Downton Abbey

Put the kettle on y'all!  It's time for Downton Abbey.  Tonight is the premiere of season 3 with the Crawley family and I'll be ready at 9:00 p.m. {ET} sharp!

I'm gonna get comfy and cozy and watch from my sofa with some hot tea and scones.  Tonight I'll be sippin' Harney and Sons' Jasmine Fairy Maidens.  This is a tisane...a caffeine-free infusion--not from the tea plant, but made from bark, flower, and seeds. 

My coffee table is set for a "Low Tea" with a scone, lemon curd, double devon creme, and Jasmine Tisane.

I am an avid lover of tea and yesterday I really overindulged!  I had tea in the morning with a small amount of fruit and tons of vitamins.  Then, I went out to do some errands and shopping and stopped at Chick-fil-A and got an iced tea...still no solid food.  By the time I arrived back home, I was shaking like a leaf from the caffeine on an empty stomach!  So tonight, I'm taking it easy on the caffeine, but still getting that wonderful tea flavor.

Tea Tip:  Who should not drink tea?

~Children under the age of two.

~Do not drink tea on an empty stomach, if you have a stomach ailment.

~Do not drink tea one hour before and after taking medications.

~Do not drink tea if you have a kidney problem; consult with your Doctor first.

~Do not drink tea before bedtime if you are a diabetic, elderly, or sick.

If you are a Downton Abbey fan, enjoy the show!

I'm On the Move...

Sometime this week, maybe Thursday or Friday, the moving van will load all my earthly possessions and take them to my new home--in South Florida. (Please keep your fingers crossed that it will happen--thank you very much)! Yes, I started a blog in the middle of a major move and during the holiday season! I simply must be crazy... I will still be blogging until the end of the week and have already photographed some tablescapes to post before I move.

Anyway, there is a huge, but very organized mess in my home. Oh, but I shall not worry! My friend Miss Kara, being the proper Southern lady that she is, will be over later today and she's bringing a picnic for us. She's gonna bring the food, plates and everything! Now y'all, that is what we Southerners call Southern Hospitality...going out of your way to make others feel special. I'm so excited to see what goodies she will have!

Until she arrives, I'll be lounging on the sofa in front of the fire sipping some African Rooibos, an herbal infusion of redbush, cranberry, and oranges, sweetened naturally and rich in essential nutrients, available at Harney Teas.

There are two books I'm rereading today, both by Alda Ellis--The Gentle Art of Hospitality and Sentimental Living. Ms. Ellis is an author, entrepeneur, and speaker. In addition, she also has a lovely website for shopping. Both of these books are must-haves for those who love to entertain. The Gentle Art of Hospitality is an elegant and inspirational book for the gracious hostess and provides creative tips for stress-free entertaining. She shares ideas how everyone can reach out to others with heartfelt hospitality. I especially love Sentimental Living--this book is full of colorful photos of tablescapes and entertaining ideas--from the porch--for all the seasons. It's full of ideas to dress our new place up...Southern Style.

A breast cancer survivor, Ms. Ellis authored another book Beyond Breast Cancer, she sells several pink ribbon items on her website, and has made generous contributions to the Susan G. Komen Foundation Arkansas Affiliate. I certainly admire this beautiful and talented Southern lady--she is so full of style and grace! You can visit her online here.

"Style cannot be bought. It is not what your wear, but who you are. Style is the way you decorate your house. It is your taste in books, music, poetry, and art. It is the way you arrange your flowers. Style is the personal touch you give to everything and everyone in your life. Style has nothing to do with money, but it is the way you live your life."

~Alda Ellis

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you drop by again tomorrow, I will be talking about gift ideas for the Autumn season.