The Fowler Museum of UCLA will be featuring numerous art objects, antiques, and items that creates a collection of tea related items that span continents and centuries. The dates for this showing are August 16 through November 29, 2009. Aptly named, Steeped in History:The Art of Tea, this exhibition is being sponsored by many organizations including the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Being an antique freak, artist, interested in cultures, and a tea drinker I am so tempted to figure out a way to get to this exhibit. It seems to be a whole vacation for me, all rolled into one. If you live nearby you should try to get this on your calendar. Some of the events will be targeted at children as well as adults so it is a great way to introduce the art of tea to your family.

There will be special events in addition to the exhibition so keep an eye on the Fowler Museum website to find out more.

image: used by permission, Fowler Museum.

Post from: Kettle and Cup

Seriously sad news.

Anyway.  Teatulia is an amazing company.  I know, you get that.  What you can’t possibly understand is how really, really good these teas are.

The black tea is my favorite of the three I tried.  I didn’t get to sample the more exotic tea, just basic green, white, and black.  I am usually not that much of a black tea drinker but seriously, this has changed my mind.

Teatulia black tea is peppery and smooth.  Nice dark liquor in the cup.  Sweet, deep tea aroma with a fresh topnote.  Think of black silk.  If it was a tea it would be Teatulia Black.

This is a luxurious tea, one to be savored on the perfect afternoon, or to create the perfect afternoon out of the worst day ever.  I have had a few of the latter lately so I went through my stash pretty quickly.

Love it.  Even if you don;t like black tea at least try this one.  I think you will be more than pleasantly surprised.

images:(c)marye audet 2009 all rights reserved

Post from: Kettle and Cup

Starbucks seems to be grasping at anything that will keep it afloat.

I never like to see  a company do too many changes all at once.  It always reminds me of what insecure teen age girls do when they experience their first break up.  Anyway… Starbucks is going to be adding more tea items to the menu and expanding all things tea at the stores.

Once again I have to lament the lack of choice in the coffeehouse industry in my area.  It could be sour grapes (or coffee beans for that matter) on my part since our own shop closed…but having the choice of 6 or more Starbucks within a 10 mile radius is a little much, and it rather monopolizes the area.

Plus, to me, the dynamics of a coffee house and tea shop are different. A coffee house seems artsy, contemporary, upbeat…while a tea shop seems romantic, relaxing, and laid back.  To try to morph the two? Hmm…

I don’t think they are trying to do a proper tea.  I imagine they are hoping to be versatile enough to pick up a wide range of people.  Again, I just wonder if they are trying too hard right now.

image:Marye Audet

Post from: Kettle and Cup

With so much emphasis put on the slow food movement and eating locally, and I can tell you that I am a firm believer in that, is it possible to cafeinate locally when you live somewhere other than a coffee growing area?  How about tea?

I am really curious about this.

I mean, is this an area where we just ride on our laurels as far as the trade off?  “Oh, I raise my own chickens and goats, so that offsets the coffee I buy from Indonesia”.

Let’s face it, even getting green beans is going to mean that those beans are imported from far away places and the footprint they live might not be the size of Maxwell House but it is going to be pretty big.

The other option is to, of course, not drink it.

That seems sort of radical to me.  I am not sure that global warming concerns me enough to stop drinking coffee.  Just being honest, here.

If you buy organically grown, fairly traded coffee is there really more that you can do to make the earth a better place, short of, you know, the unthinkable?  Coffee Celibacy?

Thoughts?

image:morguefile

Post from: Kettle and Cup

I am seriously going ot have to start ordering coffee since I think I have gone through all of the Starbucks coffees.  It stinks that I can’t pick up coffee locally because it makes it so much easier…I am sort of spontanious (read that unorganize) so it is hard with my time constraints to hunt down coffees.  Anyway..Just for you.I tried the Komodo Dragon Blend, from Indonesian grown beans.

Starbucks describes it as “earthy, herbal, and spicy.”

How do I describe it? Hmmm…

Have you ever bit into the white part of a grapefruit?  It has that bitter taste that makes the sides of your tongue feel numb.  I did not taste spice at all.

It is a bold roast, but has none of the complexity of the Kenya.  The acrid bitterness stays on your tongue long after you have swallowed the coffee and cream and sugar only intensifies the experience.

