"PACKAGED TEA "

"PAPER, PAPER" ... Beautiful paper. ....  Presentation is everything in Japan... 

 Look ... 

 at how artfully this  Japanese Sweet is wrapped .

Whatever could  be wrapped so prettily !!!! 

I didn't want to disturb the decorative tissue paper.. Would you ?

 I 'll unwrap carefully and save the lovely  paper for a  paper doll craft or maybe even a card. ( Ha Ha) 

One never knows what's inside a sweet box or paper tissue in this country ... This particular pastry sweet , is a japanese favorite ... 

It's, " OH "  so  gummy and yummy ... with a name,  that I can unfortunately not pronounce nor spell...

basically it's plain  Gelatin.

                          It's a satisfying, local goodie that comes sealed, complete with a small

                                                                       wooden spoon

                                                                               and

 a tiny package of maple syrup, which is probably from Canada.

 This gummy delight is really quite delicious !!!! 

But what's dessert without a nice cup of tea ...

Luckily,  I discovered this set of cups,  just in time for our Tuesday teatime ... 

The butterfly lids were a bonus( hee hee)  ... It will keep the tea warm until you arrive.

Today, the blue and black combination  seemed appropriate since, I'm lagging alittle behind the times, ... Goodness, I better get my make-up on before you come ....

 but I do  need a cup of tea first.

 Hustle, bustle ....  Something quick will fit the bill.  I bought these two packaged teas at the local market, " apple and lemon" ...  Which one would you prefer?

 I'm sure. they're loaded with sugar, but then, maybe, that's what  we all  need to kick start a meandering  day...   A little sugar buzz is quite desirable, every once in a while !!!

There were five tea packets in each bag ... odd numbers seem to be popular here .. everything including sweets and cups come in sets of  fives.

Don't you love this  fabulous wooden tea spoon ..It was a dollar store special  ... The label said , "Chinese teaspoon , manufactured in Japan" ...  ( Ha ha) That was my morning chuckle. 

 It would be a great scoop for loose tea ...  Here in Japan, wooden spoons are used for  just about everything, including tea, soups and for the traditional tea ceremonies...

They come in various shapes and forms.

I'm enjoying the simple use of the utensil to stir my tea ... infact I'm quite attracted to the ' apple ' aroma  wafting through the air. 

This tea smells good to the olfactory nerve... m-m-m-m-m-..

It's almost therapeutic.

                         The pottery is local and affordable ...  There are no particular markings ...
                                               Just the  constant reminder that  it 's teatime.

          I do think it's a user friendly set, that is far too humble, since it's visually lovely and    
                                                    holds one and half cups of tea ...
                  As mentioned the bonus is that it stays hot longer than most  lidded teacups...
                                                                   FABULOUS !!!!!

                            I better put a lid on it ... I mean the tea ... and keep it steeping for you

                                                           Today, is a quiet, pensive  teatime, Ladies ..

                                     The sky is gray, but the birds are singing .. .and there's 
                                                                           NO SNOW . 

                                                                  "COME ON OVER" 

                                                                             RELAX
                                                                     and enjoy a little 
                                                                      DAYDREAM 
                                                                               brew.

" OM " HERE WAITING.