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!

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!"

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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!

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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!

Isn't She Lovely?

Isn't she lovely?

She was a gift from a dear friend.

I've mentioned Vivian before.

We worked together at the museum before Vivian went off to China --

this last time as a Fulbright Scholar.

I was fortunate to have lunch with Vivian and her husband during the holidays.

Vivian is off to D.C. for a few months -- all part of a fellowship. 

Smart gal. 

She is a YiXing teapot.

The YiXing teapot came into favor in China around 1500.

The small teapot, made of unglazed red or brown stoneware,

is well suited to bring out the flavor, color and aroma of the leaves

and it's size makes it easy to balance the ratio of water to tea.

It should be kept for one type of tea only.

Isn't she lovely?

Isn't she wonderful?

Isn't she precious?

Yes! 

I'm joining some tea parties today:

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Wishing you well much joy and a lovely cup of tea!