It's Monday and that means "Show & Tell". Today it's my shoes. Since I shoot shoes, a lot, I thought I'd shoot a pair of my own. I wear these but I not real often. I've been experimenting with some effects too today so I added a little touch to my Plaid New Balance shoes. Maybe I'll wear them in a marathon some day. By the way it's sunny here in Seattle today.

In the studio one morning I spied my old "Brown Betty" (a very popular English tea pot) that I must have brought in quite some time ago maybe to use in a photo.  I thought what a nice simple shape and finish so I took it over to the window and began working on a photograph. Soon I had one and thought it might look nice in a grouping.  Finished with that I made a cup of tea and felt it tasted better than my tea usually did.  I took it home and now use it daily. I've always preferred tea to coffee, especially in the morning, and I like the Yunnan region tea best.  The one I get at my tea shop, The Perennial Tea Room in Post Alley near the Pike Place Market in Seattle, is called Tippy Yunnan because of the golden tips of some of the tea leaves.  I've gone on long enough, have a cup of tea.

Starting out with my first blog posting here and of course it involves mixed drinks.  My wife Nancy and I love bourbon.  We love Old Fashions and we love Perfect Manhattans. Here's how to make two. Put on some nice music then place two cocktail glasses in the freezer to chill.  Fill a mixing glass or shaker half full of ice then add 5 oz of either bourbon (suggestion: Jim Beam Black) or rye (suggestion: Pikesville Rye Whiskey). 1/2 oz Italian (sweet) and 1/2 oz French (dry) vermouth. 4 to 6 dashes of Angostura bitters and stir heartily.  Until the sides of the vessel ice up.  Retrieve glasses from freezer and strain the golden beverage of delight into each.  Add a twist of orange peel and enjoy! Cheers!

By the way I shot the Manhattan in the photo in my studio in the Sodo District of Seattle.