Tea Time!

I recently fell in love with a new tea, and it reminded me that I have been wanting to post about some of my other favorites. FYI - For those of you not familiar with my religious affiliations (I'm LDS) I only drink herbal (botanical) non-caffeinated teas, so that is all that will find on my list.

There are four tea houses locally that I enjoy visiting (although I have found that toddlers and tea houses don't go very well together, so I am enjoying my tea at home more often now.)

Let's start off with the one that carries my new obsession. . . hold on one moment while I go start a pot of it for myself.

OK, Teahouse Kuan Yin is located in Wallingford


(click on any of the logos to visit their site.)

My favorites:
-current love is Hibiscus Spice. I am not typically a fan of fruity teas (which usually includes hibiscus) but this is not a sweet tea, it is spicy and cider like.
-I also like their WuWei and Herbal Chai

For those of you not in Seattle, they do sell their teas off of their website, will ship to the US and Canada, and will consider international orders on a case-by-case basis. Note that they do have a $20. minimum.



Next up is TeaCup on Queen Anne Hill, which just moved to a new beautiful location and also stocks more of my favorites that any other place I visit. You can also order many of their teas from their website.

-Coconut Cove is another exception to my general dislike of fruit teas. In the summer this makes a wonderful iced tea.
-Evening in Missoula is probably the tea I drink more than any other tea. It is my go-to favorite. It is a complex blend of 18 different botanicals.
-Province Vanilla Rooibos- another new find, and absolutly wonderful. It will become a staple in my tea cupboard, I'm sure.
-Mocha Hazelnut is another favorite (you won't find it by browsing their site, but you can order it by calling them.) This is a chicory based tea that coffee lovers usually like. It is good with cream and sugar.



Miro Tea in Ballard could easily become my favorite place to go sit and have a cup of tea with a friend. They also carry tasty things to eat with your tea! I haven't had that chance to go here as often as I would like (it is really not toddler friendly) so I haven't tried all of their teas that I would like to yet.

-I do love their Bourbon Street Red (a Rooibos with Vanilla)
-I am thinking I would like to try their Sanctuary infusion

The do not sell their teas online.



And last, but not least, I couldn't leave out the only yarn shop/ tea house combo on this side of the Puget Sound. Yep, knitting and tea go hand in hand, and this kid friendly shop is a sanctuary I visit often.

-Apple Butter Chai is my favorite here.
-I also like Night in Istanbul
- Southern Key Lime
- and really the only lemon/mint tea I really like very well, Forest Glen

they also do no sell their teas online, but I'm guessing they would happily take an order over the phone.

There you go, my favorites. Where are your favorite places to buy and enjoy tea?

5 of 20 - a long time comin'

I started these socks while I was pregnant with Little Sir. Yep, over 18 moths ago.

I love the yarn, the pattern is lovely, it was just a very serious case of SSS- actually second half of the second sock syndrome. I was more than halfway to the heel of the second when I lost the love.

Well, now their done, and it doesn't matter how long it took!


Yarn: Whatnot Socks by Union Center Knits in colorway Teresa II.

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.

Pair 5 of 20!

Ahead of schedule by 5 days.

Sixth Socks

So I've started the sixth pair of socks, however, there is just a slight problem.



I love this yarn (Hazel Knits- Baroness) and this pattern (Fruit Loops- Knitty Spring 2008) so much that the sixth pair of socks might get done before the fifth pair.

4 of 20

Yarn: Trekking (from the Spring collection- color 147)


size US 1.5 (2.5mm) needles


Pattern: basic sock pattern, + 2 stitches at cast on, 2X2 cable up each side, flap heel


Operating right on schedule here at the sock factory.


Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go choose my next pattern and yummy yarn.

February Sister Revisited

My mom finally took some much better photos of my Sister in her Feb. Lady sweater.


When I gave it to her she didn't look pregnant at all, now we get to see how adorable it is over her cute pregnant belly!


And, a little detail.

I'll be back on Wed or Thurs. I've got a corporate finance final on Tues and after that I'm free for a week and a half!! I can hardly wait!

Quick Project Sock Update

Pair 4 of 20 are coming along. I've been under a bit (HA!) of stress as of late so I needed something easy to knit. These did the trick with just a 2x2 cable on either side of each sock, however, I am getting bored with them now. Good thing I am starting the home stretch. For some reason the foot always seems to knit faster than the ankle for me.



I've also added a bit to my sock yarn collection. I know the idea was to knit all the sock yarn in my stash, but I'm deciding that it still OK to add to the stash because the point of Project Sock is not to get rid of my stash, but to increase my sock wardrobe. Besides, everyone knows that when beautiful sock yarn in on sale it doesn't count, right!



This is "Dahlia" from the very talented Yarn Pirate.

A little fiber update while I procrastinate

I should be doing homework. I only have one problem left (that one problem will probably take 20-30 min. - but that's beside the point.) It's just one little problem. :)

Anyway, while I'm procrastinating I thought I'd show you a little of my current stress reduction project. Oh, how I love spinning when I need to relax.

Remember this? (Superwash Merino dyed while my mom was here)



It is now THIS! 2 ply sock weight and very very yummy!



OK, now I will go do my homework (or maybe just a short little nap first. . . ;c)