Hubba boba!

One of the things I love about Winter is her generosity in sharing craft tutorials. Not only does she make the best dolly drinks I've found, but she shares how on her blog! 

http://fauxrealfood.com/2017/01/07/doll-drink-tutorial-american-girl-dolls/

Apparently her secret is two-step epoxy - not the acrylic water used by so many. 

We have some of Faux Real Foods milk, eggnog (complete with nutmug!), and boba tea and they are all beautiful, tasty ... and sturdy. 

Boba, or bubble tea, is a Taiwanese tea-based drink invented in Taichung in the 1980s. Most bubble tea recipes contain tea mixed with fruit, milk, tapioca balls, and/or fruit jelly.

Now, Momma and I both love tea, and Momma adores tapioca - but tapioca in tea?! No, thank you!

That said, Winter's boba tea is about the prettiest (and tastiest) we've ever seen. 

Don't forget, you can win a Faux Real Food meal - complete with eggnog! Read my post for more details: https://steampunkaddie.blogspot.com/2017/02/tell-me-story.html?m=1

Check out Winter's website at www.fauxrealfood.com. View tutorials, reviews, and sign up for the newsletter to receive special offers. Free shipping until March 15 with orders over $15. Use code FEBFREE17 at checkout.

Adventure now or tea first?

Ahh, there's nothing like a relaxing Sunday at home with my Big Sister, a bracing cup of tea, and watching Jason Isaac's delicious performance as Mr. Darling/Captain Hook in the 2003 moving picture Peter Pan to cheer one up.

We'd been kind of melancholy about Ahmie's death, when Momma's sister-in-law arrived with British tea fresh from her European vacation.

Ahh.

Then my Big Sister started watching Peter Pan, the first authorized and faithful moving picture or television adaptation of J.M. Barrie's 1904 play and 1911 novel since Disney's 1953 cartoon version.

Jason Isaacs (whom we met at Phoenix Comicon 15!) is amusing as Mr. Darling, but he excels as Captain Hook. 

Yes, life is good.

A cruising speed of 10 miles per hour

Oliver Lippincott arrives at Grandview Point on Jan. 12, 1902.
(Photo: Grand Canyon National Park #05122)

Nick and Chris Howell of England have earned my Respect and Admiration.

Eight years ago, Nick Howell purchased an antique 1901 Toledo Steam Car(riage). He later discovered it was the very same car that had made the first automobile trip from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon.

Steam engines capable of propelling themselves developed about 100 years before internal combustion engine automobiles. The light steam car developed about the same time as cars powered by internal combustion engines.

Oliver Lippincott was a Los Angeles photographer who liked trailblazing remote areas with new technology.

The first automobile to enter Yosemite was a Locomobile steam car driven by Lippincott. Lippincott and his mechanic arrived June 24, 1900 and spent several weeks taking pictures to promote both Yosemite and the Locomobile.

Part of what protected the Grand Canyon for so long was its remoteness. A railroad to Flagstaff was completed in 1882 and stage coaches started to take tourists from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon in 1883—a 70-mile, 11-hour journey at $20 per person. 

The first train with paying passengers (the 64-mile trip cost $3.95) arrived at the South Rim on Sept. 17, 1901 from Williams.

In January of 1902, Lippincott planned to drive the roughly 70 miles from Flagstaff to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

Accompanied by a local guide and two reporters from the Los Angeles Herald, Lippincott's 1901 Toledo steamer became the first vehicle to successfully make that trip. In what was later described as "The Trip from Hell," what was supposed to take seven hours took two days—or two weeks, depending upon who told the story.

The Toledo Steam Carriage was a very well-made, high-quality machine and is considered one of the best steam cars produced at the time.

Because steam cars used technology already developed for steam locomotives, they initially had the advantage. In 1900 the steam car was superior and held land speed records, but by 1920 the internal combustion engine had progressed to a degree of refinement that made the steam car obsolete.

Eight years after purchasing the Toledo Steam Carriage, the Howell brothers recreated Lippincott's historic trip. The brothers hoped to do the trip in seven hours, but it, too, took two days. On Aug. 26 and 27, 2014 (with the help of several car and history buffs—and lots of tea) they did it.

And the Howells weren't towed in—unlike Lippincott.

