Two Days of Pleasure

Yesterday was a fun-filled day.  When my hubby brought in the morning's mail there was a package from one of my blog followers that I keep in touch with.  

She had written earlier and sent a picture from her son, who travels the world on business, taken at the TWG Tea salon in Singapore.

I researched TWG Tea, and found it was established in 2008 in Singapore with the claim of having the finest luxury tea brand in the world, with more than 800 different single-estate teas. TWG stands for The Wellbeing Group.  The salon apparently sells other tea brands in addition to their own line since my friend's son bought her eight boxes of English Tea Shop teas, and suggested she share some with a tea friend.  Sarah shared some with me and said we'd call it a "belated" birthday gift.  

The Green Tea is from Sri Lanka.  English Tea Shop is as the name implies, a company based in London, England.  Thank you so much for thinking of me, Sarah! 

After opening my surprise package, it was time to head off to P.F. Chang's for lunch with a dear friend.

I arrived a few early minutes ahead of my friend, so I order a pot of their White Tangerine tea to sip during my brief wait.  It was so good.

I ordered my normal Sesame Chicken, and we sat in a somewhat secluded booth for two hours getting caught up on each other's news.  When it was time to leave, our server brought us two red fortune cookies in celebration of the Chinese New Year which began on February 16th. The Chinese New Year is also called the Spring Festival and lasts for 15 days - from the 1st to the 15th day of the first lunar month.  The 15th day is called the Lantern Festival and marks the end of the celebration.  Have you ever seen a red fortune cookie?  

Red is the predominant color of the New Year celebration.  Houses are decorated with red decorations, and the Chinese people dress in red.  In Chinese culture, red is the symbol of happiness, wealth, and prosperity.  It can also ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.  Red decorations are to their festival what Christmas trees are to our Christmas season.

Today the mailman brought a package from another friend.  I met Brynda last year at the Kellogg Manor House near Kalamazoo, MI [on the western side of the state], when she did a fabulous impersonation of Beatrix Potter at a tea.  

We've communicated a few times via e-mail, and she became a follower of my blog.  On the blog she saw that I did a presentation about Shirley Temple Black, so when she came across a book about Shirley she e-mailed to inquire if I'd like to have it.  I never turn down a good book, especially if it's recommended by a librarian!   Thanks, Brynda!  

Then it was time to greet the ladies for our 11:00 a.m. Bible study at my house.  We had a great time together today.

The sun is shining in southeastern Michigan and the temperature is in the 50's.  It's been  two great days!