Archive for the ‘Tea Kettles’ Category
Warmth, tradition, and that distinct holiday taste of pumpkin pie. My holiday drink combines the best of my all time favorite treats into one scrumptious beverage. This year try my treat for a new and different way to enjoy chai tea, low fat ice cream, and the flavor of pumpkin pie to top it off. mmmmmm, like a little taste of holiday bliss!
Chai Pumpkin Treat (Directions): For a traditional touch, prepare your whistling tea kettle, place tea bags in boiling water, and let steep 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and set tea aside to cool for a few minutes. Combine tea and ice cubes in a blender, cover and blend 1 or 2 minutes. Add ice cream and pie spices, blend for 1-2 minutes until mixture is well combined, and scraping sides of blender if needed.
Ingredients
* 2 spiced chai tea bag
* 1 cup boiling water
* 4 to 5 ice cubes
* 3 cups light vanilla ice cream
* Dash pumpkin pie spice
* 4 tablespoons whipped cream, for garnish
My tastes tend to change with the seasons, and this is especially true with tea. During the holidays I begin craving spiced teas, cinnamon-laced teas, or warming creme’ teas. As I sip tea and enjoy the warmth of friends and family, I always find reasons to be grateful during the holidays.
A holiday tea party combines the magic of the season with the simple pleasures of a cup of tea. I love the sound of a whistling tea kettle as loved ones laugh and nibble on holiday goodies. Over the years I’ve accumulated some helpful hints to make our tea parties even better.
1. Select the right tea. This could be tea labeled specifically as Christmas tea or any spiced tea, cinnamon tea, mint tea or even a simple black tea.
2. Decorate your table with boughs of holly, strings of gold beads and spare Christmas ornaments. Let children help out by making paper snowflakes to adorn the table.
3. Light red and green pillar candles or add votives to your table.
4. Invite friends, coworkers and relatives, or simply celebrate with those visiting for the holidays - a great setting for a secret Santa gift exchange!
5. Make or buy Christmas cookies to accompany your tea party. If you’re really hungry, you can add ham or roast beef sandwiches.
6. Play Christmas carols or classical music in the background. Make sure that the volume is not so loud that it interferes with conversation.
7. Boil water for tea and add to teapot along with tea leaves or tea bags. Allow tea to steep for two to three minutes.
8. Serve tea and garnish with cinnamon sticks. Allow guests to add milk and sugar to taste.
The holidays are the perfect excuse to gather your closest friends and family for holiday tea. You can sip tea, relax, and take a step back from the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving and Christmas; either before the season is over, or just before the chaos begins.
My trusty stainless steel tea kettle helps create a festive atmosphere to enjoy delicious tea, treats, and an afternoon of warm conversation. I usually spread the teapots and cups on the dining room table (for easy access), but keep the event informal by allowing guests to sit on couches and chairs. Adding delicious snacks to the mix, makes for an unbeatable combination. Ultimately, a good holiday tea party always does my heart good, and seems to draw our friends and family even closer together.
I just have to have a cup of tea first thing in the morning. Please don’t talk to me before I’ve had my cup, or at least got the water boiling so I know it’s on its way! Coffee is important, but somehow life without tea is not something I want to imagine.
There is just nothing like the sound of a whistling tea kettle first thing in the morning, and tea is not just for breakfast; it’s the perfect beverage for almost any occasion. When you meet with friends, a cup of tea always sets a good atmosphere. If you need to take an afternoon break, relax, unwind, take time out from whitewater’s making you busy and stressed, have a cup of tea! And when times are tough, a nice cup of tea always helps.
Tea is no longer a beverage for the high society folks with the turned up noses. Though I believe in tea time, I don’t advocate a prejudice to be implemented that regulates who can attend events or small parties that celebrate tea. I’ve been an avid tea drinker for as long as I can remember. There are pictures of me at 5 years old having tea parties with my dolls. While this is a typical behavior for young children, most of them are drinking air or water not tea. But not for me, tea has been one of my favorite beverages since I was a small child.
During my early adolescent years, I became quite the collector of decorative tea pots. For birthdays and other celebratory holidays, I received tea pots in the shape of a pig with a straw hat, a monkey and Santa Clause. As I became older and more independent, meaning I had a full-time job with less time to spend making tea in the mornings, I resorted to new method – tea kettles. It was an easy transition that allowed me to brew a pot of tea in just minutes. The high pitched whistle traveled throughout my house, enabling me to hear it when I am upstairs drying my hair. I’m very happy with my switch.