Quotes from Laura Childs

YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE WORST TO GET TO THE BEST

Always remember, said Petra, a friend is someone who understands your past, believes in you future, and accepts you just the way you are.... And a friend stands by you, Suzanne thought to herself,...No matter what it cost her.

White teas required only one to two minutes, and black teas between two and three minutes, while herbal teas could steep for three to six minutes.

Just awful," said Theodosia. Drayton faced Theodosia with sad eyes. "I agree. A gentleman should never resort to name-calling." "I meant the condos," Theodosia replied.

Six tasters were gathered around one of the large tables, listening eagerly as Drayton Conneley, professional tea blender and one of only ten master tea tasters in the United States, delivered a lively lesson in tea connoiseurship.

Miss Josette was an African-American woman, probably in her late seventies, but who could easily pass for early sixties. She had intelligent, almond-shaped eyes, smooth skin the color of rich mahogany

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ground beef, rice, ½ cup water, onion, salt, garlic salt, and pepper together. Using a large spoon, take scoops from mixture and shape into round balls. Place balls in ungreased baking dish. Stir together tomato sauce, 1 cup water, and Worcestershire sauce and pour over porcupines. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Serves

Southern Spoon Bread 2 cups water 1 cup cornmeal 1 cup milk 2 eggs 1 Tbsp. melted butter 2 tsp. salt Mix water and cornmeal in pan. Heat to boiling point and cook for 5 minutes. Beat eggs well, adding in butter, salt, and milk. Add egg mixture to cornmeal mixture. Beat well and bake in a well-greased pan for approximately 25 minutes.

Baked Porcupines 1 lb. ground beef ½ cup uncooked rice ½ cup water â…" cup chopped onions 1 tsp. salt â…› tsp. garlic salt â…› tsp. pepper 1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce 1 cup water 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Baked Pork Chops in Creamed Corn 4 pork chops 2 Tbsp. oil 1 can creamed corn ½ onion, chopped ¼ cup milk salt and pepper Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Brown pork chops in oil, then place in baking dish. Mix together creamed corn, chopped onion, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour over pork chops and bake for about 2 hours or until fork-tender. Serves 4.

Super Simple Seafood Bisque 2 (10-oz.) cans potato soup 1 cup milk ½ cup cream 2 Tbsp. butter 1 (5-oz.) can shrimp, drained and rinsed 1 (5-oz.) can crabmeat, drained and rinsed Heat potato soup, milk, cream, and butter together. Add in shrimp and crabmeat. Stir, season to taste, and serve. Serves 4.

BUNDLED IN A wool sweater, sipping a cup of tea, Theodosia sat on the wide wooden porch, enjoying the warmth of the early-morning sun.

Back home again, Theodosia had fixed herself a cup of chamomile tea, ideal for jangled nerves or those times when sleep proves elusive. Then she sat down in front of her computer for a quick bit of Internet research.

Canine homeland security at work.

famous Japanese adage that is both edifying and rippingly depictive," said Drayton. "Carp eyes coming, fish eyes going . . ." "Soon will be the wind in the pines

So . . . with several key suspects on the line, she had a lot to think about. But first, there was a tea party that needed hosting.