Time for one last cup of tea

Hello, come on in, it's chilly outside isn't it?
Let me take your coat and we can get warm in my room surrounded by many many quilts.

I would take you up the many flights of stairs to my uni room, talking as we went. It is such a tradition sitting and having tea now, that there are no awkward pauses at all. We get going the moment we set foot through the door.

I would usher you into my room and I would offer you one of two chairs or the bed. All are comfy and all come with a quilt. You are welcome.
As you made yourself at home I would pour the first mug of tea and offer you cookies. It is the one thing I really miss about having my own place, not having that much space to bake any more.
Ah well, the christmas holidays are nearly upon us and the kitchen at home will be busy most days with baking, cooking and stewing!

Look at that, we are on to the Christmas talk already! What are your preparations. I am quite a purist when it comes to Christmas. Christmas starts for me on the 1st of December. I really want to pop the christmas music on but I am resisting till next week.
As you wrapped your hands around your mug I would ask you about christmas presents. Do you buy them or make them? Either way I love the hunt of finding that special gift. There is always one I am particularly proud of.

I would pass you the plate of cookies and you would ask me how term has been? I think I would ponder for a bit and tell you it has been so good in many ways. The workload has been manageable, I am enjoying being surrounded by my friends again. Being a third year is lovely. On the other hand, things feel more serious. I had some PGCE interviews this week and it was emotionally and intellectually exhausting. I am so excited for what next year may bring though. I think I am ready to start career things. Did you feel like that as you came to your last year at uni?

At this point, I'm sure the mugs would need refilling and the talk would naturally turn to craft things. As you know I completed Miss Maggie Rabbit and it was wonderful. I so enjoy having something to busy my hands with. I am planning on doing some more weaving when I get home and also have a few sewing projects in the works. I am hoping santa will be kind and send me some dress patterns I have been swooning over! What are you making at the moment?
Sitting on my shelf is my project life book, we would probably take it out and look at it together. My housemate comes in and often sits with it. I think it's a very tactile book. How are you doing with project life you ask? I'm behind, I would smile. Although, that is nothing new. I do it when I have a few minutes I would tell you. It's not a project I like to force myself to do. It should be fun, and when I'm busy, it isn't fun, so I'm giving it time.

Look at that, the cookies are dwindling! They are a Beach family favourite and always seem to disappear swiftly.

Looking at me intently you would ask about time for tea. I would say, with a catch in my voice, that it is sad to see it go. That I feel so privileged that people have stopped for tea with me each month, have shared their highs and their lows. I would tell you that it has reinforced to me how much we need to share with each other, how great our love of storytelling is. I would tell you that the official meme may end but time for tea won't. The kettle is always on in my house. I won't stop chatting about the everyday stuff and hope you won't either. This blog community is magic.

The time would come for you to leave. I have been dreading this. But it has to happen. The hug would be a long one. There may be tears. But like I said, come back soon. You are always welcome.

You would walk off down the cobble street and my hand would be raised in farewell.

If you were sitting down for tea with me today, what would you say?

This is the last month I will run time for tea. I am so so grateful for everyone who has joined in other the months, everyone who has shared, everyone who has laughed with me over a mug of 'brew'. It has been an absolute delight. This last time, do sit down and write a post. It doesn't need to be long, just chat to me over your favourite drink. And if you want to get all nostalgic like me, you can find all the previous time for tea posts under the link on the sidebar!

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Hello, come on in, can you feel that nip in the air? It has dropped a few degrees around here and we are definitely starting to think of Autumn.

I would lead you through our lounge, waving at my little brother and into the kitchen where the AGA is toasty, the pot of tea is already on the table and fresh brownies are cooling on the side.

Sitting back I would pour you your first cup and tell you that it has been a bit of a whirlwind month.
We got back from holiday last week and had the most magical time. The weather was lovely, Boston was beautiful and it was great to have family time. Smiling I would tell you stories of walking through the 'dodgy' end of town just to reach a fabric shop. Of the time we were so tired from walking that we decided to head back to our house and straight to the ice cream parlour down the road. Or that time when we ran to get the train on the subway only to find, once on it, that it was going in the wrong direction!
Smiling you would laugh and probably tell me that these are the stories that make a holiday and become a piece of family history and retellings.

As I offered you a slice of brownie I would ask you about your holiday. Did you get anywhere exciting?

As I say though, it has been a whirlwind few days. No sooner did we get back from holiday than I hurried off to the farm to see my very favourite person. The farm at this time of year is magical.
It's harvest so it is very busy, but man, it is something else to see that huge combine harvester, collect in all the wheat and leave behind a trail of stubble and dust. It's noisy yes, but exciting.
As I cradled my mug in my hands I would tell you how good it was to walk across those golden fields with the boy. Despite the noise of harvest, it's peaceful and remote and oh so good for my soul.

Listen to me whitter on! Your tea is gone and the pot needs a topping up.
Whilst I do that, fill me in on your crafty plans. What have you created, what are you planning?
Me? Well I don't mind telling you that I am in a rut with project life. A lot of photos to scrap and a bit of project life block if you catch my drift. It will come. I'm not going to force it.
My current project is a bit of sewing. Clothes sewing. Exciting I know. I have very nearly finished a sweet little top and have big plans for a tunic dress. This was my first time following a dress pattern and was far simpler than I first imagined. I envision a whole new world of craft opening up for me!

We would continue chatting, pausing over this and that, laughing hard and munching through the cake. Time would probably fly and all too soon, the clock in the hall would chime and we would smile at how quickly it goes with friends.

I would walk you to the hall and we would embrace.
"come again soon" I say, "I promise." you reply.

If you were sitting down for tea with me today, what would you say?

I am looking forward to seeing some of you at the bloggers retreat soon and sharing in an actual cup of tea! What a treat is in store! 

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea.

Hello, come on in.
Isn't the weather glorious, shall we take our tea outside?

If you were meeting me today I would usher you to our big weathered wooden table. The tea pot would already be placed along it along with the mugs and a whole selection of cakes and puddings.

Your eyes would light up at the sight of the sweet treats. I would explain that we had a family party yesterday, hence the mountain of food left and the slightly weary expression on my face! Mum is a fantastic cook and a big fan of Mary Berry. She whipped up this pudding in no time and it went down a treat. I'm sorry there isn't any left for you to sample but I can promise you it was fab!

Speaking of Mary Berry, I have heard on the Facebook grapevine that the new series is starting in August. Are you a fan I would ask? I'm not really too keen on reality tv but the bake off is quite gentle and the cakes always look very scrummy.

I would pour your mug of tea and we would sit back and look around the garden. It is a beautiful place. full of roses and lavender and a crazy climbing passionflower. As usual, tea in hand, leaning closer, the topic would get onto craft and scrapbooking. I would, with a smile, thank you for your sweet comments on my last post. The support from blog friends still astounds me. I am also amazed at the opportunities that have come my way through blogging. What a magical place the internet is sometimes. You would probably ask me how I found paper scrapbooking and I think I would have to take a bite  of cake before I answered. It was so much fun. More fun than I expected. I loved working from a kit because it got rid of all that decision making!
Leaning in further and said in a very quiet voice I would confide to you that I would like to slowly get back into it. Not in a big way, you must understand. Just as something for the holidays, a few pages made with special photos. We'll see though.

Look at me, wittering on to you. Tell me what projects you have been working on. Can I offer you a top up? Another slice of something whilst you tell me?
What are your summer plans?
We had a lovely day out in London last week. the weather was scorching. We wandered to the Tate modern and looked at the Matisse cut outs which are well worth a visit if you are in the city. We then headed to the imperial war museum. It was very very busy but interesting. We had great fun in the shop looking at some first and second world war posters. Isn't this one fantastic?

If I was having tea with you now the time would run away from us as we chatted over this and that, about family, friends and plans. I would tell you how the boy and I sat down the other day and started the conversation about teacher training. The process is a long one and although the application doesn't open until November, a form, a personal statement, references and a choice about where to go has to be made. Thankfully the summer is long and there is time. It's a very funny thought though that there is just one year left of my degree. How time flies!

We would look down at our plates, crumbs scattered about and dregs in the cup. I think you would probably laugh and I would comment that really nothing beats tea and cake and a catch up with a good friend. I hope you would agree.

We would rise slowly and walk to the garden gate, stopping every few feet as another topic of conversation begins. Reaching the gravel drive I would hug you tightly and ask you to come again next month.
I can't wait.

If you were having tea with me today, what would you tell me?

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Hello! Come in, it's so good to see you again. The kettle is on and there are some biscuits in the tin. Do pull up that chair and we can sit in the sun outside.

If I was meeting you now, I would carry the tea tray outside from the kitchen, all the while chatting and asking you questions as we poured the first steaming mug in the bright sunshine. You would probably ask about home and I would say with a happy sigh in my voice that it is good to be back. I like the slower pace of holiday time, the lazy, balmy days, the crafting in the daytime and the board games in the evenings. It is good to get away from what can be quite a high pressured academic environment. That said, I do miss my friends back in Durham. You would most likely say that it sounds idyllic and laughing I would tell you that I am painting a very rosy picture of my holidays. Much of it this time will be spent looking for work which is possibly one of the most dispiriting things to do.

