Are you looking for the unusual gift this year? Tired of giving clothes or cologne gift sets? A unique gift idea is a cast iron tea pot. The cast iron tea pot is beautiful while strong. Lasting for decades it will be a gift that your family and/or friends will find intriguing for years to come. A cast iron tea pot is not your average, every day gift and speaks to your not being a boring gift giver.

A Gift that keeps giving

Not only are cast iron tea pots extremely useful, they are durable. Whether they are sitting on the shelf as a decoration or being used every day for your regular tea infusion they hold up to the test of time. You can help start a legacy for your loved ones. Properly cared for a cast iron tea pot can be passed down from one generation to the next. The cast iron is also believed to dispense healthy amounts of iron into the water as it is heating up. Not only is the user enjoying a great cup of tea, they are getting healthier from the water itself as well.

THE JAPANESE VERSION

The Japanese cast iron tea pot is called a “tetsubin”.A culture that is centuries old and rich in tradition and ceremony, the tea ceremony is an event that no one will soon forget if they have ever seen it.The tetsubin is heated in a pit or over a Furo a portable heating device.There are many steps to the Japanese tea ceremony that begin long before the ceremony is ever started.Each step is done because of its intrinsic and spiritual meaning.Instead of simply being about impressing your guest, this ceremony is an exercise in showing respect to the person(s) that are being served.With this incredible history, who would not want to have a cast iron tea pot to show their interest in a lifestyle outside of their own?

Collecting cast iron tea pots

An authentic tetsubin, although made from what many would consider an unattractive material, is overflowing with beauty because of the designs cast on the outside of the tea pot. Designs can range from tea leaves, to dragons, to stalks of bamboo, or it can even portray Japanese Koi. This particular cast iron tea pot can be overlaid with bronze or silver, or have hues such as black or red, which helps to enrich the vibrant etchings and designs.

A UNIQUE GIFT

The size and shape of each cast iron pot can be as different from each other as humans. From small single serving size to large cast iron tea pots that hold 21 or more ounces. Some cast iron tea pots take close to 20 craftsmen to create. The proper care of a cast iron tea pot requires that you boil the water, pour it out through the spout and air dry the first time you use it. You will want to only use bamboo utensils with these pots so as to not scratch the interior. There is no lead in quality formed cast iron tea pots. In fact, they actually add nutritional amounts of iron to the water as they heat up.

WEBSITES FEATURING CAST IRON TEA POTS

A cast iron tea pot is a gift that displays your individual style and gift giving persona. Even if the person whom you give it to is not a tea buff, these amazing cast iron tea pots make a beautiful addition to any décor It can be a centerpiece that has your friends and family talking for hours. It will also spark the curiosity of anyone who has it. Because of the many variations that cast iron tea pots come in you will be hard press to fail to find a design that will enchant the recipient of your gift.

The plus to offering a cast iron tea pot or even a set as a gift is that it truly is the give that keeps giving.The durability of a cast iron tea pot allows for it to be passed down from one generation to the next without the concern for chipping or breaking that one would have with a tea pot made of China or glass.
Doc. No:1108-CF-ULT5-lkj3
Add Asian style to your team time with kyusu teapots , Yixing teapots and cast iron teapots that brew your favorite tea and look great in the kitchen.

Hand crafted Beauty

December 28, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Few things are more beautiful than a handmade item. Whether it is an afghan, a quilt, or the timelessness of well crafted pottery the individual effort exhibited by something that was made personally as opposed to mass produced is undeniable. The Kyusu teapot is one such object. Handcrafted in Japan, each Kyusu teapot has its own unique personality. The pride and ownership that the Japanese put into just about every product that they produce is wrapped up in each of these teapots. Often, sporting hand painted leaves, flowers, or even the mixture of Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana (Japanese script), the Kyusu teapot with its unique design is in a class of its own.

Individual to group size

The Kyusu teapot comes in various sizes. You can find them in small individual teapots, enough for a single cup of tea. Or, if you are so inclined they are available in a size large enough to serve over 12 cups of tea. All of these have beautiful coloring and design. You can use them for service or sit them on a shelf for an exotic addition to your décor.

Exclusively designed

The Kyusu teapot was designed especially to brew green tea in. Green tea, when brewed in a metal teapot will pick up the flavor of the metal elements. This will destroy the subtle nuances that green tea has. The ceramic that the Kyusu teapot is made from allows the green tea to develop flavor as it was meant to without leaching any taste from the teapot while steeping.

