TRYING SOME NEW TEA


When I last placed an order from Special Teas for some Ceylon, my package included a ½ ounce sample of a delicious black tea called East Frisian Broken Blend. This is a wonderful strong robust black tea and one that would be delicious with savories served at afternoon tea. It is a mixture of Assam, Sumatra, and Java teas. This blend was also a winner in the 2008 World Tea Championship...One sip of this concoction, with milk and sugar, and you’ll instantly know why.

East Frisia, a part of the German Federal State of Lower Saxony on the North Sea, is second only to Ireland when it comes to tea consumption. According to Wikipedia, “East Frisian Tea is sweetened with kluntjes, a rock candy sugar that melts slowly, allowing multiple cups to be sweetened. Heavy cream is also used to flavor the tea. The tea is generally served in traditional small cups, with little cookies during the week and cake during special occasions or on weekends as a special treat. Brown rum, mixed with kluntjes and left for several months, is also added to black tea in the winter. The tea is alleged to cure headaches, stomach problems, and stress, among many other ailments”.

For a sample of this wonderful aromatic blend, visit Special Teas, and while you’re at it, you might want to try the Single Estate Ceylon. I’m partial to the Kenilworth Orange Pekoe (No317) which has a lovely hypnotic rose aroma.

FAREWELL OLD FRIEND

It’s with a heavy heart that I post this morning for we have had a devastating loss here in our family. Yesterday afternoon we said farewell to our Lizzie. Lizzie’s health had progressively gotten worse this year. She was on a daily medication for hypothyroidism, had arthritis, was deaf, and had very recently lost her eye sight. She was disoriented and didn't even know you were in the room with her unless you touched her. She began walking into walls, doors, tables, etc.She couldn't make it down the three steps to our back yard without falling and then she couldn't see to get up them. Over the last week, my husband and I had to carry her in and out. Her kidneys were also beginning to fail. Her appetite was sporadic and she was coughing a great deal. The Vet reassured that we had made the right decision but that certainly doesn’t make it any easier.

Lizzie was 14 years old and we had 8 wonderful years with her. We adopted her from a local Shetland Sheep Dog Rescue group and that was the best decision we ever made. She had been in a previous home and surrendered, we were told, because the family preferred to have a Dalmatian over Lizzie. Though I’ll never understand that reasoning, it was truly their loss and our blessing. One thing that we can proudly boast about our old girl is that she was a true heroine. Lizzie actually saved a man’s life about six years ago. It was the coldest night of the year, a bitter icy February Saturday night. Our pipes in the house had frozen in the kitchen, like they have been prone to do, and John was thawing them out around 11:00PM at night. Both our girls, Anastasia and Lizzie, were out for their nightly constitutional when we heard Lizzie frantically growling and barking. This got our attention as well as our immediate neighbor’s. We knew Lizzie didn’t normally behave like that and that something was terribly wrong. As we opened the door, our neighbor was standing on her deck looking down over our fence. She told us that there was someone lying face down in our yard at the garden gate. Lizzie was over top of this person nearly on point, franticly barking and showing her teeth through her growls. The person, we later discovered from the police, was a local man, known around town bars, with a serious substance abuse problem. We figured out that he had evidently fumbled through the back yards and decks in our neighborhood, fell over our fence, and passed out in the snow. What the EMT and Police officers stressed to us, as they carried him out on a stretcher, was that because of Lizzie alerting us his life was saved and had he been outside for another hour he would have certainly frozen to death. I hope when he regained conscientiousness in his hospital room that someone told him that he owed his life to a Shetland Sheepdog.

Although we’ve been down this road before with Anastasia, Sasha, and Magic (the cat we lost last year), it was particularly agonizing to lose Lizzie. We’ll never forget her gentle spirit and loyal dedication. Our comfort is that she’s gone to the Rainbow Bridge to meet our other cherished family members (they’re so much more than pets) ,and that St. Francis has them all gathered around him, keeping a watchful eye over all the creatures he loves so much. Rest in Peace, sweet Lizzie; our lives are so much richer because of you...

THE TEA SOCIETY IS BACK!



As summer winds down and autumn grows near the tea society will be back in full swing. I have missed this blog and am delighted to be back. This summer was a wonderful time for me and my family and we had a great holiday in South Carolina and just spending time with one another before the hectic day to day routine of school and work begins in September. I wanted to return to the blog refreshed and ready to begin another year of blogging. With that said, I want to share a photo of my latest purchase along with mention of a delightful tea cookie company.

I found this charming little vintage tea pot at a shop called B and B antiques in the North Myrtle Beach area. There is no marking on the tea pot to reveal the manufacturer but it was so pretty and elegant that I decided to add it to my collection. Positioned in front of the tea pot is an offering of wonderful pecan tea cookies displayed on a tiny little white English Meakin dish. The tea cookies are from a wonderful Summerville, South Carolina based company called Southern Sisters. I look so forward to purchasing the dainty thin and delicious cookies on our annual jaunt to the Historic Market on Church Street in Charleston. The cookies are made from a handmade mix and they use all natural ingredients. This year I got an assortment of old fashioned ginger snaps, pecan, chocolate chip, and my favorite, lemon coolers dusted with a delicious powdery sugar coating. The benne wafers are also delicious and worth a sampling as well.

To learn more about the history of, and purchasing information for, Southern Sisters, please visit their website at http://www.southernsistersbakers.com/index.html . With no further ado, put the kettle one, pour a cuppa your favorite tea and enjoy these delicious treats, and welcome back to all the lovely followers of the Tea Society Blog.

EDWARDIAN PICNIC WITH THE TEA SOCIETY
(Natalie Ferguson standing-Polly Singer seated in middle-Paula Porter with parasol)

(Natalie in a nostaligic shot dressed for a formal afternoon outing....)

(Darleen Chamberlain, drawing influence from the Titanic era- standing underneath the rose arbors.)

(Paula, also tipping her hat to the Titanic era of fashion and keeping cool in the sun...)

(Natalie strolling in the garden...)

( Here I am paying homage to Beatrix Potter with my trailing walking skirt, made by the very talented Natalie Ferguson.)

( With Natalie on the grounds- English country cottage meets the elegance of the "Gilded age"..)
(...with Polly in her lovely blue and white striped walking skirt... She defined seaside Edwardian with her soft breezy look and wonderful veiled hat...)

EDWARDIAN PICNIC WITH THE TEA SOCIETY

On Saturday, June 6, 5 members of the LHTS ventured to Richmond, KY and the historic home of famous Kentuckian and Abolitionist, Cassius Clay. Some ladies arrived in Edwardian inspired dress and others in reproduction clothing to spend an afternoon sipping iced pomegranite tea and nibbling on tea sandwiches, honey bbq chicken nibblets, tea cookies, scones with lemon curd, fruit salad, and a delectable tart with fruit and mint. After eating, we strolled through the outdoor antique faire which was set up on the grounds of the manor, and spent a few quiet moments in the rose garden before touring the wonderful home known as White Hall.

The weather could not have been more perfect and the company was especially lovely. We certainly missed the members who were unable to attend, but you were with us in spirit. We must do this again. Perhaps we shall make an annual event of our Edwardian Picnic!

For more information on one of the most eccentric and colorful Kentuckians, please read the following biography on Cassius Marcellus Clay.

TAKING A BREAK


Hello all! Is it just me or is life incredibly hectic for everyone at the moment? It seems that each week holds something even more demanding than the last, dictating where time and energy must be spent. With that said, I will be taking a bit of a hiatus from this blog throughout the summer and posting primarily only tea-related events and occasional recipes. The summer months look to be quite challenging for me with my artwork and a huge writing project that will require little time for the tea blog. However, I will still be visiting my favorite blogs and posting whenever I can. I look forward to returning to more regular blogging at the end of the summer.


Most Teafully,
Rebecca

FRANKLIN, TN ONCE MORE



It's that time of year again.....I'm leaving for an annual Franklin, TN antique hunting excursion. I hope to have some new tea recommendations once I return.

Have a lovely weekend!

HAPPY EASTER


Wishing everyone a blessed Good Friday and Easter Sunday...

TIME TO STOP AND SIP SOME TEA


Busy..Busy...Busy....These past few weeks have been quite hectic around here. Posts have been far and few between and look to be sporadic until April has passed. I've had no time to visit my favorite blogs and miss doing so, terribly. With family, school assignments, gardening, writing, tea business, AnTEAquity, and life in general, it's all a bit of a blur these days. I don't even have time to finish a drawing!

Alas, tomorrow brings lunch with the society members and an antiquing excursion. It's so nice to be with friends, doing what you love. I think this will be a perfect remedy for all of us.

Have a Happy weekend my cyber friends!

THANK YOU FOR THE RAIN THAT MAKES THE GARDEN GROW

We've been seeing two days of this...... I wont complain because it leads to.......


donning these......

..in order to lend a helping hand to Mother Nature, to be blessed with results like this.

The Glory of the Garden

Our England is a garden that is full of stately views,
Of borders, beds and shrubberies and lawns and avenues,
With statues on the terraces and peacocks strutting by;
But the Glory of the Garden lies in more than meets the eye.

For where the old thick laurels grow, along the thin red wall,
You will find the tool- and potting-sheds which are the heart of all ;
The cold-frames and the hot-houses, the dungpits and the tanks:
The rollers, carts and drain-pipes, with the barrows and the planks.

And there you'll see the gardeners, the men and 'prentice boys
Told off to do as they are bid and do it without noise;
For, except when seeds are planted and we shout to scare the birds,
The Glory of the Garden it abideth not in words.

And some can pot begonias and some can bud a rose,
And some are hardly fit to trust with anything that grows;
But they can roll and trim the lawns and sift the sand and loam,
For the Glory of the Garden occupieth all who come.

Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made
By singing:--"Oh, how beautiful!" and sitting in the shade,
While better men than we go out and start their working lives
At grubbing weeds from gravel-paths with broken dinner-knives

There's not a pair of legs so thin, there's not a head so thick,
There's not a hand so weak and white, nor yet a heart so sick.
But it can find some needful job that's crying to be done,
For the Glory of the Garden glorifieth every one.

Then seek your job with thankfulness and work till further orders,
If it's only netting strawberries or killing slugs on borders;
And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden,
You will find yourself a partner in the Glory of the Garden.

Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees
That half a proper gardener's work is done upon his knees,
So when your work is finished, you can wash your hand and pray
For the Glory of the Garden, that it may not pass away!
And the Glory of the Garden it shall never pass away!

Rudyard Kipling.....

I raise a cuppa Earl Grey to all the fellow gardeners who frequent the tea society!

REST IN PEACE NATASHA RICHARDSON 11 May 1963 – 18 March 2009

God bless the family and and friends of such a talented lady. The world is mourning with you.

Remember
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land:
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

Christina Rossetti
1830-1894

BACK TO THE SECRET GARDEN


Lately, so many posts throughout the blogosphere have dealt with spring and gardening. Since my mind has been dwelling on the same topics, I thought it fitting yesterday to watch a charming little film called "Back to the Secret Garden." My son just read Frances Hodgson Burnett's original novel, which has inspired me to do the same. However, I discovered that Netflix offered this sequel to "The Secret Garden", and upon further discovery that the lovely Joan Plowright had a starring role in the film, I knew it would be worth a watch.

The film was certainly enchanting, though it could never compare with the original story of Mary, Colin, and Dickon. My 11 year old son really enjoyed this movie sequel, and I must say that there were some lovely moments in the film. It is a great film for the entire family, especially if you love gardening:-)...Oh, to be at Misselthwaite!

Below is a review of the film:

Although Frances Hodgson Burnett did not feel the need to write a sequel to her classic fantasy novel The Secret Garden, this did not prevent producer Norman Rosemont from commissioning just such a sequel. Set in 1946, Back to the Secret Garden finds Mary Lennox, the youthful heroine of the original novel, all grown up and far removed from her beloved enchanted garden in Yorkshire's Missletwaite Manor. Now living in New York, Mary comes in contact with Lizzie (Camilla Belle), a feisty Brooklyn-born orphan. It is Lizzie who tries to save the day by heading off to England and endeavoring to save Mary's secret garden, which has been literally dying in its caregiver's absence. Joan Plowright, George Baker, Cherie Lunghi, and Leigh Lawson co-star in this German-British co-production, which was originally intended for theatrical release. The American premiere of Back to the Secret Garden appeared on the Showtime Cable Network on September 2, 2001 -- nearly two years after the film's completion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

NEARING LILAC TIME

( my old fashioned lilac from last year)

Yesterday morning, as we returned home from church, we walked up the steps to our porch where we have a view of our side cottage garden. My sweet, soon to be 11 year old son, happily proclaimed, "Mom, look! The robins are in the garden and everything is bursting out of the ground!" I floated on that comment all day as it filled me with such anticipation for the new growing season.

This year, my lilacs are later than usual. I attribute that to the last ice storm that stunted the spring garden. I am thankful, though, that the garden blooming time seems to have returned to the norm this year, as recently, the garden has awakened entirely too early only to be halted by late freezing weather. I pray that this prolonged dormancy will contribute to longer enjoyment of the jonquils, tulips, lilac and wisteria...Welcome spring!

Warble for Lilac-Time

WARBLE me now, for joy of Lilac-time,
Sort me, O tongue and lips, for Nature’s sake, and sweet life’s sake—and death’s the same as life’s,
Souvenirs of earliest summer—birds’ eggs, and the first berries;
Gather the welcome signs, (as children, with pebbles, or stringing shells;)
Put in April and May—the hylas croaking in the ponds—the elastic air,
Bees, butterflies, the sparrow with its simple notes,
Blue-bird, and darting swallow—nor forget the high-hole flashing his golden wings,
The tranquil sunny haze, the clinging smoke, the vapor,
Spiritual, airy insects, humming on gossamer wings,
Shimmer of waters, with fish in them—the cerulean above;
All that is jocund and sparkling—the brooks running,
The maple woods, the crisp February days, and the sugar-making;
The robin, where he hops, bright-eyed, brown-breasted,
With musical clear call at sunrise, and again at sunset,
Or flitting among the trees of the apple-orchard, building the nest of his mate;

The melted snow of March—the willow sending forth its yellow-green sprouts;
—For spring-time is here! the summer is here! and what is this in it and from it?
Thou, Soul, unloosen’d—the restlessness after I know not what;
Come! let us lag here no longer—let us be up and away!
O for another world! O if one could but fly like a bird! 20
O to escape—to sail forth, as in a ship!
To glide with thee, O Soul, o’er all, in all, as a ship o’er the waters!
—Gathering these hints, these preludes—the blue sky, the grass, the morning drops of dew;
(With additional songs—every spring will I now strike up additional songs,
Nor ever again forget, these tender days, the chants of Death as well as Life;)
The lilac-scent, the bushes, and the dark green, heart-shaped leaves,
Wood violets, the little delicate pale blossoms called innocence,
Samples and sorts not for themselves alone, but for their atmosphere,
To tally, drench’d with them, tested by them,
Cities and artificial life, and all their sights and scenes,
My mind henceforth, and all its meditations—my recitatives,
My land, my age, my race, for once to serve in songs,
(Sprouts, tokens ever of death indeed the same as life,)
To grace the bush I love—to sing with the birds,
A warble for joy of Lilac-time.

