"Hello Sweetie",
I arrived home today to see a package on my front porch.  Could it be??? Please let it be... I gather up the package and saw the word FRAGILE.   Yes! Yes!  It's here, the TARDIS is here!!!


I immediately open the package and it was the TARDIS .  I then set it up for a photo shoot and  texted my daughter with a photo and said "Momma is happy" (with some really cool emoji's, following).  She texts back "I'm pretty excited too".  I can't wait until my darling hubby comes home so we can have some Irish Breakfast tea from the TARDIS. 




To Be Continued...

A Cross Country Trip- The Tardis Arrives in Boston!

 

The Tardis has landed in Boston! When I arrived home from work today Tardis was patiently waiting for me on my porch. I'm Elaine of Team Darjeeling by the way.

 

Although Tardis didn't complain I am quite sure he is exhausted from his trip from Marilyn's home in Portland, OR. He told me he had such a great visit to the West Coast.

 

In Boston, MA, the wind is howling and it's pouring buckets outside. Inside, it is cozy. Tardis has met the kitties and is relaxing by the fire with a cup of Earl Grey from a local brewer, Jolie Tea of Salem.

 

A good night's rest is in order for we have many adventures ahead of us.

A Final Nod from the Pacific Ocean

 Diana took Dudley Jr. to the Atlantic Ocean and now Little Blue is visiting the Pacific Ocean.

This first photo is a nod to several special ladies from ATAA that have become

my friends.  I have been most fortunate to meet each of them.

The quote is how Martha from ATAA yahoo signs off most often.

I treasure this quote, "Every cup of tea is an imaginary trip" by Catherine Douzel.

The Little Blue Teapot reminds me so much of our Traveling Teapot coordinator, Rainy.

The crocheted pad was a gift from our fearless leader, LaDonna.

All three ladies have a connection with our beautiful Pacific Ocean.

The teacup came from china and reminds me to travel each time I have a cup of tea, even if

it is just in my imagination.

 Sitting in among the drift wood watching the birds, waves, and sipping.

It's been a fun month of shared tea and adventures with the Little Blue Teapot,

snapping photos, quiet moments, shared sips of tea, and friendship.

Team Oolong at the Beach

I apologize for taking so long between posts. We have been on a holiday and Dudley Jr. went along for the ride! We had a fabulous time at St. George Island, Florida. St. George Island conjures up visions of pristine, white-sand beaches, inviting blue waters, and shared memories with family. It is a beautiful place to relax and to escape from the stresses of everyday life. 

Dudley Jr. is enjoying the view from our balcony overlooking the beach. 

There is a beautiful lighthouse on the island. Dudley Jr. is seen here with my youngest daughter, Tiffany.

We enjoyed a fun outing to Historic Apalachicola. 

We have been going to this area for several years to rest and relax. As far as I know there are not any tearooms to visit in this area. The temperature was still in the 80's to 90's while we were there so hot tea sipping was minimal. We did enjoy the Almond fruit tea that was served at our tearoom when it was open. I hope you will enjoy the recipe. This tea is also very good served warm!

Almond Fruit Tea

Brew 4 cups of Assam tea or any strong black tea

3 1/4 cups water

1 6-ounce can frozen lemonade

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons almond extract

Stir all ingredients together and enjoy over ice or serve warm.

I can not take credit for this recipe. This tea is served at the Grey Gables Bed and Breakfast in Rugby, TN.

St. George Island is a cherished place. This island is unique and special. Uncrowded, not commercialized, absolutely breathtaking!

One of my favorite places on this earth! 

Tea Time in the Garden

 In between adventures Little Blue wanted to have tea in the garden.

Little Blue pours tea so beautifully.

 Tea time included goat cheese with candied walnut tarts,

watercress and radish sandwiches, and sponge cake with a

fluffy marscapone orange marmalade topping.

 Autumn flowers surrounded us.

 Little Blue thoroughly enjoyed adventuring outdoors.

Little Blue sends greetings and wishes you

all could have enjoyed tea time in the garden.

Little Blue has Tea in California

 Little Blue had tea with my cousins and I in Columbia, California

at Columbia Kate's Teahouse.  We sat in the garden, as there were

sixteen of us.

 Mango Black Iced tea was set on the table for all.

The apricot scones were delicious.

 A salad was a delight!

 Cucumber, Egg Salad, and Chicken Salad sandwiches

were sprinkled with roses, yummmm!

 Tiramiso macaron for dessert was perfectly made and so good.

 Little Blue thoroughly enjoyed tea time at Columbia Kate's.

The Darjeeling Team teapot will travel back to Oregon soon.

Team Darjeeling Takes an Adventure

 Little Blue came to me just in time to take an adventure

to the NW Tea Festival.

Greetings from Seattle on a sunny, brisk morning.

This little teapot had a lot of visiting to do.

 First stop was Lorna Reeves, the editor of Tea Time Magazine.

She asked me to send a link to our blog, which I will do when I return home.

Oh the Tea and Savory book is totally wonderful.

She said she was inspired to do the book last year at the NW Tea Festival.

