Episode 89: Tea Time with Wynne & Vicki

Posted on by Victoria

What’s better than tea time? Tea time with Wynne, of course!

Join us for our podcast as we mull the power of tea and the inspiration to slow down and savor.

Wynne shares a beautiful piece written by Mark Nepo in “The Book of Awakening”:

“If we stop to truly consider it, making tea is a miraculous process. First, small leaves are gathered from plants that grow from unseen roots. Then boiling water is drained through dried leaves. Finally, allowing the mixture to steep creates an elixir that, when digested, can be healing.

The whole process is a model for how to make inner use of our daily experience. For isn’t making tea the way we cipher through the events of our lives? Isn’t the work of sincerity to pour our deepest attention over the dried bits of our days? Isn’t patience the need to let the mixture of inner and outer brew until the lessons are fragrant and soothing on the throat? Isn’t it the heat of our sincerity that steams the lessons out of living? Isn’t it the heat of those lessons that makes us sip them slowly?

Yet perhaps the most revealing thing about all this is that none of these elements alone can produce tea, Likewise, only by using them together, can we make tea of our days and our sincerity and our patience. And none of it is healing without a willingness to drink form the tea of life.”

We discuss our favorite bits of Nepo’s beautiful prose and I share my favorite book about tea and the blog post that I wrote nearly two years ago about “A Decent Cup of Tea” written by Malachi McCormick in 1991.

Wynne and I wouldn’t trade our reflective, tea time moments for anything…and yet…a special bond is created when we share a cuppa with friends. Warmth. Satisfaction. A sense of safety and harmony. Just a few of the feelings that a simple brew can conjure.

Join us – and let us know about your favorite tea time traditions!

Vicki and Wynne 😊

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HoTM Episode 89 transcript

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Links for this Episode:

Steeping the Tea Leaves of Life by Wynne Leon

My Kind of Swirl by Vicki Atkinson

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

46 thoughts on “Episode 89: Tea Time with Wynne & Vicki”

  1. Tea is such a delightful ritual for me. Everything about it is worth savouring. Afternoon tea was something I experienced daily as a child. And now, I start my day with it. And enjoy it in the late afternoon. Sometimes we go out to a lovely afternoon tea. Tea now is also used as slang for gossip. 🤣 Well tea time was when you shared information in the late afternoon. And slowed down to enjoy life in the middle of the day. Quite luxurious really. There is so much to be said about tea. And your excerpt is beautiful, when you think of all the components that go together to make a cup of tea, it’s amazing isn’t it. Just like life.
    Going to watch the video now.

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  2. I love your shared tea ritual. when I was in Ireland, tea time was an amazing time to share, nibble, sip, and share and it was lovely. I do have a cuppa most every day, either green matcha, or a turmeric ginger, and it’s very calming. we also have a loose tea shop here where they brew a fresh cup of your choice, and it’s calming and inviting, no devices allowed, only chatting or quiet and nice music on in background. love the author’s take on tea and all it takes to make it happen.

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    1. Turmeric ginger tea? Oh my! Sounds delish! And your local tea shop sounds divine, Beth. No devices…so good. Thank you so much for joining us and recalling your Irish tea time memories. Love it! 🥰

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  6. Clearly, you two are companionable. I never had given a thought to oversteeping. Overstepping, yes. You have expanded my consciousness! Thank you, ladies.

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    1. Oh! That’s so good. 😉🥰😉
      I might overstep if I criticize Wynne for oversteeping…I think that’s where we part company. I’m a ‘dunk and go’ and she’s a super-steeper. Thanks for the smile, Dr. Stein!

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  7. I enjoyed listening to your tea time moments. You reminded me of the Japanese Garden in Phoenix that we explored with friends in the summer. It has a tea house and now that it’s cooler, they have tea ceremonies. I looked it up and in December they are having an International Tea Exhibit. Here’s the info from the website:

    “Experience the art of Southeast Asian tea ceremonies from China, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan during special showcases that will explore and celebrate the unique differences in tea cultures from across the globe!”

