Tuesday, January 17, 2012

" TEA AND HONEY "

" Baby , It's cold outside " ... Br-r-r-r-r-r-r- , Winter has arrived in all it's glory ... Achoo-o-o-So snuggle up with a box of kleenex, your computer and a cup of tea and honey.( sniff sniff) Don't even think about going outside ... especially since it's Teacup Tuesday.

Excitement , excitement, I get to choose my Tuesday Teacup...It doesn't take much to keep me happy... a few posies, a shiny lustre and an odd shape...Yes sireee...Odd has my interest today.

I'm not sure if it's the headcold or the medication but this cup is not round ... It has quite a sassy golden halo on the rim that fools you into thinking it's circular, when actually it's a square rounded off. The best word for this tea duo is delightfully " warped ."( ha ha)

Now which corner should I try to drink from. This Japanese artist got so creative that he /she added a few more extra curves just for dripping and drooling ... never mind the sipping.

The whole design is just plain old fun, infact perfect for a sniffling day. It's a perky little piece of Japanese lustreware that just sort of makes you smile and do silly things like, counting the posies. Yes, there are fifty- five painted roses and daisies !!!!

Time to make the tea !!! Sweet Sakura is a mild flower blend that I used in Japan. It's a lovely light tea ... but today I'd like something a little stronger.
Come on little cup... Straighten up .... Don't lay down on the job ... Let's get creative .
Normally I don't sweeten my tea , however, I found these sweet organic honey spoons in the cupboard.."Yummy" . Honey has been around forever and is known as the nectar of the Gods. In the Bible, the promised Land is referred to as the " land of milk and honey "
Maybe I should make a cup of " Honey Milk Tea"

2 orange pekoe teabags
1 cup boiling water
5 ice cubes
4 tsp. sweetened condensed milk
3 tsp. honey

Directions:
1. Steep the teabag in hot water, until the colour turns dark red( 3-5) minutes/discard teabags and let the tea cool.
2. Combine the ice cubes, sweetened condensed milk, and honey in a glass or shaker. Pour in the tea and mix well. ( If the milk is still warm, the ice will melt; add more ice if desired) This strong flavourful tea is ready for you to enjoy.

On second thought . I think " Honey Lemon Tea" might add a little zest to my palate. It's a sweet and sour tea that my mother used to make for me. You can taste the honey and then the lemon, so pucker up. Yum, yum, yum... It's great for sore throats.

1 cup water
2 tsp honey
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. white sugar, or to taste ( optional)

Directions:
1. Pour hot water into a cup. Add honey and heat in the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Stir in the lemon juice, mixing until honey dissolves, then add sugar if desired.

Delicious flavorful,versatile honey can be used in so many ways. My very, very favourite cold remedy tea is," Ginger Lemon Tea and Honey ".... but BE CAREFUL , this tea has a real bite !!!!

1. Boil water
2. Grate one piece of fresh ginger root
3. Get a thermos ( 1 quart )
4. Put Ginger in thermos.
5. Squeeze half a lemon.
6. Put lemon juice in thermos
7. Add 2 tsp. honey( or to desired sweetness)
8. Pour boiling water into the thermos
9. Cover and let sit for 20-30 minutes
10. Strain and ENJOY.

Now ... Tell me ladies ... Is this cup round or square ?

Tea can be sweetened by a number of different substances, such as sugars, sugar substitutes but honey is my personal favourite. What do you put into your tea? I've heard of people putting crushed garlic into their brew. I think I'll pass on that one...( Ha ha) and just enjoy a cup of chamomile tea with you.
I have just enough time to post this and read a few of your teatime stories in blogland ... before nodding off ... z-z-z-z-z-z .... Thank You for your kind visits, Ladies .... Goodnight and Sweet Dreams !!!!

22 comments:

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Zaa,
Oh, I hope you fell better soon! Tea with honey sounds perfect for the sniffles.
I always take my tea black, sniffles or no. Your cup is unique and I would venture to say that it is a rounded square.
Thank you dear lady for joining me today and I hope the rest of your week finds you feeling well.

