tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30206084481992901422024-02-19T03:15:52.616-08:00Musings of a Little Town TeaLittle Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-69447184861924548302009-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:002009-12-31T06:00:08.226-08:00Just So You Know, I Can't Play Soccer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY0vpozgktpRabeYak6EA3KBVmyQteQaha-tQNMcM0X5Clob6SQIZRPbLGBcNHG4QuT1nhkQ0UmX7LsRZ40zkdSDx1tzCuHCiCn4R1610ZI7vnvuuiPHvV25AlqHG-mL8p7jiZ95dBqA/s1600-h/soccer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY0vpozgktpRabeYak6EA3KBVmyQteQaha-tQNMcM0X5Clob6SQIZRPbLGBcNHG4QuT1nhkQ0UmX7LsRZ40zkdSDx1tzCuHCiCn4R1610ZI7vnvuuiPHvV25AlqHG-mL8p7jiZ95dBqA/s200/soccer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330508479086989010" /></a><br /><br /><br />By the way, if you happen to such at soccer too and like the shirt above you can buy it<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/i_suck_at_soccer_tshirt-235775772408772292"> here</a>.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-30727574599355890722009-12-30T17:48:00.000-08:002009-12-30T17:48:00.202-08:00The Loveliest Wallet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1yd7KQZQs8eW5hN0HyseIpRmahqiB4B1SxibsFkg2ZKbmaoYcY-xNKPN38clyv6Ylq2Tot5ejVTah_qI6NUJHP5yZBL_ZvsV39a-LJSCdbl1fCMiru9FubdKtomoFPtZTCJ12dg7jXI/s1600-h/DSC00076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1yd7KQZQs8eW5hN0HyseIpRmahqiB4B1SxibsFkg2ZKbmaoYcY-xNKPN38clyv6Ylq2Tot5ejVTah_qI6NUJHP5yZBL_ZvsV39a-LJSCdbl1fCMiru9FubdKtomoFPtZTCJ12dg7jXI/s320/DSC00076.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419728333066545426" /></a><br /><br />Little Town Tea lovers, don’t you just love my wallet? This year Santa decided to give me the loveliest wallet. I just had to share one of my favorite Christmas gifts with you because it is just so fantastic. Looking for one just like it? Try your local Target store.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-15878534633143214282009-12-29T18:38:00.000-08:002009-12-29T18:38:00.325-08:00My Christmas Present to Myself<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEL0mAal_G-7n-0CEoz93ihbH4O4-lnmTVUGrTGgkbgpcmoawJ_F0JiigvwyhbsS42cFN2F2fHH58-l22vCzqCOMipfCElYr1n85SGGJWDSHnTrAz7_MLHizcnSL2eGjj7lOlZTJzkEhM/s1600-h/DSC00060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEL0mAal_G-7n-0CEoz93ihbH4O4-lnmTVUGrTGgkbgpcmoawJ_F0JiigvwyhbsS42cFN2F2fHH58-l22vCzqCOMipfCElYr1n85SGGJWDSHnTrAz7_MLHizcnSL2eGjj7lOlZTJzkEhM/s320/DSC00060.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419726091916528498" /></a><br />Hello Little Town Tea lovers. Every Christmas for the last four years I have bought myself a Christmas present. For the last few months before Christmas all of my money and shopping goes towards others, which I enjoy, but sometimes I see something amidst the endless stores that I can’t help giving to myself. This year’s gift to myself was this teapot necklace. Isn’t it lovely? Recently, my little town has gotten itself a new shop that sells tea and tea accessories. When my friends came down the weekend before Christmas we went to that shop and had ourselves some tea. It was at the cash register that I saw this perfect little necklace and I have hardly taken it off since. It is my favorite Christmas present to myself yet. I hope that my readers also indulge themselves in a treat such as this during the holidays because sometimes we need to treat ourselves to little treasures.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-56808104205574405372009-12-28T07:00:00.000-08:002009-12-28T07:00:02.029-08:00My Lovely Morning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36sfeXwlTr0zZr7N-wEgpi6dxTJKjNkcO-_2NIA5LnjG5Uo_zLdrT0X3ODgyTdqjzZprWoWGh5h7TgZPHGk4wx59kUcl6IzXONh4dWFIDImW9bZ51j_3JPy8A6ZyiNXDXlapbiLP8X9M/s1600-h/DSC00055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36sfeXwlTr0zZr7N-wEgpi6dxTJKjNkcO-_2NIA5LnjG5Uo_zLdrT0X3ODgyTdqjzZprWoWGh5h7TgZPHGk4wx59kUcl6IzXONh4dWFIDImW9bZ51j_3JPy8A6ZyiNXDXlapbiLP8X9M/s320/DSC00055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419723264282327970" /></a><br /><br />Good morning Little Town Tea lovers. I just had to share this picture with you. This beautiful sky is what I was lucky enough to wake up to this morning. I quickly grabbed my camera and shot a picture before it went away. What a wonderful way to start the day.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-70164155979478322432009-12-27T17:00:00.000-08:002009-12-27T17:00:01.819-08:00Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRW-J7iAlzv4fSj_E8Rsk1udJWWdb9Hl0h1AJOsWRo6RYmsUZttliv1WIzzh1Kd6fLfojrSU2xeQl-z_qtw_fHJavMBJ0hfTf36PkA4qMh3o_h5Ws846avaakpvU1zO0rbN3hb8zt84E/s1600-h/DSC00067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRW-J7iAlzv4fSj_E8Rsk1udJWWdb9Hl0h1AJOsWRo6RYmsUZttliv1WIzzh1Kd6fLfojrSU2xeQl-z_qtw_fHJavMBJ0hfTf36PkA4qMh3o_h5Ws846avaakpvU1zO0rbN3hb8zt84E/s320/DSC00067.