Reality sets in ………

At 40’s, people would think we are at the top of our game … have we given any thoughts on that? There is just so much I have embraced and would like to embrace out of life, so being ‘on top of my game’ really depends on what that game is all about. Personally, from my point of view, it is about the miracle of loving myself, spiritual realization, treasuring the gift of family and friends, appreciating the beauty and wonders of nature at each break of dawn and resting of the dusk. Being able to appreciate the true essence of life, something to see, something to do, something to hope and something to be thankful for.

So … each time I blow out the candles on my cake … 41, 42 and blink! 43 and from now on each additional number is a celebration to the gift of ‘life’! I suppose it’s the same with all those around me especially my childhood friends who are in their 40’s today (who enjoyed and are still enjoying the frills of the Flower Power Era!) …. remembering 'Old is Gold!' After awhile we really do stop counting the years and start living them up instead. Sounds good to me!

Hmmm …… and then there is this inevitable bundle of annoying fine lines on the face (trying to put it as mildly as possible!), often cracked feet just in weeks if we missed the heel cream!, silver threads running along the crowning glory, sagging butts and crackling bones … and the list goes on! But what’s that compared to feeling so assured of our inner self because of wisdom and strength. We've been there ~ almost every place, in and out, up and down and yet nailed everything down to experience. Would we rather that or trying so hard to relive our good old 16's and 21's, dressing, walking, talking and thinking … not actually knowing, what the real world can finally bounce back towards our direction whilst we are too carried away on the fast track and ultimately lose track! I found my answer.

When reality of life sets in …… don’t ever run away from it! It is here and now that we truly find ourselves without the layers of our hidden walls and when we finally find it, it’s an immeasurable meaningful journey and experience of life. Never for a moment lose the grip of it but continue on living your life enjoying change from within ... inside, out!

~ We cannot have everything, where would we put it? ~

Monday, 11 February 2013

FEBRUARY SONG ~ It's Time for Tea!


...  and wisdom comes quietly ...


Wisdom is knowing what to do next and virtue is doing it!

THE NEW DAY IS AWAKE AND IT'S TIME FOR A CUPPA ... FILLED WITH JOY & CONTENTMENT!




                                                                                                                  It's a beautiful month and the garden is filled with dashes of red blooming flowers in all shades! I guess, it would be a perfect day to have a cuppa Rose Tea in the Garden!







IT'S TIME ONCE AGAIN FOR TEA, LET'S PICK YOUR FAVOURITE CUP


THE KETTLE IS JUST BEHIND YOU


 ... WE'LL MEET ... IN THE GARDEN! 


  Rose Petal Tea can be made from rose hips or rose petals. This tea has a lightly floral taste with a slightly tangy flavor. A very elegant tea to serve for your afternoon and it's perfect with jam and biscuits!


~ Rose Petal Tea ~

  Ingredients ~
 2 cups fresh fragrant rose petals (about 14 ~ 16 large roses)*
3 cups water
Honey or granulated sugar to your taste buds! 


Preparation ~
Clip and discard bitter white bases from the rose petals; rinse petals thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth.
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, place the prepared rose petals. Cover with water and bring just to a slow simmer; let simmer for approximately 5 minutes, or until the petals become discolored (darkened).

Remove from heat and strain the hot rose petal liquid into your favourite teacups. Add honey or sugar to taste.

Cuppa Rose Tea makes 4 servings.



~ Tips for Making Rose Petal Tea ~

Use roses that are free of pesticides. If you collect rose hips or use roses for crafting, this may not be difficult. If you don't have pesticide free roses this year, a couple of your most fragrant varieties for next year and use organic protection methods to make them available for culinary use (that way you can make rose wine, too!)

Blown blooms (fully mature flowers) that haven't browned will make the most flavorful tea petals!

Rose petals dry quickly if you're using a heat source, so watch them closely to make sure they don't scorch. They should be "shatter" dry, but not brown. In a dehydrator, they just take a couple of hours to dry completely (in a single layer).

The most fragrant rose varieties typically make the best tea.



Although you can use any color of rose, you may find that sticking with a single color or color range makes the most visually appealing tea especially if you're giving rose tea as a gift ~It indeed makes a lovely gift!

 

The scented Rose Tea cuppa is ready!





I took a breeze towards the garden terrace with my aromatic cuppa tea ... cherished moments of the brand new day to enjoy the morning sun ... the freshness of the new earth and the gift of life through the rose scented air all around me! As I looked up, I saw a string of colourful birds looking down at me, gliding from one pine tree to another ... 'happy as a bird' waltzing with full of delight! Blew my sky greetings to them ... 'buon giorno' as I took a sip of my specially brewed tea! Amazingly a beautiful red feathered 'winged friend' peeped from the wide spread pine branches ... caught my eyes and it was truly a magnificient sight to have a glimpse of the 'madre'
  gliding with all 'her' heart and soul to build 'her' lil' castle for the arrival of 'her' 'crowning glory'! I knew that my 'winged friend' was here to greet me this dawn with a thought for me to ponder for the rest of the day!


 I continued watching 'her' 'waltzing' ...  wow! 'She' was about to 'paint' 'her' masterpiece on the skyhigh tree top! My 'winged friend' carefully picked 'her' choice of best twigs, fresh leaves as the veins of dried leaves would be stiff and brittle ...  fresh ones made 'her' 'artwork' easier!  'She' then continued 'her' 'waltz' by collecting soft fallen feathers to cushion the final touch of 'her' 'piece of art!' 'She' began 'her' first 'shade'  by tying the leaf fibers around the twig of the tree. 'Her' precious feet held down one end of the strip against the twig while taking the other end in 'her' beak. To prevent the fibers from falling apart, 'she' weaved them together into 'her' own 'tapestry'!

Slowly 'her' masterpiece created a circular shape that formed the entrance to the nest ~ 'door of faith' ~ I thought. Soon after, 'she' used 'her' beak to weave the other twigs together and during this process, 'she' had to envisage the required grip to hold 'her' nest together and to be able to visualize the finished structure ~ wisdom ~ I thought.

  Once'she' finished weaving the 'door of faith', 'she' continued to complete the interior of 'her' 'castle.' I was awed as I watched 'her' hanging upside down as 'she' placed 'her' final touch working from the inside of the 'art piece' and 'her' mission accomplished to a stunning weaving 'castle' called 'FOR BIRDS ONLY!' 

Watching the splendor of my 'winged friend', it captured my heart to embrace the enormous Gift of Love, Faith, Courage, Hope & Enduring Strength through the simplicity of God's blessings! 



The True Essence of LoVe  ~ lies neither in the giving nor in the receiving. LoVe is simply what overflows out of the heart that is full of peace. The heart that is full of peace ultimately begins to glow and overflow. And the heart full of peace cannot help but do this ~ for this is the essence of inner peace which radiates and become more than we can ever be!

As we continue to radiate peace from within there is a reflection of giving, since others can share in the peace. Amazingly, as peace continues there is a reflection of receiving, because you are receiving the heart of the world through everyone and everything!

The epitome of love derives from love for self, love within, unconditional love. Love for self nurtures the growth of wisdom and fosters the principle of truth. Let's plant seeds to embrace the true essence of love and most importantly to cherish the Gift of Life! 


Love is never tired of waiting, love is kind, love has no envy, love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride.

  Corinthians 13 : 4 ~ 7 


Goes without saying that the True Essence of Love surpasses all understanding!

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