Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities.
Seize common occasions and make them great.
-Orisen Swett Marden
Some days, or evenings, it's just nice to pause and savour a bit. Picking out the most beautiful teacup or mug from the cupboard. Setting the kettle to boil and listening for the rumble of the water as it heats up. Popping a bag of fragrant, relaxing tea into the bottom of your cup and watching it transform the water as you pour it in. Smelling the sweet or spicy or earthy or minty aroma...adding cream or sugar or honey if you like. Choosing a little sweet treat to accompany your cup of liquid gold. Placing it on a pretty plate or adding an extra touch of something to make it special. Sitting down in the comfiest chair in the house, propping your feet up, cozying up under a blanket if need be. Listening to calming music, or watching an episode of your favorite show, or reading a chapter or two in a book, or soaking up the sun and admiring the beauty of creation, or just savouring a bit of silence.
We all need moments like this from time to time...definitely more often than we perhaps give ourselves. These moments are the ones that fill us up and bring life back to our soul and inspiration to our hearts. These moments invite us to pause and slow down and whilst we do, they breathe life, beauty and goodness back into us.
I love lighting a candle or one of our oil lamps. I love setting the lights low and really taking in the moments...smelling the tea and really tasting it. Feasting on my chosen treat slowly and savouring its scrumptiousness entirely.
Peace. Calm. Quiet. Stillness. Beauty.
These are things we crave and our bodies and minds and hearts desperately need.
We have the power and ability to create and cultivate them in our ordinary days. It takes creativity, purpose and a bit of planning, but the result far outweighs any work or effort you put towards getting that moment.
Give yourself the gift of afternoon...or morning...or evening...or night tea for one.
Simple Scones
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 cup pure cane sugar
6 Tbsp. cold, cubed butter
2 Tbsp. milk or cream
1 egg
Combine the flour, sugar and baking powder in a mixing bowl. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture. The mixture should end up crumbly.
Add the milk (or cream) and egg to the dry ingredients. Stir just until a dough forms. Overmixing could result in a tough dough. (If the dough seems dry, you can add a dribble of milk.)
Gently pat dough out onto a lightly floured surface and cut the scones into your desired shapes.
Place on a prepared baking tray and bake at 400*F for about 10 minutes or until golden on the bottom. Allow to cool completely, then serve with your favorite toppings!
Wishing you all the most splendid, peace-filled teatime!
♥