Quilted Coffee Bean Mug Mats

Since re-opeing the Etsy shop I operate with my Mom and Mummu, I have had two very lofty goals:

1. Keep it running all year round
2. Add handmade items!

So far, we've met both goals!  Pretty incredible feats, no? ;)

During the holidays, I finally listed some of my Christmas spiders, but this summer my Mom and I are hoping to add many more handmade items.  We're really going to buckle down.  It's not for lack of inspiration that we aren't as productive, creatively, as we'd like: we have more ideas than time - as I'm sure many of you do.  I have to admit, I'd be a lot more amenable to having children if I could be guaranteed a crafty/handy son or daughter who could help me sew, build, and paint.  Knowing my luck, I'd end up with a kid who whines, "can't we just buy it at Walmart?"

"No, now load the bobbin and get to work".

My Mom, as you might have gleaned, is fabulously talented - although she shrugs off any compliments.  She's also incredibly creative, and I can't wait to showcase her talent.  For now, the shop has one teeny, tiny handmade listing: these adorable sets of handmade mug mats.  They are reversible and machine washable cotton (throw them in the dryer, too!), with thermal fleece inside to protect surfaces from the heat of a steamy cuppa.  I don't know what's more adorable: the quilted coffee bean or the polka dot backing? 

So cute, right?  She's been selling these locally, but I convinced her to let me list two.  As we make more items for the shop, we'll post some more sewing tutorials too. 

How to Make a London Fog Latte at Home

I am going to start adding a few recipes here and there for Dinner, Dessert & Drinks Dans le Townhouse.  Some will be recipes we've tested and others will be ones we've created, but all of them will be tasty and easy-peasy because Hubby & I don't tend to linger in the kitchen.  When we want food (or dessert, yum), we want it now.

Sound good?

It is brrrr cold in the townhouse today so I'm warming up with a London Fog, also known as a Tea Latte.  I am hoping this warm, slightly caffeinated drink will pep me up because I need to be mighty productive today.  I have felt two steps behind since we rang in 2012.  Anyone else feel behind in their work?

 
Well, let me help distract you.  Want to make one of these foamy concoctions for yourself? 

Ingredients (per latte):

1. 1 cup of soy (or milk, if you prefer)
2. A smidge of vanilla extract (have any left from my DIY room fragrance recipe?)
3. 1 tablespoon of loose leaf cream earl grey or plain earl grey tea
4. Pinch of sugar (unless your soy/milk is already sweetened)

Supplies:

5. Large spouted microwave safe pitcher (I use a Pyrex multi-cup measure) 
6. Tea ball or paper tea filters (I prefer the latter)
7. Microwave
8. Milk frother (mine was $9.99 from a local shop)

How to Make an Easy Latte:

1. Heat the soy or milk for 1-2 minutes (microwaves vary)
2. Steep the tea in the soy for approximately 2-3 minutes
3. Squeeze the tea bag with a spoon to get every drop out
4. Add a pinch of sugar and a dash of vanilla
5. Froth milk for 30 seconds (your cup measure should be larger than your portion of soy because frothing is a bit messy)

6. Pour the latte into your mug, curl up under a blanket, and enjoy

A Note on Ingredients:

Why Do I Drink Soy?

I used to drink milk but stopped years ago because being diary-free alleviated my allergies.  But cheese is so delicious that I eventually got back on the dairy train.  Even though I started eating cheese and yogurt again, I found I couldn't drink milk anymore because, after years without it, it tasted too filmy.  Blech.  So I drink soy by choice.  I used to buy So Good but then I spotted Natur-a organic soy at Costco because the price was so fantastic.  It tastes great, especially in cereal, but needs a dash of sugar for drinks like this. I really like the fact that it is organic and can just be stored in the basement until it's opened which means we are never dashing to the store because we're out of soy.  We always have it "in stock". 

Loose Leaf Tea Seems Like a Hassle.

Years ago I worked in a tea shop and got hooked on loose leaf tea.  It takes a bit more fussing, but the tea tastes so phenomenal I think it's worth the effort.  Using a tea filter is much easier than a tea ball (which often lets tea leaves escape) and it has the added benefit of allowing you to pre-make a few bags at a time for transport or just ease-of-use.

If you haven't tried it, check out a local tea store - many offer small samples.  Loose leaf tea is often what coffee shops use and that's why their tea latte can taste so much better!

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