A new teapot ornament!

I have already started anticipating the holidays, for some reason, and then this adorable surprise from Joy arrived in my mailbox this week! Isn't this little red teapot ornie from Hallmark adorable?

Joy said she found it after her local Hallmark store basically cleaned out its stockroom recently. There was no box, and no name or date on the tag or the ornament itself, and she wonders (as do I!) whether perhaps this was some sort of perk for ornament collectors or something like that. Does anyone know? I do tend to scour the globe in search of teapot and teacup ornaments, and I'm surprised that I've never seen this one before—and more than a little delighted to have received it as a gift!

"Cath Kidston Teatime: 50 cakes and bakes for every occasion"

When my anniversary gifts from Alex last week included an Amazon gift card, I consulted my ever-growing Amazon wish list and realized that "Cath Kidston Teatime" was being released this week. I knew that's what I wanted, and when it arrived, I saw it was an excellent choice!

I have long loved the cheerful floral prints that are synonymous with British designer Cath Kidston, so that was already a plus, and the recipes in the book preview on Amazon were for lots of good old-fashioned English treats. One thing I noticed about some of the afternoon teas I've experienced in England is that the foods aren't quite as "dainty" as we've been led to favor here in the US. I think that's probably a good thing, as it makes teatime seem less "precious" and more like something to be enjoyed without a lot of fuss.

The book includes recipes for both sweets and savories suitable for teatime, and I especially loved the idea of using puff pastry to make these Asparagus and Ham Rolls.

I've made bara brith before, a tea bread that is actually made with tea, and this Lady Grey version greatly appeals to me.

What also appeals to me? The pretty endpapers in the book. They are sooooo Cath Kidston!

And they remind me of another wonderful anniversary gift from my husband, a Cath Kidston Floral Coloring Book and a case of new coloring pencils. I'm still rather shocked that he has picked up on the British designers I like, but he said he noticed how much I enjoyed that teatime coloring book, so he thought I would like this one as well. 

 And I do! It's been a real Cath Kidston–themed week around here, and I like that just fine!

"The Crêpes of Wrath" by Sarah Fox

I just finished reading another charming new cozy mystery, this one from Random House's new digital-only imprint, Alibi, and you will note that this book meets my criteria (for this blog's purposes) of having something tea-related on the cover. 

When Marley McKinney’s older cousin, Jimmy, ends up in the hospital, she takes some time off from her job in Seattle to go to the coastal town of Wildwood Cove and help run his business, a pancake house called The Flip Side. Jimmy is released from the hospital, but before he can even make it back to work, his body is discovered on some rocks at Wildwood Beach, and authorities soon determine he was murdered and left there.

While grieving the loss of her cousin, Marley continues to run The Flip Side but soon learns she has some new decisions to make, since her cousin left his home and business to her in his will. In addition to working at the restaurant, Marley also manages to engage in plenty of snooping since she is determined to find out who killed Jimmy. This cozy has a great cast of supporting characters, including the curmudgeonly cook, Ivan; the beloved waitress, Leigh; and a handsome gentleman caller from Marley's past, Brett.

Fox includes some fast-paced scenes that really ratchet up the tension yet aren't too intense for those of us who prefer these kinder, gentler mysteries. Tea lovers will appreciate the fact that Marley is clearly a tea fan: "I made myself a cup of tea and settled into a chair on the back porch, determined to relax for a few minutes at least. As I sipped my tea, Flapjack jumped into my lap and curled up, purring as I stroked his sleek orange fur."

The author also does a fine job of creating a strong sense of place, and we soon begin to fall in love with Wildwood Cove just as much as Marley does—at least, until she becomes the killer's target herself. A heart-thumping conclusion gives this well-written book a most satisfying end, and I look forward to reading more in this fun new series!

Note: This is a book I discovered through NetGalley, a free service which allows authors and publishers to share their books with reviewers, bloggers, journalists, librarians, and others. Go here if you'd like to check out NetGalley for yourself, something I definitely recommend if you're a big reader who likes to write reviews!

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A beautiful Labor Day weekend in the mountains

When Alex asked whether I'd rather spend our anniversary weekend in one of the busy tourist towns of Tennessee or quiet little Dillard, Ga., I immediately chose Dillard. We both love to enjoy some R&R in quiet, relaxing spots, so the Dillard House in the North Georgia mountains was again the choice.

 This was, I believe, our third visit there in recent years, and it was just about as perfect a weekend as we could have hoped for. Nice weather, quiet guests, good food, and beautiful scenery. I took this photo of the mountains after my daily Bible reading one morning had me in Psalm 144:5: "Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke." This was definitely a great illustration of that verse!

The Dillard House has a lovely flower garden out front that we visited one evening at twilight, and once again, I was captivated by the dahlias. I don't believe I had ever seen one "live" until I first saw them in Dillard.

On Saturday, we ate lunch at the Clayton Café, a wonderful little meat-and-three recommended by a friend who grew up in the area. Her suggestion of the fried chicken was spot-on! Then we went back to the inn so Alex could watch the season opener of the Georgia Bulldogs (yay, Bulldogs won!) while I went off exploring the local antique malls. (Recipe for a happy marriage: Sometimes he does his thing and I do my thing!) I didn't find a teacup that just bowled me over this time, however, so I decided oh well, no tea souvenir for this trip.

But at the very last store I went in on Saturday (which happens to be owned by family of the above-mentioned friend), I found this adorable little tea strainer on clearance for a great price. A perfect memento of a picture-perfect weekend!

Happy Labor Day!

My Country, 'Tis of Tea — Ohio

Wikipedia informs me that Ohio gets its name from the Ohio River, and the name came from the Iroquois word ohi-yo, which means "great river" or "large creek." Ohio is known as both a swing state and a bellwether state in presidential elections, but I'm not going to be discussing presidential politics today. (And aren't you glad?)

• Did you know a famous former tearoom in Ohio is now a bar? This 1906 photo is from Put-in-Bay, Ohio. The banner across the street advertises the Round House, Tea, and Ice Cream, and if you enlarge the photo (courtesy of the Library of Congress), that poster at far right says, "Tea, Coffee, and All Kinds of Bottled Goods Delivered in the Park." The Round House opened in 1873 as the Columbia Restaurant, was at some point a tea house, and is operated as a bar today. And tea friend Michele in Ohio knows right where this is located because it's the place where she grew up! I love it that even if I haven't been to some of these historic places in our nation's tea history, one of you probably has been.

• One of the most delicious tea bread recipes you will ever find is from the old tearoom at the Halle Brothers Co., a department store in Cleveland, Ohio. I found this booklet of some of their holiday recipes a few years back, and now I make their Cranberry Bread every Christmas. Just looking at those fresh cranberries in the bread is making me hungry, so I may not wait until the holidays this year to bake another loaf! I first shared this recipe about five years ago, but here's the link for anyone who would like it.

• Have you ever heard about the 1920 explosion at an Ohio tea and spice plant? I found this article in the August 1920 issue of the Tea and Coffee Trade Journal. The photo led to a little more exploring, and I came across another publication that said the Newton Tea and Spice Company was said to have been clean at the time of its last inspection, so it was believed that perhaps when firemen were fighting the fire at the plant, the floor fell in with the uncovered barrels of spices, and the clouds of spice came in contact with the flames, causing the explosion that knocked out a wall and killed the firemen. Today in Cincinnati, there is a group called Box 13 Associates which pays tribute to those who lost their lives in the fire. The call box for the fire was "Box 13," and in 1933, Box 13 Associates was formed "by a group of businesspeople and professionals who were interested in the operation, welfare, and public relations of the Cincinnati Fire Department." Go here to visit their web page, which offers a heartwarming tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives that day. I always love to see something positive come out of a tragedy!

This day, ten years ago!

Do you remember what you were doing 10 years ago today? I do, because that was the day a 42-year-old self-proclaimed "old maid" married her Prince Charming! It's hard to believe Alex and I have been married 10 years now, and we both agree the time has passed quickly!