Blessings,
Sandi

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi Zaa,
what a charming post you made. I smile around the whole face. What a fun to drink tea with this sweet te cup. It has a lovely outstanding shape and I love the handle as much as the green foot and the flowers. It looks really springy for me and that is what I am waiting for. Thank you, Zaa, for sharing this fun story. I hope you will feel better soon.
Best greetings, Johanna

Anonymous said...

What a fun and sassy teacup you have shared with us today! But, that sweet tea - well - sweet! I have adjusted myself to plain tea - no sweeteners - not even honey. Better for me and it means I can not feel so bad when I sneak a sweet somewhere else . . .
Joy!
Kathy

Zaa said...

Thank You Sandi... A " rounded Square " sounds good to me ( Ha Ha)... It's nice to know that you're on the mend... Bright Blessings

Zaa said...

True Johanna... It does remind me of Spring too... I'm so glad that you are smiling ... Your visit has brightened my day...Thank You ..Hugs

Zaa said...

I hear you Kathryn... Sweet is sweet .. but sneaking a sweet is sweeter..( ha Ha)... I normally drink my tea clear too... Thanks for the " Sweet " visit, Sweet Lady... Hugs

Anonymous said...

Zaa, Love your post & the tea cup & the angels around it. Pat

Zaa said...

Thanks Pat ..Please do come again soon..Hugs

KathyB. said...

Nothing better for a cold than a hot cup of tea ~I love the way you posted about this teacup. It is a very interesting and pretty teacup. Kind of wonky too. I never considered counting the flowers on my cups and saucers.

The honey spoons are a very good idea. I hope the tea and honey have helped you mend, but I think it also helped you be even more creative with your tea time!

Maria Andrade said...

Hi Zaa,
Your tea cup does have a very Japanese look with that tall foot and I find it very beautiful in its originality.
I didn't know about those honey teaspoons, but I usually sweeten my green tea with honey. It is delicious... and healthy too.
Thanks for your visit.
Hugs

Antiques And Teacups said...

Yep...the cold...sniff,sniff...is going around here too! Just had a cup of Decaf White Vanilla tea by Good Earth...really taste's like licorice to me, but...I love your teacup! Rounded square teacups are very fashionable...I have several ladies who collect them. I think the floral on yours is so pretty as well as the shaped saucer. Thanks for joing me for Tuesday Cuppa Tea and lets hope you get the right episode of Downton soon!
Smiles,
Ruth

Zaa said...

Thanks Kathy B... Your visit is so very much appreciated... and counting posies is fun..Try It!!! ..Hugs

Zaa said...

Nice to hear from you Maria... Honey & Green tea sounds delicious...Please do come again for a teatime visit....Bright Blessings

Zaa said...

Hey Ruth ..Ha Ha ... Yes we're a little behind on our " Downton series here... Your teatime chats are so enjoyable... Hugs

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Oh wow! Now that is one gorgeous teacup and saucer. I'd love a spot of tea.

Dee

Zaa said...

Welcome Mark... Thanks for you kind visit... I visited your wonderful blog ... and invite you to visit again soon...Bright Blessings.

Zaa said...

Tea for two .. Anytime Dee.. So glad you popped in for a chat . Please do feel free to look around and visit again...Hugs

Lady Linda said...

Oh I adore the teacup! So pretty and interesting. Love the recipe...wish I had a cup right now.
Thanks,
Linda

Zaa said...

Your welcome anytime Lady Linda...Thanks for your kind visit...Hugs

Unknown said...

that cup is quite something else...I love that pastel green w/ the light pink roses...**deep sigh**thanks for linking it up, see you this week.

Zaa said...

Thanks Trish..It's always nice to hear from you ..Enjoy your teatime...Hugs

Anonymous said...

This cup is beautiful and so delicate that reminds me of a porcelain dool. The shape is awesome and color is so special.
Hugs to your dear Friend.