Saturday, October 23, 2010

MY Full Moon Tea Party!!

Tea that helps our head and heart.
Tea medicates most every part.

Tea rejuvenates the very old.

Tea warms the hands of those who're cold.
J. Jonker, Amsterdam, circa 1670
In Tea...
I have glanced into tea leaves,
and found a forest.
Tea is all in a moment,
and a way of life.
It is recollection,
and attention to Nature.
A murmur of the breeze through the trees of Autumn,
and the warm of the hearth.
Silent mornings at home,
when rain streaks the windows' panes.
If you analyze tea, you'll find chemical components,
but not a hint of Life.
Analysis is achieved through concentration,
Synthesis arrives through relaxation.
Tea relaxes the stomach,
but it revitalizes the Heart.
Tim Maxwell
September 21, 1999

 A Tea-for-two party under October's Full Moon
It is a Witchy brew, see it bubbling
 Mr. Jack doesn't look too inviting, but is a softie at heart
Do not let the skulls or mini-me skeletons in the Tea pot bother you, they add extra flavor

 Our own little cafe--TOXIC (see sign in bush upper right)
Under the full moon of October 2010

Every one is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.
~Mark Twain
 full as in, one night shy of the actual full moon (this was last night)

Gray hairs seem to my fancy like the soft light of the moon, silvering over the evening of life.
Jean Paul

The un-invited guest's place setting , could it be yours?
 and my own

The Vietnamese Buddhist monk and philosopher,
Thich Nhat Hanh,
writes about enjoying a good cup of tea.



You must be completely awake in the present to enjoy the tea.
Only in the awareness of the present,
can your hands feel the pleasant warmth of the cup.
Only in the present, can you savor the aroma,
taste the sweetness,
appreciate the delicacy.
If you are ruminating about the past,
or worrying about the future,
you will completely miss the experience of enjoying the cup of tea.
You will look down at the cup,
and the tea will be gone.
Life is like that.
If you are not fully present,
you will look around and it will be gone.
You will have missed the feel,
the aroma,
the delicacy and beauty of life.
It will seem to be speeding past you.
The past is finished. Learn from it and let it go.
The future is not even here yet.
Plan for it,
but do not waste your time worrying about it.
Worrying is worthless.
When you stop ruminating about what has already happened,
when you stop worrying about what might never happen,
then you will be in the present moment.
Then you will begin to experience joy in life.
 


 The center holds...what?


Our Moon here in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, lent itself nicely to a 
blood moon
a Blue moon

and the old myths told to children
the moon made of green cheese

 **I am offering up a giveaway that is not made yet.**
a.) I am offering to make a flag Banner for you to use next Halloween...The flag parts will be black and say "All Hallows Eve" with colorful tulle, and ribbons and Halloween doo-dads
b.) I am offering to make a Halloween CHUNKY ATC (an example of what a CHUNKY ATC is will be pictured below)
c.) I am offering to make a "creepy coffin" similar to the one in the post previous to this titled Thursday- Altered Art, you can go and look there.


**If you would like a piece of Halloween art made by me you MUST put that in your comment, and you MUST put down which of the above three you would like to win.
and you MUST be a follower.


I will draw one name out of all the comments THAT say they wish to win  a piece of my Halloween art, one week from tonight(10/30)
ok here is an EXAMPLE of what a chunky ATC is, It is one I own made by a friend for me.


A CHUNKY ATC is a 3.5" high piece of 2 X 4. that is decorated on all 4 sides and the top. the bottom has the artist's info on it.

I hope you enjoyed my Tea party. I'll come and visit each and everyone of you, even if it takes a week.
Halloween Hugs,
Susan


Thank to Anna at Frosted petunias for this great blog tea party! Please visit the other "Teetotalers"
http://frostedpetunias.blogspot.com/2010/10/tea-party-under-halloween-moon.html

35 comments:

Joane said...

Hi Susan! I'm a follower and I would like to be entered for the giveaway for the Halloween banner. Enjoyed reading your musings on tea.

Scrap Vamp said...

A wonderful post! Loved all the information about tea! I would love for you to make me a one-of-a-kind Halloween banner if I should win your giveaaway! Thanks for the offer! Happy Halloween! Thanks for the tea and cookies!

~Celina
forevervampress@aol.com
http://scrapvamp.blogspot.com

Wendy said...

Between the Moon art, the lovely quotes and poems and the edibles, I am deliciously satisfied. I would love to enter your drawing for the Coffin, fabulous! And I am a follower. Thank you for the wonderful Tea party. Please do come by for a spot of tea at my house, we'd love to see you.

http://www.yearcats.com/2010/10/22/drinking-tea-with-the-ancestors/

Kelli Green aka Cajunstampingqueen said...

