Green Tea Can Be Tricky!

Japanese Green Tea—It’s All in the Brewing

A couple years ago Xyra’s friend gave her 3 different bags (full containers not sachets) of Japanese green tea. They brought them home from Japan to try. Turns out they were not fond of the tea and thought Xyra might like to try it. The challenge…all writing on the bags is in Japanese and only one bag has what looks like might be instructions. This is not it.

Green tea is not processed like other teas. It follows much different rules to get right. Japanese green tea even more so. After doing a bit of research I have a feeling ours has lost some of it’s potency from age. J

Green tea brewing general rules: Don’t…

• Use boiling water
• Use plastic or metal travel mug
• Over steep
• Leave a metal spoon in while steeping

Doing any of the above will result in a very bitter concoction. We’ve done a couple of those in the past. L

So this morning we made water in the quick pot (a small, 4-cup, automatic coffee pot that has never made coffee), put 1 teaspoon loose leaves in the glass tea pot, steeped for only 3 minutes, poured through an infuser into a ceramic travel mug, and sweetened lightly with honey.

I’m sorry these are kind of yellow…we took them without flash to cut down on glare off the water and glass.

It was perfectly delightful!

We will be trying this process with the other two bags. I’ll tell you how they turn out. And if you know how to read Japanese or know someone who does maybe you can tell us what the bags say. From the information and pictures I saw today I think this is a variation of Sencha.

Tea Sets from American Girl

American Girl does have a few tea sets available in the accessories section. The most modern one and least expensive one is back ordered until March 22, 2013.

Caroline’s Party Set

Molly’s birthday Set

Cup & Saucer Set

Mimi in the East

Like Saige’s Mimi, Xyra’s friend’s Mimi had a studio in her home where she created many works of art (watercolors, acrylics, oils, pastels, mixed-media collages). Her works were exhibited at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, Civic Center Museum, Fleischer Museum in Scottsdale, Ariz., Cosmopolitan Club, and elsewhere.

Plus she was a woman of strong character. To get around being banned from literary luncheons that were “men only,” she would throw parties inviting the literary club members (and I bet visiting authors too) to hear about the readings given by famous authors.

This is one of the paintings Xyra has from Mimi. Photos of paintings don’t come out all that well, but this isn’t too horrible.

It’s shades of blue and purple on white. I think it kind of looks like dune grass at twilight. What do you think?

That’s enough for today. We’ll head back to the wardrobe tomorrow.

Have a great night!

Saige Part Two

Tea and more tea!

Yesterday and today began with Tazo Awake-English Breakfast tea. Piping hot with a hint of sugar and a splash of milk. If you like your tea sweeter, that’s a-okay.

I’ve heard “one lump or two” being offered in TV shows or movies. The “lump” is a sugar cube.

You can buy sugar cubes in the store, but they can be expensive. You can also make your own. They can be plain or really fancy by adding flavors or colors or even making different shapes. Here are three recipes for making your own sugar cubes.

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/04/diy-sugar-cubes-homemade-sugar-cube-recipe.html

http://www.niftythriftythings.com/2011/06/diy-sugar-cubes.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5161600_make-sugar-cubes.html#page=0

I admit (and Xyra does too) it’s just as much fun to eat sugar cubes by themselves as it is to put them in your tea. And if sugar tongs are available…they add a level of sophistication!

Currently, I’m finishing off a nice hot (well it was awhile ago) cup of Benner’s blend tea. It’s your standard bag tea like Lipton. We’ve talked about these Tazo and Benner teas before. Basic and nice on a cold winter day.

Saige Book Review Part Two:  Saige Paints the Sky

Xyra and I finished reading Saige Paints the Sky yesterday and read Kailey today (I’ll save Kailey’s book review for another day).

In Saige Paints the Sky we see Saige and her friends still working to get the after school art program started. The students are disappointed and getting impatient—two months have passed and still no classes.

While working with Tessa, Gabi, and Dylan on an idea to get the school administration’s attention, Saige stumbles upon the art room at the rehabilitation center where Mimi is recovering from her injuries. Together with Miss Fane the three get the center’s art program back on track.

In addition to art, Saige is working with Luis to train Georgia one of Mimi’s younger Spanish Barb horses. The two (Saige and Georgia) get well acquainted and train each other.

Throughout the story Saige gets frustrated, jealous, sad, angry, and tentative. She dealt with those negative feelings and situations learning how to get things done diplomatically.

