Tag: tea

Book and Tea Pairings: The Witch of Belladonna Bay and Alabama Sweet Tea

Forget food and wine pairings, I’m all about book and tea pairings. Grab a book, pour some tea and curl up in a cozy chair for delightful reading and tea-sippin’ experience.

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The Book
The Witch of Belladonna Bay by Suzanne Palmieri

When the warm weather sets in I want to read something that takes place in the south, preferably in a small town or out in the country. I want the backdrop of the story to have that warm, easy pace that only a southern town can offer. And a little bit of magic thrown in certainly doesn’t hurt. I’m not talking Harry Potter magic but more of that given-by-the-earth, nature magic that blows on the wind and makes intriguing things happen. Fortunately for me, this book has both.

…her family firmly believed somehow, somewhere, at the very moment when the stars first erupted with a bang, stardust settled on only a few specks of life already forming in the the sea. And how those few specks evolved into people who hold all sorts of unexplainable talents. When I was little I thought it was terribly romantic, being held stardust, half Southern magnolia.

-Bronwyn

I’ve been on a bit of a book-bust lately, unable to find a story that I could get lost in, but this story took care of that. It was the perfect book to read while sitting on a covered porch and sippin’ on some Alabama sweet tea. Speaking of which…

The Tea
Alabama Sweet Tea

This story took place in small-town, Magnolia Creek, Alabama, so what better beverage to sip on but some Alabama sweet iced tea? I started by making my basic sun tea recipe and added that signature, southern ingredient…sugar, lots of sugar. Then because I already had one, I added a lemon slice too. Originally I almost thought about using honey instead of sugar but that must be the yankee in me and I knew that in the south, the only way to sweeten tea is with sugar!

How I drank it: 16 oz. of warm sun tea mixed with 2 tbsp. of white sugar, mix together and chill with a handful of ice cubes and a lemon slice on top.

That’s it for this edition of Books-N-Tea. What are you reading and sipping on this summer?

katie: normal girl

To see what I’m currently reading, along with previous books reviews and tea pairings, check out the “Books-n-Tea” page. As I read, I comment on Twitter and Facebook, I’d love to have you join the conversation!

Book & Tea Pairings: The Aftermath and German Breakfast Tea

Forget food and wine pairings, I’m all about book and tea pairings. Grab a book, pour some tea and curl up in a cozy chair for delightful reading experience.

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The Book

I was first attracted to this book because of its cover (somewhere a book marketer is rejoicing). I read the synopsis and saw that it was a historical fiction novel and I was sold. I’ve always been intrigued by the past and even more than that, I’m intrigued by people of the past.

1946, post-World War II Hamburg. While thousands wander the rubble, lost and homeless, Colonel Lewis Morgan, charged with overseeing the rebuilding of this devastated city and the denazification of its defeated people, is stationed in a grand house on the River Elbe. He is awaiting the arrival of his wife, Rachael—still grieving for their eldest son—and their only surviving son, Edmund. But rather than force the owners of the house, a German widower and his rebellious daughter, out onto the streets, Lewis insists that the two families live together. In this charged atmosphere, both parents and children will be forced to confront their true selves as enmity and grief give way to passion and betrayal, to their deepest desires, their fiercest loyalties, and the transforming power of forgiveness.

Though this story is fiction, it amazes me to know that similar events and circumstances really did happen. Families that had been separated by war for years were suddenly thrust back together again. With each unit of the family having lived through an entire lifetime while apart, it’s amazing to me that they were able to find a rhythm with each other again. I’m sure many of them weren’t able to reconnect and their previous domestic bliss became another casualty of the war. I imagine that was still better than the group that never got the chance to try.

The Tea

Our biblio-journey is taking us to Germany, so what better tea to drink than a stout German Breakfast Tea. Much as you might expect from a German tea, it’s bold and very strong. I love a robust cup of black tea so it was perfect for me without any additions. If you prefer a smoother tea drinking experience, a splash of cream and 1/2 teaspoon of raw sugar would blend well with this strong tea.

How I drank it: 8 oz. of hot water poured over 1/2 tsp. of German Breakfast Tea steeped for 3 minutes.

Have you read this book or tried German Breakfast Tea before? Let me know in the comments and if you’re talking about the story be sure to mark any spoilers!

katie: normal girl

Books-n-Tea: The Girl Who Chased The Moon

Welcome to the inaugural post of my new series, “Books-n-Tea”. What better time but during, The Year Of Reading and National Hot Tea Month, to launch a series about two of my favorite things, books and tea? Some people do food and wine pairings, but I do book reviews and tea pairings! Let’s start with one of my favorites, shall we?

