Thursday, May 29, 2008

365 things about tea ... and a giveaway!


As soon as I saw the title of this book I knew I wanted it, and the folks at Harvest House Publishers were kind enough to send a review copy of "365 Things Every Tea Lover Should Know." It's a tiny book - just 4x6 inches, the size of a large index card - but it is packed with tea lore, trivia, quotes and even a few recipes. The size also makes me think this $5.99 book would be a great stocking stuffer or tea party favor. And while any tea lover would enjoy this book, I think it will prove especially helpful to those of us who occasionally write or speak about tea.

Here are some of the tidbits:

"When brewing rosehips tea using the whole rosehips, steep for ten minutes."

"Rooibos tea is said to help relieve insomnia."

"Tea does our fancy aid,
Repress those vapours which the head invade
And keeps that palace of the soul serene."

- Edmund Waller, "Of Tea"

And while they're not out yet, I was delighted to see in their fall catalog that Harvest House has a new Emilie Barnes book AND a new children's tea party book set for release in June.

When my package arrived the other day, it also included a copy of the wonderful Alda Ellis book "The Gentle Art of Hospitality," which I wrote about on Oct. 30, 2007. Since I already have a copy, I'm going to give away this brand spanking new one. Just leave a comment to any post between now and midnight Saturday, and I'll announce the winner on Monday. How's that!

19 comments:

  1. Your blog has been a wonderful find! We are starting a Tea Ministry at our church and the committee is enjoying reading it so much.
    This little book will be great for several people on my Christmas list. And although my husband calls it "Whole Paycheck" I am headed to Whole Foods for some Mango tea-sounds so summery.

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  2. A tea ministry? Please tell us more! Reminds me that a friend says she wants to do an event at HER church and call it "Tea & Testimonies," which I think sounds like a fun idea!

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  3. Thanks for introducing us to this newest book. Sounds fun!
    Nancy

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  4. Hope Belinda writes back about the Tea Ministry that is MY KIND OF MINISTRY!!

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  5. I would love to be entered in your giveaway! That sounds like something I would love to have.

    Thanks,
    Liz West

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  6. Angela, I love how you are always able to give us the "heads up" on everything regarding tea! I will look forward to finding a copy of 365 Things About Tea when it comes out. I'm definitely a tea freak--into all things concerning tea, and I used to think I was the only one! But now that I found your blog, I realize I'm just one of many. Tea lovers seem to be some of the nicest people ever!

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  7. I just found your blog! What wonderful escapism!! I recently got a WHOLE set of tea pots, plates and such to have "Tea Parties" with my daughter. Your blog has been a great help. Thanks for all the hard work you put into it!!

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  8. Your books sounds lovely. Please enter me in your drawing. Thank you. Frivolitea.

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  9. Yes, I too would love to hear about Belinda's church's ministry. Is it a ministry for believers or the non-believers? I cook for a ministry that has a widow's luncheon once a year. I hope to convince them in the future to make it a tea luncheon. I really think the ladies would love it, but it is quite different from what they now offer. They usually feed around 200 people so it can be a little daunting!
    Thank you so much Angela for this blog! I have so enjoyed learning new tea things.....my friends think I am obsessed!

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  10. Ohhhh, pick me. Pick me! That book sounds wonderful. :-)

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  11. The Edmund Waller excerpt is from a poem he wrote in 1663 for the birthday of the somewhat newly arrived wife of Charles II, Catherine of Braganza - who we know made tea-drinking in Britain the quite fashionable thing:


    Venus her Myrtle, Phoebus has his bays;
    Tea both excels, which she vouchsafes to praise.
    The best of Queens, the best of herbs, we owe
    To that bold nation which the way did show
    To the fair region where the sun doth rise,
    Whose rich productions we so justly prize.
    The Muse's friend, tea does our fancy aid,
    Regress those vapours which the head invade,
    And keep the palace of the soul serene,
    Fit on her birthday to salute the Queen.

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  12. Many of my favorite books are published by Harvest House Publishers. I was excited to read that another children's tea book is coming soon!

    I too am interested in the details regarding a tea ministry.

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  13. I just found your blog and am bookmarking you! Beautiful site and thank you for a chance to win the book! It sounds wonderful. :) Linda

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  14. The cover of 365 Things is just beautiful! I am learning so much from your blog, thank you for sharing such wonderful things.

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  15. I had a tea party Memorial Day weekend for 5 college friends from 31 years ago. Your blog gave me many of the recipes, (including the cucumber dip with the butterfly cracker on top,) many gift ideas, and table settings. Thanks! I'm still hoping you and your Mom will visit "Frosty Frog" in Canton, GA and tell us all how the green tea ice cream is!!!

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  16. Again you have peaked our interest with these exciting new books. I look forward to finding them soon as well. Thanks Angela!
    Sincerely,
    Teresa

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  17. Our tea ministry is called "Cup of Caring" and we are just gearing up for our first tea in Aug.for the Ladies of our church staff. The next one will be in Oct. for Breast cancer patients and survivors. The idea came from here www.ccum.org
    Future teas will be for schoolteachers,retirement home, nurses... It will be a tea,a little gift,a devotional speaker. We will then follow up on how we can serve these groups in other ways.

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  18. What a pretty cover to that book! And thank you for sharing your good fortune!

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  19. Your blog is just wonderful! So many great ideas, events & stories. Thanks for everything: it's one to read! Joanie

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Thanks so much for taking time to leave a comment! It makes my day to hear from readers!