Finding Tea in L.A.

If you're from the South, you already know the old joke about how, in our neck of the woods, "L.A." refers not to Los Angeles but rather to Lower Alabama. So I was especially amused by the title of an article I found in Fairhope, Ala., "Lower Alabama Oolong." It is about -- are you ready for this? -- a place in Alabama that grows tea, the Fairhope Tea Plantation!

There's a tea plantation in Fairhope, Ala.? How had I never heard of this before? This is exciting news! Once I knew I'd be going to Fairhope, I googled "tea" and "Fairhope" and found a blog post from a lady in Louisiana who recently visited the tea plantation as part of a tour. I also found Fairhope Tea Plantation mentioned on the web site of The Church Mouse, one of the merchants in downtown Fairhope, shown here.

The Church Mouse sells, among other things, teawares, tea books, British specialty foods, and tea from the Fairhope Tea Plantation. An article was on display next to the tea, and I was delighted when the kind lady at the store gave me a copy of the article along with the bag of tea I purchased.

With article and tea safely in a gift bag, I continued on with my shopping, ending up with a great piece of tea-themed needlework (more on THAT to come) and the Lipton teapot from yesterday. The DH actually started reading the article while I loaded a few packages in the car, and he asked if I'd known that Lipton Tea Company once had an experimental crop of tea growing at Auburn's Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope. Well, noooo, I did not know that!

According to the article in the Baldwin County Guide (no date listed), Donnie Barrett of Fairhope began his tea-growing hobby when Hurricane Frederic blew away the experimental crop. "Workers gathered the strewn tea plants in a pile and burned them, but Barrett rummaged through the discarded heap and found three plants that hadn't burned," the article said. "Although he didn't know their variety names, he nursed them back to health and then began growing and cross-pollinating until he came up with his own variety, 'Camellia Sinensis Fairhope.'"

At the time the article was written (and I'm trying to find out precisely when that was), Barrett had more than 20,000 plants. He's obviously still growing tea, because the tea I purchased tasted very fresh. It was quite delicious, very "pure," I would say, and the article said Barrett produces 50 pounds of tea each year and sells out, all without marketing. Fun stuff, and I'm still just astonished to have learned of a second tea plantation here in the U.S.!

Back from the beach

From Wednesday through Sunday I was happily hanging out at Navarre Beach in Florida, courtesy of some friends who wondered if Alex and I would care to visit their condo for the week. So, I "power worked" the first part of last week and took the rest of the week off, and I have to say it ended up being a wonderful (and thoroughly unexpected) "tea trip" as well!

I visited so many antique malls I lost count, I found not one but two items that have been at the top of my tea wish list, and we even spent one day in a lovely town I've long wanted to visit, Fairhope, Ala., that ended up having a surprising tea connection I'd never heard of. (I'll discuss that tomorrow. Anybody want to guess?) We got to Fairhope shortly after lunch and ate at a place called Panini Pete's that is apparently somewhat famous after having been featured on Food Network. There is a cute courtyard in what they call Fairhope's "French Quarter," and tucked in a corner is Panini Pete's, along with several gift shops and boutiques.

Fairhope is located on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, and I was surprised when we drove down to the Fairhope Pier and saw a gorgeous rose garden still bursting with blooms! As DH noted, the combination of roses AND the water is certainly one to make me happy.









But even on vacation, tea is never far from my mind ...

I bought a few goodies in antique stores in Fairhope, but I was especially pleased to discover this vintage, individual-size Lipton teapot (it's hard to see, but it says "Lipton" near the bottom of the front of the teapot). I like to collect pieces from the various tea brands, and I'd seen these before on eBay, but not for the $6 I paid for this one. And interestingly enough, it wasn't the only time the name "Lipton" would cross my path that afternoon. Tomorrow, I'll explain why!

