June Is Iced Tea Month

June is Iced Tea Month.

Perfect timing because it's hot (90s) and humid (75 dew point) here.

Time for lots of iced tea.

Especially if served in pretty green glass.

The year was 1904, and the event was the St. Louis World's Fair.

A merchant of Indian tea tried unsuccessfully to sell hot tea to the

sweltering crowds, and finally, in desperation, poured the hot brew over ice.

He created an instant success with this refreshing new beverage, and

iced tea has been an American favorite ever since.

At least that's the story you will hear on a tour of St. Louis!

*

I'm a lucky girl.
All my sisters-by-choice know my love for tea
and when my birthday comes around .. the tea and tea things arrive!
This is what arrived, hand carried from Japan:

If you look carefully you might be able to see the geisha face in the bottom of the tea cup. 
Love the blue and white fish pattern.
A whisk for the matcha.
She also brought matcha candy, but I've eaten it all! 

Isn't this fun?!
I made it at Fotor.
Truth, too!
Love Life
(and have a cup of tea).

**

My buddy Steph, at Steph's Cup of Tea posted this on her blog.

I thought since I was celebrating Tea Day,

I should post it here.

Thanks, Steph!

The Tea Party

~Jessica Nelson North

"I had a little tea party

This afternoon at three.

'Twas very small-

Three guests in all-

Just I, myself and me.

Myself ate all the sandwiches,

While I drank up the tea;

'Twas also I who ate the pie

And passed the cake to me."

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

A big thank you to the hosts of:
Mosaic Monday

Teatime Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Tea With Mina

Spring showers bring May flowers.
And we have had the April showers -- big time!
Along with the showers, that means humidity and when the sun comes out
It gets pretty steamy.

So, it's time to make ice tea!
I made a pot of tea using regular old Lipton teabags.
I sometimes will toss in a flavored tea of some kind just to make it a little bit different.
I don't sugar my tea.

I had a nice cup of hot tea before I put the tea into the icebox.
I used my new to me teacup I found at The Guild Shop.
I was with my good friend and one of my sister's by choice, Marilyn.
When I found this cup I knew it was meant to be -- it is called Marilyn!

I often get help when I get ready for tea.

Mina decided to help today.

She was interested in the Lipton tea

but not the sugar cookies!

My new teacup is quickly becoming a favorite.

It is the "Marilyn" pattern by Queen Anne.

I love the wide, lacey looking, aqua band.

The gold trim is perfect.

Footed cup and a tabbed handle.

And who wouldn't love the snowdrops?!

A perfect teacup to celebrate spring.

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

I'm joining several tea parties.

A big thank you to the hosts.

Teatime Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Here Come The Bunnies!

Easter is just around the corner.
I pulled my favorite bunny porcelain tea pot and mug from the cupboard.
They were made in New Mexico by a husband and wife team.
He did the hand building of the pieces and she was the artist.
They are some of the first ceramic pieces that Mr. Dragon gave to me.

I love the bunny wearing tennis shoes.
Guess he's getting ready for a busy Easter!

The teapot reminds me of Old MacDonald's Farm with the veggies and bunny!

Then there is the mug with all the wonderful hearts filled with bunnies.

The egg-shaped bunny plates I found at Pier One.

Orange-cranberry scones.

Yum!

I selected Tazo Zen tea to steep in my bunny pot. 

It is a green tea blend made with pan-fired green teas from China

and blended with lemon verbena leaves, lemongrass and spearmint leaves.

It has a sweet, lingering taste ... very Zen.

I decided on Tazo tea today as a way to celebrate the life of Steven Smith,

the co-owner of Tazo tea who passed away recently.

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

I'm joining some tea parties in the Land of Blog:

Teatime Tuesday
where Sandi is celebrating with an Easter Tea.

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Tea With A Lady

Let me introduce you to Lady Carlyle by Royal Albert.
She was a gift from one of my sisters (by choice).

A classic example of the romantic, floral tradition of Royal Albert,

Lady Carlyle draws inspiration from the extravagant rococo styles of the 18th century.

The Lady is decorated with a highly stylized floral design,

a deep pink border and elaborate gold scrollwork

I've paired her with a teapot with roses by Grace.

