When I was a child my mum drank about a dozen cups of coffee a day. She was totally, physiologically addicted to caffeine. So much so that, on Yom Kippur (when no food or drink of any kind is allowed for 25 hours) she would make a paste of instant coffee and a spoonful of water and take it like medicine, just to avoid the crippling caffeine-withdrawal headaches. Looking back on those days it is so strange to me that she is now completely unable to tolerate caffeine at all. Even a cup of tea will keep her awake half the night.
Of course, we British are obsessed with our hot drinks. Had a bad day? Put the kettle on. Got caught in the inevitable rain? Put the kettle on. Lost a limb in a freak mountaineering accident? Put the kettle on. You can't negate that kind of cultural heritage just like that. So now mum drinks herbal tea, which is all well and good when you are at home, but not necessarily so straightforward when visiting friends.
Because I am a wonderful, splendiferous daughter (and she is looking after my kids next week while I am gallivanting off to Austin) I made her a little tea bag wallety thing to shove in her handbag. Now she can carry her
weird herbal tea wherever she goes, and always participate in the British bonding ritual that is a gossip over a cuppa.
I'll probably write up a tutorial in a couple of days so you can make your own. It's a lovely quick make, and I think it would be a cute gift for the caffeine-avoiders in your life.
what a fab idea and what a wonderful daughter you are...well she's actually a wonderful Mum and deserves everything she gets ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a good daughter you are ! I drink green tea all day and whilst it is now a lot more available then a few years back, I still pack a few sashes whenever I travel so I am never without !!
ReplyDeleteYou're totally right about the tea thing, it's like an awkward coverall for any tricky situation! love the little tea wallet, and as much as I think it's a great present, I still think you got the better end of the deal, aren't Mums fab! ; )
ReplyDeleteThese make great presents. I made a load of these the other year for pressies. Like you say so quick and simple. I never did get around to writing a tutorial for them.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful, splendiferous make! I may make one of these for my MIL who inexplicably loves Rooibos tea (bleurgh). Love the fabric x
ReplyDeleteA wonderful present!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! It's often difficult to find places that have any selection of teas, here- and those that do, don't always have caffeine-free (My wife doesn't tolerate caffeine either); so your mom will appreciate it, and sounds like you are indeed a splendiferous daughter!
ReplyDeletethanks Dave! Maybe you could make her one ;-)
DeleteI'm still afraid to actually *cut* the material I got for some simple cushions, lol! Maybe I'll have to bribe you to cover them, with tea!
DeleteBribery will definitely work when you have made such a beautiful little tea wallet! Di x
ReplyDeletethat's really cute!
ReplyDeleteAlso good for the super cheap students who can't afford to pay a dollar for a cup of tea at school. I used to always carry tea bags (and canned soup and granola bars) in my bag in university. My friends all thought I was weird, but I'm the one that's got no student loans.
Love it!!
ReplyDeleteadorable! Cute idea! I'm drinking COPIOUS amounts of coffee right now... in fact I'm off to boil the kettle now!
ReplyDeleteYou are a splendiferous daughter indeed.
ReplyDeleteAw, that is so sweet. I may need to start drinking tea just to make one.
ReplyDeleteAnd yah mom for watching kids so you (we!) can play!
Lovely gift! I like herbal teas. I like tea... I have lately found out that I cannot do 24 hrs without a cuppa. The best I can do is one cuppa and the rest herbal. My man calls it "gay tea" tho...
ReplyDeleteugghhhh! How bloomin clever are you!? x
ReplyDeleteI don't know how people who don't drink tea survive without it's curative powers :)
ReplyDeleteI might have to make one of those as fancy/trendy teas are so popular here in the States that sometimes, when you are out, it is hard to get plain old black tea - the only kind I drink.
Genius! I don't drink tea though so feel safe in the fact I won't be getting you to make me one of these ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good deal on the kid sitting - do you need to supply the weird tea too?
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! :) And... tell your mom I said thanks for watching the kids so I can meet you for real! :)
ReplyDeleteYou, my dear, are a perfect creep!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. Bet she thought so too
ReplyDeleteIt's a great gift, as a tea drinker, I should make one for my handbag too!
ReplyDeleteOoh, caffeine withdrawal headaches. I feel her pain. I used to wake up with them on Saturdays as I would be still in bed past the time I would have had my first 5 or so cups. I allow myself one a day now, but it was hard saying goodbye to them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good girl! I don't drink hot drinks, which totally flummoxed my new boss today when he was showing me round the new office
ReplyDeleteHim: 'Here's the kitchen area, tea and coffee vending machines or hot water to make your own'
Me: 'That's okay thanks, I don't drink tea or coffee'
Him, as we walked down the stairs: 'If you get a hot drink, you have to travel in the lift, health and safety'
Me: 'That's okay, I won't have any, I don't drink tea or coffee.'
Him, as we walk into the cafeteria: 'There's a Costa coffee in here, you can get all the usual drinks.'
Me: 'Yup, still don't drink them...'
My mum is addicted to coffee as well! I loved your story and thank you for sharing your childhood memories with us. Your pouch is generous, thoughtful and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of chatting the morning away over a cup of tea. I think I live in the wrong country. (also I got a new kettle for christmas. Sometimes I make a cup of tea just to use the kettle!)
ReplyDeleteOh, you sweet thing. What a nice gift!
ReplyDeletegreat idea! i have a bit of the caffeine need too!
ReplyDeleteOMG I drink wierd tea...I need one of these!
ReplyDeleteI have two people I need to make these for. One takes her own teabags everywhere in a clear, plastic freezer bag - nice!
ReplyDeleteYup, this is too cute!
ReplyDeleteTotally brilliant!!! Please, please post the tutorial. As an English woman abroad (USA) I always take teabags with me, but they're just loose in the bottom of my bag. I'm a quilter, but not a sewer so haven't a clue how to make one of these.
ReplyDelete