Victoria returns!!!

Now I am not normally a three-exclamation-point kind of gal, but today I read the news that our beloved Victoria Magazine will be coming back to life at the hands of Hoffman Media, the gentlewomen who give us Southern Lady and Tea Time. It was largely through Victoria (which gave up the ghost in 2003) that I fell in love with the tea ritual and tea things, so I have every hope that the reappearance of the magazine will mean great things to us tea lovers. It is scheduled to appear in October, with the November/December issue. I look forward to seeing whether Hoffman can bring it back to life in proper fashion ...

Tea and MAGS

Today was the day of the annual MAGS conference (Magazine Association of the Southeast). My colleagues and I were finishing up lunch when I happened to be visiting a vendor near the spot where the desserts came out: miniature lemon tarts and pecan pies, cream puffs, chocolate covered strawberries. The conference also had tea bags and hot water on hand for those of us who prefer tea over coffee. I couldn't help thinking that if I'd had a couple of thee-tiered servers and a teapot or two, I could have whipped us up a nice afternoon tea party...

Tea Party Sighting - Hallmark Magazine

One reason I save and file every single article I find on teatime is this: you never know when you'll be called upon to provide an idea for an unusual new tea party. The May/June issue of Hallmark Magazine (yes, the card folks) features an Alice in Wonderland "mad tea party" that is whimsical and fun. I especially like that they include a free, downloadable image to use in decorating. Fun!

Teatime jewelry

Some of my very favorite pieces of jewelry were gifts from my sweet husband. An early birthday gift during courting days was a glass teapot necklace. The glass bead painted with pink roses is the "body" of the teapot, accented with silver findings. This past Christmas, he did a dangerous (for him) thing and introduced me to the wonderful world of Pandora jewelry. I LOVE this stuff! Remember slide bracelets? Same principle, only the beads are designed to be put on yourself, so you don't have to visit the jewelry store every time you get a new one. He got me the bracelet and a heart, then another heart design bead for Valentine's Day, and today I added the teacup bead, which joins the teapot bead. Now I just need a sugar and creamer bead (which don't exist). Some people wear their passions on their sleeve. I wear mine on my neck and wrist. (Both necklace and bracelet were purchased right here in downtown Newnan, I'm happy to report. Just doing our little part ...)

Wedding Reception Teas

I always enjoy reading the newest Tea Time magazine, and the new issue does not disappoint. Local brides should note that this issue features Wedding Reception Teas. I found this theme especially enjoyable since that's exactly what I had at my own wedding last year — a reception tea. Tea Time is also full of ads for companies that sell tea, teaware and tea jewelry, so there are always lovely tea things on view.

Tea Party Sighting: Country Living

Years ago, Country Living magazine didn't really interest me much. It was too full of the rustic and rusted, but in recent years it's become a much sunnier publication and is often filled with beautiful homes across America. The May issue has a "Come For Tea" feature on a tea party in the garden. Oh, how I want to stage one of these! I can just see some pretty floral dishes, maybe a miniature rose bush for each guest as a party favor ... But I guess I'll have to plant the garden first, eh?

Brrrrr!

Can you believe how cold it is? It's April, for heaven's sake, and I thought Spring was supposed to be here! The good news, though, is that this chill always sends me in search of hot tea, which has prompted me to take inventory and see what exactly I have in my collection. My favorite tea always seems to be the last one I bought, which in this case is Harney & Sons' Peaches and Ginger black tea. (If you want a free catalog, visit harney.com. Also, the last few times I've been to Senoia Coffee Company they were selling Harney tea as well, although I think Peaches and Ginger may be one of the blends you have to order direct.)

Upton's is here!

Steve Martin once got excited when the new phonebook came, but I am most pleased when something like the new Upton Tea Quarterly appears in my mailbox, as it did today. I've gotten great tea and service when ordering from Upton Tea in Hopkinton, Mass. (uptontea.com), and their quarterly newsletter/catalog is always so information-packed, I can hardly believe they send this out for free! I also enjoy reading the lush descriptions of the new teas they offer. Example: "Oolong Super Fancy: An exquisitely-crafted Formosa Oolong, with a balanced body, fresh fragrance, and a lively cup. Steeping for four minutes or longer produces a cup with chestnut notes and hints of grape-like sweetness." (How could you NOT want to try this after reading such a description?)

Springtime Cup & Saucer

This may be a little nutty, but one way I celebrate the seasons and holidays is by switching to a "new" design for my everyday teacup and saucer. Since today was the first day of spring, I reached for a longtime favorite, a cheery yellow design blossoming with pink and lavender roses and tulips.

An Agreeable Hour

"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." So said Henry James, and so say I! Yesterday I got to take tea at the new home of my longtime tea-lover friend Beth here in Newnan. It was the first time I've seen her new place, and it was so pretty. She has lovely, feminine things all over, and the bedrooms were truly bed-and-breakfast charming: Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic prints on the bed linens, a white wicker breakfast tray, roses everywhere. Her tea table, too, was resplendent with linens and fresh roses. Ahhh ... Henry James wrote about the "hour" dedicated to tea, but with my friends it's more like "hours." Why hurry when you're being treated to homemade pimiento cheese finger sandwiches (and classic cucumber), pink-rose-decorated petit fours, chocolate treats such as buckeyes and hand-dipped strawberries? I drank cups and cups of delicious Chocolate Hazelnut tea, and it was just a yummy afternoon, all the way around!

World Tea Expo coming to Atlanta!

Just found out I will get to attend the World Tea Expo, which is coming to Atlanta June 9-11. I've read with envy about the tea expos they've had elsewhere (usually Las Vegas), so I cannot WAIT to go to Atlanta and hang out with tea vendors and attend tea seminars and workshops for a few days. Should provide lots of inspiration and information for future tea columns. (I'm attending as media, but anyone with a tea-related business may want to check it out at www.worldteaexpo.com.)

A Beach-worthy Tea

My husband and I just returned from enjoying several days at a friend's condo in Florida. Although I generally prefer drinking loose tea, I think when you're traveling it just makes sense to take along tea bags. They are convenient to use, easy to clean up, and take up very little room in your bags. One of the varieties I took along was Twinings' Lady Earl Grey (in the royal blue box), an old favorite that was part of a Christmas gift I received last year. My, was this stuff good! After I learned a little about tea I guess I strayed away from classic flavors such as Earl Grey, and rediscovering this old friend was such a pleasant surprise. Sipping tea while looking out at the ocean, catching up on reading, relaxing with my fella ... THIS was my idea of a great weekend!