I'm grumbling now. Could I offer you a cookie? They are a Beach family favourite- chocolate chip. You can't go wrong! As I passed you the tin the topic would move round to the end of term. If you have children are they finishing up for the year? My term ended beautifully with lots of picnics, social events and a wonderful college ball. It took place at a big country hotel with a ferris wheel in the grounds. Very romantic on a still summers evening. Smiling, I would tell you that I am meaning to blog those photos however there has been a bit of a boy overload on the blog recently and perhaps they could wait for a bit!

Cradling my mug in my hands we would chat about the passing of time, how quickly this year seems to have gone, how I only have one more year left of uni. As so many people ask at this stage you would bring up future plans. I am one of the lucky ones who has a pretty firm idea of what they want to do. I am planning on going into teaching. It will mean one more year of study but I am excited by it. I come from a family of teachers so I have a pretty clear idea of the highs and lows of the profession.

Speaking of school, the conversation would move to my own school and my little brother who finished there last week. I think you would nod with understanding as I told you how odd it is to say goodbye to a place I have known well for ten years. I think it was stranger for my parents. All their children have now left school. Our school was very special to us. We boarded there, we grew up there, we made lasting friendships there. On Saturday we went for the prize giving service and it was a very surreal experience to be suddenly losing that connection.
Listen to me! I'm going all nostalgic!

The teapot is topped up, another cookie is offered and as usual we begin that lovely talk about crafts and blogging and creating. I am working on lots of quilting projects at the moment. One quilt for my friend, one for me and lots of quilt squares. Are you participating in the friendship quilt? Have you had your 'month' yet? I have also got an exciting project in the works involving paper scapbooking again. I am excited and terrified about this as I haven't paper scrapbooked in nearly two years. I am hoping it will all come back to me!

We both look at our watches. Where does the time go? It seems five minutes since you came through that garden gate. I feel there is so much left to catch up on but I think that is always the case with good friends. We rise and then another topic springs to mind and we get talking again. It is only on the third attempt that we realise you really must be off. I walk you to the drive and we hug tightly.

Come back soon I say.
It is so good seeing you again. Let's do this again soon.
"definitely" you say as you turn and wave goodbye.

If you were having tea with me today what would you tell me?

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Come in, come in.
I'm glad to see you have dodged the rain showers. As my mum would say peering at the sky, "it's looking black over Bill's mothers..."
Oh, that's it, dodge the suitcase, let me take your coat and make your tea.

If I was meeting you now I would sit you in the saggy red sofa and chatter away to you as I pulled out the pretty mugs and the teapot. I would laugh and point at the piles of things around the lounge and joke that you can't tell it's the end of term can you?! I'm getting ready to pack off and head home for the easter vacation. I think you would probably raise your eyebrows and say something along the lines of "already?" and I would respond, yes, can you believe it!

As I passed you the first steaming mug of tea and the plate of biscuits I would comment how fast this term has gone. How last year I found this term quite tough. Epiphany term is always the hard one in the university calendar. All essays submitted count towards your degree and there are a lot of them. It's normally dark and wet and cold and everyone has a lot on. Smiling though I would tell you that somehow this term was better than I expected it would be. The work happened, I kept smiling and we avoided snow. All good things!

Can you believe spring is upon us? You would look out of the window and see the rain bouncing off the pavement. Yes, it's hard to believe isn't it! Have you got plans for Easter? Cradling my mug, my eyes shining I would tell you about how exciting it always is to go home and see the family. I would tell you that I am excited to work on a project with my best friend. I am making her a quilt. Together we have chosen the material, a moda jelly shop roll, and we are planning how to cut it up and make it into something pretty to throw over her bed. Creating with friends is just the best.

If you had teenage children or maybe if you remembered your own student days you would probably ask me if this term consisted of revision. Yes, yes I'm afraid it does I would sigh as I poured myself a second cup of tea. Would you like one? Keep this under wraps but I do quite like revision! I think its the excuse to buy some nice stationery and organise work into pretty colours! I feel though I may be alone in this. Revision is always better when everyone else is working too though. Most of my friends are taking finals this year so there really is no excuse to work!

I would help myself to another biscuit and pass the plate over to you. "I need to finish them up", I would tell you. "you're doing me a favour eating them!" As we both enjoy blogging and crafting our topic of conversation would move onto this and I would sighing tell you that I have been doing less blogging this month but hope to change that over the holidays. It always ebbs and flows and after nearly five years at this little gig I have learnt to just go with it. The words will come when the time is right. Gosh, that sounded very philosophical. I would smiling tell you that despite the lack of blogging in these parts, the support from blog friends has been incredible. I am loving participating in the friendship quilt- Bev, your square will be on the way to you soon. I have signed up for a bloggers retreat in September so will maybe be sharing my cup of tea in person with some of you soon. I have also skyped a dear blog friend of mine, Sinead this week and am hoping a visit to see her in Ireland will happen in the not too distant future. Community is wonderful isn't it we would agree.

