548 Cups of Tea

That's how many the DH (dear husband) and I served at the recent Chocolate Festival. Well, to be accurate, it's how many cups the DH brewed and served. He was the work horse. I just stood there and talked to people. I have fun at these kinds of things. I enjoy talking to people about tea. I had samples of the dry leaf for people to look at and smell, and we gave out small cups of Chocolate Mint tea. Folks seemed to really respond to the sensory experiences (visual/smell/taste).

The Chocolate Festival is a fundraiser for Options for Better Living.

Here are a few photos...

















Me preparing to play hostess while the DH does all the work!

The DH ready for the masses!

Lovely Jonquils

...."So lovely, that country in May. - All lacy with dogwood, literally flooded with jonquils! That was the spring I had the craze for jonquils. Jonquils became an absolute obsession. Mother said, 'Honey, there's no more room for jonquils.' And still I kept on bringing in more jonquils. Whenever, wherever I saw them, I'd say, "Stop! Stop! I see jonquils! I made the young men help me gather the jonquils! It was a joke, Amanda and her jonquils! Finally there were no more vases to hold them, every available space was filled with jonquils. No vases to hold them? All right, I'll hold them myself - And then I - [She stops in front of the picture.] met your father! Malaria fever and jonquils and then - this - boy...."

Amanda (Mother), Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

I played Laura (the daughter) in the Glass Menagerie as a Sr. in high school. I remember this scene so well. It was played by my best friend. Performing in this role had a profound effect on me. I recall the feeling of total abandon to my character.

I have always loved all varieties of daffidils - jonquils, narcissis, etc. My stepfather brings to my mother old fashioned ones that have double heads. They're more green than yellow. They're ready usually by late March....around my birthday. Perhaps that's why I love daffodils so much!















Right now I am sipping ginger tea (tisane) and breathing the super-sweet aroma of the jonquils sitting on my work desk. We "forced" these. The bulbs lived in the fridge from the fall - Jan 2. They started blooming in the last week and the aroma is heavenly!

A Cup of Tea in Tribute

Two women that I admire deeply passed away this past week.
Civil rights leader Coretta Scott King and feminist pioneer Betty Friedan.

I admire Coretta Scott King for her work in racial and economic justice. She founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, which worked to remove what Scott King believed to be sources of violence: hunger, unemployment, voting rights, and racism.

I admire Betty Friedan for raising awareness that women can, indeed must, be fulfilled beyond their husbands and children. Friedan's book, The Feminine Mystique, is credited for beginning the feminist movement. As a woman who is happily choosing not to have children, I owe a lot to Friedan for her controversial and rebellious thinking in 1963!

Happy First Day of Spring!

Happy first day of spring! This may sound a little early for you, but the DH and I celebrate on Feb 1st. It's at this time of year that the northern hemisphere gains more solar energy than it loses; that marks a significant change for me. In addition, crocus, daffodils, and hyacinths are pushing up through the earth. It is spring!

We celebrate by having fresh flowers in the house. I'm lucky this year to have home-grown flowers. We've got beautiful geraniums that have been blooming all winter, and the last amaryllis flower. We've got daffodils that we're forcing to bloom. We should see the first yellow blossoms in the next few weeks. We'll buy a few more flowers this afternoon, to really celebrate!

I'm also drinking Ice Wine tea as a special treat. It's become one of my all-time favorites.

It's a mixed blessing for me today. I always look forward to this turning of the calendar. And yet, it is hard for me to filter out the noise of our times. Let me just say this, I am extremely disappointed in the leadership of our country. There is no "winning" to war.

I got Phished, but all is well...

Be careful out there. I avoided a very clever Phishing scam this morning. (Phishing is when someone attempts to get your personal information by sending an official-looking e-mail. It's fraud.)
This one was targeted at my Pay Pal account. The phishing note indicated that I had added an additional e-mail to my account. I had not done this, so I clicked on the link that said, "If this is incorrect, click here." Well, when I went to that link, the system demanded that I "update" my credit card information. That seemed very suspicious to me. The system looked identical to Pay Pals, except that it wouldn't let me go anywhere else on the page until I entered my credit card info. That was my tip-off. I called Pay Pal. It was a scam. I am very grateful I didn't supply my info. I went back into my real Pay Pal account, removed all my credit card info, and changed my password.

Professional institutions (banks, online businesses, etc.) should never ask for your account details (password, credit card, etc.) via e-mail. Never give out this private info via e-mail!

This scam was a little more sophisticated because it actually took me to a website that looked identical to Pay Pal's. If you are at a website that is asking for your private information and it just doesn't "feel" safe to you, trust your gut. If you have any doubt whatsoever, give the institution a call before entering your info. It's better to be safe than sorry! These phishing scams can be very convincing.

If any one else has internet safety recommendations, please share them!

End of Hot Tea Month

I hope you all had a nice Hot Tea month! I enjoyed knowing that the special-month-assigners placed such an important emphasis on tea. >-)

Living Below My Means

This post brings me back to an update on my efforts at living simply....
As I was having my morning cup of tea today, I was perusing a magazine called Debt-Proof Living*. http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com/. This is a great monthly source of ideas for living life without financial hassles.

The way that the DH and I came to discover this magazine is an interesting story of living below our means. We recently canceled most of our magazine and catalogue subscriptions. We had too many! While enjoyable, they are extremely wasteful, from an environmental perspective. Plus, we didn't need to fork out the $$. It's not as if we're strapped for cash. We're actually ahead of the curve in terms of savings. Nonetheless, we constantly strive to reduce our consumerism. It's an ethical matter. This magazine reduction was one way to continue bringing our lives into alignment with our values.

Now, we both really enjoy reading magazines. So, how to continue this interest w/o spending the cash or amassing mountains of glossy paper? We head to the library! Our library contains an incredible diversity of magazines, and we can check them out. The selection is much greater than if I were to buy them myself. I've been reading everything from Utne Reader to Debt-Proof Living.

We're quirky people - I know that and I don't mind. We pay off our credit card every month. We own our car, and we're considering life without one. When we purchase a house within the next year or so, we plan to get one smaller and priced below what we can afford. We want to pay it off ASAP. We just don't spend like the average family. Thank goodness!

I've still got my challenges! I'm a fan of clothes and tea stuff. Those are my weak points! But I continue to cull my closet and resist temptation...with occasional indulgences.

If you've got tips for living below your means, please share them!

* Formerly called Cheapskate Monthly. Debt-Proof Living is a monthly publication of DPL Press, Inc. PO Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723-8135. http://www.cheapskatemonthly.com/

Tea Review - Snow Mountain Jian

The DH (dear hubbie) wanted his own pound of green tea. I guess he got tired of my rations and wanted one he could control all by himself! >-) So, out comes the wholesale books for him to peruse. He chose Snowy Mountain Jian, and he has been kind enough to share.














