We’ve had a flurry of activity here at the house/office over the last month involving window replacement, painting, replacement of some overgrown shrubs and a partially flooded basement from a leaking hot water heater. With restoration and clean-up behind us we were finally able to open “Camp Grandma” this week. The tradition was started last summer and our granddaughter, who is five, eagerly anticipated her turn to spend time doing lots of girlie things ~ playing dress-up, baking cookies, cupcakes, having tea with our neighbors and going to see the movie, “Kit Kittridge, an American Girl.”

After much planning and preparation, she hosted her First Teddy Bear Tea today. From the time her guests stepped into the entry to sign the guest page in her Camp Grandma Journal, to the last “thank you so much for coming,” at the door, she made me proud as she demonstrated many of the mannerly things she has been taught over the last few days. Her approval of the menu was essential in order to appeal to her and the other little ones attending:

Peanut Butter and Honey Bear-shaped sandwiches
Cucumber Tea Pot-shaped sandwiches
Fresh Fruit Kabobs
Chocolate Chip Cookies dipped in White Chocolate
Teddy Grahams
Vanilla Almond Cupcakes with White Chocolate curls
Hunny Rooibos Tea
Belgian Chocolate Rooibos TeaOur granddaughter offered a lovely blessing in the form of a song, and then proceeded to engage in conversation. Of course, with five lively children and two moms, there was lots of cross-talk and the occasional pointed suggestions to “sip from the cup, not from the spoon, please” or “that’s enough sugar” or “don’t say, ‘I don’t like tea’, just say ‘no thank you.’” After all the food was consumed and sensing that the youngest were getting a little restless, I read them a story, Corduroy, followed by a “Toss the Teabag” game outside with prizes for everyone. Thus concluded her very first tea and she loved it. To top it off, without any prompting, she helped clear the table. I see many teas ahead for her and Marmie.

As we celebrate another 4th of July, we again pay homage to the patriots who pledged “their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor” for our nations’ independence. The following is another poem I came across relating the sacrifice women were willing to make for the sake of liberty. Giving up their precious tea was not trivial when you consider they were as passionate about it as we are about our coffee, especially Starbucks. Can you imagine our entire nation taking a pledge to give up coffee cold turkey for the sake of Liberty?

A Lady’s Adieu to Her Tea Table

Farewell the Tea-board with your gaudy attire,
Ye cups and ye saucers that I did admire,
To my cream pot and tongs I now bid adieu
That pleasure’s all fled that I once found in you.
Farewell pretty chest that so lately did shine
With Hyson and Congou and best double fine;
Many a sweet moment by you I have sat,
Hearing girls and old maids to tattle and chat…
No more shall my teapot so generous be
In filling the cups with this pernicious tea,
For I’ll fill it with water and drink on the same,
Before I’ll lose LIBERTY, that dearest name,
Because I am taught (and believe it is fact)
That our ruin is aimed at in the late act,
Of imposing a duty on all foreign teas.

Today we can enjoy tea without taxation and, with so many choices, our foremothers and forefathers would be dazzled.

As you celebrate this Independence Day, raise a glass of tea to those great Sons of Liberty and Uncle Sam’s Nieces who fought for the freedoms we have so long enjoyed.

Our New Arrivals have arrived a few days early! It is important to me that you have an opportunity to purchase these unusual blends to enjoy over your 4th of July holiday weekend. The first offering is:

“Sons of Liberty” - I was inspired to try my hand at creating a blend of tea that most closely resembled the tea that was thrown into Boston Harbor by the patriots. When it came to my attention that there were actually three types of tea disposed of; Hyson Green, Bohea, and Congou, it made my task clearer. The result is a blend of the three teas described below. I trust you will find “Sons of Liberty” unusual and enchanting as well.

Hyson Green - In the 18th Century, most tea exported from China was green tea however, in order to preserve the quality over extended shipping schedules, some tea was dried. Europeans expanded their tastes to include black tea.
Bohea (pronounced Bo-hee, though some say Bo-hay) is a Black Tea from China that enchanted Europe and the colonies across the pond. It is known for its remarkable smoky character, milder than a Lapsang Souchong.
Congou (sometimes spelled congo) is another China Black Tea, similar to an English Breakfast. Very often it is blended with roses to give it a lovely floral quality.

