Memories in a Tea Cozy/Cosy

How do you spell it?  Tea Cozy (common in the US) or Tea Cosy (common in the UK).  I appreciate both styles.  :-)  Anyway you spell it, they're handy. I dislike cold tea, and a cozy/cosy helps!  Especially this one, which has a thermal lining in the middle.  I used these instructions to make one sized for my smaller teapots. I wanted to feature the Darjeeling text, and on the other side, Ceylon, so I fussy cut the fabric.

This fabric was a gift from my "room friend," affectionately called Rose MacGyver due to her cleverness in devising solutions to all kinds of needs when we were traveling in China, Tibet and India. We also traveled together to London, and so it's my attempt to connect these adventures (a British-inspired cosy with the Indian tea-growing region prominently displayed). 

That's the DH, dear hubby, gardening in the background at a community garden plot 

This cozy/cosy also connects me with my trip back to Darjeeling this past October, and another dear friend who was my traveling companion, AM. I dream of the day when I can host a tea where these two women can meet and share talk of travel.  

I've been using this cozy/cosy nearly every day, and thinking of my friends and our adventures! Comfort and warmth in tough times.

Little Things

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."  ~Khalil Gibran

I really do have wonderful friends!  One of them once observed that I choose little things for my tea equipment.  I hadn't thought much about it and began to take an inventory.  She was right!  I'm drawn to the demi-sized stuff.  Partially because I like the look and partially for practical reasons.  I simply don't drink a lot. Left to my own style, I drink several tiny cups of small amounts of tea in one sitting.

I have a number of small pots useful for brewing in the Chinese style, and yet I didn't have one quite small enough for when I'm brewing solo.  Now I do, thanks to another friend who knows my tastes well.

This diminutive brown yixing teapot (zisha clay) is from the early 1980s.  It holds 70 ml of liquid (just short of 2.5 oz), as compared to the one behind it which holds ~150 ml (a more typical volume).  One little pot produces 3-4 of my thimble-sized cups in one steeping.  At this rate, I can do several rounds.  ;-)  Perfect for me!

Another little treasure: This rock, which I brought back recently from the Oregon coast, has a tiny hole just big enough for one blossom or a very small bouquet.  I'm borrowing from a lesson I learned in my chanoyu studies.  In the summer, suggest coolness...and thus, the dribble of water on the rock.  It reminds me of being at the ocean.

Hello, Red! And After the Party

I've been adding red (in various shades including red-orange and red-pink) to the home color palette.  These red chairs and plates are the most recent celebrations of color. And it just so happened that a friend was stopping by.  A perfect reason to use the new stuff!

We had enjoyed lunch at a nearby restaurant and came home with baklava. I made tea.  I had this lovely golden saffron sugar (a Persian treat, used to sweeten tea) and noghl (almond slivers covered in rose sugar).  The sweets came with love from a friend's parents in Iran.  This tea time became an unplanned Persian celebration.  Serendipitous timing as we neared Persian New Year. Welcome Spring! 

Can you spot the barely domesticated creature below?  That's my DH - dear hubby.

The photo below is my favorite image of this post, as it captures the peace that comes after hosting a friend for tea.  That moment, that glow, that quiet lingering of sweetness before the dishes are done and life's routines resumed.



Teapot (Head) Under Here

I think he's found his look!

That's my good friend D. I think the look suits him to a "tea"!  I love that he wore this and owned it, and not for a few seconds, either.  For a good long while!  

The tea cosy itself is a project that's been half finished for over a year.  I'm so glad that I can add it to the "done" list.  Every time I look at it, I smile.  I love the whimsy.  The idea came from Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol.  It's linen fabric with a vibrant turquoise flannel lining inside.  I sandwiched thermal batting in the middle.  The bias tape binding on the bottom was made by sewing goddess CO Tea Lover. I really love how the tea cosy turned out, and especially how it's worn!

Billy Connolly — "Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cozy, doesn't try it on."

Finding Tea – David Galli and PDX TEA

Soft spoken and reflective, David shares his story of finding tea as he carefully prepares an air-dried white.  Like the leaf itself, David’s story unfolds gently and slowly.  We sip and talk, getting to know one another in my favorite way, over many cups of tea. 

