Category Archives: Events

Mystical Magical Tea

Mystical Magical Tea

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I recently had the pleasure of joining my husband, Ted Jauw of Surcadia and my dear friend Beth, of the Orange Moon Tea Society in providing teas and entertainment for Madam Aubergine’s Mystical Tea Party. The party was a benefit for Lush Lapels charity, Blushing Violet.

The party was held at the Ladies Literary Club in Ypsilanti, MI. The club is housed in a building built in the mid 1800’s. It was full of history and the guests were not all living, and not all invited. It provided the perfect atmosphere for spooky stories and some tea leaf readings. Unfortunetly, one of the not so alive but rather ‘lively’ attendees was not pleased that I was reading the leaves. It was my first experience of a spirit being able to affect me physically. I was scratched to the point that it drew a bit of blood. Fortunetly, my husband who HAS delt with such things stepped into sheild, we shifted gears and went on about our evening in a great way.

I have to say I was embarrassed that I was unable to concentrate and lost a bit of my ‘professionalism’ initially. Glad to have regained control. It is strange to be experiencing something that no one else can see and hearing things that no one else can  hear. Although many did experince the sense of a presence and some were touched on the shoulder.

We do love tea parties!! AND the guests, well, most of them. Afterall, it is the season!

Ancestral Tea

Ancestral Tea

Ancestor Altar

Yesterday’s Tea Salon was all about honoring our ancestors. The camaraderie and conversations that happen on these Sundays is always so good. I know our Ancestors would be pleased. Stories were told, family was remembered, tears were shed and hearts were filled. And so were our stomachs. The spread, as usual was beautiful. It made me happy to be able to talk about those ancestors who contributed to our stories and gave us life, even those whose lessons were painful. Some of those people we found we may not want to “honor”, but we were able to acknowledge them and their role in shaping who we are today. It was a good way to begin a season that is traditionally filled with family and expectations. It was a good way to remember, regroup and prepare for whatever may be coming up for us. And to know that we are connected to something bigger  and to each other.

Road Trip

Road Trip

road trip

There’s nothing like the feeling of putting your last $20 into your gas tank and just driving.  I love road trips. We spent a good 8 hours driving up north today. There were heavy clouds in the morning with the sun breaking through in the afternoon. It felt amazingly good to get away. Much needed.

The Chair Affair

The Chair Affair

A couple of days a week, I get to go to work teaching class to the disabled for Arts in Motion Studios. They do amazing work there bringing the arts in all forms to those who may not otherwise get it. Every year they have a fundraiser called The Chair Affair. Artist in the community will take an old chair and transform it to be auctioned off on Nov, 11th. This is my entry this year. It highlights the story of the Dragon and the Phoenix.

Tea Party!

Tea Party!

teacup at party

 

Yesterday I hosted a Tea Salon. We haven’t had one it seems all summer! With all the unexpected happenings in my life I had been rather thrown off course and I really missed getting out all the pretties. This time I set the table with all my mismatched cups that I have collected for readings as opposed to my matching china. It was very pretty and eclectic. We had quite a group and a couple of new people. Although we were scheduled only for the afternoon, the party lasted until 9pm. I’d say that was quite a success!  And the food, oh my! I won’t need to eat for a week. Not only did I have fun making things, but my husband made some dinner things (which was good as it did turn into a dinner party) and everyone brought some goodies as well. It was great to relax among friends. Much needed.

Wedding Day!

Wedding Day!

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Over the weekend my husband and I decided to tie the knot, well not exactly. We did have a wedding, but we were married almost 8 years ago now. When we first got together, we just signed the paperwork to make it official. We decided that now, after two more of our children had been born and we had accomplished so much, it was time to celebrate and to say thank you to all those who have supported us through the years. It was a magical day.

Tea Salon for Lammas

Tea Salon for Lammas

tea party set uptea party prayers

The Tea Party I hosted this past Sunday was all about celebrating Lammas. We ate wonderful canopies of fresh vegetables, banana muffins, cherry cornbread and so much more. I even made a special apple tea. The most wonderful thing that happened, however was an impromptu ritual. Some of my guests had recently married. During their wedding, their guests made tobacco ties with wishes for them. They brought them along and we burned them while drumming and sent all the prayers for their new life together up to Spirit on the smoke. The perfect time of year to harvest those prayers for them! It was beautiful! I hope everyone has a wonderful Lammas this August 1st. May you begin to harvest all the best things in your life!

Time for a Wedding!

Time for a Wedding!

dragon and bird batik,

Seven years ago, my husband and I signed some paperwork in the little kitchen of an old rental home and we were married. There was no pomp or circumstance but we did have a lot of love! We had always wanted to celebrate this marriage and we decided that, seven years and two more children later, this would be our time.

So with very little time left and very little in the way of monetary resources we’re going for it! These next two weeks are going to be CRAZY. But then, to the outside world looking in, I suppose most of our days are. So yes, crazy, hectic,sometimes emotional but always magical. I live each day believing miracles can happen, no will happen. And you know what? They usually do.

We have had so much love and support from the community of people around us, we want to celebrate them as much as we want to celebrate our time so far together. So you may see some posts here chronicling our process. I may post just so I can have some place to help me keep my thoughts straight!

As usual, I am not totally sure how it will all come together. And it will most likely come together at the last minute but I know it will be epic and I cannot wait!

S