The origins of the Kyusu teapot

The Kyusu teapot is originally from the one of the “Six Old Kilns of Japan”. This is not exactly what it sounds like. The city was designated along with five other cities. They are Shigaraki, Bizen, Tanba, Echizen, and Soto. The reason they are called this is because they produce large amounts of ceramic products, having hundreds of kilns working to create Kyusu teapots along with other unique and beautiful stoneware.

Easiest teapot around

Easy to hold and pour from with a simple twist of the wrist you can pour a cup or cups of delicious tea. Their lightweight construction makes them easy to handle, even when full. The fact that it does not have a lot of added weight due to its construction makes this a great gift for elderly people who may have a problem lifting a heavier or more utilitarian teapot. The Kyusu teapot is a hand-made product.

Care of the Kyusu teapot
When done with the Kyusu teapot clean up could not be any easier. The Kyusu teapot only needs to be washed with warm water. Soap should never be used on these teapots. Do not put them into the dishwasher as the detergents and drying cycle can cause cracking and chipping to appear in the stoneware. Leaving the Kyusu teapot in the open air is the best way to allow it to dry.

Take a trip to the mall, Kyusu teapots can generally be found at specialty stores, in Asian areas of towns, and on the internet. Beauty and elegance are inherent in the design and composition of these wonderful teapots. Owning one will beautify your home in its uniqueness and you can get a great cup of tea as well.
Doc. No:1108-CF-ULT5-lkj3
Add Asian style to your tea time with a japanese teapot , chinese teapot or a ceramic teapot that’s both functional and decorative.

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stuart holden premier league guardianU.S. national team midfielder Stuart Holden is the best player in the English Premier League.

All right, maybe that statement is just a tad premature. But based on The Guardian’s analysis of readers’ player ratings, Holden has been the highest-rated performer throughout the first half of the Premier League campaign, with an average mark of 7.4 out of 10.

Yes, English fans have rated an American as the best player in the world’s most popular league.

The 25-year-old has started each of his 16 league appearances for Bolton this season, going the full 90 in all but one contest as Wanderers have made a surprising run to seventh place (6-4-8).

 

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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/12/21/stuart-holden-rated-premier-leagues-top-player-by-guardian-read/

Kentucky Wildcats
 LSU
 Auburn

Bob Bradley called a young, inexperienced group of 24 players to participate in the three-week January camp that concludes on with a friendly against Chile on Jan. 22. The group averages just a shade over 23-years-old, and half are seeking their first caps. So just who are these guys?

GOALKEEPERS

Dominic Cervi (Glasgow Celtic) - The towering netminder is trapped behind Lukasz Zaluska and Fraser Forster at Celtic and is now on loan at Dundee. Will a half against Chile help him catch the eye of another club?

Source: http://www.dcunited.com/news/2010/12/breaking-down-the-usmnt-call-ups

Auburn
 Florida State
 Miami Hurricane

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Twenty Major League Soccer players and four based in Europe, almost all of whom are relatively new to the U.S. national team, will comprise the roster for the traditional January training camp at the Home Depot Center outside Los Angeles, which will culminate with a Jan. 22 friendly against Chile.

Among the invitees are 17-year-old New York Red Bulls striker Juan Agudelo, who scored the dramatic winner in last month’s game against South Africa, and Norway-based midfielder Mikkel Diskerud, 20, who had the assist.

Bradley also rewarded the players who helped their teams to the MLS Cup Final. There are four members of the Colorado Rapids and four from FC Dallas in the squad, plus midfielder Dax McCarty, who was outstanding for the latter in Toronto before his recent move to D.C. United.

The camp usually comprises fringe players whose clubs are in their offseason, meaning only those in MLS and with Scandinavian teams typically take part.

The 24 players have played a combined 28 times for the senior U.S. national team. Midfielder Alejandro Bedoya has six of them.

“The timing is right to assess many of the younger players and to broaden the player pool as we look forward to the next three years,” Bradley said.

“These extended camps give the coaching staff an opportunity to work with these players closely, and at the same time expose them to what the environment and expectations are like at the international level. We have a good feel for the veteran players in the pool, several of whom are coming off long seasons, and we certainly expect many of them to be part of the program for the important tournaments this year.”