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419724810753699426" /></a><br /><br />Alas! Christmas has already past me by. It is amazing how fast that holiday can go by after all of the time spent preparing for it. It was a wonderful Christmas though and the first one spent in my new house. The weekend before Christmas some of my closest friends came to my little town to visit me and we had a wonderful time going into all of the little boutiques and antique shops and having tea. They were all able to see my new house and I was able to show off my Christmas decorations and all of the little projects I have been working on around the house, which has been coming together quite nice and is finally emanating a somewhat homey vibe. It was a wonderful weekend.<br />For Christmas, I was able to spend it with my family on Christmas Eve. It was so fun being with the family and seeing the excitement on my nephew (age 5) and niece’s (age 2) face. I gave my nephew a pet fish who he immediately decided to name Army Guy. For my niece, I gave her a purse filled with some of the necessities, such as a pink jeweled mirror and a fish wallet. This year I received a digital camera. For the last four years I have just borrowed my ex’s camera when it came to my picture taking needs, but now I have my very own and you will be able to see many more images on my blog, such as my Christmas decorations. Enjoy! It is a gift that just keeps on giving. <br />I hope that all of my Little Town Tea lovers had a wonderful Christmas and that you have a happy new year!Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-36073071188698044342009-12-26T17:07:00.000-08:002009-12-26T17:38:26.944-08:00Long Time No Blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDUWr1_WF7hNjuIZu-69VtxYE9FP3XbXezvGP3JlUTQsNr-ncbenyvx6ww3282IntjGPxFg7kvft0OFtvmQD9HrWFRePayGiBTDZoVH4FwelkiHxr4v_lfoMWGupfYCSGQsLfjQa_xbo/s1600-h/Little+Town+Tea.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDUWr1_WF7hNjuIZu-69VtxYE9FP3XbXezvGP3JlUTQsNr-ncbenyvx6ww3282IntjGPxFg7kvft0OFtvmQD9HrWFRePayGiBTDZoVH4FwelkiHxr4v_lfoMWGupfYCSGQsLfjQa_xbo/s320/Little+Town+Tea.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419719442860827954" /></a><br /><br />Greetings Little Town Tea lovers. It is nice to be back to blogging. It has been a crazy couple of months since the last time I blogged. A lot has happened, but it has all been for the best. First of all, I moved back to my little town and away from the vast valley of California, so that has been a change. I love it here. You see the stars, you can leave your car unlocked without a worry, it snows from time to time, and, most importantly, it never smells of cows. Due to this move, however, I now have to drive eight hours a week to commute to my credential program. The drive is getting better though. I borrow some great audio books from the library and I have large amounts of time to contemplate and sing. <br />Another major change in my life is my employment. For the last several months I have been substituting in my little town. I have mostly worked at an elementary school, but I have also subbed for the local high school. It has surly been an experience full of the good and the bad that can come from teaching. Let’s just say that my fridge is covered full of beautiful letters from my adoring students, but that my bathroom is stocked with plenty of cold medicine that is just waiting for me to get sick once again. Ugh. I do begin student teaching, the last part of my credential program, starting on the fifth of January. I hope to find the time to blog about that experience because I think it should be quite interesting. <br />The last major change that has occurred since the last time I wrote on my blog is that I am now single. My ex and I decided that it was best to go our own ways because of our desire for separate futures. After almost four years of being in a relationship, I am now single. It has been an interesting experience being single and I have gone on a few dates, which have also been interesting and will perhaps one day be expanded on on a different day. Overall, though, the experience has been good and I am truly happy with my life and where I am at this point in time. <br />All in all, that is what has been going on in the life of Little Town Tea. Please stay tuned for more updates about my life, my loves, and my adventures in student teaching.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-27599093174856280422009-05-28T07:00:00.000-07:002009-05-28T07:26:56.171-07:00Apologizes for my lack of bloggage.Hey there lovers of Little Town Tea. I am very sorry for not writing as frequently as I usually do during these last few weeks. With my move, the end of college, and other difficulties in my personal life, I have found myself with very little time to dedicate towards this blog. Unfortunately, it will be a while until the internet will be hooked up at my new house, and when I do find the time to trek it up the hill to my parents house, I am fairly sure that the time I will have using their internet will be spent on my on-line class. But don't lose hope, keep checking and I am sure in no time I will be back at it with my daily posts.<br />Love,<br />Little Town TeaLittle Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-10177954877066688052009-05-27T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-27T06:00:02.421-07:00Little Town Tea's Poem of the Week<span style="font-weight:bold;">Crow Testament </span><br />By: Sherman Alexie <br /> <br />1<br />Cain lifts Crow, that heavy black bird<br />and strikes down Abel.