Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Curses!

I got my new cabinet delivered and it doesn't hold all my mugs! Well, it does hold most of them, so that totally counts for something. And I was able to place my overflow cookbooks on the available shelves, so it's kinda sorta working out. I can't say I'm disappointed. More, I'm not surprised. And, I think I found another mug I haven't taken a picture of.

But today is the second of the superly duperly large mugs I mentioned yesterday. This one specifically says not to be used with food, and that's okay. It's just too enormous for a simple cup of tea. But, it was a gift from my youngest, so it's special.


Today, despite the freezing weather, I had a glass of iced tea with my lunch. In my mind, iced tea is the perfect beverage for every day of the year.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Getting organized

Later today, I am hoping a cabinet gets delivered that will finally provide a good place to store all of my mugs. Currently they occupy way too many shelves in my pantry, and I'd love to free up that space for another collection - cookbooks.

With this in mind, I've been drinking tea (of course!), but lately have been leaning more toward the more regular types of plain black tea. Today it is one called London Tea.

And, no, this isn't the mug I am drinking it out of, just one of two oversized mugs I've gotten over the last couple of years. They are waaay too big for sipping tea; they can hold at least an entire pot of tea and probably much more. I have them because they make me happy.

Which, after you see this one, you may question my sanity.


Friday, December 16, 2016

Believe it or not

I have finally reached the end of my mug posts! This year I have purchased several additions and managed to lose only one (thanks, honey! LOL!). My posted collection does not include my husband's collection (yes, he has a few of his own, but he drinks coffee mostly so they don't count ;) ) It also doesn't include my teapot/teacup combo sets (more on those later!), and probably doesn't include a few of the Christmas mugs. And I haven't even touched on my otherwise growing and fairly extensive tea related collection of teapots and tea accessories.

But, at least I managed to get all my mugs posted about, and no, oh-friend-of-mine-that-issued-the-original-challenge, I don't appear to have an entire year's worth of mugs. So, my final count, minus anything mentioned above, is 178. Today's teacup/mug isn't included in this count, because it's not quite a stand alone.

Today I am enjoying an English Toffee rooibos.


Thursday, December 15, 2016

Alone again, naturally

I was trying to think of something using the word natural, when that lyric popped into my head. No, I'm not alone. I actually am surrounded by amazing people.

I thought of the word natural because of the mug. It's a simple pottery mug. And I am enjoying a gingerbread chai rooibos today.


Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Saying goodbye

This morning we will say goodbye to my dad at a graveside memorial service. It will be sure to bring some closure for us, but also likely to feel too final. All of us will be there, sharing our stories about my dad with each other.

Last week when I highlighted one of his fruity teas, I managed to overlook one, an orange spice green. So today I am having that tea, and thinking of him, remembering our mutual love of tea.

I love you, Dad!




Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Excited

Yesterday afternoon I was gifted with one of those smaller blenders, where you place a cup on top and blend directly into the cup. I am so excited, because I regularly drink smoothies, and this will make doing it so much quicker!

Of course, smoothies will never replace my daily tea habit. Today it is a peppermint mocha rooibos.


Monday, December 12, 2016

It's okay to self indulge

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending a live musical performance with my daughter. I'm not a big fan of live music, but this was a blues band, and I figured it would fit best with my life right now. I have to say, the singer, Annika Chambers, has a fabulous voice! And it felt good to get out and not have to socialize, just sit back and listen.

As an introvert, I recharge through silence. No, attending a live music performance certainly does not qualify as silence, but not having to really engage with anyone, or at least very little, is soothing.

Today I am drinking a Ceylon Uva black tea. The Uva district is a remote area, and is exposed to both the winds of the northeast and southwest monsoons. They say this gives the tea an exotically aromatic flavor.

All I know is music, and tea, both soothe my soul.


Friday, December 9, 2016

And finally, fruity week closes

With a Mango green tea. I have sipped each and every one as a salute to my dad.



Thursday, December 8, 2016

Apples to oranges

Today the fruity tea is an Apple Orchard green tea. Seems fitting for our finally getting cooler weather.


