A teapot collection from a museum in Williamsburg, Virginia

One of the great joys of our life has been exploring new places in the

United States  and overseas. I love to document our travels with

pictures and stories.

Currently we are happy members of the Redding community.

A lovely small town in a gorgeous setting,

transitioning and exploring as it creates an identity.

It's not life's “illusions” I recall, but life's infusions !

Tea is my favorite drink. I delight in every aspect of it. The taste and aroma. It's healthy. The variety is unlimited and the romance surrounding the leaf intrigues me. But the detail I connect with in my heart and mind is the process of “infusing”.... tea is not tea until it has had the proper amount of “steeping", of “soaking” in hot water !

My life is about infusions...you know, being immersed in whatever I am about at the moment....could be cooking with my grandchildren, traveling to Portland to visit our kids, dining in our hometown, moving cows, plowing ground, photography, felting, praying, trying a new tea or dancing with my Sweet Husband of many many years !

My “blog” life is about sharing these past and present infusions with all of you ! I look forward to connecting with you and hearing about your life's infusions too !

Our ranch in the winter. This lovely picture was taken by our friend Jan Winje.  She and her husband have the Winje's Farm Cottage that can be rented year round.  If you ever want a quiet respite, this is the place !  http://surprisevalley.us/bandb.html

Nestled in the northeast corner of California is the incredibly lovely and lonely high desert community of Surprise Valley. Our ranch is in the small town of Lake City. Here is where we raised hay, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, dogs, cats and kids ! Our ranch is still a retreat for the entire family. We are refreshed by the quiet beauty of clear skies, open fields, rock foundations and weathered buildings.

The incredible Camellia Sinensis...tea plant...is a small tree producing green leaves that are processed into the world's most consumed beverage. (After water, that is.)  The world of tea includes the various kinds of tea, the healthy aspects of tea, the history and romance of tea, the culture of tea around the world and the joy of drinking tea !  I hope to share not only information, but my enthusiasm as a tea lover !