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

DAVID COPPERFIELD



(Dickens's Dream Watercolour by Robert William Buss, 1870)

This Sunday, the 1ST of March, Masterpiece Classics on PBS will air the 2000 BBC version of Dickens' David Copperfield...This adaptation stars a young Daniel Radcliffe( of Harry Potter Fame), Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Ian McKellan ( Lord of the Rings), and Bob Hoskins. I will be tuning in with a nice cuppa Earl Grey to enjoy another great Dickens feature.

A FAVOURITE ILLUSTRATOR



The Tea Party
by Kate Greenaway (1846-1901)

IN the pleasant green Garden
We sat down to tea;
"Do you take sugar?" and
"Do you take milk?"
She'd got a new gown on–
A smart one of silk.
We all were so happy
As happy could be,
On that bright Summer's day
When she asked us to tea.

Kate Greenaway was one of few prolific, gifted and recognized women children's book authors/illustrators in the latter half of the 19th Century. The essence of Victorian childhood is exhibited in the idealized children of Greenaway’s work. Her dreamy almost melancholy characters prance through the English countryside frilly smocks, mob caps and sunbonnets unaware of time or place.( from Old Poetry)

Click here for a complete biography of Kate Greenaway

JANE AUSTEN WEEK IN THE BLOGOSPHERE!


While perusing one of my favorite sites, Jane Austen Today, I was thrilled to learn that The Barefoot Mama Blog will be hostessing Jane Austen week next week, February 23-28Th. I have been in need of a good dose of Austen lately, and just last night started re-reading Emma; the timing of this couldn't be better for me.

With that said, I plan on settling in for a weekend of BBC/A & E Austen movies, embroidery, and lots of hot tea to help shoo away the winter dull-drums which I have been suffering from. Wont you join me?

If you are also a Jane devotee, and would like to participate, please right click and save the image above. You may proudly display this on your blog.

Finally, please stop in daily at The Barefoot Mama Blog for your dose of Jane, including challenges and other fun stuff. There will be a special culmination celebration on Saturday, February 28, so stay tuned!

A TEA POEM FOR TODAY




A Loving Recipe for a Perfect Cup of Tea
Anonymous

1 Willing friend who loves to sit and share
1 Grateful heart to have a friend that cares
1 Beautiful garden to show us God is near
Many wonderful memories of times shared throughout the years
Lots of smiles and laughter to brighten up our days
Many prayers that we prayed for each other along the way
I'm so blessed to have a friend like you to share in everything I do. For one special friend sharing a special cup of tea truly makes this a perfect recipe.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN BROWNELL ANTHONY!





Susan Brownell Anthony (February 15, 1820 – March 13, 1906) was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage into the United States. She traveled the United States and Europe, and gave 75 to 100 speeches per year on women's rights for 45 years. ( from Wiki)

If you happen to be in the area of Adams, Massachusetts, there will be a splendid celebration of her birthday held at The Susan B. Anthony House Museum:

OPEN HOUSE AT SUSAN. B. ANTHONY BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM
The historic birthplace of Susan B. Anthony will be the site for an Open House to celebrate the suffragist's birthday on Sunday, February 15, from 11:30 am to 2:30 PM. Located at 67 East Road, the Federal style home was built by Anthony's father, Daniel, in 1818 and his famous daughter was born there two years later. The house has been on the National Register of Historic Places for 24 years; the dream of making the house into a museum has persisted since 1910.

The plans for the museum will highlight the familial and regional influences which shaped Miss Anthony's early life. In addition to professional building assessments and environmental impact studies, the development of the museum includes cooperation with the Adams Historical Association and has employed textile and women's studies historians. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. ( from the Museum's website)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM THE TEA SOCIETY



The Victorian's were great believers in symbolism and few jestures proved this more than when receiving flowers. Given that Valentine's Day is tomorrow, I thought it appropriate to include a sampling from The Language of Flowers. Whenever a Victorian lady received a lovely bouquet or even a single flower, she could decode the hidden meanings of the flowers sent to her by her suitors.



The Language of Flowers

Carnation- Fascination

Chrysanthemum- Friendship

Daisy- Loyal love

Orchid- Love and beauty

Lily- Purity and sweetness

Red rose- Romantic love

Pink rose- Secret love

Yellow rose- Friendship

White rose- Innocent love

Rose, Yellow & Orange: Passionate thoughts

Forget-me-not- True love

Baby’s Breath: Happiness

Lilac, Mauve: “Do You Still Love Me”

Honeysuckle - The Bond of Love

Ambrosia: Your Love is reciprocated

Camellia, red: You’re a flame in my heart

Camellia, white: You’re adorable

Forget-me-not: Faithful Love, Memories

Hibiscus: Delicate Beauty

Hyacinth, purple: I am sorry, Please forgive me, Sorrow

Oleander: Beauty and Grace

Periwinkle, White: Pleasures of Memory

partial list and vintage photo found at Art of Manliness

HAPPY 200TH BIRTHDAY, MR. LINCOLN




When I think of a list of great historical figures whom I would love to have had tea with, Abraham Lincoln would have to be at the top of the list along with Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and C.S. Lewis.

And what tea would I serve Mr. Linclon? Well, Elmwood Inn's Kentucky Blend of course...Nothing less for a Kentucky-born President.

Happy 200th Birthday, Mr. President.

