"The Collected Tabletop" by Kathryn Crisp Greeley

Oh, friends, have I got a new book for you! It's called "The Collected Tabletop" by Kathryn Crisp Greeley with Heather A. Anderson, photography by J. Weiland. I first happened upon this book in a garden shop in Atlanta a few weeks back, and it is truly a treasure. While this is by no means a "tea book," it is the loveliest, most inspiring tabletop decor book I have read in ages, and I can't help thinking some of my fellow teaware and glassware lovers would enjoy it as much as I did. After I finished reading it—savoring it, really—I actually found myself analyzing what I had enjoyed so much about the book. Not since the early days of Victoria magazine have I found a voice which writes so thoughtfully and lovingly about the wares we choose for our tables.

When the book arrived and I saw the back cover, I knew immediately that Greeley is a kindred spirit, because she has a teapot topiary at her home! How beautiful! I also liked her opening comments about the importance of actually using one's collections, such as her Old Coalport china shown here. "And please," she writes, "do not mistake my use of the word 'collection' to suggest the rare and precious. I believe that nothing is too precious to be used." (Can we get an amen to that?) And I greatly admire her design philosophy, that homes should be "collected, not decorated."

The book's 12 chapters feature 12 different entertaining occasions, and just to give you a hint, here's a scene from my personal favorite, the Book Club Luncheon titled "A Study in Pink," some of the dishes of which are shown here. There's also a Grandmother's Book Shower, including tables set with Mason's Ironstone Strathmore Blue and blue Royal Lace Depression glass; a Black-Tie Birthday Celebration for a gentleman friend, where the table was set with a magnificent collection of Flora Danica; and a completely gorgeous "Wee Irish Surprise" dinner where the table featured Wedgwood's Napoleon Ivy pattern. The chapters also include a few recipes from the events featured, and I was so smitten by the decorating and entertaining hints that I almost forgot to actually look at the recipes. There are quite a few of these recipes I intend to try, but they were simply the icing on the cake (such as Greeley's grandmother's Caramel Cake, which looks divine!).

And all you blue lovers out there? This book is a real bonanza for you: there's a collector of Blue Willow ware, helpful information on collecting cobalt blue glass, and the author's own personal collecting passion, flow blue. As if all that weren't enough, the book also shares ideas for invitations, menus, placecards and favors. Her ideas really set me off on a path of conjuring up even greater, more thoughtful gifts at my future tea parties! If I sound a bit rah-rah about this book, well, yes. I am just so very pleased that someone writes with such passion about the lovely wares that bring so many of us such great pleasure, day in, day out. To learn more about Greeley and her book, visit her book's website here.

In search of Christmas teapots

Let's start with the good news: I found a 6-cup Spode Christmas Tree teapot at my local Ross store last week for just $14.99. I was delighted with the price, and very happy to have a new teapot in time for Christmas.

I already had cups, saucers and dessert plates in this pattern, but I did not have the teapot.

Isn't that acorn on the lid an elegant touch? For a *new* teapot, I couldn't be more pleased. But of course I am always wishing to find nice *vintage* things, and I have to tell you, I have been searching for a vintage Christmas teapot for months but came up empty-handed! I actually had a very good reason to be looking for one so early: I wanted it to include in the Christmas issue of the magazine I edit, which features "A Christmas Tea" this year. (We just sent it off to the printer, and I'll post a photo of the magazine cover when it comes out in early November.) I ended up using my not-so-vintage 1992 "Cup of Christmas Tea" teapot, which I think worked out quite well, but I have to say I was absolutely floored at the scarcity of vintage Christmas teapots. I have checked probably a dozen antique malls, eBay, Etsy, Ruby Lane, TIAS (The Internet Antique Store), and I came up with nothing suitable. I found several Japanese ones in chunky styles, but those just aren't what I had in mind. At the last minute I *finally* found a vintage, made-in-England Christmas teapot I liked, but the seller was in Canada and the piece wouldn't arrive in time for the photo shoot, so that tempered my enthusiasm for this teapot. I say all that to say this: Do you have any vintage English Christmas teapots? If so, be very, very grateful. And if not, well, start looking about two years ago!

Teatime Giveaway #42 - British teas in tins

The winners of the Two Leaves and a Bud giveaway from last week are DJ of Freehold, NY and Sadie Rae of See Sadie Rock, so congrats! Please contact me via the e-mail button at right, and I'll get your info so the company can ship your box of tea sachets directly to you. And for those who didn't win last week, there's another tea giveaway this week, this "Traditions of London" set containing three small tins of tea. I've had some of this company's tea before and enjoyed it, so I'm hoping this tea is just as good. At any rate, I really like this set more for the cute tins than the tea!

