Today’s happiness is brought to you by a trip downtown with my sister for a “Cosy Fall Drinks” tea class at Silk Road Tea in Chinatown. Silk Road is one of those Victoria-only shops that I wished I could pick up and carry with me to Windsor when I moved, so visiting it while I was in town was a must… and a fun afternoon tea class gave us the perfect excuse!
We started with a palate-cleansing mulberry tea, which we drank while perusing a card containing a series of tea-related recipe ideas.

Our first blended drinks were a pair of tea lattes prepared with vanilla soymilk, one made with Imperial Earl Grey and the other with Express Chai. Yummy!

Following our lattes we sampled a tea cider made with hot apple juice and (I think) Herbal Chai, then hot chocolate blended with Angelwater Herbal Tea.
I was tickled to see this wall hanging with a sentiment that accords with my own tea-related approach to not-so-happy days.

After a little shopping at Silk Road (in which I picked up my own tin of Snow Apple Spice Black Tea to bring home with me) we headed around the corner to Fan Tan Trading, a fun and quirky shop that’s long been one of my favourite Chinatown destinations.

I’m guessing that this tableau tucked away in a corner of the shop is a tribute to Chinatown’s gambling history (but don’t quote me on that, as I’m not 100% sure!).

Even though cold weather is on its way, I bought a pretty (and fragrant) sandalwood fan in anticipation of next summer’s warm outdoor events.

It was another happy day!
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What made you happy today?
Please share!

Twitter: EllaHalliganRN
October 13, 2014
I love this! My father in law is British, so I bought a teapot so I could always make sure he could have his “cuppa” when he came over. Now my own children love their afternoon “cuppa”, especially when it’s cold out!
Elisabeth recently posted… Boosting Your Immune System
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
Love that, Elisabeth! Tea is a wonderful thing. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
Twitter: shakastudios
October 13, 2014
Is it okay to have tea tasting envy? In Texas, where I currently live, tea is served sweet over ice. I long for a venue that offers tea tastings! How fun!!
Kandas recently posted… 3 Essential Oils for Breast Cancer Treatment | Battling Bertha 20 | #BlogBoost
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
It was a lot of fun! And apparently they do them every weekend!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
I love that wall hanging! Such true words! And your fan, too. Looks like such a cute town. Glad you’re having such a great time.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
I might have to go back and get one of those wall hangings for myself. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
Twitter: renzalcantara
October 14, 2014
I love the sandalwood fan! I used to receive this as a gift when I was younger..it smells nice.
Great photos too! I want to drink tea after reading your post 🙂
Renz recently posted… Vegan Restaurant: Loving Hut Singapore
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
Thank you! Tea is a lovely thing. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
Twitter: cynthiavin
October 14, 2014
The pictures prove it that it was really a happy day good luck Laurel .
http://blogatcynthia.blogspot.in/2014/10/1010-tuesday-prompt-2-water.html?m=1
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
Thank you very much!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
Twitter: shilpaagarg
October 14, 2014
Hi from one tea lover to another! You sure had a lot of interesting flavours and blends of tea! Love that Tea wall hanging and I agree with it completely! 🙂
Shilpa Garg recently posted… Cosette’s Tribe
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
Tea is lovely! I think I need one of those wall hangings for my kitchen. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
Here in the South, sweet iced tea is its own food group.
Myke Todd recently posted… Russian Doll (for Christine Gabriel)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
So I’ve heard, LOL!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
Twitter: suzyq1810
October 14, 2014
Looks like you had a fun day. Nothing like a nice hot cup of chai. What a pretty fan. I love sandalwood.
Suzy recently posted… A Link Post
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
It was a great day! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
Twitter: writercat
October 14, 2014
Loved joining you for tea in Victoria’s Chinatown, Laurel. MMM, what interesting combinations for the teas. Love that pretty fan that you’ve displayed so beautifully in your photo. I can practically smell the sandalwood.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
It smells quite lovely! Nice memory of my trip. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
Twitter: Wordwrights, Ink
October 14, 2014
All that and your sister too? It was a good day!
Diane recently posted… Moose-tly Terrifying
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
Most definitely!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
So much fun — I love the idea of a tea tasting. More my speed than a wine tasting.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
Same here!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
Twitter: luxganzon
October 14, 2014
I love tea. And this place looks vintage. Really cool.
Lux Ganzon recently posted… What Design-Your-Own-Doughnut Has Taught Me About Life
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 14, 2014
It’s such a nice place!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 24 + 100 Happy Days – Day 32
Twitter: ellytreehugger
October 15, 2014
I have yet to explore Chinatown in Victoria; however, your day’s photos and your tea-drinking excursion makes me curious. I too love tea, especially Earl Grey and chai amongst others. I think tea is good for any occasion and any mood! I think you will identify and appreciate this post Laurel . . .
http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/tasty-teas-tuesday-in-lieu-of-coffee-day.html 😉 <3
elly stornebrink recently posted… A Day of Thanks
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 15, 2014
Victoria’s Chinatown isn’t very large, but it’s quite wonderful nonetheless. Definitely worth checking out!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – October 1-15, 2014 + 100 Happy Days – Day 33
Twitter: nabanita21
October 15, 2014
Must have been so much fun no? Enjoyed reading about it and the pictures too
nabanita recently posted… Link Some Inspiration Today
Twitter: alphabetsalad
October 15, 2014
It was a lot of fun. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – October 1-15, 2014 + 100 Happy Days – Day 33
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