Days have been filled with gorgeous cool breezes and sun.
The pale blue sky dancing with billowing clouds.
Such glorious-ness leads to menus of tea and baking.
Rose tea I thought.
Rose petal tea.
Yes, that is what we need.
As we dead headed rose bushes, Mister Lovee filled a white basket with succulent rose petals.
As the roses keep coming, I am in a dazed rose bliss.
Roses, still.
So many in the garden.
Roses are, in a way, 12 years new to me.
Save for a couple bushes I planted at the city house 15+ years ago that never did grand.
I didn't really grow up with roses, so I am making up for lost time it seems.
Letting one go to waste pains me to the core.
So, I keep bundling them up and hanging them to dry.
Eating some petals in salads, as all our gardening is pretty much organic.
Watching the colors darken into bright lush paper colors is part of the excitement.
Filling my pot rack for the year, sublime.
Happy.
The little things in life that fill you up.
The little things that are so big.
I use dry roses in a lot of my decor.
They are so pretty in shadow boxes and curio cabinets.
Old fashioned shadow boxes, filled with tid-bits of times past always fascinate me.
Roses keep beautifully under glass and wood.
We should all make some, don't you think?
With all the roses in their happy places, I plunge into rose tea makings.
The petals have been dried, and I decide to give some a little chop.
I did lots of research, and decided that, for gifts and ease...
I would use loose leaf Lady Grey tea to mix my rose petals into.
It has notes of orange and bergamot.
Perfect for roses I thought.
I just stirred my rose petals into a little tea...
And got ready to taste.
It was just so fresh, and pleasant and lovely.
I am making more to gift, as the rose petals add true magic to a cup of tea.
I sipped my tea while taste testing Julianna's go to recipe for, get this...
Vegan chocolate cake.
Isn't that great?
Here is the recipe from Moosewood Restaurant.
I have to say, it was pretty good, yes it was.
Even for a none chocolate lover like me.
I used coffee that I stole from Mister Lovee's French press, instead of water.
3 days later, sealed tightly on a plate in a plastic bag, it got moister and better.
Interesting.
I also oiled and dusted my glass baking dish very well, and mixed my ingredients outside the baking pan in a bowl. Unlike the directions suggest.
I have to say.
Rose petal tea and vegan chocolate cake?
A pretty lovely treat.
Highly recommended, from me to you.
I am getting ready for a little voyage to see Mammie in a couple days.
Me and travel used to equal, me knowing how to relax and have a blast.
I used to be the most carefree crazy sprite ever.
Today's me equals havoc in the brain, haha!
Uptight planner lady.
Taking Mister Lovee on a huge list of my chores, hoping he gets it right.
(although, once I leave I plan to let go and not worry for one second)
Showing him everything that needs to be done in the garden, every single morning.
OY!
Or should I say, Aye aye aye!
:)
I am one of these people, that thinks she might perish on a trip anywhere, so I leave rules and chores and tid-bits layed out, in case I shall never return.
I know, extreme insanity.
But, it's my way, what can I say?
And please Lovee, if I die, don't let some girlfriend you get, use my stuff or sleep in my bed.
Or hug Matty or Miles, kay?
(you get her Matty!!)
Or I'll haunt you.
Big time.
See...
These are the sort of rules I make ;)
Silly. Strange. True.
I am only halfway serious, don't worry.
Or am I?
Speaking of Mother's day.
I have oodles of freebies and tutorials for you from over the years...
Here they are with links.
Just in case you need a little extra for the moms you know.
xoxoxo
Off I go for now.
See ya soon!
Love, V