<br /><br />Damn, says Crow, I guess<br />this is just the beginning.<br /><br />2<br />The white man, disguised<br />as a falcon, swoops in<br />and yet again steals a salmon<br />from Crow's talons.<br /><br />Damn, says Crow, if I could swim<br />I would have fled this country years ago.<br /><br />3<br />The Crow God as depicted<br />in all of the reliable Crow bibles<br />looks exactly like a Crow.<br /><br />Damn, says Crow, this makes it<br />so much easier to worship myself.<br /><br />4<br />Among the ashes of Jericho,<br />Crow sacrifices his firstborn son.<br /><br />Damn, says Crow, a million nests<br />are soaked with blood.<br /><br />5<br />When Crows fight Crows<br />the sky fills with beaks and talons.<br /><br />Damn, says Crow, it's raining feathers.<br /><br />6<br />Crow flies around the reservation<br />and collects empty beer bottles<br /><br />but they are so heavy<br />he can only carry one at a time.<br /><br />So, one by one, he returns them<br />but gets only five cents a bottle.<br /><br />Damn, says Crow, redemption<br />is not easy.<br /><br />7<br />Crow rides a pale horse<br />into a crowded powwow<br />but none of the Indian panic.<br /><br />Damn, says Crow, I guess<br />they already live near the end of the world.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-40613474694432671102009-05-25T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-25T06:00:01.768-07:00Little Town Tea's Quote of the Week"I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them."<br />- Pablo PicassoLittle Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-88468871228224467512009-05-20T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-20T06:00:02.386-07:00Little Town Tea's Poem of the Week<span style="font-weight:bold;">I Heard a Fly Buzz--When I Died</span><br />By: Emily Dickinson<br /><br />I heard a Fly buzz -- when I died --<br />The Stillness in the Room<br />Was like the Stillness in the Air --<br />Between the Heaves of Storm --<br /><br />The Eyes around -- had wrung them dry --<br />And Breaths were gathering firm<br />For that last Onset -- when the King<br />Be witnessed -- in the Room --<br /><br />I willed my Keepsakes -- Signed away<br />What portion of me be<br />Assignable -- and then it was<br />There interposed a Fly --<br /><br />With Blue -- uncertain stumbling Buzz --<br />Between the light -- and me --<br />And then the Windows failed -- and then<br />I could not see to see --Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-63363793183853855362009-05-18T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-18T06:00:06.621-07:00Little Town Tea's Quote of the Week"I doubt that the imagination can be suppressed. If you truly eradicated it in a child, he would grow up to be an eggplant."<br />- Ursula K. Le GuinLittle Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-23246628423419958322009-05-13T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-13T06:00:03.764-07:00Little Town Tea's Poem of the Week<span style="font-weight:bold;">Insomniac</span> <br />By: Maya Angelou <br /><br />There are some nights when<br />sleep plays coy,<br />aloof and disdainful.<br />And all the wiles<br />that I employ to win<br />its service to my side<br />are useless as wounded pride,<br />and much more painful.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-66348969954045403602009-05-11T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-11T06:00:02.131-07:00Little Town Tea's Quote of the Week"All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection. So I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible."<br />-William FaulknerLittle Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-27863427357082658732009-05-10T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-10T06:00:03.016-07:00Happy Mother's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XfD_DyddHDGN7q7r1Ma_L_SCevmc5kDy7y5QXT0MhicfEAFHvx9db4uWNhuRdEsgVa08LYnK6ZDkqMV-axA3_QOm6We1VfG7VKSBSGwXiYsjSUZpKIhJmb0bTG8-RvbK3oQLGbpveFA/s1600-h/il_430xN.55364293.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XfD_DyddHDGN7q7r1Ma_L_SCevmc5kDy7y5QXT0MhicfEAFHvx9db4uWNhuRdEsgVa08LYnK6ZDkqMV-axA3_QOm6We1VfG7VKSBSGwXiYsjSUZpKIhJmb0bTG8-RvbK3oQLGbpveFA/s400/il_430xN.55364293.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329756744249835986" /></a><br />I hope you have a lovely day.