My adorable gnome mug. Yes, the hat comes off.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

My dad and his tea

Yesterday I talked about my dad, and mentioned his love of tea. He had a small collection of tea himself, and my mom gave them to me. This week, I'm dedicating each post to one of his teas.

I stated he preferred fruity teas? Yep, all the teas this week are fruity. Yesterday it was Georgia Peach. Today it is Lemon Twist green tea.


This mug has its own strainer inside.

Monday, December 5, 2016

My dad

On November 20, I lost my dad. He had beat cancer, but succumbed to the ravages of age and a life well lived. As we age ourselves, we know the time will come when our parents eventually leave us, but it is always too soon.

My dad was my tea drinking buddy. Whenever he would stop by for a visit, I would make a pot of tea for the two of us. I would ask what kind of tea today, because I have so many. He always asked for something fruity. Funny, I only realized the other day, but both my mom and I are Georgia Peaches, and my dad's favorite tea was peach. I shared this revelation with her, and we both had a good chuckle.

My father was an amazing man. A master mechanic, he could fix literally anything. No matter what, he found a way. He loved to tinker, and said that was the way to learn. One thing he particularly loved to tinker with was watches and clocks. He would buy them, often used, just to take them apart, clean them up, and put them back together again, better than ever. His bedroom is adorned with several clocks. He once asked me what I would like of his once he was gone. Without hesitation, I said his clocks and watches. He seemed surprised by my request, but immediately said, "They're yours!" I haven't gotten them from my mom yet. I will when she is ready to let them go. The night he died I spent the night in his room, listening to the numerous ticking sounds. After awhile, it became almost musical. And comforting, knowing this was what he went to sleep to every night.

Another of our shared passions was treasure hunting, or, as he called it, junk shopping. On his birthday and Father's Day, I would pick him up and we would hit as many as we could. Our last time together doing this, we hit about eight or nine, and made purchases at each. It kind of became a game, to not break our streak. And, of course, what did he buy? Mostly clocks and watches. I will forever cherish those times, because no one else quite understood or loved doing it like he did. Every time I go on a treasure hunt now, he will be on my mind.

The most peculiar thing I ever did with my father was take a tai chi class together. This may not seem like a strange thing to most people, but you'd have to have known my dad to understand why this was amusing. I don't ever remember my dad exercising, other than going for walks or the occasional bike ride, much less taking an exercise class. But there we were, in a crowded room, doing tai chi.

My dad was a somewhat gruff, very opinionated on how a man should be, kind of guy. And yet, he knew how to sew. Just another of his many talents, but one that always made me kind of chuckle. My manly man dad could sew. The same man who would never teach me how to fix the plumbing, or how to do anything more to my car than check the oil, because I have a husband and sons, knew how to use a sewing machine, and sewed things.

He was a veteran, serving during the Korean War. He first drove a jeep during that time, and always wanted a jeep. He talked about getting one just this year.

He deeply loved his boxer, Baron. He'd always wanted a boxer, and an opportunity presented itself, and Baron became a member of the family. My dad worried Baron would outlive him and what would happen to him then. Baron did cross over before my dad did, and they will now be buried together.

He could cook, even if his repertoire was pretty much limited to breakfast, chili, and fried potatoes. His stuffing balls he made for Thanksgiving are a wonderful memory. Simple, but satisfying. I think what I will miss the most, though, was his mush. He would purchase special cornmeal to make the mush, and made it every now and then. But when he did, he always made sure to send some home with me. My mom gave me his mush making pot the other day. I will most definitely make some.

He truly was one of a kind, and I will miss him every day of my life. Today I am drinking a Georgia Peach green tea. In a new cat mug, because, guess what? He loved cats, too.

I love you, Dad!




Friday, November 18, 2016

Still going, but winding down

I'm still posting my mugs, and haven't finished yet. But the end is finally in sight. So today I am drinking a black tea with pumpkin spice, and reflecting on my mug obsession. Priorities.


Thursday, November 17, 2016

You know you're a book nerd when...

