A visit to Kingston brings a tea bounty fit for a Queen

A bounty from Kingston, fit for a Queen

Bonjour les amis du thé!

Last week, we gathered for a family reunion/celebration of life in Kingston, Ontario, a scenic college town on Lake Ontario. There's so much to love about this part of Canada - the limestone buildings, the numerous pristine lakes, the eclectic downtown shopping district and all the signage in both English and French (whether the latter is regionally embraced is a topic for another time. 😉). But, aside from all our amazing relatives who reside there, the icing on the cake - or should I say, maple syrup on the pancakes? - is the plethora of tea. And, yes, we brought some back to sample at home and review for the BTS blog:  one from a Toronto-based tea company and one from a farm in Quebec, Earl Grey Classic and Maple tea, respectively.

Earl Grey Classic (aka:  Earl Grey Classique) from Sloane Fine Tea Merchants: 

We purchased a tin of this loose tea at Cooke's Fine Food and Coffee store in downtown Kingston (where we just happened to run into one of our cousins who had made his own tea purchase!).  I was unfamiliar with this tea company, but discovered with a little on-line research, that Sloan's is a Toronto-based tea company founded and run by Hoda Paripoush.  According to a 2021 article in The Edge, Paripoush comes from a Persian family who lived in India before settling in Brockville, Ontario.  Tea was central to her homelife - it was the first beverage to be served in the morning and the last drink of the day.  In addition,  Paripoush stated, "anytime anyone dropped by, upon arrival, they were always greeted with tea".  Paripoush believes the cultures that were part of her upbringing contributed to her eventually owning and managing a tea company as ". . . tea was more than a drink. It was an experience. It was a moment of pause. It was a moment of connection and warmth. I wanted to find a way of being able to connect with that part of me for more hours of the day, which meant doing what I do with the world of tea".

Meeting family near Cooke's

Ran into cousin in Kingston, also purchasing tea

I so appreciate the passion that Hoda Paripoush brings to tea, so was very excited to try Sloan's Earl Grey Classic. Opening the tea tin and taking a whiff, I took in a clean lemony aroma, more yellow fruit than orange citrus. And, that's exactly how it tasted. A smooth tea, but less bergamot-y and a bit sweeter than is my preference for Earl Grey. But, I did enjoy it. - just be careful of how you pair it (I may dial back serving it with some of my beloved lemon curd).

Sloan's Earl Grey Classic has pretty and elegant packaging and two tops!

Other "likes" on Sloane tea. The packaging is pretty and elegant and would enhance many a kitchen counter. Also, the tin has two tops:  the traditional semi-rounded cap and an inside lid with a transparent top, so you can inspect the loose leaves. I'm thinking the "double seal" may aid in keeping the tea fresher for a longer period of time.  An added bonus to a tea we found quite agreeable.

Maple Tea (aka:  Thé à L'érable) from Turkey Hill:

This may be shocking, but this isn't the first time I purchased a maple tea from Canada  - my first was in 2016 when a trip to Toronto introduced me to Tealish, another Toronto-based tea company, and their tribute to the flavors of the country with "Oh Canada Maple" (see June, 2106 BTS blog review, "True North Tea").

Maple tea in English

Maple tea in French

However, this Maple Tea is from Turkey Hill a business whose specialty is maple syrup, not tea. According to Turkey Hill's website, the company started in Quebec in 1976 when a retired Lloyd Herman purchased a farm and began maple syrup production.  

An article in The Brome County News this year, was a bit more detailed on the pre-Turkey Hill career of Lloyd Herman. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1939, serving time at Dunkirk and meeting his future wife, Stephanie Kelleher, in London. After they married, they moved to New York and Herman worked for the UN for twenty-five years. Upon retirement, he wanted to move back to rural Canada and bought a two hundred acre farm. 

At the age of 60, he began his maple syrup company and "revolutionze[d] the maple syrup world by introducing pipeline collection technology to Quebec." Quite a retirement career!

