Teavana tea maker

I haven't done a tea post in a while, and my new Teavana Perfectea Maker was a great excuse to do one.

(On sale today 20% off with free shipping. No, I'm not getting anything free telling you this, just thought you might like to know.)

Isn't this tablecloth gorgeous? It was embroidered by a dear friend of my husband's grandmother. I'm not sure of the vintage, but I would guess it's well over 50 years old.

If you look closely at the picture below in the bottom right corner, you can see that two different shades of peach embroidery thread were used. At first I thought that that part of the tablecloth had faded, but it was definitely a different shade from the beginning.

If I was embroidering this tablecloth and ran out of the darker peach floss, I would just go out and buy some more. But this tablecloth was made during a time when people were much more conscientious of "making do or doing without."  The lighter peach thread was perfectly serviceable, and it would have been considered by many wasteful to buy additional thread. 

I like this tablecloth even more because of this. I think of the Depression and war time, and the sacrifices that had to be made. Women making beauty out of what they had at hand.

And I know they made tea perfectly fine without this little gadget, but it is still pretty cool . . . 

I stopped in Teavana in the mall the other day to get some iced herbal tea. Now herbal tea has never been my favorite, but as I'm trying to avoid caffeine and soda, I decided to be good.

Well, the girl behind the counter made my tea using this gadget, and then told me about some of her favorite herbal teas. I got the tea maker and some peach tea and a "tranquil" tea blend. I've had Celestial Seasonings peach tea, and . . . meh . . . but this peach tea is so yummy. I just ordered some more online.

The strainer at the inside bottom of the tea maker . . . 

Put some loose tea in the bottom of the tea maker. Add sugar if desired.

Pour in boiling water and let steep for about 5 minutes. No need to stir.

I can fill up a large mug once, or a teacup several times. Hmm . . . do I pick the big Hillsdale College mug my youngest son gave me, or the pretty little cup Judith from Lavender Cottage gifted me?

I'll go with the teacup. That way I can pour myself three cups!

With the package I purchased at Teavana, I got 2 ounces of tea and some sugar along with the tea maker. Here, I've transferred the rock sugar into a glass bottle, and affixed the label. 

After the tea has steeped -- and this is the cool part -- set the tea maker on top of your mug or teacup. The bottom is spring-loaded, so the brewed tea will drain right out into your cup. As soon as you lift it off the top of your cup, it closes, and you can set it on the little tray that comes with it.

Making tea can be a happy, soothing ritual. Taking it in a pretty cup adds to the pleasure. Won't you stop and have some soon?

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Little things make me happy. Like pretty colors enjoying each others' company.

(with Waterlogue app)

Linking with No Place Like Home.