AFTER THOUGHTS, MUSINGS AND ASSORTED SUGGESTIONS
This is the only product I use when laundering my vintage linens. I have saved many destined for a rag bag. Hang to dry, not the dryer.
By trial and error, and learning more about tea everyday, there seems to be an good reason why tea tastes best out of a porcelain cup. First, they don't stain like a ceramic cup does. Second, they don't hold the heat and allows your tea cool so you can sip it quicker. Third, well, I feel a bit special having a finer cup than a coffee mug.
While scouting garage sales, flea markets and antique shops, look for a mismatched, lone SILVER tea spoon. This can be a demitasse spoon, tea spoon, sugar spoon, whatever suits you, take it home and shine it up, and use it in your porcelain tea cups. Silver will not make those unsightful lines in your cup as you stir like stainless does. So save a spoon today!
A tea towel is used when pouring tea. Like pouring wine, sometimes those nasty drips can cause a problem. So, as you pour, hold the towel under the spout to catch them. It is not nice to find tea drips on your lovely carpeting after a tea party. Should you find spots. use a solution of dissolved Oxyclean, and they won't be there long!
Try to think "out of the box". When planning a party, look at items you may already own with using them for a different purpose. Flat votive candle holders can become a waste dish for used teabags on your table, a garage sale find with a small chip can be used for a nosegay size floral arrangement, small coasters can be butter pat dishes. Sometimes imagination is more fun than the party!
With spring and summer approaching, the perfect gift for the gardener is a cozy and old teapot for keeping iced tea cold outdoors. Pick up a basket at your favorite resale shop, line it with tissue or whatever you choose, add your favorite tea or Lusianne Iced Tea Bags. Remember it's for a friend, and you know what she likes!
Different teas have different steep times and water temperatures. An electric kettle is wonderful for quick cups of tea and easy to see what kind of "boil" you have. Check Target for the best prices on electric kettles. You won't be sorry!
If you want a stronger cup of tea, do not steep it longer, it will only get bitter. Try a stronger tea TYPE. I like English Breakfast to wake up to, then Lady Grey for most of the day, and another for evening. Have a tasting party and have each guest bring a different tea!
Try some oxyclean in stained tea/coffee cups. It also works wonders on cloudy old glass!
