Hello Tea Drinkers -
Oh my goodness! I've got good news to tell. The Ceramic Studio in Denville is up and running again after
being flooded out. I'm so very glad for those young women and I'm
also glad for
us as well. This news means my daughters can finally design teapots for TEAtitudes AT LAST. My hope is that the
teapots will be online in time well before Easter.
AND to go along with the teapots, "I am now offering a selection of
tea for your tea drinking pleasure. It is a joint venture with
my friend Danielle of The Cozy Tea Cart.
This issue was a delight to assemble because you, dear ones,
contributed so many interesting articles. I realize you all have
busy lives and it takes effort to write a tea or book review or
share a story about your life. Thank you for making the effort and
taking the time.
One quick note to Tea Party gals (you know who you are); just because
you missed the deadline for this issue, doesn't mean there's no tea setting for you. Unlike the Mad Hatter, there is always room
at my table and the pot is always filled with tea - not a
Dormouse. Send the photos along. I'll put them in the next issue.
Grandma
Carol
finds out that
her life is Perfectly Blended
Carol from Lititz, Pennsylvania wrote, "You know how much I loved my tea room
A Perfect Blend. However
due to my dads illness he needed full time care so I closed my business to care
for him. However I still miss my tea room but mostly all the relationships
that were built over many years with customers.
"In October our pastor had a message on the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30 and
how the wise man invested it and returned double to his master. Our pastor
then presented anyone in the congregation who wanted it with a talent. I had no trouble figuring out what to do with my
talent - tea parties. I picked 4 different dates in
November and planned a very elaborate Christmas in November tea. Then I
sent e-mails to everyone I know. Within just a few days the dates were
full. It was a success and all my guests loved it! They want it to be
an ongoing event. In fact many of the guests who came had been to my tea
room many times.
" The purpose of the talent was to increase the it and then
return it and its increase back to the church for our building fund.
It's amazing how our heavenly Father gives us the desires of our heart.Because of that I was able to return 8 times my talent back to the church
building fund."
Thank you Carol for sharing this encouraging story. I'm glad
for you that you are once more able to do what you love so much.
A
Fishy Tea Cozy Story about Freddy
| JoAnn from California wrote, "Freddy is a beautiful Beta fish who has become a
most beloved
member of our family for over two years. My daughters idea. She
said, 'We are getting you a Beta. You must have one.' |
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" With me saying
no, no no, off we went. I did not want another thing to take care
of... There must of been over forty Beta's at Petco. My
daughter Christina insisted I look at everyone of them. I saw Freddy and
that was it!. Blue as a deep blue sky and magnificent. Purchased
all the stuff and away we went home totting Freddy.
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I have three indoor cats. Problem they loved Freddy
too, but not just to look at. Solved that problem and on to the next. How
to keep Freddy warm at night. Discovered heaters made for small fish
bowls were a disaster. That is when I thought of a tea cozy and you came
to my rescue |
I did call other cozy makers. They all said they could
not do it and then I found you who said YES. You were so kind and
gracious, willing to take on a challenge. Your cozy does work! It is his
very own little blanky for nighttime. (See pix below) Well that's Freddy's
story. Again my many thanks. With Love, JoAnn D. Z.,
California
Tea at the Ashton Hotel
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On the first Thursday in October, my friend
Kay and I experienced Chef Ismael’s sumptuous 3-course afternoon tea at the Ashton Hotel, in downtown Fort Worth. The
Ashton is an elegant boutique hotel fully renovated from two
buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historical
Places.
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Tea service is offered Thursday through Saturday, from
2:00 till 4:00 PM. Reservations
must be made at least 24 hours in advance. The cost is
$29.00 /pp. A
“Teddy Bear Tea” with special menu for children is
available for $16.00/pp. For fans of afternoon
tea, the Holiday Tea in December is an annual tradition.
