Look Who's 3!

On January 6th, my little blog turned 3!

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Let's celebrate my 3-year blogiversary with a tea party!

I'm using this whimsical tea set that I recently received as Christmas gifts from friends. 

I love the tea-riffic text on the teapot and mugs.

This charming "Drink Me" teapot is giving serious Alice in Wonderland vibes.

 TEA is instant wisdom.

HUG in a cup.

HIT me with your best pot.

HELLO, is it TEA you're looking for?

Blogging has enriched my life in ways that I never imagined.
To thank you all for your amazing support over the last 3 years, I'm hosting a giveway!

2018 Giveaway Prizes

The giveaway winner will receive:

1) "Drop It Like It's Hot"  mug by Drake General Store;

 2) Teabag silicon infuser;

3) Some tea samples and other surprise items

Eligibility: 

Due to high postage costs, the giveaway is only open to residents of Canada and U.S. (sorry!)

How to enter: 

Drop an "Enter Me" comment and a way for me to contact you below.

Entry Deadline: 

5:00 pm EST on Sunday, January 14, 2018

The winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on: 

Monday, January 15, 2018

If the winner doesn't contact me within 48 hours, a new name will be drawn.

Good luck everyone!!!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

First Tea of 2018

Happy New Year!

2018 slogan: We Drink Tea

This cute teacup clock was a Christmas gift that came all the way from Scotland.

My first cup of tea in 2018 was...

"Joy" by Teavana

One of my goals this year is to find joy in the simple things.

Screenshot from Mariah Carey's Twitter

My first laugh of 2018: Mariah Carey's hilarious request for hot tea during her NYE performance in sub-zero temperatures at Times Square.  As fellow tea drinkers, we can relate to her reaction:

“I was told there would be hot tea. Oh, it’s a disaster!”

Click here to watch the 10-second video clip.

What are your tea goals for 2018?

This week, I'm joining the parties:

    Friends Sharing Tea

  Tuesday Cuppa Tea

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

2017 Tea-Themed Christmas Tree

I like to put up my Christmas decorations by late November so that I can maximize my enjoyment of the festive decor.

It took HOURS to put up my tea-themed tree...

...but it was so worth it!!!
The new additions to the 2017 tree are featured below.

I purchased the Hallmark "Tea Time! Santa and Bag" and "A Spot of Tea Mini Fairy Teapot" ornaments at the Boxing Week sales after last Christmas.

This checkered teacup is almost as big as a real teacup.

Cute ornaments that I found at the thrift stores and church sales this year.

Every year, I admire the Blue Delft teapot and teacup ornaments at The Dutch Mill Country Market and wait to no avail for them to go on sale after Christmas. So this year, I decided to purchase them (at regular price) before they sold out for the umpteenth time.

These teapots are actually oil diffuser ornaments.

I commissioned a local stained glass artist to make this adorable stained glass teapot in turquoise.

Last Christmas, I was gifted this children's ladybug tea set which I converted into ornaments.

My godson gifted me this miniature dragon tea set this Christmas.
Daenerys Targaryen would approve!

These dainty demitasse tea sets only cost $1 each at the thrift store so I snatched them up and turned them into ornaments.

 I used my Indigo gift card to purchase these mini mug ornaments. I think they're supposed to be hot cocoa, but I really liked what the mugs say so I'll pretend they're tea mugs!

Left: Mint green mug that says, "Snug & Cozy"

Right: Rose pink mug that says, "Eat, drink and be amazing"

Do you have any tea-themed ornaments?

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