I would look up at the clock and with sadness in my voice tell you that I will have to be on my way soon. My train is waiting and I am anxious to do one more check around the house for those stray objects that will be forgotten. Thank you thank you for stopping by again. It is always wonderful to see you.

I would tell you to wrap up warm. The rain is still blowing in and there is a nip in the air. We would hug tightly at the threshold. "see you soon" I would call as you stepped onto the street. "definitely!" you would reply.

If you were having tea with me today, what would you tell me?

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Hello, how good to see you again. It's bright and sunny and a bit blustery but doesn't it feel like Spring is on its way!

If I was meeting you now, I would lead you arm in arm again to another of our favourite coffee shops. I love the number of independent little places we have here and it is such a joy to show you them all. You are in for a real treat with this one.

I would march with you, heads down against the breeze up the steep cobbled street to the little cafe on the right. We would push open the red door and you would "ahhh" as you entered the sweet little place. I would smile with delight at your reaction. This place is full of artwork and it is a real feast for the eyes.

If you were with me now I would tell you I am ordering something special. A unique thing from this coffee shop. You would probably look at me puzzled but I would tell you to just wait and see. In the meantime I would ask you how you are, how has your week been? Mine has been surprisingly peaceful. I had a very busy, full on week a fortnight ago and because of that the subsequent weeks have been feeling very relaxed in comparison.  I would smile as I told you that the sun is a definite factor in my cheery and happy mood these last two weeks.

You would look up as the shop owner came over holding a big wooden board. He is a lovely man and would probably joke with you as he put the plate in front of us. It's called "pan ooh chocolate". A saucepan full of rich hot chocolate, a chocolate flake and a belgian waffle. Scrummy. As we started to dip the waffle into the pan I would tell you how I am looking forward to these last few weeks of term, that I can't quite believe that there are only three and a half weeks left! I would tell you that the promise of spring is making me so joyful, that and an imminent visit from the boy. Smiling I would ask what has made you happy this week. Often I find it can be the simple little things.

The hot chocolate would be getting dangerously low in the pan! I would look up laughing. We are enjoying this far too much! As usual the conversation would turn to crafts. I would tell you with excitement in my voice that there is a new wool shop in Durham. This could be very dangerous. It sells such lovely wool, really good quality stuff. Whispering I would tell you that I treated myself to some pale grey soft aran wool. I am hoping to knit this up into a pretty and light scarf to tide me through the blustery days. Do you knit? What projects are you working on at the moment?

We would lean back in our chairs, taking a break from all of that chocolate goodness. Speaking of art I would show you a new card I found. It is the work of Rob Ryan. He makes these beautiful and evocative paper cuttings. This was a cheap card but I couldn't bring myself to send it. It's so beautiful. I hope to make some form of a collection of these and maybe frame them one day. I like how whimsical they are. Do you have a favourite artist you look out for?

Ah look, there is a piece of waffle left, go on, you have it! Our conversation would move gently on to home life. I would ask you how you enjoyed half term? I always find it is a funny week. University doesn't have it (our terms are so short anyway) but lots of families come up and visit. It is nice in a way to be able to phone home easily in the day but I think I miss them more when I know they are all in the lounge watching the rugby. How are your housemates? You might ask and I would tell you that they are very well. On Saturday we went for a lovely walk. I will tell you more about it another time but I would mention, my eyes sparkling, that it is something I am looking forward to doing more as the days grow longer. We found a new walk along the river this weekend and the views were something else.

Here we go again, where has the time gone? The plate is empty, the hot chocolate has long disappeared! You look at your watch and I look at mine. We need to head off we know, but it was so good to sit in your company again and just chat. Thank you for taking the time to see me today.

We leave the warm comfort of the little coffee shop, back onto that cobbled road. I am heading right and you are heading left. We hug, my hand raised in goodbye. "Ill see you soon" I call "in just a month" you reply.

If you were having tea with me today, what would you tell me?

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Hello, hello, it's so good to see you!
I wave at you across the market square and the wind buffets you towards me and we hug tightly.

If we were meeting now I would link a thickly gloved hand through your arm and lead you off to one of my favourite coffee shops in Durham. The one that is off the beaten track, that serves lovely big pieces of cake.

