Officially, I’m on vacation – well at least from school for the week (not work).  The fourth of July is hastily approaching,  of course, the holidy does not occur without a family cookout with all the fixin’s.  Traditionally, on every holiday, my mother plans a big dinner during the Fall and Winter months and a cookout during the Spring and Summer. This year is no exception. Lately, I have added tea to the menu. While not everyone enjoys a cup, my family acknowledges my pass... Read Full Story

SAVE THE DATE! July 1, 2009, is the date for the next Co-Op Tea Swap! A fantastically fun collaboration between Tea Escapade and Authori+ea. Membership is free! Additionally, Co-Op Tea Swap members receive Tea Escapade’s monthly newsletter for free. To join in on the fun, simply email the following information to Nikki at TeaEscapade@yahoo.com no later than June 31, 2009, to participate in the upcoming July 2009 Swap:     Name:  Mailing Address:  Phone Number:  Sample Preferences (if any): ... Read Full Story

I beheaded our 15-year-old organic roses, chopping off old doddering faded heads along with matronly full blossoms,  saucy nubile blooms, and just-split-lip sepals revealing babysoft  reds and pinks underneath. I lovingly tore their petals from their peduncles and scattered them on drying screens, dreaming of steaming cups of black tea  steeped with roses. ~(c) Karen Suriano 2009 Read Full Story

I absolutely adore the summer! It is hot all the time and the sun magically bathes you in its glow. There is no better time, in my opinion, to go on vacation than in the summer. That is of course, followed by going on vacation in the winter to a warm, tropical, destination. My family and [...] Read Full Story

While many people think of iced tea as the method of choice for drinking tea, you will find here on Tea Escapade that I will continue to drink hot tea. There is something wonderful about holding a steaming cup of tea in my hands and inhaling the wonderful, steaming aroma of tea. Watching whole leaf teas unfurl and the enveloping sense of peace that comes from sitting still for even just a moment. Today’s tea choice… CoCo Chai Tea Composition: Rooibos, cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, r... Read Full Story

The first cup moistens my lips and throat; The second cup breaks my loneliness; The third cup searches my barren entrail but to find therein some thousand volumes of odd ideographs; The fourth cup raises a slight perspiration-all the wrongs of life pass out through my pores; At the fifth cup I am purified; The sixth cup calls me to the realms of the immortals. The seventh cup-ah, but I could take no more! I only feel the breath of the cool wind that raises in my sleeves. Where is Elysium? Let... Read Full Story

A few weeks ago, my sister Alex and I had lunch at Essencha. Essencha is a wonderful tea house where one can have lunch, on Sunday’s breakfast, tea and an overall good time. Alex was in town for an extended weekend – I had been looking forward to taking her to lunch for the last few months, since I discovered she was planning to come home. Initially, I could not decide where we should go for lunch. But then it hit me, why not share with her a place that encapsulates one of my pass... Read Full Story

When dealing with Alzheimer's and Dementia patients, when does one tell the truth?Today, since I arrived home from work, Muddear has asked me on numerous occasions... "Where is my baby?" I tried to rationalize with her, but of course it didn't work. I would ask, "Muddear, how old are you?""That doesn't matter. Where is my baby?""But, it does matter. You are 97 years old, there is no way that you have babies. They are all grown.""No they are not. Where are my babies?"A little later, I tried ag... Read Full Story

SAVE THE DATE! June 1, 2009, is the date for the next Co-Op Tea Swap! A fantastically fun collaboration between Tea Escapade and Authori+ea. Membership is free! Additionally, Co-Op Tea Swap members receive Tea Escapade’s monthly newsletter for free. To join in on the fun, simply email the following information to Nikki at TeaEscapade@yahoo.com no later than May 31, 2009, to participate in the upcoming June 2009 Swap:     Name:  Mailing Address:  Phone Number:  Sample Preferences (if any):  S... Read Full Story

I am so looking forward to a peaceful weekend. Last weekend was not peaceful in the least bit. Muddear was extremely disoriented and confused. First, I don't think she slept all weekend. Some say it must have been due to the full moon; however, I need a better explanation than that. Sleep deprivation was only the beginning of my troubles.For about the last 8 months, Muddear is mysteriously sick every Saturday. Truthfully, I don't believe she is sick - I think she misses Sharon, the aide. It j... Read Full Story