The Teacup Tango

What's a girl to do when she wants to go back to school and needs to find money to do so? Once again, as in most things in life, she turns to her teapot for the answer.

Or at least this is what Elizabeth Houston and her husband did in their creative search for financial aid scholarships -- they entered the 3rd Annual Calm-a-Sutra Scholarship.

Houston and her husband were not tea drinkers, albeit with all the education they gave themselves they have recently delved into the marvelous mad world of tea. Their 2 videos also marks their video making debut.

The Calm-a-Sutra Scholarship asks students to produce & upload a 1-2minute video describing the health benefits of tea and doing so with the utmost of creativity. Entries are judged on their health-related messages, creativity, individuality and popularity (which is influenced on the number of hits each entry receives on YouTube).

The winner will be announced September 29th! So stay tuned.

Meanwhile I would like to share this one entitled:
The Teacup Tango.

Wanted Madly: Retro Cups

There are many diversions, wares and tchotchke that amuse the soul of any tea lover. So to highlight the creativity of many an artist, designer, sculptor and the whimsy of those inspired by tea, I am starting a new feature on my blog, simply stated: Wanted Madly.

Each Wanted Madly's item will also then be posted on the side as a visual "Wish List" -- each staying there until space and/or money allow me to purchase them (or be gifted by a benevolent reader). At the same time, they serve as a personal endorsement to my readers, so they can fill their own homes and cabinets with appropriate Mad Tea Ware.

The first Wanted is actually not for sale, per se...but if anyone has a lead as to where to get it or how to make it let it be known that my kitchen could use some new lighting. Something no doubt like this or this:

photo courtesey of Retro Renovation

New Blend: English Autumn

This latest blend is true tea drinking delight. Not all of the PersonaliTEA blends I create are my new favorite -- but this one is. Perhaps the timing for this tea is right -- as we leave the summer behind us and (at least here on the Jersey Shore) the cooler weather descends fairly quickly. This warm and hearty ceylon & darjeeling black tea blend has been inspired by images of England and Nova Scotia, by stormy mornings and cool Autumn breezes. Hints of clove, vanilla & walnuts make this an especially inviting cup.

I will have to send some of this to my friend in England and ask her if it truly reflects a Fall Day in England...

This is the first of many custom blends I made over the last few months. New Blends will be featured with more regularity, and in time made available directly through the website. I have a wealth of things to blog, so if you don't see the blend I made for you up here, be patient with me.

Happy Sipping!

Take a Sip Around the World....

I just had the most delectably spontaneous conversation about tea this afternoon at the post office. The same English lady who sees me often come in with boxes and tape and custom forms, was there to receive the 2 packages I was mailing off today. (Sending English Autumn locally, and sending a sample of some to South America).

As I filled out the customs form, waiting in line was an older couple submitting their paperwork for a passport, and in the process of needing pictures taken. I overheard the man complaining how we've lost so many of our privileges and how the world was a different place since 8 years ago today....

As I come up to the counter to hand over my packages for weighing and postage, the man humourously asks me the usual questions that the Post Office Lady usually asks, about if the packages might possibly contain anything 'fragile, liquid, perishable, flammable or potentially hazardous'...

I simply state that I am trading tea with people around the world -- to which the 3 people, the elderly couple and the English post office lady, immediately perked up with great excitement, wondering how is it I get to do that & how ever did I orchestrate such a recurring occurrence - that I might have people around the world with whom to exchange tea.

"They Call me Madam Potts and make my own blends", say I....

Excitement continues, and questions flutter, as do the delicious squeals of 3 people delighting in the idea of sipping custom made teas (no doubt an even more attractive thing on a rainy day like today)...and how those teas get to travel around the world.

Making my exit, I could still hear the kerfuffle of enthusiastic energy that the conversation just stirred up. A conversation enjoyed by 4 random people (perhaps 5 if you count the man quietly listening in filling out forms of his own...).

I have done much travel from a teacup as of late.
From New Zealand to Uruguay, from France, England, Australia and the Philippines.

Orange & PassionFruit Tea from my Tea Friend in Uruguay

and now that I am back from my summer vacationing, I'm sure to brew some fun tales of tea and regale you with my experiences taking Sips Around the World....