Wednesday, 2 July 2014

MORE ON TEA, AND A MOUNTAIN

On our recent sortie to Alaska, J and I picked up a few mementos of our adventure. We each got a mug with a Moose. (The Moose is the state animal of Alaska, I've been told. I would have thought a Bear would be good, but California already has the Bear.)


For the record, the cup is 14 millimetres (51/4 inches) tall and nine millimetres (3 inches) wide. A good "Moose-sized" cup of tea to start the day. May the calmness prevail!

I asked the sales assistant why there were no antlers on the Moose. She said that, during production, they tried painting antlers on the cup. But the antlers were so heavy, the cup kept tipping over. So that idea was scrapped.

Meanwhile, a new challenge. My tea pot now makes only 11/2 cups of tea at a time. Dilemma: do I get a bigger tea pot, or make tea more often? Any thoughts?

And. . . .

Our intrepid hiking friend, DJan, of Bellingham, Washington, often takes pictures of Mount Baker when she goes out with the Senior Trailblazers. We have seen many, many views of the south side of that mountain. 

My brother-in-law and his wife live just a stone's throw north of the Canada-US border in Abbotsford, BC. So they're about 55 kilometres (roughly 35 miles) north of the same mountain. Here, then, is a picture of the north side of magnificent Mount Baker.  


So, now you've seen both sides — very balanced reporting on the story.

Blessings and Bear hugs, everyone! 

(P.S.: You didn't really believe that bit about the antlers painted on the cup, did you?)



Today's Weather Report
Wednesday's high is predicted to be 25°C (or 77F). With a chance of a thundershower. Or a chance that I'll water my garden. 

22 comments:

  1. Well, it doesn't look very moose-like. Besides, doesn't Maine have dibs on the moose?

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    1. You're absolutely right, Lisa — doesn't look much like a Moose at all. Which I was initially reluctant to buy the mug.

      And Maine's choice of the Moose? Hmmmm. I'll have to check that out. Also, I hope Piece keeps getting better.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  2. Hmm, that does bear a slight resemblance to a moose, but sans antlers, it looks more like a bear on stilts HA HA
    I say fill your mug up and put three or four tea bags in to steep...thus having full use of moose mug and not having to fork out more moolah for a new tea pot! What a gorgeous view of the mountain, and since I have seen it from DJan's side too, I feel almost like I have visited!

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    1. A Bear on stilts? What a hoot! Thanks for making my day.

      But three or four tea bags would probably dissolve my Moose mug. Or my stomach.

      Blessings an Bear hugs, Terri!

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  3. Oh I love Mount Baker. well any mountain for that matter since there are none in Ontario:) Love the Moose minus the antlers cup and make tea more often:) Bear hug B

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    1. No mountains in Ontario? What about the Haliburton Highlands, Caledon HiIls, Niagara Escarpment? No? Oh, well; I tried. (Yes, I know I'm trying.) But I'm glad you liked the picture of Mount Baker. Thanks.

      Glad you like the cup; will seriously consider the "make tea more often" suggestion! Though it already feels like 28C outside (that's a bit over 82, if you use the F scale). Maybe iced tea.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  4. That's a moose? I wonder where they were painting the antlers. I honestly thought it was a rhino on very long legs. I wish I liked tea, especially hot tea. So I must remain in the USA. I'd never be accepted in polite society.

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    1. First time I saw the mug, I thought to myself, "That's a Moose?" A rhino on very long legs? A Bear on stilts? Whatever.

      And as for your feeling you would never be accepted in polite society, I would suggest to you that your desire for tea (or lack thereof) would not be a contributing factor. At all!

      Blessings and Bear hugs, lotta!

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    2. So I guess chewing tobacco is also acceptable? lol

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    3. Only if you bring your own spittoon, and take it with you when you leave.

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  5. I like that mug. :)

    So now we've seen 2 sides of Mount Baker. Just 11 to go until we have a Mt. Baker's Dozen. ;)

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    1. Wonderful, Hilary — hilarious, in fact. Very good. Well written.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  6. I dunno Bear. I sort of missed your entire Alaskan adventure.

    About that tea pot. A larger teapot will give you more options. Go for it! I love using those traditional "brown betty" teapots. Great for either tea bags or loose tea.

    As it's July, I am guessing that hibernation is over? I traveled home tonight during a dramatic thunderstorm to kick off July. The part of my commute on the subway train was fine. It was braving the lightening cracks when I reached my neighborhood subway station's exit that made me a bit of a fraidy cat.

    If I hadn't braved the thunder and lightening show, I wouldn't be writing this message to you right now.

    xo

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  7. It looks quite different from that side, Bear. I laughed at the antler story, and didn't believe it for a minute. A few seconds, maybe. :-)

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  8. Treat yourself to a new teapot.

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  9. What a lovely journey - Alaska is on my bucket list.

    As for your tea challenge, my advice is make it more often - it's better when it's fresh!

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  10. "I would have thought a Bear would be good, but California already has the Bear."

    Different states can, and sometimes do, have the same animal (Maine also has the moose), tree, rock, flower, insect, etc., there being no regulations whatsoever about such things. States don't even HAVE to have a designated animal, tree, rock, flower, insect, etc., which means that some states have more such things than do other states.

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  11. I think you are full of bull moose but I enjoyed the story a lot. You should make up more like it because it shows your very good sense of humor.

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  12. That is so funny that the antlers would have tipped the cup over. I love mooses to pieces, we saw many walking in the woods when we were in Jackson Hole and they are such prehistoric looking creatures (though pretty ornery when riled apparently) Happy Canada Day. A nice cuppa tea is a thing of beauty, you can never have too many.

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  13. More tea! More tea! That is one funny-looking moose. I think that cup would also hold a hearty serving of mousse. Burp!

    Happy Watering! Oh, and Happy Canada Day a few days late.

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  14. I would treat yourself to a new teapot.

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