We would sigh as we entered the warm building and smelt the freshly baked scones.
We would pick a quiet table in the corner, looking out over the city and I would start to unwind and take off the many layers I have on.
I feel the cold.

If you were with me now, I would order us a big pot of tea (or coffee or even hot chocolate if you prefer), lean towards you and ask you how you are? We would comment on how nice it is to see each other again and how much we look forward to this catch up every month. I would tell you how blessed and amazed I feel that so many people choose to meet with me for tea like this and how wonderful it is to hear everyones news, big and small.

Oh look the tea has arrived. Your cake looks delicious. I may have to steal a sneaky bite! As you poured the first cups, I would tell you how the first week back has been. Busy sums up how I feel. Already? you ask and I sigh "yes, so it seems". I fear that that is the Durham way of life and I am learning, every day I am learning to just take the busy as it comes. Secretly I know I thrive on it so whilst it can be a culture shock after a long holiday, I really relish the challenges that come with having a lot on!

If you were opposite me now, I would curl my hands around the hot cup, letting the warmth seep back into my fingers. You would ask me about craft and I would tell you all about my ideas and plans. That I am making a quilt for my best friend and I am so excited to get working on it over easter. Laughing I would confess that I have three quilt blocks waiting on my desk and they all need to be posted. I am really enjoying being part of this year long collective and it is definitely making me think of new ideas for each block. I would ask you if you are part of any blog swaps/pass alongs etc?

Your eyes sparkling you would ask me about scrapbooking. Project life is going well I would tell you. I am liking this no pressure approach. Posting every other week is wonderful too. A new template can definitely freshen things up and I am enjoying creating my own elements. I often sit and look through my book from 2013 and it is definitely an incentive to keep this project up!

How is your cake? The portions are large aren't they? I would ask you how your crafts are going? Have you tried anything new? I would point to my scarf and tell you with just a little bit of pride how I made it on my loom. Laughing I would sit back and tell you of the weaving disaster and how the scarf was very nearly abandoned if it wasn't for my Dad. It's a story that needs to be told on the blog and I am saving it for the right time and the right words.

A second cup of tea is definitely in order. As I poured, the conversation would move to friends. I would tell you that I am enjoying being back in the company of my housemates. I didn't realise how much I missed just sitting in the kitchen in our pyjamas, drinking tea and eating biscuits. I think you would probably breathe a sigh of relief when I told you that I am getting to bed much earlier this term and I can already feel the benefits. I think you would then roll your eyes! I know, I know, I should have worked that one out! Smiling you would ask about the boy and I would thank you for doing so. He is well, busy in his final year. I feel very lucky to have him, he is a great guy and definitely keeps me laughing.

We would look down at our plates. Crumbs now and dregs of tea. I would start to wrap the scarf around my neck, ready to brace the Durham winter. We would stand up and stopping and pausing every few feet to talk, we would make our way back to the cobbled street.
Thank you, I would say. Thank you for joining me again this month. Meeting with blog friends is just the best.

I would hug you tightly as we got back to the market square and make you promise to see me again, this time next month.

If you were having tea with me today, what would you tell me?

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Hello, come on in, out of the cold, let me take your coat and scarf.
Yes, the wind is picking up and there is definitely a real chill in the air.

If you were meeting me now, I would usher you into the lounge, asking you to excuse the laptop cables and discarded text books. As you can see the work is increasing as we hit the home straight of term.

I promised you cake and there is some waiting in the tin as well as a few sneaky mince pies. I had my first one of the year last week and had forgotten how much I enjoy them. Would you like a cup of tea? Coffee? Hot chocolate?

If you were with me now I would curl up next to you on the sofa, my knees up to my chest, holding my mug close to me to keep warm. (We are a student house you know!) I would lean forward and ask you, my eyes bright, what your christmas plans were? I would tell you that I can't wait to get home, there is something about the evenings drawing in that makes me want to be at home in front of a roaring fire. I would ask you if you are having family over or are you travelling? I would tell you that we are all at home for Christmas. Now that both me and my brother are at university and the littlest is at school just being together in one place is a treat. I would ask you if you have any christmas wishes. I would laughingly tell you that I have asked for one very unusual crafty christmas gift. I wonder if you can guess?

Have another mince pie? I personally like mine warmed, would you too? The conversation would move around to crafts. I would go and show you the beautiful tag that I was sent in the Christmas decoration swap from Jill. I would ask you if you participated. I can't wait to show you what I sent to Deb but need to wait till she receives it first! I am also trying to come up with plans for table decorations on Christmas day. Do you do christmas crafts? Ooh, now I am on the subject of crafts, come and see the lovely box full of beautiful quilt pieces. I am itching to get these stitched up in the holiday! I have also treated myself to a new quilting magazine and some of the projects in there are mouth watering. I would pull it out and together we would stroke the pages, gazing at the patterns and colours. Do you subscribe to a magazine?

