Tea

Gratitude Day #2

I love tea, but I confess that I am a tea snob.  I started drinking Lipton instant tea when I was a kid. Since that time, I have become very picky.  I prefer only black tea, brewed, and I like only good teas.  I am a regular customer at Gong Fu Tea in the East Village.  When I am in Minneapolis, I always pay a visit to the TeaSource.  Lipton tea would never cross my lips these days.

In order to brew good tea, you need lots of tea paraphernalia; teapots, teaspoons, and good teacups.  I also have lots of metal canisters to hold my favorite teas.  Believe me I have way too much, but some of the cups bring back good memories.  I have picked up cups from trips I have taken, and places I have stayed.  My son, Michael, and his friend, Sergio, gave me teacups from Spain, where they both live. I visited Michael in Spain two years ago.   Last year, my daughter, Lisa, and I made a trip to the North Shore. I came back with a cup from the hotel, as well as a Starbucks mug for Minnesota.  In the fall,  my sister and I visited the Joselyn Art Museum in Omaha.  We grew up in Omaha, so I had to add a Nebraska mug to my collection.  When I drink from these cups, it brings back cherished memories of time spent with my family in beautiful places.

My sister and daughter share my love for tea.  We each like different kinds, but it is fun to share that love for tea.  We include trips to tea shops in the time we spend together.

1. I am grateful for tea

2. I am grateful for my family.

3. I am grateful for the memories of travel and time spent in beautiful places with people I love.

Cover Photo

I was trying to put together a photo to use as my Cover Page on Facebook.  I started with the one above, because it includes some of my favorite people (and dogs), but when I uploaded it kind of chopped people's heads off.

Instead I went with this photo of yarn that I took at Knitting Next Door.  Not as important to me as my family, but no yarn was offended when it got chopped off.

Photo #312/365: Circle of Admirers

When Olivia was here last weekend, we just couldn't take our eyes of her.  She definitely has a circle of admirers. Here she is with her mom, Summer, Grandma Jacci, and Great Grandma Maxine.

Photo #270/365: Family

We had a lot of fun hanging out around the campfire at Adventureland.  There was lots of talking, eating, and laughting.

Photo #76: Shelby

This is my cousin's daughter, Shelby. She is now in 7th grade. She is a great kid. She is in track, she plays the saxophone, and she is involved in 4H.

Photo #75: Three Grandstaffs

The Daily Shoot for today is: Today's theme is "3". Make a photograph that features the number itself or otherwise represents 3 items.

Here are three Grandstaffs; my mom, Maxine, her brother, Gary, and her sister, Barbara, after whom I am named. We were together today for the funeral of my mom's companion/significant other, Loren. He passed away last Sunday at their home in Arizona. Not a happy circumstance, but it's always good to see family.

Photo #59: Coming Home

The Daily Shoot for today -- Sunday challenge: Make a photo that invokes or communicates happiness to the viewer.

My daughter, Lisa and her boyfriend, Colin lead busy lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. They were here this weekend to visit. There isn't anything that makes me happier than that.

Photo #58: Lisa and Colin

My beautiful daughter, Lisa and her boyfriend, Colin came to visit this weekend. We had a great time. We watched some of the Olympics and then they cooked dinner for me. After dinner I took them to my favorite coffee shop, Caribou Coffee on Ingersol. This is sort of a busman's holiday for Colin, because he works in a coffee shop. He didn't seem to mind though, because he is a big coffee fan. It is just a comfortable setting to sit and visit. After that, it was early to bed, because they have to leave very early tomorrow morning. Colin has to work. It was a long drive from St. Paul for a one day visit, but I'm glad they did it, because I enjoyed spending time with them.