I strongly encourage you to follow the link below to read more about their daring adventure.

Well done, gentlemen. Well done.


http://www.azcentral.com/longform/life/az-narratives/2014/08/29/steam-car-grand-canyon-journey-longform/14834557/ 

Ghoul talk

mattel.com

Momma has been Scary Busy lately with work, which doesn't leave much time for Me.

Harrumph!

Too bad for her, but that leaves me plenty of time to Time Travel and Surf the Web.

We're both still trying to find a Ghoul's Alive Robecca, but now we're also hunting for a Coffin Bean Robecca, too!

Not only is Robecca cute, but checkout the tiny Mason jar she's drinking from!

The Monster High gang can let it all fang out at the Coffin Bean, one of their favorite haunts. Carrying her favorite ghoulish treat, Robecca Steam is ready to grab a table for some ghoul-talk with her beast ghoulfriends. And even though the dress code is comfy and casual, this monsterista is always a fierce fashionista. She wears graphic prints, a sleek silhouette and to-die-for accessories. Her coffee drink with handle fits in her clawesome hand.

The Mason jar (also known as Ball jars, fruit jars, and glass canning jars) was invented and patented in 1858 by Philadelphia tinsmith John Landis Mason.

But what is Robecca drinking out of her jar? Something steamed, of course: but an antoccino, breve, café au lait, café latte, café marocchino, café miel, café mocha, cappuccino, cortado, eggnog latte, espressino, latte, or a mélange? 

Personally, I think it's a Chai Latte: steamed milk and spiced tea. (Add espresso shots for a "Dirty Chai Latte"!

 

 

Tea for 2-year-olds

americangirl.com

My Big Sister and I have loved playing tea with Momma since we were little girls, so I thought it was time to acknowledge the younger American Girl fans of both Bitty Baby and the Bitty Twins.

Your little girl can plan the perfect tea party with Bitty Baby! She can delight her guests with a lovely serving set and scrumptious treats. 

Little girls can play teatime with Bitty Baby! This set has all the essentials:

• A white teapot with a heart-shaped handle, removable lid, and cute floral graphic
• Two matching teacups with wavy brims
• Two saucers
• Two cloth napkins
• A checkered blanket with pink trim

These make-believe treats are perfect for your little girl's tea party with her Bitty Baby doll! This set includes:

• Three star-shaped cookies
• Three cupcakes—your girl can mix and match the frosting to create different "flavors"!
• A fancy tiered tray for serving her guests

 
Have you had Tea with Ahmie today?

 

My Valentine Tea with Ahmie

photo by Madelon

Isn't Kit adorable? Even in pink?

Madelon sent this photo of her Kit saying, "We hope that Ahmie gets well soon! Our entire tea set came from Kmart. Top and skirt by Sophia's and table by Our Generation."

I'd be her Valentine, wouldn't you?

Thanks Madelon and Kit!

Have you had Tea with Ahmie today? 

I SHALL have tea today

americangirl.com

I am rallying my Vinyl American friends for Tea with Ahmie by time traveling and telling them about it.

Even the colonialist Felicity agree to have Tea With Ahmie today and brought out her dusty, retired tea set!

Felicity can practice serving tea with this exquisite ceramic tea set featuring:

• A teapot, two cups and saucers, a sugar bowl, and a creamer all in a lotus flower motif that was popular in her day
• Two spoons, a metal tray, and a wooden tea caddy

Have you had Tea with Ahmie today?

The way of Tea with Ahmie

aprilperlowski-ofdolls.blogspot.com

My Dear Friend April (who lives in Japan!) submitted this photo of her Licca doll by Takara enjoying a cup of Tea with Ahmie.

(Licca is also enjoying Re-Ment cookies/cakes, a Japanese manufacturer of collectible plastic toys. The company's name is derived from a combination of the phrase "reform the entertainment." Established in 1998, Re-Ment currently sells miniature food, furniture and animal figures.)

From what I have found online, Licca Castle dolls are Japanese fashion dolls by Tamara that are similar to Barbie, but with a more Asian build and aesthetic.

Licca was born in 1967 . . .

Over more than four decades she has met countless little girls, played together, and even lent them a sympathetic ear.

What generation of Licca Dolls did you play with? What generation does your child have?

We hope you will create and share your own experiences and memories of Licca with your family and friends.

Do you know anything about Licca dolls? Can you tell me more, please?

Have you had Tea with Ahmie today?

 

Tea with Ahmie

I love how the doll community can come together to help each other when the need arises.

Case in point: Tea with Ahmie.

Ahmie is an eighth grader who enjoys math and playing the viola. She enjoys art of any kind and her signature look is a flower in her hair.

On Dec. 1, 2013 Ahmie was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumors, a rare form of cancer, and she is now fighting for her life. Her family is asking for prayers and any contribution is appreciated.

Ahmie is an online friend of Doll Diaries contributer Karen (as well as Karen Mom of Three's Craft Blog) who started Tea with Ahmie. All you have to do is make some, tea, light a candle, and think of Ahmie.

Karen and Doll Diaries are both publishing contributed photos of dolls and tea, and I'll do the same.

Take a photograph of your tea (with or without a doll), light a candle and think of Ahmie today! Then send in your photograph to me at steampunkaddie@gmail.com.

I agree with Karen - I think we can change the world (at least for one family) one cup and photo at a time.

Have you had Tea with Ahmie today?

 

Elemen-tea-ry

Momma and I have been longtime Sherlock Holmes fans, and we've especially enjoyed the recent treatments in both Sherlock and Elementary.

We especially enjoyed Sherlock's Season One episode, The Blind Banker, because the teapots that Momma collects had a starring role.

Some internet sleuthing told us the teapots for the show were indeed Yixing and were supplied by the British tea company, Canton Tea Club.

A few months ago the production team for Sherlock (the new BBC series) approached us for some authentic Chinese teaware including yixing teapots that would comfortably pass for priceless museum artifacts. The star of the piece was our Shi Piao yixing teapot, ably supported by our bamboo tea accessories all used so tenderly by the beautiful but tragic Chinese heroine in her role as a Tea Master.

Remind me to tell you someday about the more than 100 teapots Momma has, including one from the 18th century.

 

The End is just the beginning…

everafterhigh.com

The more I read about Ever After High the more I realize the same creativity behind Monster High and its characters extends to Ever After and its student body.

As they say, "This isn’t your mother’s fairytale… this is Ever After High!"
 
The children of famous fairy tale characters are destined to follow in their parents’ footsteps to keep their stories alive through generations, otherwise their stories will cease to exist.

However, Raven Queen is unhappy with her destiny and wants to write her own path. The school gets divided into two factions.

"Royals" are those who know they will have a happily ever after:

• Apple White: Daughter of Snow White
• Briar Beauty: Daughter of Sleeping Beauty (Briar Rose) 
• Ashlynn Ella: Daughter of Cinderella 
• Blondie Lockes: Daughter of Goldilocks

"Rebels" are those with less favorable destinies together with those who prefer the idea of creating their own destiny:

• Raven Queen: Daughter of the Evil Queen and the Good King 
• Madeline Hatter: Daughter of the Mad Hatter 
• C.A Cupid: Adopted daughter of Eros and Psyche 
• Hunter Huntsman: Son of the Huntsman in BOTH Snow White AND Little Red Riding Hood 
• Cerise Hood: Daughter of Little Red Riding Hood ... AND  the Big Bad Wolf(!)

So, are you a Royal or a Rebel?

Tea for duel and duel for tea

Scottsdale Public Art

Join the Steampunks for a jolly good time on Oct. 26, 2013 from 4-6 p.m. at the Gallery at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library.

We shall partake in tea and crumpets, for the opening joviality—honoring the talents and mastery of those who produced the fine artistic creations in the exhibition. Witness the remarkable Steampunk sport—Tea Dueling!

The essential social nature of Steampunk is featured in this exhibition of artwork, artifacts, costumes, characters, and adventurous stories. Local, national, and international Steampunks share their creations—building a world of romance, adventure, imagination, and beauty amid the timeless themes of exploration and investigation.

Click here for more information about this exhibition.

The Scottsdale Civic Center Library is located at 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Liquid wisdom

I humbly ask your pardon. It has been so long since I last wrote, but it has been quite the week.

Momma got a new part-time job, and Grandmomma and my Big Sister both got sick!

