Autumn Bliss Week: Thursday

One of the old Victoria magazine’s beloved themes for September was “finding the quiet center of one’s life.” An afternoon with Jane Austen seems a good way to find that quiet center.

I’ve pulled my blinds shut, turned on the lamp, and am pretending it isn’t 99 degrees outside. Instead, I’m imagining a cool crispness in the air and envisioning rich red and golden leaves wafting about in the breeze as though they have someplace to go but aren’t in too big a hurry to get there.

A Cup of Fragrant Tea



Numerous tea blend recipes can be found almost anywhere. Here is the recipe for the herbal concoction I'm enjoying today.

Autumn Afternoon Tea

• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
• ½ teaspoon dried lavender flowers
• ½ teaspoon dried mint leaves
• A pinch dried chamomile
• ½ teaspoon dried rose petals
• 1 clove

Place mixture in a tea infuser and add to 6 ounces of hot water. Steep for 5 minutes and there you go. The Jane Austen Centre provides a brief tutorial on preparing the perfect cup of tea.

An Engaging Book

Today I’m reading Becoming Jane Austen, a biography by Jon Spence. Jane lived a rather circumscribed life which makes me curious as to how she created the worlds we’ve enjoyed in her books. This biography makes a number of insightful connections that help me understand more about her life.

At Home With Jane Austen

I enjoy doing theme things; it imbues such a richly-textured layer to any endeavor. As such, an appropriate bit of needlework is required for today’s bliss. I’ve chosen At Home With Jane Austen: A Sampler. It’s a work in progress. I’m not hurrying my way through it because sometimes you just have to relish the process and not rush things.

You can purchase the chart at The Sampler Girl. She is offering a free “Tea With Jane” chart and a giveaway contest so hurry over before you miss it.

I hope you find the quiet center of your life today.