Thursday Tea Time - Afternoon, Darjeeling Tea

It pays to shop around - I found a box of Afternoon Darjeeling Tea by Taylors of Harrogate, 20 individually-wrapped tea bags for only $2.99 at TJ Maxx.  Absolutely fresh with a Best Buy Date of June 30, 2018.   And a great buy!

What a treat this was, a nice afternoon pick-me-up.  Not too strong, just right.  

Just a little splash of sugar free creamer!
Perfect!

If your local TJ Maxx stores don't have it, you can find it online also on Amazon, or even Walmart.

Boxing Day

Normally I am a scratch baker, but with the holidays and schedules I am also a keep it easy and simple person, too.

While I was shopping at HEB, I found two boxed mixes to try -- Central Market (HEB's sister "foodie" grocery store) Peppermint Bark Brownies and King Arthur Flour's Essential Goodness Sour Cream Coffeecake Mix.

Both priced at $4.98 each, though they had a $1 off coupon for the King Arthur Essential Goodness mixes.

If you like peppermint, you will like the Peppermint Bark Brownies.  There is mint flavor in the brownie mix and of course in the crushed candies.  The vanilla bark is a packet of chips, which melted easily and had a nice, not artificial flavor.  I can't say the same for the candies - try a nibble before dumping the entire packet atop.  I ended up only using half.

Also be forewarned, the brownies are very rich -- you add 3 eggs and a stick of butter.   The directions veered away from traditional layout and you had to pay attention and actually read to follow along.  When you are pressed for time this can add a little to the frustration level.

I would rate this mix a C  - It's pretty and a gourmet brownie take up, but I don't think I will make it again.  Half of the brownies were still left after two days with three people.  And they asked for a "small piece"  You might be better off adding half a teaspoon of peppermint flavor to a brownie mix and placing some of those striped red and white chocolate Hershey Kisses on top while still warm and spreading like frosting.   Done and done.

The King Arthur mix also called for 1 stick of butter, divided between the topping and the mix, and only two eggs.  The directions were easier to read and follow on the back of the box.

And if you love the smell of cinnamon, be prepared.  The box says they use premium cinnamon and they do.  Halfway through baking, the house was infused with cinnamon.

Their mixes do not have preservatives, artificial colors, flavors and no corn syrup.  Just the essentials of goodness.

The King Arthur people know their flour and I knew in advance it would be good, but this was way better than expected.  (I use their flour in my scratch baking.)  The sour cream in the mix kept the cake moist and flavorful.  Even the next day, what was left was still yummy.   No one said, let me only have a little bit.  Except what was left - that person was lucky!

I also like the fact that with each box sold (see the rest of their line up here), they will donate one meal to Feeding America.

I would give this an A.  Try it for an easy and delicious weekend coffeecake, if it lasts the weekend.

Thursday Tea Time - Well, Hello! Or G'day Houston!

Look what I found near the checkout counter at TJ Maxx!  For $4.99 a box.  Fifty teabags each.  You can find Australia in Houston (Sugar Land, specifically).  Check the TJ Maxx stores in your area.  This is super fresh tea, the best by date is July 19, 2019!

Madura Green Tea and Jasmine, Pure Assam and Green Tea & Jasmine.
(I left behind the boxes of Organic Black, Organic Green, Premium Blend, Earl Grey and English Breakfast)

I was glad to have the opportunity to try these flavors before going back to Australia, so I could see which I wanted to bring home and save room in my suitcase.  This TJM price is basically the same price, given the exchange rate...and not counting the airfare and 17 hours nonstop flying.

All nicely in a row inside the wrapper

Beautiful colors!

When I go back, I will definitely look for the Green Tea & Mint and the Assam - bonus if I can find it in the loose version.

The Assam surprised me, not bitter at all.  And when you added cream and sugar, it had a wonderful slightly fruity taste and great full bodied tea finish.  A whiff of the pre brewed teabag was smoky/tobacco.  Rating: 4

The Green Tea & Jasmine is nice, I would give it a 3.  Wonderful scent of jasmine as you sip, but an odd slightly acidic finish.   It does taste better plain.  When I opened the package it had a grassy, not floral fragrance.  I have so many Jasmine green teas, I wouldn't take up suitcase space to bring back more.