Overall, the story was well written and we enjoyed reading it. We could easily visualize the balloons and horses and, especially, the protest! It was great that Tessa started to spend a bit more time with her “old” friend; and the four girls worked together on setting their idea in motion.

[Xyra thought it would have been nice if the author had Miss Fane or Mrs. Laird explain about finding and needing to get approval for space, transportation, etc. Not to mention background checks on all the people who might volunteer to supervise, assist, and teach.]

This was a fun story and it inspired me to plan a winter party for my friends. J We could even simulate a balloon rising…oh, my mind I racing on this one…generating the basis for a future blog post. J Love it…I hope you will too.

Have a great day!

Happy Groundhog Day!

The news came in early this morning that groundhog Phil in Punxatawny, PA saw his shadow. This year I believe it as the sun was out and the sky clear. Some years I think he sees it due to all the media cameras.

Book review time!

Xyra and I read Saige by Jessie Haas on Thursday and Friday. It was really good. Her story is filled with great lessons and challenges.

Saige Copeland, the American Girl of 2013, is a talented young girl who is starting fourth grade and loves art. Her heart is tested when an old nemesis seems to be taking her best friend away from her. While trying to figure out what to do about Tessa, Saige befriends the new girl on her street, Gabi.

In an afternoon with her grandmother, Mimi, Saige discovers she can use her talents to help raise funds so her school can continue to provide art and music classes. When her grandmother is injured and can no longer assist with preparations for the fiesta, Saige is overwhelmed but continues with the fiesta plans. Does she do it alone? Nope! She has a wealth of assistance from her assistants!—Tessa, Gabi, Picasso, Luis, and many more.

At the back of this book is a story about a real, budding, horsewoman from Pennsylvania and how she has overcome challenges to pursue her dream of showing horses. Both stories are very inspirational.

This book had Xyra thinking about two of her very dearest friends who now live out west.  The setting and Saige’s math professor mom reminded her of the one who lives in New Mexico. So she wore her Balloon Fiesta shirt yesterday. Saige’s grandmother sparked thoughts of the one in northern California. She also had an artist grandmother named Mimi. Xyra and her friends have music in common (all three sing alto).

We started book two last night. The layout of each book is really cool. Each new chapter has a blue band across the top of the page filled with white “doodles.” The illustrations are vivid and almost look like photographs.

I really like Saige and her friends. I'm digging out my catalog to see what I can add to my collection from Saige's.

On a side note, organizations exist throughout the country trying to keep arts education available to school kids. This one is located in Buffalo, NY http://www.musicisart.org/ There may be one near your hometown.

More later.

Have a great day!

Oh, my! Now it's snowing! Put the kettle on and grab the tea or hot chocolate. :-)

Welcome February!

It’s sad to say goodbye to January—it’s my favorite month and my birthday month. However, February is such a fun and unique month too.

Along with being national American Heart Month, American History Month, Black History Month, Cherry Month, Embroidery Month, Grapefruit Month, International Friendship Month, Pet Dental Health Month, Responsible Pet Owner’s Month, Snack Food Month, and Wild Bird Feeding Month it is also Bake for Family Fun Month.

Doesn't that sound awesome? There are so many reasons to bake this month: groundhog day, Candlemas, Chinese New Year, Bubble Gum Day, Wear Red Day, Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Fastnacht Day, Mardi Gras, etc. So grab your mom, step-mom, grandmother, aunt, cousin, best friend, etc. and hit the kitchen with your favorite recipe (or Pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough). This is one of my favorite recipes from my Aunt Lanie—Fudge Krispy Treats—very tasty! Super easy to share and great with a tall glass of milk or a hot cup of tea.

Yesterday I promised you a picture of the hair clip that came with Coconut’s Best Friend Outfit. I found the clip and also found a clue as to why the contents of my outfit are different from that listed by some sites.

This outfit is from the time of the blue American Girl Today boxes. Quite different from the Historical Girl boxes and very pretty; they catch your eye like the black boxes did. (Sorry about the glare.)

Anyway, on the bottom of the box is the item code, item description, and UPC code. This one reads Coconut T Outfit. Just a slight difference, but maybe enough to explain why the contents don’t match precisely. Can you see the watch around the top of the hanger?

This is the hair clip. Isn’t it cute?!

Works really well too! Quick and easy up do.

So for future posts I will try to locate the original box (most are in the box) and give you all the details. In the beginning, Xyra collapsed the boxes (still keeping them) and stored my clothes in my arrival box. As my wardrobe grew, Franz convinced her to keep the outfits in their original boxes. Now Xyra uses Thirty-One Gifts’ Large Utility Totes to keep everything together.

Isn't that cool?! I’d like to have a real wardrobe to store things in too, but don’t know where it would fit.

Book review tomorrow. Until then have a great day and night!

My Best Friend, Coconut

When I arrived in Pennsylvania, I didn't travel alone. Coconut tagged along for the ride. We had some great times together. [Coco is just as darling and fun loving.]

Here we are celebrating Coconut’s house warming. J  [We’ll discuss her dog house another day. Must have more pictures.] What better way to celebrate your friend than by wearing a best friend outfit? In this case, Coconut’s Best Friend Outfit.

[Teehee, do you see another friend in the background? That’s Stringfellow Hawk – he, too, is at Rainbow Bridge.]

The funny thing, when you read the wikia page or even the agplaythings website about this outfit they talk about a fuzzy, pink, ponytail holder. I didn't get one with this outfit; I got a blue claw clip bedazzled with rhinestones. [I’ll add a specific picture of that tomorrow.] It is in the picture…my hair is pulled back in it.

Let’s start with the super cute denim jacket. Quite versatile; can be used as a jacket or as a layering piece. Here it is a layering piece completing the look. Underneath is a light blue, graphic tee shirt featuring Coconut (of course). Both top khaki, cargo, Capri pants. The final touches include dark denim, floral sandals; light blue, claw clip; and fun watch.

This picture shows a close up of the tee shirt. Coconut's Best Friend Outfit was introduced in 2003 and retired in 2005.

I really love animals. Coconut was the first and there are many in my furry family. Each will get a turn in the spotlight. 

Here Coconut sits proudly in front of her new doghouse with her leash on ready for a walk. We take leisurely walks two or three times a day, depending upon the weather. Sometimes it is harder than others, but dogs need to be exercised and allowed to use the “bathroom” to avoid accidents and unwanted behavior. Walks are good for us too; they count toward our exercise for the day. What types of things do you do for exercise?

Have a great night.

American Girl & The Happy Meal

I started reorganizing my closet, planning future posts, and came across some nifty things to share.

Back in 2009, when American Girl was unveiling Rebecca, AG sponsored the girl toy in McDonald’s Happy Meals (& Mighty Kids’ Meals). Not figures, but something like the AG Historical Girl Treasure Totes.

I collected 4 (5 total; one duplicate). Julie (2), Kirsten, Kit, & Molly. Each little book is tied with a gossamer ribbon. However, getting the ribbon retied is as difficult as re-looping Kirsten’s braids, so I only opened Julie. If you really want to see the contents of the others, I’ll open them. Just let me know.

The back and front boards are connected with an accordion house backdrop. On one side is Julie’s street (If this is not her street, please feel free to correct me; I have not read her books yet.) and on the other side is her kitchen.

Attached to the front board is a book that includes an excerpt from Julie’s “Meet” story, instructions on how to fold and use the cootie catcher, a maze, a matching game, How to Draw Nutmeg instructions, and 3 trivia questions. The back board has a pocket holding a pre-made cootie catcher, stickers, and 4 paper dolls.

Cootie catcher corner words: Groovy, Boss, Far Out, and Cool.

Cootie catcher fortunes: “You will…

“…make the biggest splash at a pool party.”

“…become a designer of pet fashions.”

“…be the voice of an animated character on TV.”

“…live in a city on the top floor of a high-rise building.”

“…choreograph a Broadway show.”

“…write a best-selling novel for girls.”

“…win a karaoke contest at a friend’s party.”

“…will always know the perfect gift for your friends.”

The paper dolls show Julie and Ivy in their “Meet” outfits and their “New Year’s” outfits, Nutmeg, and Julie’s record player and records.

The stickers show: Jiffy Pop popcorn, a basket of carrots, a Lava lamp, Tupperware pitcher & tumblers (cups), school lunch, China doll, and money in a Chinese envelope.

Looking at the room, I remember a time when I got in trouble in first grade for creating a house with my books and using my pencils and crayons as dolls to play during the lesson. Yeah, I wasn't always good at staying focused in class. J

Have a great day!