Trusty Teapots

This week's blogathon topic is to write about teapots. I'll share with you the teapots I use on a daily basis. I call these my trusty teapots, as they keep on pouring and never fail me! The first one is a small teapot (about 3-4 cups) with a set of 5 matching handleless cups. The teapot has a mesh infuser basket, which I love. It's easy to clean and gives the tea plenty of room to open and expand. I originally purchased this set for the cups. I needed additional cups of this size for tea tastings. But it's the teapot that has become the crown jewel. It is the one I go to almost every day.

Below is another pot I use regularly. I like it because of its tall and lean shape, more like a coffee pot (tho it is smaller than most coffee pots of this style). It came to me in New Mexico, from a thrift store bonanza (the DH found it). I use this one when I want a bit more flair with my daily cup.

Do you have a teapot you go to on a daily basis? What about it do you like? The color? The way it pours? Its sentimental value?

Cutest Cupcakes

Martha Stewart recently hosted a cutest cupcakes contest. I was delighted that many of the finalists and grand prize winners had a tea theme! You can see them all on her website, but here are the tea ones I spied (photos from the Martha Stewart website).

Fun Tea Things

Here are a few tea treasures I've received recently. My sincere thanks to the gift givers!

A gift from Wm
You can find these at 1-800-Flowers

A gift from AZ Tea Lover
The inside says, "The quality of being open and truthful while drinking tea"
Indeed - that is what I hope to be!

AZ tea lover chose this one for herself
The inside says, "Having more creative ability while drinking tea"

Bike to Church Day

Friends biking to church

I rode my bike to church yesterday. I was participating in "Bike to Church" day. Many local churches came together to support alternative transportation options for getting to church - biking, walking, public transit, carpooling. At the height of the bike scene at my church yesterday, I counted about 20 riders, and that doesn't include the first service riders or any walkers or carpoolers.

The DH and I have a car. We drive it about once a week, and that's out of convenience and not need. I'm not bragging here, but rather trying to show that it can be done. We've structured our life so that the car is not necessary. I have such an intense sense of freedom by not being dependent on the car.

I am blessed to live in a community where churches can put aside differences and work together toward healing the earth. To me, protecting the environment is an absolutely crucial spiritual path. After all, tending the garden is job one.

The DH (dear hubby), checking out the bike scene

Riding a bike gives me time to stop and check out the flowers.

I would have blown right by this guy (or gal?) in a car.
Bicycling really lets me see the world.

On the way home, we stopped by a sign that read "free plants."

May Tea: For Two, from Me to You

I love my DH (dear hubby). There are moments in life when I just look at him with adoration, and today was one of those days. Here's why: I had planned a "Tea for Two" as my May tea party. My friend, Sweetcakes, has had a whirlwind month and I wanted to give her a few moments of rest and relaxation. Also, she had gifted me with some lovely Old Country Roses pieces and I was saving them to use with her. So, we planned a lunch appointment for tea. Then, things at work exploded this week and I became very busy. The DH announced to me recently, "I'm going to do your tea party food. It's my Mother's Day present to you (and my life will be better because you won't be stressed out.)"

Well, he did a fantastic job. He planned and prepared three courses and paired the teas. He's just a sweetheart and I'm grateful. I'm also grateful to Sweetcakes for sharing a part of her day with me!

Here are some photos...

Old Country Roses china - one of my favorite china patterns!
I love the bold colors and gold rimming. Also, columbine from the garden.

Iris from the garden

Our first tea was one I brought back from London last year

The DH explaining the menu and our first tea

First course: fresh cherry scones
(Remember, the DH put the menu together and did all the cooking! Tho that's not so unusual at my house.)
These scones were very good - we ate them bare b/c the DH told us, "anything else would ruin the scone." I think he was right!

Second course: Garlic scallops in puff pastry and tomatoes with vinaigrette and oregano
Served with a white elderflower tea

Final course, with a flair for the French - salad, fruit and cheese
Served with a fresh peppermint tisane from our garden

Fair Madeleine

The shell-shaped, cake-like cookie called Madeleines has become one of my favorites! I just love the texture and taste. These cookies have a tea connection, made famous by Proust. The cookies are a perfect accompaniment to tea. They are lightly sweet and airy - blending with the flavors of tea, rather than overpowering. They match nicely with fruit, too.