My first tasting experience with this tea wasn't that great, but it's my own fault. I was exhibiting bad tea tasting behavior. It was early and I was multitasking (making pancakes - not a normal morning event for me). I didn't pay attention to my tea leaf-to-water ratio. I over-steeped. Not in the sense of time, but I had too many leaves for the amount of water I was using. My first experience of the tea was that it had a smoky aroma and was rather bitter. The bitterness was my fault.

When you taste a tea for the first time, it really is important to give the tea 3-4 different steeps. Use different water temps and steeping durations to see what you prefer. (When I'm tasting a tea for the first time, I only reuse the leaves twice. I might keep them for a third steeping later, but not for the purposes of really "getting" that particular tea.) I keep a notebook with my tasting preferences and observations.

Round 2 worked much better for me with this tea. The tea had my full attention. That's always a plus (and a moment to be centered). I steeped the same leaves for 2.5 minutes and used more water. I am enjoying this cup. The smoky aroma is still there. However, the bitterness is gone. The tea does have a pungency to it. It's manufacturer's description indicates that, while this is a green tea, it is allowed to ferment very briefly to give the leaves a dark hue. They indicate the taste is "much smoother than traditional green teas." I'm not sure I would define this as a smooth tea, but I do like it. The aftertaste leaves a sweetness on my tongue. Quite the combo - a mildly pungent flavor, but a sweet aftertaste.

I am also considering whether I should carry this tea in my Serendipity Teas line. The jury is still out. I will compare tasting notes with the DH. I find that many of my customers prefer really soft greens (like my Darjeeling Green), and this one definitely doesn't fit that profile.

On a slightly related topic, I am really pleased with the tray and fish bowl shown above. I picked up the very light celadon green tray at Cost Plus World Market in Albuquerque. I found the matching fish dipping bowls here in Bloomington! I needed something to showcase teas, and I needed a very light background. This one seems to work and the fish bowl is just adorable!

Happy Friday!

Yin and Yang of Tea

For those of you who have had trouble with green tea, read on! Here's another blog post that explains a potential reason. Thanks a bunch to Morning Coffee and Afternoon Tea for sharing this!

I tend to be of a fiery personality (Aries and tending toward Yang). I also am choosing green teas more and more frequently. On any given day, there's a 70% chance I'll be drinking a green (or a "soft" oolong). So, this is good news for me - my body has wisely chosen a tea for me. I do tend to drink black tea more in the winter, which would be appropriate to add more "fire."

Interesting stuff.

Afternoon Tea Serendade

I've been enjoying the book and accompanying CD, Afternoon Tea Serenade, by Sharon O'Connor. This is an interesting book. The author has picked classical music (mostly chamber music) that goes well with tea. She's also researched famous tea spots and has included recipes from them. It's fun for me to peruse through and say, "Oh, I've been there!" or to make my wishlist for future trips.

This book was a gift from a friend - thanks a bunch!

Good Summary Article on Health Benefits of Tea

This article was sent to me by a fellow blogger and friend. I think it's a good summary of the health benefits of tea.

http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=12683&category=eat_right&num=1

A Big Post: Dove Promises, Shortbread Cookies, and Wild Weather

I got a bag of Dove Promises for Christmas (two kinds! milk chocolate and caramel). I enjoy eating one a day, and the messages inside the foil are fun, and sometimes right on the money. For example, yesterday's message said, "Don't think about it so much." Wow - that's the truth for me. I tend to over-think things, and I often lie in bed thinking and not sleeping. Today's message was, "Send a love letter this week." Good advice.

I had my first experience this week of using a shortbread cookie mold. I love and have made shortbread, but never in a mold. This lovely mold came from a friend in NM.

There are some definite best practices when it comes to shortbread molds. First, my shortbread coach explained I needed to both oil and flour the mold before using. The flour is important! It keeps the oil from acting like glue. Second, you have to "bop" out the shortbread once it's pressed into the mold. To do this, whack it on a cutting board that has been padded with a doubled-over dish towel. I found that 2-3 perpendicular bops did the trick. However, I had to re-build the handle each time. I think I need to keep practicing! >-)

This mold is large, so one batch of shortbread (recipe from my Betty Crocker cookbook) made 4 cookies with a little extra for a free-form shape. Mmm, the cookies tasted good with a cup of tea!














The weather has been a little wild here this week. We has snow on Tuesday/Wednesday. Yesterday, the snow melted and the temps reached 59 degrees! I took this photo on Wednesday. I think this tree with the red berries looks so pretty dressed up in fresh snow!

Delsey Luggage

A few of you were interested in my Delsey Helium luggage. I have the 21" suiter and the personal bag. There seems to be a line of Delsy Helium a step above what I got, as well. Go here for details - I'm pointing you to what I got, but you can do a search and see the other Delsey items.

I am quite pleased with the luggage, for these reasons:

1 - It's light-weight.
2 - It has a lot of pockets.
3 - It holds its shape.
4 - The roll-on expands and you can smoosh a whole lot of stuff into it! (As witnessed by the amout of stuff I brought from NM!)
5 - It rolls nicely and the personal bag stacks on top well.
6 - I got the red, and I like the color.

The only thing that I haven't liked so far is that it does show travel wear. For example, I now have a small black smudge on the front, probably from the conveyer belts.

I do recommend it.
Steph

January - National Hot Tea Month!

Let's celebrate!!!
And, thank you to Morning Coffee and Afternoon Tea for the images!

An Open Letter to My NM Friends

To me, this is tea: beauty, centering, and celebration.

The beauty of your friendship, of the time you made for me and shared with me, of your kindness and generosity. The beauty of lives I admire.

The centering of a place I have called home, the place that is home to many of my fondest moments. A place of sunlight and air and majesty.

The celebration of life in its full package - of accomplishments and losses. Of transitions, growth. Of letting go. I celebrate my relationship with you and I want you to know that.

To me, this is tea: beauty, centering, and celebration. Thank you for helping me to see this.

1-14-2006

Green Tea Gum

Hello from sunny and warm New Mexico! A little warmer than normal for January, but I'll take it! I am here to visit with friends and for a professional meeting. I popped into a drug store yesterday, and noticed something in the toothpaste aisle...green tea gum. It comes in two varieties: one for weight-loss and one for antioxidants. Amazingly, the green tea flavor has been changed to peppermint. I didn't take home a pack. :-)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! This lovely amaryllis is brightening my desk. A much-appreciated companion!

I was off last week visiting with family and friends. I hope you had a nice break. I'll get back into the swing of blogging soon. :-)

Happy Winter Solstice!