 

Of course Little Blue had to say hello to ATAA members,

Stephanie and Mara.  Mara was happy once again to say hello to this little sweetie.

 

 Amy Lawrence of Afternoon to Remember

is a vendor here and sends her regards to the group.

Don't you just love the way she ended up with a teapot on her head?

Silly me!

 B. Fuller's Mortal and Pestle was a vendor

and more than happy to pose with Little Blue.

Don't you think he was the perfect one to hold this teapot?

 Colleen, another ATAA member, says hello.

She is here helping her friend Roberta with her booth.

And of course, Little Blue had to say hello to James Norwood Pratt and his

lovely wife Valerie.  Several standing around were fascinated by this

little teapot's adventures.

Greetings from the NW Tea Festival.

Wishing all of you could be here with Little Blue!

Hello from Team Oolong

Happy Saturday afternoon from Tennessee! The fall weather has arrived here this week.....it has been cool and rainy all week. Today it is rainy and the temperature is 53 degrees. I reread some of the older posts from our team and I believe the original teapot's name was Dudley. So I am calling the new one, Dudley Jr. 

Today I decided that I would surprise my husband when he gets home with a tea of scones, lemon curd and mock clotted cream! I owned a tea room for 5 years and made these recipes at least twice on most days. 

This is my fall table setting.

I really enjoy the inspiration I get from Susan Branch. She is an author and artist. Making everyday life beautiful is what she does best. I saw on her blog a banner made of fall leaves so that is what you see draped on my windows. Find her at susanbranch.com. On the window seal is beach glass that I picked up from Icey Strait Point in Alaska this past July.

We will be enjoying Earl Grey Creme from Teavanna. (I just had to have a cup while I wrote this!) I love it on cold rainy days with sugar and milk. The tea cup is Queen Anne bone china, that was made in England. The leaves are a beautiful depiction of fall leaves in Tennessee.

To warm the table up I have a Yankee Candle in Chai Spice burning....it smells heavenly!

I also have a dish of demerara sugar cubes to sweeten the tea. They are my favorite sweetener for hot tea.

This will put a smile on my husbands face! Cream scones, homemade lemon curd, and mock clotted cream!

Dudley Jr. is settling in nicely; however, he is packing his bags for the next adventure! Stay tuned for the next post!

Homemade Lemon Curd

3 eggs 

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 stick melted butter

1 cup sugar

Beat eggs in a glass bowl until frothy. Stir in lemon juice, sugar, and melted butter. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Remove and stir with a wire whisk. Microwave again for 3 minutes. Whisk again. The mixture will thicken as it cools. Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks. Very easy and very good!

Cream Cheese Scones

3 cups self-rising flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 stick of butter

4 ounces cream cheese

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup buttermilk

Mix flour and sugar. Cut in butter and cream cheese until coarse and crumbly. Add vanilla and buttermilk. Stir until well blended. Turn out onto a floured board and knead until easy to handle. Pat to a 1 inch thick circle. Cut into any shape desired. Put on greased cookie sheet. Bake in a hot oven 400 degrees 10 to 15 minutes until lightly brown on the edges.

I attended a seminar by Magnolia and Ivy before I opened my tea room and this is where the recipes are from.

Until next time....happy fall and happy sipping!

Tea in Texas

My journey with the teapot began by providing me a treasured treat meeting with Mara! We met at The Secret Garden in Sumner, Wa.  I had never been there before & ended up having one of my favorite afternoon tea experiences!

I spent time in Texas this month & learned a Latin version of High Tea is called "La Merienda"...which can include cinnamon-tinged roasted Mexican coffees, hot cocoas, aguas frescas, & hojorascas (Mexican cookies)

I started one day with breakfast at a restaurant called The Odd Duck in Austin, very unique menu, fabulous food! They had a Smoked Black Tea from a local place called The Tea Spot...it was one of the best, most flavorful teas I've ever had! The Tea Spot opened in January 2015, by So Han, the owner of West China Tea Company. The teas he carries are sourced directly from the farmers that grow them & worth a trip to Austin just to have some of this tea. You can learn more on his website...westchinateacompany.com

The Four Seasons Hotel in Austin never disappoints! In U of Texas colors!! The menu consisted of                     Sandwiches...Cucumber with Herb Butter on Brioche
                      Smoked Salmon rosettes & Dill Sour Cream on Wheat
                      House Smoked Ham, Brie, Seasonal Jam(blueberry) &
                                               Microgreens on Pumpernickel
                      Egg Salad with Chives & Arugula on Brioche
Sweets...Assorted Scones & Tea Cakes with Devonshire Cream  
                                                & Lemon Curd
              Assortment of Delectable Miniature Petite Fours,
                                                Profiteroles, Macaroons & Tarts
Teas...Choice of Black, Green & Herbal Loose Leaf Teas

Much gratefulness for the time spent of preparing these wonderful treats for us all to enjoy at the various places that provide us with a much needed respite in life!! All was very good!!

I ended the month meeting Marilyn & had a delightful lunch with her at The Grant House here in Vancouver, Wa. Love meeting new tea friends!!  Blessed:)

Barb