Stitching Up a Happy New Year: Embellished Tea Towels

Whoa, does anyone still even remember me? I barely remember myself. Nine months since my last post. Nine months. Enough time to create a human life. While I didn't create anyone new, I did spend plenty of time creating myself. 

I have been promoted...twice. I have directed two more shows. I have run another half-marathon. I have been to Disney World. I have had surgery.
The surgery was recent, just last week. It was frightening, but I am healing. Go through the procedure and now nurturing myself through the healing process, I have really been able to focus what makes me happy: making things. I am committed to making more time to make.

Although I have multiple WIP that I really should be working on (more on those soon, I promise,) I decided that a great way to start the year would be to make some embroidered and embellished tea towels for my kitchen. I focused on things that I really love. It also showed me that I REALLY love decorating tea towels...weird.

WIP Wednesday;The biggest project of all...

me.

It has been a difficult week. I have been sick. Very sick, like lie in bed and barely move your head off the pillow sick. I have missed 4 days of work and have cancelled a week's worth of rehearsals. It has not been pleasant. My more sweetie has had to listen to me moan and groan ad nausem...poor guy. But I did do LOTS of planning. I have posts planned through mid-November and my menu until the first week done...all three meals/day. I was able to do a teeny bit of work--some roasting, some hand sewing, some knitting.

You will see the fruits of labors soon, once the hard work of getting well is done.

Thankful Thursday: Honey Ginger Lemon Tea

It has been a time of illness here...and everyone else it seems. There is nothing so soothing as a nice hot cup of tea. Last year, a friend introduced me to what has become my absolute favorite beverage, honey ginger lemon tea. Just the ritual of making it begins to heal me.

The ingredients are simple and few: honey, a slice of lemon, a good quality tea (I really prefer Earl Grey for this recipe) and some ginger. If you are even luckier, you will have some ginger syrup on hand. I was given some as a holiday gift from The Cozy Herbivore herself and feel in love. The tea is even more of a delight with it added.

The Cozy Herbivore's Ginger Syrup:

Ingredients:

• A good sized knob of ginger
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup water

Method:

• Cut the ginger into pieces, no need to peel
• Add that and the brown sugar to the water and bring to a boil
• Strain and store in an airtight container in the fridge

To make the tea:

• Place two teaspoons of honey and a good glurg of ginger syrup (or several chunks of ginger) into your favorite mug.
• Squeeze the juice of one lemon wedge into the mug. Put the wedge into the cup.
• Add hot water and stir.
• Lastly, add a tea bag or tea ball into the mug and steep until the tea is the strength you prefer--3 to 5 minutes.
• Enjoy!