Formidable Lady Nature

I love the sky.  Even more... I love storms. And it so happens that I live in an area Minnesota, known as the "driftless area" that while mostly flat, it has some altitude in various areas.  And it allows me to watch the spectacular show that is a summer storm. I take my photos with my iPhone so some details are not very defined. Yet you can still see the power of mother nature.  This is a stormy Minnesota summer sky.

The storms roll in fast and furious, and I am the crazy that stands outdoor to witness is.  I cannot help it.  There is something about the power of nature that reminds me how we are but a speck in this earth, yet we are vain enough to think we can control it.  Oh no, this lady nature is uncontrollable.  And she is formidable!

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This particular afternoon we had storm rolled in and it looked like the Mothership from Independence Day was arriving. With it came intense storms that leveled corn stalks in various areas.  Even shingles from our roof came flying down as they proved not stay for the intense winds. The storm lasted for about 45 minutes but when it was done (right around sunset) I went out to see and found that the sun and the clouds were dueling as to who would be victorious. In the end, the sun did and it made for a dramatic sky, where the orange sky reflected from the storm clouds. Yeap, nature is formidable as she is dramatic. 

 

Joining:  Nature Notes, Pictorial Tuesday, Sky Watch Friday, Friday Photo Journal

The Perfect Tea Time Cookie

This weekend, I had the rare opportunity of having two days all to myself and my doggie Jack. To say that it was blissfully quiet sans hubby and the kids, it is an understatements.  In those moments, I am all about self-care, and for me it includes reading and tea time.  This weekend was very hot followed by rain, but we had a nice breeze that made our side porch very nice.  So I made myself picnic for one.  I put down one of my favorite throw blankets, made myself some Earl Grey tea and enjoyed tasty bites of what I now consider the perfect tea time cookie.

For a while now I have been searching for a cookie that I can have with my tea.  And it is tricky.  Aside from the digestif cookie my friend Salwa got from London, I have not found one that will complement, not overtake the flavor of the tea.  But this weekend I found a recipe for Lemon and Thyme Cookie from Love & Lemons, one of my favorite food blogs.  The cookie is technically a shortbread cookie but to me it is more of a light butter cookie and making it could not be easier.  

It is delicate in consistency and flavor, with subtle layers of thyme and lemon hitting your palate as you eat them.  I added a bit more "flavoring" by using lemon thyme from my garden, and I love the more flowery taste it gave the cookie.

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For the first try, I paired the cookie with Earl Grey tea from a new brand I am loving-- Devonshire Tea-- and it pairs beautifully.  I also tried with a herbal tisane, and also worked great.  Highly recommend it if you are looking for a cookie to have with your tea... whatever time of the day it is. :-) And I love it because it makes my tea for one a bit more special. 

You can find sharing in these wonderful linky parties:In a Vase on Monday, Share Your Cup, Home Sweet Home, Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Garden Like Link-Up, Home and Garden Thursday, Tea In The Garden