make time for tea SIMMER AND SIP

By Annie Singh-Quern

My love for tea began when I was a little girl My grandma, aunts, and my mom took afternoon breaks from the humdrum of the day to drink tea. Grandma adorned the dining room table with her hand-made crocheted tablecloth Next came the made-from-scratch scones with clotted cream and tiny sandwiches filled with homemade jam. I waited impatiently for the ladies to sit, then I climbed into the chair right next to my grandma’s - kneeling, with elbows off the table, so I could watch the magic happen My grandmother poured hot water over loose tea leaves in a small sieve placed over the teapot She added a dollop of sweet thick milk to transform the clear liquid into a silky aromatic caramel color Grandma always made the first pour, without a spill, into the dainty porcelain cup - just for me A sip of the liquid goodness and a nibble of a scone I was now a princess among queens

My tea-sipping days were put on pause as a young adult Coffee was more accessible and I felt that I could just go through the drive-through to get a cuppa and be on my way. Later, as a mom with young ones, life became even busier, and I didn’t have time for either coffee or tea Then one day, I realized that I needed to slow down so I wouldn't crash, and I reached - almost instinctively - for tea The rest is history as they say Tea drinking has now become a daily ritual for me When I feel stressed, I drink tea. When all is quiet at night, I make myself a cup of tea In bed, with a book, a cup of tea sits beside me Maybe it’s the act of brewing the tea, the warm silky goodness of a perfect cup, or the nostalgia of fifty yearsor all of it Regardless, I hope you can indulge in a cup or two, alone or with friends