Hello TEA Friends,
This weekend, at our up north retreat, Pemberly Pines, we set out to "improve" the landscape. With ambitions not quite as high as Mr. Rushworth's planned alterations for Sotherton, and without the expertise or cost of Mr. Repton, my husband and I set about turning some of the back acreage into a rustic tea garden and vineyard.
Inspired by Light of Day teas and some fellow tea bloggers, I, too, am growing a tea plant in the north. Way outside its comfort hardiness zone of 8, we've planted a Camellia sinensis plant in northern Michigan's zone 4. Nestled firmly in its cedar planter home, we'll take care to move our tea plant indoors when the weather turns cool. Although it will take awhile before we get much of a harvest from our own Camellia sinensis, we've also planted a number of herbs including chamomile and spearmint. With that, we can begin enjoying tisanes under the pines immediately.
As of yet, we have no further plans for improvements of the grounds, although a hermitage walk near the pond does sound appealing.
Sotherton, Pemberley, tea and tea gardens. . . this can only mean one thing: we have begun the countdown to the third annual Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. Rachel and I have already made our reservations. This year's featured speaker is Kim Wilson, author of "Tea with Jane Austen" and "In the Garden with Jane Austen". Only three more fortnight's to go! (See next blog story for more exciting details about this year's event in July).
Have a most enjoyable holiday weekend!
Yours in tea and friendship,
Barb
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