I was looking through some old photos and came across this one of our wedding cake, which was …

We had a morning wedding and a "tea reception" afterward, and my friend Deberah made pretty little signs that were used on the tables at the church. I did get to eat another slice of that delicious cake (which was actually made with tea) on our first anniversary, but I'm afraid I'll be looking for a new dessert here on the 10th anniversary!

A very special teaspoon

When you become known as "a tea lady" to your friends, you just never know who will surprise you with a gift. In Sunday School this week, my friend Georgia gave us all a report on her recent mission trip to Uganda, and to my great surprise, she got me this wonderful decorative teaspoon while she was there!

She doesn't know what it's made of, and it feels much heavier than plastic, but we both agreed it can't be ivory since that's not permitted. Some type of bone, maybe?

I was touched that Georgia included me in her quick run for local souvenirs while in Uganda. She said she was so busy working on this trip that there was no time for leisurely shopping. One thing that impressed me was how those on the mission trip took candy, which the children called "sweeties," and they would gather 'round when "sweeties" were being given out because they were such a rarity. I also was impressed to hear that some of the women in Uganda were so grateful when a Bible study was planned just for them, because usually such activities are reserved for the men and children. (The women received some small gifts from the mission trip folks as well, but I gathered that the women were more impressed by the mission workers' thoughtfulness to them.) When I hear how little others have, and I think of how very much God has blessed me with, I have to hang my head a bit. So I am grateful not only for the generous gift of a teaspoon from a thoughtful friend who went to Uganda but also for the gentle reminder that gratitude is something that can be cultivated worldwide.

My September tea column in The Coweta Shopper

Yes, I know it's not quite September yet, but my September tea column in The Coweta Shopper actually comes out today, August 31. In case you have any computer issues reading this version, here's a link to The Coweta Shopper itself, and I'm on page 8. (Look for the plus and minus bar at lower left if you'd like to increase the display size — something I find myself dealing with more and more with each passing year!)

Some thrifty calendars for tea lovers

I may tire of them one day, but the weekly Dollar Tree visits have definitely become a tradition in my family. My aunt and I went to one on Saturday, and this time my sister was with us (and serving as driver!). As we stood at the register with our hands full, my sister said, "I wasn't actually planning on buying anything in here …"  and she ended up finding even more goodies than I did. My purchases, as so often happens, had a theme.

First, I found the notepads Susan K. had told me about recently. (Thanks, Susan!) I bought all they had, which was only three, and I'm thinking some tea-loving friends will be getting the extras as stocking stuffers this Christmas.

And this paper may be a little flimsy, but considering the price, I was delighted to find this calendar with vintage handwriting on it, especially the page for January 2017. I can see some crafts in this calendar's future!

(I did, by the way, look for more of those teatime coloring books since so many of you have been unable to find them, but alas, there were none left in that particular store. I haven't given up yet, though!)

A special offer to local readers from Plumyumi Day Spa

Some of you may recall that a couple of weeks ago, I blogged about my new friends at Plumyumi Day Spa in Peachtree City beginning to offer loose leaf teas. I got the nicest email from the owner, and since he's making a great offer to those of you who live nearby, I couldn't wait to share it here!

Angela,

I cannot express enough how much I appreciate your comments and reviews regarding our introduction of loose leaf tea here at Plumyumi Day Spa.  The response from our clients has been extremely positive. This would not have been possible without your advice and encouragement as we started this endeavor.  

As a show of appreciation, I would like to extend an invitation to your readers to visit Plumyumi to sample our teas along with a complimentary cup of his or her choice.  In fact, if they decide to purchase one of the large (2.5 to 3 oz) tins of tea, they will receive a small (1 to 1.5 oz) tin free with the mention of your blog.  Thank you again Angela.  

Drink Well,

Eddy Logan

Plumyumi Day Spa

Peachtree City, GA

***

I'm still enjoying the Sour Apple Martini tea I purchased at Plumyumi, and you can bet I'll be running back by there soon to take advantage of this generous offer myself. (Christmas is coming, and I need a tea gift for someone right now as well!) I did contact Eddy to ask him how long this offer will be available, and he said he'll be happy to honor it through the end of September. Happy sipping, y'all!