Tea made its first impression onto David’s life when he was a young boy. He spent time in his formative years living in Japan. Tea was a backdrop, establishing a presence that would return years later. As a young adult, David found himself navigating through Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (AADD). Somewhat counter-intuitively, stimulants are often used to help manage this condition. Through David’s research he found that tea and one of its properties, L-Theanine, showed promising signs. L-Theanine is the amino acid in tea that works synergistically with caffeine to produce feelings of alertness and well-being. L-Theanine helps modulate the effects of caffeine and the combination of these two compounds “works magic” for David. (Note: Tea is only one part of David’s treatment regimen.)

David’s positive experiences with tea as a wellness aid led to a closer study of the culture of tea. He began tasting teas with dedication. As his knowledge grew, he found teachers. Preparing and enjoying tea became a centering ritual and a guiding passion. Over time, David began to see an opportunity in the Portland area for a niche business, one focused on the community of tea lovers. He found a space with big windows, large tables and the right tea-drinking atmosphere. He sells teas “underrepresented at other Portland-area tea shops,” along with a nice selection of Gong Fu tea equipment and tea books and magazines.  I can vouch first-hand for the peacefulness of this tea space, having spent several happy hours there. 

I look forward to learning more about and even sharing a small part in David’s tea journey.  I offer sincere wishes for the success of PDX TEA and David’s endeavors. 

2013 Tea Calendar from an Adventuring Woman

I'm so proud of my friend Lindsey!  She's spent the last year traveling around Asia to study at tea farms.  She's an intrepid soul, and a creative and generous one too.  I miss her, but I'm thrilled to read of her adventures.  She has just released her 2013 tea calendar.  I've already purchased a copy!  You can find it at the online store here.

 

A Surprise Visit and Teacup Aprons

Happy "in between"!  That's what I call this time between Christmas and New Year's.  I hope you have time for slowness, reflection and rest. 

I spent a very nice Christmas with family.  A special highlight was the surprise visit from dear friends who live a good drive away!  Timing played out so that I wasn't going to be able to visit them this year.  Unknown to me, they had planned with my sister to come and see me instead!  Oh, what a wonderful gift!  They even brought lunch with them.  Thank you from the depths of my heart!

These friends are very creative people.  We celebrated with Esme the publication of her prize-winning fiction story.  And Sweetcakes, crafter extraordinaire, gave us these lovely, whimsical aprons.  Mine is a fashion statement to be worn with a skirt!  I can promise it will never see the likes of a kitchen mess.

My Teacup Apron

And matching ones for my sister and her little one, too

I'm very, very grateful to all of my friends and family who remain constant in my life, despite the miles and distance between us.  Much love!

A Very Decadent Tea

Champagne with hibiscus flower

I've been waiting to write about this incredible tea party.  I wanted to use it as an inspiration for any holiday entertaining you might be doing.  Just look at these gorgeous foods and dream!  My special thanks to the hostess of this fine multi-course event, along with the engaging company.  I felt very special! 

Let's start with the cocktail, above.  I think this is beautiful!  A lovely hibiscus flower (preserved in a sweet syrup) adorns the champagne flute.  The flower is edible, and as it turns out, delicious.  If you're in CA, find these flowers at BevMo.  This drink is guaranteed to impress your guests!  You could easily serve it in sparkling juice if you wanted a non-alcoholic version.

Miniature rose cupcake

Next up, a moist and scrumptious rose cupcake.  We did "dessert first!"  Let me assure you, I ate several more than one.

Peach soup with frozen raspberries, drizzled with a liqueur

This next course is one that I can see using often.  We had peach soup, a mix of fresh peaches, cream and delicate spices.  Over that was the cleverest of treats - frozen raspberries on a skewer, drizzled with a liqueur to give them a bit of a punch.  The raspberries were a great contrast to the peach soup in both texture and flavor, and added a nice color burst, too.  I can think of many uses for these frozen raspberries (or blackberries, or blueberries, or strawberry chunks...)

We followed the peach soup with delightful Kensington Palace Scones.  I must have been too busy trying to look refined as I stuffed myself, because I forgot to take a photo.

Three tiers of savories

Then came the savories: 

• Top row:  Our hostess's signature sandwich:  Napoleon of Jamon de Paris, Boursin Cheese, Violet Mustard and Cornichon, and a tart with honeyed goat cheese, topped with fig
• Middle row:  Savory Madeleines made of polenta and fresh corn kernels with a dollop of jalapeno jelly, and a Swedish pancake stuffed with salmon and an herbed goat cheese
• Bottom row:  Profiterole with chicken salad in an oil-based dressing, and ladybug tea sandwiches made with freshly cut basil and burrata, a fresh cheese made from mozzarella and cream
• Not shown:  Pork loin sandwich and sausage roll with caramel and sugared sage on top



Key lime mousse with cape gooseberry

The first time I tasted a cape gooseberry was at tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC.  I was there with a dear friend.  Seeing the gooseberry in this dessert awakened a very special memory for me.

