The Skinny Sweet Tea: Peach-Flavored Green Tea

Here in Georgia, my beloved state is doing its normal spring thing and bouncing around from eighty-degree temperatures to sixty-degree temperatures, and when we hit the eighties last week, I was in search of my first iced tea of the year. T. J. Maxx helped meet this need by introducing me to The Skinny Sweet Tea line of teas. Naturally, I chose the peach flavor.

And as always, I'm grateful for the individually wrapped tea bags. I've got a couple of trips coming up soon, and these will be great for travel.

This tea is interesting because it's a cold-brew tea, and sure enough, it steeped in a glass of water after just five or six minutes in the fridge. Out of curiosity, I later tried it hot, and it didn't seem quite as flavorful. The ingredient list is short: green tea, stevia, peach flavor. It did indeed taste sweet, and while sometimes stevia has an odd sweetness, I really enjoyed the smooth and sweet flavor of this tea. Now I'll be looking for other varieties!

A treasure trove of tea accoutrements!

Last week, I spent a few days visiting my friend Kathy down in Statesboro, and when I settled in at "my" room (featuring beautiful antique iron beds and vintage quilts),  I noticed two full plastic baggies on the bed I always use, and "Angela" was written on one of them. "Is that a tea strainer?" I thought, but I literally plopped my bags down and joined Kathy and her husband, John, in the living room and didn't give it another thought until late that night when I was getting ready for bed. Then, I realized what a treasure trove of tea accessories she was giving me!

I knew she'd been cleaning out for a neighborhood yard sale that's coming up soon, but my goodness, I hit the jackpot! She included tea strainers …

And teaspoons and jam spreaders …

And napkin rings …

And adorable little chair-shaped place card holders, among many other things. Thank goodness I recently bought a fresh jar of Wright's Silver Cream! People don't always love hand-me-downs, but I sure love these!

Shopping alert: New teapot shopping bags

I learned years ago that when I spot those pretty 99-cent shopping bags with teapots on them, I need to grab a handful. They're useful not only for toting things around but also for gift bags for large gifts: puzzles, fleece throws, and pillows are just a few of the things that I've "wrapped" in these bags over the years. So when I spotted these at T.J. Maxx this week, I grabbed five. I may grab five more next time I see them!

The teapots caught my eye, of course.

And the Staffordshire dogs and other china pieces are cute as well. So if you like to use such shopping bags as gift bags, too, I just wanted you to know about these so you can run get them before the non-teapot-appreciating public gets their grubby little hands on them. Have a great weekend, friends!

Checking out a new coffee (and tea) shop

I'd been seeing the sign above a shop in neighboring Peachtree City, so last Saturday morning, I packed up a journal and some pens (I've been in a writing mood) and headed to Beignets & Brew, which promises "New Orleans–style beignets."

I tried the Turtle Beignets, which were covered in caramel, cream cheese, chocolate, and pecans. While these were nothing like the beignets I remember eating at Café du Monde in New Orleans on my honeymoon, they were nonetheless quite decadent! (I recommend skipping a meal if you decide to order these.)

And for sipping, I ordered the Sugar Cookie Chai, which was delicious even though it made me think of a Christmas treat (and this was still March). The beignets were something I would order again if I had a girlfriend along to share them, and the chai was something I would definitely order by myself. Have you heard of Beignets & Brew? If so, any favorites?