Harry and David Tea

Yesterday I popped in a Harry and David store in search of a hostess gift, and I was surprised to find the company I associate with Christmas gifts of delicious fresh fruits and chocolates also sells scone mixes, butters and jams, and even their own Republic of Tea teas! The one that most appealed to me was this Blue Ribbon Pie Tea in the Chocolate Cinnamon Decadence flavor.

I was happy to buy a tin of 50 teabags, because I have found that Republic of Tea teas stay fresh a long time. When I opened this tin, a delicious scent was released. The instructions suggested trying this dessert tea with a little milk and sugar, and I did. It was delicious!

The store also had some cute tea towels, and I got a red one in honor of the holidays. So Harry and David sells tea stuff. Who knew?

A Dollar Tree Tea Party?

Recently I ran by Dollar Tree to pick up some cheapie glue sticks. While there, I found a couple of items I thought were so cute, I had to get them: This pack of felt doilies and an 8-pack of "coffee" cups that are actually in a teacup shape!

While I've never served tea party guests out of plastic, and surely don't plan to, I have thought before that on some more casual occasions, it would be nice to have some portable, take-it-with-you cups that guests could take with them and not worry about returning. Maybe these cups are the answer?

I'm not quite sure what to do with these things, but I just knew that if I left them for $1, I'd never see them again and would later come up with the perfect idea for using them. So I'm not saying the idea has fully materialized yet, but ... a Dollar Tree Tea Party just may be in my future!

"Porcelain & Pottery Tea Tiles"

My friend's Christmas gift of two unmarked, vintage tea trivets prompted me to pull out a 1994 book I found on eBay this summer, "Porcelain & Pottery Tea Tiles" by Ralph Moore with photography by Dinah Tanner. According to this book, tea tiles are sometimes called "trivets" and in Scotland are sometimes called "teapot stands."

The author says tea trivets were made as long ago as the 1700s, mostly of iron, and porcelain pieces became popular in the 1800s. "Many tea tiles have no marks as to manufacture or country of origin," the book says. "Two reasons for this can be stated: the tiles could have been made before the McKinley Act was in force, a law requiring that all imports be marked as to country of origin; or the tiles were made for local use and not for importation."

I enjoyed seeing all the photos, which give a good idea of the variety of trivets that are "out there," but most helpful were the photos of the backs of trivets and the markings some of them have. The book also includes a price guide, and the trivets at the time of printing ranged in value from $18 to $85. I believe I paid $5 for my most expensive one, so I think I'm doing OK!

Tea Trivets x Two

Yesterday I finally had a chance to meet up with my friend Ruth for lunch. We had lots to catch up on, and I was glad to see her again since Ruth had been recuperating from some health issues. So I was already glad just to get to see her, but then Ruth surprised me by bringing along, on Dec. 1, my Christmas gift of two porcelain tea trivets! What a nice way to kick off December, eh?

Years ago, Ruth was given a lovely collection of vintage tea trivets by an aunt back home in Maine. She has shared some of them with me as gifts over the years, and I am thrilled with each one. These two are especially lovely because of the pink roses on them, and Ruth knew I would love them.

One of my friends at work enjoys looking for antiques just as I do, and I showed the trivets to her. She says she's never come across one and doesn't really know what to look for. I told her I think they look like dessert plates, but the rim on the bottom, which elevates the teapot from the table, is a defining detail to me. (And in a pinch, I would not hesitate to use a tea trivet as a dessert plate if I wanted to.) I think this makes seven tea trivets for me, and I can hardly imagine a more thoughtful gift from my friend.

Happy 70th, Spode Christmas Tree!

Now that December has arrived, it's time to start pulling out the Christmas decorations, including teawares. And as much as I love cups, saucers and plates of every variety, it's a bit odd that until a few years ago, I actually had no Christmas china! But then my friend Ashly gave me some pieces of the Spode Christmas Tree pattern I had admired when we were out shopping one day, so now I can at least have a friend over for tea and use some "nice" Christmas china. Did you know that this pattern, which I'll bet some of you also have, was introduced in 1938?

The story of the Christmas Tree design is a fun one, and if you don't already know it, the short version is this: During the 1930s, a Spode agent was searching out new patterns for the American market. He asked a Spode designer to create a pattern with a Christmas tree, but since the man had never seen one he actually drew the tree with presents hanging from the branches! He was then told that in the U.S., the custom was to heap the presents in piles on the floor beneath the tree. He was also unaware of what went on top of the tree, thus the Santa Claus tree topper which is so prominent in the Spode Christmas Tree design. According to Spode, "In the last quarter of 1999 Spode's Christmas Tree was recorded as the largest selling casual dinnerware pattern in the USA." (If you want to read more of this pattern's history, go here.)

I was happy to see that Denise over at Uniquely Tea is featuring her Christmas cups and saucers over the coming days, and she's made me want to start collecting vintage Christmas cups and saucers. Do you collect Christmas china? If so, I'd love to know what patterns you have -- or would like to have!

SPECIAL NOTE: For my tea friends who enjoy Christmas crafting, I thought you might like to know about Newnan-Coweta Magazine's "12 Days of Christmas" blog, which kicks off today right here. Art Director Deberah Williams and I have been busy making goodies to share with our magazine's readers, but I think some of you who are not in our readership area for the print magazine might enjoy some of these ideas as well!

Turkey Waldorf Salad

Something I've been wondering: Could I substitute turkey and cranberries for the chicken and raisins in my (almost) famous chicken salad recipe I so often serve at tea? Yes, I am pleased to report! So today we'll be eating up some of yesterday's leftover turkey in ...

Turkey Waldorf Salad

Turkey leftovers equivalent to 2 boneless chicken breasts
1 cup grapes, chopped in half
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup dried cranberries (instead of raisins)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients well and chill, preferably overnight.

And at the last minute, I decided that instead of making a traditional cranberry sauce for our Thanksgiving meal, I'd try the recipe I found in a magazine for Cranberry-Pineapple Minis, a Jell-O fruit salady thing that I really, really liked! Made in cupcake liners, these would be a perfect item for a tea plate, perhaps even in mini-cupcake size. Interested? You can find the recipe here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving! And I hope that along with your turkey (or turkey cupcake), you have lots of tea on your table!

TeaZazz Sparkling Tea

In the what-will-they-think-of-next department, a California company has concocted a carbonated tea beverage. Yesterday I received a box with samples of four different flavors of this TeaZazz Sparkling Tea. I've tried only one so far, the Peach Tea, and although I'm more of a traditional hot tea kinda girl and wouldn't want this to be my "everyday tea," I have to say I thought it was a tasty and gutsy twist on the ever-growing RTD (ready to drink) market. Happily, this tea had just 20 calories per serving and contains sugar syrup rather than high fructose corn syrup. It was quite filling, so I didn't drink it all in one sitting, either.

The company calls this "a healthier alternative to soda" as well as a new way for tea drinkers to enjoy their tea. I'm quite open to that. When I'm shopping or out running errands, I don't always have a tea mug with me, and I occasionally opt to get bottled tea at a convenience store or perhaps a Starbucks. Recently I was at a Starbucks and grabbed a bottle of Tazo Tea's Iced Tea with Lemon. Now I can't say I've ever actually sipped Lemon-Fresh Pine-Sol after it's been used to mop the kitchen floor, but if I had, Tazo's Iced Tea with Lemon is what I imagine it would taste like. We won't be making *that* mistake again!

I would, however, be happy to drink this TeaZazz bottled tea again, and the $1.69 retail price for a 20-ounce bottle is quite good for the category. So what about you? Would you ever try a carbonated tea beverage? And if you're on the west coast and have already tried this new tea, what did you think of it?

Oh, Christmas Tea ...

The Hallmark store. On Bullsboro Drive. Saturday. $12.95. (But I had a $5 off coupon, so mine was just $7.95.)

That's probably all I need to say, right? You know, I really *do* try to develop sales resistance during the holidays, but man, it is hard when they come out with so much cute stuff. Already I have bypassed a pen I loved, an antique tea set that was a steal, and of course more than a few pieces of holiday china I don't need and don't have room for but would love to have. But this tea mug?

I was looking for some particular gifts, had zipped down an aisle and was quickly rounding a corner, and then my subconscious kicked in. "Tea? Did that mug say tea? No, surely not. It must've said Christmas TREE. Right?" Well, you see what it says and you surely understand why I had to have it. Now I have a rule that I don't use Christmas china 'til the day after Thanksgiving at the earliest, and I started to wait 'til Friday to share this. But Hallmark had only a few of these on the shelf and I have a feeling some of you may want one. And unless you're shopping for others, I suggest you try not to look around too much because they have lots to like this year.

My sweet tea-loving friends

On Saturday I had the privilege of being the guest at not one but two special events with some dear friends. In the afternoon, I attended a Birthday Tea given in honor of my friend Krista, who will turn 40 on Thanksgiving Day. We all met at Spoons in downtown Newnan, which isn't a traditional tearoom but does host teas for groups by appointment. The tea fare was delicious and nicely presented, but the company was what made this tea so fun. I got to visit with some old friends I haven't seen in a while (Hi Tammy! Hi Misty!), and I so enjoyed how we all went around the room telling how we got to know Krista and what a blessing she and her family have been in our lives. One woman there said it was so special because you normally have to be at a funeral to hear these sorts of things. I'm so glad I was able to be part of such a wonderful afternoon honoring such a lovely friend. And typical of Krista, she gave all of *us* a gift to thank us for attending her tea. It was this great tea mug bearing the words "Love One Another! I John 3:23" which she tells us is a line of tableware now carried by You're Invited, the stationery shop in downtown Senoia. It's located right next door to my friend's shop, so I'll be visiting there soon.




That evening, I was the guest of my friend Ashly when her church, Bethlehem Baptist, hosted its annual Christmas Traditions dinner. Unfortunately I got held up doing some Christmas shopping and didn't get there as soon as I'd hoped, so I didn't get to scope out all the tables like I usually do. But as usual, Ashly's table was gorgeous, and she had a cheery red and green theme this year. The tea had just been poured, and when Ashly said "Sweet tea, right?" it occurred to me that a good friend knows how you take your tea! (I can tell you that Ashly is very sweet, but she likes her tea unsweet.)

The treat from Ashly this year was an elegant box of homemade chocolates, both of which she said are "candy bar" recipes courtesy of Paula Deen. I assumed this meant they both had a ton of butter in them? Yes, she confirmed, and yummy isn't *even* the word for these things. The bars are homemade Kit Kat bars, and the balls taste just like Mounds candy bars! (I accidentally turned my box of treats upside down in transit, so please know that the bars did not have crumbs on them when Ashly presented them. She makes delicious baked goods that are also known for being the most absolutely perfect looking treats you've ever had.) Ashly said one of the recipes came from the Food Network website and another came from Paula Deen Magazine. I can only tell you that there are few things in life more agreeable than sipping hot tea from a new tea mug and noshing on chocolates from a friend. Life is indeed sweet!

Save that new Harney catalog!

Harney does a lot of things right, and I don't mean just producing excellent tea (although that is clearly the most important thing they do right). But they also are a consumer-friendly company, and I love when I get an e-mail letting me know the new catalog is in the mail. Someone in marketing is on her (or his?) toes, and sure enough, that catalog lands in my snail mail box shortly after the announcement in the e-mail box. Nice!

And aside from the usual lovely catalog, which the U.S. Postal Service was kind enough to deliver in mint condition, this one has a feature many of us will appreciate. You know that new Michael Harney book, "The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea," which several of us tea bloggers have written about lately? Well, as I mentioned I want to go through the book next year and sample one tea per week. This particular catalog will make selecting these teas quite easy.


