TEANEURING 2021 WIND UP

Our founder/coordinator, Mary G, has invited us to enter a photo for each of 7 categories for a scrapbook she is designing. I would not pass up this opportunity. 

CATEGORIES:

1.  People

2.  Place

3.  Without Walls

4.  Theme Within A Theme

5.  Spirit of Coffeeneuring

6.  Collage

7.  Wildcard

Of course, I could not simply contribute just one of the categories, oh no! I must inundate Mary with one from EACH category ;’-). So here are my “Scrapbook’ entries:

PEOPLE: Ann

TITLE: “Hi Tea”

CREDIT FOR PHOTO: Me

SOMETHING ABOUT IT:

Though my friend Ann is not actually IN the photo (except for a knee and arm), she set up a delightful tea time for us for one of my visits. I try to bike for a visit with Ann about once a month, and she always has something set up for us. We all need a friend like Ann ;’-).

PLACE: Grounds Coffee Co. Kiosk

TITLE: “My Cup of Tea”

CREDIT: ME

SOMETHING ABOUT IT:

Very close to home this kiosk presents with a bit of  “class” that many do not have ;’-). The table and chairs are quite small and short, so I felt kind of like I was at a tea partly with granddaughter Kate. Chair and table were spotted with past raindrops but my trusty bandanas took care of that.

WITHOUT WALLS: The Village Square

TITLE: “Tea and Me”

CREDIT: Me

SOMETHING ABOUT IT:

There are several tables and chairs set up here at the square and I do not recall anyone, other than myself a few times, ever using them. I pass through here on many of the routes I take around my neighborhood, and it makes for a nice stop along the way.

THEME KISS

TITLE: “Tea Chain”

CREDIT: Me

SOMETHING ABOUT IT:

I try, as reasonable as I can, to avoid chain cafes. This day however I chose to stay with my theme of Keeping It Simple. I did an errand by bike and across from the store I use was a Starbucks. So, well — you know.

SPIRIT: Boeing Parking Lot

TITLE: “Emp-tea”

CREDIT: Me

SOMETHING ABOUT IT:

I brewed my tea, filled my thermos mug and took off for a ride and a tea stop. It was rather a nice longer ride than I had been doing and I was ready for my tea and treat! I got everything set up in the only place I could find as there are no cafes or even picnic tables on this route. No matter — tea without walls would do fine on the jersey barrier. What to my wondering eyes should appear but NO MUG OF TEA (note empty bottle cage). I knew where it was — on my kitchen counter at home. Ok, it’s the SPIRIT of coffeeneruing rule that fits here.

WILDCARD: ON THE ROAD

TITILE: ‘A spawt of sun”

CREDIT: Me

SOMETHING ABOUT IT:

We here in the PNW have had the wettest November in a loooonnnng time. I squeezed in my rides on partial clearing days which often meant getting out fairly early. I was treated to some beautiful sights and wonderful soul filling rides. Without this challenge, I would surely not have chosen to ride in the very early cold and damp morning. Am so glad I have.

COLLAGE: Variety of scenes

TITLE: ‘All Around Me”

CREDIT: Me

SOMETHING ABOUT IT:

My collage features things other than the tea. It gives just a taste of things around us that we often do not notice or look around enough to appreciate. There is lots of beauty, serenity, peace, goodness, and fun in our own back yard.

I say it over and over but never too many times: Thank you Mary G for continuing the fall tradition that brings so many of us from so many parts of the world together. I will hopefully see you again next ‘challenge season”.

TEANEURING 2021

TEANEURING T+1.  #11

November 29, 2021

Without Walls at Boeing 

Kirkland Hopeful Green Tea

Lara Bar

More than 2 miles

And so it rained! I was correct in doing my challenge tea stops twice a week in most cases, and to complete the challenge early. Our rainiest month of the year did not disappoint. In the rainy days that is. See here… this morning’s news….as of this moment we have had 10.9 inches of rain recorded for Seattle. 18.9 for fall months September - now.

Our wettest early fall ever, and more rain ahead 

The Seattle area has broken a rain record, and another atmospheric river is due tomorrow, although we should get a few little breaks in the days ahead. Over the weekend, heavy rain swamped roads in northwest Washington and a flood siren sounded in the border town of Sumas after the Nooksack River overflowed its banks. Dozens of people sought refuge at an emergency shelter. In Mount Vernon, family dairy farmers are still reeling from the "unimaginable" devastation of mid-November.

So here is photo from the past that I tend to like — I do like old mailboxes as they seem to be on the endangered list. As it turns out, my route today took me past this very mailbox ;’-).

I have been disappointed to not get as many riding days as I would wish for, but did squeeze in a few riding times between moments of rain on some days. I did not take photos on those days, nor did I make any tea stops ;’-(. After four consecutive days of lots of rain, I grabbed this day to get on my bike ;’-).  And so I add another teaneuring contribution to this year’s challenge.

Having had all those days of rain, I prepared for a non-sunny ride today with gray thick clouds cloaking that sky. Imagine my delighted pleasant surprise to see some sun breaking up clouds and a bit of blue sky to welcome me at my ride start. 

Though it might be fleeting, and it basically was, I would appreciate seeing blue sky and shining sun for the first part of my morning ride. It was 50+ degrees and the rain was somewhere else for the morning. Within the first hour I was riding in light mist to later become light drizzle to later become simply cloudy. Good bye blue sky ;’-).

Along my chosen route for this day there are no parks, picnic tables or cafes to sit and enjoy my tea. I did the best I could, and found a lone jersey barrier in a Boeing parking lot. I was all by myself and there were no cars in the lot.

There was only one thing missing: TEA!! My surprise when I reached for my thermos and it wasn’t there 😳. I had brewed the tea, filled the thermos and left it on the counter at home. BUT this was all done in the spirit of coffeeneuring, so I am legal. I think.

All my badges came with me for this final one for the season.

With our next atmospheric river coming tomorrow, that will end my riding for November and for this year’s challenge. But I have no doubt that I will be ABCing (Always Be Coffeeneuring) 😉.

One more photo from the day —- Thanksgiving now being done with, there is this…

We know it is early, but I send these wishes to my friends and faithful readers.

With our next atmospheric river on the way tomorrow, this will be my last ride for the month, and for this year’s challenge. I have no doubt that I will be ABCing (Always Be Coffeeneruing) to continue on and stay in shape for next year’s challenge.

TEANEURING 2021

TEANEURING T+1s #9 & 10

T+1 — #9

November 16, 2021

Starbucks & an errandonnee ;’-), Lynnwood WA

Teavana Emporer’s Clouds and Mist green tea

Lemon pound cake

At least 2 miles

WEATHER, oh have we had weather. Not far away all around us there has been wind damage, power outage and severe flooding. We feel fortunate to have not suffered any damage to speak of, and think of those not so fortunate.

After a few days of heavy rain and wind we had a calm day for me to run an errand by bike and so I did. Starbucks is in the same parking lot as Bartell. Keeping with my theme of KISS, I had my stop there for my T+1 ;’-), making it my first and only ‘chain’ cafe. No other photos for this particular stop.

T+1 —- #10

November 17, 2021

Makario Coffee And More, Everett WA

“Green Tea”

An almond something pastry

At least 2 miles

I simply could not even think of letting another dry and somewhat sunny day pass by without a bike ride. Flooded areas and evacuated towns are waiting for ebbing of the rivers which have at least crested (for the moment), and clean up and rescues continue.

First thing this morning showed thick frost on the ground and roof tops with a temp of 32 degrees, and a warning of black ice on the road. I would have to wait and see what late morning would do. Finally 10:30 looked it IT! I put on all of my cold weather gear and headed out for tea. It was brisk and clear and felt refreshing as I made my way into Everett.

I was not immediately sure where I would go for this day’s treat. As I cruised through downtown, I noticed this place Makario in the spot that once held different cafes. This is the third one to take over this spot that I know of: “Pave” was the first place I had visited; it became “Petite Sweets”; now Makario.

It is sort of Japanese I will say, and the decor is simple and clean. 

As seems to be the usual, when ordering ‘green’ tea in such a place, that is what you get. Simple and easy with no brand name and from what seems to have been already brewed. It was an ok tea but nothing I can say was special. I do not know what my pastry choice was called, but it was something almondie. 

