Return to the Brooklyn Museum's Visible Storage: Setting the Table Exhibit (more than just knife rests!)

"Setting the Table" display in the Brooklyn Museum's Visible Storage.

Knife rests first brought me to the Brooklyn Museum; their Visible Storage keeps me coming back. 

This month, we discovered the "Setting the Table" exhibit which brings together an eclectic mix of American treasures from different eras that "explore the joy of dining in the United States".  In a come one, come all environment, luxury goods created for the wealthy, such Tiffany butterfly-shaped napkin rings, join kitschy, mass-produced tableware, like Tupperware salt and pepper shakers from the 1960's.  Off to the side, a pretty, 19th century, Union Porcelain cream-and-burgundy vegetable dish awaits its guests, inviting them to pull up a mid-century Eames chair and dig in.

First visit Brooklyn Museum & knife rests, 2022

"Setting the Table" is just one of the many displays in the Brooklyn Museum's Visible Storage - a place I like to think of as an elegant "grandma's attic". It houses over two thousand items in organized and catalogued collections. Opened in 2005, this warehouse spans 5,000 square feet on the museum's 5th floor, filled with an array of objects that would prove too numerous for an unshared spotlight. For those who like things that are rare, fancy, quirky and/or bring a bit of nostalgia, Visible Storage is the place to go.

Chris' fav, Ancient Egyptian Art on 3rd Floor. He's walking like . . . 

My first trip to the Brooklyn Museum was in 2022 (Visit to the Brooklyn Museum to view rare ceramic knife rests). I found a rare pair of ceramic knife rests were in their possession - and, as luck would have it, while visiting our son and daughter-in-law who reside in New York's largest borough, our hotel was a short walk to this New York institution.  My husband, Chris, and I soon learned, there was so much more than knife rests worth seeing here.

Beyond Visible Storage: 4th Floor Period Rooms

I found more to love on the 4th floor, where the "period rooms" reside. I'm particularly fond of the Gilded Age rooms from a Saratoga Springs home complete with an excessively decorated parlor. Chris favors the 3rd floor which features Ancient Egyptian art. And, yes, once inside, he does, indeed, walk like an. . . well, you know the rest.

Last week marked our third visit to the Brooklyn Museum and we plan to make room for all its many rooms every chance we get to NYC. 

For our Barb's Tea Service's short video featuring Brooklyn Museum's  "Setting the Table", click the link directly below: 

Brooklyn Museum 2026: Visible storage return - tables setting with Tupperware, Tiffany & Eames chair

Happy Waffle Day! A BTS and Presidential favorite - and we've got a First Lady's recipe!

National Waffle Day celebrates the waffle and creation of the improved waffle iron. 

Happy National Waffle Day!

At Barb's Tea Service, we're serving up a delicious combo of presidents and waffles to celebrate!

According to National Day Today, this tasty holiday falls on August 24 in honor of Cornelius Swartwout, who improved the waffle iron and received a U.S. patent for his safer, easier‑to‑use design on this day in 1869. Swartwout hailed from Troy, New York — one of our favorite Gilded Age towns — making the celebration feel doubly appropriate.

Chicken and waffles, a savory option.

Waffles have long been a beloved staple in our family, especially for daughter Rachel, who embraces every topping from classic syrup to savory chicken. When she still lived at home, Rachel and I made an annual sojourn to Louisville for the Jane Austen Festival, and each trip required at least one stop at a Waffle House along the way — made all the more “exotic” by their complete absence in Michigan.

The exotic Waffle House, not found in Michigan.

But waffles (and Jane Austen) aren’t the only passions Rachel and I share. We also love visiting presidential homes and libraries, and we’ve toured several together — most recently Warren G. Harding’s home in Marion, Ohio (Harding Home and Library, BTS blog, April, 2024). As it turns out, Harding was not only the 29th President of the United States, he was also a devoted waffle enthusiast.

Mother-Daughter shared interest, include Presidential Homes/Libraries & waffles

During our visit, we learned that Harding preferred not to travel while campaigning. Instead, he adopted the convenient “Front Porch Campaign,” staying home while supporters came to him. As the name suggests, Harding delivered speeches from the front porch of the house he and his wife, Florence, built.

Florence Harding's waffle recipe, a souvenir from the Harding House.

During the Front Porch Campaign, waffles were consistently on the menu. Florence's recipe was published in women's magazines with glowing reviews. 