My Country, 'Tis of Tea — North Dakota

I must confess that I was a little nervous about being able to find three factoids concerning tea in North Dakota, but it ended up being a piece of cake. Or at least a cookie. (See item #2.)

• Do you see a tea kettle here? As in, Tea Kettle Butte in Pyramid Park, North Dakota? This image from the Library of Congress website was said to have been taken sometime between 1909 and 1932 by photographer F. Jay Haynes. According to Webster's, a butte, pronounced “byüt," is "an isolated hill or mountain with steep or precipitous sides usu. having a smaller summit area than a mesa." I've seen the same image on a vintage postcard, and it was described as "a picturesque scene in the Bad Lands" of western North Dakota. No word on who decided this looked like a tea kettle. Or what they were sipping at the time … 

• One category of tea photo I’ve discovered this year might be titled “Politicians’ Wives Taking Tea.” (Of course today that would be “Political Spouses Taking Tea,” but it was “wife” back in the day.) When I visited the photo archives of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, it led me here, to a photo titled “Legislative wives’ tea at Governor’s Mansion, Bismarck, N.D.” This was taken in 1963, and it’s fun to note the Queen Elizabeth—style pocketbook, the hat, and the vintage eyeglasses. The women are identified as "Mrs. Ole Breum, Mrs. Esther Wenstrom, Mrs. Walter Christenson, Mrs. Otto Hauf.” (Why is Esther the only one who’s not referred to by her husband’s name?) I just wish the photo were in color so I could tell what kind of teacups and treats those were!

• During prohibition, North Dakota was the fourth state—and the first one outside the South—to ratify the Eighteenth Amendment, the federal prohibition amendment. (The first three were Mississippi, Virginia, and Kentucky.) I found this little tidbit in the January 1919 issue of The National Advocate, a temperance publication, which noted, “The wave of prohibition in the United States bids fair to cause a financial swell in the tea gardens of China, Ceylon and Japan, if the figures and facts presented by the National City Bank of New York in its foreign trade record on ‘Tea Consumption Increased by Prohibition,’ are correct. The bank has discovered that there has been a great increase in the amount of tea imported into the United States, and the inference is made that the spread of prohibition has increased the consumption of tea.” (And yet we always talk about Prohibition as if it were entirely a bad thing!)
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A 1941 Tea Menu for Dining Car Service

So I've found another interesting old menu on the New York Public Library's digital collections site. This one is a 1941 tea menu from the New Haven Rail Road. Look inside!

Have you ever seen a tea menu that asked you to "please order by number"? That's a first for me. I'll have the #6, thank you very much, and no fries with that. I believe that the "Bar-le-duc" in #5 refers to a type of currant jelly from France.

It's always fun to look at these old menus, and it's especially fun to see a Tea Menu for Dining Car Service!

A mysterious teacup ailment

Some months ago, I mentioned finding my current favorite chintz teacup, this $3.33 find from one of the area Goodwill stores. It was stained in the bottom (and now it is again), but I bleached it out and it cleaned right up. But then …

Some days later, I prepared a cup of tea and saw these mysterious black spots  begin to appear …

And these! So now I'm rather spooked and don't use the teacup anymore. I've Googled and learned I shouldn't have used bleach, but the reasoning was only that bleach can damage the teacup, not that it could cause a stain. Now since chemistry was never my best subject in school, I'm wondering if any of you smart people might have an explanation for the black spots on my teacup. Anyone?

Divinitea's Waves of Joy Organic Ginger Lemon Tea

A friend recently shared with me this Waves of Joy tea from Divinitea. I loved the name, Waves of Joy, and that would have sold me on this tea without even knowing what was in it!

But since I happen to love ginger and lemon flavors, I suspected this herbal tea would be one I'd enjoy. It includes organic lemon grass, organic ginger, organic rose hips, and organic lemon myrtle. I love being able to see all of these individual bits in the loose blend.

