Sipping tea in a beer guzzling world

My original idea for this blog was to find things to make every day a celebration. It's just a weird fascination of mine to discover holidays from around the world, and how people celebrate them. But it has never had to be something official like that. That is just fun for me, personally. However, I have so sorely neglected this blog for well over a year.

Hey, I have an excuse. Last year was a dumpster fire of a year. I don't know who first coined that term to apply to 2016, but I think it's pretty brilliant. There's even an ornament someone designed for it. Seriously! But on a more personal level, my dad died last year. I learned way more than I wanted on elder care (severely lacking, honestly), health conditions in general, and what it means to be an executrix. Mostly, how much death brings out the best and worst of people. Testify.

But then a new year rolls around, and everyone makes noises about being better. I know I do. I'm kind of notorious about resolutions. And I keep them. Mostly. Okay, kinda. So this year is no different. I was recently reminded about listing five things I'm grateful for every day. I think it was Sarah ban Breathnach that made that a thing? When you think about it, being grateful is a way of celebrating, amirite?

So here's my five things from last year and into this year that give me reason to celebrate:

1. My son and I have reignited our passion for finding old and often neglected cemeteries. We should probably dress in black considering how much we enjoy this. It's probably the history buff in both of us that drives us to seek these usually hard to reach places, but we do love doing it.

2. The Vikings. I watched the first episode when it first aired and never quite managed to get back to it. It kept creeping into my life last year, and I am lucky to have a friend who just so happened to have three seasons on dvd loaned them to me. Once I started watching I was HOOKED. Thank you On Demand and kisses to my dvr that allowed me to then watch the fourth season. I also can't stop playing the theme song. I'm waiting for my family to rebel. I won't lie, I'm listening to it right now.

3. Thrift shopping obsession. This is very likely a tribute to my dad, because it was something he and I liked to do together. We understood one another about this in a way that baffled my mom and makes my husband shake his head. I typically go once a week and often come home with treasures. See, I call it treasure hunting, but my dad called it junk shopping. Potaytoe, potahtoe. Just today I found some very cool wine themed stuff. Which leads into my next item.

4. Normally if I drink wine, it's of the dessert variety. Last year I decided I wanted to become more discriminating. At a thrift store, natch, I found a kit on hosting a wine tasting party. I'm not so much interested in the party part, as the items contained in the kit. Basically, score sheets for wine tastings. I never realized there was so much to wine other than smashed and aged grapes. Go ahead, call me a philistine. I own it. So, when possible, I sample different wines, attempting to differentiate the tastes and smells one from another. I won't say I'm getting good at it, but I am getting a little better. Now when I drink dry wine I don't make faces.

5. But mostly, and hence the title of this entry, tea. Last year I finally took the challenge a friend of mine gave me to post all of my tea mugs on my tea blog. You can find it here, if you are so inclined. I was surprised, not surprised, at how many tea mugs I currently own. My dining room is dedicated to all things tea. I drink tea every single day. Nothing (okay, that's an exaggeration, but you get it) makes me happier than a nice cuppa.

And those five things, for starters, give me cause for celebration. History, more history, shopping, wine, and tea. And politics. But I won't say more on that. ;)

Take a Walk Outdoors Day

January is Family Fit Lifestyle Month and today is, appropriately, Take a Walk Outdoors Day. So how do you plan to spend it?

The website Work Smart, Live Smart offers these suggestions for your family:

Outdoor activities such as taking a nature walk together are a great way of keeping the family fit and spending quality time together

Reward each other’s participation in fitness activities. Be each other’s cheerleader.

Start a fitness diary and record how far or long each family member participated in an activity

Be a positive fitness and healthy role model for your children. One disturbing study found that french fries were the most popular vegetable for 15-18 month old children. Children learn about nutrition from their parents. Set boundaries and limits so that it is easier for everyone in the family to make healthy food choices. (Appropriate portions for a typical dinner meal – plate 1/2 filled with fruits and veggies, 1/4 with protein and 1/4 whole grains.)

Drink more water and limit beverages that add needless calories such as pop and artificial fruit juices

Get more sleep. Children need between 9-11 hours and adults need on average 7-9 hours. Inadequate sleep leads to greater appetite, weight gain and lethargy

Have fun. Fitness shouldn’t be boring or feel like drudgery. If it does that you haven’t found the right activities. Some of us prefer activities that we can do alone. Some of us need the watchful eye of a coach. Some of us prefer team settings. Fitness activities should be something that we look forward to.

