Carabatch

A REALLY DUMB BLENDING TUTORIAL

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:40:26 -0400

So, multiple times a day I get the same question:

DAMN GURL, HOW YOU SO FIIIIINE???

IDEK YOU GUYS, GOSH.

Um. No, but, you guys ask me a lot about how I do my blends. So uh ……hmm.

The short answer is: I bullshit a lot of it. Seriously. I didn’t grow up in a tea drinking family, and until recently, my interest in tea didn’t extend much beyond ordering Earl Grey with hazelnut at Starbucks and drinking peppermint tea when my stomach hurts. I LIKE tea though, and over the years I’ve tried lots of different sorts. So. When I first started doing the blends, that was my basis of knowledge.

Read More

So You're Coming to Atlanta For a Con and Want to Eat?

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:36:01 -0400

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

221b Con is just around the corner, and since I get frequent asks for local Atlanta eateries anyway, this post is well overdue. Beneath the readmore you’ll find a ridiculous list of the places I like to eat in/around Atlanta, some cheap options, some fancy as heck, and what to do if you’re stuck at a hotel without a car. Other Atlanta locals, please feel free to reblog this with your own suggestions!

Read More

I’m sorry on behalf of my colleagues…

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:09:37 -0400

I’m sorry on behalf of my colleagues…

areyoutryingtodeduceme: Roses are red, violets are blue, but...

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:09:17 -0400

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

~~Roses are red, violets are blue, but this isn’t my division, too bad for you. - Lestrade.~~

Roses are red, violets are blue.You’re pretty cool, but this isn’t my division. ~Lestrade

Anderson’s slow, Donovan’s a shrew, but even they can’t deny, my division is you! -Lestrade

Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m not creative, but I really like you. -Lestrade

Roses are red, violets are blue. Flowers aren’t my division, here have some chocolate. -Lestrade

areyoutryingtodeduceme: The 221 Tea Party at 221b Con is...

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 04:15:06 -0400

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

The 221 Tea Party at 221b Con is officially GO!

What: You may have heard about the fandom tea parties by now, and how awesome they are. It’s a laid back chance for fans to meet up and have fun with other people that like the things they like, while also trying out a bunch of the Adagio Fandom Blends. As this one is taking place the night before 221b Con, the focus, of course, is on SHERLOCK! We’re doing this host club style, and will have recruited a number of REALLY AWESOME official cosplayers to serve tea and entertain you during the party. We also have games and contests lined up, as well as an awesome raffle with some pretty sweet prizes. We’re doing this up classy, so you can also expect lots of good food and drinks as well!

Where: The very same place as 221b Con, The Holiday Inn Select Perimeter in Atlanta (4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341).

When: Friday, April 12th, starting at 5:30 PM. We’re running this thing late and you’re free to show up any time, as we realize that a lot of people will be coming in from out of town on Friday! We’ll try to hold the raffle at the end of the night as well, so as many people can make it as possible!

How: Even though it’s at the same place as the con, you DO NOT need a con membership to get into the tea party. However, we are selling tickets, as space rental does not come cheap. There are two types of tickets available:
+General Admission for $15: Will get you in to enjoy all the food and fun, plus if you preorder in advance, you also receive a gift bag of goodies!
+VIP Admission for $30: WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF THESE, THOUGH WE MAY OFFER MORE IF WE HIT THE LIMIT TONIGHT. The VIP pass will get you the same stuff as general admission, plus extra stuff in the gift bag AND a chance to corner Cara (areyoutryingtodeduceme) at the party and get her to draw something just for you.
+At the door will be $15, but you won’t get a gift bag :C Sorry!
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKETS!

If you have any other questions, just let me know, or shoot an email to 221tea@gmail.com!

I’M SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!!

areyoutryingtodeduceme: OH MAN SO HERE’S NOT REALLY A RECIPE BUT A THING YOU SHOULD EAT. Because...

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:43:21 -0400

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

OH MAN SO HERE’S NOT REALLY A RECIPE BUT A THING YOU SHOULD EAT.

Because I’ve been at Dragon*Con all weekend and not really eating anything except fast food and mini donuts and pepsi for the past few days, I feel really gross, and I need a large, warm, comforting dinner right now.

But also I’m exhausted. SO.

I got a can of beef stew

and some deli mashed potatoes

and to make the canned stew much more palatable, I put it on the stove and added a bunch of dried Thyme, white pepper, a splash of red wine and a bit of salt while it heated

and I added cheese and garlic to the mashed potatoes.

And then put the stew in a casserole dish, topped it with the potatoes, then more shredded cheese, and baked that for 20 minutes.

LAZY PERSON SHEPHERDS PIE

SO GOOD.

areyoutryingtodeduceme: Okay here’s the tea I make when I’m feeling gross and sick and need...