Real Salt Lake goalie Nick Rimando, 31, is the oldest player invited.

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The most significant “snub” likely is San Jose Earthquakes defender/midfielder Bobby Convey, who re-entered the national team discussion with his comeback player of the year season that culminated in a two-goal, one-assist playoff tour de force against the New York Red Bulls.

Convey said in this November interview with Pitch Pass that he did not expect to be called up to the national team while Bradley was in charge.

Here is the full roster:

GOALKEEPERS: Dominic Cervi (Glasgow Celtic), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Matt Pickens (Colorado Rapids), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).

DEFENDERS: A.J. DeLaGarza (Los Angeles Galaxy), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ugo Ihemelu (FC Dallas), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Ryan Miller (Halmstads), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Anthony Wallace (Colorado Rapids), Marvell Wynne (Colorado Rapids).

MIDFIELDERS: Eric Alexander (FC Dallas), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Sam Cronin (San Jose Earthquakes), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabæk), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Dax McCarty (D.C. United), Brek Shea (FC Dallas).

FORWARDS: Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes).

 

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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/12/21/u-s-national-team-to-convene-january-camp-with-24-players-incl/

Auburn
 Florida State
 Miami Hurricane

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If you didn’t get a chance to watch it, or just want to see it again, here’s your chance to catch the premiere episode of 24/7 Penguins Capitals, courtesy of our friends at HBO Sports.

Click below to watch:

 

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/20/24-7-penguins-capitals-episode-1/

Alabama Crimson Tide
 Texas Longhorns
 Florida Gators

by Pat Lackey

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The amount of money moved between teams via Major League Baseball‘s revenue sharing decreased slightly in 2010, Maury Brown at the Biz of Baseball reported Wednesday.

$404 million was funneled from the league’s big-market teams to those in the smaller markets in 2010, a 6.7 percent decline from the $433 million total in 2009. Brown also reports that total gross revenues for the league increased to $7 billion.

How the $404 million was distributed isn’t known, though we do know a bit more about the league’s revenue sharing after the massive leak of team’s financial documents over the summer. The leak gave some insight into both how much small-market teams like the Pirates, Marlins and Rays take in, as well as how much a larger-market team like the Angels pays out.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/22/mlb-revenue-sharing-down-slightly-in-2010/

San Francisco Giants
 New Orleans Saints
 New England Patriots

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Over four days this week, MLB FanHouse’s Hall of Fame voters will break down the particulars of select players up for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. The results of the balloting will be made public on Jan. 5.

Believe it or not, there are some late-December traditions that have nothing to do with Christmas.

For me, one of them is sitting down the last week of the year, mulling over the current crop of Hall of Fame wannabes and arguing with myself over who should make it and who shouldn’t.

While there can be agonizing over some names, some of the arguments are pretty short, I must tell you. And two of those involve two pitchers on the current ballot, Bert Blyleven and Jack Morris.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/21/dominance-of-era-should-put-jack-morris-bert-blyleven-in-hall-o/

Auburn
 Florida State
 Miami Hurricane

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beckham donovan seattle sounders mls los angeles galaxyMajor League Soccer will be hoping that David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle aren’t all playing in Europe next March 15, when their Los Angeles Galaxy are scheduled to open the new season at the Seattle Sounders on ESPN.

Playing the first game at Qwest Field in front of 40,000 fans is a no-brainer. Scheduling the Galaxy is a bit of a risk. Donovan already has been linked to Fulham and Newcastle United, and has made no secret about how much he enjoyed his sojourn at Everton last winter.

 

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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/12/20/los-angeles-galaxy-to-visit-seattle-sounders-in-mls-season-opene/

San Francisco Giants
 New Orleans Saints
 New England Patriots

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stuart holden premier league guardianU.S. national team midfielder Stuart Holden is the best player in the English Premier League.

All right, maybe that statement is just a tad premature. But based on The Guardian’s analysis of readers’ player ratings, Holden has been the highest-rated performer throughout the first half of the Premier League campaign, with an average mark of 7.4 out of 10.

Yes, English fans have rated an American as the best player in the world’s most popular league.

The 25-year-old has started each of his 16 league appearances for Bolton this season, going the full 90 in all but one contest as Wanderers have made a surprising run to seventh place (6-4-8).

 

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Source: http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2010/12/21/stuart-holden-rated-premier-leagues-top-player-by-guardian-read/

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