I made a pot of Harney and Sons Chinese Flower tea.

Chinese Flower is a beautiful blend of hand plucked green tea with flowers and citrus.
There is a light aroma of orange and flowers.
One sachet makes two cups of tea.
A real delight with Lady Carlyle.

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

I'm joining some tea parties in the Land of Blog:
Teatime Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Hunting For Spring

Daylight savings time has arrived.
I admit, I don't like the dark mornings.
Why do "we" have to muck with time??!!

Daylight savings means spring is just around the corner
and I decided to go hunting for spring in my teacups.

That led me to one of my newest (new to me) teacups.

Isn't she pretty?

This is a Rosina teacup.

The iris is one of my favorite blooms.

I couldn't resist this teacup when I found it at The Guild Shop.

The gold edging is worn off in some areas,

but for me, that just means that it was well loved.

I found the adorable little bunnies at the same time.

I've had the teapot for years.

I love the shape and the decoration.

The only mark on the bottom of the pot are the words

Made in Japan.

You read that correctly -- not made in China!

When I make a pot of tea,

I normally use loose tea.

I have so much tea in tea bags

(mostly gifts and spur of the moment purchases)

that this time

I made a pot of tea with tea bags from the Republic of Tea.

Imperial White Tea with Persimmon.

100% white tea is also known as China White.

It has a low-caffeine delicacy and is the most minimally-processed of all tea varietals.

Once reserved for the cups of emperors and the nobility, 

this high mountain China White Tea (from China's Fujian Province)
 still remains one of the rarest of all teas.

The end white downy buds are painstakingly hand-plucked,
only two days of the year, right before the leaf opens.

Because it is so minimally processed,
White Tea retains the highest level of disease preventative antioxidants
known as polyphenals.

Be Funky Processing

The Republic of Tea has a few teas that are Organic and Non GMO.

Imperial White is one of those.

I'm not sure how long I've had Imperial White with Persimmon!
I note that it is no longer available at The Republic of Tea.

The container had not been opened
and I could smell the persimmon when it was opened.

I made a pot of tea that had a subtle, slightly sweet taste.
The taste was delicate with just a hint of the persimmon.

I'll enjoy several more pots full as I go hunting for spring!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

I'm joining several tea parties:

Teatime Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

* Information about Imperial White Tea from the The Republic of Tea.

Green Tea On St. Paddy's Day?

Nope,
I'm having Harney and Sons Irish Breakfast Tea
especially on these cold, blustery days.

I love my Belleek teapot and teacups.

The fun shamrock shape of the cups. 

The shell design on the teapot and cups and the wonderful harp handles.

Fine Parian China -- so delicate and yet so strong!

Harney and Sons Irish Breakfast Tea is 100% Assam from India.

It has good body and can take milk (the way the Irish like it) and sugar.

Subtle notes of malt.

Not bad with chocolate (or vanilla) cupcakes!

I'm joining several tea parties:

Tea Time Tuesday
Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

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

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.

Pearls of tea with obvious silver tips

hand-rolled into the pearl shape.

Brewed for one minute.

The tea is a very pale green.

The jasmine taste and aroma is strong, but not overwhelming.

Brewed for two minutes

the color of the tea is darker

and the jasmine is lighter.

Brewed for three minutes

the green tea is taking over

with hints of jasmine.

 A full-bodied yet simple tea.

Elegant and complex taste.

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.

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:

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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:

Tea Time Tuesday 

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

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

Happy 4712!

Cherries, Chocolate and Tea

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

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.

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.

Time for chocolate covered cherry fudge.

Delicious but oh, so rich. 

Heart shaped sugar cookies.

Don't like fudge?

How about chocolate cake?

Remember:

"Seven days without chocolate makes one weak."

~unknown

I'm joining several parties today:

Sandi is having her Valentine Party at

Tea Time Tuesday 

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

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

Well Rounded

All the Christmas decorations are down and packed away waiting for next year.
All except the Snowmen.
After all, it is still winter!

Snowmen are well-rounded

just like my favorite handmade, hand thrown teapot.