Free valet parking is provided. The setting for the afternoon tea is the
Ashton’s intimate dining room, the Six Ten Grille with
Euro-styling that is both elegant and comfortable.
 |
Kay and I were seated at a table by the big
picture window overlooking the hustle and bustle of downtown
Fort Worth,. Our waiter brought us warmed lavender-scented towels
and presented us with a tea selection menu.
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Kay
decided on Passion Fruit with Flowers, and I chose Vanilla with
Pieces. Next, our
waiter brought complimentary flutes of champagne and a
small cups of Sweet Potato Soup, followed by Garden Vegetable
Crudites, with
goat Cheese & Lemon Dip, and Florentine Stuffed Mushroom.
We delighted in our pots of tea and continued to feast.
Assorted tea sandwiches came next; all were delicious,
but our favorites were the Curried Chicken Salad on Sourdough
and the Pear & Blue Cheese on Foccacia.
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Fresh-from-the-oven Apricot
Scones were served with Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd, and
Lingonberry Preserves. Finally, we were treated to decadent Mini Chocolate Tarts and Fruit Tartlets. |
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Kay and I found the tea fare delightful and the service excellent!
The Ashton is located at 610 Main Street. Call for Afternoon
Tea 817-332-0100.
Diana
Wille
THANK YOU!!
Thank you so very much to all who contributed to The Cracked Teapot Gazette.
As always, it was a joy to compile this edition. And also a big thank
you to Maureen for her proof reading. You all make my "publishing job" easier and loads of fun.
Please
send articles for the
JUNE Issue
by May 15th
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New
from TEAtitudes. TEAvotion Gift Boxes
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There are times during the day when I need a pick-me-up for my
heart. While a cup of tea is always nice, a cup of tea and short devotion is even better.
A TEAvotion is lovely gift for yourself or someone you love.
|
I've spent some time going through all of my encouragement cards - boxes of them - from
my Women's Ministries days. And I've spent some time gathering my favorite encouraging verses
and personal prayers.
These little tea bag packets will change your attitude. After all, that's
what TEAtitudes is all about.
Tea
with Bilbo from Ireland June
Our friend June found this online and wanted to share it with you."
Lots of love from Ireland, with a gorgeous cup of jasmine and vanilla tea and a scone
beside me," It's called Tea with Bilbo. June found this at
Melissa's
Musings and Doodlings by Melissa Fischer on 12/21/11
Bilbo
watched me expectantly, his stub tail wagging, as I put the kettle on, took
a mug out of the cupboard, and rustled in the tea cabinet. He knew what that
meant: time for afternoon tea. Bilbo, a rescue Australian Shepherd with an
unknown history, had a tendency to become anxious if anything in his routine
changed. And, of course, most routine went out the window for our family of
five during holidays, with three active teenagers and their friends in and
out of the house. Add to that my tendency to become stressed during the
holidays, and neither Bilbo nor I was a happy camper.
One
year, as Bilbo’s anxiety mounted and my holiday-related stress rose, an
idea occurred to me. Why not share a cup of tea with Bilbo? I started making
a pot of chamomile tea each afternoon, knowing the calming qualities of
chamomile, and looking forward to a few quiet moments for myself. Very soon,
Bilbo and I were both looking forward to this daily interlude of quiet
connection in a busy time of year. I’d make the pot of tea, pour some in a
bowl and add a couple of ice cubes, pour myself a steaming mugful, then give
Bilbo his tea at my feet, while I sat in my rocker with mine. He would lap,
I would sip, and both our stress would retreat for a time. After drinking
his tea, Bilbo would settle with a sigh, always touching one of my feet. I
would sit quietly so as not to disturb him, and we would enjoy a few moments
of quiet connection.
Each
dog has given me different gifts; one of Bilbo’s gifts to me was a way to
slow down and enjoy simple peace and quiet in the midst of holiday stress.
Bilbo is long gone, but those quiet moments shared over a cup of tea are
some of my most precious memories of him.