I recently bought a Madeleine pan and made my first batch this week. Here is the recipe I used, tho I used 1/2 the sugar and half whole wheat flour. They turned out great! The only problem was that I had to keep myself out of the batter! And I ate four of them immediately out of the oven. ;-)

Favorite Tea Rooms

This week's blogathon topic (thanks, Gracious Hospitality!) is to write about a favorite tea room. Well, I have two today that I'd like to discuss.

First, let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to my friend MJ who is having her grand opening this weekend for a new tea room in Massillon, Ohio. It's called the Amherst Rose and I wish I could be there with her for the celebration! I met her on the Tea in London trip in March, 2007 and have enjoyed hearing of the progress of her tea room since then. I wish MJ and her husband much wonderful success and know their tea room will certainly be a favorite when I get the chance to visit!

Second, picking a favorite tea room is no easy challenge. Each one that I've been to has a uniqueness to it and has something that I find endearing. However, if I were forced to pick, I would say that the St. James Tea Room in Albuquerque, NM is my all-time favorite.

Part of the reason for this favorite is the association I have with friends and good times at the St. James, but an equally important part is the tea room itself. Mary Alice, the proprietress, and her staff go above and beyond to make the tea experience a delight. The decor is luxurious, but not partial to the feminine. Men and women feel equally welcome here, I believe. The layout of tables allows for many small nooks and private cubbies throughout.

The food is exquisite! Here is the May menu. Not only does the St. James serve wonderful tea sandwiches, but the chef also prepares other gourmet savories. The cream scones are the best I've ever had, and the desserts are creative and delicious. The staff have been trained well and are friendly and knowledgeable about both the teas and the food.

And I shouldn't leave out the treasures! When entering the St. James tea room, you are welcomed and may be tempted by many interesting treasures in the gift shop. I was often tempted to purchase an item or two.

(St. James Logo, from the website)

If you find yourself in Albuquerque, the St. James tea room is a must-see! For me, it is a reason unto itself to return, but of course I have the added benefit of friends there, too!

Calling All Arts & Crafters!

Angela, over at Tea with Friends, recently brought to my attention that the magazine Cloth Paper Scissors is hosting a tea party challenge. The gist is to "make a mixed-media piece of art that celebrates home and hospitality based on a tea party theme." Details. The deadline to e-mail photos of your entry is July 14, 2008.

Fun! I hope some of us will play!

Happy Mother's Day to All Women

Happy Mother's Day to my mother, my sister, my grandmother, my friends who are mothers, and to all women, whether mothers of human children or mothers of passions.

My mind turns toward Julia Ward Howe today. She is most known for writing the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, but she was the first to proclaim Mother's Day in 1870. Read her proclamation here. I find it just as stirring and revolutionary today as I image it was then.

My hats off to all women who step forward to make positive change for our world. May we raise our daughters to be so bold.

I am spending this weekend with my family, in celebration of my grandparents' 70th wedding anniversary. My grandmother is an inspiring woman. She loved babies and gardening and simple things in life, like sitting in the porch swing with a glass of iced tea. Her health has declined, but she still finds ways to make jokes and smile. She is a very special woman.

Set the Table, Tea is On!

This week's blogathon topic (from Gracious Hospitality) is to share afternoon tea settings. I'm displaying photos from the past two years. Each of these is a tea party I've hosted - some for several people, some for a friend or two, and some for just me. I've loved and enjoyed each one.

Simple Gifts

Sometimes life gives me a theme and it keeps reappearing until I embrace it. I think the theme I am hearing and seeing now is to live simply. I've been working on this for some time. I don't think a simple life is ever checked off a list, but rather an ongoing life of practice. And the practice continues. I've had a few great reminders over the past weeks!

In my writing class, our facilitator brought in Aaron Copland's music called Appalacian Spring. The Shaker hymn Simple Gifts is woven into the middle of this piece and it's just SO beautiful. You can listen to the section of Simple Gifts from Appalacian Spring here and listen to the Voices of Liberty sing the words here.