HERBAL INFUSIONS FOR COLD AND FLU SEASON



Tis the season for colds and flu and I am still recuperating, as are many of you in the blogosphere, from what has been one of the worst colds I’ve ever had. The doctor reported that it was indeed viral so basically, I had to suffer through and cope..

Of course, it is crucial to drinks lots of fluids when dealing with a cold or flu and I can’t recommend any better natural remedy than hot herbal tea. Many of the herbs used in infusions like, sage, thyme, oregano, and rosemary, are strong antioxidants and contain essential oils that can aid in alleviating cold and flu symptoms.

Perhaps instead of reaching for the Theraflu, you might try one of the recipes below...


Sage

Sage, whose Latin name salvia means to heal, was considered to be one of four sacred plants by Native Americans. For irritations or inflammation of the throat try gargling with a mixture of sage and apple cider vinegar sweetened, if you must, with a little good quality honey or sip a soothing hot infusion.

Recipe for an herbal tea infusion:

Pour a pint of boiling water onto 1oz of dried sage leaves or 1 tbsp of fresh and leave for 5 - 10 minutes. Drink a small glassful of the strained tea throughout the day. Sage can help to restore appetite as well.

Thyme

There are many varieties of thyme but common garden thyme will be effective for helping you fight off sore throats and colds. Try it when you have a cough or to clear mucus from your chest. It was once used on bandages to prevent infection and is even reputed to be a hangover cure and can lift your spirits.

Thymol the active ingredient in thyme is one of the strongest antiseptics known. It has also been used to treat fungal problems such as athletes' foot and is reputed to be a hangover cure.

Thyme herbal infusion recipe:

Use 1 tsp of dried leaves or a couple of sprigs of fresh leaves for each cup of boiling water. The time you leave it to infuse is a matter of personal taste and can be from 5 - 15 minutes. Strain and slowly sip 3 cups a day inhaling the vapors until your symptoms improve. You can also crush some fresh leaves gently in your hands and inhale the vapors.


Oregano

Oregano also known as pot marjoram has a high thymol content too. It is one of Nature's most powerful natural health remedies against bacteria, viruses, yeast and fungi and has been used as a natural herbal remedy since ancient times. It can be used to treat sore throat, coughs and colds as well as loosening phlegm in the bronchial tubes.

Oregano is used extensively in cooking throughout the Mediterranean especially as an ingredient of pizza and combines well with thyme and rosemary.

Oregano herbal infusion recipe:

Infuse 1 tsp dried oregano or 3 tbsp fresh leaves in 8 oz boiling water for 10 minutes, strain and sweeten with a little good quality honey if wanted.

Rosemary

Rosemary or Rosmarinus officinalis is related to the mint family of plants and is one of the oldest Mediterranean aromatic shrubs in cultivation. With its attractive leaves and pretty blue flowers it is a favorite for kitchen gardens.

Rosemary tea can help bring relief for colds, catarrh, wheezing and bronchitis clearing phlegm from the chest. It’s also good as a gargle for a sore throat. Infuse sage with rosemary and use as a gargle for a sore throat.

Rosemary herbal infusion recipe:

Use 2 tsp of dried rosemary to a cup of boiling water. The addition of fresh ginger root and lemon peel makes this a delicious healthy herbal drink.

Here is the recipe:

1 small bunch of rosemary, leaves gently bruised with a spoon.
1 inch thumb of ginger, sliced into rounds
The peel of two unwaxed or organic lemons
6-8 cups of boiling water

Place the rosemary, ginger and lemon peel in a large teapot. Add the boiling water and leave to infuse for approximately five minutes. Strain and sip slowly. You can add a little good quality honey or sugar if you wish to sweeten.

While modern medicine is still searching for a cure for a cold the history of healing herbs goes back thousands of years. Give these herbal tea recipes a try next time you are trying to shake off the winter bugs.

Recipes from the Complimentary & Alternative Medicine Community

WELCOME TO AnTEAquity



At long last, the AnTEAquity blog is up and running. The first post is about Josiah Wedgwood and the famous pottery company bearing his name.

This has been such an exciting adventure for me to break into the world of antique dealing, if only on a small scale to begin with. I have spent several years of my life studying art history and antiquities so to apply that love with years of collecting tea-related items is simply a dream come true. I hope those of you who enjoy the postings here at the Tea Society will find AnTEAquity of some interest, and you just might find an item or two that you can't live without. Please stop by the blog and read the mini bio on Josiah Wedgwood.

The antiques and vintage tea ware featured at AnTEAquity will be available for purchase on March 1st through eBay so please check back, email me, or post a note if something strikes your fancy. I plan to feature different items weekly, with a bit of history thrown in for good measure, until the shop officially opens in March.

WINTER GARDEN

When it looks like this in the garden outside....

(The old iron rose arbor)


( St. Francis is hidden among the arching ice laden branches of the tall asters-cocooning him in a natural protection from the elements)


( All the while, Gabriel stands guard over the courtyard as the cardinals flutter about looking for seed...)

.....It is of the greatest comfort to know that inside, along with a blazing fire, and pots of hot black tea, I will spend the evening in front of the television watching this man, Mark Walberg, host of one of my favorite PBS shows, Antiques Road Show...

SNAP...CRACKLE...POP...



That's what I'm hearing outside my window... We are being hit yet again in Central Kentucky by another treacherous Ice Storm...We're praying that our old trees don't all come down in mass and that we don't lose power...Tonight will be the perfect night to gather in the parlor beside the fireplace with husband, children, dogs, cat, and a nice cuppa tea....Stay safe and warm dear friends...

MRS. PALFREY AT THE CLAREMONT

( The charming Rupert Friend as Ludovic Meyer)

One of my favorite pastimes during these cold winter months is exploring great movies. Just this past Sunday I decided that I wanted to revisit a charming film that I first watched last summer. This delightful film, starring the wonderfully elegant and talented Joan Plowright and the incredibly handsome and magnetic Rupert Friend( He portrayed the mysterious Mr. Wickham in the more recent version of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley), is called Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. This movie, directed by Dan Ireland, did not receive massive attention or fanfare from Hollywood and that is no wonder because it has no trace of vulgarity, gratuitous violence, controversy or sensationalism.

The Synopsis:

The recently widowed Mrs. Palfrey moves to London with the intent to live in luxury at The Claremont Hotel. The Claremont’s brochure promises elegance and fine cuisine but when Mrs. Palfrey arrives she finds a very different place, one that is more of a retirement home than a luxury boutique hotel. The hotel is filled with a cast of lovable and eccentric aging citizens who are all too eager to pry and inquire as to why Mrs. Palfrey never seems to receive visits or calls from her "mythical" grandson, who happens to work in the archives at the British Museum. However, a twist of fate when she takes a fall on the sidewalk outside the flat inhabited by a charming writer named Ludovic, changes her rather uneventful and lonely life at The Claremont into one filled with joy and true friendship. We should all be so fortunate to have a Ludo ( as he’s called) in our lives! What follows is a charming tale of a wonderful bond that develops between an aging widow and a warm caring young man.

Make a nice pot of Earl Grey, grab a box of Kleenex and enjoy this wonderful little film. It is highly recommended by the Tea Society!

You can preview the trailer from youtube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwihHW2ZQLg

"A UNIQUE TEA EXPERIENCE OFF THE BEATEN TRACK"

( Lady Donna and Miss Spenser Hardin enjoying a hot cuppa)



Dear Tea Society Readers,

It is with great pleasure that I have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people whilst becoming a tea director. When I first began this adventure some years ago, I did so with a national group called The Ladies’ Tea Guild. After that group dissolved and many directors started tea-related business, I continued with a guild/society and that is in essence what the Ladies Historical Tea Society has become.

One delightful director, whom I have had the wonderful good fortune of getting to know, is Mrs. Donna Hardin. Donna has continued her tea business by opening a special occasion Tea Room out of her home in Iowa called Miss Spenser’s Special- Teas. Donna has graciously agreed to answer some questions about her tea business and her fascination with all things tea related.

Rebecca: Hello Donna. Thank you for sharing your time with me for a little conversation at the Tea Society.

You and I have discussed, on a number of occasions, what a unique passion tea is for us. Would you share a little about when you first became passionate about tea?

Donna: Well, I have always admired the "pretty" things associated with tea time...however; I would have to say that my real passion for the “art” of taking tea began in 2000 when my husband moved this "cityslicker" to the country!! After being married 20 years, he came home from work one day and informed me that he wanted to move our family to a farm where we could raise a few chickens, horse and cattle! You can only imagine my surprise with those words, but...being the dutiful wife, I soon found myself living on a 140 acre farm about 30 minutes South of Des Moines, Iowa. Now...some people might be thrilled with this type of adventure, but for me, it was very isolating and lonely. However, life does have a way of surprising us, for it was during the first long winter in the country that my daughter, Spenser, then 13, and I began the art of taking afternoon tea together. I have to admit, in the beginning, we were extremely uncultured, using soggy tea bags you find from the local grocer, not to mention consuming large amounts of Little Debby Fancy Cakes. However, over time, we began to refine our tea taking skills by reading and learning all kinds of information on the subject of how to prepare a “proper” English tea; sampling and tasting the many different varieties of loose leaf teas; and collecting various tea accoutrements which added much enjoyment to our tea time gatherings. Over time our little flame became a roaring fire, one of which we have not been able to quench!

Rebecca: What inspired you to delve deeper with tea and to actually become a Tea Guild director? What did you enjoy most about that time?

Donna: Well during our tea experiences and studies concerning tea, we discovered that we both had a desire to travel to England. Now hubby thought that was a great idea, but he wondered how we would get there…and he wasn’t talking about whether or not we would take a boat or fly…he wondered how we would get there financially. So, that’s when we decided to use our passion for tea to help pave the way to England. The Tea Guild provided us an opportunity to host teas and share our passions, as well as the ability to make a little bit of income. We enjoyed hosting our guild events every month and sharing our passions for tea and history while making new tea friends along the way. I also enjoyed chatting with other tea directors via e-mail.

Rebecca: When did you first entertain the idea of opening a special occasion tea room? How has your lovely daughter Spenser, the tea room's namesake, enhanced the tea experience for your guests?

