Words of Kindness and Joy

 “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” – Oscar Wilde

One of the things I savor and enjoy in having a cup of tea with a friend is the civility, the kindness and the pure JOY of just sitting in the moment. I find sipping tea puts me in that moment. It tells me to stop and pay attention. To notice the beauty around me. To embrace the time with a dear one and say "thank you" to God for this special moment.

 Two pictures taken in different places and at different moments. The teacup travels with me in my car. It says that I am always ready to share a cup of tea with you. To share love and joy, plus a few tears and laughter too.

It is a small thing to carry through life with me, but it gives me JOY.

What small thing brings thought of JOY and Kindness to you?

Sending love,

Marilyn

Easter Tea Time

 This year's Easter tea time had eight dear ones sitting around the table.

My daughter always works Sunday's; so her ex-husband brings my grandson for an egg hunt and tea time. I treasure this time and so glad to have a good relationship with the ex-son-in-law. Each week when my D is at his dad's house, his dad sends me a picture or two. It is so special. So back to Easter tea time.

I love having flowers on the table, a flowered teapot and china too.

One of the teacups from my grandfather's china. I have always loved the daisy and violet pattern.

 And then food was ready.

A friend that joins the Easter teatime makes the best salads; so she always brings a salad. What a treat. Then because one friend is now gluten free, some of my food offerings took that into mind. Tea parties can be so full of gluten. It used to be a huge challenge for me to adapt, but now I have gotten better adjusted to doing so.

We had deviled eggs, cucumber scooped out and filled with shrimp salad, black olive sandwiches, turkey with lingonberry jam sandwiches, and skewers with salami, mozzerella balls, and cantaloupe. Then for sweets there was almond butter truffles (gluten free), dates stuffed with pecans, and carrot cupcakes with an icing nest and topped with a chocolate Easter egg.

Then to top it off, my ex-son-in-law made a gluten free almond cake.

I served two teas, the first was called Secret Garden High Mountain Oolong from Taiwan and the other was a Vintage Puerh Black from China.

And of course there was an egg hunt in the yard for one special grandson. I was so thankful for a sunshiny day. For the egg hunt I place special treats in plastic eggs around the yard. Because his mom doesn't want him to have much candy I only fill part of them with chocolate eggs, then I look for other treats for some of the eggs. Usually there is a special pair of socks, coins, and this year some un-popped red popcorn in a small package.

 It was a special day with dear ones and friends.

After work my daughter stopped by for hugs and some left over treats.

That all made for a perfect day.

 Hoping your Easter weekend was extra special.

Sending love, Marilyn

tea-a collection of three

My front porch doesn't usually have teacups sitting on the bench.

The bench usually has pinecones and rocks collected in my pocket when I walk or if I am lucky the mailman/woman has left a package there just for me. Well it does happen occasionally.

But today I am sharing my collection of only three teacups with saucers. After all, a collection is when you have three or more. When you look closer you can see something strange about these cups.

What is missing?

Yes! they don't have handles!

I haven't found many teacups made in England without handles; so

I decided they were worth collecting.

The reason they don't have handles is because when England really got into tea

in the late 1700's and 1800's all they knew was what came from Asia and teacups in Asia

didn't have handles. So when they began making teacups in the 1800's they didn't add handles.

With more than a few burned fingers they decided it might be wise to add a handle, thus

inventing the cups you know today.

I think they are really pretty and I love having my collection of three.

Most often I just admire them because they are so old, but there have been

a few times I have sipped tea from them. It is getting to feel a bit of history in my hands.

Table of Your Life

At the table of your life

Make room for tea,

And make room for me,

And make room for friends and family

And we will make room for thee.

~by Earlene Grey (aka Susan Patterson)

 

Come for tea with me

and if you wish I will serve you in a special cup

of history. 

Happy weekend, dear friends!

Celebrate springtime and maybe have a cup of tea.

Tea Bowl Style and A New Cup

  With my occasional posts on different ways of having or making tea

I thought you might enjoy my friend Stephanie's post on making matcha in a bowl.

Here is the link: http://stephcupoftea.blogspot.com/
 

Please visit her blog as she does such a lovely explanation. 

I haven't gotten into matcha or making tea in a bowl,

but I enjoy seeing others do it.

The bowls remind me of cereal bowls

and when they wrap both hands around the bowl to sip,

it is a beautiful thing.

