Around the World in 8 Teas

Phoenix Tea and Eat Local are working together to present a tea event at Eat Local's Burien, Washington store on Saturday, August 3rd.

Our event is called Around the World in 8 Teas. It will be a fun and educational tea tasting featuring teas from China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Kenya. I will discuss international tea traditions while offering freshly brewed tea samples.  I will also explain how tea is a healthy beverage as well as a sustainable agricultural product when grown and sourced responsibly. 

Eat Local will offer several samples of food to complement some teas. 

After the event guests are invited to visit Phoenix Tea (less than one block away Eat Local Burien) where they will receive a 10% discount on any tea or tea ware purchased that afternoon. 

This event is $20 per guest and space is limited. Please RSVP yes on the facebook event page if you will come. You may also call 206-495-7330 or email info@phoenix-teashop.com to RSVP.

Daddy-Daughter Tea Picnic

These last few days the weather here in Seattle has been amazing. Today, during my son's nap time, my daughter C and I went outside for a little tea picnic under the cherry trees. We spent a glorious, barefoot hour sipping Bai Mu Dan (白牡丹) and nibbling raisins and muffins. A gentle breeze stirred the wind-chime, while occasional blizzards of white cherry petals fell from above.

Bug's eye view.

C sips her tea.

Checking on the Tea Plants.

They appear to be happy.

Apple tree is in full bloom.

Cherry blossom snow.

A Christmas Card from Shushu

Merry Christmas Everyone!

聖誕快樂!



Love, Shushu T. Dragon

Gratitude

I recently met a new tea friend, whom I will call J. He came to Seattle for just 24 hours as part of a noble, personal mission (for lack of a better word). I do not want to put words in my new friend's mouth so I will not describe anything from his point of view. Instead, I will share my own ideas. These ideas have been growing inside me for years but were renewed by J's visit. Put simply, I (and a growing number of other people) believe that tea is much more than a healthy and delicious drink. It is also a powerful symbol of modest, compassionate, and sustainable living. As tea's mainstream popularity grows (a good thing) all tea lovers should keep this symbolic meaning pure by being humble, helpful, fair, tolerant, ecologically aware, and thankful.

Zen Garden - 禪園

We had a pond in our backyard. It was already here when we bought our house back in 2004. We thought it was pretty cool, but it was always difficult to clean and maintain. Plus, we wanted to make our backyard safer for children... so over the last couple weeks, we drained the pond and filled it in with dirt. Our plan was to build a zen garden, and yesterday we nearly finished the project! Here are a few photos my wife took of our newest backyard garden.

Orcas Island

This week my wife, daughter, sister, brother-in-law and I spent some time on beautiful Orcas Island in the San Juans. We rented a cozy little condo in Eastsound with a fantastic view of the bay. Here are a few pics from the trip.

The crew on top of Mount Constitution

The view from our deck

Hiking


Playing in a cool Labyrinth!

Great photo by my Sis

... and for all of you fellow theics who may be curious about the teas we drank on the island, here is a list: Winter Lishan Black and Four Seasons Oolong from J-Tea, High Grade Spring 2009 Tie Guanyin from New Century, and Teacup's legendary Organic Assam from the Rani garden. Good Times!

西雅圖的春天

Today my bus to work broke down at 5th and Mercer and I had to walk up Queen Anne Hill. This turned out to be a lucky surprise, because I really enjoyed the fresh air, exercise and beautiful weather (no rain thank goodness). I also got a chance to take a few photos of some colorful trees in bloom!

Queen Anne cherry blossoms:

More cherry blossoms:

Magnolia (not quite in full bloom):

Pretty pink blossoms:

I hope you have a peaceful spring!

Urban Fusion - Herb Infusion

"Urban Fusion - Herb Infusion".... Say that five times fast!

Happy Fall!

秋天快樂!

Check out this beautiful Autumn Spider Web (蜘蛛網):

I'm wishing you all Peace, Love and lots of great Tea!
祝你們和平，愛，和很多的很好喝的茶