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!

Sun Lit Sunday

It's time for Sun Lit Sunday.

My blogging buddy, Karen, hosts Sun Lit Sunday during the winter as

a spot where people could share the "sunny" side of winter. Every season has its own beauty and this one is no exception.

Where I live plants are still green.
It's damp and temps are in the 40s.

Getting cozy, like this pair of doves, helps!

But it is also the time of year when I can open the front door for awhile and the "babies" can get a touch of fresh air while watching the action in the neighborhood!

Thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Reading Challenge

My Best Friend by Sally Rosenbaum

I read 68 books in 2014.

I'm always looking for new ways to spice up my reading selections.

I found a link on Face Book from Susan Wittig Albert (one of my favorite mystery authors) to a Reading Challenge on Popsugar.

Looks like fun! 

Here's a few of the selections:

- A book with more than 500 pages

- A classic romance

- A book that became a movie

- A book published this year

- A book with a number in the title

- A book with nonhuman characters

- A funny book

- A book by a female author

- A mystery or thriller

- A book with a one word title

- A book of short stories

- A book set in a different country

- A nonfiction book

- A popular author's first book

- A book from an author you love that you haven't read yet.

- A book a friend recommended

- A Pulitzer Prize winning book

- A book based on a true story

- A book at the bottom of your to-read list

- A book your Mom loves

- A book that scares you

- A book more than 100 years old

- A book based entirely on its cover

- A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't

- A memoir

and that's just the first half of the list!
I think I'll take the challenge.
Anyone else???

You can find a link to the entire list at Popsugar.

Wishing YOU well and much joy in this new year!

The game is on!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

This is not one of my photographs.

It is the cover of Dharma Crafts Holiday 2013 catalog.

I thought it was lovely.

More importantly it says what I want to say to you.

Wishing you joy and peace during this Christmas season and the happiest New Year.

I'll see you next year. 

Be well.

All Through The House

"Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."
~Clement Clarke Moore

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy,
is to have the real spirit of Christmas."
~ Calvin Coolidge

"Christmas is the day that holds all time together."
~Alexander Smith

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,
everything is softer and more beautiful."
~Norman Vincent Peale

Wishing YOU a Cozy Christmas
and a New Year
that's warm and bright.

I'm joining the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday.