We have some funny times as a family and I think Christmas Eve was one of the funniest for a while. I bet no one else was plugging a new Virgin Media TiVo box and a new hub in yesterday were they? I've heard of Santa bringing some weird stuff but this bordered on the ridiculous. 

I can't even remember what sparked the conversation off that Mum and Dad from the Brew had tucked away a brand new TiVo box and a new broadband hub. We worked out that these pieces had been hanging around for nine months so it was time they were finally born. Mum and dad had been waiting to watch all their recordings before making the change and then probably didn't think there was any need and so it all got forgotten.

Well as soon as it was mentioned in front of Brother from the Brew that was it, it was all 'go go go' for a Virgin Media upgrade on the folks system. I've not seen anyone move at NASA this quick, in fact I don't think I have ever moved this quick on Christmas Eve. I bet the lady at Virgin Media was a bit stumped and thinking what the heck are you wanting to activate all this at this time on Christmas Eve?

Dad from the Brew kept the brews coming and it felt we had drank an ocean of tea. The living room table was beginning to look like the photo above. One of mine went slightly cold as I had broadband duty so I had the upstairs shift and left my brew on table downstairs, it's ok I'll add the inconvenience onto the installation bill later on. More tea kept coming and eventually we did get it all installed and even got a remote control triple attempted, though paired at last to the tv and everyone was happy. 

I pinched mums old remote for my old fashioned TiVo Box (I'm not even gonna mention an upgrade on mine) and now I have words I didn't even know existed on my remote. In fact my pause button fell off a long time ago so my telly has been stuck, paused in the past......I'm still ready for the results of last years Strictly. I can catch up now.....no spoilers now.

Overall it was such an entertaining evening. Christmas Eve went from a nice chilled event, just getting slightly podged on chocolate to operation tv/broadband upgrade. I didn't even receive that message Tom Cruise gets on Mission Impossible asking if I choose to accept the mission......I may have said, 'well we could do it the day after Boxing Day, it's been nine months, whats another couple of days', but no bish bosh it was done.

I'll tell you what, it will be one to remember, we will be saying for years now, 'oh remember when we installed all that equipment on Christmas Eve'? Thank you so much for popping along and sharing this lovely memory. I hope you have all had a fabulous Christmas Day. I will be back tomorrow, if I'm not installing anyone else's tv or broadband services, with What to Buy Wednesday but for now you all take care.

We go from last weeks broken teapot to a plethora of teapots that need drinking from. Well it's a dirty job but someone has got to do it so it may as well be me. After writing this post a-place-with-all-the-elements.html about Elements Tea and Coffee House I was invited to go on a tea tasting evening which Elements were hosting. 

I had never been to a proper tea tasting session before and to be honest I didn't know what to expect. I thought I may have to seem professional and swill tea round, make slurpy noises and nod in all the right places but no it was so relaxed and very informative. I learnt so much about tea, yes more than I ever thought I knew. This session contained a bit of geography and history, it was like school but better because we drank tea. 

We were hosted by a lovely chap from Elements who really knew his stuff about tea and we were able to sample a large range of teas from white tea, green tea, black tea to the lovely tasty Rooibos which I think had to be my favourite. It was quite cleverly organised so that we started with the white teas which are not so strong and as we worked down the teapots, the tea got a little stronger. As I've mentioned we learnt where all these teas originated from, how they became to be popular and we also learnt the important bit......how to brew them or steep them.

All of the teas were presented in a shot glass which I thought was quite amusing at first but it made sense, we were tasting not on a marathon mug drinking sesh. Although I am now thinking that may be a great idea, to be sponsored to drink tea for charity? Only me then......ok.

We were given some bread as well to cleanse the pallet enabling us to get a real taste for all the different flavours. I was able to get some gluten free bread so very impressed there. We used the chart pictured above to describe the flavours we were tasting. It is very interesting how everyone's taste buds are slightly different and how some people interpret the taste of different teas. That's how we all discovered that we were drawn to different types of tea.......tea is very like people or should I say people are like tea. Life is one great big teapot. 

Overall I can really recommend this event if you are thinking of going. They do have another one scheduled for Sunday 27th January 3pm - 4.30pm. For £15 per person. You can enjoy a light buffet and taste a diverse range of teas including white, green, oolong, and black tea. Tickets are available on Eventbrite here www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/elements-tea-tasting-workshop-tickets-53767759817?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete

.....or you can get them from Elements too. So what are you waiting for? Get yourself booked in. The staff are so friendly and really spend time enabling you to get the most out of this experience. If you love tea this is a must and even if you don't please still think about going as you may learn something you didn't know or you may fall in love with a tea you hadn't even thought of loving. I'm making it sound like dating now eh? Go and meet your brew match........oh and let me know which tea was your favourite and which one you decided to take home. 

Thank you to the staff at Elements for providing a great evening for us. I hope all their events are successful as I'm sure they will be. Thank you so much for reading today. I will return tomorrow for What to Buy Wednesday but for now.........

Take care.

What's this I hear you cry? I can hear Tragedy by the Bee Gees being played (I remember it the first time around, sorry Steps). It's a terrible sight, a broken teapot. Not sure about the teapot but I'm broken too, this was my Mother's Day pressie from a couple of years ago. 

I used this pot a lot, it would just hold two mugs of brew and I just loved looking at the message 'I love you Mum' on the side......it reminded me  that my Boys from the Brew really cared about me. Am I making you cry yet? Is this just the saddest blog post yet in tea world? The thing is it's not too bad as it didn't have a brew in it when. it broke, now that would have been tragic.

It fell through my hands when unloading the dishwasher and boom, it didn't bounce but have you noticed that it has kind of broken in a heart shape. In teapot death it was still trying to tell me it loved me. 

Oh enough of this woe now, the good news is I have found another one exactly the same on the inter web so I can replace it and brew another day. Wow that sounds like a spoof James Bond movie.........oh the original was Die Another Day wasn't it? I think Brew Another Day sounds a lot better.......what's ya name? Bond......Brooke Bond, I like by tea.....one sugar stirred not shaken. 

So for every tragedy there is a solution somewhere. To be honest i's not that I'm short of teapots but this had real sentimental value and there was real love in that pot. I love the thought of spreading love through the power of tea.....tea love, nice. 

Ok so I'm happy now knowing I can replace the broken pot, I just need to be careful with them from now on. Not sure I've seen a teapot that bounces, that would be good fun.....errrrrr maybe not.

I'm signing off another Teapot Tuesday but please do come back tomorrow for What to Buy Wednesday......take care for now and also, take care of your teapots.

I know what you're thinking, my brew's gone all mouldy. No I hadn't waited that long, the service was better than that. It's a Matcha Latte which is delicious even with a bit of vanilla syrup added... ooooh yummeeee.

Matcha is a Japanese green tea and when mixed with steamed milk and a bit of sweetness it makes the perfect latte. Matcha is meant to have so many health benefits, it's high in a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate EGCG which is believed to have cancer fighting effects on the body. It tastes lovely as well, something between a milkshake and custard, probably not a great description but go and try one.

In fact go to this lovely place called Elements and try all sorts of tea and coffee. There are other drinks available and lots of tasty food. They cater for the gluten freer's and vegan ones amongst us which is great and there are events you can join in on as well. There is a Tea Tasting evening coming up  and they have opportunities for you to purchase vouchers for afternoon tea and even a vegan afternoon tea too. 

If you need a space to hold a workshop or meeting there is a space available to hire so this place just has everything. Free Wifi, changing facilities for the little ones and a friendly atmosphere. I loved it here, it was busy on a Saturday which is good......always think it's a good sign if it's busy. 

I first became aware of Elements when I attended the tea festival in Derby recently and they ran the teashop there. They haven't been open for long but from what I can see it's a successful little place so far. The staff are so friendly and I think I will be returning very soon. 

If you would like some more information on Elements Tea and Coffee House they have a website here: www.elementsderby.co.uk or if you fancy a visit then they can be found at 6 Royal Buildings, Victoria Street, Derby. DE1 1ES. I tend to follow them on Instagram, they put up some lovely photos and a lot of info including links to their events.

So go and have a brew and let me know what you think. I'm sure you will enjoy it. 

Thank you for reading today, I will be back tomorrow for What to Buy Wednesday but for now, take care.