David's Earl Grey Matcha Latte

 

https://davidstea.com/en-us/products/organic-cream-of-earl-grey-matcha

Organic cane sugar, Organic matcha green tea, Organic (cream, Earl Grey) flavoring

I am making myself a birthday latte.  I celebrated the entire week of my birthday.  And what better way to celebrate than with some of my favorite teas.  Earl Grey is a tea I have come to really love and enjoy.  And making it as a matcha is really great!!

With matcha I tend to use almond milk or real milk, rather than oat milk.  I love oat milk- but it can sometimes overpower the tea...especially with a matcha.   

The cup I am using here is a blender.  

I put a scoop of matcha in the cup and cover it with hot water.  I blend that to dissolve the matcha.  Then I fill the rest of the cup with almond milk and blend it again and top with ice.

This makes a really great tea!!  I do hate that the first ingredient is sugar.  I wish it was more tea and less sugar.  The flavors are really delicious.  The Earl Grey notes come through really nicely.

The only reason this tea gets 4 teacups and not 5 is that it has too much sugar.

1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Day of Birthday treats and tea

I love to celebrate my birthday!

This year I am 53 and I am totally okay with that number. It is just a number.

I started with the day before getting my 3x points at Dunkin.  I got a matcha.  They used to give free drinks, but 3x the points is better than nothing, lol.

On my birthday morning I was greeted by my mom and a handmade card.

I love that my office gives us the day off with pay. I was off to explore and get free birthday treats.

Sure House gives a free drink...and I have to say this was the best one of the week!!!

This drink would be close to $10 if I actually had to pay for it.

Large Chai ($6.50), added oat milk (.75), lavender ($1.00) and a shot of chocolate ganache (.75)

Boy, it was incredibly tasty!!

Then signed my tax papers...yay!  The refund is paying for my deposit to my trip to England in the fall.

Then to LincWay for a lavender butterfly ice tea.

They are celebrating two years in business.  I hope they thrive!!

Then to MCC in Kidron.  I was able to pick up the water glasses I am collecting.  I have over 20 of these in different colors.  They are in a box in the basement.  When I have a teahouse, these will be my drinking glasses.

I then thought I would try something new....the Alley Cafe in Louisville.

It is right beside Umbrella Alley.

I ordered the European Breakfast for $10.  The register had it at $8, when I said it rang up wrong, they said that was okay...nice birthday treat to me, lol.

For $8 I got choice of coffee or tea, 2 eggs, choice of meat (Bacon or sausage), fresh fruit, cheese, and choice of croissant (chocolate filled, almond, or raspberry).

Then to Canton, for another first.

I tried the Pearl Coffee and Tea cafe.

I ordered the creme brulee milk tea.

Then for another free tea.

Starbucks Pistachio iced Chai tea.

And what would a stop in Canton be without stopping at my favorite tea company.  I think I have hit Ohio Tea the last 3 or 4 birthdays.  It is quickly becoming a tradition.

Then my favorite Goodwill is in Jackson, so I popped in there.  I was so excited to find these Teavana tea cups.

Then back home by 5pm...and time for a free dinner.

A bun-less pulled pork sandwich from Old Carolina.  They were VERY generous with the meat. I added pickles and sauce and was VERY happy :) 

I received some fun tea gifts too...

this one is almost to pretty to use.  Matcha Green Tea soap.

My parents gave me the spice box and the gold teapots.  And my friend gave me the red teapot, tea cups, and saucers.

One friend got me tea, tea coin purse, and a literal tea towel.

Another friend started my week with a Dunkin Refresher and some awesome Ohio Tea.

My friends know me so well.  Love language is tea....hahahahaha

1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Gummy Bear White Tea

Gummy bear tea...really??

https://www.ohioteaco.com/Very-Berry-Bear_p_3330.html

Sugar, glucose syrup, gelatine, water, concentrated white grape juice, acidifier: citric acid, flavoring, white tea extract, concentrated elderberry juice, glazing agent: carnauba wax, vegetable oil (sunflower oil)

I admit I was VERY skeptical of this tea.

Gummy Bear Tea, really?  But I have to say it was okay.  It was a fun novelty, not something I would drink on a regular basis, but fun to try, and fun to share with others.

It takes 2-3 gummies per 8oz to make this sweet tea.  It has a light fruity flavor. 

This tea was fun to try, but the flavor was a little too light for me and a little too sweet. I am glad I tried it and look forward to sharing for others to try and see what they think.  I love trying new things.

1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

Donated Tea Party for a good cause

                       

        I donated a tea for 8 people.  The money it raised ($225) went toward the youth at my church and their trip to the Life Conference. 

Every three years the Christiam & Missionary Alliance has a youth conference.  I went in 1986 and 1989 and it was life changing.  Both my conferences were in Colorado at Colorado State University.

My sister was there both years too.

                                         1986                                                                    1989

  

If I can donate in a small way, I am happy to do it!

                                    

This is the basket I donated.

(the tea party, mug, tea, tea towel, plant, and basket)

Here is the auction at our church.  We have a local auctioneer come in to lead the auction.  This is Bob, he is also the auctioneer who I bought my house from.  I bought my house at auction in 2006.

The winners of this tea party asked if they could come to the house.  I said sure.  The young girls coming to the tea wanted to see my cats. (sadly the cats hid the entire time!)

They asked for an Earl Grey and Mint Medley and the rest was my choice.

I decided since some of the kids were younger to do a Cacao tea and treat it kind of like a hot coco with frothed milk and fun toppings.

Then of course I needed the Purple Palmer with the ornament lemonade to add to change the color.

I was not sure what to do as the 5th tea, but since they were coming to my house, I will let them decide.

Here I am having Mollie smell some of the teas to help pick the final tea.  She wasn't sure, so we went with Peach which Karen really likes.

Taylors of Harrogate- Earl Grey

Bigelow- Mint Medley

Ohio Tea- Cacao Tea

Tealyra- Fuzzy Peach

Kerrie's Blend- Purple Palmer

Mollie had fun playing tea party with my kids dishes too.

When my sisters and I were little we had a Raggedy Ann tea set that was metal.  This cat set reminds me of that set.  The only thing they really have in common is that they are both metal, lol.  But still so fun.  And cats drinking tea is so me!

circa 1974 and 1975ish, using the metal dishes.

2018

I am not able to do food, per the Health Department (unless it is pre-made).  

Karen provided fruit cups, cookies, and cupcakes.

I frothed some milk for the Cacao tea and the Earl Grey.

I also had candy canes, chocolate spoons, and cinnamon sprinkles to put on the teas too.

The favorite today might have been the Fuzzy Peach.  

So much fun and so many giggles.

Two of my quiz girls, boy was that a long time ago!!  But we had some terrific memories.

Here are some fun photos from a Bible quiz competition we went to in New York in 2003.

Such great friends!!

Let me know if you would like me to do a tea party for your friends or family.

I am more than happy to bring the tea to you.

I do educational teas, tea parties, baby showers, wedding receptions, graduation parties, office parties, specific country teas- like Japan (Matcha), India (Chai), Kurdish Teas, Taiwan (Bubble Tea), Hong Kong (Milk Tea), etc.

1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.