A tiny little graphic from the book's cover appears next to the catalog's teas which are featured in the book. Now wasn't that smart of them? This will be quite helpful to those of us who wish to know which "book teas" are available for purchase. The catalog notes, "While not all 56 teas are available currently in our catalog, due to variables in tea gardens, growing seasons, and availability, we've tried to offer as many as possible." So, if you've got the book, you will want to make sure you keep this catalog handy!

Sentimental Tea & Toast

Last week I received a gift of two jars of homemade jam, Muscadine and Blueberry, and I was determined not to open them until I had time to bake and partake of a loaf of homemade (bread machine) bread worthy of these treats. Finally I had time this week to bake it, and to hold my delicious breakfast I used a favorite rose pattern tea and toast set that was a gift from the same friend who made the jam. (I can report that Harney's African Autumn Tea goes well with toast and Muscadine jam.)

So, here's the bread and here's the jam. Tell me, is there any better fragrance than fresh bread baking in your kitchen?

I do love pink roses, and I think one reason I so enjoy collecting and using teawares is that so many of them bear the image of my favorite flower. My favorite roses are those full blown cabbage roses, just like the ones depicted on this set. So Spring may be far away, but with a few rosy teawares it's possible to enjoy roses all year long -- and enjoy a tasty treat as well!

Celebrating International Button Week

Yesterday I was blog surfing when I came across a delightful blog called Button Floozies, and I learned they have decided to host International Button Week. So of course as an amateur button lover I had to find an appropriate way to celebrate, and this is what I came up with. It took about 30 minutes to make last night, but don't look too closely or you will see the gobs of hot glue hiding in between all those buttons. One day, when I am in a more leisurely mood, maybe I'll try actually *sewing* the buttons in a teapot shape on a pillow, as I think that could be really pretty.

This is actually an idea I've had for a while, but when I learned of the international observance it prompted me to action. I have a couple of teapot templates I saved from some craft kit years ago. I traced the one I like best on a sheet of construction paper and began filling it with some white buttons. (Mother of pearl ones would be prettier, but I glued all those to the little metal trash bin in my craft room last year, alas.) When that practice piece was done, I used a white quilting pencil to outline the teapot template on a piece of blue-green velvet and commenced to hot gluing buttons.

Are you a button lover? I am, and I can't think of too many crafts a nice button or two wouldn't improve upon. And I'd like to use them in some new and different ways. In fact, I've been thinking that if I can find some nice large buttons with rims around the edges, it might be fun to compose collages within the "frame" of the button. If I come up with something else tea-ish in button land, you know I'll share it here!

"Tea in Season" by Janice T. Mussell

Recently there arrived in my mailbox the most lovely new tea cookbook, "Tea in Season" by Janice T. Mussell. The author is a teacher in Stockbridge, a town I haven't traveled to in years but certainly need to since there is a tea room there I've never visited! According to an article in the Henry Herald, it was after a visit to the Pinehurst Tea Room with her daughter Mindy that Janice got the idea for her book. The title was inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1, which says there is "a season for every activity under the heavens." I love that!

And what a great book this is! The book is divided into five sections: Festive Teas, Holiday Teas, A Medley of Teas, Ministry Teas and Motivational Teas, with each section offering menus and recipes for four teas. In addition to some of the traditional holiday teas (Valentine's, Easter Brunch, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Bridesmaids' Tea), some of the other teas included are a Neighborhood Tea, which can be adapted for "at home" or "at work"; a Jesus and Me Tea, which encourages taking time alone with God and enjoying tea (awesome idea); and a Rainy Day Tea for the children.

