Happy New Year 2011 and Welcome National Tea Month, Victoria, BC Tea Festival

Goodness...I haven't seen you since last year!!! And a Happy 2011 to you...now if I can only remember to write 2011 instead of 2010. I find it takes me a couple of weeks (or months) to really have that nailed.

I am looking forward to new experiences, new treasures, new friends, new places and new teas! Also for a few American Picker experiences but without the rust & oil smells. I'll take an antique fair or boot sale anytime...but come to think of it, they can be muddy, but...

To start the new year off right, the National Tea Council of the USA has declared January to be National Tea Month...every month is at our house, but let's get some more folks involved!!!!  I love the way the appreciation of tea has suddenly gone mainstream with the discoveries of all the health properties of tea. My grandmother (and every English Nan worth her salt) always knew that a cup of hot, sweet tea would cure anything! Or...Rosie Lee, if you are into cockney rhyming slang.


According to the website, tea is the second most popular beverage in the world, second only to water. Cool!  Americans drink 50 BILLION cups of tea each year, 40 BILLION cups which are served iced. That's a lot of tea!


So...we boil the kettle and share a cup of cheer, especially this month for National Tea Month. Huzzah!
National Tea Council/ Tea Association Of The USA

And to brew the perfect cup, a teapot by Royal Patrician, England in the pattern Aurora. The pottery closed in 2009, but I had a small stock of Royal Patrician items when we closed our bricks-and-mortar antique & tea items store to go exclusively online several years ago that were packed and stored so I still have some.
Royal Patrician Aurora teapot at Antiques And Teacups


The perfect cup of tea begins with freshly boiled water. Slosh boiling water around the pot to warm, and pour out. Add a spoon of tea for each cup and a "spoon for the pot", add the water and steep to the proper strength. Make sure you then pour the tea through a strainer to stop the tea getting any stronger, and then return to the warmed pot. Add a tea cozy to keep the tea warm and enjoy!


A heads up again for the Pacific Northwest folks...The Victoria Tea Festival in Victoria, BC Canada across the street from the Fairmont Empress Hotel in the Crystal Gardens is February 12-13th.  Tickets are discounted during January and are available on their website. We love going. We go by ferry and have a wonderful time as well as a great meal at our favorite Indian restaurant.


I have a slideshow from a previous tea festival on the left side of this blog.


Victoria Tea Festival Website