Twinings English Afternoon Tea

Twinings English Afternoon Tea is a very smooth, very mild blend that is perfect for a soothing cup of tea after a harried day of holiday shopping amidst the bustling crowds. Although officially described as "brisk and refreshing," the tea is so mild as to verge on bland when compared with stronger teas. However, that mildness and smoothness is part of its appeal. This might be the perfect tea to introduce novice tea drinkers and younger children to the delights of afternoon tea.

A Round of Applause in the Parlor

Last night three friends and I dined out, and when one asked for more hot water, she was also brought a second tea bag. Hooray! Most restaurants will charge for a second tea bag, but this one did not. As if coffee lovers would sit meekly by when offered a second cup made with used grinds...

A Parlor Round of Applause to Amber Restaurant!

Twinings Cold Brew Iced Tea

Even though dreary and cold winter days are fast approaching, we in the parlor drink iced tea year round. It's perfect for luncheon and dinner, or for sipping while reading an interesting novel. Twinings Cold Brewed Iced Tea English Classic was sampled last week, and we enjoyed it very much. The tea was more full bodied and flavorful than many bagged teas, and it did indeed brew in cold water, as promised, in just minutes. The individual tea bag means individual glasses can easily made on the spur of the moment, rather than the large, pitcher-sized tea bags we've used before to make a cold brew and which inevitably delay the tea pleasure. We haven't seen this tea available in stores, but the next time we make a tea purchase online, Twining's Cold Brewed Iced Tea may well find it's way into our basket.

Breakfast and Dinner Menu

A breakfast casserole that straddles a quiche and a casserole is being served this week in the parlor. Italian white bread provides the pseudo-quiche structure, while crumbled tofu bacon and sharp cheddar cheese provide the chewy tang of the casserole.

For dinner, an herb-roasted chicken; any number of teas would make a great accompaniment--chose your favorite.

Apple Pudding

The onset of autumn always makes us, here in the parlor, crave comfort food. Today we are serving apple pudding, from a recipe found at the back of The Tale of Oat Cake Crag by Susan Wittig Albert. The novels are set in the 1910s, and Mrs. Beeton has been mentioned in this or the last book in the series, so it's likely that the recipe is a traditional dessert or, least, a modified version of one. Either way, we think it's scrumptious, with the apples so soft they are almost melting, the layer of thick, delicious syrup on the bottom, and the brown sugary goodness of the cake. We are serving Yorkshire Gold, of course, to accompany this Lake District dessert.

Tea Garden by Vera Bradley

Tea Garden is the latest design to benefit breast cancer research from Vera Bradley. It's a lovely pattern of exuberant flowers on a sophisticated soft gray background. We may to splurge on a new Hipster or Kindle cover in this beautiful pattern.

Teapot Cottage

We are currently knee deep in a cosy fest here in the parlor, reading Susan Wittig Albert's Beatrix Potter mysteries. The Tale of Applebeck Orchard features Teapot Cottage, "the tiniest dwelling in the village." "The cottage was called Teapot because its tiny sitting room had once served as a tiny tearoom, operated by a very tiny and very old lady who always wore a mobcap and a black dress with a lace fichu."

Well, given the summer of shawls that has been ongoing over at the Mossy Nest, and our crazy, curly, turning white hair, we may fit the description of the tea mistress quite well.

Albert, Susan Wittig. The Tale of Applebeck Orchard. 2010 (paperback), Berkeley Prime Crime, New York. Quotations from pages 135 and 136