February fog is a season unto itself. This is what it looks like outside,
...and this is the view from the inside.
Waking up to this can be a blessing, especially when thinking about what kind of tea party will best go with that scene.
Today I am trying white peony tea, but there are herbal teas like spearmint and chamomile that are very tasty on a foggy day. Accompanying foods are: potato scones (recipe varies according to preferences) and a salad.
Rather than being dreaded, foggy days can be excuses for small celebrations at home. The presence of fog means there is more opportunity to tend to household things.*
Some teas give off a nice fragrance, which adds to the welcome feeling in the home.
Lights showing in the cold, crisp winter, are bright, strong and clear. Lights in the fog season have a soft glow.
Foggy Day Brighteners:
*Make lists
*Dress a little more formally rather than casually
*Read
*Write
*Sort through a box of papers
*Clean a room
*Prepare a special tea for the children
*Create bright spots
*Catch up on ironing and other things that you'd rather not be doing on a sunny day.
*Motivate yourself to get the house presentable by making a future appointment to host someone for a foggy day tea.
Since there has been more interest in fog as something special (like the first snow or rain) I believe there will soon be foggy-day cards, and tea celebrations everywhere.
12 comments:
Lydia, I looked at the recipe and that looks like the very thing I had in the Highlands. I had forgotten that they were fried, but indeed, they were. Also, the recipe suggests substituting oatmeal. Was it you that had talked about oat cakes one time? I would like to make the ones that supposedly HRM Elizabeth has for her daily breakfast. Its fun to think that we are "eating like queens "!
The oat cakes are in the Fog-Lifter Afternoon Tea post. I have not ever added oats to potato scones. There is a more elaborate recipe for the ones you had, which include mixing a beaten egg, and butter in the hot mashed potatoes before frying. It is then made into a size large enough to place a fried egg on top. These are the small scones I just use a deep biscuit cutter with, and can serve with teas. They are good with a dab of maple syrup on top. I use the real maple syrup.
I enjoy your foggy morning posts! There's something romantic and mysterious about fog, I think. It looks like everything is coated in pearl dust. I can never encounter fog without thinking of Carl Sandburg's poem, Fog.
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
Many critics say it's full of metaphors about life. Some of the analyses are interesting, but I just like the poem and the literal meaning of the words. (I'm a cat lover, too.)
Fog can be depressing and frightening, as well. I hate driving in heavy fog. I don't feel I'm in control when I can't see where I'm going.
But lights are lovely in the fog. The hazy, soft halo that radiates from the light is so pretty.
I'm not much of a tea drinker, though I have a lot of different kinds. I find myself brewing a pot of flavored coffee instead of reaching for a tea bag. But your posts make me want to explore my choices on hand. I have African Nectar, Red Raspberry, and Vanilla Chai, among many others.
I hope you continue to enjoy the foggy mornings and your tea in your lovely serving pieces.
Joyce, I like the poem. I think I might be waking up to fog for a long time, so am planning some sewing tutorials to go with it. I drove once in fog and hope to never do it again. Even car lights low do nothing to help. I had been away from home and it was perfectly clear, but when I got ready to drive home the fog was too think to see anything.
I've so enjoyed this series.. no fog here but it has been very cold and snow squalls have made going out dangerous.. can have a white out in seconds. Today I had a Jane Austen day.. I have been working hard to get my house in order.. so today I put in Emma, made a pot of tea and crocheted.. For good purpose.. I am making shawls to sell again, I used to love to make them but then no time.. today almost finished one! It was such a pleasant start to the week. (I could not go to church.. my daughter had to take my car to work unexpectedly) being home is SO nice.
I guess it takes me a while to get it. Finally,after reading all your foggy day tea posts, I see how you have taken what is usually a dreary thing and turned it into something pleasant. Thank you for this example. It has helped me so much and been a lesson I won't soon forget.
I believe fog is an untapped source of celebration. There are all kinds of customs for spring, summer, autumn and winter, and yet fog has been neglected. Fog goes very well with the shabby-chic decor, especially things that are white. Other colors are a great compliment and contrast to the whiteness of fog. I'm sewing something to wear in the fog, too, just as I've sewn special summer dresses to wear for picnics or summer celebrations.
My mother used to make potato scones when we were children. I'm telling you, it was a cause for great excitement when she would get the ingredients & equipment out for these! I don't remember her ever making potatoes on purpose in order to make scones, but using day-old mashed potatoes from a previous meal. We kids could make a plate, piled several inches high with piping hot potato scones, disappear in no time. My father (American born) could never understand our fondness for them....Mom said one had to be raised to like them. All I know is that my potato scones just don't taste the same as my mother's. The memory of eating the ones she made is such a good one! :o)
Brenda
I hope you enjoyed your White Peony tea. I like it very much and after reading how healthful it is in so many ways, I will be drinking it daily....
Lynn
Yes I am making it more often and getting used to it. There is a special way to make white tea. You are supposed to let the water stop boiling before you pour it over the bag in the pot. Or, you can not bring the water quite to a boil.
Also, white tea should be kept in the fridge, for improved flavor.
That sounded good, Lady Lydia! The kids and I tried our own little potato cakes today because of your post, and they were very good.
Mashed potato, grated carrot, flour, oil, cheese, leeks, garlic, baking powder, lemon juice, and salt. They were delicious! Thank you for the encouragement!
We have beautiful fog where I live now - I have never seen anything like it before moving here. We often wake up in a white cloud, and it happens all throughout the seasons.
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