Happy Winter Solstice! During these 24-hours of 2005, we have the most "night." Instead of mourning the darkness, I like to think about having more time to look at the stars. To celebrate, the DH and I went for a walk this morning to watch the sun rise. I came back and had a yummy bowl of oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar, and Black Pearl tea.

We'll mark the sun set tonight, as well. Actually, that would be about now.

Starting tomorrow, all of us in the Northern hemisphere begin the slow tilt toward the sun. Reminds me of the song, "Here comes the sun...."

Gotta go catch the fading light!

Easy Almond Biscotti Recipe and Kitchen Mishaps

Thanks to all who made comments to my Chai post!

I spent a lovely evening with my neighbor eating cheese and crackers, drinking hot cocoa (with Irish cream), oolong tea, and an artisanal green with a red clover inside. We also made yummy almond biscotti. (Thanks for your help & companionship, neighbor!)

After a few slight mishaps that the DH (dear husband) corrected, the biscotti continued along just fine and turned out lovely. (Mishaps: I forgot to take the baking stone out of the oven and it was smoking up the entire house! Plus, I put one of the biscottis on the lowest rack of the oven and it almost burned (this added to the smoke).) This was my first attempt at biscotti. Let me just say that next time, I'll know the ropes. >-) Remember, I'm NOT the master cook in the family. That title happily belongs to the DH.

Here's the recipe...

*Basic Almond Biscotti*

3/4 cup Butter1 cup Sugar
Dash almond extract4 Eggs3 cups all-purpose flour3 teaspoons baking powder1/2 teaspoon Salt1 teaspoon Anise seed1 cup Almonds -- coarsely chop
Two greased cookie sheets

Preheat oven to 350 and TAKE OUT the cooking stone. >-) Cream butter and sugar until light; add almond extract. Add eggs, one at a time beating after each addition; continue beating until very light and fluffy.

Mix flour, baking powder, salt and anise seed together, then mix into creamed mixture. Stir in nuts, divide dough into half.

Form dough into 2 loaves, 1 1/2 inch wide and the length of each baking sheet. Place onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350~F for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cut loaf diagonally into 3/4 inch slices.

Return to oven, bake at 375~F 10 minutes longer, or until toasted and crispy.Variation: Omit anise seeds; add 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 1 teaspoon orange zest; when baked, slice each loaf diagonally and return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes to brown.

My Perfect Chai - What's Yours?

I'm hoping to get some comments from this post. What's your "perfect chai" recipe? I've found that each chai drinker has his/her own magic formula.

Here are two of my favorites. This was actually from an earlier Newsletter on my Serendipity Teas site.

"I am on a quest for the perfect chai. I have taken a dislike to those premixes. They’re too sweet or too milky or not spicy enough, or something! I’ve finally found two that, for me, are always a success! I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do.

Black Chai (without milk or sweetener)
For when I’m in a spicy – and not sweet – mood.
1+ teaspoon Serendipity Teas Chai Spice
6 - 8 oz water
2 - 3 slivers fresh ginger root, peeled
Pot for boiling
Strainer
Tea cup

Add the peeled ginger root to the pot and bring to a boil. Add the Chai Spice tea and turn off the burner. Steep until desired strength. (I prefer about 3 minutes.) Pour the liquid (through the strainer) into the tea cup. Enjoy!

Chai Latte (with milk and sweetener)
For when I’m in the mood for an indulgence.
1+ teaspoon Serendipity Teas Chai Spice
6 - 8 oz water
1 teaspoon maple syrup (the real stuff - honey is OK, too)
Tea sock or filter
Large mug
Milk (Rice and soy work, too)
Frother (Pampered chef sells a nice one)

Bring the water to a boil. Add the Chai Spice to your tea sock or filter. Pour the boiling water over the tea sock/filter in the large mug. Steep until desired strength. (I prefer mine about 3.5 minutes. I make it strong because I’m adding to it.) Stir in 1 teaspoon of real maple syrup. Once the steeping is complete, top off with milk – to taste. Froth the liquid until a nice foam forms on top. Trust me, you’ll need a big mug with plenty of space on top for the frothing. Indulge!"

Tea Linked to Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk

Review this article from Med Page Today for the details.

Zip Plus Four

Doing some holiday shipping? Review this yahoo article on what those extra four digits at the end of a zip code will do for you. http://ask.yahoo.com/20051209.html

Holiday Tea Table

Happy Monday! I was browsing through some old photos, and came across this snapshot. It's one of my favorites! This lovely tea table is from a tea party I hosted (via Serendipity Teas) a few years ago. Notice the tree-shaped napkins? Those took me forever to fold! Lots of ironing included.

Moments of Clarity...

I walked to get my hair cut in the sleet today. About a mile and a half. Wind in my face. On the way there, I was in a grumbly mood. I was thinking, "Why am I working so hard to save the environment for other people's children?" (I was having these thoughts in response to the number of SUVs I saw pumping out noxious black fumes and driving way too fast in the sleet.) Something must have happened during the hair cut, because on my way home, walking in even heavier sleet, I had one of those precious experiences in which I knew the moment was perfect. I needed nothing more in life than to be walking in the sleet. In all seriousness, I could have died at that moment and felt utter contentment. The moment passed, as these moments do for me. (Maybe someday I'll figure out how to have them stick around!) But the story wasn't over for me. When I returned home, an e-mail from a friend was waiting for me with this quote (from a Howard Zinn documentary).

"To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness... And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory."

Quite serendipitous, I think. Ponder that with a cup of tea.

Etiquette Tip #3 - Inside Voices, Please!

Here's the scenario: I'm in a restaurant enjoying lunch with a friend. We're having an in-depth conversation about something important. However, we keep needing to ask each other to repeat what we've said because the occupants of the table next to us are talking very, very loudly. This is a prime example of grown-ups forgetting to use "inside voices." It's a problem I'm noticing at an alarming rate!

The DH believes part of the problem is due to the constant sensory bombardment in our society. He thinks that folks are so often "plugged in" that they forget what it's like to have quiet conversation. Reference points become talking over an iPod, rather than over a table in a public setting. It's a plausible theory.

In terms of proper etiquette, your conversation in a restaurant should reach the ears of your table partners, but not beyond. Even though you're in a public setting, your conversation should be private. The same philosophy goes with cell phone use. Please, do not subject me to your latest boyfriend breakup or plans for the weekend. If you need to make a cell phone call, the best option is to find a private location and keep your voice down. In restaurants, cell phones should be off or on vibrate. If you have to make a call, step into the lobby or, even better, outside. And please, keep your voice down!

