Taste Indulgence

When I receive a flyer in the mail marked boldly “Attention Tea Lovers!” it catches my attention.  Taste Indulgence of Richmond, BC is launching a brand new line of specialty teas.

They are offering free samples by mail or online at their website here for the cost of shipping and handling.

   

The three samples included are Traditional Earl Grey, Fruit Tease (caffeine free) and Jasmine Jewel.

For those who are curious about the teapot, it is one that I received from my in-laws about twenty-five years ago.  It was made by Mikasa and the pattern is called Innovation.

 

How To Lessen Tea’s Caffeine

About 80 percent of the caffeine in tea is released within half a minute of steeping.  So, if you steep for thirty seconds, then pour off the tea and re-steep the same leaves you’ll lesson the caffeine in your tea.  This is a handy trick for that late evening cuppa or for those who don’t care for the taste of decaf teabags.

This teapot was a birthday gift from a girlfriend a few years ago.  It is marked Victoriana and Made in England.  My collection includes several blue and white teapots.  I’m a big fan of blue and white china, especially paired with pale yellow.

 

Simply Southern

Yesterday, I purchased the Southern Lady Simply Southern 2009 magazine.  It has been calling me from the mag racks for a while and I finally gave in to its lure.  I’m not disappointed – I find most Hoffman Media Publications have great photos and lovely ideas and recipes for entertaining.

 Here in GA it is still very much iced tea season.  This recipe for a Fruit-Tea Cooler looks quite refreshing.

 These Lemon Almond Cookies look pretty, sound yummy and easy to prepare for a tea break treat.

   Wouldn’t you love to have a collection of these pretty teacups?

 The Simply Spring tea is beautiful.

Serving the decorated sugar cubes on their own little flower plates is so lovely.

My very favorite flower is the calla lily so how could I resist these tea sandwiches.  I have seen these in the past and have wanted to try them and now I have the recipe.

Don’t those Raspberry White Chocolate Tartlets on the tiered tray look scrumptious.

 

There are wonderful sections in this magazine for each season.  The Tricks and Treats section has some really cute Miss Muffet’s Cupcakes with orange and black cake sparkles and gorgeous web like wrappers from www.fancyflours.com, which btw is an awesome bakers site.  It is worth a peek at this issue next time you’re shopping for a new magazine.

Store Brand Tea

I’m a great bargain hunter, so today while making a quick trip to Target, I found this loose black tea on the clearance shelf.  Part of the allure was the $3.38 price tag, but I also liked that it is organic and contains Yunnan tea.

 

The sturdy metal tin is a great way to package the tea and I can remove the labels and use it to store other loose teas when the Golden Breakfast tea is gone.

I found this tea to be full bodied, yet mellow with a hint of smokiness.

Like the old adage about teaching an old dog new tricks, I still had to add a splash of milk.  One day I’ll find a black tea that will suit me, well black.

Slow Me Down Lord

Slow me down, Lord, amid the confusion of my day.
Ease the rushing of my steps by the hushing of my heart.
Draw me in as I cast anchor to repair and restore.
Help me to remember that happiness is not a pursuit
  toward an end, a place to finally arrive.
It comes as I spend a few moments a day
  reflecting on the things that make my soul thrive.

                                        - Jan Coleman

These wise words are from a little book called Soul Retreats for Women that was a gift from my friend Joyce.  Sitting down with a cup of tea and a book is a nice way to slow down, revive and refresh your day.

Frank Lloyd Wright teapot

This renowned American architect (1867-1959) designed New York’s Guggenheim Museum.  This architectural masterpiece is the inspiration for this distinctive teapot.

 

 

 This Guggenheim porcelain teapot holds up to 38 oz. and I love the clean contemporary lines and pure white color.

This classic is another favorite in my teapot collection.

Teapot and Cutwork Embroidery

This Arthur Wood teapot is one of my favorites.  It is made in England, pattern 6759.  The teapot has a lovely pale yellow background with allover floral pattern and gold trim.

The tablecloth features cutwork embroidery that was stitched by my paternal Grandmother.  She was trained in the needle arts as a young girl being raised in Poland.  She came to Canada before the great depression and was able to supplement her family’s income during hard times by her embroidery work.

Later, she entered her work for judging at The Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto and won several awards.  She was a hard worker and although I saw her spend many hours in food preparation, I can’t ever remember seeing her doing any sewing or embroidery.  It must have been something that she practiced only in her younger years.  This tablecloth is the only piece of her work in my possession.