...you walk into a bookstore and walk out with at least four new books in a series you are reading. And it's only one series in many you are reading, but you are giddy because you found them and know they are there waiting patiently for you to read them.

And you assign feelings to books like *waiting patiently*.

An herbal caramel apple tea.


Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Yeah, yeah, I know

Yesterday I complained about October passing too quick. And that's true. But weirdly, I've been thinking about gardening again. Maybe it's because of the dandelion and green tea I'm drinking.


Which, btw, makes a pretty decent iced tea, too.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

It's November?

Being busy made November pass too quickly. I mean, for someone like me, that's not cool. Today I am pretending Halloween didn't come and go.

My tea choice is unusual, but delicious. It's a black tea with peach and mango and...saffron.


Monday, November 14, 2016

Back to it

I have really neglected my self care lately. I've been so busy that I haven't worked out in weeks and I can't even say my diet is particularly healthy. That ends today.

One of the things I've missed doing is a cup of herbal tea in the evenings, as I wind down the day toward bed. I found the handiest mug earlier this year. It has a little pocket in the back to hold the used tea bag. Tonight it will be Hibiscus Mint tea.



Friday, November 11, 2016

Puzzling

I have a real love (addiction) of jigsaw puzzles. I discovered several in the garage a few years ago while cleaning it out, and proceeded to assemble each and every one. Most had missing pieces after years of moves and garage storage, but I glued them all together and plan to create an odd art display with them.

Then I moved on to tackling all the puzzles in the house in a closet. Since then I have bought and assembled several more. I have now amassed quite an art collection. No, really! Some of them are quite pretty!

Yesterday I bought six more. Last night I was a happy puzzle-putting-together clam.

Is is any wonder today I am drinking a green tea called zen?


Thursday, November 10, 2016

Coincidences

Last week my husband and I attended a very delightful performance by Tommy Tune. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to his stories and songs, and watching him tap dance. My daughter brought a bottle of wine and I brought wine glasses, and we finally got to try out my new wine and cheese picnic set.

So I was looking up his bio, when I realized he made his debut in the musical Baker Street. Baker Street just so happens to be the name of the bar we went to last night for supper and a beer. That's coincidence number one.

The second was my mug. It's clearly a Disney mug, and Tommy Tune appeared in a tv special to promote the opening of a ride at Disney World. That's coincidence number two.

My tea provide no coincidences. Oh well.  It's a black tea with lemon.



Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Dusting Off

What a night! Dusting off my hands, brushing off my pants, taking a breath. Today I will recover. Tomorrow? Tomorrow I will shoulder on. I will remember to spread love.

Today it is a black tea with raspberry.


Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Election Day

Today is Election Day. No matter what the polls say, it ain't over 'til it's over. Tonight I will be up as late as necessary until the election is called and over. There will probably be wine.

But this morning I am being peaceful. And hopeful. And optimistic. And sipping an herbal vanilla cream spice tea.


Monday, November 7, 2016

Too busy

I didn't get to post last week. Between visiting my dad in the hospital and dealing with kitten antics, I was just too busy. And tired. Now that things are settling back down, I sat down this morning with a cup of tea. A delicious herbal with caramel, peach, and coconut. I sat and cross stitched while I sipped. It. Was. Divine.


Friday, October 28, 2016

Too fast

We're already half way through the month - it's going by too fast! I have been watching, almost daily, some kind of ghost related show. They are like my secret pleasure, even if I don't necessarily believe. I also bought myself a new witch hat. I totally rock it.

Today I am drinking a spicy cranberry black tea.


Thursday, October 27, 2016

Purrfect

My friends all know now that my husband has a new love in his life. I four legged little furry creamsicle colored handful. And he is absolutely smitten.

So today I am drinking a black tea with peach, apple, and cinnamon. I am keeping with the Hallowe'en theme for the month. Peach tea to honor the little furball, in a black cat themed mug to honor the month long festivities.