Research funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found kids spend 2 hours less per week outdoors than they did 20 years ago. With this decrease in outdoor activity comes an increase in health problems, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Kids that spend time outdoors in gardens and nature are more focused, perform better in school and have less problems with ADD symptoms. And all of us feel the benefit as our blood pressure is lowered and mood improved.

I am blessed to have a perfect walking track in a park just outside my neighborhood. We all use it as often as possible. I am always pleased to see how many people regularly use it, and how many different ages.

Ditch Your New Year's Resolutions Day

Didn't we just discuss on January 12 how to STICK to your new year's resolutions? And now we discover today is the day to ditch them! What?

Based on statistics compiled over at Statistic Brain, while 45% of people make resolutions, only 8% are successful in achieving them! Now that's just depressing. 75% maintain their resolutions for the first week of the new year, but by six months, only 46% are still at them. However, people who actually do make resolutions are ten times more likely to attain their goals than those who never make resolutions.

So, I think what is called for here, rather than ditching your resolutions, is to reevaluate them. Most people, myself included, tend to make a long list of goals. Most are improvement or achievement goals. Some are general, some are more specific. I suggest you take another look at your goals. Break them down into smaller increments. Say, you want to lose 20 pounds. Sounds kind of reasonable, right? So you start an exercise program. You've been at it two weeks and you've lost two pounds. You become discouraged. This is going to take forever! So, change the goal - just a bit. Make the goal three pounds a month (or whatever you like), and work on that smaller goal. Before you know it, you've achieved your 20 pound goal!

It's like telling your young child to clean their room. They walk in and feel immediately intimidated. But if you say pick up all the clothes, they can do that. Next, pick up all the Legos. They can do that. And on and on until the room is done.

Resolutions are like that.

So, don't ditch. Reassess. And keep on keeping on!

National Hat Day

Today is National Hat Day. My husband, youngest son, and even my daughter-in-law are rarely spotted without a hat. My daughter is frequently sporting something cute or jaunty on her head. I rarely wear them, myself, but I'm entertaining the idea.

In case you didn't know, millinery is the designing and manufacture of hats. The term “milliner” derived from the city of Milan, Italy.  The best quality hats were made in Milan in the 18th century.
Millinery began as traditionally a woman’s occupation, as the milliner not only created hats and bonnets but also chose lace, trim and accessories to complete an outfit.

There are so many types of hats to choose from.

These, though, tend to be more the type I would most likely wear.

However, this is the one I actually own. And wear.

But, for today, I think I will try out something new and different. Why don't you, too?

Stick To Your New Year's Resolutions Day

Today is Stick To Your New Year's Resolution Day. It's been almost two weeks into the new year, how are you doing? It is said it takes 21 days to  make a habit, and this is only day 12. Still holding on?

The reasons people don't stick to their resolutions are numerous, but there are ways to do better. The American Psychological Association offers these tips on their website, in the article entitled Making Your New Year's Resolution Stick:

"...it is important to remember that the New Year isn’t meant to serve as a catalyst for sweeping character changes. It is a time for people to reflect on their past year’s behavior and promise to make positive lifestyle changes. “Setting small, attainable goals throughout the year, instead of a singular, overwhelming goal on January 1 can help you reach whatever it is you strive for,” says psychologist Lynn Bufka, PhD. “Remember, it is not the extent of the change that matters, but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time.”

Start small
Make resolutions that you think you can keep. If, for example, your aim is to exercise more frequently, schedule three or four days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you would like to eat healthier, try replacing dessert with something else you enjoy, like fruit or yogurt, instead of seeing your diet as a form of punishment.

Change one behavior at a time
Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time. Thus, replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones requires time. Don’t get overwhelmed and think that you have to reassess everything in your life. Instead, work toward changing one thing at a time.

Talk about it
Share your experiences with family and friends. Consider joining a support group to reach your goals, such as a workout class at your gym or a group of coworkers quitting smoking. Having someone to share your struggles and successes with makes your journey to a healthier lifestyle that much easier and less intimidating.

Don’t beat yourself up
Perfection is unattainable. Remember that minor missteps when reaching your goals are completely normal and OK. Don’t give up completely because you ate a brownie and broke your diet, or skipped the gym for a week because you were busy. Everyone has ups and downs; resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.

