“Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors.” (-Alice Walker)

Today it's pouring rain outside. It couldn't be a more dismal day, so I decided to start the morning with a hot cup of tea.

I woke up to the sounds of torrential rains, thunder and sirens, thinking how fortunate we are to be inside where it’s warm and safe and dry.

Our shelves are filled with various and sundry teas, and today it was Mango tea with honey in it for me.

Some nights, it’s chamomile or Sleepy Time. Some days there’s just no replacing Constant Comment, or Plum tea. Grandma always served us Tetley’s with oatmeal cookies, but I'm also quite fond of English Breakfast Tea or Earl Grey or Darjeeling...and of course, anything with cinnamon or orange is usually a good bet.

I’ve said before that my dad always brought back gifts for me of pretty teacups whenever he and my mom would travel anywhere. Aren't they beautiful?

For me, it really is almost like a picnic indoors to relax with a simmering, steaming cup of tea. I'll sometimes put a spoonful of jam into my hot tea, but I'd also just as soon put flowers in my cups. And I will often pour the used tea leaves over flowers outdoors to perk them up.

To sit snugly inside, where it’s warm and toasty, and peer out the windows at the dreary downpour outside, is simply bliss…Thank goodness TOMORROW is when I have to head out to Duke! I'm so fortunate I didn't have to go out into it today.

Tea is a cup of life. (-Unknown)

Lots of people put a lemon slice into a teacup but sometimes, I just like a slice of orange instead.

“Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage.” (-Catherine Douzel)

(Off to my indoor picnic, folks!)