Three tiers of desserts

But we're not done yet!  Next we had a selection of desserts:  rose ice cream tarts topped with red currants, lemon bars with gold leaf and homemade French macaroons.  I love macaroons, and I know they can be quite fussy to make.  Look at the perfect "feet" on these (below). 



May this blog posting inspire your holiday (or other future) entertaining!  I hope this has been a visual delight for you.  It certainly has been a delight for me, to relive it and think of the wonderful day spent in the company of old and new friends.

Green Tea Dress/Scarf

My "Green Tea" Minidress and Scarf

This is my "green tea" outfit!  Brought to me by my fashion-forward friends!  This outfit has a story...

Part One:  While in India at the Glenburn Tea Estate, my room friend MJ comes to the room with this AMAZING scarf!  It's a silk/cotton blend, it hangs so lovely, it's got a great hand feel, it's got the tea leaf/flower on it, it's perfect! 

Camellia Sinensis leaf and flower

I didn't buy one.  Why? I don't know.  Sometimes I get that way.  I was admiring MJ's scarf for the next few days, wishing I had indulged.  You can imagine my delight when, a few days later, MJ handed me this scarf she had tucked away as a gift.  SO thoughtful!

Part Two:  I arrive home from China/India, weary and bleary.  On the table to welcome me is a package from CO Tea Lover.  Inside is this fantastic silk mini-dress.  My friend found it in the Halloween section at a local thrift store!  It's handmade, silk, lined with a lovely contrast fabric, and fits great!  Of course, the best part is that it's a perfect match for the scarf.  My green tea outfit, meant to be.  Thank you to MJ and CO Tea Lover!

Captures the Moment

Photo by Mitra

This photo holds special meaning for me.  When I saw it I was immediately taken back to this moment (last night).  Summertime.  Dining outside.  Great drinks, food AND dessert.  Leisurely conversation with a girlfriend.  Relaxation, sharing, celebration.  This photo gets to the core of that experience for me.  It reminds me that these moments in time are not indulgences; rather, they are necessities.  Time out for grownups who are too busy.  Time out for listening and being heard.  Time out to slow down, savor.  Time out to consider the menu.  Time out to love life, precious in each moment.  Thank you.

Circle of Friends

Circle of Friends

I've been tracking moments of joy this year, and one thing's for sure...there are joyful moments each day when we stop to look for them.  There are also MOMENTS of joy, the kind that make you smile 30 years later.  Here's one of those, dancing with my "Circle of Friends". 

I have my employer to thank for bringing us together.  We four have seen each other through many work crisis moments and deeply profound life transitions.  This time it was to celebrate a wedding. The bride (second from left) was married on a ranch near Paso Robles, CA.  I will remember this joyful moment for the rest of my years!

A Layover Tea Party

My friend and our layover tea

I had a long airport layover recently, and it happened to be in the same city as my dear friend above.  When I mentioned this, she said, "I'll bring a tea party!"  How fun!  The weather was warm and we were able to enjoy the sunshine.  

She brought a linen table cloth and napkins, real china, wonderful coconut green tea, and scones with cream.  This tea party gave me permission to relax and rest in the midst of a busy time.  Thank you!

Dragon Dance

Chinese New Year is here!  I'm thinking in the color red.  The festivities last two weeks, and our Classical Chinese Garden in Portland has something special each day. I visited the garden with a friend yesterday to have tea and watch a Lion Dance. Here are some lovely photos from the day.

 I loved the reflection of the red lanterns on the water.

Each dragon is made of two dancers...these were very talented children! 
Both boys and girls, and I was so impressed with their strength and agility.

A Special Holiday Tea

I feel so pampered and loved!  My friend Sweetcakes recently held a tea party while I visited, allowing me to spend some quality time with friends.  Thank you!

It was a beautiful day.  The fire blazed, the teas smelled heavenly, and I was so happy to see my friends.  The place settings were winter white, with pink and silver accents.  It perfectly accompanied the snow outside and the rose in my friends' cheeks from the crisp air.

