Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Dragon Pearls




Dragons collect jewels
and this dragon collects tea!
From the moment I opened the package
I was entranced by the pearl shape of the tea and the wonderful jasmine scent.
A real treasure for the senses.


Dragon  Pearls Tea

Pearls of tea with obvious silver tips
hand-rolled into the pearl shape.


Dragon Pearls Tea


Brewed for one minute.
The tea is a very pale green.
The jasmine taste and aroma is strong, but not overwhelming.


Dragon Pearls Tea

Brewed for two minutes
the color of the tea is darker
and the jasmine is lighter.


Dragon Pearls Tea

Brewed for three minutes
the green tea is taking over
with hints of jasmine.
 A full-bodied yet simple tea.
Elegant and complex taste.

Dragon Pearls Tea

Watching the tea leaves unfurl is half of the fun!
I continued to brew tea from these leaves.
Increasing the brewing time and the heat of the water (careful!). 
With each brewing, the jasmine was weaker and the green tea stronger,
but never bitter.


Dragon Pearls Tea


A good jasmine tea is hard to find
and Teavivre produces one of the best.
I think I'm in love!
I've had it with and without food.
I have never added anything to the tea.
It's perfect the way it is.

You can read more about the handcrafting of Dragon Pearls at Teavivre.


I'm joining several tea parties:



Wishing YOU well, much joy and a wonderful cup of tea!




Thursday, February 19, 2015

This and That


It's been cold
and then it's been like spring.

Today it's cold, but the sun is shining.
Mina is always good at finding a sun puddle.


Mina


The college baseball season is off to a fast start.
The Rice Owl baseball team started off with four games against the
University of Texas.
There's nothing like the sound of the bat hitting the ball
Or eating a hotdog at a ball game. 



150213_Baseball_vs_Texas 0281
Photo From Rice Sports Information

Camellia

Meanwhile,
back at home in the garden
the camellias are blooming.




Last, but not least,
the Burpee catalog arrived.
I'm making a list.
Burpee is a Non-GMO company.
Something I really appreciate.


Wishing YOU well and much joy!


Little by Little
Thanks, Kim.

Thanks to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.







Monday, February 16, 2015

On the Second New Moon After the Winter Solstice



On the second new moon after the winter solstice
we celebrate the Lunar New Year.

This year the new cycle also falls on the same date as
Losar, the Tibetan New Year.


Year of the Sheep

Known as the Sheep, Goat or Ram, it is considered the most feminine sign of the zodiac and corresponds in may ways to the sign of Cancer in western astrology.

This astrology system interprets how the five elements -- or the alchemical forces of nature
affect our human experience. This year, Yin Wood mingles with the Yin Earth of Sheep.

In honor of the Lunar New Year, I'm having a Lunar New Year tea.
It's a great excuse to share another of my YiXing tea pots.
This one is very special.


YiXing Tea Pot


It is carved to look like a flowering tree ... complete with knobs and flowers!


Lunar New Year Tea


I'm brewing superfine Jasmine Downy Dragon Pearls Green Tea by Teavivre.
This is a delicious, slightly sweet tasting tea.
I love the reflection in the cup!


Lunar New Year

The cup is one I found at the Glassell Art School student sale.
I love the feel in my hands ... the interesting shape.


Lunar New Year Tea


The more kind and compassionate heart of the Sheep offers an opening for us to recognize how interconnected we really are, and cheers humanity on to choose peace over separation.

Now is the time to clean out whatever needs clearing, whether it's letting go of negative mental and emotional patterns, doing a physical cleanse, jettisoning clutter, or a major space clearing of your environment.

In the Tibetan tradition, the next to the last day of the old year is a most powerful time to purify any negative energies in our homes and bodies from the previous year.

I've shared bits about the Year of the Sheep from an Elephant Journal article.
You can find more there.

I'm joining several tea parties:



Wishing YOU well, much joy and a delightful cup of tea!

Happy 4712!



Thursday, February 12, 2015

On This Date




Four years ago today,
the LOVE of my life,
My Knight in Shining Armor, 
left this earthly home and traveled on to the stars.




Dick



We were together over 30 years.
I think I miss him more with each passing day.
Life goes on.




The Little Prince

With love ---








Monday, February 9, 2015

Cherries, Chocolate and Tea



Valentine's Day is just around the corner.
How do I love Valentine's Day?
Let me count the ways!!!!




Valentine Day Tea


It's time to pull out my Emma Bridgewater heart teapot
and heart shaped crochet hot-pads that I made last year.

The trio is from The English Table.
I love the flowers.
A bird on one side of the cup and
flowers on the other.



Valentine Day Tea

I'm going to fill my teacup with
Cherry Chocolate Tea
A Cuppa Romance Tea from The Republic of Tea.
Fine black tea blended with sweet blackberry leaves
natural cherry and chocolate flavoring.


Valentine Day Treats


Time for chocolate covered cherry fudge.
Delicious but oh, so rich. 
Heart shaped sugar cookies.



Valentine Day Tea



Don't like fudge?
How about chocolate cake?




Chocolate Cake



Remember:
"Seven days without chocolate makes one weak."
~unknown



I'm joining several parties today:

Sandi is having her Valentine Party at



Wishing YOU well, much joy and a wonderful cup of tea!


























Thursday, February 5, 2015

Hyacinths For The Soul







If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft
And of thy simple store two loaves of bread alone are left
Sell one, and with the dole,
Buy hyacinths to feed the soul.  
~ Sa’di



Hyacinths for the Soul

In one brief period of sunshine, I caught the sun before it disappeared again.
Warmth, peace and calm inside.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.


Little by Little
Thanks, Kim!

A big thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.