Tea Totaller

In the book I told you all about yesterday, Susan Branch spent about a page and a half outlining her love of tea.  I most definitely could relate to her story.  I have always preferred tea over coffee.  I actually quite like the smell of coffee - if only it tasted as good as it smelled.  But it doesn't.  That's its major issue. 

Tea on the other hand is not as bitter as coffee.  It warms you up without giving you the caffeine rush. It settles your tummy if  you're not feeling well.  It even comes in all sorts of flavors if that's your thing. Though, as a strictly black tea lover, I don't understand you people that drink the weird passion fruit or cardamom or any of the other hundreds of flavors out there.  All you need in your cup of black tea is enough milk to turn it tan.  Nothing else. It's perfect!

This has always been my preferred method of drinking it as well - milk only, no sugar.  I first started drinking tea at my grandparent's house when I was little.  It was their preferred drink of choice, so it became mine too.  We would all have a tiny - teeny-tiny - cup of tea each afternoon as we sat on the front porch. At the time, based on the size of the cups, I'd say the ratio of milk to tea was about 3:1, but I loved it.  When I got a little older I was finally allowed to try coffee and I decided that it was terrible.  I don't understand how people get addicted to that stuff, when there's perfectly good tea in the world.

So that's when it all started.  This life-long love of tea.  I've tried all sorts of teas - loose leaf, tea bags, tea sachets.  And while it may not be the most sophisticated, I much prefer the tea bags to loose leaf. The problem with the loose leaf is that strainers don't always work, and there's nothing worse than having bits of tea floating in your cup.  Tea bags are quick, easy and delicious!  Though, in England, where most of the tea in restaurants are served in tea pots with looseleaf tea - I'm quite happy with it.  Somehow, the Brits have figured out the whole straining situation, and really should we argue with the foremost tea drinkers in the world?  It's best not to.  Just drink what they give you and enjoy!

Love for the Villages

Since I woke up this morning, I've been dreaming about coming home this evening and finishing up some craft projects I'm in the middle of.  However, after 10 hours - dark to dark - the only thing I could do when I got home was curl up on the sofa, where it was warm and cozy.  

Unfortunately, the craft projects were a bust, but it's ok because I did have about 30 pages in a fabulous book to finish so I dove right in.  Let me tell you, this book might just need to go in the top 10.  It's just so wonderful!

Susan Branch is a watercolorist and primarily a cookbook writer.  I actually have tons of her stickers for scrapbooking.  But I never realized she wrote other books as well.  Apparently, this is the 3rd in a series of her journals.  She and her husband live in Martha's Vineyard, but they travelled on the Queen Mary 2 to England for a 2 month adventure in the English Countryside.  I'm not I can express just how much I wish I could have gone on their trip!  What a chance!

What's really neat about the book, is that it's not just her observations about the places she visited.  Like I said, she's a watercolorist, so all throughout the book there are little paintings and doodles and drawings.  She's also included photos of the places they visited, quotes she loves, and recipes as well.  And, the whole thing is in her handwriting.  How fun!  It's not only a great tale of a trip of a lifetime, but it's also crafty and creative as well.  It's a total package for me which I think is why I loved it so much.

The other reason is that she just gets it.  She has the same sensibility about England that I have.  She loves the people for being who they are.  She loves the accents and the turns of phrase.  She loves the simple food and the very best tea.  She loves the beauty of the countryside as well as the fun of the big cities. And she loves the history and historical figures that have contributed so much to the world, that made their home there.  It's sometimes hard for me to explain just what it is about Great Britain that I love.  Reading this book, I realized it's everything I just said.  It's all of these things together that make it such a happy place for me.  And now, I'm just itching to return more so than I usually am - good thing there's a trip coming up soon!

Friday Five

1. I've been dying to see "Fully Committed" since they announced it last year.  What's not to love?  A one man show in which Jesse Tyler Ferguson plays 40 different characters, and it's about the foodie world.  It's the makings of perfection.  And seeing as I have to wait until next month to see, I'm loving the chance to sneak a peek at the set design.  So not what I was expecting, but so beautiful!

