Today is Fat Tuesday - the day before lent begins. Did you have your Paczki [pronounced poonch-key] today - polish donuts with 400-425 calories [or more]. I saw online that lovers of the jelly-filled donut began lining up at 5:00 a.m. at Hamtramck bakeries. As for me, I refrained - trying to shed a few pounds and eat healthy.
I recently ordered a pound of Harney & Sons organic green tea with Citron and Ginkgo. It is so good and my 'go to' tea right now. Green tea is said to boost metabolism, and ginkgo contains antioxidants.
I don't remember how I stumbled onto a new tea book online, but I ordered a copy and it arrived a few days ago. I'm anxious to read through it. It's from Palais des Thés.
They enclosed three delicious teas in gauze bags - 1 black tea and two green. My favorite was green tea with berries, although the tea pictured below is a delicate floral green tea with notes of rose, raspberry and lychee. The wrapper said the blend is as refined as a Parisian woman!
Last Sunday [February 23rd] was my monthly presentation at the assisted living facility. I took a picture of the table that was set when I arrived. I forgot to take a picture after the residents came. The theme was Million Dollar American Princesses, Part II. I ordered another book on the subject which ended up being my favorite of the four I bought. If this is a fascinating subject for you, I highly recommend the book.
As you can see from the above assisted living photo, the tea they provide for the residents is very basic. It's really similar to a cream tea with a pastry instead of scones and not an Afternoon Tea at all. It's basic because the residents have just had lunch and aren't hungry for more than a dessert and cup of tea [or coffee]. Since we've just finished studying New York's elite society in the late 1800's/early 1900's I think it would be so nice to plan a 'real' Afternoon Tea for them. I'm seriously considering volunteering to take on the task. Will keep you posted.
Consuelo Vanderbilt is on the cover. She wasn't hunting for a husband. She had already found a man she loved here in America, but her mother, Alva, was determined to have her marry into British aristocracy. She married the 9th Duke of Marlborough, which was an unhappy, loveless marriage, but her sizable dowry enabled the Duke to restore Blenheim Palace to the glory that still exists today. In my three visits to England, I've never visited Blenheim Palace, but it's on my bucket list for a return visit.
As you can see from the above assisted living photo, the tea they provide for the residents is very basic. It's really similar to a cream tea with a pastry instead of scones and not an Afternoon Tea at all. It's basic because the residents have just had lunch and aren't hungry for more than a dessert and cup of tea [or coffee]. Since we've just finished studying New York's elite society in the late 1800's/early 1900's I think it would be so nice to plan a 'real' Afternoon Tea for them. I'm seriously considering volunteering to take on the task. Will keep you posted.
Yesterday was Fastnacht day in our neck of the woods. A PA Dutch tradition - and I ate way too many. Kudos to you for abstaining from the deep fried yumminess! BTW, Hosting an Afternoon Tea for the residents would be a grand idea.
ReplyDeleteThat would be such a special treat if you get the time to put together an afternoon tea for your ladies and gentlemen! I married a guy whose grandparents came here from Poland. As much as he likes Packzi, my adult children love them even more. We were awash in Packzi.
ReplyDeleteNo paczki around here but we had a wonderful Pancake Supper at church. And if anyone can put together a wonderful afternoon tea for the assisted living residents, you can do it!
ReplyDeleteDear Ms. Phyllis, thank you very much for showing us another set of interesting factors that influence your life. I love the flow of your blog starting with Paczki - polish donuts followed by Harney & Sons organic green tea with Citron and Ginkgo, moving into new tea book and enclosed tea sachets. It was very nice of you to also share with us the Sunday’s monthly presentation at the assisted living facility. It was truly amazing to read your review on the “Husband Hunters” book.
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