How To Create A Victorian Period Cottage Kitchen

My dear friend, 

Won't you pour a cup of tea and let us visit. As many of you know, I have begun the transformation of converting our Florida stucco home into an accurately Victorian period cottage. 

The Art Of A Bonnet {How A Landlocked Victorian Mermaid Dresses}

 My dear friends,

Did you have a lovely St. Patricks Day? I had a most lovely day. Jeffrey and I made Guinness stew and I made some Irish soda bread. I was intending to make the Martha Stewart scones but decided not to and just remain steadfast in my traditional Irish Soda bread.

The Significance Of Tea Time

I began the little tradition of tea time when I was nineteen years old. I had moved to Mississippi to start my life as an aspiring homemaker. I lived in a historic 1900's Victorian Colonial one block from the beach. The home that had been turned into small apartments and a studio. The studio I lived in was the servants quarters at one time. The kind lady that was my landlady was from Denmark. I was immediately drawn to her as I have the Dutch heritage as well. Every day at 3:00 p.m. she would invite me over for tea and crumpets. It was the beginning of a lovely sentiment that I have carried with me henceforth.  

Taking tea can be anywhere. I am often found in the garden taking time for tea, while painting and spending time with my bunny, Oliver.

 Taking tea makes life beautiful, no matter the circumstances. Meaning that everyone can make time for tea. It matters not of wealth, poverty, class, or status. Living in the most humble of homes is often times the loveliest to share in tea time.

 Usually, on Sundays, I will make a cookie of my liking to have for the week with my tea time. Two of the favourites that I've been making for decades are my Magical Mermaid Peanut Butter cookies and my Pirate's Pecan and Cranberry Biscotti. I am mostly a loner when I take time for tea, but I much prefer it. However, on occasion, I go to a little place called Whistle Stop Garden and Tea Room that's a few miles from my home. The lady that works there is from Cotswold, England, and she serves tea, scones, jellies, treats and fresh English finger foods she makes herself. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with her, we talk mostly about gardening.

 I actually schedule my tea time according to my little painting below.

 Here are a few tea remedies. Chai Tea is lovely for a boost to the immune system, especially for the flu and colds. Lemon and honey tea is gentle and relieves a sore throat. Ginger tea settles an upset tummy. It's also fin'tastic for nausea. Peppermint tea is excellent for digestion and bloating.

 Having tea in "My Treasure Room" is a daily ritual. I set time aside to spend quiet time with myself and of course, my bunny Oliver. I spend the tea time making lists, planning little projects, reading my selected literature for the week, or looking through magazines to encourage my creativity.

 I always have a candle going during tea time. The ambience is perfect. I make tea a special time. I use pretty cups, spoons, teapots, flowers fresh from the garden, and embroidered linens that I've collected. There's always some beautiful little inexpensive cups and linens at the thrift stores for pennies. The dollar tree has beautiful small candles too for that perfect romantic lighting.

 I have found that having tea time really energizes me and encourages my daily tasks for the day to be completed. My children growing up always knew that they were more than welcome to join me during tea time, and if they chose not to join me, they weren't allowed to interrupt my tea time. I made a stringent decision to take that time for myself. I truly believe with all of my heart that because I chose to be selfish with my desires, It taught my children to have respect for me, as well as, themselves. We are all individually significant, and self-care is essential to our life's vitality.

Here I am creating a list of inspired blog posts to write for my blog.

 A few paintings for your enjoyment.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquel