A Working Girl's Tea Party

Marilyn has published a book!  I'm so thrilled for her.  It's called Tea Party in your Cupboard, and it encourages us to make a tea party today - with what we have at home! Seize and savor the moment. 

Inspired by this, along with conversations from a road trip to Chicago a few years ago, I decided to finally put into action a tea party in which nothing - NOTHING - was homemade.  I used the toaster oven to heat something, and that's it.  So thanks to Trader Joe's (where I got it all*), the DH and I had a lovely tea supper in front of the fire. 

My overarching thought is that sometimes we just don't have time to cook.   I work long hours (too long!), and my available free time is much protected.  It shouldn't mean I can't have a tea party,  even if I don't have time to cook.  To some, this may be heresy, and I missed making the treats myself.  But if it comes down to no tea party or a helped-along tea party, I'll take the latter. 

*All = All the food.  I used my own teas, which are (in my tea snob opinion) better than those at TJ's.

Trader Joe's, that fun food capital of the US, made this quite easy!  Don't have a TJ's near you?  Just look in your grocer's freezer aisle and think creatively.  Make use of bakeries and deli aisles, too!

First course: Crackers, cheese and kumquats, followed by spinach spanikopita (frozen - I used the toaster oven to bake)

Second course: Crumpets and plum jam

Finale: French macaroons and pistachio toffee

Pink Cherry Puffs

It's like a fairy tale around here right now...with all the pink cherry blossom! I've had a little fun in PhotoShop Elements.

Saturday Morning Scenes

What's your Saturday morning look like? Tell me about its colors, textures, visuals. What story does it tell?  What's the central feature? 

Here's mine...the central feature is the lovely northern light.

A favorite mug and a paper-covered egg

The bottom of my slipper.  I wore out my favorite down booties!

The  DH patched them for me.  

On the balcony

Cup of Brown Joy (Chap Hop)

Not to be missed!  (Thanks for the link, Roxyred!)

Thinking of Japan

I spent a lovely hour recently drinking matcha thin tea in a serene tea room among friends and tea enthusiasts.  Our host, M (in the light kimono above), prepared our tea with beauty, precision and grace.  Her teacher (on the right), of the Sweet Persimmon blog, provided us with context and guidance on how to be a guest.  I felt very welcome and at ease, despite my novice participation. 

Enjoying a bowl of tea was educational and centering for me, yet I never lost sight of the reason we were gathered -- to honor and offer our thoughts and prayers for the people in Japan, and to make a donation to a non-profit agency helping with the recovery.   

One kind word can warm three winter months.

Japanese Proverb

Berkeley Imperial Tea Court

I have long been a fan of the Imperial Tea Court.  I remember my first visit to the original tea room in San Fran's Chinatown.  The front window was full of clay teapots, and I stood in awe!  It's there I had my first pu-erh.  It's from Imperial Tea Court that I drank my first Bai Hao Oolong and fell in love.  I've enjoyed ITC's Tea of the Month club (thanks Mom!).  ITC has played a key role in my tea appreciation and education.

I had the chance to visit the Berkeley tea room this past weekend.  It was fun to introduce my friend to the gaiwan style of brewing, and to share several cups of tea.

The entrance is lovely, and a sign of beautiful things to come

The peaceful courtyard

Inside the tea room - it was packed!  A much-loved place!

We had the Superior Four Season Spring Oolong, lightly sweet with the aroma of spring flowers

And butter cookies with tea leaves in them.  Delicious.

An additional highlight for me was meeting Roy Fong, the owner of Imperial Tea Court and a shining light (pioneer, educator, ambassador) in the American tea industry

Savories

Savories - finger sandwiches and other small tasty nibbles - are my favorite tea party course.  Here are three that I made for a tea gathering earlier this month.  Also, alert for those who thrive on last minute deadlines!  You have a couple of days left to enter your original finger sandwich recipe into the contest on About.com. 

Roasted potatoes medallions with walnuts and blue cheese
Elmwood Inn recipe

Olive cheese balls
Elmwood Inn recipe

Rosemary (from the garden) and butter - for cucumber sandwiches
My favorite sandwich, so simple!

I had the joy recently to attend a special tea event at McCormick & Schmick's, sponsored by the Tao of Tea.  These two organizations partnered to produce a FABULOUS tea menu, where tea was used in each course.  Oh, fun fun fun!  Yum, yum, yum!

Moroccan Mint Mojito

Jade Cloud Noodles

Chicken smoked over tea leaves and red rice cooked in oolong

Lapsang Souchong cream sauce

Chai Ice Cream

Compliments to the chef!

38 Brave Things I Did This Year

Bday cake by the DH
(Camellia Japonica blossom on top and apple blossoms in background)

38 Brave Things I Did This Year

1. Took a new job
2. Said goodbye
3. Moved far away
4. Sold the car
5. Had my hair cut short
6. And then shorter
7. Learned to use public transportation
8. Rode my bike to work
9. Rode my bike 50 miles in the rain
10. Ran 2 hours by myself
11. Went to the doctor
12. Tried new sewing patterns
13. Met new friends and stayed in touch with others
14. Learned a new dance
15. Began learning wuwo
16. Said no
17. Planned a trip to China
18. Reviewed my priorities
19. Did one thing
20. Did no thing
21. Read widely
22. Wrote down my heart break
23. Wrote down my joys
24. Looked at myself naked
25. Made yeast bread
26. Broke bread with strangers
27. Took a nap
28. Tried again
29. Went out without an umbrella
30. Asked for advice
31. Accepted that I could fail
32. Admitted I was afraid
33. Listened deeply
34. Told the truth
35. Asked myself what I really wanted
36. Dreamed without editing
37. Took myself seriously
38. Didn't take myself so seriously

Hints of Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I love this cup and saucer, because they hint at green.  The rim, the foot of the teacup, and inside the cup.  

