Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Things that make me happy (Tea Tuesday)

Today my tea is Gold Rush. It makes me happy that I can enjoy it with Kimmie from Art in Red Wagons, whose sidebar has links to all the other wonderful players I've gotten to know over these past several months. This light and fruity tea is full of the natural goodness of elderberries, red sandalwood, and orange flowers. It is great cold, but today I'll be drinking it hot.

It also makes me happy that you can see photos in their entirety on my blog today because I imported them from my computer, although I admit I was happy to receive several positive comments on the larger photos from yesterday and Sunday.

A long time ago (OK, back in the early 80s), I decided to design my first kitchen. It would be white with copper and blue accents. Not just any blue, but dark blue. Sound familiar? That was another century, a different city, and a huge and spacious farmhouse style kitchen. It was also a time when blue kitchen accessories were not to be found. So to meet my cobalt blue requirements, I had to settle for that enamelware found everywhere in Mexico and at camping stores. I bought every piece I could find, including a coffee pot, ladles, pots, pans, plates, bowls, and lots of silverware.

At that time, I had a red Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the rarest color of the breed. I also had a Russian Blue cat that was gray. I bought these Taylor and Ng pieces, the only ones I could find in this design because of my cat and dog and their special relationship. I also thought the baskets looked like

my blue enamelware dishes and cups. Fast forward to today, and I've once again got a white kitchen with copper and blue accents, but this time, the blues are cobalt glass, ceramics, china, and such. The enamelware has been retired to shelves and cabinet tops and are now considered "decorations." Today I am putting these pieces to use once again. They still make me smile every time I see or use them.

In case you don't know what these pieces look like, here is a closeup of the mug under a rather harsh early morning light bulb. Well, the water is boiling, so I'd better be on my way. Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to let me know what makes you happy today.

Today's blog was, according to Cha Dao, one of the first tea blogs, having just celebrated their 5th anniversary. Most of the tea discussed is from the Pacific Asia area, although there is also reference to tea in general, such as the one on prices of tea, or the one on Starbucks introducing their Argo tea to China. However, there are also some fabulous tea reviews, many of which I've never heard of. Although the posts are few and far between, they are all informative and thought provoking. I hope you take a moment to enjoy Cha Dao along with your tea today.

16 thoughtful remarks:

Healing Woman said...

The Gold Rush tea sounds so wonderful. Perfect for a beautiful crisp fall day, which is what I am having here in Roanoke, Va...and that is what makes me happy today. Thanks for asking.

Love the copper pot holder~

Steph said...

Happy T Dear E!!! I've been missing you in the midst of my busy schedule...I'll need to catch up...take care!

Yvonne said...

That's a new tea for me. Trying new things makes me happy and a nice way to savor the day. :) Enjoyed having tea with you.

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Hi Elizabeth, the tea sounds delicious :-) Love those copper pieces you have and the mug.
What makes me happy today is the sun is shining and it's very mild out - Yippee! Also just been to a fabulous wonderland of a fabric mill shop with a friend who though she's lived locally for many years had never heard of the shop till I told her about it; as it is kind of out of the way, not somewhere you would happen to drive past.
Anne xx

Terri Kahrs said...

Cobalt blue is one of my favorite colors, Elizabeth! There's something about that special shade of blue that's mysterious and wonderful - it's a "feel good" color!!!! Happy Tea Tuesday! Hugs, Terri xoxox

elle said...

Great colour combo. I could use one of those blue enameled mugs as I work in the yard on yet another sunny day. No rest for the ... ;)

Caterina Giglio said...

happy T on tuesday E!! and you are having HOT tea!! woohoo! this must mean the weather is cooler for you!! sending hugs!!

Lynn Cohen said...

How nice to have a bloggroup for enjoying tea time together!!!

Unknown said...

Gold Rush tea sounds so yummy - and you've chosen a perfect mug to enjoy it from. Now all you need is a wagon train and a campfire! Cobalt blue in the kitchen is my very favorite color! You's see some of it in my post today! Great minds and all that jazz ;)

Salutations and Happy Tea today! Kimmie

Anonymous said...

Love your kitchen accessories and color choices! The pictures and the tea made me smile! Happy tea and week to you!Christen

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh that blue enamel ware makes me happy today. And being at home enjoying a nice cup of 'builder's tea' with my lovelies after a long and rather vexing day at work. Both make me happy, so I guess tea is a great thing indeed!

Gayle Price said...

I love your blue enamel mugs ! I know they keep your tea hot for ages as well. We have a Russian Blue cat ; his name is Scud as in the 'seek and destroy missile'.

Debrina said...

Oooo gimme some of that tea, Elizabeth! Sounds divine!!!

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings Elizabeth and Bleubeard,

Every time dad reads about 'Tea on Tuesday' he looks at his cup as it is always the same tea. Though he likes different teas, he is rather set in his way but open to new ideas, especially for my blog.

He has been thinking of creating a regular event that takes place on Sundays so not to compete with Kimmie's events.

Stay tune as I know he's working on the details.

Wishing you a wonderful day,
Miss Kitty and Egmont (dad)

Donna: said...

I have one enamel cup,it is white and chipped. BUT having said that, would not trade it away. It is not for drinking however, just for looks, and put things in. :) Still makes me happy.

BadPenny said...

cobalt blue & enamel reminds me of those white enamel mugs with the blue rim. We had this set for camping in the 70s - tea tasted so strange in them !