Teatime with Quails.

“On silver necklaces they strung The flowering stars, on crowns they hung The dragon-fire, in twisted wire They meshed the light of moon and sun.”

The Elvenking/Thranduil: Yellow Tea

Flavor Profile: Smooth, delicate, mature, sunshine in a cup

Aroma: Pure, floral and divine.

“For ancient king and elvish lord

There many a gleaming golden hoard

They shaped and wrought, and light they caught

To hide in gems on hilt of sword.”

Bilbo Baggins: Irish Breakfast

Flavor profile: Brisk, full and hardy, with notes of tobacco

Aroma: Biscuity, robust and warming.

“The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,

While hammers fell like ringing bells

In places deep, where dark things sleep,

In hollow halls beneath the fells.”

Balin: Silver Needle

Flavor profile: Bright, smooth, elegant, complex.

Aroma: Dry grass and wildflowers in a high mountain meadow.

“Far over the misty mountains cold

To dungeons deep and caverns old

We must away ere break of day

To seek the pale enchanted gold.”

Thorin Oakenshield: Assam Golden Tip

Flavor profile: Earthy, malty, bitter (in a pleasing way), robust, deep.

Aroma: Wood and leather; comforting, bold.

“Her restrictions are brutish. Her words are intimate.”  Words written by an amazing woman I was fortunate to befriend when I was 10 years old. 20 years have passed, and she has written her first novel that draws from her difficult childhood and her persevering inner strength. The author, Marian Christy was an award-winning Boston Globe writer, editor, and columnist for 26 years. She has a way with words that touches my soul and is very dear to me. I am happy to promote her novel in any way I can. Her novel Dumbbell can be pre-ordered on Amazon (also on Kindle) and will be available February 11.