Around here, green is the background!  White fruit trees are in bloom, the azaleas are starting to pop, daffodils and crocus have been ablaze for a few weeks, pink camellias are fully dressed.  Green is not subtle here and colors are becoming giddy.

But this teacup reminds me that even in deep winter, when green is not so prevalent...it exists.

"Beneath the pavement, earth remembers."  Somebody smart said that.

Hope you're celebrating in green today! 

Guinness Soda Bread Scones

In honor of St. Patty's, the DH and I worked up this recipe for Guinness Soda Bread scones. I think these work really well with whole wheat flour. In fact, I can't see that white flour would stand up very well against the Guinness. The least amount of whole wheat I'd do is half.

Guinness Soda Bread Scones
Makes 8 large wedges

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup golden raisins


1 Tbsp honey
4 Tbsp cold butter in small pieces
1/4 cup buttermilk
Up to 1/2 cup Guinness

Preheat oven to 400.  I baked these on a stone.

Combine dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt).  Cut in butter until coarse.  Add raisins.

Add honey, buttermilk and 1/4 cup of Guinness.  Mix until a soft dough forms, adding more Guinness as needed.

Pat into a circle, about 1/2 " thick.  Cut into 8 wedges (you might need to very lightly dust the top surface to do this, if your dough is on the wet side.)  Bake ~15-20 minutes, depending on how wet the dough is.  Mine was pretty wet (more Guinness)...so I went for 20 until the center of the circle was springy to the touch and not wet. 

Next time I will also soak the raisins in a bit of Guinness!  I loved the flavor, which is amazing because I am not a beer fan, especially of Guinness!

Spring Around the House

These pussy willows were glorious in their bud form, silvery and downy.  And now that they've popped, I can't help but shoot them against the dark pink wall.

The soft focus is nice, tho an accident.  I was trying to shoot in a medium-light condition, hand held on 400 ISO.  Blurry.  But I like the result.

Found these daffodils in the small field next to us.  Did someone throw out a pot of them?

The symbology here is that I'm planning a tea trip to Asia!

Two types of plum branches.  I love the pink, burgundy, white and green contrasts.

Microwave Lemon Curd

Alternate title:  The microwave redeems itself

The microwave and I have not been companions for awhile.  We lived without one for the past 6 years (it's a long story, put it down to my paranoia).  But when we moved into this place, it came with a microwave.  I use it, occasionally and cautiously.  I have, however, found one use that causes the microwave to go up a step in its usefulness:  lemon curd!

I had this lovely, tho odd shaped, Meyer lemon and I wanted to try out this recipe.  Nancy runs a tearoom, and so I knew it had to be good.  Wow - was it!  And so simple, too.

Harrod's recipe for golden raisin scones and homemade Meyer lemon curd

 I'd like to try making other fruit curds in the microwave.  Please let me know if any of you have experience with that. 

And here's a cool connection!  Today is March 9, and Nancy originally posted this recipe on March 9 two years ago.  Serendipity!

KaTEA bags

More info here

A little Friday fun!  Thanks to Katrina for pointing this out.  ;-)

*Image from news website

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!

Grandma's Apron

I love this photo.  It's me, wearing one of my grandmother's aprons.  I have several of them, and I fondly remember playing dress up with them as a child.  Grandma kept the aprons in a drawer in the guest bedroom.  I loved to wear them and pretend to be grown up.  Such pretty, bright colors.  Time spent with grandma was always like summertime to me, even in winter.

My grandma is in this crew of "jolly workers" below, along with one great grandmother, several aunts and one uncle. 

I send my love to grandma.  

Three Friends of Winter

Yun Bing, Chinese, 18th centruy
Yun Bing was a woman artist

The Pine tree, Bamboo, and the Plum tree...three friends of winter.  The pine, standing strong and tall and wise, shows its greenery in winter; the bamboo bends and yields but does not break; and the plum tree (a varietal) flowers in adverse conditions.  I saw each of these last night at the lantern viewing ceremony at the Lan Su Chinese Classical Garden, the culmination of the 2-week Chinese New Year.  The plum tree was indeed blooming, just a few small blossoms at the very top.  My spirits lifted to see them. 

The Three Friends of Winter are found in many Chinese (and other Asian) works of art, like the one shown above.  I've been captivated with this symbology since I first saw the stone mosaics on the ground, representing a plum blossom on cracked ice.  They remind me to take joy in the beauty and wisdom of each season, and to learn from nature.

Happy Valentine's Day

Tao of Tea's Cranberry Orange herbal blend

Be sweet to yourself today!

A Little VooDoo, Please

Standing in a line that wraps around the corner for VooDoo Doughnuts is like a rite of passage around here.  I had my induction last weekend, when I waited 45 minutes for my two minutes at the altar of fat and icing.

How were the doughnuts?  Like any fresh doughnut should be, sickeningly sweet, messy and lightly greasy. 

What did you have?  A half dozen: traditional yeast glazed, chocolate cake old-fashioned and maple blazer blunt.  The wacky menu is what VooDoo is all about. 

Was it worth it?  Totally.  The best part for me was the  line-waiting.  I saw folks from all walks of life, locals and tourists, and  imagined their life stories, one of my favorite pass times.

How do the doughnuts go with tea?  Quite fine!  I celebrated the birthday of a friend at the Chinese Classical Garden with a flight of old-growth teas and VooDoo doughnuts.

Happy weekend!

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.

Flower Pins

I recently made this flower pin, using the tutorial by Wise Craft.  I love it, and I've had many compliments when I wear it.  It's a fun and easy project, and would be perfect for crafty tweens.  The possibilities for variation are endless, and it's a good way to use up those pretty scraps.