Time would pass happily and we before we knew it the plates would be covered in crumbs and the the pot would be empty. I would thank you for reading my post a few days ago about blogging. I loved hearing so many wise words and kind comments. I would tell you that I am excited for what the new year holds, both with project life and with this little space. I would tell you that it was really cathartic for me to talk through blogging with you.

The darkness is closing in and I would get up to close the curtains. You would tell me that you had to be off. I would lead you to the door and it would take us a while to get there because we would keep stopping and carrying on our conversation. I would thank you so much for coming around again, thank you that this has become a regular thing and marvel with you that we have been doing this for a whole year now. It is good to share life with you.

As you walked down the road, you would turn, your hand raised in greeting and I would wave you from my doorway, light spilling onto the road.

If you were meeting with me now, what would you tell me? 

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Come in, come in out of the cold.
The wind is blowing a gale and the rain is starting to sputter in from the North. We are expected a storm sometime tomorrow.

It's good to see you in Durham again. Here, take the comfy red sofa and I'll pop the kettle on....

If you were meeting me now I would sit down next to you on that soft sofa, feet curled up around me, hands cradling a mug of tea.
I would apologise that it is a bit cold in the lounge. We haven't yet put the heating on, being students and all that. We would laugh together as I told that you that the quilts are definitely coming into their own.

Speaking of quilting I would quickly rush upstairs and come down with a very special box in my hands. I would tell you all about the friendship quilt that Fiona has initiated, about the lovely parcels that arrive most weeks and the beautiful squares that have arrived in the post. We would pour together over the patterns and colours. I would tell you how lovely it is to be a part of this worldwide creative group. That every time a parcel arrives I get to chat to my housemates about blogging and dear blog friends. You would give me suggestions for how to quilt it together. I would tell you that I want to incorporate the creators initials onto their squares and may embroider them on when the quilt is finished.
I would carefully move the layers of material to find the square I am looking for, which is very relevant today. The lovely tea cup that Deb sent me all the way from the states!

Thinking of tea, do you want a top up? No? I have a spiced pound cake just out of the oven which is truly scrummy with a bit of butter. Can I tempt you?
As we dived into the cake I would tell you about how the last month has been. How I forget what a whirl student life is. How it really is one thing after another and that I can only really look at a day at a time. I would confide that all the things I am involved in are good. That I am loving my course this year, that I am doing more children's work and that I have the great blessing of leading a home group from church. That said, these things take time along with looking after our dear little house.
I would ask you how you manage it? How do you juggle work and cooking and housework and for many of you children?
This adult lark takes quite some doing!

But enough about me. How are you? How has your October been? Ours has been soggy and windy. I crave those crisp and sunny days with crunchy leaves though they have been few and far between. I am hopeful for what November will bring! How is your blog? I am interested. It feels like a few of us are taking more of a break between posts. I certainly am. Maybe it is this time of year, more hunkering down and creating than time spent online? Or perhaps it is the business that preludes Christmas.
You would probably laugh at me for discussing christmas so early! I would tell you that I am involved in another lovely creative swap with Miriam, sending decorations to other bloggers.

I am going to pop the kettle back on. You can never have too much tea in my opinion.
You would ask me how I am enjoying living out and I would tell you that I still love it. I still like having a place to call home, I like my little room in the top of the house and the view over the chimney pots. I would tell you all about our little dinner parties. Of the joy of having friends over on a saturday night to share food.

I look at my watch and realise we have been talking for most of the afternoon. How time flies with friends. Durham will be packed on your walk back. Many families come and visit in this first half term. Is it half term for you? What are you up to? I am working in a school at the moment one afternoon a week so this week will be a bit more relaxed for me too, even though lectures continue.

I would lead you to the door, passing you your coat from the peg. We would hug tightly and I would make you promise to come for tea again in a month when I have a feeling that it will feel slightly more wintery! Isn't it lovely that we have been meeting like this for nearly a whole year!

I would wave you off as you walked down the hill calling goodbye as you rounded the corner.

If you were meeting with me now, what would you tell me? 

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Hello.

It's so good to see you. Come in out of the cold, yes it is cold, it's the north! 

This is our student home and we are so excited to be here. 

If you were meeting me now I would usher you into our lounge. We have two squidgy sofas and a lovely wooden table. Take your pick. Would you like tea? The kettle is on and we have lovely eclectic collection of mugs to choose from.