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-31833011193649319982009-05-07T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-07T06:00:03.497-07:00The Decemberists<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNJBQDDPSOfr9X4wY3zbHQCPWb6i1IRxu3SjrCrz5CW-QtUw_BqPL72ECvvE0khROtPP-Wy2Q6NEgauhV8rPBjbqOcyJrXgyNGJLDaQ-f_l6-iXxwipkJosFuJxtVwD_Js-f2soSK11Y/s1600-h/2828_70810783502_837133502_1580316_1114308_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNJBQDDPSOfr9X4wY3zbHQCPWb6i1IRxu3SjrCrz5CW-QtUw_BqPL72ECvvE0khROtPP-Wy2Q6NEgauhV8rPBjbqOcyJrXgyNGJLDaQ-f_l6-iXxwipkJosFuJxtVwD_Js-f2soSK11Y/s400/2828_70810783502_837133502_1580316_1114308_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329574926808334386" /></a><br />For those of you who have taken advantage of my Playlist, located at the bottom of my blog, you might have heard a few amazing songs done by The Decemberists. If so, I hope you are enjoying their fantastic melodies and lyrics with unique story lines. Wes first turned me onto this band. Right away I feel in love with The Decemberists. I had never heard a band that took such care writing their lyrics. Each one has an in depth story with such unique characters that I still am amazed that they have been able to put out as many CDs as they have. Recently they came out with their new CD, entitled<span style="font-style:italic;"> The Hazards of Love</span>, and all the songs intertwine with one another to create one long and story. I included my favorite music video of The Decemberists below so that you can get a taste of this brilliant band and, as I mentioned before, you can also find some of their songs on my Playlist. Perhaps you will fall just as deeply in love with this band as I have. <br /><br /><br /><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Mbhd4LGR-g&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5Mbhd4LGR-g&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object>Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-64437621553616007002009-05-06T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-06T06:00:03.133-07:00Little Town Tea's Poem of the Week<span style="font-weight:bold;">Brown Penny</span><br />By: William Butler Yeats<br /><br />I whispered, 'I am too young,'<br />And then, 'I am old enough';<br />Wherefore I threw a penny<br />To find out if I might love.<br />'Go and love, go and love, young man,<br />If the lady be young and fair.'<br />Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny,<br />I am looped in the loops of her hair.<br /><br />O love is the crooked thing,<br />There is nobody wise enough<br />To find out all that is in it,<br />For he would be thinking of love<br />Till the stars had run away<br />And the shadows eaten the moon.<br />Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny,<br />One cannot begin it too soon.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-7414424860081810072009-05-05T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-05T06:00:02.380-07:00Little Town Tea's Book Corner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjD7rpTFZZJLNASXBqrw3i3uUNvI6QwS0CtGueif13FrSK0It-CVrttCbBnvKWj0Tm7EDsELDb9zoFKKEZHOSh7k2BPSWl_oyHmYYrd34jGimy-hOFGZdgpK-i_FZtH_Mkz8wpzwYqxpo/s1600-h/6a00c2252010208fdb00fad6a234170005-500pi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjD7rpTFZZJLNASXBqrw3i3uUNvI6QwS0CtGueif13FrSK0It-CVrttCbBnvKWj0Tm7EDsELDb9zoFKKEZHOSh7k2BPSWl_oyHmYYrd34jGimy-hOFGZdgpK-i_FZtH_Mkz8wpzwYqxpo/s400/6a00c2252010208fdb00fad6a234170005-500pi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321618174321696146" /></a><br />Sophia Kinsella's book, <span style="font-style:italic;">Can You Keep a Secret?</span>, was one of the fantastic books that traveled with me on my trip to Hawaii. Sophia Kinsella, author of the Shopaholic books, <span style="font-style:italic;">The Undomestic Goddess</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">Remember Me?</span>, writes with such perfectly timed humor that you will find yourself cracking up every time you turn the page. Although I am a fan of her Shopaholic books, the ones I have read anyway, I found <span style="font-style:italic;">Can You Keep a Secret?</span> on a whole new level of wit. This particular book is about a woman named Emma Corrigan who works at Panther Cola, has a perfect boyfriend, and is hoping to get a promotion. She is a successful woman who gets by in her life by keeping secrets. One day, however, she sits next to a very handsome man on a business flight and when the plane hits some turbulence she spills all her secrets. After Emma gets off the flight, a little shaky and embarrassed, she cheers herself up by reminding herself that all of her deepest secrets were spilled to a mere stranger, a man she will probably never see again. Emma puts the incident behind her, that is until she goes to work the next day to find that mere stranger in her office and that he is the CEO of Panther Cola.<br />This is a book that will make your sides ache from laughter. I promise that you will want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next. I bought this book for my mom for Mother's Day last year and she loved it. So, whether you are looking for a book for yourself or are trying desperately to find the perfect gift, I recommend buying <span style="font-style:italic;">Can You Keep a Secret?</span>Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-77615377633998806702009-05-04T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-04T06:00:02.546-07:00Little Town Tea's Quote of the Week"My only purpose is to teach children to rebel against authority figures."