Just Breathe

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food, nature, photography, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea time

That soothing sensation of serenity when you’re on vacation, particularly in the Great Outdoors, is irreplaceable. But even if you can’t get here, thanks to Covid, there’s still a way to capture (or recapture) that sense of peace…

Studies have shown that just by looking at photos of nature for as little as five minutes can have a similar calming effect on the brain. How? The images engage the part of the central nervous system that helps us relax, and therefore help to calm our anxiety and fear. Especially photos with just a little green in it!

Another study encouraged people to take photos of either themselves, things that made them happy, or things to share because they know it would make others happy.

Those who took selfies found themselves more comfortable in the their own skin, and therefore, more confident.

Those taking photos of things that make them happy reported an increased sense of appreciation and joy in the day-to-day.

And finally, those who snapped and shared photos with others in mind reported less stress and an increased sense of connection in these relationships.

So take some time this week to look at photos of the people or things that make you happy, share an image or two, or take your camera for a walk in your home or your neighbourhood. Engage your senses. Appreciate your blessings.

Breathe!

Happy Monday!

What’s In My Cup: Blueberry Fields Forever

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berries, family, food, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea time

What do you call a sad strawberry?

A blue berry.

Don’t be sad, because even in the midst of winter, you can enjoy the delightful taste of summer’s blueberries.  They’re the most nutrient-rich berry, packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium, and plenty of healing properties.

I brought in another tea connoisseur this week: my Mom. We did a taste comparison of David’s Blueberry Fields Forever tea and David’s Blueberry Jam. While we liked both teas a lot, both we each had a favourite!

Mom’s pick was Blueberry Fields Forever. This tea blend has an oolong base and includes apple, bean peels, blueberries and blueberry leaves, elderberries, hibiscus blossoms, violet blossoms, cornflowers, butterfly pea flowers, natural flavouring and stevia extract. It had a delicate, fruity scent and the butterfly pea flowers, a Southeast Asian flower, gave it a rosier hue. Just what you’d expect from blueberry tea! Mom felt this tea had a more natural and sweet, spirited blueberry flavour.

My pick was Blueberry Jam. This tea has a black tea base, and some of the same ingredients. Blueberry Fields has more florals and therefore was slightly sweeter. Since black tea is oxidized longer than oolong, it was a darker hue, more akin to plain black tea. The aroma was stronger and I thought the flavour was more a blend of various berries, not just blueberry, but still rich, vibrant and delicious.

Royal Albert Morning Glory

Both blueberry teas are fruity and flavourful…and caffeinated! Blueberry Fields is less expensive than Blueberry Jam, but not “less than” in terms of taste. The difference is likely that Blueberry Jam’s ingredients are organic and Fairtrade. Blueberry Fields’ oolong tea supports the Ethical Tea Partnership program.

In terms of tea, neither blend left us feeling blue!

Forget who you are and why you’re here-all that foolishness.
In the woods the bushes are full of blueberries; go and pick some.

Marty Rubin

Happy Monday!

For the Feathered Friends

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birds, humour, nature, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea time, teacup

I have a Love/Hate relationship with Pinterest.

I love all the amazing crafty ideas (and I confess, the pet shaming memes). Like watching baking shows, it stirs my desire to create while instilling the misbegotten belief that I can do this…and do it easily. My misplaced confidence is shattered when my final product fails to impress.

A recent tea/ garden project was no exception. It looked so simple.

First, I went to the dollar store and purchased 2 tea cup shaped mugs and a set of spoons. I would be making the cutest bird feeders in the neighbourhood!

Next, I coerced asked my patient Dad to glue those spoons inside the mugs. The shape of the cups made this a time-consuming task (for him), but the glue made me feel very relaxed.

Dad carefully boxed my mugs for the car trip home.

They made it in one piece.

The final step, before adding bird seed and admiring my feathered friends, was to hang these mugs in a tree using string or a ribbon.

Excitedly, I grabbed the pink mug first (because it was the prettiest) and a roll of string from my garden tool box. I wound the string around the handle before reaching (shakily with my frozen shoulder) to tie the mug to a branch. Instead, I watched it fall in slow motion and smash on the ground.

Dad should be pleased. The spoon was still firmly glued in place.

I forgot to test the string. A mosquito landing on it could shred it. I went in the house, convinced nothing I did worked and vowing to never look at Pinterest again.

A few days later, with my ego still bruised and a new roll of string, mug #2 made it in the tree (one with grass under it, not cement, just in case).

My creative Auntie M made this for me for my birthday using a tea cup and saucer that was my grandma’s. Maybe I should start sending her my find Pinterest finds…when I break my vow. It’s only a matter of time.

If everything I pinned ended up in my house, I’d be on an episode of hoarders.

Unknown

Happy Monday!

Please Ma’am

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chipmunks, food, humour, nature, nature photography, photography, summer, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea time

Please Ma’am

Pretty please?

Wait…there’s something on the bottom

Streee-eeetch

Yum!

Somewhere there’s tea…

Tags

#whatsinmycup, Bible, faith, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea photography, what's in my cup

I’m not really a “stick my head in the sand” kind of person, but it’s true. I don’t watch the news. I hear enough in general conversation, or something on Facebook will tweak my interest and I’ll investigate, but I don’t often seek it out. There are thing I’ve known a long time. I know there is evil in the world. There is hatred and discrimination, and a terribly long history of it.

It breaks my heart.

It makes me anxious.

And afraid.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

1 Timothy 1:7

So while I live in this world, I keep myself separated from it by not immersing myself in every thought that Kim Kardashian has (most of them are not golden!), or filling my head with images of death and destruction.

I am also not oblivious to the world. I mourn and pray. I teach my children to live with integrity and love. I endeavour daily to be an active minister of reconciliation for the past, a person of peace in the present, and a harbinger of hope for the future. It’s not enough, but it’s a place to start. And if we never start, we will never move forward.

There are worlds out there where the sky is burning, where the sea’s asleep and the rivers dream, people made of smoke and cities made of song. Somewhere there’s danger, somewhere there’s injustice and somewhere else the tea is getting cold.

Sylvester McCoy

What’s in My Cup: Japanese Sencha

Tags

garden, photography, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea quotes, tea time

Sencha green tea is one of Japan’s most popular drink. It’s purported to be an energizing and detoxifying organic beverage, filled with antioxidants. Green tea leaves come from the Camelia sinensis plant. Once leaves are picked, they are pan fired or steamed, then quickly oven dried to avoid oxidization and retain fresh flavour. It can be served on its own or blended with other organic materials, such as fruits, nuts or other leaves. Green tea leaves plucked in morning can be steeped by evening.

David’s organic and kosher steamed green tea is from Mount Fuji, Japan. Unlike most green teas, it is high in caffeine. When I first opened the package, I noticed it had a strong grassy smell and it was also slightly peppery. So I expected the smell to translate into the taste. I was careful to steep it for only 2 minutes in a large tea mug because oversteeped green tea can easily become bitter.

The tea actually had quite a mild vegetal or grassy flavour but it was also a little bit sweet. I’m not a fan of green tea generally, preferring it to be flavoured or mixed with black tea, but this was pleasant. In fact, I steeped the same tea leaves twice. I sipped it while reading a book and enjoying the heady scent of lilac, in my backyard.

But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.

Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

Happy Monday!

Happy Mother’s Day

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flowers, garden, mother's day, photography, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea photography, tea time, teacup, tulips

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL the special women in my life – older, younger, by blood, by faith, by friendship!

The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

Isaiah 58:11 (NLT)

Happy Monday!

What’s In My Cup: Apple Cinnamon & Tumeric

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#whatsinmycup, food, food photography, spices, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea time, what's in my cup

Tumeric is a spice that is acclaimed for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. So it’s not wonder that Tetley has included it in it’s line of “super herbal teas”.

Tumeric is a perennial, flowering plant in the ginger family, most commonly used in Southern Asia and Middle Eastern cooking. When it is dried and ground,  it can also be used to dye fabric a rich, golden colour.

Tumeric is a perennial, flowering plant in the ginger family, most commonly used in Southern Asia and Middle Eastern cooking. Dried tumeric packs three times the flavour over fresh. Also, when it is dried and ground, it can be used to dye fabric a rich, golden colour.

Tetley’s Antiox tea is a rooibos base and includes cinnamon, white hibiscus, tumeric (of course), licorice root, rose hips, chicory root, orange peel, and apple. It also lists vitamin C, a nautral diuretic and antioxidant. Vitamin C helps protects cells against heart disease, cancer and other diseases, as well as helping your body absorb and store iron. It’s necessary for the formation of blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in bones.

As you can see, this herbal tea has a lovely, deep golden colour. The tea bag smells rather medicinal, but mellows once it is steeped. I could taste both the cinnamon and apple, but it was subtle, as it was also paired with earthy and gingery notes from the tumeric. Some people describe tumeric as bitter, mustard-y or horseradish-y. I found there was a slight tingle or heat from the tumeric, but it wasn’t unpleasant or overpowering. It’s definitely on the savoury scale.

Tea is the magic key to the vault where my brain is kept.

Frances Hardinge

Happy Monday!

March & All You Need

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food, food photography, photography, Spring, tea, tea addict, tea photography, tea time, teacup, winter

It’s only 12 days until the first day of Spring and we are quite ready for it!

We are sick of bulky winter clothing that smells damp and mouldy. We are sick of clomping along in heavy boots with curled toes to keep our feet from sliding. We’re sick of tripping over snow shovels on the front porch, and tip-toeing across icy patches on the walkways.

But winter struggles to maintain its hold. The sun wrestles with cloud cover, and from time to time, we wake to frosty fence posts or powdered rooftops. Icy winds whip from the north, tossing debris and scattering leaves. March feels like a month of brown and beige, and blah. Gray skies and matted brown earth.

The days of March creeping gustily on like something that man couldn’t hinder and God wouldn’t hurry.

Enid Bagnold

Already, I have heard little birds talking about it. I know that soon, soon my friends, little green things will start to peek from the frozen ground.The ice will melt and the wind will lap it up and whisk it away. And we will emerge from our slumber into the warmth of the sun, and let all nature embrace our weary souls.

Well, that may be a little melodramatic, but did you feel hope stirring? Spring is coming… and until it arrives, grab hold of 3 things.

And hope. Never let go of hope!

Hop ise the thing with feathers that perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words and never stops – at all –

Emily Dickinson

Happy Monday!

Can Spring Be Far Behind

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#whatsinmycup, food, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea time

O wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind? – Percy Bysshe Shelley

As I’m writing this, the wind is howling around my parents’ home. As the sun rose this morning, it went from freezing rain, to snow…then from snow to a wet drizzle. Ice still covers the driveway. It’s the kind of gloomy day when it’s better to close the curtains and put on the kettle. Winter is trying to cling to its dominion over the landscape, but I know its hold is tenuous.

Yesterday, Mom and I went for a walk to the river, bundled against the chill of the air. But the snow was warm and small birds twittered in the branches overhead. Most of the river is still frozen and covered in a blanket of snow, but animal tracks of various sizes made paths in the snow. Spring…sunshine, birds, flowers and green grass. It’s coming…

Ye Olde English, Grosvenor China, Jackson & Gosling, circa 1919

A hush is over everything, Silent as women wait for love;
The world is waiting for the spring. – Sara Teasdale

Cheers!