2. So happy that the Capitals are in the playoffs for obvious reasons, but even happier that these little ones got to share in on the fun.  Seriously, how cute are they?!

3. Seeing as it's April, and it's the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, it's time to geek out over him again.  I was in awe of England again, dedicating a whole show with lots of live performances to the man on this momentous occasion then beaming it all over the UK.  But I was even happier when I heard they would also be beaming it to the States too.  Of course I'll have to wait a month, but it's all good.  Yet another fun thing to look forward to this summer, and another reason why England is the best country ever!

4. If anyone would like to purchase me anything in the near future, please let it be this electric tea kettle because it might be the cutest thing I've ever seen!

5. Up until earlier this week, I was ready to praise the undefeated Orioles, but that streak has since ended.  However, 8-2 is nothing to sneeze at and since tonight they managed to overcome a 4 run deficit to win 11-5, I've decided they're ok with a few losses under their belts.  Since we had quite the ugly season for the Ravens, we need a happy season for the O's and it looks like this one might be it!

Friday Five

1. Apparently it's GISHWHES time again, according to this awesome video posted today. I'm not sure where these crazy people come up with these ideas, but they make me laugh so I'm just hoping they continue to come up with them.
          

2. I loved seeing all of the world book day costumes from all over the world.  These kids and their parents created some of the cutest little costumes of their favorite book characters.  I'm not sure if this was an England only activity, because I don't remember ever doing this here in the states when I was in school.  But I'm so happy to see anyone celebrating reading and books.  In a world full of video games and technology, seeing kids dressed as Dorothy, or Harry Potter, is so exciting.  Here are a few, but there were hundreds more all over Twitter (including the kid dressed like Christian Grey - I'm not even going to attempt to understand the thought process behind that one...)

3. Heidi Swapp Color Shine: I've been seeing lots and lots of craft projects using these on Pinterest.  So when they went on sale the other day, I thought I'd give them a shot.  My second snow day this week, was the perfect chance to actually experiment with them. After some consideration, I can say, I think I'm going to like them.  They'll take some time to get used to the trigger.  The bright pink I tried, at one point, looked like blood spatter. But the gold was super cool.  Can't wait to try that one on black paper!

4. While I'm not totally on board with the picture on this shirt (I'm not crazy about wearing people's faces on my chest), it's hard to argue with the message and the story behind why he's created the shirt.  What's even more beautiful is that so many people have already bought the shirt, and shared their stories of overcoming depression.  It's fantastic that these issues are finally being addressed and talked about as opposed to being swept under a rug. Always Keep Fighting!

5. I've always been a tea-totaller but I don't think I've ever drank more tea than I have this winter.  It's the only thing that's keeping me warm and toasty during this ridiculously cold (Hello 5 degrees!) arctic patch we've had.  And thanks to Twinings Decaf English Breakfast (yum!), I'm not high on caffeine all day. 

Saturday Six

1. Love!  I've watched this at least a dozen times and it gets cuter and funnier each time!
        

2. Nerdy Scrapbook Alert! - At the moment my new most favorite accessory to buy is wooden veneer embellishments.  They are super adorable and I'm loving using them in Project Life.  At last count, I had 6 different sets (with another on the way from Scrapbook.com...)

3. Excuse the language in this informative piece of journalism, but I can't not adore anything this man does.  Too funny!  The ensuing Twitter "feud" with William Shatner afterwards, just seals the deal on the hilarity.

4. I may have written about this idea of "sceneframing" last year (I can't really remember), but since the time that I discovered it, they've created a brand new geek-girly website (FangirlQuest.com) that's pretty awesome.  I'm really digging the idea!  

5. Is anyone else watching Suits this season?  Holy cow! How good is Evil Louis?  He's always been one of those love to hate characters.  A lot more love than hate due to Rick Hoffman's shear awesomeness.  But this season, it's all hate, yet it's still all amazing!

