My first ever Passover Seder.

So post-mini-Michigan-getaway Sweet Pea Sister came back with us to Toronto for a week-long visit. I have therefore been unintentionally kept away from Blogger, and have instead been gallivanting/showing off my new 'hood and covering my face with guck... a.k.a. spending quality time with my sis. To make it up to you, a photo of our gucky faces...

Hopefully, we haven't traumatized you 0;D Can you tell we're sisters?

Now for the promised photos of my first ever Passover Seder courtesy of the loveliest host family a high-school exchange student could have, Sweet Pea Sister's host family...

A few of the things I learned about Passover Seder:

1) It's the best holiday to be new to because it's all about asking questions...

2) Four questions asking why this night is different from all other nights to be exact:

• "Why is it that on all other nights during the year we eat either bread or matzoh, but on this night we eat only matzoh?"

• "Why is it that on all other nights we eat all kinds of herbs, but on this night we eat only bitter herbs?"

• "Why is it that on all other nights we do not dip our herbs even once, but on this night we dip them twice?" and

• "Why is it that on all other nights we eat either sitting or reclining, but on this night we eat in a reclining position?"

3) Along with four questions, we have four glasses of wine (mmm!)

4) Afikoman (Hebrew language: אפיקומן, based on Greek, epikomen or epikomion [επί Κομός], meaning "that which comes after" or "dessert") is a half-piece of matzo which is broken in the early stages of the Passover Seder and set aside (or in our case hidden) to be eaten as a dessert after the meal. Everyone at the table who doesn't yet have children searches for the hidden Akikoman and whoever finds it wins a prize!

After the consumption of the Afikoman, traditionally, no other food may be eaten for the rest of the night. Additionally, no intoxicating beverages may be consumed, with the exception of the remaining two cups of wine.

Now am off to a Good Friday Procession with big brother G and Sweet Pea Sister in my new 'hood... The weather (25C!) couldn't be more perfect out!

Happy Easter Triduum!

xo,

tee.

Motoring through Motown snapping photographs.

As mentioned my big brother G and I went on a mini road trip to Michigan this weekend. We came to visit our lil Sweet Pea sister and her host family. (She's on a year long high-school exchange). May I just say Sweet Pea sis has one of the most loveliest host families on earth? In fact, her host dad Greg took us on a little tour of Detroit.

Here a few photos from our 3-hour journey through "Motown." Turns out the "post-apocalyptic" American city still has some hidden gems and glitters of new inspiration...











From Bloomfield Township, driving south on Woodward Avenue (the first mile of paved road in the world!) catching a glimpse of a Frank Lloyd Wright original, popping our heads in to the magnificent interiors of Fisher Theatre and the Guardian Building, walking through The Conservatory on Belle Isle, to walking around the whimsical open-air art world of found objects (including abandoned homes) known as The Hidelberg Project by artist Tyree Guyton... It was an absolutely delightful afternoon! Thanks again Greg :)

More photos to be posted soon. Tomorrow all about my first Seder!

xo,

tee.

Eye spy with my little eye... Das Rollende Hotel.

Originally posted here.

Tomorrow I'm going on a mini road trip with my big brother G to Michigan. I heart road trips big and small. We're renting a car. By the way, if you ever want to drive across to the US (and likely vice versa) and need a rental, I highly recommend Budget Rent A Car. Not only was Budget the most affordable, compared to Dollar and Thrifty their unlimited mileage feature was actually unlimited. The other rentals were only unlimited within your province (boo!) But as usual I digress...

It just so happens I came across this nifty new way to travel called Rotel. As DVICE puts it, "What else would you call a rolling hotel?" Germany-based Rotel Tours lets tourist travel to fabulous locations by combining tour bus and hotel into one rolling vacation.

The bright red custom-modified Mercedes hotel-on-wheels has 24 seats and 26 capsule-sized sleeping areas for trip participants (the two extra beds are for driver and tour guide of course!) Also equipped with a small kitchen and toilet, however Rotels lack a shower. Ewww, that could get a bit stinky! Thankfully the tour company says they try to stay at campgrounds with shower facilities as often as possible.

Interestingly, while I call this form of travel new, Rotel has been doing this for years. They have 3,400 beds rolling all over the world from the Serengeti to the heights of Patagonia!

Perhaps if I learn German or they add an English or French function to their website, I'll try 'em out sometime. I like think they'd be more affordable than a cruise and way more comfortable than Greyhound!

Bon weekend!

xo,

tee.

PS - Re: "hiring a car..." Oops, also forgot Alamo Rent A Car also an excellent choice for cross-border unlimited affordable rentals.

A delectably brilliant Earth Hour idea.

Earth Hour is but a day away! What to do?

Well while I will actually be out of town visiting family and friends, (rest assured we will be sitting in the dark enjoying each other's company on Saturday, March 27th at 8:30pm doing something)... What I'd like be doing is as It All Starts With Butter suggests: Earth Hour Fondue Dinner by Candlelight.