“Uncle Sam’s Niece” is our second Specialty Blend. It is a Raspberry and Blueberry flavored black tea with blue blossoms and tiny candy stars for a touch of patriotic whimsy. This tea was not only created for its patriotic symbolism but, also, in honor of my friend and business partner, Kathy, who will celebrate her 50th birthday on July 4th. For over 10 years I have benefited from her unique abilities and expertise in the area of giftware and displays. I am also blessed by her devoted friendship and inspiring example of a women who trusts God. She is my traveling buddy, tea-taster and critic, recipe sharer, listener, tear wiper, Bible study and prayer partner. Thank you, dear sister and friend. Happy Birthday!

Given that I am a bit of a history nut, I love reading accounts of the origins of some of the everyday traditions that we just take for granted. In past entries I have related accounts of some of these traditions, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. Tomorrow we honor those unsung heroes of this world, the ones who don’t get nearly enough attention. There are millions out there who manage to rise above their circumstances, fulfill their responsibilities to their wives and families, jobs, churches, communities and country. This Sunday, June 15, 2008, is your day, men!

Sonora Smart Dodd, from Washington State, the daughter of a Union veteran, was the first to set the Father’s Day observance in motion when she came to the realization that her father deserved recognition. Sonora’s mother died in 1898 from complications during the birth of her sixth child, leaving Sonora’s father, William Dodd, to raise the children alone. One Sunday in May 1909, when sitting in a church service honoring mothers and motherhood, Sonora realized her father deserved equal honor as he had acted as both mother and father to his brood after the passing of her mother. She began to set in motion, through correspondence and lobbying, the process of getting approval for the concept.

She had a compatriot in the East who had a similar idea after being affected deeply by a mining disaster in Fairmont, WVa, in December, 1907, which claimed the lives of 360 men, 210 of whom were fathers. Through the years, casual observances to honor fathers were held, but a national day was finally enacted by joint resolution of the Congress in 1956. In 1966, a formal declaration was signed by President Johnson, making the third Sunday in June the official commemorative day, followed by a permanent national observance on this day in June to honor our nation’s fathers. Sonora Smart Dodd lived to see her dream become a reality. She died in 1980 at age 96.

We salute you, for all you are as Dads, and for all the ways you give all year long.

Happy Father’s Day!

We are back after enjoying a very fast-paced, high energy, HOT week at Disney World. Why in the world did we plan a vacation in 85-90 degree temperatures and leave the delightful 75-80 degree temps in Virginia? Did I mention it was HOT? Remember I said in a previous blog entry that my hubby and I purposely plan vacations in the off seasons in cooler climates? Ah, well, despite the heat and crowds, we wouldn’t have missed the opportunity to join the entire family for a vacation in the “land where dreams are made.”

Since I am the consummate “Tea Lady” anything to do with my business and favorite beverage starts my heart a-pumpin’! To my delight I discovered a delightful tea garden outside the Twinings Tea Shop in the England section of Epcot. Beautifully displayed in oversized tea cups surrounded by Impatiens and other lush flowers, Camellia Sinensis plants were featured along with herb flavorings that are combined to make one of their packaged teas. The photo here is of Twinings Vanilla Black tea.

As far as we are concerned, no visit to Epcot would be complete without a visit to the Rose and Crown Pub for a traditional Fish & Chips or Ploughman’s lunch, along with a pot of tea.

After our granddaughter had a princess makeover in the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique, the family enjoyed our Princess Breakfast in the Castle, located in the Magic Kingdom. Even though the food was scrumptious and plentiful, our attention was drawn to the beautiful Disney character princesses who visited each table for hugs, photo ops and autographs. Our little princess wanna-be and her “cool dude” little brother hardly had time to eat with all the excitement!

The highlight of our last day, and the entire week if truth be told, was the fabulous Afternoon Tea we enjoyed at the Grand Floridian Resort. One step into the atrium lobby and we were transported into a totally different atmosphere, one of beauty, grace, and genteel manner. We sat in front of a huge window that looked out over a beautifully manicured lawn and lush garden.

Each glass-topped table was adorned with fresh garden flowers arranged in a teapot with Royal Albert’s “Old Country Roses” china set for the Afternoon Tea. I chose one of their special blends of tea, “Eros” a heavenly combination of Mandarin Orange and Vanilla.

Every course of our “Grand Afternoon Tea” delighted our eyes and taste buds, culminating with a choice of pastries or their famous English Raspberry Trifle and rounded out with a glass of sparkling wine or cider. What a perfect way to wind down and relax after all the frenetic activity at the different parks! Next time I think we might just skip the parks and go straight to the Grand Floridian Resort to spend an entire week!

After two years of anticipation and planning, our family’s seven day vacation to Disney World is about to begin. Our eldest daughter and family, my husband and myself will load up and head down this Friday, stopping in South Carolina to join up with our other daughter and her family, completing the drive on Saturday. Needless to say we are all very excited, especially the two oldest grandchildren. Our five-year old granddaughter who, at this tender age, has already been enraptured up by the “princess” craze, is beside herself with excitement. In addition to all terrific activity that Disney offers for a week’s enjoyment, the highlight (we hope) for her on our final day is the “princess make-over” at the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique, followed by a Princess Breakfast in the Castle which the entire family will also enjoy.

What would a vacation be without Afternoon Tea? For me it would be sorely lacking, therefore, we have booked the occasion at the Grand Floridian as a fitting climax to our week. After all the thrills, chills, sites, sounds and energy depleted at the theme parks, there is no better way to come down from the excitement than with a calming, civilized afternoon spent sipping tea. The Grand Floridian is Disney’s loveliest resort, famous for their beautiful appointments and surroundings, spectacular culinary offerings, and delectable Afternoon Tea served on Royal Albert’s Old Country Roses China. I am already picturing myself there! You’ll be able to picture me there as well when I send photos to the blog later in the week.

Till then, have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Our sincerest gratitude to all those who have died to keep our country free ~ may we cherish their memory. And God Bless our troops who are still guarding our freedom.

Though it’s a bit damp and rainy here, it’s still a great day to celebrate mothers everywhere. Why not surprise your mother or the mother of your children with a Breakfast-in-Bed Tea, on a lovely tray, with a steaming pot of one of our newest Specialty Blends, Mother’s Bouquet? Rich with the “flavor bouquet” of peaches and roses, it is the perfect way to show your appreciation for the many ways she shows her love and devotion all year long, many things that go unnoticed. To you Moms, we say, “Bravo! Well done! Happy Mother’s Day!

The Traditions of Mother’s Day

It was an English custom in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, for all those who worked away from their homes and families to be given a holiday each year to return home. At home they usually honored their mothers with gifts of flowers or cakes and would attend church together. This holiday was observed on the “Mid-Lent Sunday” and was referred to as “Mothering Sunday.”

The first Mother’s Day observances were symbolized by the gift of white carnations to all mothers. It was the second Sunday of May, 1907. Five hundred white carnations adorned the Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. The occasion was the second anniversary of the death of Mrs. Jarvis, the Minister’s wife. Her daughter Anna, named for her mother, planned the ceremony and decorated the church with her mother’s favorite flower. It was a commemoration of her mother who had promoted “Mother’s Friendship Days” in an effort to heal the bitter wounds between the North and South, left behind after the Civil War. The ceremony so moved Anna that she vowed to make it a national event. In the months that followed, she contacted politicians, newspaper editors, business men, and anyone who would listen, making an appeal for a day to honor mothers to be symbolized by white carnations. In 1910 West Virginia became the first state to recognize Mother’s Day. A year later, amidst Jarvis’s flurry of letters, nearly every state had followed. Legislators may not have been ready to grant women the vote, but Mother ‘s Day had few enemies. Eventually, Anna Jarvis had championed Mother’s Day observances in forth-three nations.

On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed this custom a national holiday. He encouraged everyone to display the flag on the second Sunday in May as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country.

(Excerpts taken from Seasons of Motherhood by Ruth A Tucker)