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:25:16 -0400

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

Okay here’s the tea I make when I’m feeling gross and sick and need comfort. Don’t judge me until you try it.

-it starts innocently enough. You get a bag of earl grey tea. I’ve started using Reichenbach Recovery because yum.
-instead of boiling water though, heat up some milk in a sauce pan to a gentle boil (you don’t want to scald or burn the milk)
-pour the milk into your mug, and let the tea steep. I let it steep longer in milk than in water, generally. Usually a good ten minutes.
-okay this is where you ate probably going to go “cara no why”, because now you add butter.
-shut up for a second
-not much butter. Like a teaspoon. Just stir it on in there, with a little honey too.
-now sprinkle a tiny bit of salt on top
-see, I had read a few years ago, about Tibetan Yak Butter tea, and while I don’t have access to yaks or yak butter, I was intrigued, because I’m of the Paula Deen school of “butter is generally great”
-so I tried adding regular butter to tea
-it took some experimenting to get something that wasn’t terrible
-but I’ve settled on this technique
-it’s pretty darn rich though, so I limit it to when I’m feeling achey or super depressed
-shhhhh don’t judge me.

areyoutryingtodeduceme: A collection of Doctor Who inspired...

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 13:40:56 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

A collection of Doctor Who inspired knitting projects to keep you busy this winter

TARDIS Afghan

TARDIS Wristwarmers

TARDIS Socks

TARDIS Scarf

Obligatory Tom Baker Scarf

Dalek Dog Sweater (!!!)

EXTERMIKNIT!

The on coming storm

Time Travel Scarf (based on Amy Pond’s scarf)

areyoutryingtodeduceme: oh so now you want Sherlock inspired...

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 13:39:37 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

oh so now you want Sherlock inspired things to do with yarn? Never fear.

Moriarty Tie Square

Crochet Deer Stalker

Scarf of Shadows

The Flatmate Scarf

Elementary Watson Socks

John’s Jumper Cosy

Dr. Watson’s Cabled Crew Neck

The Wallpaper Had It Coming

Baskerville Shawl (so lovely!)

areyoutryingtodeduceme: areyoutryingtodeduceme: areyoutryingtodeduceme: I have never had so many...

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 03:27:12 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

I have never had so many conflicting answers to a question! Oh yeast spread, what feelings you incite in people! I’m almost tempted to get out of bed at 3 am and make some toast.

okay gonna make toast

wow that’s salty.

areyoutryingtodeduceme: areyoutryingtodeduceme: I have never had so many conflicting answers to a...

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 03:24:46 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

I have never had so many conflicting answers to a question! Oh yeast spread, what feelings you incite in people! I’m almost tempted to get out of bed at 3 am and make some toast.

okay gonna make toast

You guys don’t follow this stupid blog it is just here so I can reblog myself while I’m...

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 03:16:07 -0500

You guys don’t follow this stupid blog it is just here so I can reblog myself while I’m on my iPad waaaaah this account will never have anything new/interesting DDD:

areyoutryingtodeduceme: I have never had so many conflicting answers to a question! Oh yeast...

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 03:13:47 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

I have never had so many conflicting answers to a question! Oh yeast spread, what feelings you incite in people! I’m almost tempted to get out of bed at 3 am and make some toast.

areyoutryingtodeduceme: Heeeere at long last are the first of...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:14:24 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

Heeeere at long last are the first of the Harry Potter blends. More characters will happen, don’t worry. This is only the beginning.

Harry Potter: Treacle tarts, Pumpkin Juice and deep, warming spice. Boyish, yet brave, resourceful, and powerful. [pumpkin spice, caramel, masala chai]

Ronald Weasley: Burning with passion, love and energy, this blend will effectively warm you whenever you need it. A little might go a long way, but still good to always have around. [masala chai, ginger, almond]

Hermione Granger: Sweet, bright, vibrant notes, with just a lingering smell of parchment and ink. [ceylon sonata, pu erh dante, caramel]

Severus Snape: Seemingly bitter and severe, this blend is actually quite smooth, with herbal, grassy notes. [white monkey, pu erh dante, yerba mate]

Remus Lupin: Smooth, dreamy, moonlit Earl Grey. The earthy, dusty smell of the Forbidden Forest. Chocolate to speed recovery. Best served the night after the full moon. [earl grey moonlight, pu erh dante, chocolate chai]

Sirius Black: Powerful and playful, with bright notes of lemon and ginger, rounded out with strong, smooth Assam. [assam melody, oriental spice, lemon grass]

James Potter: Refreshingly bright, youthful, and good natured, but with just a bit of a bite lingering beneath the surface. [irish breakfast, candy apple, gingerbread]

Peter Pettigrew: Damp earth, musty corners, and slightly bitter. Oft overlooked flavors that may take you by surprise. [pu erh dante, artichoke green, gunpowder]

areyoutryingtodeduceme: Round two of Doctor Who tea blends!...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:14:13 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

Round two of Doctor Who tea blends! Doesn’t mean I’m done though ;)

Captain Jack Harkness: [ceylon sonata, rooibos almond, chocolate chip] A smooth, timeless blend guaranteed to charm anyone off their feet. You can take it to bed, but it will probably keep you up all night.