Candy Cane Tea and Earl Grey Cocoa

Check out this creative Candy Cane tea recipe from Morning Coffee and Afternoon Tea!

And, this recipe for Earl Grey Cocoa, from Tea Posur, sounds wonderful!

Stephanie's Ego Bread (Cranberry Walnut)

These lovely photos are the result of a weekend of ego-boosting bread baking. They are cranberry-walnut mini-bundts, and they go delightfully with tea! I made several of them for a bake sale fundraiser, and the DH provided the marvelous packaging. The first day, I contributed 5 packs. They sold for $5 a piece, within the first hour. Well, this stroked my ego for sure, so I made another batch on Friday night to sell on Saturday. I've listed the recipe below...read all the way to the bottom to see my variations for the mini-bundts. My favorite thing about this recipe, aside from the mini bundts being very pretty, is that it uses fresh cranberries. Enjoy!

Stephanie's Ego Bread (AKA Cranberry-Walnut)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup chopped cranberries (they chop up really well in a hand nut chopper)
1/2 cup water (plus a couple of tablespoons, if needed)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Loaf Instructions
Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Grease and lightly flour a loaf pan.
Cream the butter and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs with an electric mixer. Stir in the water, vanilla, and cranberries.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in the wet mixture and chopped nuts. Add a couple of tablespoons of water if the batter seems too dry. Pour the batter into a loaf pan. Bake for ~50 - 55 min. Test with a toothpick.

Mini Bundt Instructions
I have a mini-bundt pan (6 molds) with a dark nonstick surface. Because of this, I reduce the oven temp by 25 degrees to 325.

Grease well the insides of the bundt pan, going slowly to get all the crevices. (The instructions with the pan suggest a light flouring, too. I forgot to do this, and it worked just fine.)

Follow the instructions above to make the batter. Spoon the batter into the mini-bundts.

Cook for about 35 minutes. Start checking with a toothpick about 32 min.

Remove the mini bundt pan from the oven and let it cool for at least 20 minutes before trying to remove the bread. Turn out the mini bundts onto a wire cooling rack. Let cool completely, then dust with powdered sugar (it looks like snow!).

The British Biscuit Poll

"Biscuit" generally means cookie to those in England. See this fun analysis of the British favorites. It's interesting to note that we don't have many of these cookies, or they are named something entirely different over here.

Biscuit Analysis

For you data lovers, check out the advanced analysis.

On Being Dizzy...

And I'm not blond! My hair just takes on natural streaks in the summer. >-) Anyway, a quick warning: this post is not about tea. But it's a fun one, nonetheless.

The DH (dear husband) and I went contra dancing last week. Contra dancing, for me, always promises to be an evening of great fun. Contra dancing is like what happened in the movie Shakespeare in Love. You dance in pairs (doesn't require male/female) and the group of dancers forms two long lines, facing each other. The dance is to an 8-step count and the music really hammers out this rhythm - it's hard to miss, even for those who don't have a musical ear. If you can walk 8 steps and turn around, you can contra dance! The dance steps are called out and you progress up or down the line of dance. You will dance with both your partner (who stays the same) and neighbor (who changes each 8 counts). It's kind of like square dancing, only without the crazy clothes and in long lines vs. squares. Hippie types (both original and new) tend to be drawn to this, as do those who appreciate good, live music. The music is almost always live! That rocks! There are a fair number of non-hippies, too, so don't be scared.

There are a standard set of dance steps - balance and swing, allamande, gypsy, do-si-do, left and right star, etc. Contra dancing tends to be done by a faithful crew - many of them having danced for years and years. But the cool thing is that newcomers are ALWAYS welcome! And, if you get lost during a dance, someone will just nudge you along the line.

Now, coming to the dizzy part....the swing step has you move, with your partner, in a small circle. Each partner leans back and pivots around a center, so that you're propelling each other around. When done well, you can really be fluid and build up some speed. It's very fun!

Not to brag, but I'm a pretty good follower. Experienced dancers pick up on this quickly. What this means is that I often get swung with a flourish! Swung really fast, then with a twirl out. Spin-spin-spin. Last week, I danced about 5 contras in a row. By dance 3, I was in a perpetual state of dizziness. And, my stomach hurt from laughing so much! I fought the dizzy state at first - trying all the tricks of focusing on my partner's eyes (or nose, or buttons), focusing on the same spot on the wall, etc. It wasn't working. Somewhere in dance 3, I decided to let go and just "be" dizzy.

Here's the cool part - when I decided to stay dizzy, everything was OK. I didn't fall down, I didn't trip, I didn't knock someone over. I was able to keep dancing. I just had to change my expectation and frame of reference. I let dizzy be my normal (albeit altered) state. It was actually really interesting to experience this - my body felt different, but I could still control it and be a smooth dancer. I just trusted myself and that a hand would be there to catch me when I was done spinning! This could be a metaphor for life, at least for me.

Be Gentle with Green Tea!

I know that some of you prefer black teas to green. And that's fine. No hassle from me. All tea is good in my book. At the same time, let me suggest that if you find yourself with a chance to try a green tea again....please do the following. It will help your green tea taste much better!

1 - Do NOT use boiling water! This is the biggest problem most folks have with green teas. They treat a green just like a black. Green tea is much more delicate than black tea. As a rule of thumb, use water that is just shy of boiling. (I pick the kettle off the burner when it starts to rumble a bit...or when a few bubbles pop up.) Technically, water should be between 160-180 degrees F for green teas.

2 - Do NOT steep too long! Black teas can stand up to a long steep - 3 to 5 minutes. Generally, I steep green teas between 2 to 3 minutes. Steep duration is a very personal thing as people prefer differing stengths of tea. However, start on the low side and increase gradually until you find the time just right for you. Tip: keep a notebook with the name of the tea, the water temp (I use the shortcuts "rumble, shhh, or sing*"), and the steep length you prefer. These factors will vary even among green teas.

3 - If possible, use loose leaf tea rather than bagged. Bagged teas are OK in a pinch, but loose teas are almost always superior in quality.

As a related tip - if you don't like a particular tea on your first try, I suggest backing off the steep time and/or water temp and giving it another go.

Bottoms up to a better cup of green tea!

* My words describing sounds may not synch with what you hear. Here's a bit more on my descriptions.
Rumble = When the water is just starting to make noise in the kettle. Good for green teas.

Shhh = Just prior to making the kettle sing, the water "gets quiet." This is good for a solid oolong. Sometimes I back up a bit with oolongs, as well. It depends on the tea.

Sing = When the water is at full boil and the kettle chirps happily. Good for black teas.

100 Notable Books (NY Times)

In case you're needing something to read with that cup of tea...the NY Times has its yearly list out: 100 Notable Books of the Year. Let me know if you see any favorites on the list -- or any that you just couldn't stand to finish!

