Wednesday, February 2, 2011

# 11 Tea

From this point forward all posts will be number 11.

Similar to coffee, Red people's like of tea has many levels;

Some are loyal to only one flavor or brand,
My granny likes Blue Ribbon tea, yeh know...comes in a red plastic bag, 100 tea bags for 49 cents or whatever.
My friend D likes Red Rose, she's just nostalgic about the old flowery tins and free knick-knacks that it used to come with. *sigh* ...yesteryear....
My mom and aunties like muskeg tea (AKA Labrador Tea) and cedar tea, I think it tastes nasty but hey, it keeps scurvy at bay.
I used to like mushroom tea but that's a different blog... a different Space Cowgirl...a different lifetime...whoa, I have fingers!!!

Some of us like to make it in different ways, (I'm talking about tea here, not the other thing we like to do in different ways. Oooooo!)
The completely average way: boil water in a kettle, drop in tea bags, pour into a cup, drink.
Ooooorrrrr!! The awesome memory making way!!!

BUSH TEA! WOOOOO...OOO..ooo...oh...that's right, just me...
Alright, maybe I'm the only one down with this, but soon you will be too, especially if you're all about being outside at inconvenient, unconventional times of the year.

First, you need to dress appropriately, long johns, jeans, long sleeve shirt, t shirt, knitted wool sweater from your Kokoom, Mukuluks or rubber boots, mitts that flip over into gloves, and a bright orange toque (so you don't get shot.)

Second, you need some provisions. tea, sugar, canned milk (yuck!) one spoon, some cups, water, matches.

Third, you need a 4L tin can (or you use a camp kettle...boring), some wire that won't break if it gets hot.
To make a bush tea kettle:
Step 1, Make sure you can has no holes in the bottom.
Step 2, Poke a hole in side of the can about an inch from the top, poke another one directly across from it.
Step 3, Run the wire through to make a handle.

Fourth, start walking into the bush. Find a spot that has some fire wood to be had, a fallen tree to sit on, some moss, some shade, an opening for the smoke to escape up through the trees, some rocks...maybe a berry bush...a nice stream...some bunnies...a few chirping birds...a singing nanny....wait a minute...this isn't Disney.

Fifth, get two forked sticks and one straight stick. Drive the two forked sticks into the ground fork side up, steady with rocks if required.Thread the tin can filled with water onto straight stick and lay stick across the forked sticks. Build a fire under the tin can. Boil water.

Sixth, make the boiled water into tea. Enjoy your memories.

(These directions are very simple, so if you screw this up...your granny will be so disappointed. ARGH! And granny disappointment it the worst! It comes with embarrassment and teasing!)

This is done best in the spring, a little snow on the ground, crisp air, wet earth...good stuff.

For a little more on Labrador tea, Check this out: http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/books/pp_web/makingtea_pp.pdf

Isn't that awesome? What I like most is that Granny is DECKED OUT...her prettiest dress, her beaded bling. And those little girls are ragamuffin cuties - I'm a little disappointed that they are not wearing matching, but different colored outfits, but still very cute.

So, why do we like tea? I dunno. I don't have all the answers dammit. MJ tells me that they are all about the tea in Norway House....so what up MJ? Enlighten us.

3 comments:

  1. Ohhhh I dunno... I think we like it for so many reasons. It starts early. We get yummy sweet tea in our bottles and are free to just chill on the couch while watching The National grabbing onto our toes while our leg is up and off to the side a little all the time listening to our grandparents talking in the next room - good times. So we're addicted to the caffeine at an early age - just kiddin'. But seriously, its so good, why wouldn't it be the drink of choice? Good steaming, good cold, its a drink for all seasons. It keeps your energy up and gives ya a nice shot of essential vitamins. Old people knew the health benefits a long time ago too, right. We're fancy up in Norway House... haha. We like ol' red rose but sometimes we dig on Earl Grey and of course whatever bush mixes people come up with! As far as I'm concerned, I've never come across tea I didn't like! What else do we like about it? It gives you a time to just chill with a cup (see note on earlier memory) to stop n' mull things over, especially on the stoop looking out over the lake watching that sun, listening to 'em trees. So pretty in Norway House. Sigh. Anyway, I don't really remember a time at my grandparents' place where tea wasn't on the stove ready to go for whomever came by. Massive tea kettles are required in Norway House! And you always offer it to those who stop by. Its code for stop n' stay a while and visit. A welcoming of sorts. If your not offered something, I dunno, I'd be worried. haha. My gran used to read tea leaves. I wonder who taught her? I wish she'd have taught me. Anyway, you can't learn about the future from pop so just another one-up to the awesomeness of tea! OK. I don't know how to end this, so I'm just stopping now. lol

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  2. awwwnt I can just picture baby MJ with a bottle of sweet tea and a big ole pilot biscuit dozing off to Coronation Street.

    There you have it people, it's about memories, hospitality, health and the predicting the future.

    Thanks Marla!

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  3. Funny, you know. We weren't really offered tea as kids unless we stayed with grandpa by ourselves - now there's a treat. The National was on too! And he would mix it up for us - southern prairie style - with whatever was in the cupboard (likely Red Rose - we have some of those trinkets laying around) and some fresh farm cream - non-pasteurized. Risky grandpa!

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