We began the tea feast with white bean-rosemary soup.  Then we enjoyed egg salad, chicken salad, and cucumber tea sandwiches.

The scones were cranberry-orange served with cream, orange marmalade and cranberry relish. For desert, we had an amazing assortment of Christmas cookies and candies, and sweet and salty chocolate cupcakes.

And if this wasn't enough, the next day I enjoyed an inspiring brunch, prepared by Esme, and in the company of my writing friends.

Two very special women. Thank you for making my visit home one that I will treasure!

Marmalady Marilyn

Meet Marmalady, also know as my friend Marilyn!  She writes a wonderful blog and has her own tea and jam business, Marmalady's.  (I'm currently loving the Cherry Amaretto jam.)

Marilyn has many talents, one is pattern design.  She offers a pattern for this vintage-styled cloche hat.  I have the pattern and look forward to showing mine, once I get it made.  I'll make one for me and one for my niece.

I made Marilyn's acquaintance through blogging, and we met in person for the first time two and a half years ago, when I was in Portland for a work trip.  Little did I know that I would one day be living here.  Thank you, Marilyn, for helping me to transition into my new home!

Reusable Snack Bags

Sweetcakes made these reusable snack/sandwich bags to match my new lunch bag.  They are lined with ripstop nylon and they close with Velcro.  Pretty cool, huh?  See her post on the topic for more info.

PS - Sept is National Sewing Month.  This is a great project in case you needed one.  ;-)

Chocolate and Orchids and Poems

These chocolates and the orchid came from some sweethearts. Thank you, my circle of friends!I thought the poems fit well and hope you enjoy both the visuals and the poetry.

Cocoa, divine
by Dorean Malandra-Dara

O sweet divinity

dark lusciousness of a time put off

guide me through the tides of crimson rushes

there is none finer that I may know

than perhaps a dip into the passions

that ethyr knows not

my dark love

bind the curse by one and two and three

rid the pain from thee

as i indulge in your flavorful essence

once more.

just an indulgence here and there

but once a month thou art my saviour

dedicated to consume and devour

until all pain has been curbed

and lust dissolved.

Woman as Orchid
by Isolde

People say that Orchids are hard to care for,
An urban legend that swirls around those bright
Beautiful red blue orange pink yellow dark light
Flowers goddesses that
Lean and lounge sensually from every
Elite doorstep, every corporate hallway
And are so often looked past in florist's windows because
A vicious reputation precedes them.
Yet my orchids grow, wild and fair
With hardly a care from my almost-
Green hands, reaching, floating,
Dripping down their own stems
Filling the world of my room with
Such an effortless exotic grace and Pop.

Orchids are women, a female flower
Undeniably
Then women are orchids as well?

Women are lush, curved, open and pinked
Sometimes blooming, sometimes waiting
Catching the sunlight as it dapples in
White yellow spots on our shiny leaves,
Stems and buds.

People say that women can be hard to care for,
An urban legend that swirls around our
Long hair and pointed shoes,
Every day goddesses that
Lean and lounge and work and play
And hurt and cry and love and laugh
And try and fail and try and win and
Hope and pray and want and need and
Walk past you, day in and day out
Searching for a place or a way to set down
Our own roots, our own strength
In a world that sighs and says
"they are pretty, but too much work...I'll take
A peace lily instead."

Can't Get Enough Of...

The Chinese Classical Garden and Teahouse!

Pictured here with Sweetcakes. I'm so glad we got to spend time together in this very special place.  She and Esme gave me a gift membership. 

We enjoyed the gongfu tea ceremony with a Wuyi oolong tea.

Nurturing

Nurturing comes in many forms, but one of my favorites is tea and treats with a friend.

Sweetcakes and I planned some time together this weekend. When she asked me what I wanted to do I said, "I want to come to your house and do nothing." I think that's one of the highest compliments I could give her - that simply coming to her home is nurturing to me.

Well, Sweetcakes went above and beyond for this nurturing session, as we sipped hot tea and had raspberry financiers and warm toffee pudding in front of her fire. Wow - yumm! Thank you! Just what I needed! A good friend and tea.

I hold in my heart right now all my friends and family in need of their own nurturing, as well as those across our world, especially our brothers and sisters in Haiti. I send thoughts and prayers of safety, peace, and hope for the future.

I also hold in my heart those who find themselves in need of nurturing while being caregivers and nurturers to other. This is each of us at one point or another. May we find the courage to take care of ourselves so we can help others.