Tea in Church

Yesterday, I really enjoyed the children's story at church....particularly, because it was about tea!

The story for the children focused on being "open" to learning. The story was told (and enacted) about a very smart man who was looking for more knowledge. He had many, many college degrees and didn't think there was anything more in the world he could learn. Nonetheless, he heard of a very wise woman who lived on a mountain top. He decided to visit her, even though he was convinced he couldn't learn any more. When he sat down, he told the wise woman of his dilemma. She gave him a full cup of tea and then offered him more. He found this strange, but didn't want to be impolite, so he accepted. The sage poured the tea into the cup so that it overflowed (and kept overflowing). Finally, she asked the question, "How can you learn more when your cup is already full?" The message, to me, is to always have space for learning from an experience.

This Just In...Nutmeg House in Ellettsville to Close

Hi, All - A friend just made me aware that the Nutmeg House, in Ellettsville, will be closing. Dec 30th is its last day. Full details are in today's Herald Times, front page of the food section. There is an open house on the 29th, from 2 - 4 pm. Unfortunately, I can't make it then. I'm thinking of trying to sneak in a visit on the 30th, its last day. Anyone want to go? Let me know. I'll make a reservation.

A Chilly Morning, Sort Of....and King Arthur Scones

The DH (dear husband) and I went for a run this morning. 29-degrees, a light dusting of snow, and windy. Most folks would think that's pretty chilly, but in reality, it's not. I was soaked with sweat by the time we were done! It's just a matter of knowing how to dress, because once I start running, my body generates a lot of heat. The key for me is to keep my face and hands warm. If that happens, I can go out in really, really cold weather and be fine. (I use a balaclava to keep my face warm - and it helps warm the air I breathe, too.)

The other source of motivation was that I knew I had King Arthur scones (cranberry & orange) waiting for me when I returned. I've tested a few varieties of scone mixes, and King Arthur is my favorite. Of course, anything with 5 tablespoons of butter would probably taste good! >-) The DH thinks his homemade scones are better, and he's right. But, when I'm cooking, King Arthur takes the "cake" for a speedy solution!

Cheers!

Tea at the Phoenician

I recently had tea at the Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ. It was during one of those lucky pockets of extra time. My work group had wrapped up and dispersed, and I found myself left with an extra evening and nothing to do. The Phoenician is a lovely resort with fountains and sweeping views. The tea is served in the hotel lobby. I remember lots of cream and gold decorations. A massive fountain presides over the middle of the lobby.

The traditional three-courses are served. The tea sandwiches were very good (egg salad, curry chicken salad, portabella mushroom, cucumber.) Two scones were served - buttermilk and cranberry. Both were served warm and with generous dollops of lemon curd, strawberry preserves, and devonshire cream. Dessert was a delightful selection from several small, dainty treats. I chose the champagne mouse cake and a chocolate-dipped strawberry. I had Darjeeling tea (no surprises there - one of my favorites.)

The china is Wedgewood Oberon. Wasn't that the Elf King in A Midsummer Night's Dream? It makes sense as the china has a woodsy (yet delicate) look. The hostess and serving staff were wonderful! Very polite and gracious.

The tea was expensive, as compared to a standard tea room: $34. This is on par with fancy hotel teas. If you get the chance, it's worth going! The views and setting alone are worth it!

Tea in Bloomington?

Hi, All - Sorry it's been a few days since I've made a post. I had to be out of town for work last week. I had a question recently about places to have tea in Bloomington, IN. Here's what I recommend:

• I have not discovered a tearoom in Bloomington that serves a full afternoon tea. >-( There's an opportunity here! I've thought about starting this business myself, and it could be great fun! At the same time, the reality is that a tearoom is a restaurant. I don't want to run a restaurant.
• The Greenbriar Room (basement of the red Bloomington Antique Mall on 7th) is a lovely setting. Here, you can order a pot of tea and it's served in a real pot! I think the tea may be of the bagged variety. (Also, I should note that the Greenbriar Room has changed ownership since I last visited.)
• The DH and I had lunch once at a "tearoom" on West Kirkwood. I can't remember the exact name, and I suspect the place may be closed. The restaurant was in an lovely restored home (along with a hair salon and spa). The menu was lunch fare (sandwiches, quiche, etc., no afternoon tea menu). Tea was served in a tea pot. It was bagged tea.
• There's a new cafe and gift shop in the IU Art Museum, called Angles. I haven't been, but they advertise "whole-leaf teas."
• In Elletsville, a nearby community, there is a bona fide tearoom called the Nutmeg House. See my earlier review of this tearoom.
• The Winterberry Cafe (2100 S. Liberty) advertises a "traditional English High Tea." I haven't been here yet, but I look forward to testing it out. Remember, "high tea" means a full evening meal - not the "fancy" tea that most folks believe. I wonder if this is a misuse of the term by the Winterberry Cafe? I'll let you know.

A bit of shameless promotion here - under Serendipity Teas, I offer tea tastings and tea parties. If you're interested, let me know. (My site is down today - www.serendipityteas.com -
I am switching service providers.) I recommend a tea tasting! This is where you sample 5-6 different styles of tea (white, green, oolong, black, pu-erh) and note the distinctions between each. Very similar to a wine tasting. Gift certificates are available.

Happy tea outings! If you have tea locations or reviews to add, please post a comment and let me know! I will share! Thank you!

Tea Guide

The TeaGuide(TM) is an excellent online resource for travel preparations! The guide provides a pretty comprehensive list of tea rooms around the US. Plus, if you know of one that's not listed, you can add it. You can also write tea room reviews.

A Pretty Photo

I took this photo a few days ago. The tea set has a neat story to it. It was a gift from a friend, when I completed my MBA. The friend got the tea set from a neighbor. The tea set belonged to the neighbor's mother (she had passed away). The neighbor's father had brought the set to his mother from Asia, when he had served overseas in the military. The set has two tea "bowls," though only 1 is shown here.

The handle on the right is where you hold the tea pot for pouring.

Tea Poem

I found this poem over the weekend. It reminded me of a delightful afternoon in mid October when I was hunting for chestnuts. There is a chestnut tree about two miles from my house, and I brought home handfuls one day.

I found the poem on the back of a Victorian Papers greeting card. I am unsure who K. Pyle is, tho I suspect it may be Katharine Pyle, author and illustrator of children's books. If anyone can confirm the source of the poem, please let me know.

Untitled Poem by K. Pyle

We went to hunt for chestnuts
One fine October day,
And in the windy country
We wandered far away.

We built a fire of brush wood
Beneath the sheltering hill,
Among the rustling corn-shocks
The wind was never still.