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  9. I really enjoyed this soothing tea episode. What stood out was how the making of tea can parallel with how we cipher through the events of our lives. Wynne, I love your warm tea hands that you caress the faces of your children with, and Vicki, your tea sets are precious. We have several cups and saucers in our hutch that are from my husband’s family, They’re too delicate to use though, but we’re grateful to be able to showcase them. And I will admit that I’m more of a coffee drinker in the morning, but hot tea in the afternoon on a winter’s day, or cool day in autumn is wonderful. And we tend to collect mugs. Either for coffee or tea, it’s fun to choose a new one.
    Thanks to you both for a wonderful conversation! ❤️

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    1. Lauren! Thank you so much for joining us and for your wonderful comments. I’m with you — Wynne’s description of using her warm hands to greet her children and caress their cheeks makes me smile, smile, smile. I also love knowing that you’re a fellow “coffee first” kind of girl – then tea. And gosh yes. Especially when the weather is chilly. Grateful that we’ve connected! Oh – and sometime we’ll need to learn more about your delicate cups and saucers! xo! 🥰

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      1. You’re welcome, Vicki! You and Wynne created an inviting topic of conversation. Our fall weather has finally arrived, but this weekend brings those wonderful warm, October days, so evenings on our patio are blissful! Regarding tea, I went to the store this morning and indulged in another favorite, an oat milk chai tea latte. Delicious! And maybe I’ll do a post about those cups and saucers. Thanks for the idea. Wishing you a peaceful weekend! 🧡🍂🍂

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      2. Yum! Your latte sounds both decadent and healthy! That’s the best. We’re having an almost 80 degree, sunny day here in Chicagoland…absolutely delightful. Enjoy your day, Lauren! ☀️🥰☀️

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  10. As you know, I may live in the south now, but I grew up where fall in October made me feel so content and happy. As you talked about fall and tea, my mind was walking down a sidewalk in a cute, small town. Pumpkins were out on display by the stores and colorful leaves on the ground. Then I decide to turn right, right into a tea shop! I could see miniature tea sets and tea leaves of every flavor. You two almost hypnotized me! It was so pleasant taking this stroll, listening to friends talk and thinking about fall. 🍁

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  12. I enjoyed savoring this conversation on the elliptical at the gym – and the only thing that was missing was tea – but the endorphin rush makes up for it.

    Nepo’s passage is beautiful and love the metaphorical connection he makes between making tea and life itself. The importance of slowing down, reflection, self care and savouring the moment.

    Growing up Asian, I’ve always enjoyed tea, at home and at restaurants. It reminds me of my dad. Simple green tea, with nothing added. In later years, I enjoy bittermelon tea, as a helper herbal cleanser too.

    I also enjoy the occasional boba, aka bubble tea, especially during the hotter summer days.

    I do agree the wraparounds with tea, such as the tea sets and charming swirly tea books, make the entire experience an entirely elevated one too. Best enjoyed with friends and loved ones!

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  13. Another nourishing podcast episode from you guys! To see making a cup of tea as a way for a moment to slow down during your day. Also, Mark Nepo’s passage is wonderful. I raise my cup of jasmine green tea to you guys and this episode. Yep, I’m a big tea fan. And I don’t worry about steeping time. I just put the tea bag into the mug and forget it. 🌞

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    1. You are so kind, Dave! Thank you. Agree – that Mark Nepo piece is wonderful. Yes! And jasmine green tea…oh. That sounds good! I think I need to go make a cup right now…LOL! But I won’t be like you and Wynne. I’m a dunk and go kind of girl…but you two…super steepers, I see! Maybe I need to rethink my process! 😜☕😜

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  14. As a tea drinker, I wish there was a “LOVE” button on WordPress for this episode. Wynne’s “warm tea hands” made me smile!

    I start every day with a hot cup of tea. If I don’t get my tea in the morning, I am not a happy girl! In the summer, I make my own iced tea with fruity herbal teas. So delicious and, as Vicki points out, I know what goes into it. We grabbed a quick bite (of very unhealthy food) at Costco last night and I had an iced tea from their soda fountain. It was so sweet and syrupy. Yuck!

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