Your Own Blue Zone
Have you heard more and more about Blue Zones lately?
Those five magical areas of the world where people live significantly longer and healthier lives.
If we don’t live in …
Sardinia, Italy
Okinawa, Japan
Ikaria, Greece
Read more “Your Own Blue Zone”
Have Teapot Will Travel
Where is it?
Newport, central coast in Oregon. Roughly 3 hours’ drive southwest of Portland airport.
267, N.W. Cliff, Newport, Oregon 97365. Easily found – thank you google maps, and plenty of parking nearby.
Read more “The Sylvia Beach Hotel – Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast for Booklovers”
Everything British
It’s hard to think of England without tea drinking coming to mind. Not all English people love tea but I don’t know any who don’t!
Our consumption of it could be described as excessive. If you’ve watched British television, been to England or know an English person, you’re aware. It fixes everything for us. It is our comfort and our joy. If we’re worried or stressed, the answer is always a cup of tea. If we’re happy, putting the kettle on adds more happiness. We’ve been drinking it since we were children and like many addicts, the caffeine has little to no effect. My sister takes a cup of caffeinated tea to bed every night.
England’s love affair with tea took hold during the 18th century. Ideally, it’s accompanied by biscuits (cookies) or even better, a slice of cake. An afternoon tea takes it to a whole new level. As in a three-tiered server boasting sandwiches, scones and miniature cakes.
This is how the English make a good pot of tea …
In My Humble Opinion
Why the love affair with Jane Austen? The fact she was a literary genius may have something to do with it. Like Dickens, she was an avid observer of folk, which enabled her to create characters that have, to put it mildly, stood the test of time.
I’ve read all her books and seen many of the movies but I confess, I esteem one of her stories considerably higher than the rest.
Pride and Prejudice. I’ve read the book many times, listened to it on Audible and don’t even ask how often I’ve watched the movie.
I know I’m not alone in my love of Pride and Prejudice but let’s be clear which version to watch. Two words … Colin Firth. He is Fitzwilliam Darcy and anyone else is simply an imposter. The same must be said, be it with a little less passion, for Jennifer Ehle. Keira Knightly is a good actress but Elizabeth Bennet, she is not.
English Trifles
Eyebrows are raised and mocking glances exchanged. I’m un-phased by this reaction from my loving family. I can’t help my enthusiasm and exuberance. Many fellow Americans understand. To see a narrow-cobbled street, a thatched cottage or seventeenth century church evokes emotion.
To my family, it’s common place, it’s routine, it’s normal. But this English girl has lived in the US for the last 26 years. I’m sure I used to take it for granted when it was all I knew, it was home. Reno, Nevada is home now and the landscape is … somewhat different. I love living in the US and I love my hometown but England’s countryside and history now fills me with romantic nostalgia.
I know I’m not alone. Whether you love Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, Jane Austen, Sherlock Holmes, etc … or just love tea, I believe we have a lot to share and cherish.
This blog is about my love of tea, how I make it and the best places to find it. I’m going to share my favorite English places, movies, shows, foods and whatever else comes to mind, with you. I would love to hear about your favorite English stuff and customs. And of course, how you drink your tea.
Here’s to English Trifles!
With love,
Michaela