Tuesday 22 January 2008

a post about tea, mostly...


I love tea. However it has recently occurred to me that I should extend my tea-horizons a little. I currently drink what is commonly known in the UK as Builder's Tea. Which is basically strong black tea with milk (of which I add lots, probably more than the regulation amount) and sugar (which I forego, although real builders, I believe, take approximately 4 teaspoons of the stuff per cup). On Monday as I was wandering along Neal Street in Covent Garden I passed The Tea House, a place I used to regularly frequent in my crazy wild youth. I ambled in (initially thinking of a certain someone who often needs more tea - not me) and was as always amazed by the sheer variety of the beverage on offer. I stocked up on a couple of packages for she who must not be named for fear she realises tea is on its way and, taken by a wild fancy, bought myself some darjeeling...
Later that day, back at the office to which I am bound by the [shudder] day job, I brewed myself a cup. Disregarding the "may be taken without milk" as going just that little bit too far, I added some. Believe it or not I was even tempted to put the milk in a jug to take back to my desk but we don't appear to have any delicate vintage bone china in the office kitchen for some reason, what an appalling oversight! Back at my desk I risked a mouthful, and quickly another...there was something about it...something very pleasant indeed...there was a certain delicacy to which I am not accustomed...indeed I may have to have another cup someday...

Today I was back on the Builder's but I feel a slight shift may be on the way...

If you can help in this bid to extend my horizons I would greatly appreciate any tea related suggestions...

we did the (now fairly regular) pyjama crafting at the weekend (what lazy good for nothing parents we are, kids not dressed til gone lunchtime, again)



with this fairly random result...


don't you love the bowtie? Where the hell did that come from?!

Good thing I have signed us up for this swap, the kids will love it (obviously I'll just get involved to keep them from chopping off their fingers...and it'll give us an excuse to stay in our pjs again - result)

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my last couple of posts. I really do love to receive comments and am just sorry I can't reply to them all. For some reason Blogger doesn't give me return email addresses for them all, but I do visit all the linked to blogs and enjoy drooling over what you are all up to...

I'll be back soon with some crafted items, and news of some more swaps...

11 comments:

Jodie said...

Annie, have you tried russian caravan? Kind of smoky- makes me think of camping.

Florence Knapp (Flossie Teacakes) said...

Have you tried Yogi's Licorice tea?...it is the most lovely of things, full of licorice, spices and black pepper...most definitely taken without milk though! My sister used to bring it back from Paris for us, but then about a year ago Sainsbury's and Holland&Barrats started stocking it and since then I have drunk it with complete abandon.

Perhaps the lack of bone china is something to mention...such a shortcoming! x

Locket Pocket said...

What about Lapsang Souchong - smoky straw smell, always makes me think of horses stables - in a good way!

I love the idea of the children's valentine's swap (and the picture of your littlies crafting is lovely) but I don't think I'm a nice enough mum to do it with my guys! I really wish I was though!

Lucy x

Ali said...

Yes, we're a 'Monkey Tea' household by and large, but I second Jodie's 'Russian Carravan' suggestion. It takes me back to my student days, when tea needed to be a full blown occasion to avoid having to do any work.

JuanitaTortilla said...

Oh. I drink tea for water.
(As if I don't get enough caffeine from my morning cup of coffee?!)
As such, I take *anything* that is available off the supermarket shelves. So, I'm not too useful in "extending your horizons", ha!

Don't you wish Blogger would figure some way to tweak the Comments options? I so wish to reply to comments, too.

P.S. Your home looks lovely! I don't know how you do it -- raise young people, AND have a day job. Raising young ones is a 24-hour job itself!

Anonymous said...

Now I have to make some tea! I love the little bow tie.

angharad handmade said...

I too love builder's tea, though my version is very very strong, not much milk and no sugar. As a lover of strong tea, I also like Assam and Kenyan tea. If I'm going to forgo the milk, Lady Grey is lovely. Oh and Jasmine tea.

That swap looks lovely! And looks like you had a lovely time pyjama crafting :)

Asti said...

Its got to be Earl grey, with milk... I love the stuff and its my 'normal' cuppa. Lapsang too for a change now and then and of course the old builders type now and then - strong AND milky !
h and ditto the yogi liquorice tea, lovely for a change, has a natural sweetness.
Can you tell I love tea too ?! I probably have about 20 different types in the cupboard and most guests say 'can I just have NORMAL tea?'....heathens ;)

Lindsay said...

Hello

You might like Teasmith in Spitalfields Market. It has a teabar and so many different kinds including white tip which is lovely. www.teasmith.co.uk.

Mary Beth said...

What lovely tea suggestions! Annie B, do you work full time? I rarely run into a blogger who does (but I do). Just curious.

Mary Beth said...

Oh, and I totally agree about having trouble replying to the comments on Blogger! It's so frustrating not to be able to easily respond.