I Skipped June, but onward and upward.

Finally! I have my life back. I'm so into this decluttering, and one thing lead to another. 

After having the dining room painted, I wanted to move some of the things from the buffet and the tea cart into the kitchen cabinets.

I also wanted to move the teapots from the pantry to the kitchen cabinets, but no room.

I decided to move some of the things from the kitchen cabinets to boxes and cabinets in the garage, but no room for more boxes.

I had to empty existing boxes (books and dishes) to make room for things from the house. 

What a project! But I disposed of over 400 books. I had two drawers of salt and pepper shakers and now I have one.

Then I had room in the other drawer to put sweetener holders, coasters, and teabag rests from the kitchen cabinets in with the individual salt and peppers. Do I really need this many individual S&P's?

I finished washing all the glasses, etc. from the buffet, tea cart, and kitchen cabinets and disposed of some, moved some to the cabinets in the garage, and some to boxes in the garage. And I moved the teapots into the cabinets. I can't see all my teapots without a step-stool, but at least I now have room in my pantry.

I disposed of some things, and now my clear glass dessert dishes with plates, and white small serving pieces are not so crowded. And with room for some tiny vases in front.

I disposed of some of my stemmed dessert dishes, and made room for some in the garage cabinets. Just can't resist these little treasures. Some I've had since the 1960's. How could I part with those memory makers?

Today I'll shampoo the dining room and put everything back in order tomorrow morning after it dries. Then I must tackle my weeds, which are taking over. My hired weed guy stood me up, and I haven't heard from him for over a week. Guess he's deserted, like so many of them who leave without a word.

Now that everything in the garage is organized, the goal is to use it all and than pass it on (at least most of it), and I think that will take about eighty lady lunches, theme meals, and afternoon teas. Maybe I can finally come up with something worthwhile for this journal.

I don't like to dwell on unpleasantness, so I'll just say that I had a bad experience with Verizon, and now I have a flip phone from Consumer Cellular, and I couldn't be more pleased. It fits with the simple and frugal life I'm seeking.

There have been some bright spots during all this. I got this darling thank you card from Jean (a technique she learned from Friend Linda, who is also Jean's SIL).

A cute card from Katie (the inside says, "no matter how you slice it").

Yes, I got Joey back to making cards, and now I haven't made even one card in weeks (but I will again). Here's one she made for someone in her bookclub.

Another bright spot was a trip to Sight and Sound Theater in Branson to see Queen Esther. It's absolutely fabulous. Words can't describe the magnificant costumes. Sorry, no photos allowed. Make an effort to go see it. Wonderful!

Another bright spot was a trip to Clinton, Missouri to attend the tea at the museum. I knew someone who always said, "Everything changes and never for the better." And she was right. I was very disappointed. In the past, each table was different and fit a theme. One of the volunteers brought in her own table settings, centerpieces, etc. and then the husbands and grown sons of the volunteers served the food and tea continuously throughout the tea. I can't remember the theme, but it had to do with music, vintage, and patriotic. Each table had a party favor for each guest. They were still working on the tables when I took these photos.

The placemats are actually vinyl records, and I'm so stealing this idea when I redo the Lyrical Lunchen theme meal.

This year all the tables were the same, the party favors were the handkerchiefs (or handkerchieves if you prefer) in the teacups. We had pretty paper napkins as well. And the husbands still served. The flowers were nicely done in teapots, and the guest sitting to the right of the table hostess went home with the flowers but not the teapot. They were fixed in little containers with water so they could survive the heat on the drive home.

We started with a scone - A scone, not scones served continuously throughout the tea. Then we got a plate of tea sandwiches to pass - three each (chicken salad, cucumber, and pimiento cheese). The sweets were also one per person, served on one plate to pass. (Crumbs are from my scone). I missed the variety and endless supply of sandwiches and pastries from prior years.

The highlight of the tea was meeting new people and chatting with other women - strictly girl talk and sharing memories.

And just a reminder: Afternoon tea is properly served in this order - sandwiches, scones, desserts. If using a three-tiered server - sandwiches on the bottom, scones in the middle, and desserts on top. And it's Afternoon Tea - not High Tea, as Americans have begun naming it. High Tea is like a light supper and requires an entree.

And while I'm on the subject of wonderful ideas borrowed from Great Britain, I have to mention my new obsession. I found some DVD's at the library book sale called Midsomer Murders.

The settings are quaint villages, cozy interiors, flowers everywhere both inside and out, manor houses with grand interiors, and those wonderful offerings of cups of tea and various pastries. And murder, of course. I'm surprised there are people left in the cute little villages, as they knock off two or three in each episode.

The series lasted a long time, and you can find it on DVD, YouTube, Acorn Streaming, and probably BritBox. I love the shows (about 1 hr and 40 minutes each) and I love the characters - Chief Inspector Barnaby, his assistant Sergeant Troy, his wife Joyce, and all the other wonderful people of English village life. 

I would suggest watching them in order, and here's the link to the first episode: Click Here. 

My new go-to for inspiration, along with my favorite Kevin Lee Jacobs on YouTube.

Of course, I have to post about food. The restaurant which moved into the old Pizza Hut location at Highway 160 and CC Highway is called Bistro 160. The emphasis is on breakfast (open 6 to 3, Tue-Sat). I think those are the hours. Not posted on their website for some reason. The people who own it are also the owners of the Prima Mexican restaurants.

I wasn't too impressed, but will give them another try. Everything was spotlessly clean, and I maybe made a bad choice. Rita and I ordered different sandwiches, but they were very similar. Good meat. The turnoff was my broccoli-cheese soup. It looked like grits or oatmeal. Maybe they used white cheese, and it definitely went through the blender. I couldn't eat it.

I'm so proud of Missouri's Josh Hawley - Click Here. I love watching him in action.

Tomorrow is the birthday of the USA. Wise words from Ken Follett in his novel The Man from St. Petersburg:

There he had learned the ultimate truth about oppression: that it works by turning its victims against each other instead of against their oppressors. 

Call me crazy, but I feel there's a plot for a new world order. Imagine the horrors as the leaders jockey for position, and we become no better than pawns.

I must pray for our country and that American eyes will be opened before we become a Socialist country like all the Socialist and Communist countries around the world who strip you of your dignity and freedom. What happened to the proud Americans who worked hard, were responsible for their actions, refused drugs, believed in God, and could rely on a mostly honest government? 

Time to get to work, and see if I can't put a little Midsomer Magic into my life.