Donna: After the Ladies Tea Guild dissolved, we went on to continue hosting our tea society every month. “Miss Spenser,” which she is fondly known by in our area, would always perform a little bit of drama for the events in historical costumes which she had created. From there, libraries, churches, Old Settler Events, retirement centers, tea rooms, etc. began contacting us and hiring us to perform our historical programs. Word got around, and people began calling and asking if they could come to tea at our home so that is what prompted us to create our special event tea room.

Rebecca: Which tea rooms do you find most inspiring?

Donna: I enjoy tea rooms that offer a traditional four-course tea served on beautiful china in relaxing and pretty environments, and of course, ones that serve “real” tea made from loose leaf tea, not tea bags. I prefer this over to a restaurant-style tea room which just serves lunch foods.

Rebecca: I couldn't agree more! It's horrible to venture into a "tea room" and find that they only serve 1 blend of loose leaf tea or worse yet, all tea bags!

You also offer special tea blends for sale. Which is your most popular tea?

Donna: Our most popular tea is our “Miss Spenser’s Special-Tea.” This is a wonderful Ceylon tea. We have found this tea is perfect for those who have never tried a cup of “properly” brewed loose leaf tea before. It has a full-body smoothness with an equally pleasing taste without any astringency; it’s really delicious and can be enjoyed any time of the day.

Rebecca: Do you also have a cook book available and what types of recipes do you provide?

Donna: Our cookbook contains everything you need to prepare a simple tea, cream tea, afternoon tea, all the way to a delicious high tea, which consists of a meal. It has over 90 tried and true recipes and sells for $16. It has been extremely popular; we are on our second printing and are almost sold out again!

Rebecca: There has certainly been resurgence in the interest in afternoon tea over the past few years. There are many groups, like the ones we both directed and ones attending your Special-Teas, which congregate specifically to enjoy afternoon tea. With the Tea Society it has become a time of bonding with other women who share similar interests. I try to always keep the conversation positive and not too controversial or political as to make all feel welcome. What do you attribute to the desire for groups like ours? Do you believe there is a void of a more ʽgenteelʼ way of life in our society which the art of tea fulfills?

Donna: People today are just so busy that they don’t take time to rejuvenate their spirits…one way to do that is by creating a relaxing and soothing environment, with pretty table settings, delicious foods, fine quality tea, good music, and great fellowship. This is what we try to provide here at Miss Spenser’s; we love to pamper our guests. Interestingly enough, although most people think of tea time for women only, we have found that the men-folk enjoy it as well!!

Rebecca: Miss Spenserʼs Special Teas has been in operation now for nearly a year, correct? What has your first year been like as a tea room operator and how does your tea room differ from others in your region?

Donna: I would have to say that this first year of business has been one of the best years of my life…to be able to share my passion for tea, history, literature, foods, and to work alongside my daughter, in our home, is truly a dream come true! It’s been a very exciting year…we have the best customers, a/k/a tea friends!!

Our tea room is very unique…actually, our motto is: “A unique tea experience off the beaten path.” You have to remember…we are 30 minutes from civilization, with 2 miles of it on gravel!! At first, I didn’t think any one would come…but they do. We have had people all the way from Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, and Nebraska…as well as all over the State of Iowa…it continues to amaze me. I guess we are like the movie Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come.” Ha… What makes our tea room unique is that it is just that, “a tea room” which offers the traditional four-course tea, with ‘real’ tea served, not hot water and a soggy tea bag. On top of that, our programs are very unique, they’re one-of-a-kind as they are written and researched by us and performed by the amazing Miss Spenser! People always leave here with full tummies and a little more information/education.

Rebecca: I read your reviews at Teamap and they are extraordinary. To say they are overwhelmingly positive would be an understatement. Did you imagine that you would receive reviews like this after such a short time in operation?

Donna: Thank you Rebecca for your kind words…we have been amazed at the reviews, and we give God the glory for them all…we feel so blessed to be able to share our passions with others…it has been beyond our scope of imagination for sure!

Rebecca: Donna, thank you so much for taking this time with me. I have no doubt that your guests have been spoilt beyond their wildest dreams with the availability of such a wonderfully creative destination to take tea. I wish you the best of luck with your tea room and I can't wait for the chance to get to attend one in the future.

Donna: Rebecca, It was my privilege to talk with you today…I always enjoy our chats. Thank you again for all your kind words…I do hope that we can take tea together sometime in the very near future!! And, congratulations to you on your beautiful blog site and your future AnTEAquity endeavors! I am looking forward to seeing your “wares” for sale!

I hope you enjoyed this interview with Donna and please do visit Miss Spenser's Special-Teas if you're interested in the cookbook, tea, or an incredible Tea experience if you happen to find yourself in her neighborhood.

Most Teafully,
Rebecca

A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A RAINY SATURDAY

(Holly Hill Inn- Midway, Kentucky)
(Interior of the Inn- photo from Holly Hill Inn Website)


On Saturday I had the most wonderful visit from a dear old friend whom I have known for 17 years. We met in a college writing class and she was a bridesmaid in my wedding. We had lost touch for a while but reconnected last year and it has been the most wonderful joy having Kimberly back in my life again. She is a treasure and we will never lose touch again. Friendship like ours should never be allowed to fade.

