Creative Sanctuary

Archives for June 2018

Wearing Stories

By Allison

bangle bracelet collectionEvery day, I wear stories.  The stack of bracelets on my left arm reminds me of dear people, travels, and great deals scored in local antique shops.  Side-by-side, the bangles, beads, cuffs, metal, and leather hold meaningful moments that span decades—my visit to the Leather School in Florence, a sterling silver bangle that Dad brought back from Ireland, two sweet bracelets made of glass beads from Mali.

I mix color and texture, vintage and contemporary.  Bracelets offer too much possibility for a minimalist aesthetic, so I give into my maximalist tendencies.  More is more–shine, glimmer, clink and contrast!  We are ever-changing works of art, and our jewels reflect our evolution.  My arm decoration changes by day, marking moods, seasons, and the sweet passage of time.

Tea Canvas

By Allison

iced tea garnishesSometimes I fantasize about being a cocktail maven.  A dainty antique cabinet would hold my liqueurs and artisanal bitters.  I would shake and stir highballs, sours, and eye-pleasing botanical libations.  If you were a guest in my home, I’d serve you the perfect cocktail in the perfect cocktail glass.

Sadly, I am not that hostess.  As much as I like the idea of cocktails, I usually find them to be too sweet, too expensive, and too alcohol-heavy.  Although I do make the occasional Aperol Spritz, I am usually happiest serving and sipping rosé.

Since the arrival of hot weather, my impulse to decorate drinks has been strong.  I accept that cocktails aren’t my thing, so I’ve turned to iced tea.  I make a cold infusion with this iced tea blend from the Nilgiri region of India.  My iced tea is smooth, crisp, and clear.  It is a refreshing canvas for my summertime decorations—sweet mint, cucumber, Thai basil, blueberries, strawberries, lemons…  These days, my iced teas are juicy and complex.   My culinary imagination blossoms as I slice, infuse, and taste.  My berry forward iced teas are buoyant and lush.  Basil and lemon give the teas a bite.  When I allow them to rest in the fridge for a few hours or even a few days, they develop depth.

Although I can’t garner much enthusiasm for Old Fashioneds or Mint Juleps, stunning teas and seasonal garnishes serve as my creative tools of experimentation.  I brew, smell, sample, and tinker.  Eventually, I achieve a drink that captures the moment–a modest, ephemeral taste of summer.

 

Inspirations

My Sparkling Apple Spice Tea Cocktail

Elmwood Inn Fine Teas’ Kentucky Tea Julep

The Tea Squirrel’s Summer Tea Mocktail