Ask for support
Accepting help from those who care about you and will listen strengthens your resilience and ability to manage stress caused by your resolution. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking professional help. Psychologists are uniquely trained to understand the connection between the mind and body. They can offer strategies as to how to adjust your goals so that they are attainable, as well as help you change unhealthy behaviors and address emotional issues.

New Year's Eve Traditions

Last New Year's Eve I came across a couple of article on traditions for this day. I told myself I would do them this year. And I plan to do as many as possible.

This first was an article on Huffington Post about traditions in Latin America. Some were just so cool and different, I want to share them here:

1. Wear red or yellow panties. "On New Year's Eve wear red panties to guarantee passion and love in the new year, or yellow underwear to help bring money and happiness into your life." Or go for broke and wear panties with both colors!

2. Clean your house. "On December 31, scrub down your house and throw out any trash to cleanse your home from any negativity and to attract positive energy into your life." Interestingly, this cleaning ritual seems to cross all traditions around the world.

3. Write a wish list for the new year. "Similar to the widely practiced tradition of making a list of "New Year's Resolutions," a "lista de deseos" (wish list) for the new year should include all those goals you're hoping to reach next year and those less tangible wishes like "finding the one" or "world peace." Whatever it is that you put on your list make sure to also write how you plan to meet those goals or help realize those dreams. Then, fold it in half and after the clock strikes twelve read it to yourself. Keep it and refer back to it throughout the year!" I think this makes a little more sense than just the usual list of resolutions. Less pressure.

4. 12 months, 12 grapes. "This is no midnight snack. Before (or during) the hugs and kisses that ensue after the new year begins, make sure to eat 12 grapes -- representing the 12 months of the new year -- while making a wish for every month/grape that you have. But beware! Get a sour grape and that could mean a bad month is in store for you. Also, many believe the grapes must be consumed within the first 12 minutes of the new year -- or else..." This one takes place after the stroke of midnight, not before. So plan ahead.

5. Run around the block with luggage. "If travel is what you're looking for in the new year all you have to do is run around your block (or up and down your stairs) with your luggage in hand. But be careful, empty bags won't get you far. You should pack objects that represent the type of locations you'd like to visit. Place swim trunks in your luggage if you'd like to travel to the beach, a passport if you want to go abroad, or ski gear if you want to hit the slopes." Since you'll want to pack exactly the kinds of things you'll need, I suggest using the kind of luggage on wheels that you can pull. And if you are worried about weird looks from your neighbors, maybe just run around your yard.

6. Hold money in your hands when the clock strikes 12. "Before the clock strikes twelve put your drink down and grab some bills (preferably from your own wallet). Having money in your hand at midnight is meant to ensure economic prosperity in the new year. Keep in mind that holding a $100 bill will give you better results than a $1 bill!" I'm going to go out on a limb here and recommend against using play money. LOL!

7. Sweep out negative energy. "If this year brought you nothing but problems, suffering, tears, etc., then it's time to sweep it all out of your home -- and your life. On New Year's Eve simply take a broom to the front door and start sweeping towards the street. This ritual should rid you of all the negativity you've harbored throughout the year." This is another one of those rituals that I've seen across countries and traditions, as well.

8. Burn the bad. "Before midnight, take some time to write everything you'd like to forget from this year and then simply burn it up. Once you've left the past in ashes you'll be ready to take on the new year." I talked about something similar before, known as the Burning Bowl Ritual.

9. The drink of wealth. "For a little more financial luck in the new year simply take anything gold (like a ring) and drop it in the drink you plan to toast with." Word of caution: be sure not to swallow the gold! The last thing you want is a trip to the emergency room.

10. Eat lentils. "In this tradition that originated in Italy, eating lentils throughout the last day of the year, or a spoonful immediately at the beginning of the new year, will guarantee that the next year will be filled with riches!" Find a lentil dish you like and add it to your evening's dining repertoire. Continue that theme and "take a half a handful of (uncooked!) lentils and drop them in your purse, backpack, etc. Keep them in there year around and money won't be a problem in the new year!"