A
Book Review from Grandma Tea
|
Hats
Off to Tea!: A Celebration Brimming with Fun and Friendship
by Alda Ellis
Reviewer Lydia E. Harris a.k.a Grandma Tea |
From the red and purple hats and teapots on the cover to the memories,
recipes, and ideas within, Hats off to Tea! by Alda Ellis
celebrates fun and friendship. So join the fun! Brew a pot of tea, don
your favorite hat, and savor a few tidbits from this charming 64-page gift
book.
Alda, a gracious Southern lady and tea aficionado, grew up drinking iced
tea her mother made by the gallon. Years later, after sipping tea in noted
tearooms from Chicago to Hong Kong to New Delhi, her favorite tea remains
the orange pekoe her mother brewed in the battered enamel pan.
Not only did Alda learn to brew tea from her mother, she also learned to
offer heartfelt hospitality. She recalls one tea party that made a big
impression on her. Alda's mother transformed a humble card table into a
beautiful tea setting. When the guest of honor arrived and was seated, she
placed her thin, white cane under the table. Alda wondered why her mother
had prepared the lovely table for someone blind. From this childhood
experience, Alda learned that "with all things seen and unseen,
friendship is felt with the heart."
In five short chapters, Alda shares snippets of her love for tea, tips for
gracious hospitality, and brief glimpses from her tea travels. She also
infuses the book with personal stories, tea history, practical tips, and
inspirational quotes. Whimsical artwork by Kathy Hatch adorns each page
and complements this lighthearted, quick read.
A tea book is seldom complete without recipes. Alda includes about 20
delectable ones-some traditional, some unique. She shares her secret for
making scones and a recipe for Southern Devonshire Cream to serve with
them. Menus and recipes for three fun tea parties will stimulate your
taste buds and creativity. How about hosting a "Girl's Night In
Tea" with Rosemary Chicken Salad and other goodies. Or celebrate a
special occasion with a "Sweet Memories Tea" and serve Herbed
Cheese and Smoked Salmon Sandwiches, Chess Cake, and more. Or perhaps
you'd like to share teatime with a new generation as you host a
"Children's Legacy Tea" using Alda's recipes for Cambric Tea and
other quick, easy treats.
Hats Off to Tea! is a fine blend of serious and silly, practical
and whimsical, touching and creative. This book might inspire you to fill
your bathtub and float candles and rose petals for decorations when
friends arrive for tea. Or you may decide to freeze an ice ring filled
with flowers to float in your punch bowl when serving Alda's Southern Tea
Punch. But mostly, this book brims with ideas for serving love and
friendship and encourages us to open our hearts and stir up sweet memories
of our own. For after all, as Alda writes, "A cup of tea with friends
can transform the everyday into a richer, more memorable occasion."
Lydia E. Harris, M.A., writes "A
Cup of Tea with Lydia," and enjoys serving tea to family and friends
in Seattle, Washington. Known as as Grandma Tea, she published a book for
grandparents, Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting. Contact
Lydia: www.PreparingMyHeart.net.
LOOK at What Tina Makes!
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Tina from Pennsylvania makes these adorable Teapot Tissue Holders. Yes, I know
you have seen them before but; could you pick your own fabric? Tina is a dear
woman and she would love to make a Teapot Tissue Holder for you.
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| I know it's not a real Teapot but I
couldn't resist taking a photo of the Tissue Holder with some of
my Teapots. Cute! |
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The
younger set of Tea Drinkers
|
Annie's newest Grand-daughter has arrived. (Name
withheld) Annie wanted to insure this one would be versed in all
things tea; so she asked me to make her a baby blanket with
(take a look) Tea Design Flannel! |
| Not to be outdone, Annie asked me to make the
baby's older sister something special. So, I made her a Mini-Teapot
Purse with a matching Pillow Slip for her bed.
Annie is a long-time friend of Grandma's who lives in Indiana. |
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