<br />- Sherman AlexieLittle Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-41284499366730858942009-05-03T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-03T06:25:45.770-07:00Doubt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRxjExW6pfh-kWwC0ndPlcACmiHBYaP9OCU0zr9NrMqFGtasVBIHxgQa3PnAVSO1TsD5wAhsXPhWkpNpkqc73INe1Y-j6Y0GT8WuUvuuRCqdhbQOUUJ-AXrnhhlbCJSDIXZCucCXrUR0/s1600-h/doubt_ver3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRxjExW6pfh-kWwC0ndPlcACmiHBYaP9OCU0zr9NrMqFGtasVBIHxgQa3PnAVSO1TsD5wAhsXPhWkpNpkqc73INe1Y-j6Y0GT8WuUvuuRCqdhbQOUUJ-AXrnhhlbCJSDIXZCucCXrUR0/s320/doubt_ver3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326057308662080386" /></a><br />I rented <span style="font-style:italic;">Doubt<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> from Netflix a few weeks ago both because Meryl Streep had been nominated for a golden globe and because as a Catholic I was curious to see how they would present this movie. After I watch the film, I found out that this film was adapted from a play by the same name that premiered in 2004.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Doubt </span> takes place in a Bronx Catholic school during 1964. The first black student, Donald Miller, has recently began attending the school after he transferred from a public school. He is among countless Irish and Italian students and feels, understandably, out of place. Father Flynn, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, begin to bond with the boy. Sister James, played by Amy Adams, notices the relationship between Father Flynn and Donald and she reports her observations to Sister Aloysius, played by Meryl Streep. This begins the story of <span style="font-style:italic;">Doubt.</span><br />This film is very intense. It is a powerful and emotional film that will leave you angry and upset. This range of emotions comes from the amazing acting that is performed throughout the film. I have seen Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman shine in many roles, but these two executed their characters perfectly, making you feel as if you were in the situation and not watching a film from the comfort of your favorite overstuffed chair. I would greatly recommend this film because of its intense story line and the fantastic acting seen throughout.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-62105206553936702272009-05-02T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-02T06:00:01.793-07:00Anchors Away!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUyTggU7cx2gdcJie221jRX7G_XT6lg4UlDE-wNaoBC5bctY04p_alxEGzmalm35rj8YeB0EQLTz9wBNV7ZQIZ6M7gqEQVkVXgHJSgNQOI_0Ozh2IUc37tIn5a6DpG8nWNDsxoFb07FE/s1600-h/Ancor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUyTggU7cx2gdcJie221jRX7G_XT6lg4UlDE-wNaoBC5bctY04p_alxEGzmalm35rj8YeB0EQLTz9wBNV7ZQIZ6M7gqEQVkVXgHJSgNQOI_0Ozh2IUc37tIn5a6DpG8nWNDsxoFb07FE/s320/Ancor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325394466227526210" /></a><br />Lately I have fallen in love with anything that has an anchor on it. They remind me of the open sea, salt in the air, pirates with eye patches, and jolly songs about pillaging. The picture above was taken when I was at Pearl Harbor during my trip to Hawaii. Seeing this huge anchor started my love with anchors. Since I have gotten back from Hawaii, I have visited <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">etsy</a> a few times to look at all the homemade anchor products they have. Below I have listed some of my favorite with links. If you happen to be an anchor lover too, maybe you will find something you like. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJCyW2UiFTRN35Mvpe6VfeUKgs7Mi1li5ZQq3HV6Y25mI_mNDK_f252-ehf3fKDewb2gK18L0APnii462NNWbJnhUmIrVVTSZA0uYoTEQ0GBf617_ZUyKpueAE5N-nS8cW5CoAMRjm_g/s1600-h/Ancor+braclet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJCyW2UiFTRN35Mvpe6VfeUKgs7Mi1li5ZQq3HV6Y25mI_mNDK_f252-ehf3fKDewb2gK18L0APnii462NNWbJnhUmIrVVTSZA0uYoTEQ0GBf617_ZUyKpueAE5N-nS8cW5CoAMRjm_g/s320/Ancor+braclet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325394526296314338" /></a><br />This <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23732683&ref=sr_gallery_10&&ga_search_query=anchor&ga_search_type=category&category=jewelry&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">anchor bracelet </a> is beautiful and full of charms that make me want to hop on a ship and spend the next few months enjoying the fresh air and hoping that I don't get scurvy. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDSUb7Z5AtkyDusKD9KnTBVlZNc8xMlh4PTa2Yiz0Vt3OXxBuwua2cZqSvljT82esIeQsgabBfhUXZnKyh-A-TntprktGgRTsenjc7KJ9eAsQhLqmT7j0y-mcSKQn9QK-V_d5GF4I6jw/s1600-h/il_430xN.57949595.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDSUb7Z5AtkyDusKD9KnTBVlZNc8xMlh4PTa2Yiz0Vt3OXxBuwua2cZqSvljT82esIeQsgabBfhUXZnKyh-A-TntprktGgRTsenjc7KJ9eAsQhLqmT7j0y-mcSKQn9QK-V_d5GF4I6jw/s320/il_430xN.57949595.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325395484463022274" /></a><br />These <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21241982&ref=sr_gallery_3&&ga_search_query=anchor&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">anchor hair pins</a> are adorable. They would be the perfect touch to dress up any sailor outfit and would be the envy of all your ship mates. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1nApl8SfHFfoczrFA5fuhd62RuZc9Z_d6DZri5tmJZL7FK9k4MTpdUMLoBe9iyP01i4xf4A000bvDTqYoYMFt20fZFCLMVsDzA3z5X6TmCyPquVRhzjkmCMGUGm7SqeXf7SMww_JHGI/s1600-h/il_430xN.65368169.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1nApl8SfHFfoczrFA5fuhd62RuZc9Z_d6DZri5tmJZL7FK9k4MTpdUMLoBe9iyP01i4xf4A000bvDTqYoYMFt20fZFCLMVsDzA3z5X6TmCyPquVRhzjkmCMGUGm7SqeXf7SMww_JHGI/s320/il_430xN.65368169.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325395973542396018" /></a><br />This <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19368094&ref=sr_gallery_12&&ga_search_query=anchor&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">brooch</a> is my favorite etsy find. I love the way it shows all the essential pirate themed charms and how the monster of the sea, the giant octopus, rules over them all. This would be a perfect trinket to wear so as to ward off any unwanted and dangerous creatures that linger in the deep sea, creatures that feed off pirate ships such as your own. It would remind you and your ship mates to never let your guard down, because the dangers of the sea could come and eat you at any moment. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDjjYtUTrAh9mjooPhTD7DbBpTpSliEsfQWqOe5R_srNglu8xSSKqy5YKP4UUYneHz9UFAIrYaYGd2qyIvtRQbBhfZYub6J5Aa6PBc7I_MlRLcdeouYwY0jxFLbjH41IMqt5_JMZ52Hg/s1600-h/il_430xN.15271345.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDjjYtUTrAh9mjooPhTD7DbBpTpSliEsfQWqOe5R_srNglu8xSSKqy5YKP4UUYneHz9UFAIrYaYGd2qyIvtRQbBhfZYub6J5Aa6PBc7I_MlRLcdeouYwY0jxFLbjH41IMqt5_JMZ52Hg/s320/il_430xN.15271345.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325396940261710498" /></a><br />Finally, this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8252327&ref=sr_gallery_9&&ga_search_query=anchor&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=83&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">journal </a> is the perfect place to keep your daily notes about the trip and all the adventures you may have.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-44597007339676457272009-05-01T06:00:00.000-07:002009-05-01T06:00:02.679-07:00Lumpia!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeU6XTVdzspFf4P8mK2kF44SJfOfr7_B21xWMg8MhY5rSpXC5rSTuvyewVPEXDIIM-aoysomnRBLttgNx8wzP_xVQi5WNBiSe7uZpuSeHwpVlpYsUQCL4erUCDlqmTeEnkihMi9mLnHw/s1600-h/Food+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeU6XTVdzspFf4P8mK2kF44SJfOfr7_B21xWMg8MhY5rSpXC5rSTuvyewVPEXDIIM-aoysomnRBLttgNx8wzP_xVQi5WNBiSe7uZpuSeHwpVlpYsUQCL4erUCDlqmTeEnkihMi9mLnHw/s320/Food+7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326577360014232882" /></a><br />Hello Lovers of Little Town Tea. Today I have a very special treat for you. A few weeks ago my friends and I had a potluck and I learned how to make lumpia. So, today I am going to teach you how to make this very yummy dish. Lumpia, for those of you unfamiliar with this dish, is, basically, a egg role from the Philippines, but, in my opinion, much better. My Aunt Jane is Filipino and whenever I visited her she would make me lumpia, but it was not until now that I knew how to make it myself. Thanks to Greg, that guy who taught me how to make that fantastic clam dip that I posted the recipe for, which can be found under the label cooking, I now know how to make oh so wonderful lumpia!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumU64H7NJXnFD7ZNqCM2kA2UpAQ6Yq-bj-D4x4ItHUjymz3NU6aSGGZDbWCdSY52yeiUnIQ5mUOathqVSEMkJfwkv26TbaSxnmSTpY2J8N_P5gUXexr6b9Nx2-FKCPdyVDPURgITb_Rc/s1600-h/Food+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumU64H7NJXnFD7ZNqCM2kA2UpAQ6Yq-bj-D4x4ItHUjymz3NU6aSGGZDbWCdSY52yeiUnIQ5mUOathqVSEMkJfwkv26TbaSxnmSTpY2J8N_P5gUXexr6b9Nx2-FKCPdyVDPURgITb_Rc/s320/Food+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326580032226492370" /></a><br />First what you need to do is go buy some chicken, green beans, and carrots. The chicken, by the way, is optional. Pure veggie lumpia is fantastic too. Cut all of the ingredients into very small pieces, as seen in the bowl above, put in your desired amount of garlic salt and pepper, coat the bottom of a large skillet with olive oil, and cook the ingredients until they look ready to eat. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0652MDHjGaVrRIUaqO2TEsYYYsPEZUyVzteHUDV0QIR6bpqpcxPwaBlrPYnnVWTLUNqYOUYDxpXwDfkuOP8vovkjCbVvEtTvdKUZ84aiI0tXumQWDkdzUCvMCYI4hwF50_svZdPKs-Y/s1600-h/Food+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0652MDHjGaVrRIUaqO2TEsYYYsPEZUyVzteHUDV0QIR6bpqpcxPwaBlrPYnnVWTLUNqYOUYDxpXwDfkuOP8vovkjCbVvEtTvdKUZ84aiI0tXumQWDkdzUCvMCYI4hwF50_svZdPKs-Y/s400/Food+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326587397649496146" /></a><br />Next, you need to start rolling the lumpia. The wrappers Greg bought were from an Asian grocery store and can be used for spring rolls, egg roles, and lumpia. The wrappers are very thin and stick together, so while you are pulling them apart and rolling the lumpia make sure you do not tear them. So, when you are ready to roll the lumpia take a small amount of the cooked vegetables and meat, like a small hand full, and put it at one corner of the wrapper. Begin rolling the ingredients. Once you get to the middle of the wrapper, fold in the corners on the left and the right and roll the rest of the way. Once you have finished rolling, put a little bit of water on the exposed corner and press it to the roll so that it will stick and not open up while the lumpia is frying. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtxDfayhr8eF3DjwAgphaQJA18sx3_NvMhaRuBtTSiQwjVHvlLLNn6iiesDNR2ezmYcdRz0GDJnXbnpxaRU_6LazrmR8GorJmRfQC3C5j25WjZUxiNzdMKogZmDiSgdx8Sz2ZmywM_Uw/s1600-h/Food+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtxDfayhr8eF3DjwAgphaQJA18sx3_NvMhaRuBtTSiQwjVHvlLLNn6iiesDNR2ezmYcdRz0GDJnXbnpxaRU_6LazrmR8GorJmRfQC3C5j25WjZUxiNzdMKogZmDiSgdx8Sz2ZmywM_Uw/s400/Food+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326589017026583282" /></a><br />Next, you will need to take a pan and fill it about a third of the way up with olive oil. Let the olive oil get very hot. You can check to see if it is hot enough by taking little pieces of the lumpia wrappers and seeing how well they fry. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17btgsSSUNYdLbAB1fJNLqtdsMkNFcx5oNREpCOc3_7iU505vSFBZEO0IEjTFXXQDLCOVzuHgyPVjvx-3cx-zvVMJs_zTpluLb0xTT6YzaTDXs6GFYNeP-17adnBloq5chyphenhyphenT42c_KgN0/s1600-h/Food+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17btgsSSUNYdLbAB1fJNLqtdsMkNFcx5oNREpCOc3_7iU505vSFBZEO0IEjTFXXQDLCOVzuHgyPVjvx-3cx-zvVMJs_zTpluLb0xTT6YzaTDXs6GFYNeP-17adnBloq5chyphenhyphenT42c_KgN0/s400/Food+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326589534641871970" /></a><br />Take some kitchen tongs and set the lumpia in two or three at a time, depending on the size of your pan. Make sure to let each side fry evenly. Once the lumpia looks nice and crisp take it out with your tongs and set it in a bowl that has paper towels inside. Make sure to set the lumpia up on its side so that the oil can drip out of the roll and onto the paper towels. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWbkMrc57akaWvNJ3157PxCWJyOA3US4AgE8PT-EgvKkSNZn0bi_pvGDX6RapUc336ArkndfsF3x-tn_QbH0qPcXPNJBIc9P0ejoupv84r61Zj9Hywje8gIMZqhR0LnSvh-AjWuP_MBE/s1600-h/Lumpia.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWbkMrc57akaWvNJ3157PxCWJyOA3US4AgE8PT-EgvKkSNZn0bi_pvGDX6RapUc336ArkndfsF3x-tn_QbH0qPcXPNJBIc9P0ejoupv84r61Zj9Hywje8gIMZqhR0LnSvh-AjWuP_MBE/s320/Lumpia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326590647298756018" /></a><br />Once your lumpia has all been fried and has had a chance to cool down, sit down with your friends, grab some banana catchup (which is amazing, by the way) and enjoy your delicious lumpia.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-13205439706054980072009-04-30T06:00:00.001-07:002009-04-30T06:00:01.863-07:00David Sedaris"I love things made out of animals. It's just so funny to think of someone saying, 'I need a letter opener. I guess I'll have to kill a deer.'"<br />— David Sedaris<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrIv94-pqFrWY2t5LrUsXEUS5qMxj_s45S8D6bhulQzsrQ6UiZYW_y1un1u-UV6A6_kHrCT23uFUaN57BApY0ZYm-HT6nOSdgNQhKTO1W3ciyoq2F8puzpx7zfkd6VMfCZdEPdoN9ipw/s1600-h/2828_70810758502_837133502_1580311_3821223_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrIv94-pqFrWY2t5LrUsXEUS5qMxj_s45S8D6bhulQzsrQ6UiZYW_y1un1u-UV6A6_kHrCT23uFUaN57BApY0ZYm-HT6nOSdgNQhKTO1W3ciyoq2F8puzpx7zfkd6VMfCZdEPdoN9ipw/s400/2828_70810758502_837133502_1580311_3821223_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329503021426699394" /></a><br />David Sedaris, author of <span style="font-style:italic;">Naked</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Holidays on Ice</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Me Talk Pretty One Day</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic;">When You Are Engulfed in Flames,</span> did a reading at the Modesto Junior College last Saturday night and I was lucky enough to attend. For those of you who have not yet read a David Sedaris book, his books are hilarious. To be honest, I have never read one of his books and only bought a book of his because I knew he would be signing them. I have always listened to David Sedaris on CD. He has such a great voice and such a way of reading his work that I continually buy his books on CDs or get them from the library. The first time I ever heard him was in my brothers car. Bryan was listening to his book <span style="font-style:italic;">Holidays on Ice </span>, a book I recommend for those of you who have not read any works by David Sedaris, and I laughed so hard I cried. My favorite story in that book is entitled "Six to Eight Black Men." <br />Anyhow, the reading was amazing and by the end of the night my face hurt from laughing so much. I think the best part was that after we got out of the theater David Sedaris came out and signed books. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLKc3Y_BPc4jEIcgaPuCdGfboNRHIiyM8QC2HGWS9LSWUXjNAvTZ_5i2cKysZ6yoa2wOS7OlkDcbZIMI_BYRW3ntcmwLtiRXOUULQx0SH3w_dOO2nqF5fuu8wMF4PzZwXg2mwdNT4ghM/s1600-h/2828_70810768502_837133502_1580313_5209037_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLKc3Y_BPc4jEIcgaPuCdGfboNRHIiyM8QC2HGWS9LSWUXjNAvTZ_5i2cKysZ6yoa2wOS7OlkDcbZIMI_BYRW3ntcmwLtiRXOUULQx0SH3w_dOO2nqF5fuu8wMF4PzZwXg2mwdNT4ghM/s320/2828_70810768502_837133502_1580313_5209037_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329500547275893570" /></a><br />I found out after this picture was taken that no pictures were allowed to be taken of David Sedaris. Opps! Anyhow, David is the one sitting down by the elevator doors. After what felt like an eternity, Wes and I got to meet David Sedaris and have him sign our books. This turned out to be an interesting meeting and one I will never forget. He first asked Wes if he was a Leo and he did a little growl and pawed at him with his right hand. When Wes said that he was not a Leo, but that his mom was, David asked Wes if he had recently had sex with his mother. David then went on to ask me if I had a sister and a brother. When I told him I did, he asked me if I could forgive them if they had sex with each other. And that, in a nutshell, was my encounter with David Sedaris. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgNvUJmIDz4o8dGz_h8AYt_kFG5OQlqChHbDXRyIaqtVCGnwrlT3BirOLyLXT_5B8d4fFcSkrNTlwb6AUNQFcIBwrbIGiXlhAAfAgcAiagIZkF98CeCxHFRm7CBklJGsYTCRgHzOCIvQ/s1600-h/2828_70810778502_837133502_1580315_6667199_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgNvUJmIDz4o8dGz_h8AYt_kFG5OQlqChHbDXRyIaqtVCGnwrlT3BirOLyLXT_5B8d4fFcSkrNTlwb6AUNQFcIBwrbIGiXlhAAfAgcAiagIZkF98CeCxHFRm7CBklJGsYTCRgHzOCIvQ/s320/2828_70810778502_837133502_1580315_6667199_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329500074985321410" /></a><br />Here is what David Sedaris wrote and drew in my book. I call his drawing the Abe Lincoln turtle. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPkSYVeShFvU8xQLQvwAUrQ1o44TgmGqB07Jr1pPBE1sNLT1dr-LdZdl-emumNYWJx6B9x5nSaziFvzDCAIKAm-_mMPaNUOLnK3knNjOCqSupiT0Qzgolqomkc0KnBx7OmVPo0LwG7r0/s1600-h/2828_70810783502_837133502_1580316_1114308_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPkSYVeShFvU8xQLQvwAUrQ1o44TgmGqB07Jr1pPBE1sNLT1dr-LdZdl-emumNYWJx6B9x5nSaziFvzDCAIKAm-_mMPaNUOLnK3knNjOCqSupiT0Qzgolqomkc0KnBx7OmVPo0LwG7r0/s320/2828_70810783502_837133502_1580316_1114308_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329500025868606098" /></a><br />Here is what David Sedaris wrote and drew in Wes' book. David Sedaris told me that if I had a cat it would look like his drawing...Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-2648445952884816922009-04-29T06:00:00.000-07:002009-04-29T06:00:02.763-07:00Little Town Tea's Poem of the Week<span style="font-weight:bold;">It's Dark in Here</span><br />By: Shel Silverstein<br /><br />I am writing these poems<br />From inside a lion,<br />And it's rather dark in here.<br />So please excuse the handwriting<br />Which may not be too clear.<br />But this afternoon by the lion's cage<br />I'm afraid I got too near.<br />And I'm writing these lines<br />From inside a lion,<br />And it's rather dark in here.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-73928455238018590592009-04-28T06:00:00.000-07:002009-04-28T06:00:01.833-07:00Little Town Tea's Book Corner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRuM-vRzLqsWEP0tVXEFgqISdS7CWUptak2isml9IpDnG0r15wMteraoyGsViOpyYz2bjY6j0OyNBtlUiekL8iSAyNTO7ZAavHZov-4tKNCxDkYaDH2Z4SjeQb-ryPr_yRAnrPA1fOHM/s1600-h/6a00b8ea06ece0dece00bf76c6c1cd954a-500pi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRuM-vRzLqsWEP0tVXEFgqISdS7CWUptak2isml9IpDnG0r15wMteraoyGsViOpyYz2bjY6j0OyNBtlUiekL8iSAyNTO7ZAavHZov-4tKNCxDkYaDH2Z4SjeQb-ryPr_yRAnrPA1fOHM/s400/6a00b8ea06ece0dece00bf76c6c1cd954a-500pi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321617836658286834" /></a><br />I read Sue Monk Kidd's <span style="font-style:italic;">The Mermaid Chair</span> over the summer while I was in Santa Cruz. It was just one of those books you can't put down and you find yourself reading all night while you tell yourself "just one more chapter." This story takes place on Egret Island, a fiction island that Sue Monk Kidd places off the coast of South Carolina. The main character, Jessie Sullivan, is a married middle aged woman who must go to the island to take care of her troubled mother for a few months. Her mother's house, the house she grew up in, is next door to a monastery. While staying with her mother, Jessie begins to question her relationship with her husband as she starts falling in love with one of the monks next door. Jessie also begins to learn about the mermaid chair, a shrine at the monastery that the brothers have dedicated to a saint that was once a mermaid, and she begins to learn a secret about her father that her mother has hid for many years. It is the vibrant characters and the twist and turns, that Sue Monk Kidd so perfectly executes, that keep you always wanting more.Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020608448199290142.post-76671568091482626342009-04-27T06:00:00.000-07:002009-04-27T06:00:05.279-07:00Little Town Tea's Quote of the Week<span style="font-family: georgia;">"If you're looking for sympathy you'll find it between shit and syphilis in the dictionary." </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"> - David Sedaris </span>Little Town Teahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12858877524944114009noreply@blogger.com1