We played that we were gypsies,
Who never slept in beds,
But lie beside their fires
With stars above their heads.

But when the air grew frosty,
Beneath the chestnut tree
We filled our bags and baskets
And hastened home to tea.

Sunrise

This morning's sunrise. I snapped this even before I started the water to boil.

One Year

One year ago today, the DH (dear husband) and I rolled into our new home town. Wow. I don't experience it "feeling like" a year. 5-6 months tops. Tho, I have seen a full year of seasons come and go.

The passing of the first year calls for a special tea! I have a white jasmine that I've been saving for a special occasion. I'll bring it out tonight.

To many more happy years in this town!

More on Lemon Curd...

I was so inspired by the previous Lemon Curd conversation, that I made a Lemon Curd cake over the weekend.

Instructions:
1 - Bake a white or lemon cake as directed, in two round cake pans.
2 - Cool the cakes completely.
3 - Cut off the rounded top of one, if needed, so the cakes stack flatly.
4 - In between the two cakes, spread a think layer of lemon curd. I use Dickinson's.
5 - On the top of the cake, drizzle lemon curd and powdered-sugar icing. (You can flavor the icing with lemon juice, if desired. I also added poppy seeds.) The lemon curd and icing should form strips on top of the cake, and pretty little pools of alternating color at the bottom. You may need to encourage these pools.
6 - Top with pretty flowers. Mine were white mums with yellow centers, courtesy of the DH.

Tea-Themed Halloween Fun

The DH (dear husband) and I attended a costume party on Saturday. I wanted a tea-themed costume, so I became an Asian courtesan. I had intended to walk around and serve tea from one of my Asian tea sets, but I refrained. There were a lot of people at the party, and I was afraid of dropping the teapot or cup. The party was fun. All kinds of crazy costumes. My favorite was psycho Betty Crocker.

The hair was the best part of my costume. It was fashioned out of women's black tights and bubble wrap! See this link for instructions.

Perfect Book for Halloween and Tea

I am reading Dracula, by Bram Stoker. It's a perfectly dark read. Ironically, tho the story starts in Transylvania, most of it takes place in England. There are a number of tea references that I enjoy finding. It is a fast-paced read, and I hate to put it down. I will practice restraint and save the very ending for Monday - Halloween.

What Is Lemon Curd?

Just had a comment on my Teaberry's post wanting to know what Lemon Curd was. Oh, what a misery to have never tasted this heavenly nectar! You must do so as soon as possible! The question caused me to wonder how many others have never tasted the lovely tangy-sweet confection. So, here's a definition, a formal recipe and a Stephanie recipe.

Lemon Curd: This cooked mixture of lemon juice (and sometimes grated zest), sugar, butter and egg yolks makes a rich, tart spreading cream that can be used as a filling. Many variations exist using other citrus fruits. (from Google definitions)

Lemon Curd Recipe: From joyofbaking.com

Stephanie's Recipe:
1 - Go to the grocery store.
2 - Head to the jelly aisle.
3 - Purchase a jar of Lemon Curd. The jarred versions are pretty good, and are becoming a common item at larger grocery stores. If your grocer doesn't have it, try a store that carries international foods.
4 - Use it as a topping for hot scones. OR, on graham crackers. OR, as a filling in cake layers. OR, on ice cream, etc. etc.
Tip: Go easy on your first try. It's a very sweet thing - a little goes a long way!

For Those of You that Knit...

A link to a pattern for a tea cosy. http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/node/365
You enter the dimensions of your teapot, and it arranges a pattern for you. Interesting!
Wish I knew how to knit!

Thanks to Tea Posur for sharing.

Tea Room Review: Teaberry's (Flemington, NJ)

I was at the wedding of a good friend in Princeton, NJ recently. I had the good fortune to squeeze in a trip to Teaberry's, in Flemington, NJ. Teaberry's is set in the antique/historic part of town. It's a lovely, restored historic home. The inside has been decorated very tastefully. I sat in the front parlor, next to a window.

The menu offerings were quite diverse. The tea room serves lunch as well as afternoon tea. I chose the Duchess, which included sweet potato/pear soup; a large assortment of tea sandwiches; a currant scone with devonshire cream, preserves and lemon curd; and another large assortment of desserts. I chose the raspberry Darjeeling tea. The food was delicious. I'm not sure I would choose this particular tea again. I think I prefer my Darjeelings unflavored.

I was a little disappointed in the quality of service at Teaberry's. I wasn't made to feel completely comfortable. Nonetheless, the setting and the food were lovely. I will assume my service experience was just an "off" day and continue to recommend a visit to this tea room if you get the chance!

Bean Blossom Covered Bridge...

....and other Brown Co, IN sites. Yes, Indiana has a town called Bean Blossom. I've become fond of the quirky name.

My family came over this weekend for a "tour of the leaves." It was great having them here! The leaves are still a little green, but we took in their beauty nonetheless! We also visited two of Indiana's famous covered bridges.

What does this have to do with tea? Well, my mom, sis and I drank it a lot during the visit! Black Currant Decaf and Murchie's blend No 22.

Enjoy the photo tour...






Sweeping view in Brown County State Park






I call this one "flame tree."

My Second Tea Skirt

It's a blue toile print. (Click on the picture to enlarge it.)
This skirt (my second from the pattern; actually, my second ever) was a little easier to make b/c I knew how to work the waistband this time. Plus, I didn't sew a wrong side to a right side.

I'm in love with toile. Here is some good background info if you're not familiar with the pattern.

Fall Colors

Here are some leaves that I picked up yesterday...







To make the bouquet, I pressed the leaves for 24 hours in the phone book, with a big dictionary on top. That simple! I am amazed at the variety of color! These are all maple leaves.

Another Fun Tea Blog

Check out this fun new tea blog. Isn't it great how the world of tea blogging is growing in leaps and bounds?!!

TEAPOTS TEAPOTS TEAPOTS
My favorite teapot shown is the Wedgwood blue "Dancing Hours."
The post called "I'm a Bigger Teapot" is also very cute.
Oh, and I never knew there was a constellation called Sagittarius Teapot!
What are your favorites?

Thanks to Morning Coffee & Afternoon Tea for originallly pointing us toward these.

Etiquette Tip #2 - It All Starts Here

Please and Thank you. Each of us thinks we're masters at this, no?
Let me ask a few questions...

• Do you say please and thank you consciously, really meaning it, or is it a rote matter of protocol that barely reaches awareness?
• Do you always say please and thank you to your loved ones, those you treasure the most?