We had a day filled with three of my favorite pleasures in life; antiques, food, and wine. We began the very rainy morning with destination, An Antique Affair, a wonderful warehouse filled with over 100 booths of antiques and collectibles. We found everything from Majolica and Royal Doulton to vintage fashions and Wurlitzer Victrolas.. We spent a couple of hours there and though came away with no purchases this time, the browsing was sublime and did I mention that dogs were allowed? We will be back for sure!

Next, we continued on to Midway, Kentucky and brunch at my favorite restaurant, The Holly Hill Inn. This place is absolute bliss to me. No matter what mood I am in, the minute I see that great Greek Revival Manor amid the Holly trees, my spirits are elevated to a sublime plane. My husband can attest to this. The ambiance here is unequaled and the food is absolutely amazing. For brunch we started with a cup of potato leak soup, then an entree of shrimp and grits served with perfectly prepared asparagus, a side dish of potato cheese casserole, and delectable airy biscuits and corn muffins with fresh butter and honey. We ended with Jamieson's chocolate bread pudding in a whiskey sauce for me and Kimberly had the Cranberry Bavarian cream. Both were heavenly. With satisfied taste buds, we journeyed on to Equus Run Vineyards. Here we had the wine tasting and parted with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon for me and Chardonnay for Kimberly.

Our outing ended shortly afterwards and my friend made her way home but oh, the great memories we made and the wonderful conversation was exactly what I needed on such a gloomy day. We are already planning our next adventure!

If you are ever in Central Kentucky, I would highly recommend checking out the above destinations mentioned. They are all delightful.

SOME LOVELY AWARDS
(Best Blog Award)

( Award By Proxi)

Janeen at chachaneen has been so kind as to give me a couple of awards. Thank you so much for thinking of the Tea Society...These awards are so charming and how fitting is it that this Best Blog Award has a dog featured...Love that...The other award is so thoughtful and is called a By Proxi Award. This is how it is described:

This is the special "Proximidade" award. This award is a fine one because it focuses not on the glory and fanfare of blogging, but in the PROXIMITY to one another through this on-line world (kind of a Six Degrees of Separation sort of thing).

"Blogs who receive this award are 'exceedingly charming' say its authors. This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. T hey are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!

Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

So, over this weekend I'll pass this one along to eight more wonderful bloggers.....

Thank you Janeen....

Tess of the D'Urbervilles on PBS


(Gemma Arterton as the new Tess)


(Justine Waddell in the A&E version)



Well, I regrettably missed the first episode of this new version of the Thomas Hardy classic( part two airs this Sunday, Jan. 11) but thankfully, Janeen reminded me that it is available to view online at PBS so that is certainly what I'll be doing this evening. The last version I saw of this tragic tale was the 1998 offering from A&E starring the beautiful and talented Justine Wadell as the tragic heroine. Her performance was wonderful and so very moving.

The new version stars a beautiful Gemma Arterton,a modern Pre-Raphaelite vision if I've ever seen one, as the ill-fated Tess. Mary Lou from the Tea Society( and my lovely Mother) highly recommends the PBS version as well so I have no doubt I will be enthralled.

So, tonight, I'm off to transport myself to Thomas Hardy's world thanks to the wonder of the Internet. Anyone care to join me? I'll put the kettle on.

BOOKS...BOOKS...and more BOOKS!



The Essential Tea Caddy

'Your Tea-Leaf tho' never so good when you buy, will lose itself, being of a very volatile Spirit, unless carefully preserv'd in Silver, Pewter, or Tin Boxes, shut close from the Air; and above All, kept from the Damps, and Neighbourhood of strong Scents, whether sweet or offensive.'

From A Treatise on the Inherent Qualities of the Tea-Herb, Compiled by a Gentleman of Cambridge 1750~

If you've been perusing some of my favorite blogs of late then you will no doubt notice a certain theme going round. This would be one of literary treasures and of receiving the wondrous gift of books. It is truly a delight to receive such a carefully selected item. When someone chooses a topic that they believe fits your interests and personality that shows that they have spent more than the proverbial five minutes on a gift card or certificate. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't enjoy receiving gift certificates, I do. However, It's just not the same as a personal selection just for you.

My birthday was in November and I received a delightful book from my Inlaws. It is called The London Ritz Book of Afternoon Tea. For anyone who knows me, they would know that this book has almost everything that I love like; a recommended Tea guide, vintage illustrations, delectable recipes, and wonderful literary quotes about tea. The only things missing are bone china selections, gardening tips, and Greyhounds..If it contained information on them, then it would truly be the perfect book.

Below is a wonderful description of this enchanting book( from the book sleeve). I highly recommend anyone who has more than a passing interest in tea to add this little treasure to your library.


Afternoon tea is the English meal-time institution, a social as well as a culinary event.

It is precisely this atmosphere which is embodied in the Palm Court Tearoom at the Ritz in London, which for many years has been one of the most delightful and traditional places to take tea.

The London Ritz Book of Afternoon Tea captures the essence of this traditional British occasion and provides the reader with all the Ritz expertize in the ceremony as well as over 50 recipes, illustrated with passages from Dickens to Oscar Wilde and charming drawings.

About the Author
After five years at Oxford, where she gained a M. Litt. degree for a thesis called Unreasonable Laughter in Restoration Comedy, Helen Simpson won the Vogue Talent Contest. The next five years have been spent working at Vogue, writing about travel, shops and food, as well as interviews and fiction.