Tea in the Valley

Bernideen's Tea Time, Collage, and Garden Blog Party

Monday, March 21, 2016

Bunnies! Bunnies! It must be BUNNIES!!!

Hello, Spring!

I received this pretty Chinese character for "spring" from a friend last year.

The Keeping Room

I've been enjoying the cheery Easter displays at the stores this month
How cute are these white teapot infusers and yellow/green/pink teacup teabag holders?

The Keeping Room

These vintage-style Easter eggs reminded me of Bunnykins.

Resistance was futile against these adorable bunnies from The Discount Emporium.

I loved the pretty pastel colours and intricate wooden design! They look perfect at my front window.

Porcelain Treasures by Betty Platner

This violet chintz tea set originally belonged to my mom.

Because I'm such a good daughter, I helped my mom declutter by taking this tea set off her hands. HA!

This delightful bunny was gifted to me by one of my talented blogging friends.

Another blogging friend with serious sewing skills sent me this charming Easter egg ornament featuring an embroidered teacup on the back!

Have a Wonderful Easter!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Bernideen's Tea Time, Collage, and Garden Blog Party

Monday, March 14, 2016

How Green was My Valley

If you reside in a region that observes Daylight Savings Time, I hope that you've adjusted to the time change that occurred this past weekend.

You may have coped with the lost hour of sleep time by drinking a strong tea such as the Irish Breakfast Tea.

My green teacups are limited so I was delighted when a friend gifted me this lovely green teacup from her late mother's collection. Love the pretty white rose gracing the cup's interior!

The Sutherland China backstamp, circa 1947+

Sutherland China was one of the trade names of Hudson & Middleton Ltd which manufactured bone china and earthenware at Longton, Stroke-on-Tent, Staffordshire from the 1940s to the mid 1970s.

This "Green and White Toile" teapot was a post-Easter sale find at HomeSense last year.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Bernideen's Tea Time, Collage, and Garden Blog Party

Monday, March 7, 2016

Twinings Tea Tasting with Stephen Twining

When I heard that Stephen Twining--a 10th generation Twining who has worked in the family business for over 30 years--was coming to town to introduce their new line of premium teas, I HAD TO BE THERE!

The pretty Easter-themed tea display.

Twinings' classic and new tea products appeal to both the British royalty and modern tea drinkers across the globe. You can read about the London-based tea company's 300-year-old history here.

According to Stephen, their new Discovery Collection gives tea drinkers the "best of both worlds"--large tea leaves in silky pyramid-shaped bags.

The new teas that are available in Canada are (left to right): Exotic Mango and Ginger Green Tea; Golden Tipped English Breakfast; Berry Blush Infusion; Budding Meadow Camomile; Medley of Mint; London Strand Earl Grey. Of course, I tried all three of the available tea samples!

Sample #1: Exotic Mango & Ginger Green Tea

This was a very nice light tea with a "full, plump flavour of mango" and a subtle hint of ginger.

Sample #2: Berry Blush Infusion

This fruit infusion was a mix of "jammy berry flavours": blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry. It would also make a great iced tea in warmer weather.

Sample #3: Golden Tipped English Breakfast

This strong black tea from the Assam region in northeast India will definitely get you moving in the morning!

As the Director of Public Relations for Twinings Tea, Stephen still gets "a great buzz" introducing new teas that bring pleasure to people's lives. Even though the Twining family is regarded as royalty in the tea world, Stephen was humble and affable, chatting with attendees and and graciously granting requests for photos and autographs.

In addition to meeting Stephen, I also had the fun opportunity to watch his interview with local cable TV personality, Steve Ruddick. Click on the above video to view the 7-minute interview which covered topics such as: quality control of Twinings tea in over 100 countries; differences in countries' tea preferences; how to brew the perfect cup of tea; when to add milk and/or sugar; loose leaf vs. bagged teas.

I have a penchant for unique tea flavours so a box of Exotic Mango and Ginger Green Tea signed by Stephen came home with me. I love the new packaging's pretty design and drawer-style box!

I also couldn't resist getting a signed tin of the classic Earl Grey Tea.

I'm beyond grateful that I was able to participate in this memorable Twinings Tea experience!

What is your favourite Twinings tea?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Bernideen's Tea Time, Collage, and Garden Blog Party

Monday, February 29, 2016

Lover's Leap

Happy Leap Day!

I'm celebrating the extra day of the year by sipping Lover's Leap black tea by the Metropolitan Tea Company.

Lover's Leap is classified as an "Estate Tea" because it originated from the region of Nuware Eliya in Sri Lanka. The name of the Lover's Leap Estate was derived from a Sri Lankan tale of forbidden love. Differences in social status prohibited a couple in love from marrying each other so the star-crossed lovers jumped off the garden's waterfall to be together in eternity.

Lover's Leap is designated as an Orange Pekoe tea because it is comprised of whole tea leaves.

I drank the first cup without milk and sugar and found that Lover's Leap had a "lively astringency".

The subsequent cups of Lover's Leap were enjoyed with milk and sweetened with an apple cinnamon candy spoon which gave the tea a slight pinkish hue.

The Lover's Leap tea was sipped from the "Old Chelsea" Johnson Brothers teacup that I received in my first teacup exchange back in March 2014. I was honoured to have my fun swap experience included in Stephanie's Testimonials From Past Tea Cup and Mug Exchanges. Click here to read about how I received pretty teacups and made friends that I never knew I wanted!

The Enchanting Rose's next tea cup and mug exchange is just around the corner.

Come out and play!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Bernideen's Tea Time, Collage, and Garden Blog Party

Monday, February 22, 2016

The Escarpment Tea Room

I try to keep a finger on the pulse of the tea rooms in the Greater Toronto Area, but last year's opening of The Escarpment Tea Room somehow escaped my radar. Fortunately, a friend heard about this new tea room and took me there last month as a birthday treat!

The Escarpment Tea Room is in a red brick house on the grounds of the Italian Canadian Club of Milton.

The tables were set with pretty bone china teacups and teapots.

The Canadian and British flags were a nice touch!

Our table for two by the fireplace.

We received excellent service from the charming and attentive tea room owner, Edwina.

The bedazzled tea wagon offered an overwhelming choice of teas.

Because I'm intrigued by the unknown, I selected the "Mystery Tea" by Hyleys Tea Company--a delicious black tea with bergamot and hint of sweetness. It was later revealed that this special edition tea was called "For You" and created in celebration of European Women's Day.

My friend's green tea was served in this super cute elephant teapot.

Our tray of scrumptious sandwiches with 5 different fillings, mini quiches, and veggies with dip.

The delicious dessert tray.

The small round cookies with the green, white, or pink icing on top were a blast from my past. Edwina kindly let me try another tea, Hyleys Passion Fruit Tea, to enjoy with dessert.

"Tea is the finest solution to nearly every catastrophe and conundrum that the day may bring."

Photo courtesy of Breakthrough Entertainment, Inc.

Last week, I enjoyed the remake of the Anne of Green Gables movie.

Interestingly, the majority of the film was shot at the Country Heritage Park which is just done the road from The Escarpment Tea Room.

Looks like we'll have to plan another Milton excursion this summer with visits to The Escarpment Tea Room and the Country Heritage Park!

I'm joining the following parties this week: