Verb: pootle
poo-t(u)l To move in a leisurely unhurried way,
with no real purpose


Monday 19 May 2014

Would you like a cuppa ?

 
 Having really enjoyed reading all the 'Randoms ' posts lately it got me thinking
about all the little quirks and foibles that make us us.
The little things that make up our everyday, whether its things that make us smile,
 things we couldn't do without, or things that day in day out are part of who we are.
 I don't mean the big things like our families and friends, jobs and hobbies,
none of the big things that define who we are
but rather just those little things that are unique to each of us.
 ♥
My thing, without any shadow of a doubt would be tea.
Its my constant, my default setting, the thing that makes each day tick along as it should,
from the first cup in bed before getting up to the last one of the day before going to bed.
 
 
As a child many an hour was spent playing tea parties, and dad has an amazing very flicky and jolty Cine film of me and my sister when we very, very little utterly engrossed in pouring tea for our teddies, all very properly sat around a picnic table in our garden.
Even now I am all grown up I still enjoy a good game of 'making tea' most days at Nursery.
It starts right down in the baby room and continues through to the rather more sophisticated
 role play in the pre-school room.
It would just seem to be part of our make up.
 
 
And to this day I just cannot resist a good toy tea set.
 
 
Whilst not being alone in my passion for tea , with several other million joining me in this love affair , I think its a fairly safe bet to say that every single one of us will have a
particular way we like our tea and that's where it becomes unique to each and every one of us.
 
And oh boy I am no exception to that rule as my husband will readily
 ( and probably rather long sufferingly ) attest to.
 
Rule 1:
 It has to be in a cup.
No saucer necessary , but definitely a cup, not a mug.


Rule 2:
 Depending on the time of day that may be a small cup or it may be a big cup.
But always best to ask first just in case, as of course its a woman's prerogative
 to change her mind at any time, right ?

 
 
Rule 3:
Its got to be a teabag.
Tea leaves just don't cut it round here and there's nothing worse
 than rogue tea leaves in your brew.
( Could I just add a little proviso here that if I did use tealeaves I would definitely have to purchase this little chap - how sweet is he ? Just lying there chilling in your cup of tea. )
 
 
Rule 4:
Nothing wishy washy or wet and warm,
and certainly nothing of the herbal,
peppermint or anything else variety.
Good strong Clipper English Breakfast every time please,
 although having said that I'm rather loving
a Teapigs Morning Glory too at the moment.
 
 
Rule 5:
And this is quite possibly the most important one - 
it absolutely has to be the right colour.
We haven't quite resorted to a colour chart by the kettle
 but its been touch and go at times.


Five quite simple rules but ones that must be strictly adhered to,
as I'm sure you can understand.
♥ 
But it doesn't stop there you see because then there's my love of cups, 
and that's not just any cup.
Oh no -it needs to be a good solid china,
no dainty tingy porcelain or rustic pottery clay.
My absolute favourite ?
T G Green Cornishware.
Always has been, always will be.
Striped or spotty, doesn't matter, but always blue.
And those three little cups that you can see piled up on the shelf below,
 I might have just had to buy those this weekend.
 

A LOT of tea is drunk Monday to Friday at work.. its a very necessary cog in the
 wheels that run the Nursery,
and would you believe it, Mr.Sainsbury only went and designed a mug that completely
 matches our Nursery logo didn't he ?
Thank you very much Mr.Sainsburys - we love them !


They make me smile when I drink my tea at work.
As to teapot versus teabag in a cup I'm a bit on the fence with this one.
Usually the teabag in the cup option wins because its quicker but you know, there's a lot to be said for a teapot . I was brought up with teapots, different sizes for different occasions, always warmed and always with a tea cosy.
 We bought this one for my Dad a couple of Christmas' ago and it still makes me chuckle.
 
 
I recently treated myself to a very lovely spotty teapot, and I do rather enjoy the feeling
 of grown upness it brings to our house.
( Still haven't got a teacosy, but one step at a time. )
 
 
It does however have a special teapot mat to stand on.
 
I really like this picture from Pinterest because if you're anything like me sometimes only tea will do.
It makes things better, it picks you up, and truly makes you ready for anything.
 

My most memorable cups of tea ?
 
 
 
Well, this one at the weekend was pretty amazing, out of a cardboard cup
( yes, that's ok for when you're out and about, )
 sat on a bench in Fowey next to my other half, just watching the world go by.
Perfect.
But, hand on heart the three best cups of tea I've ever had were the cups of tea I was given on the Maternity ward after having just had our three girls -
 I can't even begin to put it into words how good they tasted.
 ♥
 
Anyway ... I'm off to put the kettle on, mine's strong with a dash of milk, no sugar.
Yours ?
 
 
 
Thank you to Pinterest for pics 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 13 and 14.

38 comments:

  1. Put the kettle on, Kate, I'm popping round for a good chat and a great cuppa! :-) Such a brilliant post, so simple yet so true - these are the little foibles that make us tick, that link our lives and make us happy! Love the teapot for your dad, and your own spotty one, too - but I raise an eyebrow at your lack of tea cosy - surely you need a pick n' mix crocheted one in your signature colours? ;-} Chrissie xxx

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    1. Kettles on Chrissie ! Gosh I feel quite shamefaced about my lack of tea cosy now, I'll attend to the matter immediately ;-) x

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  2. Large mug, white, no sugar, not whishy washy at all and just the right colour, not too hot, not cold, no fancy teacups with tiny little handles that you cannot get hold of. Very specific me! Just like you! Great to hear about your tea preferences and memories! xx

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    1. I'm on it Amy, tea will be ready in a couple of minutes x

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  3. Nothing beats a cup of tea. Two sugars please Kate! Have a great week.
    Jane x
    PS see http://www.janierob.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/whats-in-name.html - you have to scroll down past all the other rubbish to the end x

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    1. No, absolutely nothing ! Just stirring your cuppa right now x

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  4. Great post! Maternity ward (or more specifically labour ward) tea is THE BEST lol

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    1. It certainly is, I don't think it was even a particularly good cup of tea - but it will never be forgotten ! x

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  5. Who doesn't love tea...
    For me : earl grey or rooibos, in a baggy, in a cup - not a mug, two sugars. And made with water that just stopped boiling, not while it's boiling ;-).
    But I must admit, early in the morning, I need my cup of coffee first...

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    1. Yup, its got to be a cup, definitely not a mug.
      Have a great day,
      K x

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  6. Isn't it funny how we all lean to one particular cup or mug. At home I have two Cath Kidston mugs but kept finding that D would be borrowing one which shouldn't but did urk me a bit as they are my favorite mugs after all. It got to the point that when it was his birthday in April I spotted a CK mug that had racing cars on it (much more macho than flowers wouldn't you agree) and so you guessed it that went in the pressie pile. So now he has his own and can leave me to enjoy mine. That said I like my tea strong like the men in my life and sweet like my daughter.

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    1. That's so funny Mitzi, bless that he has his own CK mug now. Love how you sum your tea up in the last sentence.
      Have a fab week,
      K x

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  7. Medium strength with two sugars please, Kate!

    I'm a bit of a tea chav. I love a good old regular Tetleys tea bag or Tetleys Redbush with vanilla. I can't be doing with herby or floral teas. I start and end the day on tea but drink coffee in between.

    D gets wild with me for 'hassling' the tea bag; he likes it to sit and stew for about ten minutes so it's the colour of rust.

    I absolutely love that little chap tea strainer, he's hilarious!

    A super post Kate.

    Hxx

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    1. Its poured, stirred and sitting here waiting for you Heather x
      Yes, I do love a Tetleys too it has to be said but stewed tea would have to be a definite no no.
      Have a lovely day,
      K xx

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  8. Hello lovely Kate, well get that kettle on and I think I will bring my brew with. For me any leaves brewed or shall I say stewed does the trick and the more herbal the better, maybe because I am NOT allowed tea, who knows. I use to like a good cuppa, but then I have always enjoyed peppermint or camomile, nothing fruity that is for sure. Like you the teabag stays in just to ensure it is stewed enough, but I will add that my teapot does a nifty job and is used daily. My new fave is green tea for the mornings and the rest of the day, well now that I have an abundance of mint in the garden, its pots of mint or this week's special (sticky willy) tea or shall I rather call it by it traditional name of Cleaver. Must say I prefer saying would you like a cup of sticky willy tea? Coming over or what??? Haha xoxo

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    1. Hello Hannapat - I've missed you, so good to hear from you ! Absolutely bring your brew over, can't say as I have any of your brew of choice in my cupboards but thank goodness we're all different because it would be a very dull world if we were all the same !
      Have a great week, come back and visit soon. xxxx

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  9. I just finished my second morning cuppa as I was reading your post. Like you, I am very picky about my tea. I like a mug - my current favourite is a Herdy mug with a sheep peeking up at me. Also, no milk and a bit of local honey. I love that tea leaf holder, and the teapot you got for your dad is priceless!

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    1. Honey - now that's a new one on me, but I can imagine that would be good. Hope you enjoyed many more good cups of tea today,
      K x

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  10. Hi Kate, I thought it was just me. I drive my family mad with my cup and glass fussiness. I like a cup of tea first thing in the morning. It has to be in my 'Her Ladyship' bone china cup. I then drink coffee all morning but only from shaped not straight mugs and before I go to bed I have a decaffeinated tea in a small bone china mug. All my cups have to be pretty. I can only drink cold drinks from a big wineglass as I do not like drinking from thick glass. I like to think I am not mad just slightly eccentric. Great post as always. Vanessa S.x

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    1. All sounds perfectly normal and completely understandable to me !
      K x

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  11. Yes, with you completely. I am a proper teapot! My mugs have to be white on the inside though. Can't be doing with coloured insides! :)

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    1. Love that ! Haven't heard of that one before but kind of makes sense because you can check that your tea colour is exactly right !
      Thanks for dropping by.Have a good day,
      K x

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  12. What a wonderful post. Tea has a mystical quality to it. The rituals are so important, it's not just a drink, it's life! I do like your cups and the tea pot - almost too pretty for a tea cosy. We had a tea pot when I was little, and there was always a handmade woollen cosy on it.

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    1. You're absolutely right CJ, its definitely all about the rituals. I think our rituals are our comfort blankets !
      K x

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  13. Brilliant Kate, the first mug of tea of the day is the best..... sorry I'm a mug kinda person. I have my large mug for the first and second and then as the day progresses they get smaller, but always tea...never coffee. Have a great week. Sarah xo PS I shall look forward to seeing your tea cosy!

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    1. Absolutely always tea, never coffee !
      I'm off to start the tea cosy .....
      K x

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  14. Fab post Kate! I adore tea too...the first cup of the day is best. I like mine with lots of milk, and not too strong. You have to make a tea cosy by the way...it is an essential.
    Marianne x

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    1. Hello Marianne, I agree that the first cup is the best one , and yes, I've definitely got to crack on with that tea cosy I think !
      Have a great day,
      Kate x

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  15. What a great post, a lady after my own heart!! I love a cuppa, but, I'm strictly decaf...kettle is always on in my house.....mug or fine bone China anything goes so long as the tea is hot and strong xx

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    1. Hello Niki .. yes, absolutely has to be hot and strong ! K x

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  16. Oh Kate, you so have it right! My day starts and ends with a good cup of tea, no sugar, a little milk. I have my tea midling strong now, not as strong as I used to drink it. I also don't like herbal tea ... my husband drinks herbal and our famous Rooibos tea mostly .. very healthy!! Must be a pretty cup (or small mug, I don't mind) and just off scalding hot. And any time is a good time to have a cuppa!
    Pat xx

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  17. Wonderful post, Kate! Yes please I'd love a cup of tea....medium, with milk and no sugar please! Tea is my favourite drink especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I like to have special cups and china mugs (small ones). I love your tea time tales and the sweet ribbon......must get some of that too :)
    Happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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    1. Your teas ready Helen !
      Have a great weekend,
      K x

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  18. Tea will always be my first love. I have to start the day with two cups. If i'm at home all day, the kettle will constantly be on and i'll one have almost every hour (I will sneak in a latte though mid morning). Different cups for different times of the day. Mainly bag in cup but I do love a teapot if I have time. Different teabags too for different times of the day. Yorkshire Gold to start the day, decaf yorkshire rest of morning. I used to have Twinings English Breakfast tea, but I've just discovered Dorset Teabags which are really nice, so I have one after lunch (it says 80 cups of sunshine on the box and it's true!). The tea has to be boiling hot too, I can't drink luke warm. People think I'm mad! Obviously I'm less fussy when I'm out and about, but hat home I like it just so!

    Ahhhhhhh stripes. I adore Cornishware, but funnily enough, I can only drink coffee out of them!

    Have a super weekend!

    Vanessa x

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    1. We're practically tea twins Nessa ! I agree with everything you say, especially the boiling hot bit - that's soooo important.
      Have a lovely weekend,
      K x

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  19. I don't take tea at all, unless it's herbal ... sadly some of the tannins in black tea really don't agree with me. So I'll have a coffee please, milky, no sugar :)

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  20. Wow, I needed a cuppa before I read this, now I feel desperate! I'm out of the country right now though, and the tea is not quite right... (I tried to stock up before I left by having 3 cups before my flight, but the effect didn't last long!) I feel quite inspired to write my own tea post when I get home, I already have a tea pinterest board afterall... how fun to share all our tea fancying! :)

    Dxx

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