Tea-The Perfect Brew and Decaf Too!

 

Tea has been a favorite drink from royalty to the working class for centuries.

As part of  the 'Living the Victorian Life' series it was only natural to begin with tea.

 

Brewing the Perfect Pot of Tea:

1. Start with your favorite blend of tea leaves.



 2. Place tea leaves in tea strainer.

 3. Temper the teapot (this is done by swishing hot water in the pot and then emptying it before adding the tea strainer).

 4. Fill tea pot with hot water.

 5. Steep tea for 3-5 minutes depending on how strong you like your tea.

(I like my tea strong:).

 6. Once steeping is complete remove tea strainer with leaves.

 7. Pour tea into your favorite cup and enjoy!

 

 Decaf Tea:

To decaf tea follow steps 1-3 above.

At step 4 add the hot water and steep for approximately 30 seconds.

Remove tea strainer with tea leaves and empty liquid from the tea pot.

Replace the tea strainer in pot, pour hot water in pot until full and continue process as shown above:).

 

To make your tea experience special try the following:

Use your favorite tea pot and tea cup-even if it is the good china-that's what makes it special!

Brew a favorite blend of tea. I prefer Harney and Sons loose leaf teas which are available online and in some retail settings (generally tea bags are tea dust and don't provide the perfect pot of tea).

Flavor tea with sugar, cream, or honey. For fun, try a flavored creamer (I like vanilla creamer in  flavored teas-a dash is all it takes:).

Invite a friend to join you:).

 

 

Blessings,

 

Kim

 

 



Living the Victorian Life-A new series

I contemplated starting another blog about living the Victorian life in a modern day world.

But with all I have going on I didn't need another thing added to my already busy days.

So I decided to do a weekly post on this blog, since anything Victorian does relate to Truer Words, about how to live a simpler, more genteel life in the current world.

 

And so I will start with the relaxing beauty of taking tea:).

 

First, start with a nice blend of loose leaf tea.



 

Next, stroll through the gardens for fragrant blooms.

 

Brew the tea (be sure to use the good china:), place blooms in a favorite vase or container, and sit down to a relaxing cup of  tea.

Tea paired with a favorite magazine or a good book can make an afternoon relaxing and enjoyable.

Of course, I would be happy to recommend a lovely historic novel...

 

I will be posting later in the week about brewing the perfect pot of tea (including how to decaf it:).

To order the delicious chocolate and coconut Soho Blend from Harney and Sons teas visit:

http://www.harney.com/soho-tea-blend-chocolate-and-coconut.html

 

Just a few words about this tea...

It is scrumptious!!! As soon as you open the package the chocolate aroma makes your mouth water.

The subtle hints of coconut intermingled with the chocolate flavors makes this more like desert than just tea:).

Emma's World-Parasols!

Ladies in the Victorian and Edwardian eras used parasols to shade their delicate skin and eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.

The following parasols date from the 1860s to the early 20th century.

 

 

For more pretty parasols visit:

 

http://pinterest.com/victorianparlor/parasols/

Facebook Link

For those of you have tried to find my Truer Words Facebook page, here is the link:

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Truer-Words/218735014903523

 

I don't know why it is difficult to find but for some reason it is:).

Every week I post something about the Victorian era as it relates to the main character of the novel, Emma.

Please visit the page and 'like' it.

 

 

Thanks!!!

 

Blessings,

 

Kim

 

 



Hooked on Emma's World!!!

Button hooks have been used for centuries but this post addresses those most often seen in the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century.

 

These tools were used for buttons on boots, gloves, or clothing.

 

A variety of materials were used for the handles to include silver, porcelain, celluloid, or wood.

Some had advertisements stamped into the handles while silver handles might have initials engraved. Still other styles included duel hooks for both boots and gloves.

Emma would have used tools similar to these when buttoning her boots or gloves.

 

 



One of the popular pastimes of Victorian ladies was porcelain painting. Blanks from Europe were imported to be decorated in an array of flora, birds, cherubs, or whatever the artist chose to paint. Despite the notable talent of American ladies, their work was denied entry into the 1901 World's Fair in Paris as they were looked upon as mere amateurs. In Emma's world this would have been a socially acceptable way to pass an afternoon but as we all know she had other things that she would rather be doing!

To learn more about Emma's antics and daily life read Truer Words,

available on most online booksellers as well as kindle, nook, and ebook.

To purchase a signed copy visit the icon on this page!

 

 

Release Date!

An official release date has been set! 

Truer Words will be available...

on May 15th!

To order a copy of the book or ebook before the release date of May 15th go to:

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781618622150

Truer Words-The Performance

For more information on how to book a performance go to

http://lavenderlofttales.blogspot.com

Images of Emma