the more I dig deep
frustration builds, anger grows
why it’s called crab grass
crabby grass by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Haiku Moment: crabby grass
Category Archives: The Daily Grind
A Panda Tea Set Adventure
I so enjoy a cup of tea! I’ve even blogged a few times about tea experiences. My last tea post was about the time I read a picture book featuring Masala Chai and then made my own following the recipe in the back of the book.
All good fun. Imagine my surprise when I received an email from someone who enjoyed that post. I was skeptical. But this person represented Umi Tea Sets, which turned out to be a real tea company in China. That was the first thing I checked. Just to make sure.
I loved digging through the Umi Tea Sets website to see what types of teas, teacups, tea sets, and other tea items they offered. There is a wealth of tea information on their website too. They offered to send me something to test and share with you. How nice is that?!
Umi Tea Sets sent the cutest little panda travel tea set! It comes in a molded travel case. The complete set has a tiny teapot (the panda body) with room for 3 cups of water. Not our measurement of 1 cup, but the adorable teacup=1 cup of tea (the panda head is a teacup, 2 total panda head teacups). The other tiny pot (the second panda body) is for tea leaf storage, which easily holds enough tea for several outings. So. Much. Fun.
Umi Tea Sets even included three packets of tea leaves to try. The photos show Da Hung Pao, which is an oolong tea. Mmm.
My granddaughter is smitten with the panda tea set, so we can have our own tea parties and sip away. She likes books too, so maybe we can sit, sip, and read together. We can go anywhere, since this is a travel tea set!
Heads up to plenty of tea adventures when these pandas go along! You can learn more about Umi Tea Sets travel sets here. Or search for any other tea needs. Thank you, Umi Tea Sets!
Haiku Moment: disturbed
enjoying nibbles
but earthbound human disturbs
spring morning delight
disturbed by Angie Quantrell
Haiku Moment: no typing allowed
work beckons fingers
but magnetic eyes lock on,
no typing allowed
no typing allowed by Angie Quantrell
Lily, the office assistant
Haiku Moment: spring fashion
cotton candy fluff
buzzy busy bees adorn
pink tree spring fashion
spring fashion by Angie Quantrell
Lateral A, Yakima Valley
I was inspired to write this haiku after I read this poem by Danna Smith.
Haiku Moment: gone
just last week I saw
beauty stretching from chaos
today empty holes
free blooms for taking
but leaving crushed leaves and trash
my eyes in despair
gone by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
See the former beauty here.
From Houses to Cards
After my stamping buddy sent me her leftover kraft paper houses, I was inspired to dig out the stamping supplies and see what happened. Another friend from my teaching days had recently given me a stack of decorative papers. The ingredients from two friends plus my own collection combined to make the perfect recipe for these fun cards!
It is always a boost to start a new card project with ideas or the beginnings of the project. The houses and patterned paper were just right to kick off this crafting session.
I used thick cardstock, patterned paper, washi tape, sticky mesh, colored pencils, rubber stamps, ink, and a little glitter glue. I love the collage of all the materials. The creativity comes from playing with different pieces, rearranging them to find what works. I’m happy with the results. Nine houses, nine new cards.
Thanks for the idea and supplies, friends!
Sunday Peace
Soon, my flowering quince will look like this! The buds are there, hints of lovely color peeking out. The beauty of spring is refreshing. Gazing at blooms is such a peaceful activity. Maybe that’s why they say to stop and smell the roses. And, I’ll add, gaze in wonder as you inhale.
Sunday Peace
Yakima River Canyon
Time for Chai (and a Picture Book)
I’m a tea lover, and I’ve enjoyed my fair share of chai tea. But once I read this picture book, I knew I had to follow the recipe for myself and make homemade chai.
Masala Chai, Fast and Slow
Written by Rajani LaRocca
Illustrated by Neha Rawat
Candlewick Press, 2023
I may have mentioned once or twice that I really enjoy reading picture books about food. Being able to learn about traditions and families and such deliciousness is a treat for my heart. Masala Chai, Fast and Slow plus deep sips from a pretty teacup. Ahhh.
I watched a webinar where Rajani was sharing about her picture book and masala chai. Thanks, 12×12! After I requested my library purchase a copy, I was the first one to check it out (I love that). I kept it out for the maximum of time. Later, I checked it out again. But this time (also nearing the maximum time=number of renewals I can do) I made sure to collect all the ingredients to steep my own masala chai.
The recipe makes quite a bit of chai, so I needed to make it on a weekend when I could share. Which is the point of masala chai. Sharing and connecting with family and friends.
I gathered the ingredients suggested by Rajani in the back matter recipe (I love it when recipes are included in a picture book, and back matter is the bomb): milk, black tea bags, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns, cardamom pods, whole cloves, fresh ginger, and sugar (or honey).
I decided to actually follow the recipe the first time around. Shocker, I know, since I usually wing it when trying new recipes. The resulting chai tea was delicious! Warm, spicy, fragrant. Ahhh. This recipe is a keeper. Good thing too, because I have a big bag of whole cardamom pods.
Masala Chai, Fast and Slow is delighfully tasty. I can’t wait to brew another batch.
Love, Laughter, and Life 