I encourage you to track your communication behaviors for a day or two. You might be surprised! For example, the DH (dear husband) recently made me aware that while I use these two golden phrases with most folks, I sometimes neglect to use them with him. Hmm....at first, I didn't believe him, but then I started paying close attention. He was right. Here is a classic example: "Hey, hand me that spatula." In the midst of cooking frenzy, this might not seem too impolite. Now compare it with this, "Hey, would you please hand me that spatula?" It's a subtle distinction - the first being an order and the second being a polite request. The DH, being a bit of a rebel type, cringes at the order. If I ask politely, the DH will do most anything for me. He explained that when I give an order, he feels unappreciated. This example highlights a very subtle communication pattern. Nonetheless, these things add up over time. I want the DH to feel much appreciated, so "Would you please pass the sugar, dear?" it is!

My next example is from a recent interchange with a convenience store clerk. He counted back my change. I was impressed, as this skill seems to have vanished. I said to him, "Thank you for counting back my change. That was very helpful." He smiled and said, "Oh, you are very welcome." That tiny moment of engagement lifted my spirits, and I hope his. I could have mindlessly said, "thanks" when I got my change, but would I have meant it? My goal now is to be very conscious with my please and thank yous. This work is not easy - it takes a lot of focus and concentration! I think the work is worth the return.

Ultimately, please and thank you lead us to be ambassadors of good will. For example, the US is experiencing quite a tug -- political, philosophical, environmental, etc. Please and thank you, when given with consciousness and meaning, are simple but important gifts we can share. These two phrases really mean this: I respect you, I value you, I appreciate you.

Please share your thoughts with me. Thank you for reading!

From the 1916 Encyclopedia of Etiquette

"The afternoon tea, or ceremonious at home, has for some years enjoyed a popularity that shows no signs of waning. -- Emily Holt, Encyclopedia of Etiquette, 1916

I love the word "ceremonious!"

More tea blogs

Here are a few more....

http://teasire.blogspot.com/

http://teatalk101.blogspot.com/

What Tea Goes with Rockin' Blues?

I attended my community's Lotus Festival last week. This is an annual world music festival. It's awesome! I attended the opening event on Thursday night called "Women's Voices" and heard two phenomenal groups! The first group has the best name I've heard in a long time: The Wailin' Jennys. This Canadian all-girl band sings folk music, infused with a little irish and a little rock. They've recently won the Juno, our equivalent to a Grammy. I've been playing around with the idea of which tea best suits this group. For the Wailin' Jennys, I'm settled on Jasmine Green. I often have a visual image of prayers being carried to heaven, riding on the lovely jasmine aroma. The Wailin Jennys beautiful music seems to fit with this.

The second performer was Ruthie Foster. Ruthie sings blues and gospel, with a rocking edge. Her voice is very rich and ripe. She's also quite funny! Here song about her experiences going to church in the deep south had me rolling! The tea match, for me, would be a good chai. Something sweet and spicy and smooth, all at the same time.

Spam Blocker

Just a quick note to let you know that I've turned on a spam-blocker feature for posting comments. This will prevent the unwanted advertising comments that seem to be increasing rapidly. When you wish to make a comment, you will be asked to type in a short series of characters. Humans can read these characters. Computer-generated spam systems should not be able to perform this task. Thanks for your understanding! And, thanks to Cindy W and Allibrew for sharing this tip!

This Week at the Market....

From the Farmer's Market this week...Fall raspberries, spice berries (see related post for spice berry tea), local pears, and chestnuts.

Autumnal Equinox: Spiceberry Tea

Hello, All - In celebration of the autumnal equinox, the DH (dear husband) and I are trying a new tisane (herbal tea) called Spiceberry Tea. We picked up the berries that make the tea at the Farmer's Market. We think, but are not certain, that the official botanical name of the plant is Lindera Benzoin. The lovely red berry is ground and steeped to make the tea. The tea tastes very interesting - perfect for this rainy, sleepy Sunday afternoon! The DH describes the taste as peppery with a light citrus aroma and aftertaste. That seems to describe it pretty well to me.

The ground berries, prior to steeping.

The steeped tea has the color of apple cider.

Occasional Comment Deletion

Hi, All - I want to explain why I occasionally delete a comment from a post. From time to time, I get a commercial post on the blog. Someone is trying to sell something. I don't want to read this, and you shouldn't have to, either. These are the comments I delete. Rest assured that I don't delete any of yours!

Stephanie

Tea in the Movies...National Velvet

I watched an old favorite last night, National Velvet. I found even more reasons to love this movie! Never before had I noticed all the "tea moments" in the movie. Two of my favorite things in this world - tea and horses! Now that makes a great movie!

Tea figures quite prominently in the movie. How did I miss this before? Probably because the last time I watched the movie was at least 15 years ago!

Here are a couple of my favorite tea scenes....

* Velvet (a very young Elizabeth Taylor) is upset because she didn't win "The Pie" (the horse) in a town raffle. Her mother brings her a cup of tea for comfort.

* Mi (also young Mickey Rooney) goes in to talk with Mr. and Mrs. Brown in the parlor. He has a cup of tea and pours it into his saucer to drink.

* Mrs. Brown brings tea to Mr. Brown. (He is deflated that Velvet won't allow Pie to be "in the pictures" and make money). Mrs. Brown prepares tea for Mr -- milk-in-first. Both she and Mr. Brown take sugar. It appears as though they take 2 lumps!

Here's a little trivia fact - Did you know that the studio gave Pie (the horse) to Liz Taylor after filming?

Pawpaws

I tasted Pawpaws for the first time recently. Pawpaws are a delightful "wild" fruit grown in the woods of the Midwest. I say "wild" because I don't know of anyone that grows them intentionally. They're a large fruit that grows on the pawpaw tree. The fruit is ripe when it falls to the ground, usually around mid September. The soft flesh tastes like a mango-banana-custard. The best way to eat a pawpaw is to simply slice it open and enjoy! The only trouble with pawpaws is getting them. They are a special treat, enjoyed by squirrels and raccoons and many other forest critters. Humans have to hurry to gather one! My rather observant DH (dear husband) found these.

Wit and Wisdom

The DH and I had a wonderful visit with some friends yesterday! I'll call them E and C. They live literally right next to the Hoosier National Forest; their property abuts the forest. In addition, their property is the 2nd highest in Monroe Count (1,000 feet). They have a breathtaking view of the trees and valleys of South-Central Indiana. I wish I had taken my camera. The leaves are just starting to turn.

E and I share a common bond with tea. She loves to give tea parties. E is an inspiring woman! She wears lovely jewelry, has short spiky hair and drives a Miata convertible. Did I mention she's 81?

I leave you with these words of wit and wisdom from E..."The weird people are the beautiful ones."

Something to ponder...

Perfect Apple Pie

Made by the DH (dear husband). No other description necessary!
Click on the photo to get a really close-up view.

