Back to School Mug Cozy!

That's right, it's that time again, school is starting! While you are getting your new binders and folders be sure to pick up some new yarn (my local Walmart carries Simply Soft- one of my favourite brands). You can browse Ravelry (be sure to add me!!) or google for something neat to make. This pattern is one of my favourites to make, it only takes a few hours and it looks adorable.

also look at the adorable pincushion I made

       



















This pattern is pretty simple although it looks challenging. Just read the instructions and go slowly, you will impress your friends and families and they make great gifts for anyone who uses a mug and either doesn't want to burn their hands or wants to show off adorable things.

Tea and Poetry

My delicious tea
Photo taken by: Lauryn Crum

I have never been to a poetry competition until Friday night. I went to support my friend Roy, and not expecting to really have that much fun. I tried to go in with an open mind but did not really expect much. My friends and I got dressed up and drove to this fabulous place called Teazers. It is this little funky tea shop that I kind of feel in love with. The atmosphere was fantastic as well as their product. 

 First off, the vibe of Teazers is great, it is very relaxed, very zen.  The staff is very helpful and willing to give advice if you need some help choosing. I took a very scientific approach on choosing my tea. Just kidding I choose the tea that had the prettiest name, however, that worked wonders and I had the lightest, most refreshing and tasty tea I have had in a long time. Lauryn thought that my method was hilarious but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The staff was readily available to answer questions about teas, whether or not it should be sweetened and with what is should be sweetened with. 

 The teas are not just strait bags that you would find at like Starbucks, they hand blend their teas and use tea balls. I thought that was really impressive. A lot of their teas are blends of different types of teas and they take the time to make sure that it is just right before serving it to you by tasting it (this is done so it is sanitary do not worry).  The way that they did this made it seem like a more homey type feel and I definitely see myself going back again. I would highly suggest that if you are in the Fresno area that you go and check Teazers out!

Roy Preforming
Photo taken by: Lauryn Crum

On every third Friday of every month they host a poetry competition. As I said before I had never been before and was not expecting much but I was surprised in how much I enjoyed it. Our friend Roy was in the competition ( his first time preforming in front of people) so we went to support him. He was phenomenal! I thought that he did so so so well. He ended up getting 2nd place. That is so awesome for it being his first time. I am so proud of him! All of the poets were great though and I enjoyed myself immensely.

This upcoming month of May will be their anniversary of the competitions and they will be pulling out all the stops and I can not wait to go and hear all of the words so artistically put together. Also I can not wait to cheer on my friend Roy. It will be great I just know it. 

xoxo Tessa

Tea For Tessa

As a little girl I did some very cliché things, such as played tea party. I loved playing tea party especially with my cousin Maddy. She and I are like sisters, and we love spending time with each other. My favorite was to play tea party at her house because my Auntie would make us real tea to play with. This is truly when my love for tea began. My Aunt has an extensive tea collection, and some fabulous china to go with it. On occasion she would let us use it and it was very exciting.

            My Aunt would make us peppermint tea a lot and I think this is how it became my favorite. Peppermint tea reminds me of fun carefree times that just gives me warm and fuzzy feelings. Also peppermint is my favorite flavor of just about everything. However, we didn’t just have peppermint we had a wide variety of flavors we would drink. Being exposed to tea at a young age helped me grow up with a great appreciation for it.
            Now that I am older I have found that I like softer teas and nothing with a very in your face flavor. Honey is my favorite thing to put in my tea. It adds to the flavor without over whelming it and is a great natural sweetener. It is also excellent when you are sick or have a sore throat because it helps soothe your throat. A spoon full of honey helps the tea go down!
            Some tea extraordinaires say that tea in bags is awful and all you can taste is paper. Maybe my palate is just low class but I can’t taste paper so it is fully up to the consumer on how they would like to make their tea.  I have had loose leaf tea made with a tea ball and it was delicious but also a lot more effort, so again completely up to you. There is one thing that I think all tea drinkers should pay attention too and that is steeping time. Each type of tea (black, green, white) has a different time amount that is should be steeped and this is very important. If you go shorter than the time recommended you won’t get the full flavor and of you go longer your tea will go bitter. This means no, do not just leave the tea bag in while you drink! So make sure you check before enjoying your drink.
            I am also a fan of iced tea. I do not like making it because it can be a lengthy time process and I love instant satisfaction. But to each their own. My favorite iced tea is sweet tea is from Texas Borders. This is a small but ABSOLUTELY AMAZING restaurant in Katy, Texas. Every time I go to Texas there is a must have meal there. So if you are ever in the area check it out. I like my sweet tea to melt in my mouth the sweeter and colder the better. I could easily drink it daily. No matter what type of tea is your favorite, don’t be afraid to try a new flavor. Drink up!