I have had the opportunity a couple times to sip this way,

but I usually enjoy sipping English style or just in an Asian small cup.

It is another way of celebrating with tea.

My most recent teacup find is English style transferware,

Spode, Mayflower, made in England.

As I was leaving Lovejoy's Tearoom recently I saw it on the shelf,

after thinking about it until the next day I went back and bought it.

A perfect addition to my transferware collection,

as I didn't have this particular color.

Now off to do a bit of sipping.

 Happy Wednesday, dear friends.

The Seasons of Tea

Drinking tea in each season is my delight.

Changing the cup I use is also seasonal along

with the teas I choose to drink.

It is fun to match the season with a cup and tea to savor.

You will see that many of my cups are from Johnson Bros.,

they are sturdy for everyday use and I do love their transferware patterns.

This is my favorite springtime teacup.

In the cup for this season I most love Darjeeling teas.

They are like a taste of springtime, fresh with a slight floral taste.

This is a favorite summertime teacup.

In summer I love Oolong teas or I might sip some

tea from my garden. Lightness is the tea of the day.

My fall teacup has a turkey residing inside.

 I love something a little smokey, maybe Russian Caravan or

even a Puerh in the cup.

For winter this is the teacup I most often use.

In the cup is Yunnan Gold, it is a richer tea than summer's teas.

What fun to think seasonally when drinking tea.

Happy sipping whatever season it is.

Happy weekend, dear friends!

Moroccan Style Tea

 Continuing the occasional series of tea in different

cultures and made different ways.

from the Cultured Cup teashop in Dallas, Texas:

In Morocco, mint tea is drunk throughout the day, and especially during and following meals because it is said to aid with digestion.  In Moroccan culture,  the head of the household typically prepares this tea. It's believed tea was first introduced to Morocco in the 12th century B.C. by the Phoenicians who settled in northern Morocco. No business deal can be closed without a cup of tea. After a typical Moroccan dinner, dates and nuts are often served and accompanied by tea.

Now when I stopped by the shop with the beautiful Moroccan teaware they were serving
a Turkish black tea. I was told sugar is most often added and then the black tea poured in.
I had always heard of the mint tea, but now I find there is black tea too.
The tea I sipped was grown in Turkey and quite strong.  

I have always been fascinated by the jewel tone tea glasses,

aren't they pretty?

The brass teapot is stacked one on top of the other is from Turkey.

You boil the water in the bottom, then steep the tea in the top pot.

The tea is steeped for 10 to 15 minutes, then served in these beautiful tea glasses.

 Thanks to Indigo Traders in Portland, Oregon for allowing me to

take pictures in the store and giving me a glass of Turkish black tea.

If I had room in my cupboard a set of the tea glasses would have
come home with me.

Happy weekend, dear friends! 
Keep on noticing what you notice
and sipping tea.

Gaiwan Style Tea

 Did you think I forgot my occasional posts on making tea?

The cup that the tea is sitting in is a gaiwan.

Pronounce: Gai (guy) Wan (like wand only without the d) 

It is another form of Asian style of making tea.

It is fascinating that each way of making tea can make for a bit

different flavor.

 Pour the water into the gaiwan and cover with the lid.

You can shift the tea around in the cup with the lid,

then use the lid to keep the leaves in the gaiwan

when you pour into the cups or a pouring pitcher.

 In the gaiwan I had Jin Jun Mei from Harney & Sons.

A nice tea to try.

I probably don't use my gaiwan as often as I should or could,

but often when I taste tea with friends this is the way the tea is made.

The wood tray under the gaiwan has slots to catch any spills

in the tray below.

Often we rinse the tea leaves first, pour that off into the tray,

then make the tea.

When making tea this way you might use as much leaf as you

do for a large English style teapot, but you steep a shorter time

and resteep the leaves throughout the day.

To learn more you can check out the link here:

https://www.meimeitea.com/blogs/latest-news/essential-teaware-explained-your-guide-to-gaiwan-pt-i-background

Believe it or not there are still more ways to make tea to be shared on another day.

Have a great weekend, dear friends!

Sip tea and enjoy quiet moments.

Monday's Tea Quote

As we begin the holiday season this quote rather struck me.

If  you have one teapot 

And can brew your tea in it

That will do quite well.

How much does he lack himself

Who must have a lot of things?

~Sen Rikyu

I know I have many more than one teapot or teacup.

The aesthetics of a beautiful teapot or teacup

enchants me. 

