Summer showers bring September wedding flowers (and a few tablescapes that start with "tea")

Wedding season included flowers, tea, and two terrific couples

In less than three months, our family experienced two weddings, two showers, two rehearsal dinners and two brunches and, although I know I'm not entirely objective, I feel quite comfortable in saying they were all too beautiful to boot!

Bridal brunch sunflower theme

The first weekend in September, my oldest son, Rob, married, Haley in an elegant venue in the metro-Detroit area. Last weekend, my daughter, Rachel reaffirmed her wedding vows with husband, Sean at our up north vacation home. They were married in  a small ceremony in Rob's front yard last year and  planned the reception on their one year anniversary weekend.

Afternoon tea bridal shower teas and fancy fans

Many of the events involved tablescapes, flowers, and - as a surprise to no one - tea! The one item we couldn't control, of course, was the weather. However, even that fickle element brought its "A" game and we were the very fortunate recipients of what my daughter-in-law exuberantly claimed was  "the good weather package".

Great wedding day included the good weather package

Beautiful flowers to take  home

Bridal showers (one brunch, one afternoon tea) combined sunflowers, mixed bouquets, fancy fans and a collection of some of the most incredible women to sip Earl Grey and break bread - or scones - to honor two very special ladies.

Up north wedding/anniversary celebration carrying on the sunflower theme and perfect blend tea!

Although we were on the accelerated wedding track this summer, it all turned out wonderful and every event was filled with love and joy, celebrating these two amazing couples who respectively, really  are "perfect blends". 

What do Pioneer Woman, Seinfeld, The Crown and my NYC house guests have in common? Chocolate babka and Earl Grey tea and I have both!

Any day is special with chocolate babka, Earl Grey and a tiara

This week, courtesy of recent house guests from NYC, I was gifted with a chocolate babka and a new tin of Earl Grey tea and both are connected to three of my favorite television/streaming shows:  The Pioneer Woman, Seinfeld and The Crown. Let me connect the scrumptious dots. . . 

First, the babka. My son, Matt and his girlfriend, Jenna visited us for three weeks during what we have affectionally referred to as "wedding season" (aka, "the summer of Gulley").  My oldest son, Rob, was married to Haley the beginning of September, and my daughter, Rachel affirmed vows with her husband, Sean last weekend - but more of that to come in the next blog!.  In those three weeks packed with wedding events, Matt and Jenna stayed with us for several days and during one of our after-dinner conversations, they brought up babka, a tasty treat that's plentiful in New York.  Although I've heard of it - my first encounter was the Seinfeld episode "The Dinner Party" - I had never sampled it, that is until this week.

Chocolate babka pairs well with Prime Minister's Tea

This interesting new-to-moi dessert, sent me searching to learn more, especially since I so enjoyed my first babka experience.  According to  an OpenLab article (New York City College of Technology), babka can trace its origins to Eastern Europe, particularly Poland and the Ukraine. It's basically a sweet braided bread, which traditional Polish bakeries serve as is or with cheese. But, the European Jewish bakers upped the ante, making it more "rich and decadent" by adding chocolate or cinnamon. 

Which gets us to Seinfeld's "Dinner Party".  Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer are invited to a dinner party and Elaine spearheads the effort to obtain hostess gifts:  she and Jerry are to shop for a babka while George and Kramer are to secure a bottle of wine.  Elaine wants a chocolate babka, but loses out to another couple (also dinner guests at the same party) and has to settle for a cinnamon babka, which she feels is second best.

Searching for how to create my own babka, I struck gold with The Pioneer Woman, my go-to Food Network show featuring Ree Drummond.   Not only did I find a wonderful recipe on-line, but discovered, contributing writer to The Pioneer Woman's Food and Friends, Bridget Edward's first babka encounter was also from Seinfeld (a show that influenced a generation and introduced us to so many descriptive phrases including, "sponge worthy", "no soup for you" and "it's Festivus for the rest of us").

Chocolate babka, rated number one by BTS and Elaine. But is it really perfect for sharing? 

So, what does one pair chocolate babka with?   Well, preferably "Prime Minister's Tea" -  an Earl Grey variety from The Republic of Tea, part of  "The Crown" collection based on the Netflix series which covers the reign of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940's to current times. (I have openly confessed to binge watching  in a previous blog (The Crown: My own degree of separation from Royalty, Lord Spencer). 

Most friends and BTS followers know my favorite tea is Earl Grey. I love most varieties, but some of my colleagues like a little less citrusy blends. In that respect, I believe Prime Minister's Tea  has broad appeal - it's a black tea blend with bergamot but the citrus flavor is not excessive.  Plus, you have the bonus of John Lithgow's Churchill on the label to connect you to The Crown. As noted on the tea tin, Churchill's quote says it all: "I'm easily satisfied with the very best".

NYC guests, Jenna and Matt at rehearsal dinner with Rob, Chris and your tea blogger, Barb

As the temperatures get cooler and the leaves begin changing color, like Seinfeld's "summer of George", our wedding season is over. It was a busy, but amazing time filled with special memories of friends and family gatherings. On the upside of having the weddings behind us,  with this new found leisure time, I'm going to tap back into some of my favorite shows with babka and tea at the ready. 

The label of my chocolate babka says it's perfect for sharing, but is it really? Pass me the remote, a cup of tea and that loaf of doughy-goodness all for me. Get too close and you may hear "no babka for you!".

So-ho much tea fun! A visit to Harney & Sons in Soho, NYC

Harney & Sons tea store in Soho, a great place to visit when in NYC

It's always a great time to have a cup of Harney tea, but when in New York, it's even more special sampling a variety of these delicious teas at their store in Soho. When we visited the Big Apple in July, we put this on our must-see list and I'm so glad we did.

Matt and Jenna sample their tea

Trying a bit of Soho tea in Soho!

BTS is no stranger to Harney teas or the Harney family. When Michael Harney came to my hometown of Birmingham (Michigan)  in 2014 and again in 2016, I had the great pleasure of meeting him personally and becoming more familiar with both the Harney story and their teas.

Meeting Mike Harney, 2014

Once again, meeting Mike in Michigan, 2016

John Harney, founder of Harney teas and father of Michael, started his tea business in 1983 to have  something extra to serve guests at his inn in Connecticut.  It wasn't long before John noticed his guests were coming back for more tea and soon he and the family turned their focus to tea exclusively.

There are two Harney stores, one in Connecticut and as noted above, one in Soho, where we had an amazing time sipping tea and shopping with our New York contingent, my son, Matt, and his girlfriend, Jenna.

Inside the Harney Soho store, walls are lined with merchandise and the Harney story

Although the café is currently closed, the tea counter is opened and tastings are conducted in a safe environment with transparent plexiglass shields between tea preparers and tea sippers. I had to try the Soho blend, which was created in 2010 for the grand opening of the Soho Harney store. It's a tasty combination of black tea, chocolate, vanilla and coconut flavors.  

Friendly staff prepare tea behind plexiglass screens.

 

All in our party had their turn in taking a sampling of tea and I purchased a few tins, determined to bring "Soho" back home to extend the New York tea experience in Michigan.

Outside Harney store in Soho

Bringing back NY tea to Michigan

The Soho store fits well into its lower Manhattan neighborhood which is filled with a variety of boutiques, bookstores and art galleries. The tea venue's interior, with its high ceilings and cream colored walls lined with  light wood shelves and furnishings, offers a relaxing oasis in the heart of the retail bustle.

Chris checking out the Harney merch

We enjoyed our time at Harney & Sons, drinking tea and shopping. We hope to be back soon. In the meantime, we agree with John Harney:  anytime is tea time!

 

Brooklyn Tea in person! A visit to the New York tea room one year to the day after virtual on-line event!

Barb G. of BTS with Ali Wright, co-owner of Brooklyn Tea

On July 26, BTS paid its second visit to Brooklyn Tea - exactly one year to the day from our first visit - but this time, we were there in person!

