Melissa’s Cozy Teacup

My sister asks me this and it’s usually followed by a comment on how I must have too much free time on my hands. Well, it’s not as if I am desperately bored or something (ok, once and a while sure). There’s a difference, though, between having a list of things to do; laundry, clean the kitchen, watch the paint peel, and having a creative outlet. I went to college to be a photo journalist. That dream quickly died when I learn the inside workings of the media machine and decided I wanted to die with a clear conscience. Case in point; our local news station was covering a liquor store robbery where an elderly man had shot and killed the robber. The report, and I kid you not, went something like this: ‘the local police have declined to release the name of the store owner for his personal safety, but I have it here.’ Then he proceeded to read it, on the news, so the robbers little thug friends could go after the man. Well, the reporter didn’t read his name with that goal in mind, but, like, HELLO?! A blind man could see where that might lead. Get a clue.

So in my pursuit of a creative outlet, I blog. I invite ladies over for tea. I write (with the goal of being publish). I have time to enjoy life. Yes, it is a solitary existence. Yes, there are times when there is not much to do but watch the paint dry. I am also the healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. I have low stress and I’m not exposed to cooties in the workplace. I think that’s a fair trade off, personally.

La Tea Dah over at Gracious Hospitality has been featuring some of her cook books lately. I love cook books. This has actually surprised my family because when I was single, I didn’t cook beyond opening a can of something and heating it up in the microwave. I also lived on Totino’s Pizza (nasty) and rotisserie chicken.

When I married Tech Hubby three years ago, I was given some cook books as gifts. The classic and always popular, Betty Crocker cook book, among others, but my favorite was a gift from my cousin Julie. It is The Bed and Breakfast Cook Book, by Martha W. Murphy (C) 1991, and I love it! It not only features recipes, but also interesting stories about the B&Bs and lovely photographs. (btw, my mom’s Betty Crocker CB advertised, “New with Colored Photographs” as a marketing ploy back in the day.

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Here are my cook books on the shelf in my dining room. I have several in the themes of Christmas, Tea and Chocolate. You can see where I pointed them out.

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Here’s the cover. The book has recipes from, beverages, to grits and sausage casserole. La Tea Dah is so good having vegan and gluten free cook books, while mine all center around butter, sugar and flour, mostly, with of course some tea thrown into wash it all down.

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Having ladies over and need something quick and tasty? Try a tea bread recipe.

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Need to plan an Afternoon Tea? It’s in here. Several pages of tasty sandwiches and quick breads.

Tomorrow, for Tea Tuesday, I’ll take you browsing through one of my tea books. Wednesday, will be chocolate cook book day. yes, entire cook books dedicated to the most perfect food in the world!

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