6. Hot tea always tastes better when drank (I don't have a clue if it should be drank or drunk - totally guessing here...) from a nifty mug.  Though I haven't done any strict research on this topic, I'm willing to posit that it would taste even better if drank (??) from a bookish, nifty mug.  Any of these will do, I'm sure.

Friday Five

1. I'm loving this new Christmas CD!  It just came out this morning and I've listened to it a crazy number of times!  Way to go Jason Manns!  I'm most certainly now a fan.

2. There is nothing better on a cold, rainy, headache ridden December day, than a good cuppa.  Specifically a warm cuppa London Cuppa.  Best tea I've had outside of England considering I can't get my Fortnum & Mason in the states anymore.

3. Even after all the stressing I've done over gifts, cards, crafts and more, I'm still in love with this whole Christmas thing.  I just love seeing the lights and decorations.  I love hearing the songs, and seeing everyone so jolly.  If I could focus on that part of the holiday, as opposed to the the crazy prep for it, I'm fairly sure I'd be a more well-adjusted person.

4. I'm not a comics girl, but this is very, very good news.  Any excuse to see his smiling face on the big screen is fine by me!

5. I got a sewing machine!  How cool is that!?  Of course, I haven't ventured into using it just yet, but oh my goodness, does Pinterest have all sorts of fun things.  I've found some super simple bookmarks and some scarves.  Those are so going to be the first things on my list - provided I can figure out how to use it...

Sunday Evening

There are about a dozen wonderful things coming in the next month, but after an evening of cupcakes, tea and a great book, I'm pretty darn content right here.  Here's to a fabulous week!

Currently

I read an article today about a Project Lifer who does one of these each month (usually on the same day each month, but I'm most definitely not that organized) to show at a glance what she fell in love with or enjoyed each year.  Seeing as there's only 2 more days in February and I haven't done one yet this month, I'll give it a shot.

Enjoying: Crafting.  I've so many ideas lately that I just can't emboss or stamp fast enough. By this time next month, my stock will be well and truly full.

Thinking: About Etsy.  My goal was, before my birthday, to have a shop open.  The more I think about it, the more excited I get but I also start to ponder all the crazy things that go along with it - at least go along with it in my head anyway.  Shouldn't all the things I make, go together in some sort of theme?  I mean quilters, usually just sell quilts.  But I like to do lots of different things so should I stop being a scattered-scrapper and only focus on one thing?

Wearing: Warm and Cozy fleece pjs

Drinking: English Breakfast Tea by Cuppa Tea.  Yum!

Weather: Flipping Freezing!!! It was supposed to snow quite a bit yesterday so I had my heart set on a snow day today, but the lots of snow that was forecasted only turned into lots of wind and dropped the temperature dramatically. Brrr!

Wondering: If the next snow storm that's predicted for Sunday into Monday will get me a snow day so I can stay home and craft.

Wanting: A rainbow of Stayz On Stamp-Pads.  I'm getting tired of my boring black one.

Listening: An interview with Simon Pegg.  He's talking about the terribly hilarious prank he pulled on the cast of Star Trek.  Hearing what all sides thought of the prank never gets old!

Needing: To stop sneezing.  Before I got home, I didn't have a cold but ever since I stepped in the door, I've been sneezing or nearly sneezing which is even worse.  Annoying!

Friday Five

1. Eudaimonia: I came across this word in an article this week. I'm assuming most people are like me and have never heard the word used before.  Apparently it means "contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous" which is just a lovely definition.  The weird part is that for such a fabulous definition, you'd think the word itself would be more elegant.  As it stands, it sounds like some terrible disease one gets from climbing through jungles.  But it's a lovely thought nonetheless.

2. I've just finished my 4th book in the 44 Scotland series by Alexander McCall Smith. In the book Domenica quotes Auden as saying "If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving be me." I just loved the quote.  It's beautiful and so lovey-dovey.  I'm such a sap!

