Days have been filled with gorgeous cool breezes and sun.
The pale blue sky dancing with billowing clouds.
Such glorious-ness leads to menus of tea and baking.
Rose tea I thought.
Rose petal tea.
Yes, that is what we need.
As we dead headed rose bushes, Mister Lovee filled a white basket with succulent rose petals.
As the roses keep coming, I am in a dazed rose bliss.
Roses, still.
So many in the garden.
Roses are, in a way, 12 years new to me.
Save for a couple bushes I planted at the city house 15+ years ago that never did grand.
I didn't really grow up with roses, so I am making up for lost time it seems.
Letting one go to waste pains me to the core.
So, I keep bundling them up and hanging them to dry.
Eating some petals in salads, as all our gardening is pretty much organic.
Watching the colors darken into bright lush paper colors is part of the excitement.
Filling my pot rack for the year, sublime.
Happy.
The little things in life that fill you up.
The little things that are so big.
I use dry roses in a lot of my decor.
They are so pretty in shadow boxes and curio cabinets.
Old fashioned shadow boxes, filled with tid-bits of times past always fascinate me.
Roses keep beautifully under glass and wood.
We should all make some, don't you think?
With all the roses in their happy places, I plunge into rose tea makings.
The petals have been dried, and I decide to give some a little chop.
I did lots of research, and decided that, for gifts and ease…
I would use loose leaf Lady Grey tea to mix my rose petals into.
It has notes of orange and bergamot.
Perfect for roses I thought.
I just stirred my rose petals into a little tea…
And got ready to taste.
It was just so fresh, and pleasant and lovely.
I am making more to gift, as the rose petals add true magic to a cup of tea.
I sipped my tea while taste testing Julianna's go to recipe for, get this…
Vegan chocolate cake.
Isn't that great?
Here is the recipe from Moosewood Restaurant.
I have to say, it was pretty good, yes it was.
Even for a none chocolate lover like me.
I used coffee that I stole from Mister Lovee's French press, instead of water.
3 days later, sealed tightly on a plate in a plastic bag, it got moister and better.
Interesting.
I also oiled and dusted my glass baking dish very well, and mixed my ingredients outside the baking pan in a bowl. Unlike the directions suggest.
I have to say.
Rose petal tea and vegan chocolate cake?
A pretty lovely treat.
Highly recommended, from me to you.
I am getting ready for a little voyage to see Mammie in a couple days.
Me and travel used to equal, me knowing how to relax and have a blast.
I used to be the most carefree crazy sprite ever.
Today's me equals havoc in the brain, haha!
Uptight planner lady.
Taking Mister Lovee on a huge list of my chores, hoping he gets it right.
(although, once I leave I plan to let go and not worry for one second)
Showing him everything that needs to be done in the garden, every single morning.
OY!
Or should I say, Aye aye aye!
🙂
I am one of these people, that thinks she might perish on a trip anywhere, so I leave rules and chores and tid-bits layed out, in case I shall never return.
I know, extreme insanity.
But, it's my way, what can I say?
And please Lovee, if I die, don't let some girlfriend you get, use my stuff or sleep in my bed.
Or hug Matty or Miles, kay?
(you get her Matty!!)
Or I'll haunt you.
Big time.
See…
These are the sort of rules I make 😉
Silly. Strange. True.
I am only halfway serious, don't worry.
Or am I?
Speaking of Mother's day.
I have oodles of freebies and tutorials for you from over the years…
Here they are with links.
Just in case you need a little extra for the moms you know.
xoxoxo
Off I go for now.
See ya soon!
Love, V
Rose petal tea and vegan chocolate cake sounds heavenly to me… I too love dried roses in decoration, to pop out from nooks ans corners…
Fresh rose tea from your own garden, how wonderful is that! I’ve began my drying roses collection. I used some of my dried roses to make a nice rosewater spray for my hair with rosemary. Simply wonderful.
Ooooo, great idea beautiful Shell!! I LOVE rose water. I made
some last year, but not this year. But mixed with rosemary, yumm.
Lovee makes rosemary jojoba oil for his hair, its very curly, and the oil makes
it look like perfect curled tendrils. I need some of that fresh spray you
make, I am going to follow your lead 😉
Love, V
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 5/8/2013 5:58:00 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I agree for sure Roselie 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 5/8/2013 3:23:29 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Vanessa:
Those dried roses are Heavenly. I used to dry roses too. You know what I also love? I love the smell of dried roses. Even when they have a bit of dust on them. They are papery and earthy.
I know exactly how you feel about going on trips and leaving the daily chores and business to someone else. I’m almost terrified every time I drive away from my house that I might not return and my children will be young adult orphans! I know it’s a morbid thought and probably excessive, but I know how you feel.
xoxo
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
Kim, I agree, the smell of dried roses is mouth watering. It is
earthy and delicious. Every time I walk into a place that sells baskets
and has dry flowers and herbs hanging around, I get that smell. Its
almost like an earth smell that is engrained into us on a deeper level.
Mmmm, just love that smell too.
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 5/8/2013 6:40:11 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Rose petal tea and chocolate cake… I’m there!! Let me grab my broom and I’ll be with you in two ticks!
Your posts are always so cheerful and delightful! I am going to plant some roses today because of it! Thank you!
I so enjoy tea time at your place surrounded by all the beauty of your roses. Such a nice relaxing moment.
PS Last evening I made your microwave Mexican rice with fabulous results. I tweaked it ever so slightly and it was veeeery good…sometimes rules are just made to be broken, right?
