2022 Wrap-Up

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas weekend!

 

Tea Advent Calendar

Day 19
DIY: Monarch Tea Co.'s Caramel Apple Spice green tea
Charbrew: Peppermint

Day 20
DIY: Murchie's Christmas Tea black tea
Charbrew: Earl Grey

Day 21
DIY: DavidsTea's Eggnog matcha latte
Charbrew: Afternoon (?) black tea

 

Day 22
DIY: Teamancy's Candy Cane black tea
Charbrew: Summer Berry (?) black tea

Day 23
DIY: Dessert by Deb's Hojicha Gingerbread Bundt
Charbrew: Afternoon (?) black tea

Day 24
DIY: Ashby's Christmas Spice black tea
Charbrew: English Breakfast (?) black tea

  

Day 25
Charbrew: Earl Grey

 

One of the tea highlights in 2022 was the outdoor Platinum Jubilee tea party hosted by a friend.

 

The Afternoon Tea at the Shangri-La was another memorable tea moment this year.

 

End-of-the-Year Tea Haul #1: Geek+Tea

 

I was saddened when one of my favourite tea companies announced that they were shutting down their tea business in December. I was grateful that I was able to do a bulk order (500 grams!) of my favourite blend, As You Wish black tea.   

End-of-the-Year Tea Haul #2: Dessert by Deb

This is my Christmas gift to myself. I can't wait to try out the new teas from Dessert by Deb's Little Paris Cake Shoppe!

 

January to November tea empties

Thank you all for all the visits and comments throughout 2022.

Looking forward to another year of tea appreciation!

Teas the season!

 This week I'm sharing my festive teawares.

Pretty poinsettia teacups and teapots

 

Christmas tree teawares

Jolly Old St. Nicholas teapots

Whimsical winter wonderland

Gingerbread nook

Tea Advent Calendar
 
Day 11
DIY:  DavidsTea's Candy Cane Matcha
Charbrew: Chai

Day 12
DIY: Dessert by Deb's Banana Gingerbread black tea
Charbrew: Summer Berry (?) black tea

Day 13
DIY: Murchie's Ode to Joy green and oolong
Charbrew: Peppermint

Day 14
DIY: Dessert by Deb's Panettone Cake black tea
Charbrew: Chai

 
Day 15
DIY: DavidsTea's Elf Help green tea
Charbrew: Chamomile

Day 16
DIY: Twinings' Gingerbread Joy black tea
Charbrew: Summer Berrry (?) black tea

Day 17
DIY: Dessert by Deb's Salted Maple Sugar Croquembouche oolong, black, rooibos (my order hasn't arrived yet, so this image is from the website)
Charbrew: English Breakfast (?) black tea

Day 18
DIY: Geek+Tea's Holiday Spice black tea
Charbrew: Earl Grey black tea

 

Wishing you a blessed and joyful Christmas!

Afternoon Tea at the Shangri-La

Last month, I went to my first afternoon tea in 3 years!

 

 

The afternoon tea at the Shangri-La Toronto offered an "exceptionally unique gastronomic experience".

The tasty Shangri-La Signature Blend Black Tea was served in a beautiful Wedgwood teapot and teacup.

Afternoon tea for kids

Our server poured dry ice over the fruits on the tiered tray for dramatic presentation.

Afternoon tea for adults

The unique and scrumptious scone and savouries: Caviar & Potato, Sable Fish, and Mushroom.

Our delectable desserts: peanut caramel cookies and a cherry almond pistachio cake.

 

The Trompe L'Oeil Fruit Desserts were handsculpted to appear like real fruits, but the skins were actually made of chocolate! The pear was filled with caramel, cinnamon, and dulcey mousse and pear jelly, while the apple was filled with dill, lime, and zephyr mousse and apple jelly.

The Shangri-La afternoon tea was definitely one of the best afternoon teas that I've ever had!

