I know, it is way too early for eggnog but tempis fugit, right? Starbucks’s Eggnog Latte is one of the drinks I like and I have been working on a version of one. Now, nearly anyone can make them because you can start with your handy dandy frozen JazzyBird shot if you don’t have an espresso maker! How cool is that?

Do not try to make an Eggnog Latte low cal, please? There are just some things  meant to be high calorie and this is one.

If you didn’t realize it, I am a foodie before I am a coffee-head/tea freak.  Sometimes I forget that many of you only read this blog and have no clue about Baking Delights, which is actually the bigger,more popular blog.  One of the things that doesn’t change is that I like to use coffee and tea in my cooking.

Courtney, who writes Coco Cooks, shared a link to an online magazine that looks wonderful.  In this particular issue all of the recipes centered on desserts made with….tea.  Masala Chai Creme Brulee?  Green Tea Tiramisu?  Wow!
They did look absolutely incredible and I …read more

 
                 Image:(c)Marye Audet2008

I love when the seasons change.  We don’t get much of that here until MAYBE late October..for a week or so…but I have fond and vivid memories of my childhood on the east coast.
In fact one year, Marc (who is from Mass.) and I wistfully watched a lone, dead leaf spin to the ground and Marc quipped, “Look.   Fall!”
But…Like Anne of  Green Gables we can imagine anything we like. Imagining autumn with a tea is a wonderful way to celebrate it, and get yourself in the mood, don’t you think?

 
Well guys, it has happened.  The Starbucks where Marc and I go is closing.  There are no other coffee places here, except another Starbucks with crappy service so I guess our coffee dates are about to take on a new look..I am not sure what thought.

It is getting hot here. Once in awhile it is nice to drink something cold and yummy…
I think this caramel frappuccino is better than the original. Let me know what you think.
The caramel is homemade.  Watch the heavy cream as I have noticed it is harder and harder to find real cream rather than cream with skim milk and lots of additives. Always read labels, even on organics!

Another week…
Memorial Day weekend is always a fun weekend for us. Cookouts, horseshoes, maybe some horseback riding…hawk toss…
You don’t know what hawk tossing is?

 
So….Bubble tea.  Let’s chat.
A few years ago, when I was doing research for the tea room bubble tea was all the rage.  I did offer it on the menu, although in our area it did not do well.  It was, at best, interesting…I did not get addicted to it.
Regardless…bubble tea developed in Taiwan.  School kids would

I was reminded that it is Red Hat Day today by Sandy, at ALL Holiday Cafe. She has some great background on what it is, and the history of it.
So, as any day is a great day for an impromptu tea party, here are some ideas to get you started. Just call your friends, tell them to clear their schedules (yeah, right…) and go have a blast.

For most of my life my idea of Easter brunch has been a chocolate bunny washed down with either Dr. Pepper, or coffee.  Sort of depends on the era, if you know what I mean.  We have rarely attended a church that had the energy to do a sunrise service, anyway.  But, Easter brunch is an elegant way to end a sunrise service, and with make ahead things on the menu, it is really easy

I usually post my recipes at Baking Delights or Apron Strings, saving tea and coffee stuff here. But I really wanted to share these scones here because they could be such an incredible part of your next tea party.
I love the flavor of rose. The tea that I had custom blended and flavored just for me is a rose, lemon, blackberry blend. I just finished doing a rose and almond cake on Baking Delights..I often review rose flavored teas here. There is just something about rose that is yummy, exotic, romantic…and ..well ….yummy.