…Our homeless friend had gotten on the bus in Albuquerque. Would he stay on it all the way to Louisiana, where a good and helpful program awaited? …In the meantime, his sweet little dog Roamin’ was starting a new life with us…. Would she be able to stay? Matthew had explained to us how addictive
Rise of the Roamin’ Empire (2) Read More »
Jim and I have become captives in our own home. This is obviously a new chapter in our history… She entered gently, arrived like a whisper of wind, her demeanor timid and frightened; she cowered, but she conquered, nonetheless. We never knew what hit us. Her name is Roamin’. We got her from an intelligent
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“A garden is a grand teacher.” Gertrude Jekyll For our April theme of Victory Garden, I would like to again share some of Gertrude Jekyll’s wisdom, and also give you a little peek at some behind-the-scenes workings at The St. James Tearoom meant as soil for growing in wisdom. Gertrude Jekyll, as most of you
Victory Garden: A Place to Grow in Wisdom Read More »
“The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives.” Gertrude Jekyll Gertrude Jekyll is one of our prized British Greats. If you have ever been seated in Munstead Wood, this is Gertrude’s area. And since our theme for
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Victory Gardens After the Fact: Using Used Tea Leaves Tea is good for your health! But you knew that…. Did you realize tea is good for the health of your plants, as well? Our theme for April is Victory Garden, and we want you to have victory in your garden! Did you know that used
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The St. James Tearoom’s theme for the month of April is “Victory Garden” – a look back at an effort that brought families, and communities together in the past, but also an effort that is actively being pursued even today to push our society forward. Most people think of World War II when they hear
How the Gentle FIGHT Read More »
We speak. We speak always and in many ways. Words are only one of the many methods we use to communicate. Mary Eliza Haweis, who wrote The Art of Beauty in 1878, concluded that “Dress bears the same relation to the body as speech does to the brain; and therefore dress may be called the
Appearance and Civility Read More »
Let me tell you a true story. It was reported on Good Morning, America. It seems a young woman had been invited to have tea with Queen Elizabeth II in the Buckingham Palace gardens. She was actually sitting with the Queen enjoying her tea and their conversation when her cell phone started ringing. She looked
Cell Phone Etiquette: “You Are Not the Only One” Read More »
I feel just the slightest bit of cool as I sit in my swing, enjoying the early mornings in my little courtyard. Soon the temperature will drop to our friendly and pleasant New Mexico autumn weather, and we will hear leaves rustling and hot air balloons overhead. We are on the cusp of my favorite
The Evolution of Etiquette; In Celebration of National Courtesy Month Read More »
Pursuing Beauty – Japanese Style #1 – Ikebana Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. I once hosted an ikebana class in my home with other artists, to my great delight. The principles of design in this art form are well established, and, just like the Japanese have their Tea Masters, they also