Come along inside for a warm cup of tea.  I’ve learnt over the years to appreciate the little moments. Time spent with the family on an uneventful weekend for example.  Or time spent with a friend over quiet conversation on a weekday.  Moments such as these become extra special when accompanied by a warm cup of tea. So come along inside for a warm cup of tea.

Tea with the Family

On a slow Sunday, it’s such a treat to bring the whole family together for afternoon tea.  This simple act of being together as a family over tea can feel positively luxurious when care is taken to present the most ordinary of foods in special ways. The best way to turn afternoon tea into a special family experience is to get the entire family involved.  In our case, Rani enjoys making cheese platters and she is very good at it too, so she ends up being responsible for making a beautiful cheese tray. Anjali likes to make tea; she likes going through my teapots and tea cups to pick just the right ones that will show off a delicious brew. Kids may even warm up a few frozen pastries and savories while Hitesh and I just relax and let the kids direct the show 😊.  Somehow, magically just placing simple foods on lovely plates transforms them into delicacies. Hanging out with family on a lazy Sunday afternoon becomes truly memorable when accompanied by delicious food and a good cup of tea ☕️🤗.

If Teacups Could Talk

“The very act of preparing and serving tea encourages conversation.
The little spaces in time created by teatime rituals call out to be filled with conversation. Even the tea itself–warm and comforting-inspires a feeling of relaxation and trust that fosters shared confidences.”
by Emilie Barnes

Tea with a Friend

Many times when I invite a friend for tea, I think, “Why not have a few more friends over? This way I can see all my friends at the same time, and they can see each other too and we can all catch up together“. But what I have come to realize over and over again is that while this is a great idea and everyone has a great time, I never really get to spend quality time with any one friend. I am too busy being a good host and making sure the gathering is going well, that I am rarely having a heartfelt conversation with anyone.

Once in a while, it’s nice to have just a friend or two over. It gives us a wonderful opportunity to delve into deeper discussions than just “How are things?”  I find that when it’s just the two of us or even just the three of us, somehow our conversations are more meaningful, we open up more and discuss topics that we may not share in a larger gathering. There is something about afternoon tea that evokes a sense of calm, and this is especially true when we are sharing that tea with a friend or two.

This small tea with a couple of friends does not have to be elaborate in any way.  Just a few biscuits, some cheese and crackers, and fresh fruit are all one needs to make this tea feel relaxed yet extravagant, both at the same time.

A Loving Recipe for a Perfect Cup of Tea

“One Willing friend who loves to sit and share.
One Grateful heart to have a friend that cares.
One Beautiful garden to show us God is near.
Many wonderful memories of times shared throughout the years.
Lots of smiles and laughter to brighten up our days.
Many prayers that we prayed for each other along the way.
I’m so blessed to have a friend like you to share in everything I do.
For one special friend sharing a special cup of tea truly makes this a perfect recipe.”     ~Anonymous

Tea warms us up no matter where we are.

While in San Francisco one weekend, we dropped by the Tea Shop at the Zen Center at Fort Baker and had a cup of delicious warm lavender oolong tea and Moroccan mint tea sweetened with a dash of local honey.

Warm tea on a gorgeous sunny day in San Francisco.  What’s not to like about that? It was positively heavenly! Tea warms us up no matter where we are and no matter whom we share it with 🤗☕️.

Meanwhile Let Us Have a Sip of Tea

“Meanwhile, let us have a sip of tea.
The afternoon glow is brightening the bamboos,
the fountains are bubbling with delight,
the soughing of the pines is heard in our kettle.
Let us dream of evanescence,
and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things.”
by Okakura Kakuzo

Easy ways to make afternoon tea special.

• Pick up some cookies from the grocery store, they come in the most fanciful flavors and are extremely affordable.
• Grapes and berries for fresh fruit, and some olives and roasted nuts too.
• Sprinkle something savory. Purchase hummus and crackers, or cheese and crackers. Or whip up something quick and easy like these delectable savories Rani’s Goat Cheese on Cracker   Simple Quesadilla   Feta Cheese Brochette   Caprese Salad with Olives & Savory Jam
• Bake a cake. To make teatime extra special, go ahead and bake a cake. It gives us a chance to make something extravagant to share.
• Add a warm cup of tea.
• Put the above ingredients together for the perfect teatime with friends and family

“Come along inside….
We’ll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place.”
from The Wind in the Willows

The Beauty of Tea.

Warm tea served in lovely teacups warms the body and soul and calms us down in luxurious ways.

The Way of Tea
From Chio Jen (Tang Dynasty)

“A friend presented me
With tender leaves of Oolong tea,
For which I chose a kettle
Of ivory-mounted gold,
A mixing-bowl of snow-white earth.
With its clear bright froth and fragrance,
It was like the nectar of Immortals.
The first bowl washed the cobwebs from my mind –
The whole world seemed to sparkle.
A second cleansed my spirit
Like purifying showers of rain,
A third and I was one of the Immortals –
What need now for austerities
To purge our human sorrows?
Worldly people, by going in for wine,
Sadly deceive themselves.
For now I know the Way of Tea is real.”

All poetry from Gardenpartyteas  & Chinese Tea Poetry.

A delicious cup of tea over relaxing conversation is one of life’s simple pleasures.

Take a look at these recipes for a few delicious homemade teas.

Chai. Indian spiced tea
Mint Cardamom Ginger Tea
Genmaicha. Green tea with toasted brown rice
Fresh ginger honey black tea
Moroccan Mint Tea
Fresh herbs herbal tea
Kashayam. A soothing Ayurvedic herbal tea

Come along inside for a warm cup of tea ☕️. 

Wishing those who celebrate it a Very Happy Lunar New Year!