T Stands For PaTrioTism

Welcome to patriotic tea.  Actually, I took these photos last Friday, the 13th, one day before Flag Day.  I always leave them until July 5th, when I return them to their box in the basement.  I used to have more, but they only last so many years before they are no longer usable.

Please ignore the shape of my walk and driveway, but we've had storms every day for the past eight days, except today.  At first, I'd go out and clean the messes, then the winds and rain would come, and I'd have another mess to clean up.  I think I'll give up until we get out of this rainy pattern we've been stuck in for many days.  I'm not complaining, though, because it's been so hot and dry here, the rain is a welcome reprieve.   I suspect I should apologize for the shape of my porch, too, but I'm making an assemblage, and it's easier to leave the bigger pieces outside where they will need to be assembled.

But you didn't come to read about my weather or the state of my porch, but rather to see that I've made some loose leaf Alishan Oolong tea that I picked up at The Spice Merchant a couple of years ago.  I hope these teas have a long shelf (actually refrigerator) life, because I'm no closer to finishing them than I was two years ago.   You might even be able to see some of the leaves the strainer missed.

The view from my porch shows my patriotism is showing, even as the wind whips these flags around..

I even have a small one I place in my rusty copper house I use to decorate my front porch during the summer months.

So how will you celebrate T this Tuesday?  Will it be with art, scrapbooking, journaling, teapots, a funky movie that's drink related, a cup of coffee, glass of wine, a poem, or even TEA?  As long as you can relate your post back in some way to a drink, even if you were out and about, please link below and we'll be by to visit.