Today, the Harding Library now hosts an annual waffle breakfast using Florence's original recipe (attendance to this event, another shared goal of mother and daughter.) 

In the gift shop, I picked up a bookmark featuring Florence Harding’s Famous Waffle Recipe. We’re sharing it here in honor of the holiday.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 2 TBS sugar
• 2 heaping TBS butter
• 1 pint milk
• 1 pint flour
• 2 heaping tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Beat yolks of eggs
2. Add sugar, milk and flour
3. Add melted butter and just before ready to bake, add beaten whites of eggs.
4. Cook in hot waffle iron
5. Don't eat them on a full stomach. Cover well with butter and then pour maple syrup over the plate.
6. Enjoy!

Harding wasn't the only waffle-loving president. President Taft admitted in a letter to his wife that he overindulged in Waffles and Chipped Beef (a special favorite of Harding) while visiting the Harding's home in 1920.

FDR's Little White House modern kitchen includes waffle iron. 

                   

And, just a bit more waffle/presidential trivia. While visiting FDR's Little Whitehouse in Warm Springs, GA, in 2025, the kitchen, though small and unpretentious, was considered "modern", outfitted with an electric stove, toaster and waffle iron.

Electric stove, waffle iron far left, next to breadbox.

However you like your waffle, know with confidence, that not only is it a scrumptious snack anytime of day, but if you're a fan, you're in some very impressive company.  (My favorite waffle holds ice cream).😊

My favorite kind of waffle holds ice cream. 

The good news:  Happy National Waffle Day can be celebrated anytime! Enjoy!

Harry and Meghan return to England: In London for Royal Wedding Week, we still have the HRH tea and biscuits - both title and cookies have crumbled!

Harry & Meghan back to UK - 6 years after Megxit, 8 years after Royal Nuptials (souvenirs BTS collected in London, wedding week!)

Last week, it was announced that Harry and Meghan were returning to England - six years after a headline-grabbing move to North America and eight years since their equally publicized wedding in St. George's Chapel. Although we were not invited to the Royal Wedding, May of 2018, we were in London a week before, caught in the excitement of the upcoming nuptials of the English prince and an American actress and scooping up souvenirs of the occasion. Little did we know then that some of those commemoratives would boast a title to be taken away in just a few short years.

That's the way the cookie - or as the Brit's would say, "biscuit"- crumbles. 

As the Duke and Duchess come full circle, we highlight chapters of their titled, and eventually untitled, story.

Wedding week, London, 2018, Meghan becomes an HRH (and we were nearby!)

Saturday, May 19th, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.  The wedding not only garnered hundreds of millions of viewers globally, it also bestowed the title of "Her Royal Highness" to Meghan to match up with her husband's "His Royal Highness", which he received at birth.

Chris at St. George's Chapel, 2023, where Harry & Meghan were married.

My husband, Chris, and I were in London a week before the wedding, meeting up with great friends, Pam and Quint, a few days before heading to Southampton to embark on our transatlantic cruise home via the Queen Mary.

Met Harry's uncle, Lord Spencer, in 2014.

Though I had met the groom's uncle, Lord Charles Spencer, four years earlier, I had not close enough connections to receive an invite to the wedding, but I wasn't to be idle on that day.  I had a date back home to appear on Fox News and talk about the Royal nuptials (and a BTS afternoon tea at The Townsend). For that, I needed a new fascinator as well as some commemoratives to show off. I found all at Harrod's (as well as a few other London retailers).

More Wedding Day, BTS presents at Townsend

Wedding Day! at Fox 2 News

                  

I quickly amassed a carry-on's worth of wedding treasures including two elegant cups, a box of shortbread cookies and, of course, a pretty tea tin filled with tea. To date, the marriage has held on, but some of the labeling on the tea and cookie packages have not.

Megxit

In January of 2020, Meghan and Harry announced that they were going to "step back as 'senior' members" of the British royal family, split their time between the United Kingdom and North America, become financially independent, and only represent the monarchy on a reduced basis.

Tea and cookie tins carry the HRH titles, though Harry and Meghan no longer do. 

The announcement of their decision led to a meeting of the royal family on January 13, dubbed the "Sandringham Summit" and described as "unprecedented".