Now the Green Tea & Mint - I was surprised and happy it was peppermint and not spearmint.  Very versatile and drinkable throughout the year...A Christmas seasonal and sinus soothing peppermint, and refreshing iced in the summer.  It has a very pleasant minty finish.   Delicious plain and if you want to add a little cream and sugar, it will taste like a candy cane!  Rating:  4.1

Meet me for coffee - HEB Cafe Ole' Houston Blend

This is one of HEB's Cafe Ole' Taste of Texas series of K-Cups - How could I resist trying the Houston Blend?!

Love the logo design for the flavor, which is described as "This rich coffee is marvelously blended with a combination of praline, pecan and coconut flavors for a finish that is smooth and delightfully sweet"  Medium roast, 100% Arabica coffee.  I have no idea what that means, as you all know I am first and foremost a tea drinker.  But I'm trying to hang with the cool kids and they all drink coffee, too.

For $6.99 you get a box of 12, which are now Keurig 2.0 compatible.    Good news if you don't live near an HEB, you can order online, unless oddly you live in California.

Cute stereotyping

This flavor is also available in whole beans, which you can grind in the store.  Which I tried to do in order to try a little bit in the my K-cup at home first before buying the box.  At least I could smell the beans first before I tried to ground them with whatever the heck was left over in the grinder...and it did not smell the same at all.  Some stores have dedicated grinders for flavored coffees, perhaps HEB should consider that, just saying.  I dumped that bag in the trash and took a chance going back for the K-cups instead.  If you have a grinder at home, you can also buy the bags with whole beans or already grounded.  Don't mess with the grinder at the store, seriously.  Drop a few beans in your hands and see if you like the fragrance and take alternative routes.

The flavor and scent - definitely coconut, but not overbearing.  The praline and pecans add a nutty sweetness.  You may want to rethink your creamer if you use it.  The Italian cream made it really sweet.  I think I would cut it with some fat free half & half.  You definitely don't need sweetener.

I also thought it tasted similar to Starbucks new Iced Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato, so if you are looking to save calories and carbs, give it a try.  And also the Starbucks drink if you get that in a Tall size.  Seriously, that is a yummy drink and a smaller size will still keep you within and under range of your added sugar gram limit and you behave yourself for the rest of the day.

But I digress...this Houston girl would give and show hometown loyalty to the Houston Blend with five stars.

Thursday Tea Time - Grocery shopping fun!

We all know by now I love to visit grocery stores when visiting other cities (and countries!  Hello Coles and Woolworths in Australia!) - particularly the baking and tea aisles.  That's where I found this tea for review at Kaune's Neighborhood Market, an upscale grocery store in Santa Fe, New Mexico

I had never seen this brand - Silk Road Teas - and thought it would make a nice souvenir!  I chose
Yunnan Black, organic Black Tea - 15 tea bags for $7.99.
Its description reads, "leaf and bud, spicy aroma, malty taste...the "mocha of tea" with a slightly peppery taste and mouth-filling sweet finish.  Good for breakfast tea and excellent with desserts..."

The silky triangular tea sachets have long leaves, which almost triple in size after brewing and still retaining their shape.  No "dust" or broken bits here.

I brewed for three minutes, the mug turning a beautiful golden color.  Unusual that it tasted lovely plain but the flavor jumped up even more after adding creamer.  It does have the robustness of a breakfast tea, but also suited for any time of the day you need a tea hit.

Additionally, I was in Santa Fe over three years ago. . .The Enjoy By date stamp on the box was November 2014.  However, it was sealed in a foil wrapper and I gave it chance.  I'm glad I did, imagine if you order/find a more recent box?  I did have difficulties with their website earlier, I could not click through.  But I was able to sign up for an email discount on a future order.

I would definitely look for this locally - at Whole Foods or Central Market first, since it is organic or coffee/tea shops in the California, San Rafael area.

Rating:  4

Impressed by Wal-Mart?!

Yeah, I'm just as surprised as you were reading that title.

Remember when I was in Miami and found the Puroast coffee shop and brought back a box of their Vanilla Nut K-Cups?  After carefully rationing, I finally ran out last week.  I looked all around here locally and on their website since I returned without any luck.  Until I Googled last week and saw that Wal-Mart had them...online!  And for a few dollars less.  I could select free pick up in the store (hell no) or for a few dollars extra ($4.97 but when I got the receipt, I was only charged $2.48)  have it delivered.  The only drawback was the estimated delivery date of August 9.  August 9th?!   Okay.  Just as with Dutch Bros., I could order two boxes for the same postage cost as one box.  So I put in my order with Dutch Bros. and Wal-Mart the evening of July 28.  Dutch Bros arrived August 1, and Wal-Mart today, August 2, by Fed Ex yet!