I know it looks funny, especially with its stubby spout,

but it pours beautifully and has a strainer that can be removed.

I can do multiple brewings just by lifting out the strainer.

The design on the exterior has an Asian feel.

The last of the yummy Snowmen sugar cookies.

I'll be sorry to see them go as I'm sure they've helped in keeping me

well-rounded!

The teacup is from Bentley.

Bentley put out a collection of teas several years ago and included the teacup.

It's become a favorite.

The little watercolor is one of mine 

and part of a series of snowmen I'm doing.

I seem to have to do a series ... one isn't enough!

My little snowman would like to remind you:

Be a jolly, happy soul.

Spend time outdoors.

Stay cool.

It’s okay to be a little bottom heavy.

Avoid meltdowns.

Be well-rounded.

Live well, life is short. 

Enjoy sugar cookies! 

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

I'm joining several parties today:

Tea Time Tuesday

where Sandi is having a party to celebrate Tea Time Tuesday's 5th Anniversary.

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Happy Tea to Me!

This holiday season Santa and his elves supplied me with tea
just in time to celebrate the month of January as Hot Tea Month!

I had a big surprise when I won a Yixing teapot from Tea Time Magazine.

They were celebrating Christmas on Face Book with a few give-a-ways.

I have several Yixing teapots and this tiny beauty will be a nice addition to the collection.

While we are talking about Yixing teapots, here's some information from a Tea Time article:

"The most delicate of teapots are likely the Yixing pots often used for steeping oolongs. These Chinese clay pots are porous, and over time, the clay retains the flavors of the tea. A tragic tea faux pas would be to steep Earl Grey in one of these because it would mean that every tea steeped from that point forward would be tainted by the flavor of oil of bergamot.

Yixing pots have for centuries been used for only one specific tea. An Asian tea drinker might keep one teapot for a Taiwanese Bao Zhong, one for a Chinese Big Red Robe, and another for a Chinese Ti Kwan Yin. Soap is never used to clean these revered utensils. They are simply rinsed and allowed to air-dry. It is said that some ancient Yixing pots could make tea today simply by having hot water poured into them. The accumulated flavors of past steepings would add their flavor to the water, and tea would magically appear!"

*

The god-kids sent tea from Tin Roof Teas in Raleigh, NC.

Tin Roof is on my list to visit when I get to Raleigh.

I made a promise to myself -- I can't open any new tea until I finish the 

wonderful Harney and Sons Cranberry Autumn.

Soon I'll open Tin Roof's Cloud Catcher.

Isn't that a great name?!

It is a fruit tea: apple pieces, freeze-dried kiwi, sour cherries, cranberry slices, coconut flakes and natural flavor. 

Sounds like fun!

*

And, lastly, a gift to myself from Crop Circle Clay

a handmade, wheel thrown "Believe" mug.

Cloud Catcher tea in a "Believe" mug sounds like the perfect pair!

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

I'm joining several parties today:

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

Happy New Year!

Hole in the Head

Last week I went to a lecture and then saw the exhibition

"Monet and the Seine: Impressions of a River"

at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

I love postcards.
So much cheaper than buying the exhibition book.
The two postcards above show some of Monet's early work.
He was still painting people.

The one on the right is The Seine at Bougival (1869) and
the one on the left is The Promenade with the railroad bridge, Argenteuil (1874).

Even using these postcards, you can see how his technique changes.

Monet's family knew a lot about boats.
When Monet drew one, he knew where to put all the lines.

The postcard on the right (above) "Ships riding in the Seine" ~1873
The left is "Sunset on the Seine", 1874

What would Monet be without a series?!!
The postcard above on the left is titled The Seine at Giverny 1897
and the one on the right also from 1897 is titled the Islet on Port-Villez.

I've shared 6 of the 52 pieces in the exhibition.
Monet is magical.

While I was in the gift shop buying postcards (conveniently located at the end of the exhibition)
I found this.

I need another teacup/tea-for-one like I need a hole in the head,
but I told myself it was a nice reminder of this wonderful exhibition,
 and the lovely luncheon I had with a dear friend.

This tea for one was made by McIntosh Fine China.

I'm joining the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday

and several tea parties!

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup Thursday

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