First Teas of 2025

 I hope that your 2025 has been off to a good start!

My first cup of tea in 2025 was a Darjeeling--the "champagne of black teas".

 

The first NEW tea that I tried in 2025 was Murchie's Snowflake black tea. It was a delicious blend of coconut and almond flavours.

 

 

My blog turned 10 today! This little blogging hobby has brought me so much joy over the past decade. I cherish the connections that I've made online and beyond. Thank you for all the visits and comments over the last 10 years!

RA Poinsettia Teacup, Candy Cane Green Tea Taste Challenge, and More!

Vintage bone china teacups with Christmas designs are hard to find in my neck of the woods.

So I was beyond thrilled when I found Royal Albert's poinsettia teacup at my local thrift store for only $5!!!

Last week, I organized a "Candy Cane Green Tea Taste Challenge" at the office. We sampled three green tea blends (left to right): 

1) Tease Candy Cane Crush (loose leaf); 

2) Trader Joe's Candy Cane (teabag); 

3) Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane (teabag).

Teas #2 and #3 had the same ingredients, but we noticed a slight difference in taste (note: those photos were shot at home because I forgot to take pics during the actual tasting).

The winner was: Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Green Tea--one of my all-time favourite holiday teas!

I've also been enjoying candy cane black teas:

Top (left to right) Dessert by Deb's Peppermint Mocha Fudge  and Davids Tea's Candy Cane Crush Tea Latte.
Bottom: The Polar Tea Co.'s Candy Cane Crunch was my favourite. It's too bad that the vendor is no longer in business.

I've also been sipping other (non-candy cane) seasonal teas.

Creemore Christmas Herbal Tea by Clearview Tea.

Christmas in July, an orange spice black tea by Coco Tea Co.

(I forgot to photograph Coco Tea Co's other delicious holiday blend: Christmas Cookie Rooibos)

(Orange) Holiday spice black teas by Geek+Tea (top) and Monarch Tea Co (bottom).

Dessert by Deb's holiday teas: Santa's Snickerdoodle black tea (left) and Holiday Cranberry Crumble Rooibos (right).

At a friend's house, I enjoyed these sweet treats with a cup of Chocolate Cauldron, a chocolate orange herbal tea by Geek+Tea.

Days 13-24 of my "drink what you own" tea Advent calendar.

(Yes, I cheated and took out the last 2 days so they can be included in the collage).

Wishing you a joyful and blessed Christmas!

Early Tea-Themed Christmas Gifts

"Thou shalt not steal." But this commandment doesn't apply when you're playing Secret Santa (Yankee Swap) at work...

Of course, I had to "steal" this beautiful pair of tea cups from the co-worker who selected this gift.

But my co-worker bore no ill will towards me as my "theft" gave her the opportunity to pick another present that she actually wanted!

Last Friday, another work colleague surprised me with this gorgeous tea set ornament. She had been saving this ornament for 20 years (!) for someone special.

We had bonded over our love of tea and she gave me the tea ornament because she knew how much I would love it. I was so humbled and touch by this generous gesture. I will always treasure this tea ornament.

It's hard to believe that we're more than halfway through Advent now!

Tea Advent Calendar: Days 1-6

Tea Advent Calendar: Days 7-12

Note: My regular posting schedule will shift to Sundays for the next 2 weeks due to the holidays.

Wrapping up 2017

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

 

The teapot and teacup ornaments that I ordered from Avon arrived just time for Christmas!

The final tea social at the office.

We sipped Home for the Holidays black tea in my poinsettia teacups and saucers.

Tea Advent Calendar: Days 13-16

Tea Advent Calendar: Days 17-20

Tea Advent Calendar: Days 21-22

I forgot to photograph Days 23-24. Whoops!

As 2017 winds down, let's look at this year's tea highlights.

January: My blog turned 2!

February:  I attended a fashionable tea event.

March/April: I participated in The Enchanting Rose's spring teacup exchange.

May: I went to a tea dance!

June: Tea at the White House returned with pop-up afternoon teas.

July: I met up with blogging friends for afternoon tea at Nicol's Pastry Shop.

July/August: I visited the Mad Hatter Tea Co.'s new shop.

September: 'Tis the season for apple teas.

October/November: I participated in The Enchanting Rose's fall teacup exchange.

November: I went to the RBG's 2nd Annual Tea Festival.

December: My tea tree went up!

Thank you all for all your visits and comments throughout 2017.

May 2018 bring love, happiness, and prosperity.

Special thanks also go out to the lovely hosts of the parties that I join each week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

Note: My regular posting schedule will temporarily shift to Wednesday due to the holidays.

Teas and Trees

I've been saving pretty teabag wrappers for something crafty and was inspired by Deborah's romantic bridal shower tea post...

...to use my teabags to decorate my miniature tree!

The aqua cookie cutter came from Michaels.

Some of these teabags were gifted by family and friends.

Photo credit: Deborah H. Montgomery

"Depression knows no season." (Deborah Montgomery)

Deborah recently published a short book called "Help for Depression".

 Click here to visit Deborah's blog and learn more about the book. 

U.S. residents can order the book here. Canadian residents can order the book here.

It's a marshmallow world in the Valley!

  I've been enjoying my Advent Tea Calendar this month.

Days 1-4.

 Days 5-8

Days 9-12

In addition to my Advent Tea calendar, I've also been sipping holiday teas by local tea companies:

Home for the Holidays black tea by For Tea's Sake.

Holiday Blend herbal blend by Lemon Lily Organic Tea.

Candy Cane Crunch by Polar Tea Co.

Gingerbread black tea by Lemon Lily Organic Tea.

 A blogging friend sent me this adorable tea-themed Christmas card.

Wishing you a Safe and Joyful Holiday Season!

Note: My regular posting schedule will shift to Wednesdays for the next 2 weeks due to the holidays.

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

Counting down to Christmas and 2018

Last Friday,  I excitedly opened the first tea from my tea calendar.

This HUGE stocking was a HomeSense find. In November, I filled the pockets with teas from my collection. Sufficient time has passed so that the teas will still be a surprise.

 Day 1: Bigelow Tea's Constant Comment

The mug rug underneath was given to me by a crafty co-worker.

My holiday teas carousel.

In addition to the teas from my Advent calendar, I'm also enjoying these seasonal teas. 

So far, I've managed to contain the holiday tea collection in this 2-tier tray...

The tea-themed calendars that I've acquired for 2018.

How are your Christmas preparations going?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea