Monthly Archives: July 2009

I know, I haven’t reviewed tea in awhile. Here’s the deal-

Desperate for caffeine I have been doing the beverage equivalent of hot racking coffee. The thyroid issues are leaving me totally feeling the way a used paper coffee filter looks. I prefer herbal teas, and since they don’t have caffeine there seemed to be no purpose in drinking it at the moment. But today, I don’t know…I just needed something to say, “hey me, take a break!”

I like mango combinations. Stash’s MangoPassionfruit is not particularly mango-y, or passionfruit-y. It is sort of like baby asprin with a little mango flavor added. It is delicate and sweet. It did not knock my socks off, but it is pleasant and gentle.

I think I am going to make a gelatin out of it and I am going to try it in popsicles. Both of those seem to be places where this tea would shine.

Iced? I am betting it would be great.

If your nerves are frazzled, and you need a contemplative moment to pull yourself together this may be the oral Calgon you are looking for.

I found this at my Tom Thumb/Safeway store so it is readily available. I haven’t ordered off line in awhile and we don’t have a real tea shop close by. Like many of you, sometimes the tea I am drinking is the most readily available.

Buena Beans sent me their Cafe La Violeta to try. I will get to the review of that in a minute. Let’s just chat about the company for a sec, shall we?

The coffees are roasted in small batches every day. They are grown using sustainable practices, and the farmers that grow the coffee are paid a living wage, which means…you know…that they can actually live on it. Warning: rant en route…

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Grand-daughter Amanda (front), son Chris, daughter Kyrie(back) 6/08

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I found this mug in a UK shop, so I am not sure if it is available for shipment to the US.

This is so cool. It is a blackboard mug, and it comes with chalk, so you can write your message on your mug and sip your coffee in peace.

On the other hand, if you leave your coffee for a moment you may find that someone has left a message for you. I really like this idea. It might help me remember what I am drinking when I am doing reviews!  I found this mug at The Random Shop.

image:The Random Shop

Do you remember the old movie, The Three Faces of Eve? It was about a woman with multiple personality disorder, and if I remember correctly it was based on a real woman.

It seems to me that Starbucks is either experiencing adolescent angst or a corporate wide multiple personality disorder…or maybe they are grasping at straws. (more…)

Have you been to CafeMom lately? They have a game there that I am addicted to. Yes. I am done with farm town. Now I spend my free time zipping around Latteland, creating drinks like cafe au lait and serving people like the school bully and the neighborhood gossip.

I know, I certainly did not need something else to waste valuable time with. Betwween Facebook and Twitter I am distracted way too much…and now this.

What is it about games like this that suck me in? I am curious about who the next customer will be, what they will pay me and whether or not they will give me a gift that gives me some sort of super power.

I like superpowers.

Maybe it is the fact that I have made over $8,000 in just a few days. I like to see how much money I can get.

I like money.

Maybe I have a need to veg out once in awhile and not think…to lose myself in a game that takes place somewhere that doesn’t exist.

Anyway, if you haven’t tried it you should. But only if you have some time to waste.

C’mon…you can leave FarmTown. It is time to move on. Latte Land. See ya there.

image:CafeMom

Tea has fascinated people for eons. Not just the drink but the ceremony and traditions that go with it seem to reach out and pique our curiosity whether it is an ancient Japanese tea ceremony or a Victorian low tea at a fancy hotel. Tea, the ceremony and all that goes with it just seems to speak of culture and comfort to all of us.

The Fowler Museum of UCLA will be featuring numerous art objects, antiques, and items that creates a collection of tea related items that span continents and centuries. The dates for this showing are August 16 through November 29, 2009. Aptly named, Steeped in History:The Art of Tea, this exhibition is being sponsored by many organizations including the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Being an antique freak, artist, interested in cultures, and a tea drinker I am so tempted to figure out a way to get to this exhibit. It seems to be a whole vacation for me, all rolled into one. If you live nearby you should try to get this on your calendar. Some of the events will be targeted at children as well as adults so it is a great way to introduce the art of tea to your family.

There will be special events in addition to the exhibition so keep an eye on the Fowler Museum website to find out more.

image: used by permission, Fowler Museum.

I love the retro advertisements. I guess it is the fact that I am fascinated with antiques, with a lifestyle that no longer exists. Anyway..I saw this coffee cup on You Need a Drink and I fell in love with it. There are a ton of them but this was my pick for today..Yeah, I do have a weird sense of humor..and yeah, my family has pretty much gotten used to it.

If you can’t read it…it says…”and best of all is the matching thong.”

To check this out and look at some others, also hysterical, take a look at You Need a Drink

image:You Need a Drink

Scented soap is so nice to bathe or shower with. I am not real big on flowery smells, and everyone in the family has sensitive skin so soaps with chemical scents usually are out. I love the smell of chai and this soap sounds like it is heavenly!

It even looks good!

Pretty sure I could wake up to the smell of that. Best of all the company, Ten Digit Creations, also has perfume, and a soy candle to match. Guess what I am planning on ordering this afternoon if the budget o.k.s it? Check it out; Chai Scented Soap.

image: Ten Digit Creations, Etsy

How many adult sippy cups do you see at driver’s mouths on the way to work in the morning? I am guessing a lot. So is MotorTrend magazine, which has stated that coffee is at the top of the list of foods to avoid while driving.

Why? Because even with the tiny slit the hot liquid can splash and burn, or spill and scald. Ever try to make a safe lane change when your crotch is being boiled? See?

They state that the coffee can splash when you hit a bump.  I am more concerned with the lead- foot that comes with a caffeine high.

Personally I think that a camelback water thingie like my husband uses for mountain biking is the answer.  Think of it ..you could fill it with a pot of coffee, put the drink straw dealie-ma-jig in your mouth and away you go…your only concern would be the caffeine-high-lead-foot aspect.

Starbucks could start a whole new trend and begin taking over small gas stations..you could pull up to the pump and have your camelback refilled… “Would you like your sunglasses cleaned with that, sir?”

Hey, even Bill Gates started with an idea…

Here is Motor Trend’s whole list. Do you agree with everything on it?

image:sxc