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#TeaTuesday White Strawberry
June 20, 2017
— 2 Comments
White Strawberry Tea
This week I want to tell you all about a tea to which I have become very attached. I have been brewing up iced white strawberry tea this summer to beat the band…and the heat. The combination of teas, flowers, fruits and vanilla creates a lovely flavor profile that is complex and delightful in summer. White tea from China is mixed with roiboos tea, apple pieces, blueberries, hibiscus, natural strawberry flavor, strawberries, blue cornflowers, rose petals, and natural vanilla flavor is amazing on the taste buds. If you close your eyes and concentrate you can pick out some of the individual ingredients. The white tea itself has a natural mild melon taste. It is the most subtle of teas, and the least processed. It contains more antioxidants than black or green tea. I adore the flavor of it.
We are suffering in the great southwest from a severe heat wave. We have to drink copiously and frequently to avoid severe health problems. It is the most serious heat streak we have experienced in decades. One must continue to drink water along with the tea of choice to stay in balance. The choice of tea is also important, since caffeine has the effect of dehydrating the system. The white strawberry is an excellent choice since most of the ingredients contain no caffeine. The resulting mix is a beverage very low in caffeine and high in antioxidants and minerals. Roiboos tea is rich in minerals, and contains antiviral and anti inflammatory agents. The berries also provide antioxidants as well as color and flavor. This is a lovely tea to both smell and see before it is brewed. The scent is heavenly, and the flecks of blue cornflower and red rose petals add beautiful accent colors.
I have not tried this tea as a cocktail base, but can imagine a strawberry daiquiri style drink made with it. It would also be great with the addition of a whipped vodka shot, but then what isn’t? I just drink it all day as my go to chiller. I find myself brewing this favorite at least twice a week since the heat became so oppressive. It lifts my spirits, even without any additional spirits. I recommend it. I toast your good health on this first day of summer, gentle reader. Cheers! Stay hydrated, my friends.
white strawberry
#SelfCareSunday Fatherly Advice
June 18, 2017
— 4 Comments
Dick 1945
Dick fishing
My father was a corny guy who had a unique way of expressing himself. He had a PHD in petroleum engineering, but he like to come off as a down home Okie, for reasons known only to himself. He had a few phrases that have stuck in my mind over the years and guided my decisions in his absence. I am sharing them with you today for Father’s Day in hopes that you will see the humor in them and perhaps the wisdom.
My dad was very tall and imposing. He was an excellent musician and dancer, who loved to throw parties and sing. He was socially a pretty charming man. He did not discuss his politics in public, and felt obligated to be friendly, if not close, to all the neighbors. He was born in 1920, raised in Kansas and Oklahoma, at a time when petroleum was booming all around him, to say the least. His father, my grandpa, was a “jar head”, meaning he drilled oil wells with his crew before the invention of the rotary bit (very primitive stuff). My father got his masters in petroleum engineering at Penn State in the 1940’s and his PHD at Texas A&M in 1966. He loved A&M because he was in his element. He became a professor and taught there until he finally retired in 1997. His specialty was numerical modeling of oil fields. Being an Aggie suited him to a T.
His favorite phrase was “Hurry every chance you get.” This is a great example of his personal style. It doesn’t really mean anything, but sends one out into the world with a sense of urgency. He would typically say that on parting to everyone. He would often include, “It’s been great being with you” in his concluding remarks, just before he told them to hurry. It was endearing, and all of his colleagues and friends had heard it hundreds of times. His work crew bought him a desk set and had it engraved with the word hurry. It was too small to hold the entire statement, but everyone knew to what it referred. I don’t have a catch phrase for parting, but sometimes use my dad’s,”It’s been great to be with you”. I only say it if it is true. I never tell people to hurry.
In his parenting he frequently said,”Do as I say, not as I do.” This proved to be the most valuable lesson he engrained in me. He told me never to gamble or speculate on anything that was not a sure thing, as in a fact that already existed, rather than a speculation on the future. He also was firmly opposed to borrowing money, in theory. He then proceeded to gamble and speculate on oil fields (with borrowed funds) because he thought he was so smart. He both made and lost money, but it was stressful for him beyond belief. I could not help but observe that those oil wells were NOT sure things. He made this point clearly by doing what he said I should never do. I have no attraction to gambling or heavy financial speculation, and for this I thank Richard Morse. I remember to do as he said, not as he did, and this has served me well.
What did you learn from your father that stays with you in your life, gentle reader?
#WeekendCoffeeShare Cannabis And Lavender
June 17, 2017
— 11 Comments
Red Rock Lavender Farm
If we were having coffee this weekend I would offer you a large helping of iced tea. The heat is scorching with no end in sight. The heat draws the moisture up from the south to create our monsoon season, but so far there is a tragic lack of moisture. We are baking in the desert. Stay in the air conditioned comfort and drink loads of tea to stay hydrated during your visit. I will send you off on your trip home with fresh watermelon juice, which I find is the most cooling beverage in the world. Relax and tell me about your week. Did your writing go well? How about life?
If we were guzzling iced tea together I would tell you how much fun I am having at my new job. I am now licensed as a dispensary agent by the state of Arizona. I work at a medical marijuana grow harvesting and trimming weed. I only work 12 hours a week in that capacity, but I am developing new ways to serve the patients. I want to create a cannabis catering department as well as an excursion department. I am new at this business, but have lots of experience in the travel industry. I believe the patients are a perfect group of people to put on a party bus for short trips.
The best part of my job is getting to know all my new colleagues. They know a lot about cannabis, but I have miles to go before I will understand all the various new concentrates being made, and the various strains being cultivated. I learn every time I go to work for my four hour shifts. It is surprising to me how much finesse is required to trim buds. Each variety has different qualities and must be handled differently. It takes focus, but we can still chat and listen to music as we work. The people with whom I work are very good natured (as you might expect). I plan to feature short educational segments on Wednesdays, #WeedWednesdays, featuring our expert grower. There is endless information as well as interest in this subject.
Cannabis
Big Farma
If we were on our third glass of iced tea by now I would tell you about our plan to escape to the White Mountains of Arizona next weekend. We are going to a lavender festival near the town of Snowflake. Just saying the word Snowflake is pretty exciting when it is 115 outside. We will drive up on Friday and stay in Show Low, AZ. On Saturday we will attend the Lavender Festival at Red Rock Farms. This event promises to be the exact opposite of burning up in the heat. We will romp through the fields of lavender on a pick your own adventure, then attend cooking demos and wine tastings at the farm. I can’t wait!!!! Saturday night we will check in to an historical bed and breakfast downtown Snowflake, which I will also like a lot. We have to drive home on Sunday, but we can linger in the mountains on the way back. We need to make the most of our “cool down” because the following week will be a furnace down here.
Thanks for joining me today. Use sunscreen on the way to your vehicle. You would not believe how quickly you can be burned to a crisp. Please visit our hostess Emily at Nerd in the Brain for more coffee shares. This movable feast takes place every weekend. Join us to read, comment, or submit your own digital beverage post.
#WritePhoto Twilight Enchantment
June 15, 2017
— 3 Comments
twilight
Day slips silently into night under a blanket of secrecy
Vallies obscured by clouds are inhabited by shadow creatures
Existing as foggy, sketchy, floating colors and shapes
Without a grounding influence or organizing principle
When the sun sets they arise to do emotional damage
To the unsuspecting addicted souls who hover just above
In hypnotic trances induced by the pressure of life and love
Don’t stare into the sunset, or let your mind drift and shift
If you seek perspective and wisdom stay alert until the fog lifts.
#writephoto
This poem is written in response to this week’s photo prompt on Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. She shares an excellent photo each Thursday for interpretation by anyone who cares to write a pice of fiction of poetry. Please join us to read, write, or comment.