...Along with shampoo/conditioner samples and coupons.

Not to be outdone, Dutch Bros. did send me a new sticker, which I promptly put on my sketchbooks.

Sketchy

This is the watercolor sketchbook I've been using for the World Watercolor Month this year.

I found it at Tuesday Morning as part of a zip-around sketchbook and brush portfolio.
Alas, this Daler-Rowney Classic Watercolour Wirebound Sketchbook seems to have been discontinued.  (Probably why it was at Tuesday Morning) It's difficult to find a 140 pound watercolor paper in a sketchbook format, and in this 10" x 7" size.  Hopefully they will bring it back or maybe there is a newer version available.  If you find something similar, post a comment!

#worldwatercolormonth

New Vera Bradley Screen Savers - Winter 2015

Download these free pretty Vera Bradley screen savers for your desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile/cell phone

Alpine Floral

Alpine Check

Rosewood

Zebra

Orchid, 'K?

Keurig K10 Mini

Have you all been seeing the background of my Keurig peeking in my post when taking the pictures of my K-Cups from CoffeeIcon?  Yes, that is purple - Orchid to be exact.  You can't find it in the brick and mortar stores, (unless...keep reading!) but you can online at Target.com.  While shipping is free, you can save an additional $10 by picking it up at your favorite brick and mortar Target.  They also have other fun colors, but they are often quickly discontinued and replaced with more.  This little guy was just the right size, even though it replaced the larger one I had which would store the water.  It can make up to 10 ounces at a time (6-8-10) and you can remove the tray to fit your larger mugs.  The only ones that won't squeeze underneath are the tall latte ones.  But you can brew into a Pyrex measuring cup and pour into your favorite latte mug.

Regular price for the Mini is $99, but right now this color is only $79 -- then with the additional $10 off, you can get your pop of purple for only $69

Drop In!

Pumpkins
15" x 9"

Mount Rainier
14" x 11"

I attended a great art workshop earlier this week!  We used Daler Rowney FW Acrylic Artists Ink as watercolor paint, wet watercolor paper (both sides!) and an eye dropper to sketch in a loose idea.  It was fun to watch the inks spread and diffuse while wet, and even after drying.  The mixing and blending created different values, and using the eye dropper helped lend itself to movement and visual interest.  You can then add details with a fine-point Sharpie pen for more visual interest.  (I'm still thinking about that.  I may make a photocopy and play with it first, as I like how these are already at this point.  Or if I use my printer and watercolor paper to make copies as cards.  Perhaps the next painting, if it so speaks to me to do so.)

I really enjoy taking these classes, they provide an opportunity to try new-to-me products and learn different techniques.  And these paintings really helped loosen me up in my watercolor adventures, especially the last one I did, which was the pumpkin.  It took me less than five minutes, but forever to dry.  I was afraid to move it to the blow dryer, so there I was fanning it with a paper plate.   Who says painting isn't good exercise.  Work those biceps and triceps!

The next day, I headed over to Hobby Lobby to pick up a starter set of six inks, and to Texas Art Supply for additional colors. ; )  TAS had a more expanded selection, including "Shimmering Gold."  The helpful, enabling associate there said it is really versatile and layer-able over other other colors for fun effects.   I know I will have fun with that one in many other adventures.  While watercolor paper is used for this, save your good Arches and use the Strathmore and Canson watercolor pad papers instead - 140 pound, cold press.

K-Cupdate - Updated 11-24-15

So far the K-Cups from CoffeeIcon are proving to be winners!  Anything 4 and above will be a definite repeat purchase.

Coffees:  They seem to be edging over the teas, go figure!  Even more so the more I try.

Are you sure there aren't crushed up cookies in here?!
*****+
Gets the + because it really does taste like a cookie!

It really does taste like vanilla buttercream frosting!
Gets the + for innovative flavor concept
*****+

I swore there were chocolate chips in this!
Tastes just like a bakery chocolate chip cookie!
*****

****1/2
Smooth!
Your loss, Dunkin Donuts when you discontinued
your Peppermint Mocha K-Cups!
There's a new chocolate mint in town.
(And I like this even better!)