Wonderful Tea Party! I am quite honored to have been invited! Wonderful really..

Please join me for a spot of tea

Blessed Be
Kelli

http://cajunstampingqueen.blogspot.com/2010/10/day-23-welcome-to-my-tea-party.html

DogsMom said...

This is a quite wonderful post. You definitely captured the flavors of a full moon.
I would love to win a banner of any sort. Even if the tricksters do not come I can decorate for ME!

Victoria said...

Beautiful post! I love your dazzling atmospheric pictures...wonderful!Such an enchanting adventure..thankyou! and thankyou for visiting me! how genegrous of you to have agiveaway!
Lovely!
victoria

Wendy said...

Susan, What a Wonderfully spooky post. My son is sitting with me as we visit tea parties, and he loves your pumpkin and the tablesetting. He thinks it looks "Cool" I must say I love the photos. The lighting on those candles are magical. Thank you for the generous giveaway. I love the chunky ATC. How wonderfully creative. I would love to participate in your giveaway.
Please stop by for some tea, fun and a giveaway too.

http://candydelane.typepad.com/curiosities

Spells and Wishes,
wEndy from Wonderland

Sooz said...

LOVE your blog...I got here through the Thrifty Pagan blog... I would love to be entered to win your chunky ATC! I love atcs of all kinds but have never heard of a chunky one!

Kelli Green aka Cajunstampingqueen said...

Hey Susan, I know I commented yesterday but now I am back to answer the questions you posed to me about my tea party gear.

Yes i stamped the cups with just the rubber in hand to make sure to follow the curves. You can use wood mounted you just have to rock side to side and up and down without moving it so its a bit harder. I did use Stazon ink, jet black, for my project. I think black would be wonderful stamped in white!!! I did not bake them and the cups remained stamped after a handwashing. I don't know if they are dishwasher safe though.

Your tea party is still amazing! Thank you for visiting me!

Blessed Be
Kelli aka cajunstampingqueen

Kelli Green aka Cajunstampingqueen said...

Hey Susan, I am glad you got my answers. You can eat off the plates as long as you let the ink cure for 24-48 hours! The longer the better!

I would love to be in for the drawing! I would also like the chunky ATC if I am chosen!!! I love those!!!
TTYL
Kelli

Jen said...

I simply love your party and I especially love the poem by the Buddhist Monk. I would love to have one of your beautiful chunky ATC's.

Thank you for visiting my Tea Party and I am now a Follower of your blog :)

Brightest Blessings,
Jennifer

If it's okay, I would love to pass on that poem as it fits so well within my life now. I hope it's okay and I will credit where I got it from.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the tea.
The treats were yummy!!
Thanks for sharing.
Michele

BUBBLE & SQUEAK said...

Thank you for most tasty tea and how to be still enough to enjoy it.
Blessisngs
Wendy
BSstudios65@gmail.com

Jane K said...

I love stopping by your tea party, thanks for a wonderful time.

Unknown said...

Susan, I really enjoyed myself at your tea party . . . the treats were divine. Even having been warned of the 'toxicity' I couldn't help but partake! LOL! I also enjoyed the little quotes and poems . . . thanks for including them!

Oh, I would love to win one of your chunky ATC . . . they're wonderful. I thought I started following you last time I visited, but I see I didn't actually get around to it, but I sure did this time!

Thanks again for your hospitality!

Blessed Be,
Teresa
http://mygoddess-self.blogspot.com

Angela said...

Great tea party! Your decorations and photos are awesome...and spooky! I especially like that you included a 'lesson in tea.' As a tea addict, I appreciate that! LOL!
Thanks for your sweet comments regarding my tea party...
Oh, I'm a follower and I'd love a Chunky ATC. Thanks!
Angela

Lenora said...

Th- please do come on over to our Tea Party Halloween Tea Party at http://lenorita-lenoramoore.blogspot.com/2010/10/jack-o-lantern-halloween-tea-party.html!
is is wonderful - so seasonal with the glowing pumpkins! Great giveaway thanks!

Jill Marcott-McCall ~Feathers & Flight~ said...

There is Nothing Like a Warm cup of tea on a Cool Autumn Evening is There! Love your Post!
Thank You for Stopping By!
Hugs
Jill
PS Glad you Like the Gals!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hello, thank you for your comments about my tea party. I found the green balls and target. They are usually pink like the twinkies with cream in the middle. I love your tea party too.

Thanks again for visiting.

Karen
blingqueen.typepad.com

Pauline said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful post ... your photos are awesome!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for the comments you left on my blog. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
I visited your post earlier.
Thanks for the information on the tea.
Michele

Michelle said...

I love that quotation by J. Jonker concerning the tea! And those cupcakes look so delicious! Thank you for inviting me and thanks so much for stopping by my party:)

Unknown said...

