23rd January 2025
At this time of year I need rituals more than at any other time. For me they keep my brain, that is existing mainly indoors because of the cold and the rain, focussed on positive, nurturing activities that are comforting. Tea is one of those rituals for me.
Today I received a tea order from Bird & Blend (tea co.), a shop I used to live near enough to visit. Now I’m further away and I order online, waiting until tea supplies are getting low before putting in an order. A bounty of loose tea being delivered is an exciting January day I can tell you.
The grey clouds are rolling past my studio window, and to save me from the external chill the tea I have just made is called Chocolate Digestives. There are no actual biscuits involved but it has a warm rounded taste and a sweetness from the cocoa shells. While the tea brews I try to focus and let the waiting slow my mind down.
I have 2 mugs that I prefer to use for tea; much bigger than the cups I use for coffee. This one is from Marimekko and it was a present Natasha bought back for me when she was working in Sweden. The mug adds to the ritual, the gift adds to the thoughtfulness of the activity… it’s complex what all of these components can create.
tea time is magic time. and this particular blend sounds delicious! a beautiful nudge that we can find nourishment within when outside is so, well, cold and gray at this time of year.
I have a fantasy of planting a tea garden this spring. Then I can add a garden stroll to the ritual for at least some cups.