The Book: The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
The Tea: I suggest paring this book with one of my favorite teas, Red Rose Original

I found this book a couple of years ago while searching through the shelves at a used bookstore. I bought it and I’ve read it at least once a year ever since then. Last year I went so far as to read it twice in a row. To me it is 265 pages of pure delight, woven together with bits of enchantment and sugary cakes (oh, the cakes!).

Set in the small North Carolina town of Mullaby, the story focuses on Julia Winterson, a thirty-something baker of wondrous cakes (with a past – who doesn’t love a character with a past) and Emily Benedict, a soon-to-be high school senior who recently lost her mother. You’ll find yourself lost in the stories of their pasts and rooting for their futures. A lovely cast of characters surrounds them, each one flawed in their own gentle way. In the end, they all find the confidence to develop and learn from their mistakes and you’ll feel empowered right along with them.

Sarah Addison Allen tells the story of these two women in such a real and relatable way, that the tiny bits of magic she weaves into the story seem only natural. Once you start reading, you’ll get lost in the small barbecue town of Mullaby and you’ll be so glad you did. It’s a light, uplifting read that will fill your weekend with the delights of hummingbird cake, wallpaper that changes based on your mood, a giant of a man, secrets, ghost lights and true love of every kind.

I published a post earlier in the week about the tea but just in case you missed it, you can read it here.

I can’t wait for you to read this book and try this tea. Let me know what you think!

katie: normal girl

*These photos are from a shoot that was done last year about people and their favorite books…hence the pre-haircut hair.

A Love Letter To My Tea (And Its Treasures)

For tea drinkers there is always a brand and type of tea that is dubbed the favorite, the go-to. You might stray to try new flavors, brands, or varieties but you always come back to one in particular. For me, that tea is Red Rose Original. It’s the tea that my father used to make when I was little and it’s still my favorite today. As far as tea goes, it’s a simple one but sometimes simple is better.

As the box of tea dwindles day by day, I start looking forward to “New Tea Day”. It’s the day when I open a new box of Red Rose Tea (and with 100 bags/box, these days don’t come often). I cut through the plastic outside and open the box to be greeted with the rich smell of tea. In addition to the smell of new tea, there’s always a little treasure in the box. They are small porcelain figurines, each with a theme. “What will I get this time?” I wonder.

DIY Sugar Shapes

Just in time for National Hot Tea Month, sugar shapes! These fun little guys are a cinch to make and are great fun for a party or as a special treat for yourself.

Here’s a few extra tips to get you started:

If you want to add coloring to your sugar shapes, add a few drops of food color in your teaspoon, then fill the rest of the spoon with plain water and mix with the sugar.
When selecting a mold, be sure to select one that will make shapes that aren’t too large so you don’t end up with shapes that are three tablespoons of sugar each! Also be careful to select a mold that isn’t too shallow or your shapes may break easily.
It is a small amount of liquid and doesn’t seem like enough to wet all of the sugar but just keep working at it and it will all come together. In the end you’ll have a relatively dry mixture that presses into the mold really well.
After pressing the sugar into the mold, use the back of a knife to flatten the shapes.
The consistency of the mixture is the right combination of dry and wet that you only need to leave the sugar in the mold for a few minutes. If you have really shallow molds (not recommended but it certainly can’t hurt to try) I’d leave them in there for about 10-15 minutes before removing from the mold.
To get the shapes out, place a flat, rigid surface (like a small cookie sheet or I used a book with foil wrapped around it) on the top of the mold and flip the whole thing over. That way you’re not try to do the quick-flip-slam onto a counter top.

Have a good time making these and stop by for more tea bits all month long!

katie: normal girl

P.S. This is also a great way to make snow for a gingerbread house!

National Hot Tea Month

Is it ever a bad time to enjoy tea? I think not. January is National Hot Month in the U.S. and I’m thrilled. All month long I’ve got fun tea-related goodies coming up. But right now, I’m sipping on a cup of my favorite hot tea while searching Pinterest for inspiration about this wonderful ritual we call, tea. Care to share a virtual cup-o-tea?

katie: normal girl

Winter Sipping: Spiced Tea Latte

Grab your scarf and gloves, it’s time to get all bundled up for winter, and because your insides need to be warmed up too, it’s tea time! The spice in this winter tea will get your blood pumping and warm you from the inside out. A dash of vanilla and whipped cream balance out the spice and provide that hint of sweetness that you expect this time of year.

For each cup you’ll need: