The dinner’s been eaten.
The laundry’s been folded.
The apple crisp is in the oven, filling the house with its fragrance.
And suddenly, for the brief span of an hour, there’s nothing to do but just be.
So I put the kettle on, and I make sage tea.
*
If the finest pleasures are the simple ones, then sage tea is elegant in its effortlessness and ease: just a branch of green velvet leaves, a golden dollop of local honey, and a cup of hot water. That’s all.
I take it with me into the front room and sit quietly with the heat of the cup on my knees.
The clay vessel fits perfectly into the curve of my palm, and I breathe in the herbal scent, the steam.
After awhile, I take a drink.
*
It tastes like rain in the fields.
Like pleasure.
Like calm. โค
///
{Wonder what’s happening here? For thirty days this December, I’m challenging myself to enjoy this body I’m living in: to take pleasure in all my senses, to explore it and use it in new ways … and most of all, simply to cherish it. I hope you’ll join me for the journey. <3}
๐
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This experiment is… ah you always make me wordless… it is so difficult to comment this extraordinary blog… this experiment is… is… powerfull. 30 days inside you. How beautiful… we, your faithfull readers, will be like your blood… going around inside you… it is so terrific! Lets see… kisses
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Thank you for sharing this peaceful moment. We’re learning by your awareness.
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๐ What a kind thing to say … We all need a peaceful moment how and again. My pleasure to share!!
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I could almost taste the sage tea as I read it! So refreshing, so calming – thanks for sharing.
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I’m so glad, Miriam… Peace to you today! โค
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And to you as well.
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Lovely! I can almost feel the fragrant steam from that sage tea…
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It makes me happy to know I was able to share this peaceful little moment with you. Wishing you a calm and joyful day today! ๐
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Thank you! Wishing you the very same! ๐
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๐
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Someone recently asked me on a post (about going to Stockholm, the Swedes being great coffee drinkers) if I was a big coffee drinker. I replied 5ft 9 ๐
Don’t worry, she is a regular correspondent and so is used to me by now.
But we English are renown tea drinkers, though I’ve never tried the one you described though.
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Do try it, Andy! It’s a favorite of mine. Sometimes I’ll add a few sprigs of time or a lemon slice, depending on how I’m feeling. It’s a nice sore-throat drink, too, especially with a splash of bourbon or brandy.
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Very beautiful and ever shall it be the little things the given us true joy. Thanks for sharing!!!
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Amen. ๐ Thanks for reading!
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Always a pleasure!
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๐
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I was eating strawberries with plain kefir as I read about your sage tea, and I had to put my phone (on which I was reading) down. I paused, and I took time to notice the flavors dancing across my tongue and the last rays of sun casting pale light outside my window. Thank you!
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Oh, Lulu, this comment just made my day! I love that you made the moment your own … Here’s to many more!! ๐
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What is more to enjoy than a simple cup of tea? Watching the last leaves fall from the trees, as the winter light turns grey?
If you have a chimney, turn it on.
๐
Have a nice week, Alfa Zulu
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I’ve been hopping from house to house this weekend, spending lots of time with good people. At several places, a roaring fire’s been present … Few things cozier this time of year. ๐
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Indeed. I’ve trying to get a chimney built in the house for some time, but there always seems to be a (bad) technical reason not to. I think I will sell the house and buy a chimney with a house around it.
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Sounds like a plan to me. ๐ In the meantime… Do you have a place for one of those little tabletop firepots that burn on propane? They always feel so glowy and inviting. ๐
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I actually don’t know those. Maybe it’s an american thing. I’ll look them up.
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http://www.wayfair.com/Deeco-Terrazzo-Tabletop-Fireplace-DM-013-FB-L327-K~DEC1059.html?refid=GX71596707750-DEC1059&device=m&ptid=142118612236&gclid=Cj0KEQiAnJqzBRCW0rGWnKnckOIBEiQA6qDBanQ0TKHuCvLHOIJ–bwmaG831foxTXLRSWkTyGZoOQsaAsjM8P8HAQ
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Ok. Definitely an american thing. I like the first stone-like one. ๐
(I’ll still work on the chimney thing)
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And thanks for taking the time to look for a link. ๐
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No problem! I think it took 20 seconds. ๐
I know you’ll just cringe, but I’m currently in the process of convincing T to turn our wood-burning fireplace into a compartment full of glowy candles instead. Just seems simpler … And still cozy! ๐
Come over and we’ll all roast some marshmallows until then! ๐
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Yes, I may cringe, though it is your fire-place. One suggestion. No need to disable the fire place, just saw a large plank, to fit inside the chimney and start lighting the candles. All sizes, shapes, colours. Don’t scrape the wax. Put new candles on top of the old ones. It slowly evolves into something lovely.
Thank you for the marshmallow invitation. I may drop by. ๐
Be good.
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I love this suggestion! ๐
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๐ make sure you use candles of many different colours and sizes. The resulting “mess” is very nice. ๐
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I think messiness can be kinda magnificent sometimes. ๐
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That would be the beauty of Chaos?
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I like how you think. ๐
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Thank you Alfa Zulu. But don’t heed my thoughts too much: I’m basically a lateral-thinker. Which is useful in many activities, but can also lead to crazy stuff. You getting ready for Christmas?
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Ah, the world needs all types of thinkers.
I like your lateral thinking, actually.
I call my own approach “watercolor logic…” It’s beautiful and open and very free-flowing, but there aren’t a lot of hard lines. Which can be interesting, but … It also means I sometimes struggle to create healthy boundaries, and that I dissolve into a puddle of freaked-outness when I have to make big decisions.
Thank heavens for people like my T, whose black-and-white approach is a good anchor for me.
Lateral-think away, friend!! ๐
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Watercolour logic? Wow. Never heard that concept. Sounds very… open. I’ve used “bubble” analysis for some strategic issues, which is very neat: just write bubles with one word or concept for something you’re trying to solve. As many bubbles as you like in one page. Then start linking the bubbles… But the bubbles have one defect: they’re closed. Hmmm. I’ll mull on that. Thank you. And my regards to T. ๐
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I made up the term…
Typical. ๐
And I do the bubble thing sometimes, too,when I’m really stuck and need to look at things differently. It somehow makes me feel like a kid again. ๐
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You still are a kid. ๐ (My older daughter’s age actually if I’m not mistaken: 1984?)
I will use the concept of watercolour logic. Like it.
And since I’m flying away on monday to a place with little or no internet… ‘wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy new year. ๐
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1981 & proud of it! ๐
Happy holidays to you too … Hopefully you’re flying to someplace warm!! ๐
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Thank you Alfa Zulu. Partly warm. Going to Colombia. Bogotรก is cold/lukewarm then we go to a little village down the Cordillera which is blazing hot. (There is a swimming pool though) ๐
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Oh please send me a little bit of that blazing heat. You can stuff it in an envelope and mail it to me, if you like. ๐
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I’ve always thought that if we could find a way store the heat, can it and send up north, we’d be millionaires. ๐
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What a lovely challenge you’ve given yourself. I started mine, too in November and it has been wonderful. I shared my experiences with friends and they’ve been very supportive. Best wishes for your journey.
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Thank you, friend. Very kind. It always helps to know I’m not alone… Can’t tell you how comforting that is. ๐
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Welcome. I send you lots of warm thoughts. xo
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I’ll take them. โค
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