Wednesday, December 27, 2023

2023 Wrap-up

I can't believe we're just days away from 2024!

 

On Winter Solstice Day (December 21), I enjoyed these winter teas from my blogging friends.

 

 Tea Advent Calendar

Day 17: Hojicha Gingerbread Bundt by Dessert by Deb

Day 18: Eggnog Matcha by DavidsTea

Day 19: Sugar Plum Coffee Cake black tea by Dessert by Deb


Day 20: Candy Cane black tea by Teamancy

Day 21: Silver Bells oolong by DavidsTea

Day 22: Christmas Tea black tea by Murchie's


Day 23: Holiday Spice black tea by Geek+Tea

Day 24: Candy Cane herbal tea by Teeccino


On Christmas Day, I enjoyed this Twinings Christmas Tea from Kitty.


 
Sipdowns: January 2023 to November 2023

I sipped down a lot of teas in 2023. 
 
I'm proud of myself for buying less tea this year in an effort to get my tea collection under control.

Thank you for all the visits and kind comments in 2023.
 
See you in 2024!

Monday, December 18, 2023

Gingerbread spice and everything nice!

 I jumped on the gingerbread wagon a few years ago.

 

My collection of gingerbread mugs grows every year.

 

Gingerbread matcha by DavidsTea

 

 
 
Gingerbread Pearcake green tea by Clearview Tea Co is one of my favourite Christmas teas. I'm glad that I stocked up on this blend a few years ago because it's been discontinued.

 


Gingerbread Herbal Teas
 
Top: Four O'Clock Tea's Gingerbread herbal tea by Four O'Clock Tea (left) and T. Kettle's Gingerbread Cookie rooibos (right).
 
Bottom: Teeccino's Gingerbread herbal tea (left) was a tasty blend. Thank you, Kitty, for sharing it with me! Celestial Seasonings' Gingerbread Spice (right).

 

Dessert by Deb's Gingerbread Teas

Left: Banana Gingerbread Waffles black tea

Right: Hojicha Gingerbread Bundt roasted green tea


The cold temperatures didn't stop me from enjoying Four All's Gingerbread Cookie Dough ice cream!

 

Tea Advent Calendar

Day 11: Madeleine Cookie black tea by Monarch Tea Co.

Day 12: Banana Gingerbread Waffles black tea by Dessert by Deb

Day 13 (Taylor's Birthday!): Gingerbread Pearcake green tea by Clearview Tea Co.

Day 14: Gingerbread Cookie rooibos by T. Kettle

Day 15: Ode to Joy green/black tea by Murchie's Tea Co.

Day 16: Snickerdoodle herbal tea by Teeccino

 

 
 
 Wishing you a Blessed Christmas! 


**NOTE: Since Monday is Christmas Day, next week's post will be published mid-week.**

Monday, December 11, 2023

Christmas cosies

I have some new tea cosies that I'm enjoying this Christmas season.

 

My heart grew 3 sizes bigger when this handmade Grinch tea cosy came all the way from Scotland!

 


 This knitted Santa teapot sweater came from Calgary.



Tea Advent Calendar

Day 3: Panettone Cake black tea by Dessert by Deb

Day 4: Hearthside Cider oolong by Geek+Tea

Day 5: Roasted Chestnut black tea by Murchie's

Day 6: Christmas in Paris herbal tea by Stash Tea



Day 7: Frosted Sugar Cookie white tea by  T. Kettle

Day 8: Gingerbread herbal tea by Teeccino

Day 9: Candy Cane matcha by DavidsTea

Day 10: White Christmas white tea by Harney & Sons

Monday, December 4, 2023

2023 Tea-Themed Tree

This year, I replaced my 6-ft Christmas tree with a 7-ft tree that I purchased during last year's Boxing Week sales.

 
Thank goodness I have a bigger tree since I found so many new tea-related ornaments this year. HA!

 

 
 Elegant x Whimsical ornaments

  

My parents and brother gave me these beautiful floral teapot ornaments last Christmas.

 


New red mug ornaments

The tea latte (left) was from Wal-Mart. The mouse in the red mug  (center) was from  HomeSense (aka HomeGoods). The plush red mug (right) was from my godson last Christmas.

 

 
More new delightful ornaments from HomeSense.

 

The new sign came from Dutch Mill Country Market.

 

These Santa ornaments are actually espresso cups!


Cute critters in teacups from Giant Tiger.

 

 
Glass ornaments from Michael's.

 

 November tea empties

What I will or have already restocked:
1) Stash Tea's Decaf Pumpkin Spice black tea

What I may repurchase in the future:
1) DavidsTea's Le Digestive herbal infusion
2) DavidsTea's Peanut Butter Chocolate Hojicha Powder
3) Dessert by Deb's Hojicha Cinnamon Raisin Bread
 

When the calendar flipped to December, I started my "Drink What I Own" Tea Advent Calendar.

Day 1: Thé Mélange by Ladurée

Day 2: Gingerbread Matcha by DavidsTea


 
Time to pour the holiday cheer!

Monday, November 27, 2023

Heavenly Hojichas in Handmade Mugs

This month, I've been enjoying Dessert by Deb's heavenly hojichas (roasted green tea) in handmade mugs from local potters.

 

Hojicha Pineapple Upside Down Cake

 

Hojicha Caramelized Butterscotch Blondies

 

 
 
Hojicha Maple Almond Fudge

 

 Hojicha Matcha Sponge

Have you ever tried hojicha?

Monday, November 20, 2023

A vintage "Merry Christmas" teacup

I keep an eye out for Christmas teapots and teacups all year.

I bought this vintage teacup for only $2 at a garage sale last August.

 

 
 I think it was a mismatched set because the teacup had bells...

 

...while the saucer said "Merry Christmas".


 
Interestingly, the teacup had 2 markings: the manufacturer's gold backstamp (Regency, circa 1953+) and the decorator's black backstamp. 
 
So this bone china teacup was made in England, but decorated in Canada!

Monday, November 13, 2023

Tea things I saw but didn't buy at HomeSense

At a recent trip to HomeSense (aka HomeGoods in the U.S.), I spotted tons of tea-related items.

 
  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
 

I love these pretty tea tins!

 
 

 

Charbrew Teas

 

Spode Christmas Tea

 I'm proud of myself for resisting all these tea temptations!

Monday, November 6, 2023

Hamilton Potters Guild Fall Sale 2023

Last weekend, I attended the Hamilton Potters Guild Fall Sale. It was pretty busy, but I managed to capture some of the functional work by 100 potters.


 
 Teapots


 
More teapots


Mugs


I thought Rosalie MacNeil's dino fossil mugs were pretty cool!


I've always been a fan of Greg Voisin's whimsical mugs.


 
I aspire to own one of these beautiful Em Gabriel Art mugs one day.


 
Unique pottery that caught my eye.
 
 

I wished I was able to support all these talented potters. 
But my only purchase was this adorable mug by Alisa Greeve Pottery.

 

 October tea empties

What I will or have already restocked:
1) DavidsTea's Banana Nut Bread fruit infusions
2) Stash Tea's Decaf Pumpkin Spice black tea

What I may repurchase in the future:
1) Monarch Tea Co.'s Maple Cream black tea
2) Monarch Tea Co.'s Pumpkin Cream black tea
3) Totalitea's Pumpkin Nut rooibos