I had brought my bike in without asking and no one said anything so I continued to not ask ;’-). There were only a few sparse people, everyone wore masks appropriately, and spacing was good. This was a good choice for me on this day.

I think this will be my wrap up for the challenge this year. Dodging weather and running out of  tea places in close proximity is beginning to cause me to veer slightly away from my KISS theme, and the simple of it is not so simple now. I love this challenge and again thank Mary Gersemalina for coordinating for all of us each year. I am happy to have you (you know who you are) follow along for my challenge.

TEANEURING BONUS T+1 (#8)

TEANEURING BONUS T+1 (#8)

November 13, 2021

Catalyst Cafe, downtown Everett WA

Steep English BreakfastTea (Bigelow product)

Cheese Danish

At least 2 miles

I’m not sure how to number these once I have begun some bonus rounds ;’-).

Two consecutive days of heavy rain meant I HAD to get out today during the non-raining morning hours.

Non-raining did not mean sunny and blue…

…nor did it mean dry. The fog was thick enough to cause heavy mist.

If this had lasted too long, I was prepared to turn around and head back home. Fortunately, in about half an hour, the fog started to lift and I could see a bit in the distance. I could see little since there were heavy low clouds about. But I made my way to tea.

A new place opened in downtown Everett just a week ago, and I was keen to try it out. The sign says “Catalyst”. Cafe is so new, they do not yet have a proper sign. And there is my selfie ;’-).

There were two staff people and I was one of only three customers. Not only did they happily allow me to bring my bike inside, one of them came around to hold the door open for me!!

I chose my cheese Danish and perused the tea selection.

Though I have had, and liked, Bigelow tea, I am unfamiliar with the “Steep” product. Not surprisingly, I chose English breakfast and took a seat as they served me at the table. Next time I think I will try the Oolong Jasmine Green Tea. The name intrigues me.

A bonus was to get to use the restroom. On my rides, it is not always easy to find a restroom as I seldom actually stop in somewhere. Here they have decorated their water heater ;’-).

The tea was good, the cheese Danish too, the staff were friendly and helpful. The cafe is quite basic and will most likely be adding more as they progress in business. I will return here again sometime and try to get some others to try it as well. My ride home was still dry and I added hand warmers to my mittens as my hands were the only or the main part of my body that were cold on the way here. A good day and a good ride before more days of heavy rain begin again!

TEANEURING #7 2021

TEANEURING #7

November 10, 2021

Hague Homestead Park, Everett WA

Colombian Bold Breakfast Blend Tea

Drink only this time

Meet up with Astrid

More than 2 miles

Astrid had the idea, and I jumped at the chance on this semi sunny day to coordinate our meet up. Torrential rain, gale force winds, tornado warnings, and a little earthquake a bit north of us was yesterday’s weather. More rain and lots of it due tomorrow and the following day. We were smart to grab this day! See in the photo that there is even a bit of blue working its way into the day.

A great little meet up with Astrid as we chatted away and enjoyed our hot beverages. A couple of years ago Astrid introduced me to UPTON Tea, and now I order all my loose leaf tea from them. When you make an order, they include a free sample of one of their teas. This was that.

 Afterward we walked down to the lake (Silver Lake) for a visit with the ducks.

And to appreciate the day and the lake.



I left home for the ride to meet Astrid in 44 degrees at 9:00 this morning. Though cold, I was of course dressed for it and felt only a bit chilled but not cold. On the ride home the sun had come out for much of my ride and it was glorious. Got a photo of this cool mailbox about Fall ;’-).

A good day and time shared with a friend. Thank you Astrid.

Though this #7 tea time meets the requirements of the challenge, I will continue to look for T+1 whenever weather and schedule allow.

TEANEURING #6 2021

TEANEURING #6

November 8, 2021

Milkhouse Coffee, Everett WA

London Fog Tea

Blueberry scone

More than 2 miles

First thing this morning I heard our weather person say ‘today will be our first dry day of the month” ;’-0. Imagine my delight when not only was it dry for my ride (yesterday I got kinda soaked on the way home), but there was sun and BLUE SKY!!

Oh yes, I could ride for hours in this weather. I made my way to the Interurban Trail for a trip into south Everett. The trail is mixed with some on road riding and some street crossings, but is a good alternative to the busy roads into town. Today I one of very few on the trail.

The Milkhouse was once where people went to get their milk — back in the day. Last year it opened as a coffee house.

I was there one other time and they had a couple of chairs and small table set outside, but they are not there anymore. So I masked up and went inside for my tea time. I was one two tables of customers and that couple was way across the room from me, so I felt quite safe.

I chose London Fog black tea which was fairly good though a hint of smokie that I tired of when I was drinking a lot of Earl Grey tea. This was a milder smokiness and I enjoyed it with some milk added. My blueberry scone was “ok”. It is always difficult for me to pass up a scone, but if I am here again in the future, I will try one of their other offerings.

As a ‘coffee co.’, the Milkhouse does offer some decent choices of tea. It is appreciated when a place does that for those of us in the tea realm. A beautiful day on my bike today ;’-).

TEANEURING #5 2021

TEANEURING #5

November 5, 2021

Without Walls @ Mukilteo Village

Yorkshire Gold Tea brought from home

Home baked cookie

More than 2 miles

This is my second post this week, but one must strike while the striking is good!! Heavy rain has hit us and today was a golden gem between days of that rain. 

LOOK!! More than a sucker hole today…. Lots of blue with more as I continued my ride.

I even had my shadow with me, which has not happened in quite a while.

Having two non-major medical appointsments in the morning got me home near noon so I would not be doing the ride I had somewhat planned in my mind. I stayed closer to home and enjoyed my bimble along my neighborhood roads and loops. “Village” makes it sound so quaint but it is not really. Something the developers came up with to — well — make it sound quaint I suppose. But there are a couple of nice tables set in the ‘courtyard’ that make for a nice stop.

When we were in Oregon this past summer we visited a tea house where I discovered this Yorkshire Gold tea. Once home and using it up, I searched the net and found some to buy. This is the tea I brought with me for today to have with one of our homemade cookies.

Susan, not I, had made the cookies and they are quite good.

I was so grateful to ride today after two full days of rain and more on its way!

A STORY ABOUT MY RIDE YESTERDAY

I think you all know by now that I am ‘challenge crazy’ and follow as many “challenges” as I can find ;’-). So the Bicycle Ride and Seek monthly challenge is right up my alley. Each month I must find 12 listed items and take a photo with at least a part of my bike in it.

Here is what this month has to say…

Yesterday’s ride took me through a neighborhood that is a bit further from home and one that I do only occasionally. This turned out a good day to do it. I needed a RAKE when I saw someone doing yard work. I pulled into the driveway and asked the woman, “may I take a photo of your rake?”.

Though she looked at me quizzically, it was not an unkind look but more like a “well ok, but is there more to this story” look. I explained what I was up to and she was very agreeable to the photo and asked if there were other items on my list. After recalling a few of the things on my list, Anita (by now we were on a first name basis, and she has a sister named Nancy) said I have one of those but you will have to walk your bike through the grass into my backyard. With a huge smile on my face I followed Anita as she took me through the gate to her back porch.

I had been wondering if I would EVER find an ANALOG thermometer!!

Anita and I spent a few more minutes in conversation about her nice backyard and future hopes to have her young grandkids safely vaccinated so they could spend time here with her. She told me she is not very good on a bike, but she walks a lot and is always interested in others’ adventures (like my Ride & Seek). We said our goodbyes and I told her I would at least wave to her if I rode by and saw her in the yard. She enthusiastiastically encouraged me to do so and off I went. I think I will do more than wave and will try to find her for a proper greeting ;’-).

I have been doing this challenge for at least five years now and many of the items are repeated so that I have even considered not doing it any more. But it gives me something to look for on a ride, and I always find a different item from the last time. But more importantly, I have met many many wonderful people by stopping to ask for a photo of something. Most items I find on my own, but when I have asked anyone, they are MOST helpful and will hold an item for me to take a photo, hold my bike while I take a photo (without my asking), or just smile and show interest. I have never had anyone be anything but nice. There are so many nice people in the world. I met one of them yesterday.