What is it about spring that sets us all to ordering our lives? From tidying up the flower beds to cleaning out closets and reorganizing the pantry, I've been busy trying to get my house and my life in better order. Many of my friends (including some of you) have been doing the same thing. One long overdue project of mine? Discarding those old magazines I've been keeping just because they contained a tea article or two and getting those pieces organized. So, I emptied the pretty tea-themed notebook I'd been using to store back issues of Tea Time magazine and now it is officially my Tea Notebook.
I've saved many newspaper and magazine articles over the years (friends have sent me some as well), and now they're corralled nicely in a clear vinyl page protector. I started to place every single article in the notebook in a page protector, but I'd need more notebooks (and more money), and I'm trying to be thrifty about all this.
Several years ago I printed out some images I came across on the Library of Congress website, including this one of Mrs. George Pullman, who doesn't seem to be enjoying her tea very much but who amused me just the same. This pocket page of the notebook houses graphic images related to tea.
Some of my favorite articles over the years have focused on tea crafts, such as this old Country Living piece on tea-stained laces. These are just beautiful!
Naturally, tea parties and their menus get a page. (I learned that articles from those oversized British magazines like Country Living will have to be folded in half.) So far, the topics I've included in my notebook are Tea Tidbits (the generic articles on tea), Tea Parties (ideas and recipes), Tea Graphics/Photos, Teatime Recipes, Tea Growers (articles on Charleston Tea Plantation, Harney and Sons, etc.), Tea History, Tea Rooms, Tea Room Recipes, Tea & Health, and Tea Crafting. What would you add if you kept (or keep) a tea notebook?
Finally, I wanted you to see one of the old articles I came across from back before I started blogging. Lowcountry Dog magazine in 2006 had a feature titled "High Tea & Cake," and these pampered pooches were treated to tea at Charleston's Magnolia Plantation, complete with their own little canine treats from local doggie bakeries. Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "You lucky dog!", doesn't it!
Oh my goodness what a fabulous idea to keep a tea notebook! And yes, I have had thoughts of creating a spring cleaning schedule. I have not yet, however, carried through with these thoughts. You are inspiring me to do so.
ReplyDeleteI have two stacks of magazine just waiting for me to go through them!! I keep a tea folder in my filfe drawer, but I like your idea of a tea notebook. (I have a quilt notebook, so why not a tea notebook?) Right now I have articles about teapots, tea cups, tea cozies, pictures of tea tables set with beautiful china and tiered trays laden with goodies, info about tea shops, childrens tea parties, and tea strainers. :-)
ReplyDeleteAngela, your beautiful notebook makes me smile -- it is lovely to look at and contains so many wonderful ideas quietly waiting for just the right moment to leap off of the page and into your life. Great idea! B-)
ReplyDeleteNow if only your beautiful, organized notebook of tea clippings will inspire me to organize my tea stuff...
ReplyDeleteNice notebook binder. I have folders and notepads with that pattern. I love it. I have my tea things in a file cabinite in my craft room. The only other category I can think of is "theme" tea. I just love when everything comes together creatively, so if I see something with a good idea for a future teaparty, I file it there. You would probably file it under Teaparty. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteYes, a great idea! Those old 'zines take up SO much space! I've been doing similarly as you...keeping the dog-eared pages and letting the rest go to be reused (by local schools) or to be recycled. Yay!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of the tea notebook! I have a friend who does talks and storytelling at teas. So many people give her tea cards that she keeps them in her scrapbooks along with the photos and menus from teas she attends.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteClever idea for keeping tea related articles. I love the tea stained lace. I am not as organized, but do have a pretty bag I tuck tea related pictures, etc into. I really must get more organized.
ReplyDeleteLove your tea notebook, very creative and organized!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea, Angela! Very organized and you can get to the information you need. Thanks for sharing, Joanie
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