Written by For today, we have the prompt of “warm” which is ironic because it’s gotten colder and colder here just before spring finally decides to show up next week. So I thought that a cup of tea was something that would bring a little bit of warmth to the day. Growing up in the States, one would see every British character in a television show suggesting a spot of tea as a cure for nearly anything in the world. Just found out that your husband has been cheating on you? How about a spot of tea? Lost all of your money to that horrible swindler that just came into town? Yep… a spot of tea will fix that as well. It was amazing to think that no matter how tragic a situation might be, it only took a bit of tea to set everything right again. But actually, though a warm cup of tea may not truly solve every problem in the world, it can go a really long way to making you feel a bit better during the cold last days of winter. So, yes, I think I will fancy a spot of tea this evening.
Philippe and I end each evening with a cup of herbal tea just before heading off to bed. It’s a lovely little ritual that marks the end of our evening. We found this really cool tall cylindrical glass container to brew it in at Teavana. That’s one of those stores for tea lovers where they sell a variety of loose teas .And after our experience there, we also came home with a tea ball and a special mixture of tea. Our advanced tastes that we suddenly gained that day lasted about a week and we were back to tossing in packets of Celestial Seasonings instead. It does the job wonderfully when you just want your frickin’ tea and don’t want to make a huge fuss about it. Alas, we didn’t become tea snobs after all. Though it does seem like a fun idea to mix your own loose tea concoctions. I’m sure those who managed it are experiencing something lovely that we aren’t, but honestly it’s just too much trouble for a daily sip of a warm drink.
But no matter what version of this beverage we try, as long as it tastes good it seems to have all the wonderful promised effects. It’s a lovely and comforting feeling to sip on a cup of warm tea each evening. The ready-to-go blend in a packet that I love most is hibiscus with a kick of peppermint and citrus, which is dubbed Red Zinger. Maybe I just love the name. But it just makes it super clear that you’re actually drinking something a touch exotic that’s so much more than warm water. Even the smell of the little packets makes me a little happier each time I reach into the box to grab one out. So, later tonight I’ll be firing up the tea kettle and enjoying a cup. It’s been a long day and I’m ready to relax. And if I learned anything at all from watching television all those years, I’ve learned that there’s really nothing else in the world that can solve the day’s problems like a spot of tea.
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There’s nothing quite like a cup of hot tea when coming in from a long walk in the rain, or recuperating from a head cold. I like Ceylon black tea the best, followed by jasmine green. Every now and then Earl Grey hits the spot.
Yum! That sounds perfect! 😃💕 Yeah, a day without tea would be a rather sad day indeed! hehe
lovely! i almost always have a warm beverage next to me. i was at a restaurant recently and a woman asked for a cup of hot water. not for tea, just hot water to drink. it either gives me a second wind or puts me right to sleep, just depends on the day!:-)
Thanks so much! 😃💕 Hmmm… not sure I could be satisfied with just a cup of hot water though! hehe I need my tea!!
i’m with you on that one! 😀
Um, excuse me, you’ve never heard of chicken soup for solving the world’s problems?
Your teacup painting is adorable, but I have a hard time imagining Phillipe or you drinking out of that little thing. Maybe Phineas likes his tea served in it, but I’ve got you and Phillipe pegged for something like a handmade ceramic cup with an Asian flare or mugs with a clever phrase written across them.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Lol Yeah, chicken soup is what my mom prescribed for sure. But with those British television characters I kept getting mixed signals. We actually use these fun glass mugs that we found at Target. hehe… nothing this fancy!
Oh yes a good cuppa tea……..I have just had my early morning one, about to have a second before heading off to work. What a beautiful cup, tea seems to taste so different when served in fine bone china, much like champagne in a flute.
Thanks so much, Rebecca! 😃💕 yeah, I think the tea just tastes a bit better when served this way. Adds a little class! hehe
i don’t think about family much, but this little exchange led me to remember that my dad’s mother had a collection all over their little house of china like this. the last time i saw her, years before she died, she let me choose one. i have it on a high shelf in the kitchen. but i’ll never get rid of it! thanks. 🙂
Awww that’s such a wonderful memory to have! Thanks for sharing that story!! 😃💕
One cup of tea or coffee is the relaxation medicine ….he..he
So true!! 😃💕 Hehe… love them both!
He..he yeah I can totally relate
Ah Charlie, you’ve hit on the absolute essence of Britishness. Where would we be without our teabags and kettles?
hehe… thanks, Michael! 😃💕 Granted, my lessons were from British characters on television. But it seemed such a civilized way to be! 😉
This is an absolutely charming painting. I love tea too. It always makes me feel calmer and more settled when I sit down and drink a cup of tea. The cup and saucer you have depicted reminds me of my Great-Grandmother’s collection of mismatched china cups and saucers which I very much wish I had now.
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 Yeah, mine too! I loved seeing all those mismatched cups and saucers together. It was lovely!
Tea – the nectar of the gods and goddesses?
Red Zinger – ahh what a glorious name and how I love that too – it’s amazing – but unfortunately, we can’t get it anymore in Canada – at least I haven’t had the pleasure of tripping across it for years now. In fact, we can’t find hibiscus tea most anywhere … even in a loose leaf blend. Totally odd, but I’m thinking it might have something to do with horticultural cross contamination/pests etc. Anyhow ….. enjoy your ritual and have a wonderful cuppa – I’ll be drinking it in my mind and memories 🙂
Thanks so much! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, I’m not sure the Zingers cross borders, but it’s really just a spiced up hibiscus tea which I’m sure would be available in some other, perhaps, less silly name. hehe
actually, hibiscus tea is next to impossible to find here …. whereas about 20 -25 years ago – it was readily available …. I’ll just have to keep looking …. and once again, enjoy!
Oh wow… might be a problem with imports then. Oh well… there are lots of other wonderful teas to sample!
yes, indeed …. lots to choose from, but I have to say, there is something special about hibiscus! LOL ….so in the mean time, we raise a cup of something different 😉
hope you have a wonderful day Charlie 🙂
Thanks so much! Hope you have a wonderful day as well! 😃💕
thank you …. off to shovel snow!
Ugh… no fun! Stay warm!!
thanks – staying warm? that would be lovely 😉
done and done – the rest can melt – and so now, we just sit and wait 😉
Yes, I have Sleepytime before bed too. I don’t know if it’s the ritual or the tea, but it’s a good way to end the day. (K)
Yeah, I think so much of it is simply the ritual before bedtime, but it’s wonderful either way! 😃💕
ohh. i love that !
Thanks so much! 😃💕
What a lovely post! I completely agree! Chamomile tea is supposed to be wonderful for anxiety (I can’t say I’m a huge fan, I think it tastes like hay) but any tea is good 🙂
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 LOL… oh my gosh… Chamomile does taste a bit like hay. I’m not a huge fan either!!
This is such a lovely post! I agree completely that little things like a cup of tea can be the most helpful after a long day or an exhausting situation.
Aww thanks so much, Shannie! So happy you agree and enjoyed this post!! 😃💕