Pete's Coffee and Tea Coming to Michigan

When my granddaughter, Brianna, and I meet for our Discipleship/Bible Study every Thursday we either go to Panera Bread or Leo's Coney Island.   I pick her up at 3:30 when the restaurants aren't busy. We find a secluded booth [or table] for privacy, order our food, and do our study.

Brianna told me about a new place opening soon that she thought I'd like - Peet's Coffee and Tea.  They'll officially open this Monday, November 11th, so guess where we're going next Thursday?!

Peet's was founded in 1966 in Berkeley, California, and founders of Seattle-based Starbucks modeled their store after Peet's concept.  Peet's has about 230 stores in 8 states [mostly California], and they're opening 7 new stores in Michigan.

Two of their tea selections that I'll definitely be trying are Pumpkin Chai Latte and Matcha Green Tea Freddo.  I'll be sure to report back.  Do you have a Peet's near you?

Yesterday's restaurant was Leo's Coney Island where there weren't any specialty teas to try, but I enjoyed my cup of Bromley's black tea just fine!

Thoughtful Tea Gifts

Recently I received a tea-themed, 4-piece measuring spoon set [pictured below] as a hostess gift. They're made by Ganz, with measurements of tablespoon, teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon and 1/4 teaspoon. Aren't they cute?

When my girlfriend joined me and another friend for our October Afternoon Tea at O'Mara's, she brought us each a gift bag containing a box of shortbread cookies and Rooibos tea. 

Rooibos [pronounced Roy-boss] is sometimes referred to as red tea, but it really isn't a true tea since it doesn't come from the camellia sinensis plant.  Rooibos is made from a bush that grows in South Africa.  It has become very popular in recent years due to its health benefits of vitamins, minerals, high levels of antioxidants, low tannin levels, and its lack of caffeine. 

Rooibos leaves are processed like tea leaves, and have a distinctive needle-like, reddish-brown color. The brewing instructions on the package was to pour boiling water over the teabag and steep for 5-7 minutes.  A tea room owner told me many years ago that to attain the maximum flavor from Rooibos the leaves need to be "cooked."  Following her instructions, I brought 1 1/2 cups of water to boil and placed the tea bag in the gently boiling water for five minutes. Then I removed the bag and poured the steeped Rooibos in a teacup. It was delicious, and makes a wonderful non-caffeinated evening beverage.

I enjoyed my Rooibos in a teacup that comprises a trio set that belonged to my mother.  The shortbread cookies were the perfect accompaniment.

Teacup Backstamp

Bone China Trio

Thanks Ruth and Sandy for your kindness and thoughtfulness!

"Tea Source" Tea Merchant

Before the World Tea East Expo took place last month, I read that Tea Source [in Minnesota] was going to give away professional cupping journals to attendees.  They're available at their website for $5.99, so I decided to order one when I placed an order for tea.  

The journal is purse size and paperback.

Journal Page [click on photo to enlarge]

The tea I ordered was Lemon Drop - a black tea with lemongrass, lemon peel, and flavorings. It has a refreshing citrusy flavor, and a wonderful lemon aroma.  I'm enjoying it very much.

Included with my tea and journal was a sample of a 1995 Aged Pouchong which I'm looking forward to trying.

What's in your teacup today?

A Thanksgiving Tea

While I want a thankful heart all year long, November is the month especially devoted to giving thanks.  So I got out my Thanksgiving dishes to share in today's post.

Those who know me well, know I have a thing for dishware, and I have them for many holidays.  The Thanksgiving themed dishes pictured below were purchased from a catalog many years ago when service for eight was sufficient for our family.  As the kids married, and spouses and grandchildren were added to the family, I ordered another set that's not identical, but compatible.  Now, our family size has exceeded the extra set!

The dishes aren't fine china.  The backstamp reads "fine stoneware" Made in China.  But the good news is they're microwave and dishwasher safe, so they don't have to washed by hand. The turkey dinner bell came from Cracker Barrel several years ago, and the brass turkey napkin rings also came from a catalog - Lillian Vernon, maybe?

The turkey teapot, creamer and sugar, called "Thanksgiving," came from Home Goods a few years ago.  Below is the backstamp.  I discovered Myott factory was located in Stoke-on-Trent in England, but was demolished in 2006.  My tea set was made in Romania.

The pattern reminds me of Johnson Brothers, and the teapot has the shape of many Sadler teapots.

My hubby made me the wooden turkey sucker holder [pictured below] several years ago when I used to coordinate dinners for the ladies at my church.  I used them for centerpieces one year. It's been a long time since "Tom's" been out of the china cabinet, but I wanted to share him today.

I bought these salad plates and soup bowls at Mervyn's.  Remember that store that closed in 2004?  Since I only had eight of each, I sold them in my garage sale this summer, but I kept one of each to display at Thanksgiving time.

Now for our tea time treat - Apple Crisp.  My son requested that I bring it to his house last Saturday, and the leftovers stayed there.  The recipe is a family favorite.

Apple Crisp

10 medium size baking apples [half Granny Smith, half McIntosh]
1 heaping cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix together until well blended.  Put into an ungreased 9 x 13 baking dish.