Wolfgang Puck Vanilla French Toast
It does taste like it, albeit with cinnamon,
wish it were more vanilla-y
Good chance I may buy again...
*** 3/4 to ****

Cake Boss Italian Rum Cake
Meh, not that rum-y, not that cake-y
Tastes "different"  perhaps better for afternoon
Not first thing in the morning
**

Teas:

This slightly edged out Copper Moon's Chai Latte
Nice balance of spices
**** 1/2

It already has milk (powder) so it was ready to drink at the get-go.
And vitamins and minerals!
(maybe from the milk?)
****

First one I didn't like
Very astringent, hot bite and aftertaste
Didn't even finish the mug

This is good - I needed the black tea caffeine boost
However, I have this in the teabags, so next time I will reserve
it's space for something else
The teabags are also capable of being brewed a little stronger
 *** 1/2

Disappointed.
It tasted a little too artificial and too sweet,
especially since I have been cutting back on adding sugar.
I'm giving it a 2, just incase you like sweet tea.
I thought the spices were really nice
Note: This has the milk already added
**

Cocoas:

Oh yes!
This will be my new go-to hot chocolate.  It really does taste like Tootsie Roll!
My only advice is to use 8 ounce of water, not 10, for even more richness.
****1/2

Just my K-Cup of tea and coffee

(I kinda made this my tea section of the box...)
I like those teas with the clear top.

Seriously, TOOTSIE ROLL Hot Cocoa?!
I grabbed 2!

A serendipitous discovery while trying to find parking to go into Trader Joe's - I found CoffeeIcon.  Whoa!

I was blown away by all the varieties of Keurig K-Cups.  As you know, I'm usually a tea drinker and will only drink coffee if it doesn't taste like coffee.  There are plenty of teas and coffee "drinks" to choose from.   I especially went crazy with the 18 cup build your own box for $15.99.  If you bring the box back, you can get a dollar off the next "refill".  Individual K-cups are only 99 cents, so you can try before committing to a single flavor 24 count box, or just grab a few of your favorites, which will become many.   I loved the three I've tried so far  -- Cake Boss "Vanilla Buttercream" (yes, it does taste like frosting when you add a little Natural Bliss to it),  CoffeeIcon branded "Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookie" (hello!) and Copper Moon Chai Latte.  All winners so far, 15 more to go!

There are four locations in the North/West Houston area - Katy Cinco Ranch,  Cypress,  Magnolia and Tomball.  For those of you living outside these suburbs of Houston, you can order online.  The shipping may just be a wash considering the Grand Parkway or Westpark Tollway EZ Tag tolls.  But it would definitely be a nice stop if you are in the area.  I love the Fort Bend County Cinco Ranch Library, just a block away.  Cinco Ranch also has a very nice Whole Foods (they have a taco and burrito bar!) and probably the best World Market store next door in the Houston area.  Make a day of it.  The La Centerra shopping center is chockablock with a great variety of stores and restaurants.

And by the way, that is a nice Trader Joe's around the corner. . .

Sunday Breakfast - Red Velvet Pancakes (with cream cheese topping!)

Today for breakfast we tried the Red Velvet My Favorite Pancake Mix we found at Cost Plus World Market yesterday.  I usually make my pancakes from scratch or Bisquick, but I must say I was impressed with the flavor and the texture of these.  Not too heavy, not too thick.  You just add an egg, water and butter/oil.

The color is a pretty dark red - I think these would be also nice for Christmas and Valentine's Day.  And, if you are feeling ghoulish - Halloween.   When I spilt a few drops of batter on the floor, yeah, it looked a little like a crime scene.

Sorry, no photo of the pancakes - they were inhaled.

For the topping I mixed 1/2  package Neufchâtel cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of milk and 2 tablespoons of confectioner's sugar to get a good consistency to spread over the warm pancakes.  An electric hand beater helped.

A one cup serving of the mix prepared enough pancakes to serve three people.  Next time you get an email coupon or are in the store, grab a can.   They have other yummy-sounding flavors.  And you can use it in your waffle maker, too.

Fall into the Pink

A beautiful Fall day in Houston - This is my volunteer pink crape myrtle next to my fig tree. 

And while out and about, I found these pink daffodil bulbs at Kroger - $2.99 for 4.  There was a display inside the entry way near the floral department.   i just love throw off the shopper's club card tracking.  Let's see, ground beef, vitamin C, tortillas and...daffodils.  Of course!  