As noted in our  blog story from last year, "A Tea (Event) Grows in Brooklyn", Brooklyn Tea is a compact, contemporary tea room in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood (aka "Bed-Stuy") of the New York City borough. It's also a short walk from my son, Matt's, apartment, who in July of 2020, joined me for a Coffee and Tea Festival hosted virtual tea tasting event featuring Brooklyn Tea with owners,  Ali Wright and Jamila McGill.  The couple are both business and life partners and their knowledge and passion for tea was evident and seemed to exceed the confines of my small laptop computer screen.

Last year's visit was remote

Brooklyn Tea hosted virtual tea tasting, July, 2020

This year, as more venues and travel opened up, my husband, Chris and I took a short trip to NYC to visit Matt.  We spent an entire day in Brooklyn, as Matt gave us a tour of many of the highlights of his neighborhood, including Brooklyn Tea.  

As much fun as the virtual tea event was, there's nothing better than an in-person visit and to be at Brooklyn Tea on the year anniversary of the remote tea tasting made it even more special. Dreams do come true!

Chris and Matt enjoying iced and hot tea at Brooklyn Tea

We quickly met up with Jamila and Ali as they were busily waiting on customers and preparing tea. Ali joined us at our table and I brought up pictures from their virtual tea tasting event last year. Ali is bubblier than a tall glass of bobba tea and we appreciated the time she took to visit with us. Many of the guests who stop in the tea room are "regulars" and Jamila and Ali know them by name. If you are new to Brooklyn Tea, the delicious tea and great customer service will also have you quickly among the ranks of regulars.

Barb G. of BTS with Jamila McGill

Enjoying tea at Brooklyn

Last year, we sampled four different teas and my favorite was  Nilgiri, a tea grown in the mountains of eastern India.  It has floral notes, rich in scent,  but lighter in taste and body. 

In person, I had to go with my "go to" Earl Grey and it did not disappoint. Matt ordered the dragon jasmine pearl green tea and Chris went with an iced tea and all were satisfied. 

If you are fortunate to live in the area, Brooklyn Tea is a must stop. We will be back when we're next in town and  plan to bring along our NYC entourage. We'll keep you posted - if you're in town, please join us!!

Brooklyn Tea is located in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn

 

For more information on this tea room, go to brooklyntea.com.  Brooklyn Tea is located on 524 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216       347-240-4281.

Six year anniversary of BTS' trip to Highclere Castle: We're marking the date with updates on the Downton Abbey movie sequel!!

Six years ago today, Rachel and I visited Highclere Castle (aka the "real" Downton Abbey")

Six years ago today, my daughter, Rachel, and I were in England, visiting Highclere Castle (aka the "real" Downton Abbey).  Although, here at BTS  this holiday weekend has been  filled with events that surpass even that incredible trip, it still marks the anniversary of the Crawley-saga-themed excursion and provides us with an opportunity give an update on the long-awaited sequel to the 2019 Downton Abbey movie.

We toured inside the country manor as well as walked the grounds in September, 2015

As reported by MSN last week, (Downton Abbey  sequel teases big international move for the Crawleys), the new DA movie trailer was unveiled to a select group at CinemaCon in Las Vegas last month and it reveals the Crawley family and staff are preparing for an international trip as Carson, the family's head butler declares "the British are coming". There's also a hint at an upcoming wedding (not unlike BTS' holiday weekend!) and the promise of  "lots of glitz and glamor and jazz".

We're preparing for  "DA: A New Era" events for 2022

The sequel, titled "Downton Abbey:  A New Era"  has a newly revised release date of March 18, 2022. (A change from the original release date of December, 2021 as noted in our April blog story:  The band is back together: Second Downton Abbey movie coming this December.)

Although we're disappointed we have to wait a bit longer for the new Downton Abbey movie, it will give us more time to polish our tiaras and tea accoutrements as well as expand our plans for future  DA events. Continue to watch our blog for details!

At the theater in 2019, ready to watch the first DA movie

In the meantime, we'll reflect on our six year anniversary to Highclere Castle, where we exclaimed en route, "The Gulleys are coming! and Carson, keep the light on for us!"