and packed with all necessities for the day (not over-packed - take a separate grooming kit for emergencies or touch-ups).
A smile is the cornerstone of your appearance. Brush your teeth, floss and twinkle!
BASIC GROOMING CHECKLIST
HEAD: Clean face, ears and neck. Hair clean, cut and combed. Men: Shaved or trimmed facial hair. Women: Make-up carefully applied. Earrings and/or necklace shined.
BODY: Clothing clean, pressed, checked for fraying and no tags showing. Deodorant applied. Underwear fresh. Clothing spot-free, buttoned and checked for lint and dandruff. Men: Shirt collar and cuffs clean and adjusted. Tie neatly tied. Women: No straps or slips showing. No make-up on blouse or collar. Fragrance applied sparingly.
HANDS: Washed with nails clean and in good shape. Watchband and rings free from soap film. Women: Nail polish well done and in neutral color. Hand lotion applied.
LEGS & FEET: Shoes in good condition, polished and free of scuff marks; laces or tassels not broken or frayed. Men: Clean socks pulled up high. Women: Hosiery run-free.
HANDBAG/BRIEFCASE: Polished and packed with all necessities for the day (not over-packed - take a separate grooming kit for emergencies or touch-ups).
A smile is the cornerstone of your appearance. Brush your teeth, floss and twinkle!
Business Dressing - Basic Don'ts
"Don'ts" for men and women to consider in basic business dressing in business settings.
BASIC DON'TS
Avoid in business settings:
1. Mismatched or clashing ensembles.
2. Exaggerated future trends in grooming or apparel.
3. Too much fragrance.
4. Clothes that are too tight, too loose or too revealing (don't get me started on cleavage...)
5. Wearing running shoes.
6. Bragging about or displaying your designer-label clothing.
7. Outfits that aren't fundamentally "you." Contrived fashions (for example, western duds on a city person) may look ridiculous.
8. For men - socks that allow bare leg to show at the bottoms of slacks.
9. For women - dressy fabrics more suitable for evening wear (satin, cut velvet, lame, brocade); also, stocking runs or straps that show.
These are a few suggestions, but we are just getting started!
BASIC DON'TS
Avoid in business settings:
1. Mismatched or clashing ensembles.
2. Exaggerated future trends in grooming or apparel.
3. Too much fragrance.
4. Clothes that are too tight, too loose or too revealing (don't get me started on cleavage...)
5. Wearing running shoes.
6. Bragging about or displaying your designer-label clothing.
7. Outfits that aren't fundamentally "you." Contrived fashions (for example, western duds on a city person) may look ridiculous.
8. For men - socks that allow bare leg to show at the bottoms of slacks.
9. For women - dressy fabrics more suitable for evening wear (satin, cut velvet, lame, brocade); also, stocking runs or straps that show.
These are a few suggestions, but we are just getting started!
Dressing for Business
It's a simple fact that a businessperson dressed in simple fashion, well groomed, and in clean, quality, appropriate clothing, projects success. Each company has its own dress code, often unwritten but unmistakably clear. The countless subtleties of dress can become apparent through close observation and daily experience. Here are a few things to consider for dressing for business.
BUYING SENSE
Ask yourself key questions when considering the purchase of a piece of business clothing:
1. Is it suitable for my job and company?
2. Does it fit properly now and will it fit and feel comfortable in the future?
3. Is the fabric and cut of top quality for long wear?
4. Is it fashionable yet basic enough to stay in style?
5. Is it right for my body, age and personal tastes?
6. Are the colors neutral and the patterns and textures complimentary, to match other clothing in my wardrobe?
As you dress each day, combine and accessorize the clothing you've bought in order to feel confident and relaxed. Buying items with your age, body-build and professional position in mind will help keep your daily decision-making simple and anxiety-free.
IMAGE DECISIONS
Dress according to the image you want to project. This image may change somewhat depending on:
1. The city you are in.
2. The occasion.
3. The people you are about to meet.
4. The weather.
5. The time of day.
Overall, your style will be fairly consistent. Aligning your dress with your desired image may occasionally require some "editing." Stay tuned for more ideas about dressing for business!
BUYING SENSE
Ask yourself key questions when considering the purchase of a piece of business clothing:
1. Is it suitable for my job and company?
2. Does it fit properly now and will it fit and feel comfortable in the future?
3. Is the fabric and cut of top quality for long wear?
4. Is it fashionable yet basic enough to stay in style?
5. Is it right for my body, age and personal tastes?
6. Are the colors neutral and the patterns and textures complimentary, to match other clothing in my wardrobe?
As you dress each day, combine and accessorize the clothing you've bought in order to feel confident and relaxed. Buying items with your age, body-build and professional position in mind will help keep your daily decision-making simple and anxiety-free.
IMAGE DECISIONS
Dress according to the image you want to project. This image may change somewhat depending on:
1. The city you are in.
2. The occasion.
3. The people you are about to meet.
4. The weather.
5. The time of day.
Overall, your style will be fairly consistent. Aligning your dress with your desired image may occasionally require some "editing." Stay tuned for more ideas about dressing for business!
Defining Beauty
MORE Magazine recently posed a question to its readers in a beauty search opinion poll: "What makes YOU beautiful inside and out?" Culture tends to define internal and external beauty in terms of youthful good looks, stylish attire, high-powered successful vocations and a dynamic social life. With this consideration in mind, I guess that would make me the antithesis of our current cultural concept of beauty. I am a vintage 50-something woman who embraces my gray hair and is satisfied rather than concerned about erasing the years. I crave an uncomplicated life, measuring my success by the happiness of my marriage, the love of my family, the adoration of my grandson, the joy of simply being a wife, mother, grandmother and child of God. I want to be known as authentic, devoted, inspiring civility. The struggle for eternal youth is a losing battle, so I endeavor to channel my energy into something more constructive - and I aspire that my aging beauty be something that my daughters actually look forward to themselves one day...after all, a classic design is age-proof and chic.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Gratitude
I am repeating myself, but I am grateful for a lot of things. To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives - the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections - that requires a lot more work. Still, we are only truly grateful people when we can say thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment. Let's not be afraid to look at eerything that has brought us to where we are now and trust that we will soon see in it the guiding hand of a loving God.
A few weeks ago my eldest daughter was hit by a truck while riding her bike to work. What could have been a fatal accident has shown me the strength and resilience of my daughter, the total dedication and commitment of her husband, the culling of our family to meet whatever the need may be at no thought of the cost to themselves - all to ensure that Ashleigh heals and is renewed in body, mind and spirit - but especially body. Though she sustained some major injuries she will mend and be a better woman because of a potentially tragic incident. I can now say I am grateful, by God's grace.
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