Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. For the first time in several years, all my children and grandchildren celebrated with us on Christmas Day. We enjoyed turkey with all the fixins for dinner and an over abundance of desserts including pecan pie, pumpkin pie, red velvet cake, sugar cookies, chocolate fudge, and Belgium chocolates. Whew – I’m going to need those Zumba classes next year.
Our computer went on the fritz on December 23 and we didn’t get it back up for six days – maybe it was a blessing in disguise. It meant that I had more time to read several new tea theme books.
Leftover turkey at my house is usually transformed into turkey tetrazzini the week after Christmas, but this year I decided to try something different. I made Southwestern turkey soup from a recipe I found online. It was delicious and a little unusual with the diced fresh avocado and cilantro. It was well spiced, even though I cut the cayenne pepper from 1/2 teaspoon to 1/4.
The Traveling Tea Ladies book “Death in Dallas” has been an entertaining read so far. One of the four main characters described the group as Steel Magnolias on steroids. I like the many references to tea and the tea time recipes and tips.
I’ve had lots of Christmas teas to sample, like this Harney & Sons Holiday tea. It is a citrus and spice flavor tea, similar to others available at this time of year. I do like the little tins (5 sachets per tin) that were perfect for stocking stuffers and small gift bags.
Wishing all of you a Happy New Year.
A very pretty flower there. Love Harney's little tins, they are so nice for carrying in the purse. I use to sell them on my website. Happy New Year to you.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo of the flower and the book sounds like a worthy read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I just spent sometime thanking you for your most interesting blog on tea and the 'joy of tea'...books, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe mystery books on tea I have not seen but will check my local library for them.
While doing a trip to North and South Carolina,some year ago now,
with an old highschool friend from Virginia...I purchased tea grown in South Carolina and it was wonderful. Have you heard of it? If so could you tell me if they are still in business? We visited so many of the Antebellum homes in the Charleston area and along the Ashley River....it was a most enjoyable excursion.
If you have any information please let me know and I will give you my email address. I do not have a blog.
I love all things 'tea' so your site is right up my alley. I used to teach young ladies and do 'high teas' with them before they ever became popular in the US. Living now in the Great NOrthwest, British Columbia...Canada, eh?
Joyfully,
~Sylvia Faye
Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind remarks. The Charleston Tea Plantation, SC produces American Classic Tea. You can order it on their website at www.charlestonteaplantation.com.
Maureen
Thanks for the lovely book review! I would like to send you an autographed copy for a give-away to your followers of the second book in the series, The Traveling Tea Ladies Death in Dixie.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the shout out and making my 2012 start off with a bang!
Fondly,
Melanie O'Hara-Salyers
Melanie@TheTravelingTeaLadies.com
Happy New Year! That southwestern turkey soup looks delicious! May your new year be full of fun and unique tea things!
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy 2012 to you!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a lovely Christmas! We had most of the family here for Thanksgiving, so Christmas this year was quiet, with only one (grown) child here.
ReplyDeleteHarney teas are my favorite, but haven't tried that one. I just ordered some green tea from them.
To answer your question about the Garden View tea room at Grand Floridian - no we weren't able to take tea there because we had to go somewhere else to celebrate the son's birthday (Cheesecake Factory.) The gingerbread house was right at the tea room entrance, and I was longing to go! Maybe next time! I love it there!
Happy New Year!
Katherine
Your amaryllis is lovely! And a happy, tea-filled new year to you as well!
ReplyDeletebookmarked!!, I really like your blog!
ReplyDelete