Tea & Smoke

As we lean into winter, try this soothing nighttime mocktail in honor of Dry January. It's a perfect way to wind down at the end of the day. Ingredients: 1 cup brewed chamomile tea, cooled Fresh lemon juice, to taste Your favorite sparkling water (I like it with berry flavor), a generous splash Optional: maple syrup to sweeten Directions: Brew chamomile tea and cool slightly. You could even make it ahead and keep some in the fridge. To serve, fill a glass 2/3 with chamomile t

The new year is off to a great beginning and I have events, tours, and more to get you through to warmer weather. January Thurs Jan 8, 7p, online - Introduction to Tea Leaf Readings , presented by United Metaphysical Churches for Thoughtful Thursdays. Tickets here.  ​ Sun Jan 11, 4:30p, York, PA - DIY Incense Workshop at Refillism , SOLD OUT ​ Tues Jan 20, 7p, on Instagram, Mystic Teatime Live with Rissa & Amy Lou . Follow at @teaandsmoke_byrissa to join the chat. ​ Fri Jan 2

This cookie is a holiday-time tradition, but great all year long. And, it's actually more American than apple pie. (Ahem ~ The earliest recorded apple pie recipe appeared in an English cookbook in 1381!) The sugar cookie as we know it is genuinely American, created in the 1700s by Moravian settlers in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, who baked simple “Nazareth Sugar Cookies” from flour, sugar, butter, and eggs and shaped them with cutters. While older European cookies, like German Spr

The year is almost over and we're closing it out with lots of spooky holiday fun as well as year-ahead divination offerings! ​ December Sat Dec 6, 10a-2pm, Chestertown, MD - Walk-in Tarot Readings  at the Dickens of a Christmas Festival & Holiday Event , inside the Old Bank Vault ​ Sat Dec 6, 5pm, Chestertown, MD - UnMerry Monsters of Yule/Creepy Christmas , at the Dickens of a Christmas Festival & Holiday Event , in the Sultana building, second floor meeting room at 200 Sout

November   Sat Nov 1, 7p, Lancaster, PA - History of PA Witches on Dias de los Muertos Weekend , hosted by The 9 Collective . Eventbrite tickets here .   Sun Nov 2, 1p, York, PA - Ghost Stories & Cemetariums at House of Flowers;  email for a spot houseofflowersyork@hotmail.com   SOLD OUT AS OF 10/1/25   Mon Nov 3, 7p, Reading, PA - Creepy Little Christmas , kick off your holidaze at  Exeter Library with the unmerriest of monsters. Call for ticket, (610) 406-9431   Thurs Nov

It's spooky season ! And I'm here with all the ghosts, lore, monster, and magic to make it perfectly haunting for you. Please join me at one or more of my October events.... October Sat Oct 4 & Sun Oct 5, 1-5p, Ellicott City, MD - Walk-in Tarot Readings ; two full days with tarot at everyone's favorite indie book shop on Main Street.   backwaterbooks.com ​ Wed Oct 8, 4:30p, York, PA - Whispers in the Hall: Haunting History of 1881 by Haunted PA Online . Join us once again fo

Spooky Season is HERE! Let's get together and wander into the shadows together this fall. I've got a great mix of events lined up, from...

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Spooky season! Fall is almost upon us and to celebrate, I'm launching a preview of all the...

August August 5, 7p, on Instagram, Mystic Tea Time Live @teaandsmoke_byrissa With Amy Lou Taylor @taotat August 9, York, PA ~ PREMIERE ~...

July & August July 8, 7p, on Instagram, Mystic Tea Time Live @teaandsmoke_byrissa With Amy Lou Taylor @taotat July 11, 6-9p, York, PA -...

Summer is packed with camping and cook-outs, but why not make time for tarot, magic, or even come play dolls with me... June June 5, 7pm...

This May I have TWO new events. Each is years in the making: Werewolf Lore and the Oujia Board. You don't want to miss either of these...

Spring has sprung ~ and I've got a wide array of events, whether you love ghosts, tarot, poetry, flowers, or werewolves. All details...

March March 2, 3pm - Mechanicburg, PA - History of PA Witches at the Bewitching Moon. Tickets : $40 (only 6 spots remain) March 4, 7pm -...

Need some spooky romance? Open readings? Cryptids? I've got ALL the good stuff lined up for you and your crew ~ February Feb 4, 7pm -...

It's a new year and I have new things happening to help get you through the winter doldrums. Join me for a fun event during this chilly...

Want to try a tea blend? A great recipe over the holidays, it's also wonderful for making in batches and giving away as gifts....

More fun events to close 2024 and begin 2025 ~ Join me for readings, ghost stories, Krampus and more! November/ December Nov 30 and Dec...

If you're interested in learning more about plant-based food and living, check out my recent interview with podcaster Diane Randall. We...

You don't have to travel far for amazing events, workshops, tours, and talks this summer. Please note, I won't be adding more July/August...