TEANEURING #3 2021

TEANEURING #3

October 27, 2021

Mel & Mia’s in Perrinville WA

Tea: STASH English Breakfast

Food choice: Cinnamon Batonnet (see in photo)

More than 2 miles

I am so pleased that I followed my instinct to complete TWO of my challenge stops last week. “They” were basically correct about rain and wind for much of this week and it was too icky to even want to ride out there. But I started to miss being in the saddle at about Day 2! Today would be my day and I would add a few extra miles just becuase.

I rode under some clouds with hopes for a few sunbreaks on my way to tea this mid morning, enjoying more of the Halloween decorations around, and some other outdoor attractions.

Our weather is good for something other than ducks… there are toadstools too.

These two bikes have been on display for years, and I never tire of seeing them.

A house that appears to be somewhere in the deep woods, but is not.

So, I arrived in Perrinville sure that I would have my tea at Bistro 76. But then I saw tables set out at Mel & Mia’s across the road and decided that this was finally a time to try out their fare.

And I saw the sign for the Tea House!! I was stoked about this for a time in the future, as I love going for tea at a Tea House. There is a little more to that story, but first my choices.

I do appreciate that Stash tea is a decent tea for ‘bagged’, and that is a good thing as it was my only choice. Huh? I thought there was a tea house here. Wait…

I chose my English breakfast tea bag and perused the ‘unique pastries’ in the case. I chose the one on the middle shelf that is second from the right —- cinnamon batonnet. It was scrumptious with my passable, ok tea.

I asked about the Tea House and was shown to the adjacent room…

It looked kinda nice. But, in my opinion, just because it is decorated like a tea room in pink and has nice china cups and plates, does not make it a “real” tea room if you serve only this selection of tea…

No, no, no! A tea house must have some fine loose leaf tea choices — I say.

The women’s restroom made for an interesting visit. 

I never did see any sun on this ride, but the temp was in the low 50s which made is quite comfortable for riding. I am very happy to have finally tried Mel & Mia’s and might return here at some time in the future, just as a different place for a tea stop. I will not be trying the Tea Room experience here however, and will most likely not go out of my way for a visit. But a nice day and ride today

TEANEURING 2

TEA #2

October 19, 2021

Cafe Wilde — downtown Everett WA

Green tea (notes below)

Food choice: muffin (notes below)

At least 2 miles

With our weather forecast showing rain and more rain for the next week and into the following week. Today was sunny with moderate temp: I thought to do Tea #2 today rather than wait. The rules allow two trips a week. So, I am legal ;’-).

For a few years I have wanted to try this place that looks so cool and funky. Today was the day.

There is no paper menu and they give you directions of how to scan it. A new experience.

I finally was able to scan it and then had to take the time to scroll through every smoothie and juice they have. There were LOTS of those…

After what seemed like a very long time scrolling around, I could not find something I wanted for this tween hour (tween breakfast and lunch). I spotted a lone muffin in the display case on the counter and asked if it was old. The one gal said… it’s from last week!!!! Ok, pass. The other helper said we have fresh in the freezer that I can put in the microwave. How fresh will that be?? Oh well, ok I will take the muffin and a green tea. (Even got a bit of a selfie in here, even if blurry!!!)

Years ago, before I learned about how good green tea can be, I thought all green tea tasted like plain hot water. The one I got today — tasted like plain hot water ;’-(.

Sigh,  there is not much here that would bring me back anytime in the future, but at least I got to use the restroom, and there was outdoor seating. ;’-), I had the new experience of no paper menu, and I got to satisfy my curiosity about this place. So not ALL was lost.

OPENING DAY FOR TEA ;’-)

Teaneuring Challenge 2021 Officially begins today. I have done my training and am feeling good, and capable to meet the demands of this challenge.

TEA #1: THE GAMES BEGIN

October 18, 2021

Grounds Coffee Kiosk, Mukilteo WA

English Breakfast tea, do not know the brand but a good one — the kind with no tag hanging from the tea bag ;’-)

I chose an ‘Everything Bagel’ with a schmear (I lived in NY back in the day, so I know what a schmear is even though they called it cream cheese).

At least 2 miles

Today would be one of two days this week (the other one is tomorrow) that are predicted to have no rain. I must ride! This kiosk is not far from home, and I now know that when/if I desire a tea and something, this is an excellent choice so I need not go to Starbucks!! Nothing against Starbucks really, but I do not drink coffee so going there sort of misses the point. The tea they have is fine, but no need to go there for that.

The two baristas at ‘Grounds’ were very pleasant and we had bit of a chat — they liked my Keep Cup ;’-). While waiting for my order I noticed the two painted rocks and could not resist a photo.

I enjoyed my repast in a bit of sun at their only outside table. Once I sat down I felt like I was sitting at a child’s table for a tea party with Kate. It was small and low so that my knees hit it. I appreciated the pumpkin they had placed on the table, and you will note I used both of my bandanas — place mat for my food and drink and a sit upon for the damp chair.

After tea and bagel, I continued on for some more riding in the delightful fall air with sun peeking through for much of the day. I stopped for a look at fall decorations at our little ‘train station’.

And said hello to our resident Beverly Goat who has been redressed for the season.

The completion of my first tea for the challenge.

TEANEURING 2021 Challenge begins 10/18/21

This year my theme within the theme is — KISS.

With all the worry and exhaustion from worry of everything going on in our world, I need simplicity and this will help do it.

THE RULES: 7 weeks; 7 rides (no more than 2 in a week); 7 drinks; 7 different places (name them); a photo of each stop; at least 2 miles round trip; a detail or two about your ride or the place; stay on earth.

My Way of Keeping it Simple:

1). One bike (I own only one bike now so this one is easy) for some playtime. 

2). Any place will do: C Store, cafe, kiosk, my own without walls, a friend’s house, a chain store. I purposely did not do Starbucks in the past. This year it will not matter. Sometimes Starbucks is the only thing nearby on a riding day. Don’t stress to look for something, just enjoy.

3). Mileage: who cares? Except I must ride 2 miles RT ;’-). Will not care how far I ride, but about the days I get out on my bike. I will not track nor report number of miles except to indicate that I rode at least 2 miles. Have fun on my bike.

4). Solo or with someone. Doesn’t really matter. I do most of my riding solo, and though I will happily welcome riding with someone who wants to ride with me, I will not do an endless search. Be happy.

5). A detail or two: maybe, maybe not. Depends on the day, the place and my observation of something. Sometimes there is just nothing to write home about\ even though you enjoy the day, the ride and the drink. I will not stress just to write something, but as I ride to and from tea, I will no doubt have something to say and show. Enjoy everything, anything or nothing — just enjoy being ;’-), and share if there is something.

TEA #0 … IN TRAINING ;’-)

September 22, 2021

Breezeway Cafe at Walter Hall Golf course, Everett WA

Black tea I will tell you about

A nice clean restroom detached from the cafe

Not much in choices here so bought a subway to take home for later

At least 2 miles ;’-)

There are reasons for ‘training rides”.

I had not brought my coffeeneuring bandana that I like to have for the table covering or napkin. Will pack that right away. I have a choice or can take both ;’-)

This “cafe” is a very small place with very limited selection of anything. The staff person pointed me to the shelf of tea selections — all three boxes of Stash tea were available. I chose what she told me was black tea. As soon as I took a sip I knew something was amiss. It was Raspberry flavored. I absolutely do not like flavored tea. Lesson here — pay attention to details to ensure I know what I am getting. Plus — bring at least one tea bag of my own for backup.

There is plenty of outdoor seating and lots of room for my bike. I chose to sit in that breezeway at the close to my bike picnic table, but if I choose to go back here in season (Teaneuring season) I will sit on the upper deck with a view of the golf course.

Hopefully they will begin to allow personal cups. See my mask always at the ready ;’-)

TEA #0+…STILL IN TRAINING ;’-)

October 3, 2021

Seas The Day Cafe, Everett WA (needs a new or refurbished sign),

STASH English Breakfast black tea is pretty good bag tea

Chose to have an English Muffin breakfast sandwich also quite good

At least 2 miles

I hope to include this one once the official season begins, but it is kind of far from home so it all depends. I had a nice table outside and had remembered to bring 1)my bandanas and 2)my keep cup. ;’-). My bike could be leaned and locked right next to me. I also made use of the nice restroom inside.

Though it was a bit of a long ride, cloud covered, and a bit cold, I needed this ride to calm myself from an emotional day the day before. It helped some. After my food and drink break I stopped to view the low tide flats along the waterfront trail.

TEA #0++ FINAL TRAINING RIDE ;’-)

October 16, 2021

Tea Without Walls at local High School Softball field

COSTCO Kirkland Green tea — my take camping tea that suits my taste quite well.

Just tea — no snack as it was nearing lunch time

At least 2 miles.

Plenty of seating ;’-), easy bike placing in sight, warm temps. I was surprised that this mornings threat of some light rain and rather chilly temps ended up being quite warm and a delightful day for a ride. I rode around in my neighborhood and did some leaf peeping for what I think was great fall color.