Tea Time with Melody Q

Grace Starts Training

Behind the Last Door

So, Grace, this is our advent calendar. There is only one door left to open and we want you to do it.

That is really neat! So many little doors. I've never seen one like this before; just the chocolate ones.
There it is. Go for it.

Okay. Opening.

Cool! A little penguin!

Darn, I was hoping for a Santa. Oh, well.
It's cute.
Yes, it is.
Describe the directions to me, please.

I'll open the door further for you.
Thanks.

(bricks snapping together)
She's adorable!

Super cool!

What's behind the other doors?

We'll set up a scene tomorrow. You can check them out then. I think I hear Kaya calling for you.

Last Advent Tea

This is where we do our tea reviews.
Tea reviews?

Yep. Today we're going to talk about the last tea in our advent tea box. Classic.

Sounds good.

We had some yesterday and it was nice. The website says, "Classic is the tea that Yogi Bhajan originally served his yoga students.This unique blend is a combination of the traditional Ayurvedic spices cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. Heart-warming, relaxing, delicious, spicy, and wonderful. Best enjoyed in the Indian tradition: sweetened with a little milk or milk substitute. The essence of this tea is: 'Comfort and abundance'."
Those are great spices; used in a lot of baking recipes.
You bake?
Yes, love it!
Cool! How long does it say to steep this tea?
Steep?

That's how long you let the tea leaves sit in the hot water before removing them and pouring out. The picture in the middle is the steep time.
Looks like seven minutes. The last picture means sugar and milk, right?

(giggles) Yes, we didn't get that right away.
So the tea bag goes into the teapot and we pour the hot water over and set the timer.
I've used a timer like this a lot when baking.

Yeah, this one does double duty for us.
(timer beeps)
Done.
What's next?

How does the tea look?

It's golden brown like the crust on a loaf of bread.
And how does it smell?

I can pick out all the spices. Neat!
Now we taste it. The first time is always plain.
But this one already tells you it's best with sugar and milk.
Yes, but tasting it plain let's you know how much sugar needs to be added.
Oh.

Okay, so the spices blend well together, but the ginger and black pepper notes stick out more. What do you think?

Yes, I see what you mean. This is kind of sweet on its own.
Now, as suggested.

Mmmm, the sugar and milk bring all the notes together.

Sure does! this is velvety.
The Yogi Classic tea is really good.

Spicy, warm, and comfortable.

That's the last in our box of advent tea. Almost all of the blends in here were herbal tisanes. Only a couple listed tea in the blend ingredients. That means no caffeine.
This was fun. Happy sipping!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas eve!

Welcome...

To the Silverleaf Family

Haley, Kaya, Kirsten, Lanie, Melody, New Girl, 2 or more

Hi! I'm Melody. You must be Grace.
Yes, I'm Grace and this is Bonbon.

So cute! Do you only have the one suitcase?
Mm-mm.

Oh, right. Well, let me carry it and introduce you to the others.
Come along, Bonbon.
Hey, everyone! I want you to meet our new sister, Grace.

Hi! I'm Kaya'aton'my' you can call me Kaya.

Come on, we hug here!

I'm Haley.

I'm Lanie.

I'm Kirsten.

One more from me.

Looks like Bonbon is making friends. You have quite a few pets.
(laughing)
Yeah, we do. 9, well, now 10 dogs.
7 cats.
3 rabbits.
A llama.
A cow.
And a monk seal.
Wow!
You're just in time too!

We have one more door to open on the Lego calendar.
One more Advent tea to review.
And our Christmas greeting.
Oh...
We have a great holiday outfit for you.
We'll teach you everything.
Cool.

Welcome Grace Thomasina Silverleaf! And Bonbon.