Oh that frog prince is HUGE and fantastic! I want one like him! 🙂
rose petal tea sounds loverly. my one lonesome rosebush is getting ready to bloom. i want to add more roses to the garden but am very picky about what type (i prefer the old english David Austin) but I can’t find them anywhere locally. everyone seems to want knockout roses whatever they are. anywhoo, have a most lovely trip and happy mothers day to you!
love & blessings
~*~
ps…do you have any lunaria in your garden?
Such a JoY to enter into your Magical World. It’s a beautiful rose explosion in there, I tell ya! Can you say d e l i g h t f u l !!!
Does that mean that it is like a confetti explosion in your brain all the time?
**blows kisses**
Deb
You are hysterical and I totally “Get” you little Miss V and I love the Lovee list!!… Have a wonderful time with your precious Mombie!! Safe trip!
This post is wonderful. Every picture is dreamlike. Such wonderful colours. I’m so looking forward to my roses blossoming. But I must be patient for at least one month. Then I will try rose petal tea too. And I want to decorate my home with roses as well. Love your roses in front of the hobnail glasses decoration. Great colour combo. I’m smitten with it.
What a great idea – use your dried rose petals for tea! I’m having a bit of a “duh” moment as I made white tea with rose petals (which I bought) for my wedding. Granted, I didn’t have any other source of rose petals at the time, but still … now that I have roses of my very own, one would have thought I would have made the connection… Anyway, thank you for the brilliant idea and Bon Voyage!
You are un-replaceable, V.
Lovee would be up the creek if you disappeared.
You would be a proper ghost, haunting the heck out of any new female who would dare darken your door.
Happy travels!
Love the tea and cake ideas here today.
Just delightful!
Yes! Rose flavored things are my absolute favorite. I just love, love, love tea with a major rose flavor!
ps. If you die on your trip I will come up the road and water your garden and punch Mister Lovee’s new girlfriend on the nose!
Vanessa I’ve missed you so! I’ve unfortunately been pried away from all art and whimsy and I’m struggling to come back. So i thought I’d say hi to you! And i’m happy to see it’s rose season! You always have the most amazing roses and they make me feel like I’m looking at a fairytale garden 🙂
You amazing, generous, wildly creative soul you! One of my favorite posts to be sure…all those roses (then the TEA and CAKE), as well as the gorgeous little nook…BLISS!
Enjoy your (safe) little trip! I do hope you get to relax… 😉
Love and blessings to you, dear Vanessa…
– Irina
Dude! I love that first photo…hobnail fenton glass in diff. colors with the roses…sakes alive!
Have fun with your mama tomorrow and take lots of pics so I can see what’s going on down there!
Happy Furry Children’s Mother Day, sweet Vanessa!
May your fur babies spoil you with their undivided affection, romping the day away with you on Sunday!
Oooo! You found some loose leaf Lady Grey Tea! I have only ever found it in the tea bags. I guess I’ll have to look again at World Market/Cost Plus.
Such luscious colors are your divine roses!!!
I think we will be only using Laurelwood as our entertainment home, as it is perfect for parties and such. It is like our own private banquet facilities. It is like a castle…I think of the cliche` ‘A man’s home is his castle’…I can totally relate to that phrase when it comes to Laurelwood. I do think it is haunted and I don’t think I would feel comfortable living there all day long…thinking of ghosts…you know? I guess I feel an energy there with the four huge oak trees that are monoliths in the front and back yards and they are kind of linked to an ancient vibe of sorts. The native American Indians considered the oak tress in the valley to be sacred and the trees are protected by law here in the valley. Interesting information. I could go on and on but I will stop for now. It was 95 here today and for the next few days too.
XO
Miss Teresa
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/
P.S.
I am so happy for you that you are having a break for a bit. We all need breaks!
So you may not be home on Mother’s Day…me thinks?
Hey…I totally ‘get’ the planning ‘if I die’ thing. I have so much stuff I want my sisters to have (if I died) and also things to go to my daughter and sons…that if I wrote it all down would fill pages and pages!!! And knowing my family, they would probably loose my ‘list’ in the process!!! That is usually the way life goes..
😉 Smiles!
Have fun!
XO
Miss Teresa
Your Blog is such Magic to me. I know this may sound strange, but I have been following you for quite a while now. You have inspired me in so many ways. I have finally had the courage to step out and start telling people who inspire me, that they do so. Thank you so very much…..my happy place 🙂
what beautiful pictures… the colour of the roses are mind blowing. Hummm roses in Earl Grey, how interesting have to give it a go. As always a gorgeous colourful blog, Vanessa. Such eye candy. Love to the boys. Olive xxx
So beautiful. I miss growing roses. They don’t do well here, but I’m thinking of buying a hardy one again and seeing if I can grow it under a tree’s canopy. The sun in Phoenix just kills them.
I love your kitchen or potting shed. It’s beautiful.
Enjoy your trip. I use to love travel, but hate it now. I rather stay in my lovely home.
SJ, thank you so much!
You must get a hearty one. The climbing roses in white, seem to be
extra hardy, they even grow on a silver building. And although I am much
cooler than you I imagine, they still get very hot and do very well. Just
water them everyday in summer.
The little kitchen is in my little office, girls only pretty space area, in
the house. Dont we all need a girl only space? Me thinks yes
😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 5/12/2013 11:35:06 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
You are such a good friend, giving freebies. They always brighten things. I still have your glittered snowflakes up in my windows, and I don’t even care if it’s never going to snow here.
I have to fight anxiety any time I travel. But I try to remember that it’s mostly because I so love everything I have I can’t stand to lose it. And then I get to come home and tell it all about my trip.
xo
I hope you had a most lovely furry mama’s day. 🙂 Those roses are beyond beautiful! I adore roses; alas, I have quite the allergic reaction to them. Thank you for the link to the recipe. Tea and cake is indeed quite divine!