And steeped, this tea had just the spicy ginger and lemon flavors I was hoping for. Ginger gets me in the mood for fall, yet the lemon is a lingering nod to the last days of summer. I very much enjoyed this tea, and if you'd like to check it out for yourself, click here.

"Death at the Day Lily Café" by Wendy Sand Eckel

I will read almost any book with a teapot on the cover, and as I suspected, Wendy Sand Eckel's newest cozy mystery had plenty of tea-ish moments to keep us tea lovers happy! And although this was the second book in a series, I had no difficulty at all jumping right in with the storyline and understanding what was going on.

The recently divorced Rosalie Hart of Cardigan, Maryland, has just realized her dream of opening her own café when, shortly after the grand opening, her friend and fellow merchant Doris comes asking a favor: Doris's sister has been accused of killing her husband, and Doris wants Rosalie to help prove that the sister is innocent.

This book has a rich and diverse ensemble cast I greatly enjoyed meeting, including Glenn, Rosalie's 72-year-old best friend and right-hand man; her other wait staff member, Crystal, the young "hippie" who makes teas and tinctures; frequent customer Janice, whose hot flashes inject a bit of humor that middle-aged readers will no doubt appreciate; hunky Tyler, who runs Rosalie's farm; Annie, Rosalie's college-age daughter; and Kevin and Jake, a gay couple who find the town surprisingly welcoming— with one notable exception.

Doris's deceased brother-in-law is suspected of having stolen some money from the construction site where he'd worked, and it turns out that plenty of people had a reason for wanting him dead. Eckel keeps us guessing the killer's identity right up till the satisfying end, but best of all, she layers this cozy with some complex, messy, and thoroughly realistic lives that make this mystery a pleasure to read.

Karyl Conover will be coloring …

Okay, I liked the alliteration of being able to say that Karyl Conover is the winner of the coloring books! And Karyl, if you'll send me your snail mail address via the email button at right, I'll have these headed your way shortly. Congrats! (And I will certainly be on the lookout for more of these to give away since some of you have been unable to find them.)

A weekend of books, books, and more books!

This week I was able to attend my first Killer Nashville, a well-known conference for mystery writers that is held each year in Franklin, Tennessee. I got to meet so many wonderful writers and attend three days of educational sessions, including two sessions with the delightful Janet Evanovich, who graciously signed my copy of her book on writing, "How I Write." I'm about to read her new novel, "Curious Minds," which I've been hearing good things about!

Here Janet is with Clay Stafford, the founder of Killer Nashville, leading her breakout session called "How I Write: Secrets of a Successful Author." Aside from all the helpful professional stuff, I *loved* hearing that she gains 15 pounds at the end of every book she writes and then has to go to the gym for a while. (She looked great, though, even though she told us she was wearing Spanx.)

One quite unexpected "tea" moment came when we heard from author Robert Randisi, at left, who is hands-down the most prolific author I've ever heard of, having written more than 700 books! He described his typical day for us and told of writing from about 1 p.m. to 5 or 6 p.m., then taking a nap, then writing till midnight when he prepares "tea and cake" for his girlfriend when she arrives home, and then he writes until about 5 a.m., when he forces himself to go to bed. (I will not be following that writing schedule, in case anyone wonders.)

Anne Perry, the famous British writer of historical fiction, was on a panel I attended about using our fiction to promote social change. At right is novelist Paul H.B. Shin, and they gave me lots to think about!

Since I'm polishing up the draft of my first cozy mystery, I was particularly interested in the cozy authors I came across, including  Cheryl Hollon, center, who writes the "glass shop" cozy mystery series I've been hearing about, and another session (where my photos didn't turn out) featured Gail Oust, who writes the Spice Shop cozy mystery series I've also been hearing good things about.

And since her book was already on my Kindle, I was delighted to arrive at the conference and discover that one of the panelists was Wendy Sand Eckel, whose "Death at the Day Lily Café" has a teapot on the cover! I liked her panel and what she had to say about her book so much, I immediately started reading it on the way home (Alex was driving), and tomorrow I'll have a review. I must say that after so many days talking about books, books, and more books, I feel as though I am living the famous Louisa May Alcott quote: "She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain"!