River Song: [earl grey moonlight, coconut, rooibos lemon cloud] I could describe this tea, but that would be spoilers.

Rose Tyler: [ceylon sonata, raspberry patch, earl grey lavender] A fun, bright, sweet blend. Painfully loyal and filled with love and comfort. Careful though, can come on a bit strong and may not be to everyone’s taste.

Martha Jones: [assam melody, sesame, rooibos caramel] A calm, rational tea with an edge of bravery (don’t question how a tea can be brave, it just CAN). The perfect tea for thrill seekers.

Donna Noble: [irish breakfast, cinnamon, orange] At first glance you may assume this tea is plain, simple and maybe not very interesting, but let it stick around for a while, and you’ll discover what a comforting (and often exciting!) presence it will quickly grow to be.

And Uh I feel like an ass because I said these were going to be posted yesterday and then I fell asleep instead and I’ve gotten lots of notes today asking why these haven’t been posted soooo let’s turn this into the mini-est of give aways. Reblog this (NO MORE THAN THREE TIMES) or even just like it and um…. some time tomorrow (Sunday) I will count the notes and randomly pick someone and let them pick one of these teas and I will mail it to them. I can’t mail tea to Australia or New Zealand and I think a couple other countries or something, so if the winner is from one of those places, shit, uh, I’ll send you some stickers from my Redbubble store.

Simple, quick giveaway. I’ll post sometime tomorrow when I start counting the notes and I’ll be like ‘hey, shut up, stop reblogging now’ and then I’ll post the winner. Cool? Cool.

I’ll be doing this with the Harry Potter blends too, so there will be 2 giveaways going on and you may enter both so man, how cool is that?

areyoutryingtodeduceme: AND ALSO MORE POTTER TEA! WHAT A CRAZY...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:14:00 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

AND ALSO MORE POTTER TEA! WHAT A CRAZY NIGHT!

Draco Malfoy: [earl grey green, peppermint, almond] Outwardly smooth and charming, but perhaps a bit confused about what it wants to be. A tea that is sure to keep you guessing.

Cedric Diggory: [irish breakfast, chamomile, honeybush hazelnut] Simple, strong and solid, a tea worth supporting. Try not to get too many tears in your cup.

Neville Longbottom: [irish breakfast, rooibos vanilla chai, peach] Sweet, a bit befuddled, but all together warm and reassuring. A tea stronger than you’d expect, and endlessly comforting.

Luna Lovegood: [earl grey lavender, rooibos jasmine, guanabana] The sweetest, softest, warmest tea imaginable, with a wild, surprising finish.

And Uh I feel like an ass because I said these were going to be posted yesterday and then I fell asleep instead and I’ve gotten lots of notes today asking why these haven’t been posted soooo let’s turn this into the mini-est of give aways. Reblog this (NO MORE THAN THREE TIMES) or even just like it and um…. some time tomorrow (Sunday) I will count the notes and randomly pick someone and let them pick one of these teas and I will mail it to them. I can’t mail tea to Australia or New Zealand and I think a couple other countries or something, so if the winner is from one of those places, shit, uh, I’ll send you some stickers from my Redbubble store.

Simple, quick giveaway. I’ll post sometime tomorrow when I start counting the notes and I’ll be like ‘hey, shut up, stop reblogging now’ and then I’ll post the winner. Cool? Cool.

I’ll be doing this with the Harry Potter blends too, so there will be 2 giveaways going on and you may enter both so man, how cool is that?

areyoutryingtodeduceme: TEEN WOLF TEA TIME FINALLY AHAHAHA I...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:13:40 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

TEEN WOLF TEA TIME FINALLY AHAHAHA I will probably redo these labels at some point because this cast is impossible to draw oh my god their faces

Scott McCall [earl grey moonlight, gunpowder, assam melody and cinnamon accent] A little sweet, a little earthy, and strong enough to take you by surprise. Honestly, this blend’s a little confused, but it’s intentions are good and you might like it more than you first thought.

Allison Argent [earl grey lavender, vanilla green, rooibos jasmine and hibiscus accent] Strong, sweet, and floral with just an edge of tartness to let you know it wont be pushed around for long.

Stiles Stilinski [assam melody, almond oolong, cherry with cocoa nibs] With sweet, intense notes of Assam, and a slightly nutty edge of almond oolong, this tea is rounded out with just a hint of bright cherry, then accented with cocoa nibs. The resulting blend is strong, quirky, and ever so slightly reckless.