The business eventually carried on with the Herman sons until four years ago when the family sold the majority of Turkey Hill Sugarbush, Ltd to Belweather Capital Partners.

But, aside from the inspirational history of Turkey Hill, the Maple Tea is really quite good. I purchased the tea in an upscale gift shop in Kingston and it was only available in tea bags. When I opened the box, I was immediatly met with smells of a weekend breakfast - pancakes served up with a generous pour of maple syrup.  It tastes like that as well. I was skeptical, thinking it might be more cloying than flavorful, but it has a nice, well-defined maple taste. Do take caution, however, it is sweet. I'd choose this if I'm hankering for something a bit sinful to nosh on, but don't want to deal with the calories. 

Kingston's Favorite will be brewing soon.

A wonderful and memorable weekend in Kingston and - bonus - two teas from Canada. Oh, did I mention my daughter and son-in-law gifted us with a pack of ground coffee from Cooke's as well?  It's a special blend titled, "Kingston's Favourite".  As my husband, Chris, often remarks on such things, "that's a bold statement!"

But, we're not at all unfamiliar with the "dark side" and are looking forward to running Kingston's Favourite" through our coffee brewer this weekend as well.  

Family (English and French Canadians) celebrating together

Scenic Kingston sunset

And, we've already been thinking of when we can make our next return trip. I heard Perth has a tearoom. . .  (asking for a friend).  

Houses for sale, but which to choose: Jane Austen or Gilded Age?????

Lyme Park, another Jane Austen movie site

It could be an amazing coincidence or just good fortune, but two homes with ties to two of my greatest interests, Jane Austen and Gilded Age, came to the market this week with very similar price tags. So, which to choose? 

Yesterday, my husband, Chris, sent me a link to a story on a "just in" listing for Luckington Court, in Wiltshire, England. This Cotswold residence was the home of the Bennet family, Longbourn, in  BBC's "Pride and Prejudice", (1995) with Jennifer Ehle and, yes (!), Colin Firth. 

According to the Daily Mail, Luckington Court is selling for 6 million pounds, which is about 7.3 million dollars (U.S.).  A bargain with so much space and so much history!

Chatsworth, Mr. Darcy's home in the 2002 movie version of Pride and Prejudice

The primary home, has 8 bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, two sitting rooms and a drawing room, where, like Mrs. Bennet, I can settle my nerves. The estate, with River Avon frontage, also includes farm buildings and a 1,400 square foot cottage (tea room? VRBO?).

Luckington Court, a Grade 2 building (historic building with some requirements as to what can and cannot be altered) was built in the 11th century with, as noted in today's Mirror, "original Tudor features" and "16th-century remodeling". (This, I'm thinking was before "open concept" and barn doors were only seen in the barn). It also has roots back to King Harold II, where before the Battle of Hastings, he had a home on the Luckington Court site.  

Chris and Barb, near the Cotswold region. Perhaps your future hosts of Luckington Court VRBO?

It was also rumored to have been considered by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their humble abode back in 2018.  At that time, Luckington Court's listing price was 9 million pounds. So, you see, we have a deal here.

Although I have not personally visited Luckington Court, I have been to a few Jane-Austen-in-the- movies-estates (and two of her actual homes) which are not for sale. In 2018, we were at Lyme Park, the home of Colin Firth's Mr.'s Darcy. On that same trip, we also called upon Chatsworth, home of Matthew MacFayden's Mr. Darcy.  Both estates are much larger than the stand-in for Longbourn, which may be why there was at least one detractor who could find fault with it. Of course, it was Lady Catherine de Bourgh.  Titled, wealthy and in possession of more opinions than grace, Mr. Darcy's  strong-willed aunt, upon entering Longbourn and sitting herself down in the drawing room, openly declared without any prompting:  "you have a very small park here".  

Perhaps it is no Rosings, but I could make do.

