Musings Newsletter

The Mysteries of Tea~Keemun

photograph by Melissa Placzek Hello friends! I’ve decided to try something new. On Tuesdays I’ll be talking about all things tea! “Tea & Conversation” was the name of my newsletter when Chin Deep in Bubbles was first published, and I thought it would be fun to breathe life into the newsletter again. Are you ready…

Art As Heirloom

Today Gracie had the day off from school and we decided to work on crafts. As we perused the shelves of my craft closet she didn’t seem very enthused. I showed her fabrics, and yarns and little looms….no, no, no… “How about embroidery?” I asked. “What’s that?” she replied. So I showed her a book…

I love my readers

I have to dedicate this post to some of my favorite readers! Thank you soooooo much for your encouragement and for your beautiful letters! I appreciate you more than I can say. I love our daily banter, your funny comments, thoughtful posts AND the tokens of friendship I find in my mail box! You rock.…

Art’s Many Forms

Art is a funny subject. I love talking to people who insist they don’t have a creative bone in their body. After awhile they will reveal something amazing about themselves like their ability to cook a gourmet meal, their beautiful poetry, their family’s history archived in a scrapbook where they spent hours pouring over the…

Welcoming the New Year

Jeff and I are busy cooking from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking this evening. We’re sipping good wine and making roast goose with a prune and foie gras stuffing…and doing a lot of laughing and reminiscing. We’re looking forward to the new year. This will be the beginning of the 12th year…

A Chocolate Lover’s Tea at Wisteria Twig Tearoom

Today, while standing before the front door window,  I waited for my friend Bonnie’s car to pull up into the freshly fallen snow in front of my house. While waiting, I thought about how these cold, frosty days are the exact sort of days that throw me into a “teatime” mood. As autumn spins her…

Six Senses Saturday

Hello friends! What are you doing on this fine Saturday? Today in the Mississippi river valley we experienced cold temperatures, but we did have sunny skies…so that’s something to be thankful for. Thanks for all of the emails and comments concerning me, my books and my blog. I really appreciate the support and encouragement. Sometimes…

15 Years

“There is no greater risk than matrimony. But, there is nothing happier than a happy marriage.” Benjamin Disraeli 1870 (in a letter to Queen Victoria’s daughter Louise, congratulating her on her engagement) This past Saturday Jeff and I hosted an intimate anniversary party at one of our favorite places. A gorgeous building called The Sanctuary.…

Six Senses Saturday

~Seeing~ This new FABULOUS book I’m reading… ~Smelling~ Oscar de la Renta perfume ~Tasting~ Mrs. Kelly’s Ginger Peach Ceylon ~Hearing~ Mumford & Sons ~Touching~ yarn as I crochet a blanket for my dad’s Christmas gift ~Knowing~ I am blessed. How are you spending this beautiful day? ~Melissa

State Fair Memories

I remember looking forward to the state fair all summer when I was little. The week of the state fair was always a little bittersweet, though, as it marked the beginning of a new school year and the end of summer vacation. I remember riding on the tilt-a-whirl with my mom, going down the big…