#TeaTuesday Insanitea
June 13, 2017
— 1 Comment
Insanitea
Insanitea service
Insanitea in strawberry teabagI received a sampler box of tea from my Australian friend. She had previously brought me seasonings from the Outback which were a big hit here at our house. The Clean Tea Company is located in New South Wales, Australia. They produce local organic tea blends, and chocolate-tea blends, as well as chocolate candy. My tea sampler came with a very cute reusable teabag in the shape of a strawberry that makes the whole service fancy with easy clean up. The ingredients are combined to make a wide variety of special beverages:
Clean Tea menuI am brewing up some extra energy in my teapot today because I have many physical chores to do. Insanitea claims to be “like Red Bull but without the nasties”. I am not a Red But fan, but I could really use some wings today to help me finish all I have to do. The blend contains green tea, yerba mate, peppermint, ginger, licorice, guarana, goji berry, and stevia. I dislike licorice intensely, but the overall taste of the blend is not very heavy on that flavor. I am enjoying drinking it. There is enough peppermint to mask the other strong tastes. The tea is designed to be high in caffeine and natural stimulants. I feel a little lift after a couple of small cups. I will let you know, gentle readers, if I acquire wings after a few more.
cuppa insaniteaI think sampling tea from other places is a wonderful way to visit with your senses. I think fondly of my friend Christine with each sip. Thank you for such a thoughtful and mind expanding gift.
Degory Preist, Thirteenth Great-Grandfather
June 12, 2017
— 2 Comments
Mayflower Compact
My 13th great-grandfather was a hatter who sailed to America on the Mayflower, but did not survive the first winter. His wife and children came to Plymouth in 1623 to take over his allotment in the colony.
Degory Priest was one of the Pilgrim passengers on the Mayflower in 1620. His wife, Sarah Allerton, and children Mary and Sarah stayed behind in Holland in Leiden where some of the Pilgrims had moved to escape religious persecution in England. He died during that first desperate winter in Plymouth. His wife and children came to North America on the Anne in 1623. At least one of his grandchildren was an early resident of Nantucket Island. Alternate spellings of his name are “Gregory”, “Degorie”, or “Digorie” Priest. Sarah Allerton’s brother Isaac Allerton and his family were also passengers on the Mayflower.
Degory and Sarah have many notable descendants including Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Maria Mitchell, Pete Seeger, Richard Gere, Dick Van Dyke, and Orson Scott Card.
Degory PRIEST (1579 – 1621)
13th great-grandfather
Mary Priest (1613 – 1689)
daughter of Degory PRIEST
Daniel Pratt (1640 – 1680)
son of Mary Priest
Henry Pratt (1658 – 1745)
son of Daniel Pratt
Esther Pratt (1680 – 1740)
daughter of Henry Pratt
Deborah Baynard (1720 – 1791)
daughter of Esther Pratt
Mary Horney (1741 – 1775)
daughter of Deborah Baynard
Esther Harris (1764 – 1838)
daughter of Mary Horney
John H Wright (1803 – 1850)
son of Esther Harris
Mary Wright (1816 – 1873)
daughter of John H Wright
Emiline P Nicholls (1837 – )
daughter of Mary Wright
Harriet Peterson (1856 – 1933)
daughter of Emiline P Nicholls
Sarah Helena Byrne (1878 – 1962)
daughter of Harriet Peterson
Olga Fern Scott (1897 – 1968)
daughter of Sarah Helena Byrne
Richard Arden Morse (1920 – 2004)
son of Olga Fern Scott
Pamela Morse
I am the daughter of Richard Arden Morse
Degory Priest deposed that he was 40 years old in a document signed in Leiden in April 1619; this would place his birth at about 1579 in England. On 4 November 1611, he was married to Sarah (Allerton) Vincent, the widow of John Vincent, and the sister of Mayflower passenger Isaac Allerton; Isaac Allerton was married to his wife Mary Norris on the same date.
It has been suggested that Degory Priest of the Mayflower may have been the Degorius Prust, baptized 11 August 1582 in Hartland, Devon, England, the son of Peter Prust. However, given that the baptism appears to be about 3 years too late, and the fact that none of the Leiden Separatists are known to have come from Devonshire, I doubt this baptism belongs to the Mayflower passenger. Degory Priest was one of the earliest to have arrived in Leiden, so it is more reasonable to suspect he is from the Nottinghamshire/Yorkshire region, the Sandwich/Canterbury region, the London/Middlesex region, or the Norfolk region: all of the early Separatists in Leiden appear to have come from one of these centers.