But in the scheme of things,

really it is only one we need to enjoy

in peace and quiet a good cup of tea.

Then add one more teacup to share 

with you.

Happy Holiday season,

take time for a good cup of quietness and tea.

Monday's Tea Quote

The daintiness and yet elegance of a china teacup

focuses one to be gentle,

to think warmly,

and to feel close.

~Carol and Malcolm Cohen

Dear friends,

I hope you have moments over a cup of tea

this Thanksgiving week

to feel the warmth and closeness of dear ones

around you.

What I have Learned

Often my wanderlust has called me to travel,

to see the beauty in other parts of the world.

Sometimes I think other places have all the beauty,

but my heart is learning through the lens of my camera

to notice what is around me.

The beauty just outside my backdoor or down the lane. 

The Cedar Creek Grist Mill is one such thing.

I always thought grist mills and their beauty were in other parts

of the country, not just down the road in my part of the world.

Do you notice what is just outside your door or down the lane?

This grist mill has been here for a very long time and
for some reason I never ventured here.
It made my heart happy to do so a few days ago.
The autumn colors just made it all the more beautiful.
Now I want to explore each season to see how the
light and colors change.
Next time I won't just bring a teapot and cup for a picture,
but I will bring a buffet of goodies to the table and savor each moment.

Notice what you Notice
Pick up your camera and explore outside your door.

Monday's Tea Quote

Tea does our fancy aid.

Repress those vapors which the head invade

And keep the palace of the soul serene.

~Edmund Waller

The aroma of Chinese tea prevails for thousands of years;

Leaves and springs cover half the land;

Fertile soil, sweet fountains and skilled masters

Pluck your health and enhance your energy.

~Fei Xin Wo

Note: Vintage green enamel teapot

with Wedgewood and Co., Queens Ivory,

made in England teacup found at Goodwill this year.

Autumn leaves all around the beautiful outdoors.

Small Pot Style Tea

Sometimes called Gong-Fu-Cha, small pot style tea comes from China originally.

Often we think the little teapots and cups you see in an Asian shop are for children,

but they are actually used for making tea in what is called Gong-Fu-Cha Ceremony.

Tea shop owners most often use this style for serving customers in China and Taiwan.

Quite alot of tea can be made in one of those small teapots 

because you brew for a shorter time and do many steepings all through the day.

Fascinating to me is how different the tea can taste brewed this way

in comparison to the English style of making tea.

The tea is steeped, poured into the serving pot, then served in the small cups.
The cups generally are three sips.

Above was a working tea table where many cups of tea were served at the tea festival.

Below is my serving table ready to steep tea and serve at my WuWo Tea Ceremony group

function in October.

WuWo Tea Ceremony comes from Taiwan, but again the tea is made in the small teapots.

 To learn more about Gong-fu-cha tea service you can go to Daniel Lui's post here:

http://www.thechineseteashop.com/gong-fu-cha.html

Small pot tea style definitely is the way to go when sipping in an Asian country,
but also many of my friends most often use this style of making tea.
This is part of my occasional posts on different ways of making tea and enjoying.
No one way is the right way, they each are just different ways of the enjoyment of tea.

Happy weekend, dear friends!
Hoping however you make your tea you are enjoying the sipping.

Monday's Tea Quote

In Tea

I have glanced into tea leaves,

and found a forest.

Tea is all in a moment,

and a way of life.

It is recollection,

and attention to Nature.

A murmur of the breeze through the trees of Autumn,

and the warm of the hearth.

Silent mornings at home,

when rain streaks the windows' panes.

If you analyze tea, you'll find chemical components,

but not a hint of Life.

Analysis is achieved through concentration,

Synthesis arrives through relaxation.

Tea relaxes the stomach,

but it revitalizes the Heart.

~Tim Maxwell

A long quote today

with some special teacups

The one in the middle was found at the 

Chelsea Flower Show

and is a French antique teacup.

The other two were found in the gift shop

at Kensington Palace on two different visits.

They are part of my teacup treasures. 

Have a happy Monday!

AprTea Mall Tastings

 Aprtea contacted me not to long ago and asked if I would review some of their teas.

Most often I love doing it, but I had never heard of this company; so I asked.

Aprtea is located Anxi, China; the capital of the tea industry

where you can find high-quality Chinese tea with "professional tea knowledge".

The owners father had a history of tea and they decided to expand

to international trade in 2017.