I have lots to catch you up on. As you took your first swig of tea I would offer you a slice of birthday cake and dive into my news. As of yesterday I am settled into my first little house. It is very sweet and a bit quirky. You would probably laugh and tell me that all student houses are like that! I would tell you that I have a little attic room at the top of the house and I am enjoying the challenge of decorating it and trying to make it light and airy. 

As we leaned back on the sofa and I curled my cold toes up around myself, I would laugh and tell you that I am excited to start this adventure of living out. That I am nervous about being fully dependant on myself and that we have already negotiated the mysteries of the county Durham bin collection. I would tell you that we had our first bill through the post and we officially feel like very scared adults! 

I would apologise for wittering on like this and ask you how you are? How has September been for you? I would tell you that it is always my favourite month although it is strange when everyone starts back at school and work and I am still waiting to head back to uni. You would ask me about my birthday, how kind, and I would smile broadly. I had the best day with lovely parcels from blog friends and home friends alike. The boy popped around too along with my best friend and we enjoyed an indian with my family. I was also treated to a new lens from my family. I would tell you that I felt very spoilt and very loved. 

As we mentioned my birthday I would get up and offer you two different birthday cakes. Yes, that is two. My mum insisted on packing me up with some homemade cake from home and then when I arrived in Durham my housemates put on the best surprise treasure hunt all the way around the house complete with cake at the end. So yes, two cakes and both chocolate. Diet, what diet? 

I would offer you a top up and then we would lean in close to chat about crafts and blogs and making pretty things. I would tell you that I was shocked and awed by the response to the jot article. That I feel so lucky to have had a chance to write in it and consequently have found many new people to follow. I would ask you what projects you have on the go at the moment. I would mention that I have a few things on my desk but what with setting up a new house I am feeling busy so am trying to keep it simple. I would mention that I feel guilty about  not getting around to visit many blogs recently but keep reminding myself that I have to go at my own pace. Peaks and troughs, swings and roundabouts, going with the flow may become my mantra for the year! 

Before you left I would give you a quick tour of the house. My bedroom is up two flights of stairs so yes, I am going to become very fit by the end of the year! I have a beautiful skylight in my room and I opened it early this morning to listen to the sounds of the city waking up. If you didn't gather, I am so excited to be back! 

With that we would walk slowly downstairs, lingering at the door to say goodbye. I would make you promise to come again next month and give you a big hug before you walked back down the hill, hand waving in goodbye. 

If you were meeting with me now, what would you tell me? 

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Hello,

It's so good to see you. It feels like only yesterday we were sitting down to share life over a pot of tea and here we are again, another month having flown by.

If you were with me now I would take you by the arm to our weathered garden table. It has been bank holiday weekend here in the UK and uncharacteristically for a national holiday the weather has been hot and sunny.

I would tell you that I am keen to enjoy this weather for as long as it lasts- which I don't think will be long- and ask if you will be warm enough if we sit out here. You would assure me that you are just fine so I would pull the tray towards me and pour the first steaming mug out of the big blue teapot.

We would sit there leaning back in our chairs, comfortable with each other as I started to tell you what had happened in the last month. I would start by saying that I am looking forward to Autumn. It has always been my favourite season, partly because my birthday is in September but also because I love the sense of anticipation of this season. Laughingly I would tell you that Autumn appeals to two sides of me, my nesting instinct and my craving of routine. I am not a huge winter fan but I see Autumn as the grace period before the horrible weather starts. The time to knit and sew and create warm and snuggly blankets ready for the snow. I also like the vibe that "back to school" brings. Autumn says organisation to me, fresh paper and new folders. After a lazy summer I need routine.
I would gaze up from my tea and ask you what your favourite season is?

Would you like a cookie? They are freshly baked and there is the choice of two. Peanut butter and chocolate or straight chocolate. Healthy you say? I don't think that exists with us. The more chocolate the better!

As you took your first cookie (yes I am anticipating more than one) I would talk to you about how my creativity seems to keep track with the seasons. That summer makes my creativity sleepy and lazy but now the cooler weather is drawing closer I feel myself drawn to more projects. I would tell you how excited I am to share some more simple DIY's I have made in the last week or so. That I am pondering carrying on the series I started this time last year called "the student makes". A series of DIY's on the cheap. I feel like my creative mojo is slowly seeping its way back it. I would ask you what you do when you feel creatively uninspired and you would probably share with me very wise tips from years of crafting and making.

How about another cup of tea? As I cradled by second mug in my hands I would tell you that August has been a busy, busy month. A month of good busy things but one of those months where I feel like I am on the go a lot. I would smile as I recounted the adventures I have had from going to France with the boy to visiting uni friends to catching up with long time school friends over a cup of tea. We would smile as we talked about friendship and I would tell you that I feel very blessed to have a life where I am surrounded by wonderful, funny and kind friends.