3. "Broadchurch": Technically I shouldn't have seen this since it's airing in Britain first before it comes here but thank goodness for the Internet.  It's basically a British version of "The Killing" which I've never seen but heard was fabulous.  The murder mystery plot  catches you from the first few minutes and the secrets are just aggravating enough to keep you watching.  I'm already dying to know why DI Hardy is so touchy about an old case or why the vicar looked so worried and I'm only one episode in.  Hoping upon hope the next 7 will show up online because  I'm not sure I can stay away from spoilers until it gets here.

4. Changing the clocks.  I know this hasn't technically occurred yet, but it means that spring is right around the corner.  I'm not sure about you, but I'm about done with gray days.  I'm ready for some sun and flowers and color!

5. Republic of Tea's British Breakfast Tea: My current obsession.  Some people crave Starbucks mocha-chino-latte things, I crave this boring old tea.  So far the only place I've been able to find it is at Panera.  But I've been keeping my eye out for it.  It's good stuff!

Sunday Loves

1. Kristin Chenoweth's Oscar Dress: My absolute favorite of the evening, Gorgeous!

2. George Clooney at the Oscars: Even with his Paul Bunyan-esque beard, he's the handsomest man in the room.  Though I'm slightly biased, he can do no wrong in my book : )

3. My new tea shelf in the kitchen.

4. Chocolate-Chocolate Cupcakes courtesy of Chef Dad.

5. Lazy Sundays.

London Dreaming

Before I begin I must mention that I've been to London exactly once; a 4 day trip, 5 years ago.  However, those 4 days showed me a city that I've fallen in love with and hope to return to one day as a citizen.  After all, how can you dislike a city with so much to offer?  There's historical venues, the West End, world-renowned restaurants, and shopping like you wouldn't believe.

Though shopping is my usual favorite past time, I wasn't given much time to indulge in the full shop 'til you drop experience as I had hoped.  But there are a few venues I would most definitely add on to my dream shopping extravaganza, if only to get back that same sense of discovery and wonder as I experienced the first time around. 

First up, though Londoners may roll their eyes and groan, is Portobello Road Market.  It may not be extravagant or even a must-see, but it's always screamed quintessential London to me.  There's something about the thrill of the search.  There may be no crown jewels but if you take the time to dig through the vendors' "stock", you may just find a diamond in the rough.  Not to mention, I've been on a never ending search for pieces of a discontinued china pattern for more than a decade, and I like to think one day I'll find those pieces amongst the other treasures.

The next stop on my tour de stores would be Fortnum & Mason.  Let's be honest here, I could most likely eat my way through their beautifully arranged hampers and baskets and die happy. The unfortunate part is getting food back to the states is an utter pain in the neck.  So my only splurge are boxes upon boxes of Royal Blend tea.  The only blend I've ever tasted that has made my tea-totalling heart sing.  There are, of course, thousands of blends in England, all claiming to be the best but I've never had the pleasure of trying those.  I was given the chance to enjoy High Tea with cups upon cups of this perfectly created blend and felt I was in heaven.  Recreating that event again, would be icing on the cake of my shopping trip.

Next up, is not so much a shopping destination but there is a shop on premises so I suppose it still counts: Shakespeare's Globe.  There's just something about purchasing the Bard's works in the "Mecca" for all Shakespeare fans.  This may sound a bit cheesy but what can I say?  I'm a sucker for Will.

Aside from these 3 very distinctive and different places, I think I'd rather the surprise of discovering something new than following a strict itinerary.  The streets of London are full of noise, and kitsch and high-end and low-brow owned by a colorful cast of characters.  My first trip to London I was completely clueless as to what to expect, and the trip was fabulous.  This time around, lightning may just strike twice.  After all, that feeling of new excitement is always the best part of travel, not to mention also, if you're me; shopping 'til you drop!

*If you're interested in joining in on the fun too, check out the VisitBritain site for more information.