Janice includes recipes from her family and friends, and there are so many of them I can't wait to try. There are "Thursday Raspberry Bars" (someone brought them to work every Thursday), Chocolate Syrup Brownies, Christmas Divinity, Tropical Coconut-Pineapple Tarts, Heart-shaped Cheese Mold, Sausage Swirls, French Toast Casserole ... well, actually I haven't seen anything I would *not* like to make! At 194 pages, this hardback book is much thicker than the usual self-published cookbook. And I have to tell you, I have seen a lot of self-published books over the years that were so dreadful, the kindest thing I could do was never mention them. This one is a real gem, a beautifully photographed and written book, and I am delighted to have "met" Janice Mussell through my blog. Interested in getting a copy of her book yourself? Visit www.teainseason.com or e-mail her at janice@teainseason.com.

Apron with Teacups

After making the rounds of our usual stores near Town Center on Saturday, my mom and aunt and I stopped by an antiques store we like called "Fleu de Coop." With so many stores closing their doors these days, we were happy to see this place still in business, and I found something I've never even seen before, a vintage apron with teacups on it. (Among other uses, I'm thinking of scanning the fabric to use as a design on notecards.)

Years ago, I started collecting aprons and probably had about 40 or 50 of them. But aprons take up a lot of room, I didn't have a way of displaying them, I wasn't really wearing many of them (occasionally the Christmas ones), and so I eventually sold them on eBay. I now keep just a few for my nieces to play dress-up in, but this one was too cute to pass up.

I see aprons as part of the history of housekeeping, so I especially love them and all the other things that are throwbacks to June Cleaver and the fifties. My dream kitchen would be one of those Pepto-Bismol pink ones, with gray Formica tabletops and counters, a pink refrigerator, and a pink hand-crankable ice crusher sitting out on the counter, all expertly managed by a pink-clad housewife. (Since I'm fantasizing here, let's say this person is me.) I don't think DH would quite go for that, though, so for now, a cute apron does the trick. (Side note: Have you noticed that aprons are now back in style and some young women are wearing them as outerwear? What would Lucy and Ethel think!)

Tea & Tags

I had the best time last night! It had its start one afternoon last summer when I went to visit my friend Liz at her shop in Senoia, Cydney's Alley, and we worked on making collage-style Christmas tags. Several of the customers asked about them as we worked behind the counter that day, so Liz decided to see if there was interest in others joining us for a little tag-making session one night. We settled on Nov. 13, and five women signed up. I already knew Sharon who, like Liz, is a longtime friend I met at church, and I had also met Liz's fellow shop owner Ann, who owns Beyond the Door, another great gift shop in Senoia. The other ladies were Marita, Mary and Jeni, and I liked them immediately when several of them complimented my scones! I like to turn any gathering into an impromptu tea party if at all possible.


Now as I told them, I am really not a teacher and not a professional crafter, but I do like to play around with paper crafts. So basically, we just shared a bunch of supplies, laid out the sample tags Liz and I had made, and the ladies had at it. I was happy to see Marita enjoying the teatime punch I blogged about recently.

In the course of the evening's chatter, I learned that Beyond the Door will be hosting a mixed media painting class on Dec. 2, and Liz and I signed up. Turns out we both have had a hankering to paint but have zero talent in this area, and beginners are welcome. (Do I have to even tell you what I hope my subject matter will be?)

In addition to getting to share some tea and scones and make new friends, I also got some new ideas for tags of my own from these ladies. I'll end with a few of their mini-masterpieces in case you'd like to pull out those unused scrapbooking supplies and make a few of your own.



Oh wait, one more story. When I first got to the shop, I was standing there talking to Liz with my back to the front door and some piece of furniture obscuring my view of the door. I heard the by now familiar sound of a customer entering, and I saw Liz literally jump. "Oh myyyyy," she said. And then, "It's Abraham Lincoln." Now, Liz has a flair for the dramatic, so I thought My word, what is it this time? Well, it was this fellow ...



who is in town from Michigan, giving talks and selling photos of himself in character as, yes, Abe Lincoln!