Floriography and Butterfly Pea Tea

   As a birthday gift, my daughter and son-in-law gave me some herbal teas and a lovely book on flowers.  They know me well.  I love to learn about plants and also love trying new teas.  So far, I have tried one.  It seems that I cannot get enough of this stuff!  She and I had discussed butterfly pea tea in the past but have never had any to try.  So...now I do!  The good thing about this tea is that it blends well with so many other things.  The pretty thing about this tea is the color....it is blue!  (Well, sort of teal blue.)  The interesting thing about butterfly pea tea is it changes color with the addition of lemon juice!  (Yes, they bought me two fresh lemons to go with my teas!)  While most articles on the tea say it changes from blue to pink with the addition of the lemon juice, mine changed from teal to violet...which I liked better since those are two favorite colors.  The deep jewel-tone colors are striking! 

  The book is on "floriography" which is considered to be the language of flowers. It delves into the symbolism of different blooms and even their colors.  The book tells how to communicate certain emotions through gifting flowers.  You can tell others how you adore them or even how you are not fond of them simply through the type and color of blooms you send.  Interesting!  I will have to keep track of any flowers I receive so I will be fully aware of the intentions behind the bouquet!

  For the past few days since my birthday, I have spent the evenings with the book and tea.  There is something comforting about this routine and I feel quite Victorian sitting on my antique settee, sipping a cup of violet-colored tea while reading my book on "Floriography".  I still say I was born in the wrong era and it appears that my daughter and son-in-law understand this.  Not everyone does.

Bringing Back the Parlor

  There is a saying around that could possibly be one of the most intelligent things anyone has ever said.  "What is wrong with the world today, is that no one sits on the front porch and talks anymore."  Probably more accurately, people yammer and not truly talk or listen. Gone are the days when folks would gather around (usually in the Deep South, that gathering was on a front porch.) and have true conversations.  The gatherings stopped, conversing became nil and the country went to pot.  (And if you do not know what that means, then you obviously have not been to a gathering.)

  The screened porches of the past served well as a meeting spot of sorts.  In the Deep South, it is where we kept cool and relatively free from bugs.  The only problem was that those gatherings had to come to a halt in mid-December all the way through March.  Cold weather and slow conversations do not mix well.  It was during those months that the frequent visits were moved to the parlor.  No self-respecting Southern Belle was without a "nice" parlor.  Ladies and gents warmed themselves by the parlor stove and the woes of the world were put in order. 

  So..since my screened porch is still in the wish stages, I have decided to bring back the parlor.  This is not to be confused with a living room where people lounge about staring at their mind-thieving cell phones.  There is just something about the mere mention of a parlor that brings to mind a deep connection of those who sit and converse.  

  Today, I decorated my "parlor" for Christmas.  Since Son helped me lug some my antique furniture into the room, I figured that I might as well go full 1800s with a decorating theme.  Heavy garlands were made, a tabletop tree was decorated and lots of lace doilies from my grandmother's chest were put into use. While it is still a work in progress, I am satisfied that the parlor would have pleased my grandmother. Now if I could only bring back the art of true conversation all would be right in my little world.