Degory and wife Sarah had two children, Mary and Sarah. Degory came alone on the Mayflower, planning to bring wife and children later after the colony was better established. His death the first winter ended those plans. His wife remarried to Godbert Godbertson in Leiden, and they had a son Samuel together. Godbert, his wife Sarah, their son Samuel, and his step-children Mary and Sarah Priest all came on the ship Anne to Plymouth in 1623.
Mayflower Compact
#SelfCareSunday Solstice Synesthesia
June 11, 2017
— 3 Comments
Solstice
Solstice
In ancient times the calendar and the clock were primary ways to communicate to the population. Holidays, and the Sabbath every week, were commemorated and acknowledged. Today we have less formally structured time, and many of us work on weekends. Sunday was dedicated to the sun once upon a time, and the solstice twice a year was viewed as significant. The marking of midsummer in agricultural societies was a celebration of bounty and fertility. Working the land in harmony with the stars and planets was a tradition that included observance of the astronomical events in the heavens. After the solstice the sun begins the journey back to the other hemisphere. The days will become shorter, just as now they are increasing.
Solstice will occur on a Wednesday in 2017, so I am making a few preparations to be ready in my heart and in my home for a new season. My celebration will involve synesthesia of colors, sounds, and flavors of this season. I am creating special menus for the week that feature the foods and drinks that spotlight summer. Grilled veggies and picnic style presentation remind me of my childhood. Seasonal cocktails make the adult party complete. I will be working up this party theme for the next 10 days, so I have time to find the best seasonal fruits on the market. The full strawberry moon has just passed, but the strawberries are in full swing. Berries and stone fruits like peaches, apricots and nectarines are both visual beauties and very tasty additions to any summer table. I like to eat berries straight up, but will probably make a shortcake to elevate the dessert factor.
I have been switching out my wardrobe and bed linens for the season, choosing lighter, brighter colors. It feels good to me to put all my winter clothing away to make space for what works now. I hope to complete this chore today, which will make me feel accomplished. I will reward myself with a long lavender scented epsom salts bath when those sweaters and jackets are all packed and stored until I need them next fall. I am listening to new music, trying new sounds as background. I think Baroque music just sounds like this time of year….it is zippy, light, bright, and happy. I have been listening and dancing around my house in anticipation of a harvest of happy times in 2017.
Synesthesia is the fusion of the senses. Sight, sound, taste, feel, and scent are purposely brought together to create a strong sensory impression. How will you prepare for your own midsummer’s night? I invite you to join me in a sensuous and pleasurable gratitude party.
#WeekendCoffeeShare Iced Tea Day
June 10, 2017
— 3 Comments
If we were having coffee today I would urge you to celebrate National Iced Tea Day with me. I know the national days can really be a bit much, but this one is a winner. I have so many iced teas from which you can choose. I personally am very hung up on White Strawberry alternating that with Peppermint Butler iced tea. I love the refreshing zip of each of these. The white strawberry has a fruity and light taste that is good to guzzle on hot days like this. The Peppermint Butler has real candy canes in the mix, so it delivers a wonderful minty punch that feels like a cool (brief) breeze. Please have a seat while I prepare a couple of unbreakable pitchers of iced tea to take with us to the pool.
black passionfruit sun tea
We are meeting again this week in the pool at my condo village. The sun is scorching and the pavement will burn your feet, so take a dip to chill yourself before we drink tea and exchange stories. I want to hear about your writing projects and your life. I hope both are going well. I know some of you are working on novels and longer works of fiction. I also tip my hat to those of you who write micro fiction, which is mighty hard to do well. I try it a bit in response to Sue Vincent’s weekly photo prompt. This week I wrote a poetic verse that did not rhyme, but once again touched on dystopia and doom. There is a pattern, and it has nothing to do with Sue’s pictures. I do notice some others with depressing responses, so maybe it is a way to deal with our world politics. On a lighter note, I am having a good time writing weekly tea reviews, which are completely apolitical. In fact, I think tea and coffee parties are a wonderful way to take a break from the current situation while just savoring the moment. My Tuesdays are dedicated to tea and all the wonders and benefits of drinking it, until further notice. I include the offer from Adagio above in case you want to chill your belly and chill your emotions at the same time. Camomile is a sedative and calming tea, being offered free with any purchase made today.