The Vanderbilt Mansion, like Villa Nuit, is a grand home the Hudson. (Don't forget your sweater!)

Incredibly, this week, an estate with Gilded Age connections also came on the market for almost the same asking price. 

Reported in RobbReport, Villa Nuit, located in Westchester, New York, whose interior conservatory can be seen in  the movie, "The Age of Innocence" (1993), based on Edith Wharton's Gilded Age tale, is  up for sale for 6.5 million dollars. And, like Luckington Court, along with a large home (over 20 rooms), it, too, has a spacious cottage/coachouse on the grounds as well as river views (Hudson river).

In addition, like Luckington Court, it has had a price decrease in recent years. An article in the New York Times, from May, 2015, reports an asking price of $14.75 million. 

Again, another bargain!

However, there is one difference between the two estates (aside from the obvious difference in location). Villa Nuit isn't centuries old, but rather just shy of 170 years.  Originally built in 1853, it was expanded in the 1860's and in the late 1880's it served as the last residence of John Jacob Astor III. Rather a "new build" by British aristocrats' standards.

Rachel, inside the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, NY

Also, I have not been to Villa Nuit, but, again, have visited a similar estate back in 2015. With daughter and BTS partner, Rachel, we toured the Vanderbilt Mansion, Gilded Age home of Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt, built in the late 1890's in Hyde Park New York. Like Villa Nuit, it is also resides on the Hudson River, boasting picturesque grounds. 

The Vanderbilt Mansion boasts an impressive estate with beautiful views. Could we live here?

So, looking back, I guess one could say, I've been scouting locations for the past six years, searching for my next home.

Difficult to choose between Luckington Court and Villa Nuit.  I should hurry, though. Prices - or dreams - like these won't last!

Repurposing items for your tablescape: Multi-taskers may be in your kitchen cabinets!

Egg coddlers can find a new purpose as toothpick holders

With our last few blogs on repurposing vintage pieces (salt cellars to hold cream, knife rests as spoon rests) and a recent patio dinner with friends where our hostess used egg cups and custom-shaped plates for something other than their original intentions, we wondered what other serving ware mash-ups are out there?  

We suspect that many of you have employed a single-purpose accoutrement for another use. If so, we'd love to hear how you've been creative in expanding or resurrecting the role of an item for your tablescape!

We've noted in a previous blog that the salt cellar, long retired from its raison d'etre, has risen, like the Phoenix from the ashes, to the afternoon tea table as a pretty container for individual servings of lemon curd or clotted cream. In addition, we've a noted a new use for the knife rest. And while switching the knife rest to a spoon rest doesn't seem radical (what next. . . a fork rest!?), think how nice it will be when you and your guests are done stirring milk and/or sugar in your teacup and now have a beautiful and practical resting place for your teaspoon.

Fancy toothpick holders can elevate a charcuterie board

We discovered that we have kindred spirits in the "multi-task serving pieces practice" and - I should not be surprised -  it is with my birthday twin (and BTS partner), Pam.  Last week, when she and her husband hosted a small patio dinner gathering, she used fine china egg coddlers as toothpick holders. They raised the charcuterie board to new heights.

Dips and olives served in uniquely shaped serving dishes.

But that wasn't all! Dips and olives were displayed on stylish glass dishes that had irregular shapes, like mini, elongated boats. After an inquiry about these very unusual items, Pam brought one out from her cupboard. Without humus or other condiments, the true pattern was revealed:  these were originally corn-on-the-cob holders.

Cheese and pickle dishes originally made for holding corn-on-the-cob

Repurposing serving pieces not only adds charm to your tablescape but brings new life to many of those vintage items that remain forgotten at the back of your cupboard or cabinet. They can be pretty, practical and serve as a conversation piece.

Again, we'd be delighted to see what other multi-tasking items are out there in the vast world of tablescapes. If you'd like to share (photos welcomed!), please write in the comments section or send by email at barb@barbsteaservice.com.  

