Tea
Mrmopar sent me a few small Tuo cha’s around Christmas (nice of him) so this morning I rinsed one piece for 20 seconds in boiling water, poking it gently with my Puer knife. I used a small pot for brewing tea instead of a Gaiwan.

The steep time was 1 minute because I prefer a strong brew.

Surprisingly, the flavor wasn’t strong but bland. Uninteresting, bland Puer is something I rarely encounter.

Recently, I put together a bin of herbs, spices and berries for adding to tea when I feel like experimenting with flavor.

The list contains:
Elderberry, tulsi and various kinds of mint, goji berries, lavendar, cinnamon bark chips, dry ginger, burdock root, jasmine flowers,
chrysanthemum blossoms, cranberries, orange peel, cassia seeds and cocoa hulls. (Most items cost about $2 an ounce)

I had this blah tasting Puer and I knew that I could do something to improve the flavor with an ingredient from my bin of goodies.
I chose the packet of cocoa hulls and steeped a very small amount in the brew basket with the bland Puer tuo cha.

The addition worked! I created a tasty pot of very Cocoa PU! I added cream and sweetened the cocoa pu to make it even more delicious.

Can’t wait to see what else can be created from this bin of flavor boosters!

Humility:
My daughter called…

“Mom, guess what? We just got a ‘Star Award’ for best Foster Parents and I don’t know what to say? How can I accept the award when I get mad and frustrated at my children and lose it sometimes?”

It didn’t surprise me that she and my son-in-law recieved the award, or that she would say that she didn’t deserve it. People who deserve awards usually don’t realize that what they do is special, or heroic. It’s in their character to go beyond normal.

That same day, she got another call and was informed that they had received ‘Foster Parents of the Year’ for our County.

Now she was complaining again! “How could this be?!”

Blubber, blubber, blubber!

Calmly I explained that life has to have balance. The many nights sitting up with the bi-polar 8 year old who can’t sleep and is bouncing off the walls. The baby on oxygen who was crying. Then I remembered the baby who was thrown out the window and had broken bones, and the many newborns they had nursed off drugs.

The rest is on www.teaandincense.com with a picture…

Emily M

Wow. They definately deserve that award. Say “thank you” to them for me: what they are doing is changing lives!

Kashyap

that is so amazing and congrats to them…it has clearly been a day of reaching through the lenses we see through and I hope they can find the space to accept that they make a difference through being who they are and compassionately caring…My congrats to them both

Ysaurella

1 award for the humility in addition of the original award (they deserve it !)

Bonnie

Yikes not me…all them. With all the bad things you hear about foster parents, it’s good to know that there are many who do a good job and sacrifice with love for the sake of these children.

Rachel J

That’s so amazing! I have always been in awe of people who foster dogs and get them ready for adoption to other homes. I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult and selfless it is to do that with children! Awe inspiring.

Bonnie

Thank you (I’m not comfortable with comments like that).

Bonnie

It’s ok mrmopar

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Comments

Emily M

Wow. They definately deserve that award. Say “thank you” to them for me: what they are doing is changing lives!

Kashyap

that is so amazing and congrats to them…it has clearly been a day of reaching through the lenses we see through and I hope they can find the space to accept that they make a difference through being who they are and compassionately caring…My congrats to them both

Ysaurella

1 award for the humility in addition of the original award (they deserve it !)

Bonnie

Yikes not me…all them. With all the bad things you hear about foster parents, it’s good to know that there are many who do a good job and sacrifice with love for the sake of these children.

Rachel J

That’s so amazing! I have always been in awe of people who foster dogs and get them ready for adoption to other homes. I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult and selfless it is to do that with children! Awe inspiring.

Bonnie

Thank you (I’m not comfortable with comments like that).

Bonnie

It’s ok mrmopar

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

Colorado Grandma 73 3/4 as of January 2022

Grandmother to 10. (we all drink tea!)
I began teatime in the Summer when my children were little. We took a break from play for tea and snacks every day. My children loved tea time.
There are several tea houses close to my home and a Tea Festival in Boulder. Fort Collins/Loveland is a bit of a foodie area. We are famous for breweries (Fat Tire is one brand).
Rocky Mountain National Park is 40 minutes away.
Our climate is semi-arid with LOTS OF SUN AT 5000 feet. (Heavy Winter snows start in higher elevations). Lived my until 2010 in Northern California.
I am very involved in my local Greek Orthodox Church. Recently I ignited a group for racial reconciliation.
I suffer from Migraines and Light sensitivity.
My family is Bi-racial (African-American, Scots) and Bi-cultural.
I’ve worked at a Winery, was a computer tech, been Athlete and Coach, Vista Volunteer. Love healthy food! Love travel and have been to Scotland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Malta, Peru, Croatia, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska.

Location

Loveland, Colorado

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer