Foodie Friday: Tea Cakes

Tea is part of my daily life, but sometimes, I want to make it a little more special. I may break out some leaves and brew it the old-fashioned way, sometimes what makes it extra-special is the treat that I have along with it. While my British friends tell me that these are not traditional but they sure are tasty!

Ingredients:

• 3 1/3 c. sifted flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2/3 c. shortening
• 2 c. sugar
• 4 eggs, well beaten
• 1 1/3 c. milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

 Method:

• Sift flour, baking powder and salt together.
• Sift 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg into the flour mixture;set aside. 
• Cream sugar and shortening until fluffy; add eggs.
•  Add flour mixture and milk alternately, in small amounts at a time, add vanilla.
•  Fill greased cupcake pans 2/3 full. 
• Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes.   

Makes 2 dozen.  I like to dust them with a combo of powdered sugar and cinnamon.

SO good!!

Thankful Thursday: Honey Ginger Lemon Tea

It has been a time of illness here...and everyone else it seems. There is nothing so soothing as a nice hot cup of tea. Last year, a friend introduced me to what has become my absolute favorite beverage, honey ginger lemon tea. Just the ritual of making it begins to heal me.

The ingredients are simple and few: honey, a slice of lemon, a good quality tea (I really prefer Earl Grey for this recipe) and some ginger. If you are even luckier, you will have some ginger syrup on hand. I was given some as a holiday gift from The Cozy Herbivore herself and feel in love. The tea is even more of a delight with it added.

The Cozy Herbivore's Ginger Syrup:

Ingredients:

• A good sized knob of ginger
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup water

Method:

• Cut the ginger into pieces, no need to peel
• Add that and the brown sugar to the water and bring to a boil
• Strain and store in an airtight container in the fridge

To make the tea:

• Place two teaspoons of honey and a good glurg of ginger syrup (or several chunks of ginger) into your favorite mug.
• Squeeze the juice of one lemon wedge into the mug. Put the wedge into the cup.
• Add hot water and stir.
• Lastly, add a tea bag or tea ball into the mug and steep until the tea is the strength you prefer--3 to 5 minutes.
• Enjoy!

How Tuesday: Brewing Loose Leaf Tea

There is a quiet ceremony is having a cup of tea. Heating the water. Steeping the leaves. Cupping the warm mug in your hands. Slowly sipping.

Both Asian and British cultures actually do make tea drinking a ceremony. They use special cups and tea pots and carefully select the tea they use. In the US, we throw a tea bag into a mug and zap it in the microwave. Not very ceremonial at all--I have decided that when time permits, I will strive to make it a more special occasion.

I am lucky in that I have a tea infuser, but you could also use a coffee press, a tea strainer that goes over your cup or an inexpensive tea ball. Loose leaf tea is available at finer grocery stores, many coffee shops, and of course, online. 

Use one teaspoon of loose tea for every six ounces of water. Heat the water to boiling and pour directly over tea leaves/strainer/ball. If using an infuser or french press, place the lid on but do not depress the plunger. 

Let the tea steep three to six minutes and dispense the genial beverage.

Tea is a civilized beverage that should sometimes be treated as the special treat that it is. 

When life gives you lemons...

You know how the old saying goes. We all do. We have heard it a million times. As we transform those lemons, we sometimes still get a sour bit. It isn't horrible and it won't kill us, but it is not what we wanted or expected.

Yesterday, I was supposed to run a half-marathon, my second. Recently though, I had gotten off my training schedule and wasn't logging the miles that I should have been. I was immersed in rehearsals, a late summer mini-vacation, a new attitude towards my work day, being a good partner, and various other little projects. My blogging suffered but my IT band suffered more. 

In a last ditch effort to prepare for the race, I started amping up the miles last week. In doing so, I tweaked a recurring running injury. I underwent  2 1/2 months of PT earlier this year and almost lost the entire running season. By Thursday, the band was swollen and I knew that I had to make a big decision. I wasn't so upset about the money, I could still cancel the hotel room and I had registered for the race in February, so I wasn't missing the cash. I had, however; invested a lot and time and energy into training only to fail at the follow-through when it was most important.

I was disappointed in myself. In my heart though, I knew that if I tried that I might not be able to finish and that would be even more difficult thank not starting at all. 

So when the starting gun went of on Sunday morning, I was home. I spent the day making soups and baking. I drank lots of tea and sang along to my ipod. It wasn't what I had planned on doing, but in its own way it was just as rewarding and just as comforting. Instead of lemonade, I used those lemons in my tea. As the week goes on, I will be posting about tea and tea-related things. It soothes my soul and that is EXACTLY what I need right now.

It's Crocktober!

Head on over to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Weasinart)  and let us know your favorite slow cooker recipe that does not use any "Cream of..." soup.

 The recipe with the most likes will be featured here on Weasinart! Help us all the cook healthier and easier.

How Tuesday: Craft Tutorial Round-Up

In the words of Calvin (to his good buddy, Hobbes), "The days are just packed." Although autumn is my favorite time for new beginnings and new projects, the week that play rehearsals begins is always a bit hectic.  Although I have not had much time lately to make a ton of new projects, I am constantly thinking of new ideas and gathering inspiration.

 I love to make things and learn something new. Please take a moment to check the blogs in my side bar, they are some of my favorites! 

In addition, these great websites and blogs are wonderful resources  for craft ideas and tutorials:

Craftahloics Anonymous

Totally Tutorials

Cut Out &  Keep

One Pretty Thing

What the Craft

Craftzine

Metalwork Monday: Custom Color Bobby Pins

Okay, so today is a little bit of a cheat. I didn't actually MAKE something, I just embellished. But if you know me at all, you know how I like to match. This is one of the busiest weeks of the year for me, so simple yet helpful is the way to go!