Queen Elizabeth II still in charge, issued a rare personal statement and was praised by many for her rapid handling of the matter

Less than a week after the summit, an agreement was announced whereby the couple, while still valued members, would "no longer be working members of Britain's royal family" and would not use their "Royal Highness" styles.

Only the cookie and tea tins still hold the title!

Duke and Duchess of Sussex return to England, With-out Love, Without Titles

Harry and Meghan began their tales-for-sales after leaving the UK, with Harry's autobiography "Spare" (see BTS' Tuesday Tea and Tomes, May, 2023)  and their eponymous Netflix six-episode documentary. But without the Royal dish, media interest waned.

Prince Harry's sort of tell-all, "Spare", 2023

Last year, after the seismic ratings dip of Meghan's lifestyle series, "With Love, Meghan", Netflix began loosening ties with the Duke and Duchess for future programming as well as pulling support for Meghan's "As Ever" merchandise which includes candles, honey and herbal teas. It's speculated that the reduction in Netflix revenue as well as the costs of living in tony Montecito, California combined with Harry's mounting legal fees, may have been factors in their decision to move back to England - despite all their previous public statements as to why the Duke and Duchess could not find it a welcoming or nurturing place for them to reside.

Happily As Ever After?

What's next for the Sussex family? News outlets have daily updates: home in Cotswolds, Meghan returns to acting, more time with King Charles. . . 

Although the story, sans HRH titles, may have even more twists and turns than we currently know, we'll continue to keep up with this page-turning saga. 

As we like to say at Barb's Tea Service, "please stay tuned" (and we'll refresh the tea and biscuits, too!).

11 Ways to Reuse Tea Containers: Finding gold in repurposing tin!

Tea tins make pretty flower or herb containers for indoors or out.

 

Tea tins can often be as much of a treasure as the precious cargo they store. While serving up a bounty of tea, there comes a time when contents are depleted and you are left with an empty tin.  While some are destined to the recycle bin, some are just too pretty to toss aside - especially ones that are souvenirs of a special place or occasion.  In my household, the moment finally arrived to stop hoarding these lovely tins and start repurposing them.

Originally, I was saving my used tea tins for my up north tea garden. For a variety of reasons -  most particularly, a brutal ice-storm - I had to delay this tea tin deployment. This year, however, the tides had turned, and I brought up some of my favorite tins to use as planters.  It was hard to contain my enthusiasm for these containers, so I sought out other uses, tapping into tea friends and, the rarely disappointing, tea websites. 

I struck gold, or perhaps the more appropriate metal - tin!

Barb T. uses tea caddies for office supplies.

Great tea friend, Barb T., uses tea tins for pen and pencils - practical, attractive and a conversation piece.

More repurposing inspiration was found on Harney and Sons website, Ten Ways to Reuse Tea Tins to Get More Organized. . .  

1. Baking Supply Holder

2. Recipe Card Holder

3.  Candle Container

4. Tea Tin (office) Organizers

5. Refrigerator Herb Garden (BTS used ours for outdoor gardens). 

6. Portable Sewing Kit

7. Tea Tin Pendant Light

8. Qtip, Cotton ball and Make-up Brush Holder

9. Gift Boxes

                 10.  Refill with . . . TEA! 

 11. For those who like to decorate for the holidays, Barb T. shared an idea from one of her tea amigos. 

Holiday decor with tea tins. 

No shocker here - I still have quite a few empty tea tins, and so do my fellow tea enthusiasts. If you have a way of using these tea tins, beyond storing tea, we'd love to see them! (send to barb@barbsteaservice.com).

A Patriot's (and dentist?) silver tea ware to be revered! Paul Revere's teapots on display at The Met.

Barb G. at The Met, next to the earliest of the three known tea or coffee urns crafted by Revere.

 Listen, my children, and you shall hear 

Of the incredible talents of Paul Revere,

A midnight ride, tea thrown in the tide and more - you bet!

An engraver, a dentist (!) and the maker of silver teapots at The Met.

Paul Revere was known as a Patriot, a participant in the Boston Tea Party and for his "mad skills" as a silversmith - that is locally. That changed 85 years after Revere started on his legendary  midnight ride to Lexington with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem, Paul Revere's Ride. 

As noted in the Paul Revere House Museum's website, Paul Revere's Ride, transformed its subject into a national folk hero. 