However, today Grandmomma, Momma, and I went to a Mother-Daughter Tea at our church.Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world after water. Tea is an aromatic beverage created by pouring hot or boiling water over dried leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis.

Drinking tea was first recorded in China in the 10th century B.C. Tea was introduced to Portuguese priests and merchants in China during the 16th century. 

The British introduced tea to India, in order to compete with the Chinese monopoly on tea. Drinking tea became popular in Britain during the 17th century, and eventually named their evening meals after it.

The term "high tea" was first used around 1825 and was served in the early evening at the dining, or kitchen, table.

The term "high tea" was used as a way to distinguish it from afternoon, or low, tea. Afternoon tea, or low tea,  was served in the garden when possible; otherwise it was usually taken inside on low tables placed near sofas or chairs. 

Tea eventually made its way to England's North American colonies. After the Boston Tea Party on Dec. 16, 1773, coffee became the drink of choice in the newly formed United States.

It has been theorized that tea lead to the popularity of Chinese workers on U.S. railroads in the 19th century. Most American railroad workers would drink water from any source - and would frequently get waterborne illnesses such as cholera and typhoid fever.

The Chinese workers rarely got ill and quickly became popular as a source of cheap labor. Why? They almost always boiled their water for tea, instead of drinking water.

Let that be your lesson: Boiled water = healthy water.

Cup of brown joy

Sadly, we are not attending Wild Wild West Con II this weekend due to inclimate weather and Momma's weak lungs.

To cheer us up Momma got us our very own cookies bisquits so Clementine and I could participate in the honourable sport of tea duelling.

However, Momma didn't read the Articles of the Honourable Association of Tea Duellists before purchasing them for us and didn't realize these frosted beauties (inspired by Clementine's cameo!) are not permitted.

Unfortunately those honourable snacks, bisquits brown and bisquits fruit are forbidden for use in Tea Duelling under Queen's regulations. 

We also have too many, since only six are permitted for the duelists.

Oh well, we shall still enjoy our "cuppa and nom."

Tea for two or more

As some of you might know, Momma and I are voracious drinkers of tea ("Tea. Oolong. Hot.") and of course the members of my Steam Team are also since they hail from New Britain.

Theodora spotted these cups and saucers in my cabinet and asked if she could use them.

Since they fit her, and are a bit small for me, I gladly gave my consent.

With Momma's approval, of course.

You see, this antique metal tea set originally belonged to Momma's great-grandmother who was born in 1868. Her tea set consists of a teapot, lidded sugar bowl, four cups and six saucers.

(Momma said she saw the same saucers in an antique shop about 25 years ago and they wanted $35 per saucer!)

I think they suit Theodora admirably, don't you?

Happy birthday, Emily ~ Sept. 29, 1933

Happy birthday, Emily!

In Chapter Four of Happy Birthday, Molly!, Molly learns what Emily would do for her birthday tea party if she was in England.

In England they have real tea, and Emily suggests that she and Molly could put a lot of milk and honey in the tea. The English have thin tea sandwiches (with the crusts cut off!) and are either meat paste (ground up meat like ham or liver) or watercress, or even bread and margarine as butter was rationed. Emily also says she'd have a lemon tart for a special tea party.

A novel of vampires, werewolves and mummies

Last but not least in the Parasol Protectrate series is Timeless:

Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

Sadly, that the end of the Parasol Protectorate series. But author Gail Carriger is starting another series next year about a Finishing School, and then starting a Parasol Protectorate Abroad series!

A novel of vampires, werewolves and teapots

Today I am posting about the fourth book in Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series, Heartless:

Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

A novel of vampires, werewolves & unexpected surprises

I am continuing to spread the word about Gail Carriger's delightful Parasol Protectorate books. Today is Blameless:

Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.

Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.

While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires -- and they're armed with pesto.

I strongly encourage you to read the books in order. They'll make much more sense that way.

A novel of werewolves, vampires and dirigibles

Momma, GrandMomma and I are now thoroughly addicted to the Parasol Protectorate books by Gail Carriger.

Alexia Tarabotti, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears - leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria. 

But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. Even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can.

She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.

Momma galloped through all five books in three days, and GrandMomma is following close behind.

Thank heavens there's both Kindle and Audible versions or I might never get my mitts upon them!