Cozy chais

In addition to the Pumpkin Juice Chai that's on my fall tea rotation, I've also tried some interesting chais this month.

This smoked chocolate chai by Mad Hatter Tea Co. was delicious!

This is the first time I've seen this sampler tin--you press down on the middle and the top pops open.

I also enjoyed this Organic Saigon Chai by Davids Tea.

Stash's Chai Green was my least favourite tea. I've liked the other Stash chais, so I think I prefer my chais as a black tea!

What is your favourite chai?

Tea Time at the Watering Can Pastry Market

November 11 is Remembrance Day in Canada. We honour the veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country by wearing a poppy. Lest we forget.

My poppy tea set is currently on display. 

I won this at last year's Secret Santa exchange at the office.

Last Saturday, my friend and I visited The Watering Flower Market in Vineland. The greenhouse was filled with charming succulent decor.

Inside the greenhouse are "eclectic dining nooks" where you can enjoy food from the Pastry Market. I enjoyed a delicious pot of Sloane Tea's Perfect Pear white tea with my roasted veggie wrap and snickers cheesecake (not pictured).

"Garden Tea" is also available, but reservations are required. I'll have to go back and try the Garden Tea!

Starting a new Royal Albert collection

I've always been a fan of the Royal Albert Flower of the Month Series and have been hunting for the January (my birth month) set for years!

So I was beyond thrilled when I FINALLY found the January (Snowdrop) teacup and saucer at a local thrift store for only $7.99!
 

The matching plates (January, February, March) were also available for only $9.99!

 Then I spotted the February teacup and saucer (also only $7.99)!

 Reader, they all went home with me!

Now, I have to find the March tea set...

 The teas that I finished in October (with my co-workers' help!).

Gotta make room for all those holiday teas!

Autumn Colours

The autumn colours are in full bloom in my little corner of the world.

This beautiful tree was close to my work.

My mom found this tablecloth; its pretty colours scream fall!

This cute pumpkin teapot was a gift from a friend.

The teapot and sugar were a gift from my boss.

 

The yellow teapot with matching creamer and sugar used to belong to my friend's mom. I was touched when she gave it to me after her mom passed away.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Some of the local fire services are raising cancer awareness with their pink trucks, or selling pink tees or socks to raise funds for cancer research. The Burlington Fire Department (BFD) is supporting the firefighters, admiring the survivors, honouring the taken. The BFD concluded its Pink Campaign on Oct 26th by inviting cancer survivors to sign the truck in memory or support.

A Baby Shower Tea: Book Edition

One of my colleagues is expecting her first bay in November. So of course, we hosted a  baby shower tea social with a book theme!

A baby is brewing!

We enjoyed Blueberries for Sal Maple Black Tea in my Blue Willow teacups.

It's a boy!

Left: Deviled eggs

Right: The Stinky Cheese Man and crackers.

Top: If you give a mouse a cookie platter

Bottom: The Velveteen Rabbit Carrot Nut Cake (this was a hit!)

The bunny representation was strong!

This wasn't the first book-themed baby shower that I organized. 

Click here to see pics from the 2015 shower.

Pumpkin Juice Chai by Geek+Tea

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends!

My family celebrated Thanksgiving a week early when my brother (who lives in a different province) was in town. So the actual holiday long weekend was pretty low-key.

Geek+Tea is a local tea company that sells organic tea with fun names inspired by fandom of sci-fi shows or movies. I was excited to try their pumpkin juice chai because the blend contains real pumpkin pieces and seeds!

The tea was a nice balance of sweet and spicey. I look forward to trying it as a latte!

"Well, what do you expect? Pumpkin Juice?!?"
(From: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)

The Peddlar in Paris

Back in August, I visited The Peddlar tea and gift shop in Paris, Ontario.

The shop offered a wide selection of teas and teawares.

The wall of loose leaf teas!

 Packaged teas and whimsical tea accessories were also available.

I managed to restrain myself to purchasing only 3 teas.

This is the Paris tea blend. It smelled sooo good!

This delicious tea blend was like a Cream Earl Grey with a hint of fruity flavours.