Always Time for Tea Last Post 10/15 Team please send to the graveyard

[BallerinaHippo]

I love your tea theme and Darjeeling's backstory.  That mean uncle!  Great job so far.   

Your heirs might not be able to take the cooler and the tent with them, but they could always buy their own after moving, right?  Still a frugal way for each heir to start.

[Joria]

Yeah.  I'm not too worried about it, although it would have been nice to have a bit of a headstart.  In any case it's a quick visit to places where things spawn, right?  My challenge is going to be keeping the tea theme going.  Eventually, should I make it the distance, I want there to be a huge tea plantation so Darjeeling's hopes and dreams could come true.  (Now I have to figure out what plant could "become" tea!)  Thanks for your support everyone!  I have quite a few updates I need to post, and may just do them one right after the other to catch up.  If I could only just manage my prayer time, cooking and eating, peeing, and reading, not in that order, lol, I will get it done.  Somehow I resent being like a Sim with having to do the potty dance and hope I make it to the jon in time when I really want to add one more thing.......

[Joria]

Chapter ?  Let's call it Three

Today was one of those days when I really needed something to get me going.  Get motivated.  You know, quit just having fun and actually work.  That old nag GA has been on my case, (isn't that an amazing phrase this world has?), because so far I haven't maxed anything and more to the point, there are no real romantic interests on the horizon.  Needing a bit more of a kick, I decided to have a bracing cup of Scottish Morn, tea.  A nice dark, black tea with a double kick of Assam, as a base, followed by some Ceylon and topped off with Assam CT.  I poured some cream into my cup, (I know, put the cream in first!), and watched it swirl around making my almost black tea into a creamy tan.  Smelled like a good cup of tea, but not particularly aromatic.  The taste, however was wonderful, and bracing.  Just exactly what I needed to start my day.
   Just as I was getting going, a message arrived stating there was a festival I could attend.  The Romance Festival!  Well, I am, after all, looking for romance so what better place?  Of course, I'm still strapped for cash so if I found someone nice they had better not expect fine dining or a fun date that cost me money!  Lo and behold one of the first things I spotted was some easels, many of which were taken up by other hopefuls.  Perfect!  I could at least double my investment just by painting!

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I was pretty immersed in my art, to the point I totally missed out on meeting very many people.  Oh, why am I so easily distracted?  After grabbing some posters and buying a nice tee shirt, I gave it up as a lost cause.  Instead I turned to fishing.  Girl's gotta eat and....gotta fertilize those plants!

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Ok, while I've gotten better at catching fish I was starting to get hungry, needed a rest room and really didn't want to head back to a now, empty festival lot.  I headed to Mishuno Meadows, which I discovered would not only fill my needs but also afforded a lot of opportunities!  Who knows, maybe snow globes or posters will be the things I leave behind for posterity?  Having followed the path it led me to a really nice little food and garden area.  Lots of folks to meet and greet there including a charming and wise little girl named Elsa.

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We chatted for awhile and I had hoped to make her a good friend when all of a sudden she turned around and headed for home!  Was it something I said?  Maybe she's too young and was kind of creeped out by me.

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Ah well, all is not lost because I could finally grab a bite to eat!  It was hot and smelled amazing and I just couldn't wait to dig in.

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Unfortunately there was a bit of a snag.  I had totally forgotten how to use my chopsticks!  Color me yellow for embarrassed.

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Eva was an angel.  She didn't even laugh or anything.  The guy behind me did, however, get a chuckle out of it.  Well, so much for him then!  Besides, I knew he was married so of no real interest to me.  Darn.  Missed the fact I needed at least nine more friends!  Ok, enough of that.  I, spur of the moment, decided it was time to expand my parameters, so off I went to visit the hermit.

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Well, if you really expected endless snapshots of me fishing, (I got a shower first thing!), or stealing the hermits veggies, errrrr,  "harvesting available produce", you are sadly mistaken.  Apparently GA had decided this was the perfect opportunity to take her own vacation and somehow she misplaced the camera.  Or so she said.  So what you see is what you got.
    Oh, by the way,  this guy was one I DID actually meet at the festival. I kind of put him on hold as a possible.  He had nice traits, not to shabby in the looks department, but ........well, who knows. 

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Back home again and well rested, I decided to accept Eva's invitation and joined PartiHause.  I think that's how they spell it.  Anyway, it looked to be a fun night at the Narwhal Arms and worse comes to worse at least I'll meet a lot of folks and maybe get a point or two.  As I entered and looked around, this guy kind of caught my eye.

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He told me his name was Paka A Uha and he was a Child of the Ocean, or is it, Sea?  In any case, he was definitely a hottie and on my list of possibles.  I definitely put my charm on and wanted to know more.

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As we chatted I could see he was pretty interesting.  He'd come from a place called Solani, much like the home I had left so long ago.  He said they even grew tea, and pretty much everything there.  I was definitely interested.  The only possible annoying trait was he was neat.  Always cleaning up, you know?  I wondered if he was a merman?  Dare I ask?  No.  Time for that when we get to know each other better,  if we do.  Plus, he was a young adult and not an adult!  Bonus.

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The party roared on for most of the night but I had reached my limit. Time to hit the road.

[oshizu]

I'm so sorry that Darjeeling met nobody with attractive prospects at the Romance Festival.
Did you find any good plants to harvest there?

Oooh, I just looked at your Dynasty stats.... *zips mouth

[Joria]

Chapter 4..Romance?

Once again my day, well, really my night, was interrupted by a message of still another festival.  Really, is this all this world does?  I have a garden to grow, and flowers to arrange and so many more things I must accomplish according to the "Rules" by oh not so darling guardian Uncle laid out for me.  Somehow it's a legal thing which I'm not worried about.  I'm very good at following "rules" and if it means in the long run there will be a new tea plantation I'm all for it.  Only, there are so many of them!  I've taken to writing them down to keep them updated and me reminded of what I still must do.  Oh, yes, and they also follow any "heirs of my body" for the next 9 generations! 
  In any case, one of the rules was to make friends and another, to find a spouse.  So off I went to the Spice Festival.  Wow!  Was that fun and full of all kinds of people and food!  When I first arrived I spotted Joaquin le Chien, a guy I just missed meeting the other night at Narwhal arms.  He was a very interesting looking guy and seemed quite hip and a good dancer.  We struck up quite a conversation, and while, not quite good friends on my part, I think he got the opinion I was romantically interested in him.

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Unfortunately for him, I had called ahead and planned on meeting Paka there.  Surely a good place to really check him out.  First, the bubble blower.  Would he show an addictive personality?

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No!  He gave it a try, as I did, but found it not to his taste.  Second, how does he handle it if I flirt with him?

Passed number two by accepting and responding despite that weirdo in the helmet who kept trying to get his attention.  His eyes were all on me.  (sigh)

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I was definitely getting a warm, "this could be the one" feeling and suggested we exchange numbers.  Just at that point Joaquin showed up and was less than happy seeing what we were doing. 

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As Paka put my number in his phone, Joaquin gave him a dirty look and even said, "bro, I believe I was here first".  We both ignored him, too immersed at what could possibly be happening between us.

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We looked at each other and got up together and just started running off.  Poor Joaquin.  His parting words were, "was it something I said?"  Poor thing.  We couldn't help but giggle at that.

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When we finally were alone it was if, "oh my, do I really want to explore this further?"  Both of us a bit unsure, yet there was a certain attraction.  I suspected he was a merman, and that was ok with me.  He certainly should make beautiful nooboos.  Too bad they wouldn't be merfolk as well, but still my babies, who could not love them?

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In the end we decided to do it.  The good old fashioned, wonderful thing they do do in this world, and we star gazed.  Silly us.  All we had to do was look into each other's eyes.  I'm sure there were plenty of stars there already.  Didn't even notice the cold, hard ground beneath us. Time stood still.

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Paka wandered off to use the facilities and buy some swag and I just went back to the bubble blowers section with a plate of local, hot food.  Joaquin had changed outfits into what I think was his "impress the girl and go for a date" look.  Sorry Joaquin.  My dish of curry was hot enough!

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Going home I decided it was time for a nice, relaxing cup of tea, Mint Verbena this time, while I thought about all the day had brought me, and the possibilities opening up.  Contentment crept over me .  Tomorrow will be another day.

[Joria]

I'm so sorry that Darjeeling met nobody with attractive prospects at the Romance Festival.
Did you find any good plants to harvest there?

Oooh, I just look at your Dynasty stats.... *zips mouth

@oshizu hehehe......  Just posted next update.....

[reggikko]

Nice updates. I'm glad to see you ticking off those goals!

[Joria]

Chapter 5 - He proposed!

Ok, I won't leave you all hanging......of course I asked him to move in!  Fortunately he had a nice little cash cushion so we updated the house, at least for now.  It's still cozy and small but we have so much more.  What do you think about my "stove"?  Paka got an antique one from Solani, where in some places they are off the grid.  It works beautifully with baking and all things needed and goes with my larder for sure.
Still going as cheap as possible but I'm happy with it all.  Notice the little "office"?  For some reason Paka uses the bathroom there and none other.  Wonder why?

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This is an overview of the living room, bedrooms and garden.  I love how my garden is right there.  It smells so good in the morning with all the green growing things.  Paka says it reminds him of home, and you know what?  Me too.

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Paka is such a gentle, loving guy.  I feel so fortunate in meeting him, and even more so finding out what caring guy he is.  I feel so safe in his arms.  Bet "Uncle" never figured on me finding a winner!

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Well, he did seem a bit shy.  So I thought I'd just move things up a notch and managed to pull out some mistletoe.  Everyone knows about mistletoe, right?  Guarantee of a kiss  if you hold it over someone's head.  I didn't miss!

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That sweetheart even offered me a rose.  I guess it was obvious I loved flowers, and loved receiving them.

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I guess my happiness, not to mention the mistletoe, gave him courage.  He looked so shy and hesitant, but, nevertheless, he moved in close with that special look in his eyes.

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Success!  Our first real, sans mistletoe, kiss.  It really took my breath away.

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Well, that was all the encouragement he needed.  Getting down on one knee with hope in his heart and eyes, and a huge diamond in his hands, he proposed!  Of course I said yes.

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We were both pretty exhausted after the move and excitement, so, instead of rushing things now and regretting later, we decided to go to bed.  My wonderfully old fashioned guy was a gentleman to the core.  He slept on the sofa and left me to my solitary bed.  Sleep was never so peaceful knowing he cared so much for me in every way.

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The next morning bright and early I made my first real meal on my new "stove".  It was a little exciting at first but nothing I couldn't quickly conquer.  After all, gotta feed my man, right?  Me, who had never done more than eat and had rarely cooked at all before.  Oh, how this new world has changed me and my outlook on things.

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Before we knew it our peace was broken by the wandering horde of our club.  I guess they think our home is their own as they seem to be always there. 

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Ah well, no worries.  Time to rally the troops!


 



 

[Vesper]

love this story, your theme, all the descriptions of tasty tea. I had a tea themed Dynasty at one point (though it failed), the Camellia family.

Earl Grey in the morning though? With milk? Crazy stuff. Though I can talk, I put soya milk in my decaf tea these days which is an utter travesty. I may actually be stripped of my British citizenship.

[Joria]

Oh for shame, Vesper!  Soya in tea?  Sacrilege!  Lol.  For me it's Earl Grey in all it's forms any time, morning, noon, or night.  Best time?  High tea!!  Oh, how I loved my high tea served so elegantly while I was in London.  *sigh*
     Ok, if you must put soya in tea, I suggest Scottish Morn or a strong Hibernian tea.  They can handle it and still come through delightfully.  My favorite tea purveyors, Harney & Sons, said on their website, "When you stand up your spoon in this tea, it might just stand straight".  So true!   So Camellia, (as in camellia sinensis?), your founder did not quite make it.  There is always another time to give her, or her ancestors a try.  Just like it's always tea time! 

[Vesper]

ooh I might have to look into Scottish / Hibernian teas then. Sound marvelous. My fave brands come from Yorkshire or the North East which is where Earl Grey came from. There's a statue of him in Newcastle. 

It certainly is always time for tea

[Joria]

Chapter 6 - Wedding Day

Now what can you do when you have a perfect day and a perfect fiancee?  Well, get married, of course!  Neither Paka nor I wanted to wait another minute.  While he was definitely being a sweet gentleman, that night alone was actually, lonely and awful!  We both pretended it was fine, and we both dreamed of being in each other's arms.  So, I threw some plans together and hoped for a Gold Wedding day!
  Between the two of us we had enough friends to make it even more special, not that either of us needed more than each other.  As we looked lovingly at each other, and took our vows, nothing could have been more complete or more perfect.

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Our friends watched attentively, some with tears in their eyes, some having come late, and one, my bff Eva, couldn't restrain her joy and just got up and danced!

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I think my joy was complete as I placed my ring on his finger.

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Well, almost!

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That kiss sealed our lives together forever, till death do us part, and may it never happen. We went off to catch our breath and watch our very own wedding fireworks.  They were magnificent, but.......my Mom and Dad and Ahya weren't there.

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I sent up a quick prayer, and thanked them for all they had done for me in life.  I somehow knew they were looking down upon us and approving.  I told then how much I missed them and loved them, and finally said farewell.  I knew they would always be there in our life and would guard and guide us.

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The party was definitely a success!  We all ate and danced and drank bar drinks.  Best of all was sharing that slice of cake with Paka.  His eyes got so big!  He didn't have that kind of ceremony where he originated from.  Told about fire dances and big pits in the ground for cooking barbecue!

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We actually managed to each eat a bite and didn't poke our eyes out with those forks!  Pretty tasty cake, too.

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It must have been the romance and love of the entire event, because some of the couples are finding their way to each other.  Could romance be in the offing for the guys I had let down?  I'm hoping Joaquin has found his dream girl, and Cassandra her dream guy.

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Remember that Romance Festival find who never really had much of a chance at all? Looks like he and Moira were going to do more than strike up a conversation.

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What is it about kitchen romance anyway?  Catrina just ignored them and made more and more yummy food for us all to eat.

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Eva finally got her groove on.  We joined the club and did a group dance, which I must say was pretty awesome, considering we hadn't really practiced it much.  I think from now on we'll do a lot more of this.

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Paka and I saw our opportunity and snuck off upstairs.  We loved our wedding party, but....we had more romantic things on our minds!

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I guess the party was more of a success than we had thought.  Unbeknown to us at the time, GA managed to sneak around and took some photos that just cracked me up and made my day.  Poor Nahlani and Cassandra.  That couldn't have been very comfortable!

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As for us......well, I think this says it all.

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And with that, I'll leave you with pleasant thoughts as I reach for my evening cup of tea, and hope you are finding the joy in whatever cup you have.

***********************************************************************
Editor's Note:  I always sit down to write, or to play, or to do pretty much anything with a good cup of tea close by.  I am blessed with having found my favorite tea purveyor's who have given me permission to copy some of what they have written about their teas.   Tonight it is Elaine's Blend.  Perhaps a bit too bracing for night time but absolutely wonderful.  It starts with a Darjeeling base, (and what better since I write about her!), to which is added Keemun, Ceylon and Assam.  It is a nice, comforting and refreshing cup and I can see where it will be another favorite for a morning wake up tea.  It does well with milk added, or not as you wish.  The Harney's wrote: "Little did Elaine realize she was launching the tea revolution when her complaints about the poor quality of restaurant tea were printed in the New York Times back in 1983. In response, the Times printed an editorial entitled "Tea Snobs and Coffee Bigots." John Harney and Elaine soon became friends and spread the word about tea. "  Bravo for us tea snobs and coffee bigots.

[oshizu]

Congratulations on a lovely gold-medal wedding!
Does that last screenshot suggest that the household will be expanding in the next update?

[reggikko]

Great job on the wedding, Joria! I almost always throw parties on the home lot. I need to start branching out more and this wedding certainly inspires me to do so. Looking forward to babies now!

[Joria]

@oshizu and @reggikko,  Oh, toddlers just may be on the way lol.  They really did have fun at that wedding and it is my favorite spot.  Only I have to go in and do the remodel every time because I like it so much.  I have to remember to leave it at some point and go to the home lot because there is so much you can do there, with the exception of gardening stuff.  The best part for me was the two girls I discovered sleeping it off.