Tuesday Tea No. 30 Remembering Leisurely Summer Pastimes

These photos are by Marty Callan...

husband of Trudy Callan of Sewing with Trudy

Do you remember when summer evenings were spent on the porch or playing games on the lawn? Welcome to Tuesday Tea!  I hope you'll join me for a trip down 'memory lane' today....

I’m sipping Green Passion Fruit tea from Timothy’s and the smell is so fragrant and fruity that it makes me think of a beach somewhere far away.....  This box of ten different teas was a bargain purchase from Ross. I love outlet stores, don’t you? Hmmm…it’s hard to pick which tea to try each day!

 

I picked the perfect cup too…my beautiful coffee cup from Corpus Christi that we bought when my dear daughter and I went on a senior trip year before last.  

Have you got your tea cup picked out and your favorite tea steeping..or perhaps you are having it iced today? Wow—is it ever hot! It was 101 today! It’s rained all around us..but not here.

If you would like to join today’s tea chat..just link up right here. I’d love to have you sit and visit for awhile. :o)

I was reading a friend’s post this week..and it really got me to reminiscing! Bee from Mawmaw’s place wrote about ‘homesickness’. 

 

Bee shared this song and I thought it would be perfect for Sunday song at Natasha's.

Reading her description of life before A/C and computers..about sleeping with a fan blowing to stay cool…and the night sounds coming through the screened in windows…

 

It got me to thinking about my childhood…when the best way to cool off was a tall glass of iced tea, a big slice of juicy watermelon, a sprinkler (no pool at the house) … or just lolling under a shade tree or swinging on the porch. 

It made me remember all the board games we used to play..fishing by lamplight on the lake’s edge… and chasing fireflies in the cool of the evening on a summer’s night.  (Thanks Mom!)




We used to spend our evenings quite differently once upon a time! We were far less likely to be camped around a TV watching movies…and we didn’t have cell phones, laptops, facebook, blogging, twitter, Netflix or texting. You may not realize it..but constant noise and stimulation can be exhausting!

 


Last week found us lolling around the deck laughing at the grandkids’ antics in the wading pool, shopping, (I NEVER shop!) , and learning Canasta. Yes, we watched a few movies, but thanks to Ebeth’s love of ‘doing’ things…We didn’t sit in front of the tv every night!

It’s just too easy for me to relax with a movie when doing something would be a better choice. We had a lot of fun and I’m glad we didn’t miss out on it!

Last night, found our family playing music..Tim on the cello, Rebekah on the piano, and Christian and I on the guitar each performing our favorite songs. We also had a guest and he played worship songs for us..which we all joined in and sang too at times.

  

At one point we played ‘hide and seek’ with Percy, our Dachshund/Chihuahua mix. We’d hide Rebekah (whom he adores) under a blanket or behind a door in the living room. Then she’d call him and he would race in and begin running around the room looking everywhere trying to find her. 

It was just hilarious! He even climbed on a chair to get a better view ! Our sides just ached laughing at his anxious efforts to find his dear owner..and his joyous reunion..every time he found her.

He also ‘sang’ to accompany Tim on the cello. His little nose would raise up into the air as high as it could go..and just like a coyote..he’d howl to match the beautiful notes of Tim’s playing.

Then we got out a couple of decks of cards and gathered around the table. We had such a fun time learning to play Canasta! (How I wish Ebeth had been there to guide us! It was only my fourth time to play!) There is nothing that gets everyone laughing and (groaning at times)..like a good card game or board game.  :o)

The evening went by so fast!  We ate Rebekah’s brownies with whipped cream…and a large bowl of ripe cherries. It was late last night when we said good-bye to our guest..and headed off to bed. But I know we all had big smiles on our faces.




I must say…it was a lot more fun than watching a movie!  I felt like we truly ‘spent time’ with each other. We got to know each other better..and made some special memories. We laughed a LOT! And it was good medicine..for sure!

Perhaps tonight..instead of everyone sitting around with laptops or cell phones..or plugging in another DVD…you might want to try a leisurely activity of your younger days..like a board game, hula hooping or an impromptu musical performance..or just a little sing a long with the radio.



Maybe an evening stroll through the neighborhood would do it or just curling up with a good book….





Or maybe you need to get out a couple of cups for coffee or tea and sit on the porch for awhile..and just chat.   Some of the best things in life…are free..and don’t require electricity. :o)

Have you ever taken a ‘vacation’ from your electronics? You might be surprised at how rested and timeless it feels!

Linking with these lovely ladies' Tea Parties..and Sites..

Raising Homemakers

Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday

The Plumed Pen's  Tea for Two

Rose Chintz Tea Time Tuesday

Martha's Favorite Teacup Tuesday  
Wanda Lee's Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday  
Pam's Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Kathy’s A Delightsome Life: A Return to Loveliness
Amy of Tea Girl in a Coffee World 
Natasha's Sunday Song