While the poem spotlighted Revere's patriotic endeavor, he had many professions in his lifetime, including engraver, dentist and silversmith - and it's the latter craft that we got a front row seat to a few years ago at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. That collection included teapots and tea urns that would make any tea lover swoon. 

 But, a little bit of background on this Midnight Rider. . . 

Paul Revere

Paul Revere was born in Boston’s North End on December 21, 1734, the third child (and eldest surviving son) of Apollos Rivoire, a French Huguenot immigrant, and Deborah Hichborn, daughter of a local artisan family.

Rivoire, born in France in 1702, changed his surname to Revere after immigrating and made his living as a goldsmith. Not surprisingly, Paul followed in his father’s footsteps, learning the trade that would define his career. (Though goldsmiths worked in both gold and silver, today we generally refer to them as silversmiths.)

Revere operated his silver shop for more than 40 years, employing apprentices and journeymen and producing everything from simple spoons to magnificent tea sets. His work was known for its quality, elegance, and craftsmanship — something we can personally attest to after seeing many of his tea wares gleaming in the galleries of The Met.

Hammered from a single disk of silver, this teapot was made as a wedding gift for Revere’s cousin.

Revere silver tea urns and teapots at The Met

Displayed in the American Wing at The Met, these pieces first captivated us during a 2019 visit to Manhattan — and we’ve returned several times since, like old friends reunited with beloved treasures.

Three favorite Revere teaware pieces:

1. Large Tea Urn (1791) Recorded in Revere’s account book, this urn was made for Hannah Rowe, widow of wealthy Boston merchant John Rowe. Weighing in at seven pounds, it is the earliest and largest of the three known tea or coffee urns crafted by Revere.

2. Smooth Teapot (circa 1782) Hammered from a single disk of silver, this elegant teapot was made as a wedding gift for one of Revere’s cousins. (One imagines Paul was a very popular wedding guest.)

3. Fluted Teapot (circa 1795) With bright‑cut swags and ornamental bands, this teapot exemplifies the “elegance and restraint” of late eighteenth‑century Neoclassicism.

After the Revolutionary War, Revere’s shop produced many oval and fluted teapots — beautiful pieces that remain a treat to behold up close.

* note - The Met's display includes more silver serving ware of other artists as well

This teapot exemplifies the “elegance and restraint” of late 1eighteenth‑century Neoclassicism.

Something to sink your teeth into, the other careers of Revere:

Revere didn’t rely solely on silver to support his family. He supplemented his income with several other ventures:

1. Copperplate Engraving During the economic depression following the French and Indian War, Revere turned to engraving.

2. Printed Works He produced illustrations for books and magazines, business cards, political cartoons, bookplates, songbooks, and even tavern menus.

3. And now, the wildest one… dentistry. From 1768 to 1775, Revere practiced as a dentist as time and skill allowed.

• He cleaned teeth.

• He fastened in false teeth.

• He sold toothpaste.

• And contrary to popular myth, he did not make George Washington’s false teeth — nor is there evidence he made full sets of dentures.

Though Longfellow singled out Paul Revere's midnight run, we know he did so much more. He was a tea-tosser, engraver, part-time dentist and, near and dear to our hearts, creator of beautiful tea ware.

Listen tea lovers, you won't regret, a trip to the American Wing at The Met!

Zingerman's: Barb's Tea Service, like Josh and Jase, experienced the Ann Arbor deli for this first time this summer!

Zinerman's has been in business since 1982 - this year a first visit for Josh & Jase and Barb & Chris

We have something in common with Josh and Jase, the social media travel stars from England. On their return trip to Michigan this summer (their first trip was this past winter), one of their first stops in Ann Arbor was Zingerman's Deli where they paid a visit for the very first time. 

Barb's Tea Service also visited Zingerman's for the very first time last month. However, as lifelong Michigan residents, my husband, Chris, and I, had no excuse for waiting so long. Less than an hour's drive from our house in Oakland County, we had neither a large ocean to cross nor flights to book. It took an invitation from our culinary compadres, Rik and Carol, seasoned Zingerman's guests, to get us to experience what those charming lads from the UK had enjoyed less than a week ago. 

All parties agreed, Zingerman's is amazing!

Carol, Rik and Chris in Zingerman's tent waiting for our delicious order. 

