Hey Barb's TEA Shop, you just completed 5 tea events in 4 months, what are you going to do next? We're going to Highclere Castle!

We're going to Downton Abbey

Five tea events in the first four months of 2015 and we couldn't be happier. We're also treating ourselves to a trip across the pond to visit the "real" Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle - although we've got a few months before we start packing.

Our events were held at three different libraries and two at the The Townsend Hotel.  Would it surprise anyone that over half the tea affairs were inspired by Downton Abbey?

Rang in the new year at White Lake Library

We rang in the new year at the White Lake Library with a Downton Abbey-inspired evening.  A chilly January evening was warmed by introductions from librarian Denise Harris-Fiems and English Rose tea from  Republic of Tea's Downton Abbey collection.

February at Baldwin Library

One month later, we were at The Baldwin Library in Birmingham, for a Downton Abbey-inspired afternoon tea with librarian Kathryn Bergeron, who decked out tables with linens and beautiful red roses. Rose (aka Rachel) served guests three selections from Republic of Tea.  Scones, curd and cream came from The Townsend Hotel.

Tables set for fun corporate event on Valentine's Day at the Townsend 

Speaking of our favorite luxury hotel, we spent our Valentine's Day at a corporate event held in the Townsend's tea lobby for an absolutely delightful group of women. We presented our Tea Etiquette program while guests dined on a scones, savories and bottomless pots of Harney tea.

Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea at the Townsend

In April, we were back at The Townsend for a Downton Abbey afternoon tea. The hotel's tea lobby was transformed into a stunning Edwardian-era dining room where the Crawley family would feel right at home. Rose-Rachel and I so enjoyed presenting to and conversing with all the guests - some of who joined us in dressing in period attire!

What's Cooking with Barb and Loretta

Rachel sets up for tea tasting portion at West Bloomfield Library

We finished the month at the West Bloomfield Libary as part of their  popular "What's Cooking" series. Good friend and library committee member, Loretta Harris, joined us in greeting and serving to 80 guests. We presented, "Beyond the Tea Bag: Tea History and Tea Tasting" which included a matcha tea demonstration. Teas featured for our sampling included Ito En, Socra Tea and Elmwood Inn. Also featured were teas from Chazzano and Light of Day.

It was great to see some guests at the library who we saw less than a week before at our Townsend tea!

So, what does one do after all that - go to Highclere Castle, of course! That is the Disneyworld for those of us caught up in the Edwardian-era Masterpiece mini-series. .

Will be back with even MORE stories to share with our fellow Downton Abbey enthusiasts and ready for all a whole new line-up of tea events. Stay tuned and hope to see you at one of our teas soon!

To read more of these events, check out all the details in The Detroit Tea Examiner.