Tea from China at Baldwin Library: Great event and featured in the Observer, too!

Baldwin Library  Everyone's Reading Shanghai Girls & t BTS presents Tea from China

As part of the  Everyone's Reading 2016 program, which features the book, "Shanghai Girls" by Lisa See, Baldwin Public Library is hosting a number of events celebrating this captivating book. On March 13, Barb's Tea Service presented "Tea from China" as part of this community program. 

A reporter from the Observer was also in attendance and wrote a great article about the event in this week's edition:  Try Chinese Tea at Everyone's Reading.  We'll be presenting the same program at the Canton Library next month. 

Rachel & Pam brew the teas for tasting, and Taylor assists with set-up.

Our presentation on the history of tea included a demonstration of the Chinese tea ceremony in addition to a samping of four Chinese teas. Our expert brewers, Rachel and Pam, prepared and served the tea and Taylor assisted in set-up.

Three of the four teas sampled came from Socra Tea in Detroit

Three of the four teas came from Socra Tea in Detroit:  milky jade oolong, dragon well and keemun. We enjoyed sampling these delicious teas as much as our guests!

Barb with Maria Williams, Head of Adult Services

We displayed Chinese teaware, including the curious clay baby, which has a novel way of indicating when the water is warm enough for tea.

We were special guests of Maria Williams, Head of Adult Services at Baldwin Library and honored to be part of the Everyone's Reading program.

Barb's Tea Service Team:  Rachel, Pam and Barb

Barb's Tea Service had a wonderful time with a great turnout at Baldwin Library.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Canton Library April 17th for more Tea from China!

Count down to Downton Abbey Series Finale: End of an Era, but still more to celebrate with Barb's Tea Service

The doors to Downton Abbey will close tonight, but we'll leave the light on for you.

The grand doors of Downton Abbey will close for the last time tonight when the series finale of the Masterpiece period drama airs tonight. Downton Abbey enthusiasts -  ourselves included -  have anticipated this with mixed feelings. Anxious and hopeful for some happy endings, it nonetheless will be sad to see the Crawleys and their downstairs staff leave our Sunday evenings forever.

But, maybe not!

Tonight may bring some closure to some of the characters' lives (oh my gosh, will Edith ever find lasting happiness??), but aside from that, true Downton Abbey fans will keep the story going in their hearts, their travels, and their desire to celebrate this tour de force with other DA devotees.

Rachel is ready to snap wedding photos at St. Mary's/St. Michael's

For your season finale tea party, The Detroit Free Press' (March 5)  article 'Say Good-bye to Downton Abbey with a proper afternoon tea', includes tips and a few quotes from Barb's Tea Service.

Aside from tonight, there's still more in the way of celebrating Downton Abbey. Barb's Tea Service has a record fifteen events on the books from January to May, and ten of those are Downton Abbey-inspired.

We kicked the year off at the Southfield Library with our Downton Abbey afternoon tea in January. This was followed by three events at Meadow Brook Hall  and one at the Addison Library (see last blog story) in February.

Rachel holding a picture of our visit to the real DA at MBH

The teas at Meadow Brook Hall were especially fun as Rachel-Rose was able to participate in one and family and friends came out to join us, including my cousins, Dianne, Kathy and Karri and tea friends Phyllis Barkey and Lori.

But wait, there's more!

In March, we'll be in Gaylord at the Otsego County Library with our Downton Abbey-inspired presentation. In April, we're back at the Townsend Hotel and two days later,  Walled Lake Public Library.

Back at the Townsend in April!

Then, we pack up our suitcases in May and we'll be at the Schoolcraft Library on the west side of Michigan, followed by fun afternoon at Sweet D's Tea Room in Linden. (Check out barbsteaservice.com for all updates!)

Having tea at Highclere with our Highclere tea mugs, of course!

In the meantime, sit back, get the tea kettle on, reserve a box of tissue, and spend a fun-filled two hours this evening saying a fond farewell to our favorite aristocrats and their charming staff.

Cheers to all our fellow Downton Abbey devotees!