 

 

 Tea Advent Calendar

 

Day 5
DIY: DavidsTea's Gingerbread Matcha
Charbrew: Summer Berry black tea

Day 6:

DIY: Geek+Tea's Hearthside Cider oolong
Charbrew: Rose Blush black tea

Day 7
DIY: Harney & Sons' White Christmas white tea
Charbrew: Chamomile

Day 8
DIY: Dessert by Deb's Almond Gingersnap Cookie black tea
Charbrew: Rose Blush black tea

Day 9:

DIY: Stash Tea's Christmas in Paris herbal tea
Charbrew: Afternoon black tea

Day 10
DIY: DavidsTea's Christmas Morning black tea
Charbrew: Earl Grey black tea

2022 Tea-Themed Trees

I'm thrilled with how my tea-themed trees turned out this year.

 

 

In my heart is a Christmas tree filled with teapots and teacups.

 

 

This year's 8 foot-tree have some fun new additions.

 

I found these beautiful glass teapot and kettle ornaments at a local garden center.

 

Love the vintage vibe of these charming reindeer and Santa ornaments from Michaels.

 

 

Let's pretend these whimsical ornaments ornaments are tea lattes or tea-infused hot cocoa.

 

My aunt gifted me these adorable vintage Queen Anne bone china demitasse cups.

 

 

These ornaments are actually espresso cups, but I thought they'd be perfect for my tree.

 

 

This adorable 2003 teapot ornament was a thrift store find.

 

 

 

Do you remember the teacup with the broken handle? 

I repurposed it as a bell!

  

These handmade ornaments were inspired by Taylor Swift's Midnights album.

 

 

My teabag tree also had a new ornament, courtesy of my godson, that matches the tea latte plush toys.

 

 

Tea Advent Calendar

Day 1
DIY: Dessert by Deb's Sugar Plum Coffee Cake black tea
Charbrew: English Breakfast black tea

Day 2
DIY: DavidsTea's Silver Bells oolong
Charbrew: Chamomile

Day 3
DIY: Clearview Tea Co.'s Gingerbread Pearcake green tea
Charbrew: Peppermint

Day 4
DIY: Murchie's Roasted Chestnut black tea
Charbrew: Chai

 

 

I can still make the whole place shimmer!

 

DIY: My "Drink What I Own" Tea Advent Calendar

Since 2015, I've been creating my own tea Advent calendar using teas from collection.

 

I think it was the tea blogger, Lu Ann from the The Cup of Life, who coined the term "Drink What I Own" Tea Advent Calendar.

 

The giant stocking is decorated with whimsical tea pins. The felt tea pins at the top were handmade by a crafty friend. The green Mad Hatter "It's always tea time" hat pin was a Disney souvenir from a co-worker.

 

 The rest of the pins came were designed by Dessert by Deb.

 

I wrote the names of teas on pieces of paper and stuck them in the pockets.

 

I'll be sipping teas from my favourite Canadian tea companies while I count down to Christmas!

I didn't intend to get a second tea Advent calendar, but I couldn't resist Charbrew's charming Alice in Wonderland Tea Advent Calendar that I found at HomeSense. The calendar contains standard teas (e.g., English Breakfast, chai, chamomile), but I'm a sucker for cute packaging!

November tea empties

What I will repurchase:
1. Genuine Tea's Lavender Sencha Green Tea
 
What I may repurchase from time to time:
1. DavidsTea's Manoomin Maple Black Tea
2. Stash Tea's Maple Apple Cider Herbal Tea

 

Do you have an Advent calendar? 

Holiday Teas Hauls

I should not be left to my own devices.
They come with prices and vices.
I end up with tea hauls.

  

Holiday Tea Haul #1: Stash and Celestial Seasonings

I kept checking my local Bulk Barn until they finally had the Stash and Celestial Seasonings holiday teas available. I restocked on my faves!

 

Holiday Tea Haul #2: Monarch Tea Co.

 

I'm excited to try the new green tea and rooibos in the Monarch Tea Co.'s holiday tea collection.

 

Holiday Tea Haul #3: Murchie's Tea

 

After years of browsing their online store, I finally made my first purchase!

 

Admitting I have a tea problem is the first step...