Speaking of friendship I would say with perhaps a hint of longing in my voice that I am eager to head back to Durham. I have another month yet but that nesting instinct is kicking in. My next project is to collect recipes from my mum and start practicing in the kitchen. I would look you in the eyes and tell you honestly that I am beyond excited to share a house with three of my closest friends but am also so intimidated by that big step into adulthood. What was your first house like? I would smile and ask you if you had any tips?

Doesn't time fly when we are together. The tea is turning cold now and there is definitely a bite in the air. I have been meaning to ask you a question. I have just had a good clear out and have a lot of scrapbook stuff, still in good condition, that I am thinking of selling on the blog very cheap. Do you think there would be much interest? I so value your opinion.

The clock would soon strike the hour and the clatter of plates in the kitchen would tell both of us that we would need to be off soon. As usual I would walk you to the gate and just before you left I would tell you, trying to conceal my pride that there is a big secret this month. I want to keep it a surprise but would wink and ask you to have look at the latest issue of jot magazine, when it is published, and see if you can see a familiar face.

On that note we would laugh and hug and say as we always do how good it is do life with one another.
I would thank you for coming and make you promise to come over again next month.

If you were meeting with me now, what would you tell me? 

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time! 

Let's sit and have a cup of tea

Hello again, how nice to see you, do come in and close the gate behind you.

I can't believe another month has flown by and you are with me again for our monthly catch up. It was so good of you to stop by. If you were with me now I would greet you at the gate with a tray of mugs, the big blue teapot and those cakes I shared a sneak peek of on Thursday.

You would pull up one of the creaking chairs and I would position myself under the umbrella. As has become a tradition I would mention the weather as we poured the first cup. It's overcast but muggy today. After several weeks of the most glorious hot weather, the news is that we are soon to return to form with more rain and more grey days. Still, we can't complain. It's not often that Britain has a heatwave.

If you were sitting with me now I would point out the different things in our garden. The passion flower which has grown at a phenomenal rate, the fig tree that is threatening to overtake the wall and the beautiful roses along our border. I am not a gardener I would tell you but I have enjoyed watching my mum in her first year of tending this beautiful walled garden. I enjoy seeing her in her element pottering about pruning and in her words "titivating".

I would offer you the tin of cakes and laugh because since they were baked they seem to be going rather quickly. You can't beat vanilla and chocolate chip muffins. I would tell you that I am settling into holiday mode. That I am establishing a nice pattern for my days. I would tell you though that I really miss university. I miss having my friends down my corridor and going for long evening strolls and laughing till the early hours over a cup of tea. With a smile though I would recite that Pooh Bear quote which reminds me "how lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
I would sit back, mug in hand and listen to your wise words on friendship and family and nod that yes, this time in all its guises needs to be savoured.

I would lean forward and confide, trying not to laugh, that as of next month I am going to be a "national trust lady". If you weren't British you would probably look at me quizzically. The National trust is a huge organisation that works with restoring land and preserving stately homes across the country. I am going to be working at an old abbey with the children. Organising activities for their families. It is volunteer work but I need to be kept busy. Looking deep into my tea I would quietly mention that the job hunt was and still is unsuccessful. I would tell you how disheartening it is to receive not a "no thank you" but no response at all from everywhere I applied. Still, I am one of the lucky ones. Volunteer work will be fun and always looks good on the old cv.

Gosh, I can waffle on. How rude of me to not ask about how you are getting on with your summer. Are you working, holidaying, relaxing? I would tell you as I bit into my second muffin that I am heading off tomorrow with the boy to France. I cannot wait for some time away with him and his family. I have him to myself for ten days and I am so excited.

The door is open to our house and out of it comes the cacophony of sounds that greet the hour. The grandfather clock chiming, the cuckoo cock calling and the clock in the lounge dinging away. You smile at all this noise and it reminds me that soon the lunch needs to be started. We drain the dregs from our mugs and I finish up our chat by telling you the big news here that my Granny has come to stay. That she has made the brave move to relocating next door to my parents. I would tell you that she is such a character and is in turn exhausting and hilarious. "next time" I tell you, "next time" you can hear all the Granny stories.

On that note you pick up your bag and I walk you to the gate. We embrace and I thank you for spending the time with me today, for reading my blog and for being a genuine friend.

If you were meeting with me now, what would you tell me? 

If you would like to write a "tea" post please add it to the linky at the bottom so we can all sit and share with you! The linky will be open for a week so you have plenty of time!