A Cup of Tea and A Good Book

A cup of green tea and a good book.

Patrick and Alvaro take care of our yard but I enjoy working outdoors too, so I manage to get in a bit of yard work without their noticing.  I trimmed a few of the shrubs out front in the cool of this morning.

After filling one bag with trimmings, it was time to enjoy a cup of tea and a book and the view from the front patio. 

A nice place for a cup of tea and a book. 

I try to have a cup of green tea each day because it is healthful, and the book that I am currently reading is written by one of Dan's former graduate students Curt Stager.  Still Waters The Secret Life of Lakes is the fifth book that Stager has authored and is dedicated to Dan, Joe Richardson, and Curt's father.  I'm sorry Still Waters wasn't completed before these three passed away.  Dan was aware that the book was in progress, and he knew that it would be dedicated to him as well.  Dan would have been very proud of the book as I'm sure the others would have been too.  In Still Waters Stager explains beautifully how lakes are impacted by humans and how lakes affect humans as well.  Laymen and scientists both can appreciate and learn from this book.

Book by Curt Stager and pottery by Westmoore Pottery. 

Mary at Westmoore Pottery made these little butter dishes that are great for holding used tea bags. 

This fountain began leaking so we converted it to a planter for my succulents. 

One of Mark Hewitt's first big pots. 

My view to the east when enjoying my tea on the front patio.    The rhododendrons are at their peak. 

It was quite pleasant spending time out in that area of the yard this morning, and I may return in the cool of the evening to enjoy the display of rhododendrons at their peak.

Southern Sweet Tea

We southerners like our sweet iced tea, and this is how to make really good sweet tea.  I usually make it by the half gallon.  All you need is a pot of boiling water, tea bags, and lots of sugar.  We like our tea sweet.

1/2 gallon water
8 regular tea bags or 4 family size tea bags
1 cup white granulated sugar (Yes I like it sweet.)

1.  I boil the water in our electric kettle. 

Boil the water.

 2.  Pour a quart of boiling water over 8 tea bags (or 4 family size tea bags).

Eight tea bags.

Cover and let steep for 5 to 7 minutes.

3.  Cover and let steep 5 to 7 minutes.  Longer than 7 minutes makes the tea bitter.

Place 1 cup of sugar in pitcher.

4.  While tea is steeping, place a cup of sugar in your pitcher and add some hot water to dissolve the sugar into a syrup. 

Add hot water to sugar to dissolve into a syrup.

5.  When tea has steeped, remove the tea bags (don't squeeze the tea bags) and add the tea to the pitcher.  Stir until the syrup is mixed with the tea. Add enough cold water to make a half gallon.  Let this sit until tea reaches room temperature.

I used Trader Joe's green tea for this pitcher of tea.  Green tea has more antioxidants.

6.   Serve cold with ice and a lemon wedge. 

Glass of sweet iced tea with lemon.

Dan and I drink more hot tea in the winter, but at family dinners, Thanksgiving and Christmas, I always make a pitcher or two of sweet tea.