I will skip world politics, since it is being covered everywhere. I just want to say the Mike Bloomberg has proven to be my hero, which I would not have suspected. His personal financial support for the Paris Accord makes a fabulous point….We CAN do it. I think people will step up all over the world in response to repression of science, so maybe it is not the worst thing to have these obstructionist crazies on board. They expose the terrible status quo. I remain optimistic.
Here in Tucson I am making salsa today with the fresh produce haul I procured this morning. I am roasting tomatoes and Poblano chiles for use all week. The house and the back yard smell like chiles, which does stimulate my appetite. When we return from the pool let me make you a couple of tacos with this smoky goodness. I like to roast the veggies and use them in many ways later in the week. I have been on a vichyssoise kick, and have found all kinds of cold creamy potato soups. So far I have done them with asparagus, and with corn, and a classic potato slightly flavored with one jalapeño. The variations are endless, so I am experimenting with all kinds. I think the Poblano will be a great addition. All of them are broth, potatoes, leeks, heavy cream, and something. It is hard to ruin, and easy to serve. I took corn vichyssoise soup shots to my colleagues at work this week. It was very popular. I will tell you more about my new job next week, since I have been rattling on for a while here.
Weekend-Coffee-Share-Pic
Thanks for stopping for some iced tea and sympathy this weekend. I appreciate Emily for hosting this movable feast each weekend at her blog, Nerd in the Brain. Please join us for digital beverages and a chat.
#WritePhoto Birds Of A Feather
June 8, 2017
— 10 Comments
The Flock
We sat on the hill above the flooded river
Watching as towns and farms washed away
Floating downstream on the big cresting waves
Water overflowed the banks and destroyed trees
That had stood on the shore for centuries
Their roots were severed by the current rushing
Swelling, moving the earth beneath their giant limbs
That crashed into the water with furious destructive
Sounds of nature taking her revenge on civilization
The only hopeful sign we could see from our perch
Was the flock of birds flying over their former homes
Taking to the sky to look for a new place to build nests
We envy them their ability to keep the flock together
They fly in tight formation, in search of fairer weather
#writephoto
This poem was written in response to this weeks photo prompt by Sue Vincent on her blog , The Echo. Join bloggers from around the globe for more stories about this photo and last week’s.
#TeaTuesday Peppermint Butler
June 6, 2017
— 2 Comments
I have rediscovered Peppermint Butler tea this summer. I ordered it in the winter, enjoying it immensely as a cup of hot tea. It is mildly caffeinated, so I sometimes drank it instead of morning coffee for a change. It contains vanilla flavored Ceylon tea, vanilla flavored oolong tea , peppermint, and candy canes. Even though it has been in the tin for a long time, the mint flavor is still strong, probably because of the candy canes crushed in the mix. It is not overly sweet or too minty, but has a unique taste. It is my current favorite iced tea. Summer is intense in Arizona, so we need cool and refreshing beverages. This tea lifts my spirits as well as my taste buds.
I had no idea this tea had been named for a cartoon character until I started to write this review. This is one of Adagio’s signature blends, which I like to sample from time to time. They are more complex and exotic combinations, more expensive ingredients, with a slightly higher price point. I have never been disappointed with the quality of the signature blends. They pack a punch that makes them worth a few extra cents per cup. Peppermint Butler is an excellent example of that value for dollar. The 5 oz tin, which I purchased, is priced at about 38 cents a cup, very reasonable, especially in comparison to tea you purchase in a bottle, already brewed and shipped across the country. Adagio lets customers create their own custom signature blends. This lets you become a tea blend expert with the highest quality ingredients.
If you are looking for some new iced tea excitement this summer I highly recommend this blend. The creamy minty taste goes down well all day long. It compliments salad, chilled soup, and sandwiches very well. Today I will pair it will chilled corn vichyssoise for lunch. The crisp tea will be a nice contrast to the rich cool soup. Both have a richness that make them a good couple on a hot day.
Peppermint Butler Tea
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