I found it interesting that the name Aprtea is because April is the main

month of production for their tea.

Anxi tea is the origin of Oolong tea and Tieguanyin tea which is China's largest market.

The five teas arrived last week and the tasting began. 

1. Zhang Ping Shui Xizu Oolong Tea, Fragrant Orchid Grade One,

Zhangping Fugian, China, 2018 Spring Tea.

A compressed tea in sweet packaging smelled and tasted of flower

in springtime. Delicious flowery oolong. 

I shared this one with my tea group and they all loved it.

2. Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea Grade One, Qimen, Anxi, China, 2018.

Sometimes Keemun's are a little stringent and bitter to my taste,

but having steeped this in boiling water it was quite good.

It would make a lovely breakfast tea.

I also iced it, but liked it better hot.

3. Wuyi Jin Jun Mei Black Tea Honey, Incense Grade One,

Wuyishan, Fujian, China, 2018 Spring.

I have always like Wuyi Jin Jun Mei Black teas and this one didn't disappoint.

4. Yunnan Dianhong Tea Bending Gold Buds Special Grade One,

Fengging, Yunnan, China, 2018 Spring.

Now Dianhong teas are a favorite of mine, so I was looking forward to tasting.

Of the two here I liked this one the best, but it didn't have some of the 

background flavor which I have grown to love.

It was a beautiful tea in little spiral shapes and much care was taken in producing.

It did have a full bodied flavor that would work for a breakfast tea.

5. Yunnan Dianhong Tea Golden Needle Buds Special Grade,

Fengging, Yunnan, China, Spring 2018.

I was amazed when I opened this to see long brown needles of tea.

I had never seen a Dianhong in this shape, it was pretty.

It also was rather powdery, which I wasn't sure what that was.

I found with both Dianhongs I had to rinse well before steeping.

This tea was lighter in color and flavor and didn't have the familiar

Dianhong flavor I love.

In future ordering I can definitely recommend the first three,

but not sure about the last two.

The oolong was by far my favorite

and funny, but it wasn't one I asked for.

I guess Aprtea knew I would like it.

Thanks, Aprtea!

You can find them at
https://aprtea.com

picture: pink teacups from my shelf, rose from my garden.

.  

Monday's Tea Quote

Drink your tea slowly and reverently,
as if it is the axis on which the world Earth revolves--slowly,
evenly, without rushing toward the future.
~Thich Nat Hahn

A Tibetan tea bowl in my collection of teaware.

Scotty Tea

This year my goal is to thoroughly go through everything in 

my house and clean and simplify.

This past week I found a box of my children's school papers.

I love what my daughter wrote and had to share.

She received an A with a smiley face and Delightful! comment.

Now isn't that fun.

It is amazing what you find in your own house when

you deeply clean.

I even found a $100 bill and some bonds that had

been given to my son on his birth.

Whew! I will be glad when this job is done and 

I can run outside and play again.

Scotty Tea

Sing to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasle

by Jill Miller Nov.6,1985 (12 years old)

This is the best tasting tea,

that you will ever taste or see.

Scotty is the one,

that makes tea-time lots of fun!

Try us today,

were just a store away.

So if you want something out of the ordinary,

and are tired of that bland ole tea.

Spice up your life with Scotty!

Another product from Scott's family import company.

The teapot in the picture was made by my daughter

when she was fourteen years old.
The picture taken in her dollhouse.

Linking to Bernideen at http://blog.bernideens.com/

Stacked to a Tea

Recently for a teatime snack I made a stacked tea sandwich.

Not the neatest or the most beautiful I have seen,

but still delicious.

Using what I had on hand there was a layer with cucumber

and butter, curry chicken finely chopped, and egg salad.

The bread I had in the freezer was sourdough.

Though I love the flavor of sourdough,

it didn't really give the clean cut to make a pretty sandwich.

Next time I would use something more pliable,

such as whole wheat or plain white bread.

I called this a stacked sandwich,

it is sometimes called a ribbon sandwich.

They can be very pretty on a tea plate.

Sometimes you can coordinate colors

to carry out a theme. 

So if you have a little bit of this and that in your refrigerator

and you want something pretty and fun for your teatime delight,

why not try a stacked or ribbon sandwich.

The teacup was a gift from a friend along with a blue matching cup,

Royal Crown Pottery, Balfour, made in England

Linking to Bernideen: http://blog.bernideens.com/