Fun eCard Site!

A friend recently sent me an eCard from http://www.ze-card.com/. It was great! The print was of Mary Cassatt's "A Cup of Tea" (in the Friends section). There are a number of art prints on this site. It's really quite fun to browse.

The cards are free. The only downside is the flashing advertisements. Be sure to turn ON your popup blocker, as well!

I think I will be using a number of cards from this site. Enjoy!

Another Fitting Poem

Another tea lover posted this poem excerpt today in a tea discussion group.

Excerpt from The Sixth of January
by David Budbillas collected in Good Poems, ed by Garrison Keillor

I am sitting in the blue chair listening to this stillness.
The only sound the occasional gurgle of tea
coming out of the pot and into the cup.

How can this be?
Such calm, such peace, such solitude
in this world of woe.

Looking Back, Looking Here, Looking Forward

The past: Today is the 4th anniversary of September 11th. The present: We are in the heart of devastation from Hurricane Katrina. The future: I am deeply concerned about looming environmental threats. To avoid getting political, let me just borrow from Gary Snyder's words. When will we learn to "go light" upon this world?

Today has been a day of looking back, looking here, and looking forward. As I sip my cup of tea, I allow these two poems to help me sort through my many emotions.

Sonnet No. LXIV
William Shakespeare

When I have seen by Time's fell hand defac'd
The rich-proud cost of outworn buried age;
When sometime lofty towers I see down-ras'd,
And brass eternal, slave to mortal rage:
When I have seen the hungry ocean gain
Advantage on the kingdom of the shore,
And the firm soil win of the wat'ry main,
Increasing store with loss, and loss with store;
When I have seen such interchange of state,
Or state itself confounded to decay;
Ruin hath taught me thus to ruminate
That Time will come and take my love away.
This thought is as a death, which cannot choose
But weep to have that which it fears to lose.

For the Children
Gary Snyder, Turtle Island

The rising hills, the slopes,
of statistics
lie before us.
the steep climb
of everything, going up,
up, as we all
go down.

In the next century
or the one beyond that,
they say,
are valleys, pastures,
we can meet there in peace
if we make it.

To climb these coming crests
one word to you, to
you and your children:

stay together
learn the flowers
go light

Adrift No More

My community is taking in 500 folks who are displaced by the flooding on the Gulf Coast. They will be staying in one of the University dorms, with the longer-term goal of being permanently integrated into the community. I'm so glad that I live in a Community that opens its arms to these folks. You see, it's beyond just providing resources. It's saying that we welcome people from all walks of life - including the poor. Most of the people who are now suffering in temporary shelters are those that were left behind by society - poor, uneducated, and non-white. I am sure this transition to the Midwest will be rough for some, as no one enjoys being forced to leave home. I hope our guests will find a hearty welcome here, along with a new start on life - maybe one that was brighter than what they left behind.

Etiquette Tip #1 - What is Etiquette Good For?

Hi, All - I regularly get e-mails with questions on etiquette, so I thought I'd start posting some of my favorite tips. If you've got an etiquette question, please send it along! If I don't have an immediate answer, I will research it!

A bit of history on how I got into this....I'm actually not all that prissy. (Tho my sister might disagree. :-). I got into etiquette by means of the tea certification that I have from the Protocol School of Washington. A natural expansion from tea etiquette was dining etiquette, and then children's etiquette, and then etiquette in general. It's simply an interesting hobby that I enjoy occasionally exploring. In particular, I love to read Miss Manners! She's a riot!

Today's topic is, "What is Etiquette Good For?" (I know it's bad grammar, but I just couldn't bring myself to post, "For What Is Etiquette Good?".) And that's an excellent example. Etiquette is not about making ourselves appear pretentious, snobby, or better than others. Etiquette is also not about being prudish, stuffy and elitist. No, no, dear readers. Etiquette is about extending common courtesy to others. It is useful in that it provides a way to think of the needs, sensibilities, and comforts of others. For example, the old American etiquette rule of keeping elbows off the table comes from the risk of bumping your neighbor, knocking off a dish, or soiling your sleeve.

A final note on etiquette - it is very culturally sensitive. In America, audibly slurping your tea would be considered bad manners. However, in Japanese tea ceremonies, slurping your tea is one way to compliment your hostess.

So, let us boldly saunter into the realm of etiquette! From time to time, I will post topics of interest. If you have questions, please send them along! (You can simply post a comment to this message.)

Kind Regards, Stephanie

Harry Potter "Life Lessons" from Others

Check out the comments section for my previous post. Thanks to those who contributed their own insights! Very interesting, indeed!

Life Lessons from Harry Potter

I read the latest Harry Potter over the weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the many cups of tea along the way! Enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I now have the Harry Potter blues because I must wait until the next (and final) book is released. Ah, well, at least I can practice being patient and savor this one.

I've been reflecting on two important life lessons I found embedded within the latest book. The first is that of being polite - to everyone. I found that Dumbledore is a role model for this! For example, at one point Dumbledore shares a past memory of when Tom Riddle (bad guy) returns to Hogwarts. Despite knowing that Tom has done evil deeds, Dumbledore greets him politely. "Good evening Tom...Won't you sit down?...May I offer you a drink?" Then later, when Dumbledore is facing two Death Eaters, this dialogue follows: Dumbledore says, "Good evening Amycus. And you've brought Alecto Too. " The Death Eater says, "Think your little jokes'll help you on your deathbed then?" Dumbledore responds, "Jokes? No, no, these are manners."

The second life lesson I encountered was that fate can bring us to the "forming edge of our lives" (to borrow a phrase from a friend), but we must decide whether to jump. This theme of the interplay between free will and fate plays well in the book. I believe it is best presented when Harry realizes that he can choose whether to fulfill the prophecy (that either he or Voldemort will kill the other). Fate may have brought him to his present state, but Harry can choose his next move.

A lot to think about in this hefty volume! I'd like to hear from you!! What spoke to you as you read this book? Other life lessons? Your favorite part? What you didn't like? Share with me your thoughts!

My Sister's Wedding Reception

Here are some photos from my sister's recent wedding reception. (Not much to do with tea, but several of you have asked to see the photos.) :-) Enjoy!


The Newlyweds (in the Poconos).

Steph and the DH (dear husband) goofing off while setting up for the reception.

















Pretty decorations!





















Mom, Sis, Steph

The Tea Kettle Who Thought He Was The Wind

This is a really cute story! Worth checking out. My favorite lines:

“Oh no …!” rattled the Teacup.
“I’m right behind you, dear!” said the Saucer.

http://www.laughingmooninc.com/Kettle.html

Thanks to my tea-mail acquaintance who shared this story!