Derek Hale [gunpowder, tiger eye, cream with aniseed] A complex blend that is outwardly very aggressive. Treated right however, this tea will prove to be calming and maybe even a bit sweet.

Lydia Martin [ceylon sonata, mango melange, osmanthus with marigold flowers] Cloyingly sweet and just a bit sassy, this blend is still stronger than you might think, and holds up well against outside forces (like milk and sugar, of course).

Jackson Whittemore [irish breakfast, tiger eye, toasted mate with ginger] Outwardly harsh and abrassive, this strong blend will work hard to convince you to give him another chance. Slightly temperamental though, so watch your water while brewing.

areyoutryingtodeduceme: oh my god you guys I am sorry for all...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:12:45 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

oh my god you guys I am sorry for all of this but now there are ship blends I guess?

The Consultants: [Sherlock/Moriarty] Harsh, alarming, and frustratingly alluring with flavors that circle each other like predators. Genius. (lapsang souchong, ginger, spiced apple chai)

I Am Sherlocked: [Sherlock/Irene] Rich, deep, smokey and seductive, with complex flavors you’ll be up all night trying to deduce. Twice. (lapsang souchong, chocolate, valentines)

MoraMori: [Moran/Moriarty] Moriarty and Moran. Dangerous, insane, and delicious. With notes of rich chocolate and caramel underlying bold spice, and just a hint of earthy, shallow graves. (tiger eye, pu erh dante, masala chai)

The Government and the Inspector: [Mycroft/Lestrade] Cloyingly rich and sweet, but strong and bold enough to do the dirty work, these flavors accentuate and compliment each other for a surprisingly solid pairing. (chocolate chai, hazelnut, irish breakfast)

Golly: [Lestrade/Molly] Fumbling sweet, innocent, and a bit bashful, but with an underlying desperate passion. (pu erh dante, vanilla green, caramel)

The Badge and The Gun: [Lestrade/Watson] A strong, solid cup of tea you can rely on when everything else has got you down. (irish breakfast, spiced green, hazelnut)

The Office Romance: [Moriarty/Molly] Deceptively sweet and mild, but with the suspicious trace of gunpowder and a lingering taste of spice. May have others questioning your judgement. (gunpowder, wild strawberry, spiced green)

areyoutryingtodeduceme: AVENGERS TEAS ASSEMBLE. Wow I dragged...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:12:16 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

AVENGERS TEAS ASSEMBLE.

Wow I dragged my feet on doing most of these for ages, but you guys were persistent and wore me down so heeeeere you go!

Bruce Banner: A calming tea on the surface, but with an overwhelming green force brewing below. [earl grey green, green pekoe, chamomile]

Tony Stark: Brash, Aggressive, and Rich. A blend at once frustrating and charming. [lapsang souchong, ginger, tiger eye]

Clint Barton: A slightly playful blend that may be hard to take very seriously, but will prove to be strictly business when under fire. [thai chai, assam melody, gunpowder]

Natasha Romanoff: A worldly blend, based off of Russian tea culture. A strong, smokey tea perfect for a busy spy. [lapsang souchong, assam melody, currant]

Thor: A deep, strong flavor, incredibly masculine, with bright notes of apricot. [ceylon sonata, apricot, toasted mate]

Loki: ‘So I am no more than another scorned idea, locked in your mental tea cabinet until you might have use of me? You could have told me it wouldn’t happen from the beginning! Why didn’t you? What, because I— I— I am the caffeinated blend parents won’t let their children try at night? You know, it all makes sense now, why you favoured Holmes all these years, because no matter how often you claim to make tea, you could never have a Frost Giant featured in your signature blends!’ [Thank you to the anonymous writer that left me this note, and prompted me to make a blend for Loki. Cool, refreshing, but just a bit dark, with a hint of floral undertones. This blend truly shines when iced.] [gunpowder, spearmint, rooibos jasmine]

Steve Rogers: As American as Apple Pie, perfectly sweet, but built for strength. [spiced apple chai, almond, assam melody]

Son of Coul: Strong, Reliable, motivating, and loyal to the end. A cup of tea worth Avenging. [toasted mate, tiger eye, chestnut]

areyoutryingtodeduceme: Good Omens blends! One of the best...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:11:55 -0500

areyoutryingtodeduceme:

Good Omens blends! One of the best books ever is totally deserving of tea. Click the name to go to their page on Adagio <3

Crowley Blend-Smokey from the fires of hell, but with a bit of fresh green-ness, and an underlying sweetness. Deep, deep down. [lapsang souchong, spiced green, caramel]

Aziraphale- A bit old fashioned and stuffy, but with just enough of a sinful bite. Ineffably delicious. [irish breakfast, almond, gingerbread]