Tea Sandwich Tuesday: Cucumber Sandwiches

My son brought home a lone cucumber, and the poor thing has sat here a few days. Since we have a glaring tendency to throw out way more food than I am comfortable with, I decided to rescue this vegetable.

Cucumber Sandwiches

One cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
Salt
2 T. malt vinegar

Mix the cucumber with the salt and vinegar, then place in a colander to drain for at least 30 minutes. Once drained, pat the slices dry with a paper towel. Butter a slice of bread, lay the cucumber slices on top, then add another slice of bread. Slice into desired shapes and enjoy!

I was concerned the vinegar might make the cucumbers too tangy for a sandwich, but the butter balances it out nicely.

It has been hot here, lately. Hello! Summer is this month! But that doesn't stop me from enjoying a nice cuppa hot tea. Today it is in a mug that is intended to remind me of cooler days. The tea is a lovely herbal with pomegranates and roses.

Snakes...and tea

Monday was pretty raw, as we learned of the tragic murders in Orlando. Anger and frustration at the impotence and inability of Congress to enact laws to protect their citizens, mingled with deep sorrow and pain for the victims and their families.

As is our usual custom, my husband and I went for a walk at the local park. Ahead of us we observed a jogger doing an unexpected leap. As we got closer we saw why - a snake! A copperhead, to be exact. We three stood there watching it slowly slither away, completely unperturbed by the near collision with the jogger.

I have friends who are very much into animal symbolism, so I decided to look up snakes. This is what I discovered:

"In ancient traditions as well as modern times, snakes are symbols of healing powers and opportunities. In the Greek mythology, Aesclepius, the god of medicine, is featured with two snakes climbing up a rod, the symbol of what is known today as the Caduceus."

What a perfect symbol for this day! Healing for the families in Orlando, the monumental efforts by the doctors and medical staff in Orlando to save what lives they could, and maybe opportunity for Congress to finally find their spines and souls.

My tea and mug couldn't have been more perfect. A white tea with mint and roses, appropriately named *Sense of Peace*, and my mug with this message:

Peace be with you, Orlando.

Rainy days and tea

We've had LOTS of rain over the past few weeks, and today was certainly no different. Loud thunderboomers, as my husband calls them.  So I made myself some grits (I'm a southerner, after all) and nice cup of vanilla hazelnut tea. And enjoyed the rain.

Allergies on the run

Ha! And I don't mean the obvious, that they are making my nose run! LOL! I spent another day drugging myself, but I've definitely noticed a difference. I'm still coughing, but not in the fits that had become commonplace. So today I made myself some darjeeling. To go with the mini cinnamon rolls my husband bought me, because he felt sorry for me. Aw...

And, yes, it may be almost officially summer, but I used a Christmasy mug. Because I wanted to.

Ugh! Allergies!

I spent all day yesterday drugging myself, trying to get rid of this persistent dry cough that I know results from allergies. It's driving me crazy! So, toward evening, I made myself a nice cuppa lemon chamomile tea.

It's by Tupperware, and even has its own coaster. And, no, I didn't do any stepping out. In fact, I avoided physical stuff all day, mostly because the antihistamine made me sleepy.

Downtime after exercise

Now that vacation is over and we are attempting to return to normal life, that includes eating healthy foods and exercising. But it doesn't mean I can't treat myself afterwards. So, I do. With tea. In this case, a blueberry merlot. Don't get too excited; it's an herbal tea! But delicious!

In a mug from my time as a Scout Mom.

Primaries and tea

It was a long night last night, as we sat and watched primary returns. We talked about nothing but. Yes, we are a very politically informed and active family, so this is normal behavior for us. It also required a great deal of tea.

After I finished my iced green tea with my supper, I indulged in something a little lighter. A white tea with blueberry.

It says Houston and pictures the Houston downtown landscape.