11. Light a candle. "Candles on New Year's Eve can help make the new year prosperous and positive. Lighting a green candle will bring you good health while a yellow candle will help your financial troubles. For those looking for some wisdom, an orange candle should be lit while a blue one will bring you peace and a red candle passion or love." One suggestion for the candle is to burn a bayberry candle. Tradition holds it be burned on either Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve, with the idea that: For a bayberry candle burned to the socket, will bring joy to the heart and gold to the pocket.

12. Wear your underwear inside out. "Wearing your underwear backwards on New Year's Eve and fixing it during the first few minutes of the new year will guarantee plenty of new clothes in the new year!" I guess it would be okay if your underwear was red or yellow, too. That counts twice, right?

13. End the year with a splash. "For many Latinos, moving on isn't necessarily water under the bridge... in fact it's more like throwing a bucket of water out of a window. In this New Year's Eve ritual, water symbolizes all of the suffering and tears you'd like to get rid off before the start of the new year. Whether it's a glass or a bucket full of water, splashing your woes out on the street can be the best way to put the past behind you!" Throwing this water on your guests does not count. Just sayin'.

14. A bright house means a bright year. "Nothing says clarity and prosperity like light, so many Latinos make it a point to welcome the new year by having all of the lights in the house on. Turn them on just minutes before the clock strikes 12, but don't leave them on too long or the first gift in the new year will be a hefty electricity bill!" And if you went crazy with Christmas lights...

15. Wear white for peace and health. "Wearing white on New Year's Eve is said to bring you good health and internal peace in the new year. The color is also known to absorb positive energy." But be aware how well every will be able to see your red or yellow underwear. Consider making it just a white shirt. ;)

16. Start the year on the right foot. Literally. "As you're counting down the final seconds of the year, making sure only your right foot is firmly on the ground can bring you good luck in the new year." A somewhat similar tradition is the Scottish practice of First Footer.

17. Burn the old year. "In many countries in Latin America large life-sized rag dolls are created with... really whatever you can find. This doll is known as the "Old Year" and on New Year's Eve it's tradition to burn the doll to symbolically purify yourself and be rid of all the negativity that the old year brought you." Just be careful you don't create a fire you can't handle, and please, please, please do not burn someone's treasured doll because you don't like it. That would just be mean and really set an ugly tone for the new year!

Be sure to check out the original article for a few more ideas to help ring in your new year. I just chose the ones that appealed to me.

Have a happy new year! May it bring all the blessings you desire!

Februalia

In ancient Roman times, if you were a god or goddess, you probably had a festival named after you. It was just a thing, I guess. A way to hedge your bets to ensure no deity took offense and did disastrous things.

Februalia, oddly, isn't named after a deity. A god, Februus, did come along later, but the festival is what actually gave the month of February its name.

Februalia is a month long period of ritual purification. According to Wikipedia, the festival, "which is basically one of Spring washing or cleaning (associated also with the raininess of this time of year) is ancient, and possibly of Sabine origin. According to Ovid, Februare as a Latin word which refers to means of purification (particularly with washing or water) derives from an earlier Etruscan word referring to purging." The god Februus also happens to be a god of purification.

According to paganwiccan.about.com, "because of the association with fire as a method of purification, at some point the celebration of Februalia became associated with Vesta. Not only that, February 2 is also considered the day of Juno Februa, the mother of war god Mars. There is a reference to this purification holiday in Ovid's Fasti, in which he says, "In short, anything used to cleanse our bodies went by that name [of februa] in the time of our unshorn forefathers. The month is called after these things, because the Luperci purify the whole ground with strips of hide, which are their instruments of cleansing..."

There seems to be some debate about exactly when Februalia is. It starts either at the beginning, or the middle of February, and has come to be closely associated with and celebrated at Lupercalia, which falls on February 14. I rather like the idea of starting it on February 1. But that's just me.

Regardless, following right along with Imbolc and Disting, Februalia is a time to being preparations for the coming spring. So take time during this month to *purify* yourself. I am not a proponent of detox plans, but there is certainly nothing wrong with spending some time pampering yourself by taking time to care about yourself. In this month so closely associated with love, make sure you shower some of that love on yourself. Soak in a hot bath. Drink plenty of water. Meditate.

As part of the purification, thoroughly clean your kitchen and bathrooms. Take a hose to wash down your windows outside. Try every day to do something to clean a different area of the home. By the end of the month you will have made a huge difference, and when spring does roll around next month, your spring cleaning will go much easier.