I had a marvelous time at your party! I love your art, it is so creative.
Hugs, Seshat
http://seshatmoonwillow.blogspot.com

Petunia said...

Hi Susan this was so lovely! Love all of your info tea and your pictures are magical. Thank you for sharing and for joining me for my tea party under the Halloween moon tonight.

Anna

Sinderella's Studio said...

Great pumpkin carving!!!!!!!! Fun post loved visiting. Please put me in for the ahhhhhhhhh - which one, which one ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
chunky atc vs banner ahhhhhhhhhh,
chunky atc wins the coin toss!
cheers, dana

Annabelle said...

Hi Susan,

I would luv to be entered in the Halloween banner ...sounds so lovely with the tulle. Gorgeous work.I throughly enjoyed my visit here and luv, luv, luv that Monk's quote....So very true.


HAPPY HALLOWEEN !

•*´¨***~^..^~*Annabelle¸.•*´¨*¸*´¨*

Having a draw for a soldered seashell bottle on Halloween Sunday October 31st/2010 so do drop in for a visit.

Unknown said...

What a great party post Susan :-) I'd love a chance to win the chunky ATC.

And I have a blog award (or 3) waiting for you! http://www.witch-blog.com/2010/10/awards-galore/

Janee said...

Hi Susan, what a great post full of tea-inspiration! Thank you so very much. :o) ~Janee

LYNDY WARD said...

Finally catching up on all the Enchanting Full Moon Tea Parties. Love your beautiful blog & all your PICs. October 23 was my third Blogoversary, so October is a spooktacular Celebration month.

Please fly by for my giveaways too...
Hauntingly Yours, Lyndy

My Haunted Halloween Party Link:
http://bit.ly/dho880
TODAYSGOLD
http://todaysgold.blogspot.com/

Justina said...

Susan,
Thank you so much for having me at your party , those moon pictures are beautiful, I am also from New Jersey , and the moon the past few nights has been AMAZING!! Thank you for visiting my party as well :-) Penelope enjoyed your visit!

And to answer your questions... I used to have a dollhouse when I was little, but i played with it so much , that it started to fall a part ( my parents built it in the early 80s , and the wood was pretty cheap) .. So I do not have the dollhouse anymore, but I still have all the furniture and accessories for when I get a new one
:-) , I always had a love for miniatures !!

Also, I did not write that poem/spell, I used it from a book that I bought awhile back , Crone's Book of Magical Words. You can find the book here, it has some really beautiful spells and incantations in it,

http://www.amazon.com/Crones-Magical-Words-Valerie-Worth/dp/1567188257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288201016&sr=8-1

ALso , Thanks for downloading my Halloween zine! I will have to see what is wrong with the other issue... once I get to the bottom of it , I will let you know once it is back up and running :-)

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween! Let me know if you have any Jersey Devil Sightings :-P

-Justina
http://labohememagique.blogspot.com

Marianne said...

What a wonderful post! I love the writing about the proper way to drink tea. I don't drink caffeinated tea, but I love herb tea and want to find out where to get a pretty tea set like the one in your photo!
Have a wonderful day and a happy Halloween!

Sooz said...

I will comment again on this chunky ATC...I am in love with it!!!!! Love your blog....need to go back into your archives more but I keep getting stuck on this chunkeroo!

BrendaLea, the Prpldy said...

Hi Susan,

Love, love, love your Halloween art and i would so love to win any of them but especially the ATC. Thanks for the great giveaway. BTW I do follow your blog.

BrendaLea
prpldy (at) comcast dot net

Dandelion Dreams said...

I love your post, Susan. Especially the comment about Jack being frightening on the outside but a softy inside. Isn't that how it usually is? ;) Also all those beautiful writings on tea. A cup of tea is definitely something to be savored. It is a unique pleasure for sure.

Susan, while I am not entering your giveaway, I want you to know that I think whoever wins something made by you is lucky because you are one talented gal! The only reason I am not entering is because I don't "follow" any blogs at all. One of those conscious decision things. lol But your stuff rocks and it's seeing your chunky atc books that has caused me to write that on my list of "things to do." Yep! True story.

Have a hauntingly beautiful, Samhain! Hugs!

Ps...because I am late making my rounds and doing my big post I see yours of your awards. Congratulations for those. But mostly, I wanted to say don't worry about what people think of you. Yes, you may lose some "friends", but you'll gain being true to yourself, the happiness that comes with that, and you'll know that those who are truly your friend love you for who you actually are, whether they agree or not.

Now that things are calming down I can not take so long between visiting, for I really do enjoy your blog. :)

Living a Balanced life in texas said...

I'm now a follower; I wouln't mind winning the coffin. Took me awhile to stop by for the tea party post.