Thursday Tea Time - Island Tea

This week - Natural Life Cyprus Wild Rose Tea

Price:  I received change back from a $10 bill at Maceo Spice in Galveston, along with a jar of Maceo's Fajita Seasoning - so I'm not quite sure of the price ; )  Their spices and seasonings are wonderful.   Honestly, they give Penzeys a run for their money and they are cheaper, too.  (And be sure to grab a jar of their tomato gravy (sauce) while you are there.  And a muffuletta sandwich.)
Size:  20 tea bags
Caffeine:   No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Steeping time:  3 minutes
Mix ins:   A little bit of Pure Beeing honey
Fragrance:  Roses
Ingredients:  Cyprus Wild Roses
Opinion:   This is a very nice, delicately scented and flavored rose tea.  (Sometimes they can smell and taste like Grandma's soap dish roses.)  It compares to The Steeping Room's Empress' Cup - only difference being the latter has black tea blended and this tea is herbal and caffeine-free.  It's nice to have a choice!  I really liked this tea, a nice change of pace and break from the more robust and spicy teas appearing as we are coming onto Fall.
Rating:  4.5

Thursday Tea Time - One of Two for Tuesday

Always on the lookout in the tea aisles of any grocery store, I found these bottles of Celestial Lattes at the Signature Kroger today.  First I saw the concentrate in a quart size cartoon for $4.29.  Hmmm.  But wait!  Then I looked one shelf below and found the ready-to-drink bottles for $2.79, made with reduced fat milk.  Before I invested in refrigerator real estate and because premixed chai (powder or liquid) can be hit or miss (shout out here to Austin Java for making their own delicious chai blend! And good-to-know if you are traveling through Austin airport, they have kiosks there.  Try their raspberry caramel tea bags in case their chai is unavailable.) 

Anyways, on a rainy morning, these came home with me.  I tried The Godfather first - it had me at "cocoa"!

Ingredients:  Reduced fat milk, filtered water, cane sugar, brewed chai tea (black tea blend, caramel color, cane sugar, filtered water, natural flavor, honey, citric acid, cinnamon, clove, ginger, cardamom), potassium citrate, cocoa extract, pectin and espresso.

Calories 150, total fat 3g, sat fat 2g, carbs 27g, sugar 24g, protein 5g

Room temperature/cold - it was OK,  I would have poured it over ice, but I was wanting something warm.  So I poured the bottle into a mug and heated it.   It was pretty sweet.   I decided to cut it with some 2% milk, about 1/4 cup and heated it some more.    I have to say it's not bad.  The clove and cardamon are predominant, followed by a nice amount of cinnamon.  I don't taste the ginger or feel much heat.  I'd give it strong 3+  for its convenience if you are away from and missing your chai tea stash at home.  Perhaps take to work or if you are traveling and want to chill out/warm up without having to pay almost double at Starbucks.

I will up date this post later when I try the Dirty Chai.

Money Monday - Taped in Advance

Tape refills seem to be getting more expensive.  And it is a lot of money to drop to get them as a package of four or more, especially when you just need one.  I discovered that regular disposable tape dispensers often go on sale for Back-To-School,  but rarely the refills.  And, most importantly, you can pop out the roll - it will fit the roller insert, and put it in your permanent desktop tape dispenser.   I easily saved more than half off the refill cost with the sales.  While they may not as large as the refill size, there's plenty enough on there to last for awhile.  (Plus you can recycle the plastic disposable dispensers.)

Shuffle on - Number 4!

Pinkie the First

Well, on the positive side -- it is definitely an upgrade for the same price, 2 gig now from 1 gig.

iPod Shuffle #3, in Space Gray, is lost in outer (outside my purse) space somewhere.   There is a very remote chance it may be under my car seat when my purse tipped over.  That dark gray/silver makes it difficult to find in dark places, in and out of my purse.

Pinkie the First is definitely brighter and, for the win, has more space to load up audio books and podcasts for flying both in the pool and in the air.  But until then, it is staying grounded in a matchy Vera Bradley zip case.

Hooray for the Vera Bradley outlet in San Marcos!

Unexpected sweet deals and steals - Part 2

I was on my way to Michael's to see if they carried water brushes, and the little voice in my head said, "Check out Tuesday Morning first!"   They are both in the same shopping plaza.  I've found some great craft and art supplies there before, and you have to hit it right.

Stencils - for water color and Gelli-ing
And how could I resist spelling my name in aquamarine glitter letters?!

Swarovski crystals?!
In 4mm square cut!
and 42 3mm circles for 99c!
Also a cool glue
And mosaic sticky tiles in shades of pink and pearl 

This was my biggest find - a Daler-Rowney 7" x 10" travel sketch book with a 2B sketching pencil inside
$8.99, regular price $29.99

And FWIW, Michael's does not carry water brushes. . .