Nope.  I didn’t like it.   I can’t find anything redeeming about it except that it is hot and caffeinated…Buy this one at your own risk.

Image:Starbucks

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There is nothing nicer than a chilly day; snow softly falling, fire crackling, and the cat purring in your quilt covered lap as you sip a cup of coffee or tea, nibble on a scone and take in the quiet of a dusky winter’s afternoon.

Not that it is often like that in real life.  So, just for you, the Kettle and Cup Holiday Gift Guide..think of it as a mini vacation in a Currier and Ives print. A mini vacation where you find the perfect gift for a loved one, or the perfect gift for yourself…or.you just enjoy a cyber moment by those glowing embers as you pour yourself one more cup of tea….

Stop by Baking Delights and take a look at some of my favorite things… kick back and browse this years Holiday Gift Guide Shopping Extravaganza.

Cherie from Career and Kids has the perfect list for the business woman/working parent.

Mary Emma from One Book Two Book shares a suggest shopping list for the avid reader and artist on your list.

Everyone knows what to get a jewelry lover – but do you know what to get one who loves to make jewelry? Cyndi at Jewelry and Beading has the answer!

Cherie at Diabetes Notes shares gift ideas

to keep those visions of sugar plum fairies dancing for the diabetics on your list.

Chloe at The Doggy Blog shares an adorable wish list as written to Santa Paws.

Christine at Mad Cropper knows how to please those who are crazy about scrapbooking during the holiday season.

Quilters anyone? This unique craft makes for the tougher shopping experience – but that’s so yesterday considering we have a pro in our corner. Let Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork help you pick out the perfect gift.

Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3 provides a list of gifts for the breastfeeding mother on your list.

So maybe giving kitchen appliances isn’t the best idea – but what about a cool and unique Cooking Gadget? I’d say your bound to surprise the cook on your list with something from Cyndi’s list.

Peggy at Lively Women has put together a list of gift ideas for the health conscious female on your list.

Christine at Our One Heart shares tips and gift ideas to keep that Bride-to-Be happy during the Christmas season.

Tracee at BlogFabulous has put together an amazing store displaying gift ideas for the woman’s woman.

Christmas is for everyone and shopping for an Alzheimer’s patients can present a challenge – allow Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes helps you overcome that challenge and get on to the joys of the season.

Have someone who might be looking to become a little more organized in the new year? Let Jennifer at Declutter It help you give the gift of time and organization.

Do you have a fabric-aholic or a needlehead on your Christmas list? Don’t get them the same old boring sing-song gift – let Chloe at Tangled Thread help you pick the perfect gift.

Unique gift ideas for the mixed media art lover on your list is what Cyndi from Layers Upon Layers has on display.

Have an aspiring to advanced chef on your list this year? Cyndi at Busy Family Meals has an extensive list to cover every stage of cooking from beginner to pro.

Eliza has pieced together a shop that covers mom, dad and baby at Babylune. Why leave anyone out?

Heather at The Food Bowl is taking care of pets and their people with a fun list that’s bound to connect you with the perfect gift.

Did someone say chocolate? Heather at Chocolate Bytes did! Our resident chocolate expert has put together sweetest gift shop you won’t want to miss.

Who says married couples are boring? Check out the letters to Santa as shared by Marc and Marye of Marriage Actually and see what might appeal to the married couple on your list.

Jennifer from Tree Hugging Family provides a wonderful list to help you go a little more green this holiday season.

Don’t forget about that single and dating friend or relative! We all know how difficult it can be to buy for them – Lucky for us we have Dating Dames and the Dames have the answers.

It’s never too early to start buying for your favorite gardener and Linette at Mother Earth’s Garden has a wonderful list to help you decide.

Have someone a little offbeat or kooky on your list this year? Let Jennifer of Offbeat Homes help you find the gift that’s spot on.

Linette at Play Library is haring the Best of Toys list this year – check out what’s hot and get to buying! We know how quick those hot toys sell out every year.

Have someone on your list who always hosts the best parties? Surprise that person with a unique gift as recommended by Linette at She Knows Parties!

Marcie from One Book Two Book and A Child Chosen shares a wonderful shopping list she’s broken down by age groups and hobbies.

Simply Home Remedies Holiday Gift Guide is the Remedy for the sustainable living freak in your midst.

Haven’t figured out just how to shop for the junk lover and crafter on your list? Let Peggy from Junk Creation assist you with your selection.

Susan from Grounded Fitness has a little something for the health and fitness buff on your shopping list.

Liz at Health Bolt offers up a nifty gift idea list for everyone in the family – down to the computer geek.

Just what do you buy someone who’s crazy about genetics? Let our very own Grace Ilbay help you with that one at Genetics and Health

For those on your list who have a taste for wine and cocktails – check out Drinks After Dark and the shop full of gifts that Colleen has compiled that might just add to the element of surprise this year.

Eliza at She Knows Coupons has a fun list of items that will make any couponing mom jump with joy. The only thing that makes a coupon mom more excited than an awesome deal is doing it in an organized fashion.

And last but certainly not least, Gayla has compiled a list of MomGadget Favorites – A Year in Review 2008 instead of a storefront for you to shop.

From all of us at Lifestyles – Health & Wellness

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2009!

Post from: Kettle and Cup

Remember the Terra Nova coffee I got a month or so back?  Well I had an interview with John Brewer, the founder of the company.  It was fascinating!  If you get a chance you can read it at the LoveToKnow site.  I published it today.

And on that subject…check back because I have a pretty interesting interview and giveaway coming up the week after Thanksgiving!

Image:Marye Audet  

Post from: Kettle and Cup

I will admit that I have been wondering when this would happen.  I know that a Dutch company made a coffee based game in the 1980s but I was waiting for an American, full fledged based on Monopoly game.  After all there are Star Wars Monopoly, Simpson’s Monopoly, Marine Corps Monopoly…

It was time, I thought, for a Coffee-opoly.

In Coffee-opoly players purchase favorite coffees and coffee equipment and then have to collect Espresso shots to trade for the Good Buzz.  You can own a small drive through or end up with a big coffee conglomerate like the Bean.

The tokens are:

• Coffee maker
• Coffee cup
• Big smile
• Doughnut
• Coffee sack
• Coffee bean

I love Monopoly..and I am curious about this game…LOL! Has anyone seen it in person or played it?

I may have to order this one.

image:Amazon

Post from: Kettle and Cup

Once again I am posting the same post to all my blogs…

It is 6:51 p.m. and we are back from Waco. It has been an exhausting day, physically, emotionally, and spiritually but we feel that we have had great favor and many answers to prayer.

The hearing went as well as it could have and, while this may not sound like a blessing, Marc had two small but identifiable seizures during the hearing which our representative as well as the officer sitting the board witnessed and noted. The officer was very compassionate toward us and our situation and we are believing that we have victory in this.

It is because of the hundreds of prayers that went up on our behalf. So many of you have commented and emailed to tell us that you were praying. How can I thank you for that huge expression of love? You guys are the best and you know it. Big hugs to all.

It may be several weeks before we hear anything. We have stopped petitioning the Lord for favor and have started rejoicing in the breakthrough that has all ready happened in the Spirit.

Thank you again…BBtN tomorrow. (Blog Back to Normal)

Image:Our Oldest Daughter, Erin Meyers

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I have quite the sweet tooth, anyone who knows me can attest to that. I do happen to like my tea and coffee sweetened with stevia though, so that’s good. Anyway, when I got the Mayan Cocoa Spice home I asked one of the kids to make it for me with my usual amount of stevia.
Bad move.

Mayan Cocoa Spice tea is pretty sweet and when the stevia was added it was really too sweet, at least in the usual amount. Just a touch of sweetener in this one will bring out the chocolate, and ginger flavors. It is very low/no caffeine and I really like it in the evening before bed. Sort of like a hot cup of cocoa..only not.

The first taste is sweet, followed by tea and a touch of acidity. Next the cinnamon opens up and it finishes with a nice bite from the ginger. There is another flavor in there I can’t quite figure out and the print on the box is too small for my eyes. The aroma is more spice than cocoa with a definite ginger scent. I suppose that if you can imagine sitting at the table with a cup of creamy hot cocoa and a gingersnap you would have an idea of what this reminds me of.

It takes milk well, and would make a great tea latte, or whatever they are called. If you are trying to kick a coffee habit this may help. It has the mouth feel of coffee.

Give it a try.. I found it at the grocery store so it is definitely available.

Image: Vaps Cotta, Stockxchnge

Post from: Kettle and Cup