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.

This and That

The good news:
One of my favorite bloggers is back
Along with Random Five Friday!
YeeHaw!

Welcome back, Nancy!!!

- I am taking part in Liberate Your Art 2015. This is the third year I've signed up for the swap. It's lots of fun and I "meet" new folks. This is my postcard for this year. Do you see the fairies?!

- I think everyone is getting tired of winter. This week, I am sure, confused even the weather gods. The one thing that was constant -- the cloudy skies. Otherwise, cool, cold, damp except for two days in the middle that brought heavy fog and 80 degree temps. All I have to say is: Old Man Winter -- MAKE UP YOUR MIND!

- St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. I have my leprechaun flag flying from the balcony and Irish Luck hanging on the front door.

- Major League Baseball Spring Training has started. There were three games today on the MLB Network. I'm happy!

- For Downton Abby fans: the lovely young lady who plays Rose is the beautiful Cinderella in the new Disney movie.

And that's my Random Five for this Friday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Longing For Spring

The sun was shining one day this week.
I went window shopping at Highland Village.
A nice walk among the flowers!

I didn't buy anything.
Just took pictures of the flowers
to share with my friends up north
who are longing for spring!

Thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

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!

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.

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. 

Photo From Rice Sports Information

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!

Thanks, Kim.

Thanks to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.