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

A little bit Irish

My ancestry on my mom's side is Irish, and I happen to own a lot of t-shirts with Irish themes. I wear them year round, yes, even in October. I also have a fun tea mug that I am using today, drinking a green tea with hints of ginger and pear. Green tea in a green mug. And, of course, I'm wearing an Irish themed t-shirt, too.


See the handle?


But look inside when the tea is gone:


Tuesday, October 25, 2016

He's a keeper

Hubby had to make a stop at a bathroom while on the road the other day. I guess he didn't feel right using the establishment's bathroom without making a purchase, so he brought me home a very large iced tea. He's a keeper.

So I sit here and sip a very lovely herbal super berry tea, with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.


And the other side:


Monday, October 24, 2016

Just breathe

I have spent a great deal of time chauffeuring people back and forth from one appointment to the next. I do it happily, but I'm also glad to have a day to myself, so I can just breathe.

Breathe in deeply the scent of a delicious tea. Today it is a golden peach black tea.


Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Happy Birthday, Beautiful!

Today is my daughter's birthday. Yes, we will probably do something adventurous today, because that's what she likes to do. But I'm beginning my day with a Sweet Chai of Mine with maple.



Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Starry, starry night

Is that song stuck in your head now? Then I recommend a starry chai with cherry. I really do.


Monday, October 17, 2016

After a wild weekend, one needs a fitting tea

Another delicious chai. This one is called Wild Chaild, and it's a chai with caramel.

The mug seems totally appropriate for it.



Friday, October 14, 2016

Scary movies

I'm not one for gore. Ever. I like my scary movies scary, not gross. I'm especially partial to old scary movies. The other week I watched a marathon of Boris Karloff Frankenstein movies. Just loved it. Lots of screaming and entertaining characters.

This is my favorite time of year. Today my tea is a spiced apple chai.


Thursday, October 13, 2016

Some like it hot

Some like it spicy. If we're talking salsa, I'm a mild kind of gal. If we're talking chai, bring it on.

This is an ultra spice chai.


Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Chai at night

Nearly all of my chai teas are made with black, or green, or even white tea. Having one I can drink at night doubles my pleasure.

This is a spice dragon red chai, made with rooibos.


Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Thank you, fall!

Omigosh, the cooler temps have been heaven. I've even been able to start back walking regularly at the park. It's doubly nice, because I much more enjoy a cup of hot tea in the morning on cool days. Sure, I drink it year round, but it feels like cheating when the air conditioner is running. This feels more honest.

Today it is a seven spice chai.


Monday, October 10, 2016

The adventure continues

And you thought surely my chai adventures were over. No, foolish mortal, they have only just begun! <insert maniacal laughter here>. No, really, I bet you heard some kind of maniacal laughter.

Today it is a hazelnut chai.


In a rather fitting mug, huh? Check out the other side:


Friday, October 7, 2016

Thanksgiving Chai

No, I'm not thinking about Thanksgiving yet. Truly, I'm not. I'm fully enjoying and embracing all October has to offer. But this tea is called Thanksgiving chai, and it contain both orange peels and pomegranate pieces.


Who is this, you ask? Johann Sebastian Bach. You're welcome.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Not even done yet

You thought I'd run out of chai varieties, didn't you? Not even close. Today it is one, again, appropriately named, Jack O Lantern. This chai contains something new even to me: melon temple fruit. I couldn't even find information about it. If anyone does, please let me know, will you?


See my favorite Mickey again!

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Another pumpkin spice

Today's tea is labeled "pumpkin spice", but has lemon and cinnamon pieces in it, and additionally a melon flavor. Oddly, it works.


Another mug I got from the renfest. And preciously guard!

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

It's October, and that means...

...tea, of course! LOL! And all the ghost shows and spooky movies all month! Gods, but I love this month!

My chai adventures continue with a chai appropriately named Trick or Treat. It is a green chai with orange, pear, and pineapple.


Another mug I bought while out with my daughter.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Mulled Apple Chai

I can't help but associate fall with apples. It seems fitting that I start my day with a mulled apple chai, with apple and cinnamon pieces.


One of my favorite Disney characters.