According to the fabulous foodie advice of It All Starts With Butter, fondue is broken into 3 courses: cheese, traditional and chocolate.

Fondue by maki.

For cheese, I love his suggestion of rubbing the pot with a clove of garlic before melting the cheese for a little added flavour. I told you it was delectably brilliant! Not to mention easy and affordable, according to It All Starts With Butter, if I'd prefer not to grate the cheese myself, I can pick up packaged fondue cheese for about $8 for a pack that serves 4!

For full details on how to do it right click here. The best part of this Earth Hour suggestion? It can be done at any hour!

Bon app, mes amis !

xo,

tee.

A Cuppa Tee V.

Originally posted by Likes.

I am a bit of self-proclaimed tv junkie, and I don't even own a television! That's right, I watch tv online on my schedule! Which of course is usually the day it's posted =/ Current fave since Glee took a hiatus: The Good Wife -akin to Law & Order but much much juicier ;)

Come to think of it none of the shows mentioned above were featured in the video below. Yet it doesn't change the fact that while impressed, I was more relieved not to recognize all 22 television theme songs! Yay, maybe I'm not a tv junkie after all...

It's sunny out. Time for me to grab a book and sit in the park!

xo,

tee.

PS - I've noticed blogger has been cropping the YouTube videos I've been embedding... My apologies. Simply double click on any of the videos and it will open directly to the original video post.

Ginger the Great.

Originally posted by Compartilhamento de fotos!

Been blogging as a cuppa tee now for nearly three weeks, so I suppose it's about time I actually blog about tea!

It all started last night... Not sure if I just devoured my dinner too quickly, or 'twas jittery nerves as I await important emails from job prospects and cute boys, but I had a tummy ache :(

The solution: Homemade Ginger Tea. Conveniently I had a whole bunch of ginger root just sitting around from my poule au pot au feu...

Here's what I did...

1. I brought about 4 cups (1L) of water to a boil in a saucepan.
2. Took about a 2-inch chunk of ginger root, peeled it and cut into thin slices . By the way do you know the trick to peeling ginger? Gently rubbing the skin off with a teaspoon. Works like a charm!
3. Add ginger slices to boiling water, cover and let simmer on low for 15-20 minutes. (I also added a tablespoon of turbinado sugar a.k.a. raw sugar at this step, since I didn't have honey to sweeten at completion.)
4. You can strain the tea, or if you're impatient like me ladle the the tea into your favourite mug and squeeze in fresh lemon to taste.
5. Enjoy ;)

Spicy and invigorating, a cuppa homemade ginger tea did just the trick!

Ginger by FotoosVanRobin

Not just a tummy ache remedy, did you know "in ancient China, ginger was regarded as a healing gift from God. Ginger has an ornate, long history of both culinary and medicinal use in Chinese, Japanese and Indian medicines?"

Check out these facts I discovered when looking for cool photos of ginger...

1. Good for the respiratory system: ginger treats coughs, asthma, bronchitis, and helps to clear sore throats.

2. Strengthens the immune system's ability to fight infections and lowers fevers.

3. Relieves headaches, toothaches and backaches

4. It is believed that ginger root juice is able to dissolve kidney stones.

5. Offers substantial protection from stroke and heart attack because of its ability to prevent blood clotting. It reduces serum cholesterol, which can slow down circulation.

6. Effective in geting rid of motion/ morning sickness, gas, swelling, and diarrhea, upset stomach and indigestion. It stimulates appetite.

7. Stimulates circulation so it is good for cold hands and feet.

The list goes and on, and can be found here.

Happy Tummy Ache-Free Tuesday!

xo,

tee.

PS - Candied ginger is even better than that those adorable spicy little red cinnamon hearts from Valentine's Day ;)

A Cuppa Green Tee: Barcelona Street Lamps.

As I'm so accustomed to writing about all things eco from my ecojotting days, I can't help but be delighted to begin with this week's cuppa green tee from beautiful Barcelona...

Churros originally posted by swastruck.

Other photos by me.

I'll never forget the first time I visited the second largest city in Spain along the Mediterranean coast... Probably because it's the only time I've ever visited. For now that is ;) The warm welcoming air (even in mid-October); the decadent Churros y Chocolate (yum, perfect with a cuppa tee); then of course there's the design: the fashion, the streets (graffiti and all), the architecture: new and old, and even the fresh markets screamed vibrant colourful art!

So what goes better with design, other than innovation? Reminiscent of my ecojotter post "sensored, times and on call... lights!" this brilliant idea makes one think of all the electricity that's wasted by city lights that stay on when no one needs them.

"The solution: one Barcelona neighborhood is using a system of LED lights, controlled wirelessly, to provide light exactly when, and where, it's needed. It keeps the streets safe while saving the city money." For full story, take a "GOOD LOOK" of the video below:

Plus unlike the Dial4Light idea from Germany, it doesn't require you to use up precious cellphone airtime minutes. However, both are definitely worthy of a green tee mention! Hopefully more cities are inspired to be eco-innovative leaders...

xo,

tee.