Of Tea-Time in Cozy Nooks…

Another lovely winter’s day, in the cloudy nook.

I did not intend to be writing to you from the same place as the last post, however, this is where you actually will find us every day.

So, I thought you might enjoy joining us for tea today.

This breakfast nook is where we spend most of our time.

No matter how much space is in the rest of the house, everyone ends up huddled in here.

You are free to choose whichever porcelain pieces you’d like to use.

I have several cabinets with teacups and things, but this one happens to live in this nook.

Where we find ourselves nibbling treats and chatting.

We meet here for all of our meals.

There is a little love seat on one side, and all the chairs are cozy.

The boys love this space too.

There is sweet little Matty, under his mom’s feet, or right behind her as usual <3

And Mister Cuddler, up to no good.

(He’s pretty good actually)

I do believe that there is no better place to take your tea on a cold winter’s day…

Than in a window of evergreen vines, no matter how grey the light, with windows and a little golden candlelight.

My dear friend Jen, that I met at our workplace 20+ years ago, gave me that beautiful orchid for Christmas.

I found the blue buffet at an antique store for 20 dollars, only, it was black.

It is the heaviest thing and seems to be handmade of really solid wood.

It was in my second studio, in the black color I purchased it in, when I decided to put it in the loggia up in the garden.

I sanded it down to the raw wood, which was pretty, but then I decided it needed more protection.

So, I mixed up some acrylic paints to come up with a teal blue.

It lived out there for a couple of years in that blue, and then faded into the perfect shade you see now.

The table was living in the garden too, and the top had deteriorated completely.

I ordered a wood piece to use as the top and sanded it smooth.

I sealed it with a few layers of matte water-based varnish, just so it wouldn’t get super stained.

Although, I do love when natural wood shows its wear and patina.

I think that will happen anyway.

After all that work, I decided to drag it inside.

It’s funny because, we originally purchased a very nice table and chairs for this area.

But over time, I gravitated to my tattered paint and upcycled vibe that feels so right to me.

And so, this is where you will find us throughout the day.

Sitting around the table, music in the background, enjoying a meal or tea.

With windows on 3 sides, you almost feel like you are in a fishbowl.

If you are lucky, an owl or hawk will stop by, or you’ll see some critter such as a bobcat wandering by.

You are always guaranteed to see hummingbirds and quail.

I wonder what you are up to in your neck of the woods, on this January day.

All of a sudden time doesn’t seem to be rushing by as it was the last 3 months.

There is a lovely calm in the air.

I like this so much.

I hope you are well, as I say to you, see you soon.

 

Lots of love from the fishbowl 🙂

Vanessa

 

 

ps: I thought you would enjoy the outtakes…

 

Teddy wondering where his teacup and scones are.

And always, the side-eye glance.

He’s such a wonderful joker.

I never knew a dog could have a jokester personality until I med this hunk of love.

I especially love when he crawls into bed for the night and cuddles up to me so tight, I almost can’t breathe or move.

On the coldest nights, it is nothing short of divine, to have a giant dog cuddling you with his chin on your shoulder.

Softly snoring.

Oh my, it’s perfection.

<3 <3 <3