Topping
3/4 cup quick oatmeal
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix topping together and set aside.  Bake apples for 40 minutes covered with aluminum foil.  Uncover and sprinkle topping over apples.  Return to oven and bake [uncovered] for an additional 20 minutes until apple mixture bubbles around edges. Allow to cool slightly before serving.  Enjoy!

A perfect dessert for fall and tea time!

Today I'm joining the following blog parties:

Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday
Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Artful Affirmations for Teacup Tuesday
Martha's Favorites for Teacup Tuesday

Michigan State Fun!

Both of my sons are Michigan State graduates, which means their blood is green! ;-) They both love their Alma Mater's football team.  Steve played in the MSU Marching Band, and Jeremy was on MSU's football team, so they looked forward to last Saturday's BIG game against their rival - University of Michigan's Wolverines.

It's become a ten year tradition for Steve to host a neighborhood garage party on Halloween, where trick-or-treaters and their parents can come inside for a cup of hot chocolate, cider, or coffee, and a Krispy Kreme donut.  The neighbors look forward to it every year.  There's always some kind of amusement/entertainment ranging from video games, to a live disc jockey, to this year's balloon artist - who is actually a children's minister who uses his balloon talent in his ministry to children. He was at our church last week, and Steve asked him to come to his neighborhood garage party, to share his balloon creations.

During the day while Steve was setting up for the party, he diligently worked on making a gigantic "Sparty" - MSU's muscular Spartan warrior/athlete mascot.  After eight hours, below was the finished project made entirely with balloons.

To put Sparty's size into perspective, Steve is standing next to him in the photo below, and he's over 6 feet tall. As you can see, Sparty has his boot on the neck of the Wolverine player. The neighbors who were MSU fans loved it.  The U of M fans... well, not so much!  ;-)

The big game was Saturday, with kick-off at 3:30 p.m., played in Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI.  Steve went to the game in the rain, while my hubby and I drove to Jeremy's house to watch it on his big screen T.V.

I'm not a big football fan because I don't understand the game, but I did enjoy seeing my four grandchildren's MSU spirit.  Even 16-month old Ellie wore an MSU outfit!  It was a happy day for my guys when MSU beat U of M 29-6!

I discovered there are Spartan teabags, so I'll have to stock-up so I can get in the spirit for the next game. The tea has no connection to MSU, but the name is right and so is the color of the packaging... and I had to bring this post around to tea!  ;-)

Sunday Reflection... My Heart, Christ's Home

This past Wednesday concluded a series of special services at my church, and I've been processing and putting into action the things I learned from God's Word, the Bible. 

We all know the physical human heart is a muscular organ that sustains life by pumping blood throughout the body in repeated, rhythmic contractions, but there's also a non-tangible heart - not as readily talked about - at the core of every human being, and it's far more important than the physical heart, because it will live on forever after the physical heart has stopped beating and pumping.  Sometimes the Bible refers to it as soul, and other times heart.

The components of the non-tangible heart are the will, mind, emotions and desires.  It is here that one makes a conscious, deliberate decision to live for Jesus and follow His plan for their life.

I love Warner Sallman's painting titled, "Christ at Heart's Door."  It correlates with Revelation 3:20 where Christ says: "Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him [her], and opens the door, I will come in and have fellowship with him, and he with me." [Living Bible translation]

Notice there is no door handle or knob on the door in the painting.  That's because Christ only enters when He's been invited in.   Every individual has to personally open their heart's door to Him.

I am grateful for the day when I opened my heart's door to Jesus, and my heart became His home. It requires "internal housecleaning" on a regular basis, but it's awesome having a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe!  And the best part is that Jesus extends the same relationship to anyone and everyone who opens their heart's door to Him. 
 

May God bless your week!

2013 Ladies' Christmas Tea

Every year at the Christmas Season [always the first Saturday in December] and Spring [the Saturday before Mother's Day] I coordinate a tea for the ladies of my church and friends. November 1st is the official launch of this year's Christmas Tea. As indicated in the announcement below [that will go in our church bulletin this Sunday], this year's program is about Tablescaping. I blogged about some of the resources for the program here.  After viewing all the tablescapes at the Festival of Tables, I'm excited about our program. Do you enjoy setting a beautiful table for the delight and pleasure of  family and friends? If so, visit my blog between now and December 7th as I periodically share tablescape ideas and tips for this year's Christmas Season and Beyond.

Blog readers who live near Macomb, MI [where Sycamore Hills Golf Club is located], if would like to attend this event, we'd love to have you!  Simply E-mail me to make arrangements.

ATTENTION ORCN LADIES AND FRIENDS!!!

6^th Annual Christmas Tea 

When:           Saturday, December 7^th, 2013

Time:            11:00 a.m.

Place:            Sycamore Hills Golf Club

                         Main Dining Room [First Entrance]

Cost:              $20.00 – Payable at time of

                         sign-up and non-refundable.

Menu:            Chicken Marsala with Tossed Salad,

                         Vegetable, Potato, Rolls  & Dessert

Program:     Tablescaping for Christmas and Beyond 

Music By:     Colleen Harris

Sign-up begins Sunday, November 3^rd with a cut-off of December 1^st.   Reserve you place RIGHT AWAY, and invite your family and friends to join you!  See Phyllis Barkey to sign-up.