Anyone for chocolate tea?

I tried some chocolate tea this week.

I wouldn't recommend it.

I understand the pairing of coffee and chocolate - the deep coffee mixing with the sweetness of the chocolate blend deliciously together. But tea? I think someone in the 'ideas' department of the tea company possibly had too much caffeine and convinced themselves it was genius.

In reality, the vanilla smell was so sweet and overpowering that I didn't want to take a sip even. But I took a deep breath and persevered. The tea itself didn't really taste of anything though - not even tea. I couldn't taste chocolate at all. The vanilla smell lasted long after the tea had gone, and not in a pleasant way either.

Lots of things go nicely with tea. Lemon, mint, the subtle flowery nature of Lady and Earl Grey, even the spicey orange in a Christmas blend I have. But not chocolate. If I ever have the urge for chocolate and tea again, it'll be in the way of a cuppa and a chocolate bar - separately.

Time for teapots...

I haven't bought or received a new teapot in ages. It's a bit like an addiction, teapot collection. 

I could treat myself to a new Le Creuset teapot... It would match the gorgeous pie dish I got for Christmas. Then I could also get the espresso cups to match!

Oooh potty!

Would you look at this lovely teapot!

I found it on Etsy. I love that site!

Too many teapots!

There are just too many teapot necklaces on Etsy for me to choose from...

Light of my life...in tea

Good lord, look at what is surely going to adorn my home in the future:

Looks like any old teapot hanging from a rope when it's not in the dark:

I never thought I could be in love with a light fitting....

Courtesy of http://www.anthropologie.eu/uk/page/home where from came my brilliant teacup and sugar pot.

The beauty of teapots

Really like this new design of teapot, and what it stands for:

The idea that the handles are mass produced and ergonomic, while the body of the teapot is hand blown and more rustic. The lid is also a teacup.

Read more here: http://www.louierigano.com/index.php?/product-design/teapots/

Happy New Year!

I've been absent for a while, enjoying the Christmas and New Year festivities. So to update, here are some of my brilliant Christmas presents.

Firstly, a new sewing machine!!!! It's an Elna 6600, the "Quilter's Dream" - it's amazing! It does about a million pre-programmed stitches, including a penguin. It took several days to read the instructions before I built up the courage to turn it on... But it really is a dream.

A gorgeous teapot, a 1920s Royal Albert design teacup and saucer, and a chicken teapot were also received with glee:

So now I'm off to make tea and so some quilting!

Folksy loveliness

Check out this website: www.folksy.com/

It has lots of lovely handmade things - supplies and gifts - and jewellery. Including this gem:

Teapot thatched cottage necklace!!

What's the time Mr Teapot?

How gorgeous is this necklace!!! It's a necklace, a teapot, and a clock, all in one go. 

I love it!!

It might be too late to add it to my Christmas list, but maybe Father Christmas reads my blog....

Tonight's project was quilting my teapot and cake quilt. It went quite well until I ran out of red thread, which was a pain.

However, I eased that pain with a batch of scones. Brilliant.

I'm off to sample my scones with a cup of tea. It's Assam, with a dash of milk, and a good book.

It's in the eyes

Sock money has eyes, originally uploaded by Missy Cookie Monster.

The monkey sock Sock Monkey has got eyes! I sewed these on last night, as he was sitting on the bookshelf eerily watching me, or rather not watching me due to his lack of buttons. I thought about omitting the buttons altogether, as the bananas on the pattern made him look asleep.

I must get back to quilting - too many sock monkeys does not a teapot quilt finish....

GaGa about tea

http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/31615/Brits-going-Lady-Gaga-for-afternoon-tea

This news story suggests Lady GaGa is the reason behind Debenhams' increased sales of teapots and other tea-related accessories, due to her penchant for carrying around a teacup.

Is the UK public that see-through?

And can we really justify a rise in such a social trend as tea drinking to the preferences of one slightly batty pop singer?

Tea drinking and appreciation has been around for hundreds of years and I refuse to lay its apparent resurrection at the feet of Lady GaGa. Perhaps its social importance and ability to bring together friends and family is more to blame. We live in such a contactless society that it's brilliant to see individuals rebel against only communicating via facebook or twitter and actually getting together with acquaintances for tea, biscuits, and cake. It's the best way to catch up with people, share stories, laughter, and sadness, while being refreshed and satisfied by a naughty sugary treat.

I've always been a lover of afternoon tea parties and will continue this favourite pastime irrelevant of what 'celebrities' get up to or indeed carry around with them!

Ginger biscuits

I love ginger biscuits, and I've just found a brilliant recipe for the best ever ginger cookies. They're chewy and brilliant with a cup of tea (what I'm enjoying at the moment). It's just plain ol' Tetley tonight, I was too desperate for a cuppa to choose any other leaves. But hits the spot all the same.