Josh and Jase

Joshua Cauldwell-Clarke and Jason "Jase" Riley, are two young gents whose wide-eyed wonder and unbridled enthusiasm for discovering new places have captivated followers around the world, including many in the Great Lakes State. On their first trip to Michigan, as noted in the Detroit Free Press, they visited the west coast and took in the wide expanse of Lake Michigan, Josh marveled, "There is no way you're telling me that is a lake. That is the Pacific Ocean, mate:"

Encouraged by Michigan followers to return when the lakes weren't frozen and the temps were more agreeable, they came back this month, making Zingerman's one of their first stops.

Zingerman mixes vintage charm with modern technology.

In one of their short videos, Josh and Jase admire the "old school" vintage building paired with modern touchscreen ordering. Josh ordered the Rueben, describing it as "an explosion of flavors in my mouth!" Jase selected the Sandwich of the Month, which thoroughly wowed him. Summing up their Zingerman's experience, he added "it's a bit of a hidden gem."

We share a pastrami sandwich, crunchy pickle and iced tea. We were wowed, too! 

Zingerman's 

The Ann Arbor delicatessen opened in an historic building near the city's Farmer's Market in March 1982. Per their website, founders, Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzeig, wanted to establish a traditional Jewish deli that would bring "very special foods" to Ann Arbor. Over the years, Zingerman's has expanded into other food and service businesses, but the Deli continues to be a source of great food, enjoyed by thousands of guests every year.

Barb and Chris 

Those thousands of guests did not include Chris or me   -  at least not until last month. Our fellow podcasters and social media content creators, Rik and Carol D. suggested lunch at Zingerman's before we headed out to The Encore Musical Theater in Dexter. 

Zingerman has its own brand of tea, too. 

Like Josh and Jase, Chris and I were also in awe of this century-old building filled with gourmet foods and beverages. I was delighted to discover Zingerman's has their own tea brand and, based upon my recent sampling, they are very good. (see our June blog on Golden Eyebrow tea).

Unlike Josh and Jase, we weren't as quick on the on-line ordering system  (so many choices!). Fortunately, plenty of cheerful Zingerman staff members were on hand to aid in navigation the process. 

Ultimately, we loved Zingerman's as much as Josh and Jase did. And, thanks to Rik, we, too, have a short video from our very first visit to  Zingerman's. 

Zingermans: Barb & Chris visit the Ann Arbor Deli for the 1st time w/ returning patrons Rik & Carol

Afternoon tea with Milford's Tranquili-Tea: Wonderful guests, amazing tea fare and incredible 'tearoom'!

Barb G. and Kathleen C. of Tranquili-tea in the clubhouse tearoom. 

When we stepped into the community clubhouse, I took a step back, wondering if we had been misdirected.  Instead of a standard meeting space, we found ourselves in a luxurious tearoom.  Tables were dressed in sage linens set with white china plates resting on beige and lilac chargers, silver three-tiered trays and floral napkins. 

Beautiful tablescape featuring white china plates and silver three-tiered trays. 

We found out quickly - this was the place where the TranquiliTea club, headed by Kathleen C. and Barbara T., hold their afternoon tea events throughout the year. Views are spectacular inside and out, as this recently built clubhouse, "The Lake House", overlooks, as the name implies, a lovely lake.

Presentation plugged in.

Rob G. assists in set-up.

Last Spring, I was invited by Kathleen to present our Tea History and Afternoon Tea Etiquette program to this lovely group. Interest has grown so much with this tea club that reservations are now limited to (only!) seventy per program. And, what a fantastic group of ladies these are.

With the aid of BTS team member (and eldest son) Rob, we unloaded our bags and set up shop.

Tea club interest has grown so much, reservations are now limited to (only!) 70 guests. 

After a few club announcements by Kathleen, freshly brewed tea was served to guests and I launched the PowerPoint to begin the afternoon's tea talk.

Lovely views of the lake from the aptly named Lake House.

The guests were amazing, asking not only great questions, but sharing some of their own special tea times. I was also invited to join in the afternoon tea fare. What a treat! Scones were served with delicious lemon curd and savories included tasty chicken salad sandwiches and marvelous crostini's.  And, the grand finale - scrumptious pastries were pretty and plentiful, filling out the top of the three-tiered tray.

3-tiered tray, scones, savories

. . . and a grand amount of sweets, too!

This was an afternoon tea excellent and I loved every minute. A warm embrace and lots of appreciation to this wonderful tea club in Milford

We look forward to many more collaborations in the future!