On Saturday, I attended a clothing swap. These fun events are great ways to let go of clothes (the extras are given to a thrift store that raises money for a local social service agency) and to pick up a few treasures. All at no cost. I have always found a temptation or two, but I make it a rule to bring home less than I take! The conversation, food and friendship at these events are uplifting.

At church yesterday, our minister spoke about living simply. She read this quote:

"We take delight in things;

we take delight in being loosed from things.

Between these two delights,

we must dance our lives."

--Phillip Harnden

Then we sang simple gifts.

Today, I flipped to my May calendar and here's what I read:

"It is always the simple that produces the marvelous."

-- Amelia E. Barr

OK, I'm listening. I'm practicing. Yes, the best of life is simple.

April Tea: Herbal-themed Tea Party

I wrote earlier in the week about the herbal-themed tea party that I recently enjoyed. It was such a pleasure to be of help and I've been reliving it in memories all week!

Here are a few photos (courtesy Sweetcakes). Do visit Sweetcakes to see more photos and to get a recipe for lavender scones.

Finger sandwiches, each featuring herbs

Delectable desserts; I've become a HUGE madeleine fan (bottom tier)

Tea Review: Moroccan Mint Tea

Instead of mint juleps, I'll be drinking my own brew of Moroccan mint tea tomorrow as I listen to the running of the roses (aka Kentucky Derby). Kentuckian and fellow tea lover at Friendship Tea has been blogging in anticipation of the race all week. Fun!

Moroccan mint tea, to me, is a special treat. The combination of mint, tea and sugar (lots of sugar) is very pleasing. If you're having it served at a Moroccan restaurant, it will probably be given to you in a glass teacup with fancy pouring.

Photo from wikipedia

Here's my recipe. If you try the tea, let me know how you like it! Leave a review in the comments section.

Steph's Moroccan Mint Tea

I prefer to use fresh mint, when it's in season.

A handful (~1 cup loosely packed) of fresh mint sprigs, plus a few extra for garnish
3 teaspoons green tea (traditionally, gunpowder green)
3 tablespoons sugar (or less, depending on your preference)
4 cups water
4-5 whole cloves to taste (whole - not ground)

This isn't a precise recipe, so taste and adjust to suit your preferences. Also, I should preface this by saying I prefer mine pretty minty....so that drives how I concoct this brew.

Add the mint leaves and cloves into the water and bring to a boil. Let boil for ~2 minutes to get a good mint base. (Once it starts to boil, bring it down to a rolling simmer.)

After the mint base is ready, bring the heat down so that the water is barely rolling and add the sugar and tea. Cook for another 1-3 minutes, depending on how strong you like the tea flavor.

Pour through a filter into a teapot or teacups and serve. Small glass cups are traditional, but be careful! They get very hot and, if there is a crack already, the hot liquid can pop the glass open.

Garnish with remaining sprigs of mint. Enjoy!

Tea Review: Coconut Pouchong

This week's tea blogathon topic (from Gracious Hospitality) is a favorite brew - white, green, black or herbal. My tea favorite changes with the day. I'm a very moody drinker, meaning that my mood dictates my choice.

Today spring is in my heart and I feel like something light and special. I choose coconut pouchong. Pouchong is an interesting tea, not much talked about but one that I really appreciate. Pouchong tea is similar to an ever-so-slightly oxidized green tea. On the spectrum of teas, it would generally fall between a green and an oolong, tho there are always exceptions. Think of it as a mellow green (tho it is technically its own category).

This particular tea is scented and flavored with coconut. The tea took home an award at the 2007 World Tea Expo in the Green Tea category. I have a pound of this tea, so if anyone would like to purchase a sample or a few ounces, please let me know at steph7@sbcglobal.net. If you're not a fan of coconut, this tea is not for you.

For coconut lovers, this tea is heaven. The dry leaf is a deep forest green with a super-intense coconut aroma.

During steeping, the leaves open nicely and create a lovely, flat presentation. The aroma softens as it steeps and becomes so alluring. (The aroma of the dry leaf is intense, but as it steeps, it becomes incredibly enticing.)

The liquor is a light yellow. Can you see the heart-shaped reflection in the tea cup? It must be from one of the daffodils above it. :-) A perfect summary to how I experience this tea - I simply love it!