Will there really be a morning?

Will there really be a "Morning"?

Is there such a thing as "Day"?

Could I see it from the mountains

If I were as tall as they?

Has it feet like Water lilies?

Has it feathers like a Bird?

Is it brought from famous countries

Of which I have never heard?

Oh some Scholar! Oh some Sailor!

Oh some Wise Men from the skies!

Please to tell a little Pilgrim

Where the place called "Morning" lies! 

Emily Dickinson

Snapshots of life

Fight

“The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of the world but those who fight and win battles that others do not know anything about.”

― Jonathan Harnisch, The Brutal Truth

My Favorite Literary Quotes

“A man is born into this world with only a tiny spark of goodness in him. The spark is God, it is the soul; the rest is ugliness and evil, a shell. The spark must be guarded like a treasure, it must be nurtured, it must be fanned into flame. It must learn to seek out other sparks, it must dominate the shell. Anything can be a shell, Reuven. Anything. Indifference, laziness, brutality, and genius. Yes, even a great mind can be a shell and choke the spark.”
― Chaim Potok, The Chosen

"'We're growing up,' Betsy said aloud.  She wasn't even sure she liked it.  But it happened, and then it was irrevocable.  There was nothing you could do about it except to try to see that you grew up into the kind of human being you wanted to be. 'I'd like to be a fine one,' Betsy thought quickly and urgently."
- Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy Was a Junior

“Sorrow and joy, he thought, so inextricably entwined that he could scarcely tell where one left off and the other began.”
― Jan Karon, At Home in Mitford

“Everywhere I have sought rest and not found it, except sitting in a corner by myself with a book.”
― Jan Karon, In the Company of Others

“People always think that happiness is a faraway thing," thought Francie, "something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up; a place of shelter when it rains - a cup of strong hot coffee when you're blue; for a man, a cigarette for contentment; a book to read when you're alone - just to be with someone you love. Those things make happiness.”
― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

“I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.”
― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

“Atticus, he was real nice."
"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.”
― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

“There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“Generosity without delicacy, like wit without judgement, generally gives as much pain as pleasure.”
― Fanny Burney, Evelina

“It had always seemed to Emily, ever since she could remember, that she was very, very near to a world of wonderful beauty. Between it and herself hung only a thin curtain; she could never draw the curtain aside-- but sometimes, just for a moment, a wind fluttered it and then it was as if she caught a glimpse of the enchanting realm beyond-- only a glimpse-- and heard a note of unearthly music.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Emily of New Moon

“To love is easy and therefore common - but to understand - how rare it is!”
― L.M. Montgomery, Emily of New Moon

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

My Favorite Spring Nail Polish

This is my favorite spring nail polish.  I wore it all Spring break and I still keep going back to it.  It's a really pretty lilac color - not quite blue, not quite purple.  It's hard to photograph the color accurately, but I tried my best.  Sometimes it looks more blue and other times it looks more purple.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color, Leapin Lilac, 0.31 Ounce

The nail polish does try very quickly, as it says. It's not "instant" but it's very fast.  But I should tell you I can only go a couple of days before it starts chipping.  I suggest painting a thin coat, letting it dry completely, then painting a second coat, let it dry completely, then paint a clear top coat.  As long as you have a good top coat and aren't too rough on your hands, you might be able to get a week of wear out of it.

What's your favorite spring nail color these days?

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Spring Around Here

 It's feeling springy around here!

We love going on walks around our neighborhood and finding pretty weeds to frolic around in.

A few days ago we took our dog to a dog park.  There is a large fenced area for the dogs to run free.  Our dog loved playing with the other dogs.  And there is also a cute pond where you can walk your dog on a leash.  We stopped to sit in the grass and take some family selfies.

And another cute picture of my dog that my husband took while on their evening walk recently.  Isn't he the cutest?! (Yes, he is my baby.  Totally. Not ashamed!)

In other news, I'm thinking about transferring my blog to a different host and website builder program.  Not sure if I want to keep the name "Alone with my tea" or use this as an opportunity to rebrand.  What do you think?  Keep it or update it?

Micellar Cleansing Water: Do or Don't?

I recently picked up the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water.  My go-to makeup remover was running out (I usually use the Mary Kay Oil-Free Makeup Remover) and I'd seen the micellar waters all over YouTube, so I thought I'd give it a try.

As you can see, I've used up quite a bit of it, so I have a good sense of how it works.  Here's what I think:

It's very gentle and non-irritating.  

Does leave your face feeling a bit dry after.

Good for removing most of your makeup from your face.

Doesn't remove all the makeup.  

Not good for cleansing the face.  Use it as a first step to remove makeup if you are wearing a lot, and then cleanse.  Or use it as a refresh in the morning or on a light makeup day.

Good at removing most eye makeup.  

Not great at removing mascara.  There will be a ring around your eyes and you will need to rub a bit.  Very gentle and non-irritating on the eyes, but does leave a tiny bit of oily residue.

Ok for removing lipstick.

Verdict: DO!

Over all I think it's a pretty good product and I will probably repurchase. 

 It is not as good as the Mary Kay makeup remover, but it is a bit gentler.  I will keep it on hand for when I have heavy makeup days and I need to remove most of my makeup before cleansing.  It is very cost-efficient and lasts a long time.  I believe the 13.5 fl oz bottle is around $7 and it has lasted me about 3 months.

What do you think of micellar cleansing waters?  Would you give it a try?