Maybe tea, maybe champagne
Two drinks that aren’t really that far apart. Why would we compare tea and champagne?
I am imagining a woman who enjoys the best of everything. She really has the best of everything.
When you want to relax at home, you like to soak in a hot tub. Your bathtub is a work of art. The water will heat up to the exact temperature you like. The soothing bubbles will give your body a gentle massage. There are burning candles scattered all over the edge. She has sprinkled lavender over the water which gives off an aromatic scent.
On a tray placed somewhere near your hand, you have placed a plate of Fabergé Caviar with the best Caviar. He likes to nibble on something while he relaxes. Also on the tray is a Baccarat crystal champagne glass filled with your favorite champagne.
She is surrounded by beautiful music coming from the speakers of her high-end whole house speaker system. A warm towel and robe are ready to be wrapped in heat when you are done.
His cell phone is off. There is nothing to disturb her as she sinks into the comforting water. He opens the book on the tray and enters a world even more dazzling than the one he lives in.
Relaxation for the rest of us
We may not have a bathtub with blasts of water shooting around our bodies. It may not have a shelf wide enough to hold candles and a tray. We can still relax. We can still indulge ourselves. We can make ourselves feel special. We can add a bubble bath to our water and place candles in the sink. We bring a folding tray to place our snack. There is no home stereo system, no problem, just a radio will be fine. You don’t want to put the radio too close to the bathtub. Water and electricity don’t mix well.
Well, we can’t afford caviar and champagne. A cup of tea is what helps me relax and scones are one of my favorite treats.
Darjeeling is described as the champagne of teas. Both chamomile and lavender teas are known for their relaxing qualities. The important thing is that the one you choose is one that you really like to drink.
I like to make a whole batch of scones and freeze them for times like this. Thaw a bun or two and spread them with your favorite jam. Or bake a new batch of scones or another favorite treat. Place them on a special plate with a napkin folded into a fan or even a simple triangle.
The rest of us don’t usually drink champagne, but most of us can have tea. A chamomile or lavender tea says it’s time to relax. If it makes us feel pampered, use a glass of wine for tea. Enjoy watching the color and flavor as we relax. For more tea in a thermos, wrap it in a napkin or wrap a nice piece of cloth around it. Tie it with a bow. Put these things on the collapsible tray near the bathtub. By the way, don’t forget that book.
Before putting the water in for the tea, throw a towel or two in the dryer. Toss your dress in there too. When everything is ready, take the towels out of the dryer, fold them, and put them in a plastic bag to help keep them warm.
Now soak in the soothing water and drink your tea. Open that book and let yourself be carried away by the same world in which our lady finds herself, which has everything material.