Here you can see the detail on front of the tin that looks like a double decker bus. I love the "TEA 4 2" license tag! If you'd like to win this set of tins, just leave a comment to this post between now and noon EST on Friday, Oct. 26. Good luck!

Green Tea Cookies from China

When I spoke at the Central Library tea last month, one of the gifts they generously sent me away with was this big box of Green Tea Cookies from the Jiajiang Tenfu Tea Garden Co. in Sichuan, China.

When I opened the box, I was pleasantly surprised to see all the cookies were individually wrapped.

The green color of the cookies gives a hint of the green tea flavor. These cookies had a great shortbread-like texture, and the green tea taste was present but not overpowering. I may have just been inspired to add some green tea powder the next time I make a pan of shortbread!

Some cards tea (and vintage) lovers should know about

While in a Ross store in Paulding County over the weekend, I came across the best box of all-occasion greeting cards ever! This box of 24 tea-themed cards from Pooch & Sweetheart was just $4.99. I scrounged around for a second box for a giveaway, but alas, one box was all they had.

Aren't these designs pretty? Here are four of the six designs, which include Happy Birthday, sympathy, "Thank You" and general friendship type cards, all with scripture verses on them. This has to be one of my favorite card buys ever.

These two cards from Hobby Lobby weren't nearly as cheap ($3.99 each), but these designs were just perfect for two particular friends. One will get the card at left for her birthday later this fall, and a friend who loves junkin' and owns a gift shop will get the card at right for her birthday next summer. How's that for planning ahead? These cards are from the DaySpring "Redeemed—flea market treasures" line and say this on the back: "Welcome to our flea market of treasures. Just as we find beauty and purpose in something that may be old and worn, God sees the intrinsic beauty and purpose in each of us. He works all things together for our good—and by His redemption and grace we are new creations, full of His purpose." These beautifully-photographed cards all feature vintage wares, and if you have a friend who would truly appreciate one of them, you might want to visit the card aisle at Hobby Lobby.

Sampling Two Leaves and a Bud teas

The deadline to enter the Two Leaves and a Bud tea giveaway is Friday (click here to enter!), so I thought I'd share my impressions of a few more of their teas I've tried.

When I opened the wrapper of this White Peony White Tea and sniffed away, I caught the merest hint of something floral, reminiscent of jasmine but not nearly as perfume-y. Upon steeping, my tea was a light amber color, and the flavor, like the scent, was pleasing and had just a hint of something floral. Very enjoyable!

Opening the packet containing the Organic Darjeeling tea sachet, I was greeted with that nice, woodsy scent I've come to associate with the Darjeelings I've most enjoyed. This one had a nice brisk taste, very little astringency, and was one of those lovely teas that convince me that yes, Virginia, good tea MAY be found in a tea bag!

And I wasn't quite sure what I'd think of this Orange Sencha Green Tea, as I like my plain Sencha just fine, but the subtle orange flavor was very light and very refreshing. Nice! (Have you gone to Two Leaves and a Bud's website to see which flavor of tea sachets you want to try if you're one of the two winners?)

A vintage silver basket

Now I am not too hot at photographing silver, but just the same I wanted to share some photos of the vintage silver basket I found at an antique mall over the weekend. I'd been wanting one of these for a while now, and I can see this used for serving everything from tea sandwiches, scones and tea bread to cookies and candies.

Here's what it looked like when I first got it home: in desperate need of some silver polish.

But after a night under a nice layer of Wright's Silver Polish, there appeared a pretty etched design, which included acorns. I don't have that many "pretty" serving pieces that are appropriate to fall, so that's one reason I was glad to find this basket.

It has acorns on the handle, too. (The blue and green are from me and the trees, in that order.)

I was also pleased the handle on this piece is in good working condition and stands up without flopping over, because I'm planning to use it to serve cornbread at Thanksgiving, made in the leaf-shaped muffin pan. The basket is marked Derby Silver Co. A quick search online revealed the company was located in Derby, Connecticut and manufactured silverplated pieces from 1872-1898, at which time it merged with International Silver Co. They obviously made their pieces well, and I'm grateful!

Spiced Apple-Pecan Muffins

I had a Granny Smith apple left over from another recipe, along with a few pecans that needed to be used. And then I realized I haven't "cooked with tea" lately, so that meant it was time to experiment. I used my Nordic Ware pan with the cavities in the shape of maple leaves. The result was this muffin recipe which contains two whole tea bags of Pumpkin Spice tea. I was a little concerned that I might be putting too much tea in the mix, but the end result was just delicious—and a real hit with my husband!

Spiced Apple-Pecan Muffins

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Bigelow Pumpkin Spice tea bags
1 cup granulated sugar
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, diced and chopped fine in food processor
1/2 cup fat-free buttermilk
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large egg
1/2 cup pecans, chopped fine

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, add flours, soda, baking powder, salt and dry contents of the two teabags. Combine well.

In large mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar and apple, buttermilk, brown sugar, oil and egg. Beat by hand until well blended. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture and beat until combined. Fold in pecans.

Fill leaf-shaped cavities of baking pan 1/2 full and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched. Yields 18 muffins. (Note: These cavities are smaller than those of regular muffin pans, so this recipe should yield about 12 regular muffins.)

Teatime Giveaway #41 – Two Leaves and a Bud Tea

The winner of the tea mug and napkins from last week is Ginger, so congrats! I'll get these items headed your way ASAP. And this week, the folks at Two Leaves and a Bud have generously offered to donate some of their tea to not one but TWO lucky winners!

Here's what was inside the generous gift box I just received from them. I've already enjoyed some African Sunset Red Tea (a citrusy rooibos with lemongrass and lemon peel), Alpine Berry Herbal Tea (a great berry flavor that's not too tart) and Mountain High Chai Black Tea (a classic chai, perfect for a cool October morning). Want to win some of their tea for yourself? Just leave a comment to this post between now and noon EST on Friday, Oct. 19, and if you're one of the two winners you'll get to choose a box of tea sachets from Two Leaves and a Bud in the flavor of your choice. Good luck!

More teapots from Mary and Michaels

Let me just say this: No, I am not on the Michaels payroll, although clearly I ought to be so I could at least get the employee discount. But when I ran by for some ribbon the other day to finish up a baby blanket I was making, I checked those lovely $1.50 bins and found several new Mary Engelbreit tea-themed goodies, including the notepad I had heard existed but had not actually seen. There weren't very many of them, though.

And you know what else they had? Emery boards. With teapots. You want some, don't you?

As a major, major lover of cheap pens, I was also thrilled to find a Mary Engelbreit pen with a teapot on it. I predict these tea-themed items will disappear pretty quickly, so if you're in a Michaels soon, you may want to look for these!

Dilmah's Italian Almond Tea

Last year, I came across some Dilmah Peppermint and English Toffee tea that I bought simply out of curiosity. Could a combination of peppermint and toffee possibly work? To my surprise, I didn't just like it, I loved it! So when I came across some Italian Almond Tea from the same purveyor, I just had a feeling it would be good.

A nice whiff of almond was evident from the moment I opened the foil pouch and removed one of the tea sachets.

You know how companies started listing "dessert teas" some years ago? Well, this is one of those teas that is so rich and tasty it could absolutely substitute for dessert–which is not to say that a bite of chocolate or pumpkin muffin alongside it wouldn't be welcome. And at just $3.99 a box at T.J. Maxx, this tea won't break the bank either. If you like the taste and scent of almonds, I definitely recommend you try to get your hands on a box of this tea!

Lessons in Tea Room glassware

Usually, if I share photos of some new Tea Room Depression glass I've found, it's because I've just acquired a great piece in perfect shape. This week, alas, I had the misfortune of buying some glass on eBay that wasn't quite as advertised.

The seller had said these two sherbets were chip and crack-free, but alas, they are not. This chip was evident the minute I opened the box.

And there were a couple of tiny cracks like this, too. I wouldn't have bought the pieces had I known this, and to her credit, the seller (whom I sent photos of the damage) apologized profusely. I was offered a full refund of all payment and shipping costs involved in any return, or she offered to refund half of what I paid. Because it's so difficult to find this glassware at all, and because even the experts have warned that perfect Tea Room pieces are hard to find, I opted to keep the two sherbets at the adjusted price.

I also thought it might be useful to share with you some well-known design flaws in Tea Room glass that are actually *not* considered damage by collectors. Bubbles, for instance, are common in this pattern, and what I thought was a chip at the bottom point is not. I've never seen so many bubbles in a piece!

And these string-like inclusions in the glass could be mistaken for scratches, but they are actually what the experts call "straw marks" or "cooling marks," caused as the hot glass cools.

The other reason I kept these pieces was that they are low-footed sherbets (left), and I have two of the flared sherbets (right) and wanted to compare them. I wouldn't use these latest pieces as individual serving pieces with guests, but I might use them for, say, holding candles or other accessories on the table. Have you ever bought an imperfect piece of glass or china? Why or why not?

Thinking of Christmas and gifts

I know, I know, some of you want to slap me for rushing right into the Christmas season when we haven't even reached Halloween, for Pete's sake, but I have my reasons. 1) The magazine I edit is wrapping up some food photos for the Christmas issue today, so I've got Christmas greenery, candy canes and holiday treats on the brain, bigtime. 2) When it comes to Christmas and tea goodies, I feel it is my civic duty to let you know about things as soon as I find them. Like this new Polish pottery teapot ornament I found at Tuesday Morning in Fayetteville over the weekend. (Note to local readers: There is now a Tuesday Morning next to the JoAnn store, in the former World Market space.)

It's a far cry from the bone china I love, and yet something about this pretty blue Polish pottery has long appealed to me. I was amused to learn my ornament (a $6.99 find) is fine for the microwave, dishwasher and oven!

I learned from Lady B's Time for Tea blog last week that I needed to look for some tea-themed Christmas goodies in the bins at Michaels, which is where I found this journal and notecards. Lady B's actually found the notecards and a matching notepad (which I didn't find), and they are offering a giveaway here.

Also at Michaels, there were lots of ribbons on clearance, and I loaded up on some glittery aqua blue and brown ones. I got a vision of a tree decorated with all blue and brown ornaments, and with blue and brown wrapped gifts beneath it, to match the new brown furniture I'm hoping to find and have in place before our families show up for Thanksgiving and Christmas. After I decided I will have blue and brown ribbon on my gifts to match the new furniture, I went to Hallmark for some bronze looking paper but settled on the gold rolls here. These giant giftwrap rolls, by the way, are on sale right now, and you can get the second one for $1 after buying one at regular price.

Also at Hallmark: A sale on these cute gift add-on embellishments, which clearly I had to have. Regularly $2.49 each, they were 2 for $3 on Saturday. I particularly liked the simple design of the Friendship Tea teacup one at left, and I'm going to see if I can't use this design for a quilt or other craft. And that's all the Christmas and gift news I'll force upon you today! Fa la la la la …

A Taste of Fall

The flavors of fall have been calling my name, so over the weekend I did a little cooking with some leftover pumpkin from a muffin recipe I tried two weeks ago. I didn't have all the ingredients on hand to make that particular recipe again, so what I improvised was this Pumpkin & Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe.

I was inspired, too, by some discoveries at Publix: Dickinson's Apple Butter and Bigelow's Pumpkin Spice Tea, both of which I greatly enjoyed! I knew Dickinson's as maker of the Lemon Curd and Lime Curd I have often purchased, but I didn't know they made Apple Butter. And the Bigelow tea had a nice rich taste, almost a buttery taste, with just enough spice to make this a fine fall tea. I must say, the hot tea was the perfect accompaniment to this rich, hot muffin, which was good alone but seemed decadent when I topped each bite with a bit of the apple butter. If you're in a muffin mood as well, here's the recipe!

Pumpkin & Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large egg
2/3 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, add flours, soda, ginger, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and cloves. Combine well.

In large mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar and pumpkin, milk, brown sugar, oil and egg. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture and beat at low speed until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners. Spoon batter into prepared cups (I use an ice cream scoop). Bake at 375 degrees for 22 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched. Serve hot with apple butter. Yields 12 muffins.

Teatime Giveaway #40 - Ikea mug & napkins

The winner of the teacup ribbons from last week is Marie, who reported she had been unable to find them at her Michaels, so congrats! If you'll send me your snail mail address via the e-mail button at right, I'll get these ribbon rolls headed your way. And for this week, well, you know the old Willie Nelson song "You Were Always On My Mind"? Well, you tea friends are always on my mind, like when I was shopping at Ikea last week.

Knowing that some of you probably don't have an Ikea nearby, I thought I'd offer up this tea-ish Ikea mug to this week's giveaway winner.

And a pack of paper napkins. Use them for teatime or, if you're fond of the graphics, use them in decoupage or other crafts. To win these Ikea goodies, just leave a comment to this post between now and noon EST on Friday, Oct. 12. Good luck!