The crisp Saturday morning that I awoke to was filled with little house tasks I like to do each weekend: making a batch of scones, preparing my laundry for washing, tidying up areas of the house that have gotten somewhat cluttered, and a hot cup of tea,

I have had a sore throat for the last few days and have found relief in a hot cup of tea.  Maybe its my English roots coming out (um, I have none!) but I have been craving tea more so now than ever.  I am regularly a coffee man, preferring a cup of java during the day or after an evening meal.  These past few days, however, have been a bit different.

Yesterday when I was eating lunch with a few priests and a bishop, after the main course and before the dessert I was served with a cup of tea on the most beautiful china – bishops eat with class.  Well, the priest who was hosting these special guests is very particular about his china.  Well, anyway, the tea was served with slices of lemon that was the best way of prepping for dessert and also a way to savor the taste of the tea.

This morning, sitting here with a steaming cup of tea next to me in some not-so-fancy china, the tastes are still refreshing and uplifting.  As the scones finish baking in the oven and I start researching an apple cobbler recipe for tomorrow’s dinner with LC, HAM and RAM at RAM’s apartment in Reston, this cup of tea will be my handy companion…especially as LC folds the clothes in the living room.  With beautiful weather projected for this entire weekend, we are hoping not much of it is spent indoors.  A trip to the zoo and some hiking are in the works, along with a few stops in antique shops along the way – and, of course, tomorrow’s dinner with the gang.  HAM is bringing the dinner (lasagna!) and we are bringing the dessert while RAM provides the venue, appetizers, a salad, and some post-meal entertainment with their Wii.

And it all starts with a cup of tea.