THE 2 BEST DAYS OF FEBRUARY

(involve roses, chocolate + Bill Murray)

In my opinion, today (February 2nd) is the best day of the month. And when it rolls around, I can’t wait for the movie Groundhogs Day to play on loop for 24 hours. I literally watch it over and over again, and never tiring of: “Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s cooooold out there today.”

By the time you are reading this, you already know that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow at 7:25am EST. It’s likely that I will have already watched Bill Murray re-live his day at least 3 or 4 times already – along with having polished off at least 2 pots of Dark Rose Tea. (Have you tried it?)

In 12 days, we’ll welcome February’s “Runner-Up” day: Valentine’s Day. As a kid, my father always gave all of us (me, my brother and my mother) heart-shaped boxes of chocolate every year. We would all sit on the sofa picking out our favorites and trading each other for ones we didn’t like. (Orange cream? Ew.) Needless to say, every time I see one of those Whitman or Russell Stover assorted chocolate boxes – I’m tempted – then come to my senses and remember how good chocolate teas are, keep on walking and head home to brew a pot of Chocolate Puerh. (FYI: no calories)

Both teas pair nicely with Punxsutawney Phil’s verdict today and to enjoy for Valentine’s Day. Have you considered sending Rose Tea or Chocolate Tea instead of actual flowers and chocolate this year to all the loves in your life?  And by “loves” I mean… anyone you appreciate, or just simply love. And it doesn’t have to be romantic. And it can also be… to yourself. #loveislove

Happy February!
Happy Groundhogs Day!
Happy Bill Murray! (is that a thing?)
Happy Valentine’s Day!

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(ps. I think Groundhogs Day should be a National Holiday and everyone should have off from work. Should I start a petition? Drop me a note if you agree!)

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10 Valentine’s Traditions

Did you know that…

1. Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine’s Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:

Good morning to you, valentine;
Curl your locks as I do mine —
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you, valentine.

2. In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, “You unlock my heart!”

3. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

4. In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.

5. Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

6. A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together — but not too closely!

7. Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.

8. Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.

9. If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.

10. On St. Valentine’s Day in the year 2009, a new tradition of sipping either “Green with Passion” or one of Pearl Fine Teas: TeaHeaven Trio™ (TeaChocolatte, Faux Mint Cookie or 3pm Tea)  is said to bring happiness, joy and a state of overwhelming TeaLove.

(I just made that up to start a new Valentine’s Day Tea Tradition.)

Happy Sipping!

Tea Chocolatte & Glazed Raspberry Heart Scones

It’s bound to happen. Somewhere along the way most people will be faced with chocolate on Valentines Day. Whether it’s a giant box of candies, a rich chocolate dessert or a plain ole candy bar. It’s the first “chocolate holiday” of the year. (Next comes Easter and then Halloween).

TeaChocolatte

As you know, a few posts ago I talked about a new blend we sampled which is a combination of tea and chocolate. When I mention this to people they squirmed with delight or said “ick”.  I have to admit, I too had some reservations about this combination… until I sampled it.

TeaChocolatte (like 3pm Tea and Faux Mint Cookie) is a gift from TeaHeaven. On those occasions when you are running through the house looking for a sweet treat (specifically chocolate) and there is none to be found… sip TeaChocolatte. Barely any calories to care about and more satisfying than you can imagine. Think: midnight craving. No calories. Perfection? Oui.

TeaChocolatte is a lovely rich blend of Black tea, cocoa and chocolate bits with a smidge of flavoring add up to an intense chocolatea explosion in your mouth. Take a sip and fall into a blissful state of TeaLove. Don’t knock it till you try it. Perfect at midnight, sitting by the fire, or soaking in the tub. Skip the hot cocoa. This one’s a keeper. (*Contains milk products.)

Why not spend an hour or so on Saturday, February 14th with a cup of tea and some lovely Glazed Raspberry Scones. The combination of chocolate and raspberry is delightful.

Sit, sip and savour™!

Glazed Raspberry Heart Scones

Rose water lends a subtle floral flavor to the scones; it can be found at some supermarkets, specialty foods stores, and Middle Eastern markets.

Ingredients
· 2 cups all purpose flour
· 1/3 cup sugar
· 2 teaspoons baking powder
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 5 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
· 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons whipping cream
· 1/3 cup (about) raspberry jam (do not use seedless)

· 1/2 cup powdered sugar
· 1/4 teaspoon rose water (optional)

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in large bowl. Add butter; rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles fine meal. Gradually add 1 cup cream, mixing until dough comes together. Turn dough out onto sheet of foil; pat to 1/2-inch thickness. Using 3-inch heart-shaped or round cookie cutter, cut out scones. Gather scraps; pat to 1/2-inch thickness and cut out additional scones. Using floured knife, start at point of each heart and cut horizontally halfway through scones; fill with 1 generous teaspoon jam (jam will show at edges). Transfer to baking sheet. Bake scones until brown, about 18 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool scones until slightly warm.

Meanwhile, mix powdered sugar, remaining 3 tablespoons cream, and rose water in bowl to blend. Spread glaze over scones. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Yield: Makes about 12 (recipe courtesy of Bon Appetit, Feb 2005)

Try TeaChocolatte! $12.50/3z

Happy Sipping!