Abbey of the Arts

Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

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      Eight Practices for the Journey Within
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      Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice
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        A Spiritual Survival Guide for Dark Times
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Uncategorized

Tea Time

***Make sure you visit the Poetry Party either by scrolling down past this post or by clicking here*** 

 

"Come along inside… We'll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place."
–The Wind in the Willows

I love the tradition of tea in the afternoon, especially high tea.  Something about taking time to slow down, sip tea, and talk with friends is so counter-cultural that I think making time for tea can be a revolutionary act in our world of busyness and fast food.  Bill Huebsch in his lovely book A New Look at Grace: A Spirituality of Wholeness talks about how each day we need a "Holy Pause" — a space when we can be with the moments of the day and allow their holiness to unfold within our imaginations.  Tea time often serves this function for me, a chance to catch my breath, to be present to my experience, to listen to a friend. 

I'm not at the Abbey as much this season, but when I am you are invited to come over for a cup of tea.  We have herbal teas, green teas, black teas, and decaf black teas.  Cream and sugar too if you please.  If you give me some notice and I am feeling really ambitious, I might make something delightful to eat to go with it. Here's one of my favorite simple and yummy recipes:

Bread Pudding

4 c. cubed white bread (my favorite for this is a loaf of Challah– also a good way to use up stale bread)
1/2 c. golden raisins (sometimes I substitute dried blueberries or chocolate chips)
2 c. milk
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Toast the bread cubes in the oven.  In a large bowl combine bread and raisins. In a 1 quart saucepan, combine the milk and 1/4 cup butter. Cook over medium heat 10 minutes or when the butter has melted. Pour the milk mixture over the bread and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Pour into greased casserole. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until set in center. 

This often tastes even better reheated the next day after the flavors have had a chance to combine.

-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts

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10 Comments October 24, 2007

Upcoming Programs

The Way of the Hermit:
A Spiritual Survival Guide for Dark Times

January 22-24, 2021
with Kayleen Asbo, PhD

The Spiral Way:
Celtic Spirituality and the Creative Imagination

Hosted by the Rowe Center
February 1-21, 2021
with Christine Valters Paintner, PhD

Recent Reflections

  • Hildy Tales 2: Tús maith leath na hoibre – by John Valters Paintner
  • New Book Club for 2021: Lift Every Voice ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess
  • Hildy Tales One: Dia dhuit, is mise Hildy! by John Valters Paintner, Your Online Prior
  • Celebrate the Earth Monastery Prayer Cycle podcast with us!
  • Join us for A Midwinter God & Epiphany! ~ A Love Note from Our Online Abbess

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