Memorial Day Weekend

With summer vacation season starting this weekend, I’m content to be staying home.  Of course I’ll still be traveling to watch my grandbaby on Saturday, but the rest of the weekend is free. 

The last two weeks have been kind of stressful –  mostly in a good way (does that make sense?).  My son got married, my youngest daughter got engaged, my grandbaby turned one (we celebrated with a big party) and school finished for the summer.

Doesn’t my sweetie look cute in the cookie monster birthday shirt and tutu that her Mom’s best friend made for her?  We made a Thomas the Train cake, fairy cupcakes, lollipops and lots of other delicious food for the adult guests.  I’m not sure that we’ll ever get all that chocolate icing off her brand new highchair.

Time to relax a little, read some new books and try the lovely tea samples that Davids Tea sent to me (more on that later).  I’ve also been thinking about trying to get in shape and eat healthier.  My uncle Tony always says (and he’s right) “this getting old business is not for sissies”.

I thought that this tomato, avocado and lettuce on whole wheat was a reasonably healthy sandwich.  Watermelon is a good choice too (you didn’t see those Hint of Jalapeno tortilla chips did you?).  I’ve only been getting to Zumba fitness once a week lately and have gained a couple of pounds.

The lovely Crown Dorset teapot is one of two English beauties that I bought at a neighbors yard sale a few years ago.  The texture, shape and pretty roses make it a lovely piece of tea ware.  The mug looks rather big and clunky beside it, but I’ve always enjoyed using this Longaberger (pink ribbon) mug with its embossed flowers and generous size.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

Numi Bottled Iced Tea

Today I saw a new tea while I was picking something up at Marshalls.  The flavors sound delicious and this will be especially appealing to those of you who enjoy Pu-erh tea.

It says on the Numi website:  With more antioxidants and 40% less sugar than most iced teas, Numi’s organic Pu·erh bottled teas are both functional and delicious! Using the finest whole leaf teas, herbs and fruits, our gallon-size iced tea pouches make at home brewing easy and refreshing.

The bottled Pu-erh tea comes in Classic, Mint, Jasmine, Peach, Earl Grey and Mango flavor.

Pu-erh tea is post-fermented, meaning the tea leaves undergo a microbial fermentation process after being dried and rolled.  It is a Chinese specialty from Yunnan province.  This tea is often aged like fine wine.

Pu erh tea benefits include lowering blood cholesterol, as well as aiding digestion and promoting general well-being and longevity. 

Brodies Tea and The Perfect Blend

My Mother’s Day gifts included two teas and a tea theme book.  Many of you have no doubt tried PG Tips tea, (England’s No. 1 brand).  I’m gifted with this tea quite often by hubby - by the case.  This time he also included some Brodies Famous Edinburgh tea.

It has been blended in Scotland’s capital city for over 65 years.  It states on the tin that the clipper “Isabella” brought the first cargo of tea to be landed in Scotland into Leith docks in 1833.

This tea is a good choice for those of us who like a robust blend that can stand up to the addition of milk.  You can find it in 50 bag tins, or in boxes and bags on Amazon.  The Brodies website is here. 

My new tea book is The Perfect Blend by Trish Perry.  It is the first in her Teashop series.  The back cover states – A fun, romantic story about tackling the unexpected moments of life with courage, faith, prayer, and good friends, and discovering how wonderfully life changing those moments can be.

I’m curious to see how Millicent’s Tea Shop will compare to Laura Child’s Indigo Tea Room.  Although this book is in my waiting to read pile, I did notice that there are some yummy sounding recipes in the back, like Individual Berry Shortcakes, Egg and Watercress Tea Sandwiches, Smokey Salmon Tea Sandwiches and Chocolate-Pecan Scones.  I’d love to hear any reviews of this novel.

High Tea or Low Tea

I posted this cute poem back in 2009 but I think it is worth repeating.

High Tea
(Essentially It's Supper)

Beans on toast and leftover roast,
the last meal of the day.
Jeans and shirts, or comfy old skirts,
slippers are quite okay.
Tea that's black, the pot with a crack,
placemats for everyday.
Neighbors, mates, or long-standing dates;
pets won't be in the way.
- J. Camille Korsmo

Low Tea
(Indubitably a Party)

Cakes and tarts and scones shaped like hearts,
an afternoon affair.
Frocks and pearls topped with hats and curls,
perfume applied with flair.
Fine Earl Grey, a fresh bouquet,
the table set with care.
Invited guests (some dear, some pests).
Manners? Beyond compare!
- J. Camille Korsmo

The gorgeous flowers are an early Mother’s Day gift from my son and daughter-in-love.  My favorite flower is the calla lily and this is the first time I’ve ever been given a bouquet that had some (sweet Jessica made sure the florist included them).

 

Tea Sandwiches

I’ve been trying to cut down on my magazine purchases, but I couldn’t resist the May 2011 issue of Food Network Magazine.  It is priced reasonably ($3.99) and Sam’s Club gives a 30% discount on magazines.

As I was thumbing through the magazine, I came across an article titled 50 Tea Sandwiches – Give an old-fashioned favorite a fun new twist.  It included a little pull out recipe booklet.

 True to its title, there are several favorites (egg salad, chicken salad, cucumber, shrimp, etc.) and some unusual sandwiches.  How about pea-prosciutto, bresaola-artichoke, manchego-quince, pate-sour cherry, lemon berry and many more.

There is also a great recipe for jumbo maple-pecan scones and a section called Mix & Match Quick Bread (lovely for a casual tea).

The 100 Greatest Cooking Tips (of all time) feature is a handy read and I am already planning to try several recipes starting with the decadent Almost-Famous Cheesecake Pancakes shown on the cover.

Getting back to the subject of sandwiches, this is a pic of my adorable grandbaby enjoying her first ice cream sandwich.

Easter Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns are made from a rich yeast dough containing flour, milk, sugar, butter, eggs, currants and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves).  Some bakers add candied fruit and raisins.  They are marked on top with a cross, either cut into the dough, made with strips of pastry or piped on with icing.

In England, hot cross buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday.  My Mom always baked them for Easter.  She also made wonderful Chelsea buns year round.  The funny thing is I don’t ever remember her baking scones (maybe because she was a coffee drinker and not a tea granny like me).

Hot cross buns are a wonderful treat for Good Friday breakfast, served buttered (maybe toasted) with a hot cup of tea.

Have A Blessed Easter

Royal Stafford Rose Teacup

Since I don’t have any new teacups this week, I’m going to show this Royal Stafford bone china cup again.  This company was formed in 1952, in Longton, England.   It was formerly the Thomas Poole Company. 

This lovely and feminine teacup is really a little paler blue than it shows in my photo.

It has a dainty scalloped edge and a very pretty gold design.

The handle is a lovely shape (although not my favorite to hold) and the gilded foot and band is attractive.  I’d love to find a book that names the many different handle and cup shapes (please let me know if you know of a really good one).

This pattern is not easy to find online, even though it appears to be numbered 2182 or maybe 2132.  There was one offered for sale on ebay, but with no information listed for pattern name or history.

This Stash tea that I tried today was quite good.  It was fruity, but not too tart.  I liked the idea of the Matcha tea as an ingredient since it is so antioxidant rich.

It certainly brewed to a wonderful rosy color.  This tea has an interesting mix of green tea, chamomile, hibiscus flowers, orange peel, citric acid, pomegranate flavor, raspberry flavor and the Japanese Matcha. 

Please join Terri and Martha for lots more Teacup Tuesday and Sandi for Tea Time Tuesday.