As I write this, I am encrusted in dough. There is dough in my hair. There is dough under my nails and on my face (I don’t even know how it got there). I actually had to clean dough of the kitchen wall. My kitchen looks like it needs a total remodel. I still have more cleaning to do, and dinner to make, but my back hurts, and I need a bath… desperately. My expensive ingredients and my dream of delicious baked goods have now been thrown into the trash in a fit of housewife hysteria. It’s moments like these where I wonder why I bake at all. It is all so messy and so time consuming. And after all that, if you don’t have anything worthwhile to show for all your efforts, you just want to scream! If you are willing to spend your husband’s money on top quality products, there are so many delicious goodies available for purchase that taste just as wonderful as anything you baked in your own kitchen (and sometimes even better). I know people say that homemade is always best, but I honestly think thats a load of crap. Tell me that next time you are on your hands and knees cleaning dough out of your kitchen grout, okay?!?!
Okay, I think someone needs to put me in to bed for a nap. Either that, or perhaps a nice and soothing cup of tea (and some cake that I didn’t have to bake). Here in England, tea is the answer to all of life’s problems. It is so silly, but also very civilized.
If, like me, you are feeling a bit in need of a pick me up, you’ve come to the right place! I am hosting a giveaway in partnership with Kusmi Tea. Up for grabs is a fabulous sampler of their most popular teas. There are so many lovely blends represented here, everything from a comfortingly familiar Darjeeling to an exotically spiced Kashmir Tchai. It would certainly make a great holiday gift for any tea lovers out there, as Kusmi is a well respected, luxury brand tea with an illustrious history. All you have to do is leave a comment and you are automatically in with a chance. All my readers are eligible, it doesn’t matter what country you are in 
.
As only one of my lucky readers is going to win that lovely tea selection, here’s another chance for someone else to leave with a goodie. You see, not that long ago, Moi was visiting my dear blogger friend Valerie, The Canadian Foodie’s page, and somehow I caught the attention of the Fairy Hobmother who lives at Appliances Online! I’m not sure if it was my stunning good looks, or my blinding array of sparkling diamonds that made her look my way, but look she did! I ended up with a wonderful surprise, a shiny Amazon gift voucher. How lucky am I? Don’t be jealous daaaaahling, you can entice the gawjaaaas creature to come pay you a visit too! All you have to do to be in with a chance is leave a comment at the end of this post. Even if you are not normally a commenter, I urge you to do so. You’ve got two chances to win!
UPDATE: The giveaway for the Kusmi Tea sampler is now closed. Congratulations to Deana from Lost Past Remembered, the lucky winner ! Let’s all go over to her house for some tea and snacks now, shall we?
Sounds like a very intense time baking! I hope some rest and tea helped soothe you. xo style, she wrote
HH that is so nice you got a visit from the fairy Hobmother, I also had a visit a little while ago. The tea looks marvalous daarhling! Thanks for stopping by…
That cart man picture cracks me up.
Oh my dear!!!! I cannot express to you how many times I have been in that exact position. Feeling the exact angry, frustration and disappointment. In fact, I just had a incident like that today! I was making chocolate pudding….well, from one daahling to another- learn from your mistakes and never look back. The next time you bake you will know exactly where you went wrong and you will be able to save a fellow baker from making the same mistake! Therefore, you my dear are making the baking world better one perfected recipe at a time!!
However, nothing can motivate you to try again like a soothing cup of tea…especially during winter baking! Cheers to a brighter tomorrow!
xoxo,
Tammy
p.s.
I will no longer be posting recipes on Il Dolce Bacio anymore as it has been a bit difficult lately to keep up with blogging. So, I have decided to join forces with my mom over at her site, Living the Gourmet. I do hope you’ll visit me there soon! Stay fabulous, dahling! <3
Oh Dahhhling! What a tragic baking story!
I bet many of us had such sad experiences… but never mind, you are a queen of the kitchen and your next experience will be a delightful success!
Thanks for organising the giveaway, I would love to take part in it!
Wishing you a lovely week-end!
Oh, the tea looks divine. When we lived in London I got in the habit of having a cuppa just about every time I sat down!
Poor daahling, I can commiserate since had chocolate batter in my hair on Tuesday. Would love to win an Amazon voucher, I certainly spend enough there!
I know exactly what you mean. Verbatim quote from our house last night ‘Darling, what have you got on your skirt?’ What? Where? Where – cue me twirling like a dog sniffing its tail. And there it was, a huge splodge of pastry refuse crusted to my bottom. I’d walked all the way to Monmouth and back with it on. All class.
I completely know what you mean, HH — I just had a baking mishap myself! So frustrating…tea definitely sounds like a relaxing solution. Thanks for the chance to win, daaahling!
Oh yea
Am so glad you too have been graced by the fairy hob mother. She sprinkled some shiny dust on me not so long ago.
You encrusted in dough is not how I picture you at all. I always think you’re my kitchen diva with her shiny tiara
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Oh, you poor dear! Where’s the maid?
I had something like that happen to me as well, chocolate cake batter that went nuts in the food processor and exploded all over my kitchen
Usually I find baking relaxes me (really!) but I draw the line at baking to order for an event (“can you make a cake for the…”):
I get too tense and wound-up by the pressure. Tantrums and tears follow; hubby and pets hide.
Worst argument ever with hubby was during one of these; I think it was about a pyrex measure cup (*shame*)
I hope you’re still perky!
Woohoo, ya’ll know how much I adore a grand giveaway and what’s better than sippin’ a great cup of tea by the fire to unwind from a hard day on the Ponderosa!!!
Count me in sister!!!
God bless ya and enjoy this beautiful weekend!!!
)
Nothing like tea to soothe any baking disasters. I’ve had a few experience of my own, honey
Congrats on the gift card — go splurge!
Hallo hallo Heavenly Honeybun!
so that box of tea looks very gorgeous indeed.
I do get through a lot of tea, what with my tea ninja home delivery service
Also colourful and pretty which appeals.
Love the southpark fairy – I was visited a while ago and love my kitchenaid pasta attachment thingummy!
Hi, I just discovered your blog. I hope you managed to take your bath in the end
I really like the Kusmi Tea and also the Lov Organic tea, it tastes so good. I understand what you were saying, tea can sometimes be a solution to some of your problems. I’ve got a pin with written on it “Keep calm and make a tea”. That’s exactly it !
Have a nice week-end.
I once tried to bake cookies from scratch, and I filled my kitchen with flour. I had no idea how difficult it was going to be. Nightmare. I think I will stick to break and bake from now on.
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
There is a Kusmi stand at our tiny local Galleries Lafayette and although I rarely drink tea, the stand, the colors are all so enticing! The sampler is adorable – and a woman like you knows just how important looks are! And, yes, I often have those damnable baking experiences….
We are soooo in the same mode. I LOVE Kusmi Tea!!! I love their black teas that are flavoured with bergamot and citrus fruits. I also like their green tea with apples and green tea with rose petals. I like their “Anastasia” and Prince Vladimir” teas…you get the point….I love Kusmi Tea! Too bad the contest is close, but I just wanted to put it out there that Kusmi has one of the world’s best tea collection (in my humble opinion).
That is exactly why I avoid baking…sorry about your goodies
But the tea does sound lovely and congratulations on your visit from Fairy Hobmother
Oooo….congratulations daaaarling! You’re so lucky. I think it will helps to cheer you up a little bit And also congrats to the lucky winner.
Hope you’re enjoying your day.
Cheers,
Kristy