Tuesday Tea and Tomes: Antique Knife Rests - A book with a surprise beginning!

 

Antique Knife Rests by Dean Rockwell holds a surprise beginning for this BTS blogger

This is a special book review, in that most of the contents of book itself are almost secondary to the connection of antique knife rests from BTS' first encounter with this vintage item as a preteen to a novice collector fifty-plus years later.  This book doesn't have a surprise ending, it has a surprise beginning! 

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I was introduced to knife rests over fifty years ago, but only recently did they come back on my radar. Last spring, when we traveled through Virginia, we stayed at a beautiful Bed and Breakfast, the Trinkle Mansion and our hosts had included these lovely accoutrements on our dining table (only using them as "spoon rests").

A serendipitous visit to the Trinkle Mansion reunites us with knife rests

At our breakfast table, after we were all admiring the cut glass adornments which graced the tablescape, I shared a story of how I first encountered knife rests. I was in junior high and invited to a sleepover at my classmate's home, along with six other girls. Julie lived in an incredible house, a large split level (what we'd now call "mid-century"), sitting high on a well-manicured hill, in, appropriately named, Bloomfield Hills. 

Knife rests used as a spoon rest at Trinkle Mansion

Shortly after we arrived, we rolled out our sleeping bags in a large family room that was adjacent to the dining room. It was here, I first spied knife rests, but had no idea what they were. They weren't resting on a table, which might have helped with context, but were, instead, displayed in shadow boxes with a black velvety backdrop.  They were all pressed glass or crystal and I remember how pretty they all looked. We all stared at them and said how amazing they were, but none of us had the nerve to ask what they were. That is, except, for Debbie ("the bold one"), who was puzzled, like the young boy in "The Emperor's New Clothes" and shouted, "what the heck are those"? It was then that Julie told us, matter-of-factly, exactly what they were, their purpose and that her parents were great collectors of these antique items. Mystery solved and on to more pressing matters, like scary stories and long chats of latest crushes. 

Recent purchases at Antiques Depot: salt cellar and knife rest

Although, I've run into knife rests over the years, it wasn't until we were at the Trinkle Mansion that I thought about what a great accessory they would make for one of my tablescapes. So, on my last trip to my favorite antique store, Antiques Depot, in Lewiston, Michigan, I purchased my first one. (It was vintage, and the price reflected it - hence, the one for now).

AND NOW, the book review!

I give all this background, because when I was searching for a book on the topic of knife rests, I found very little. Okay, perhaps that's not a great surprise, but I did find one, which is today's Tuesday Tea and Tomes:   "Antique Knife Rests" by Dean Rockwell. 

The author is from Michigan, born in 1912, and wrote the book in 2002. (He passed away in 2005 at the age of 95). He gives an easily digestible overview of the history of knife rests, the different types (metal, ceramic and glass) and lots of pictures for reference. But it was what was in the beginning of his book that surprised me the most.

Vintage knife rest now graces my humble tea table - more to come!

In his "Acknowledgments" section at the beginning of the book, Rockwell gives credit to notable museums and collectors. In the last paragraph, he gives a shout out to a local expert, stating, "I wish to acknowledge the valuable help given to me by the late Wilbur Pierce of Bloomfield Hills, who gave me his considerable notes and research findings".  Wilbur and Julie not only share a similar past location, but a surname as well.  Unexpectedly, but delightfully, my knife rest journey came full circle. Who knew fifty some years ago, I was in the home of the leading local authorities on knife rests when all I was expecting was a night of giggles and goodies? 

After all these years, the memories and new discoveries came together in a serendipitous Bed-and-Breakfast visit and a subsequent book purchase that connected all those dusty dots into a new passion (close family and friends have already been forewarned!).

More to come on the history of knife rests in an upcoming BTS "Wednesday What is it?" But, for now, we're excited to renew this journey that started at a time I still found sleeping bags an appropriate mode for sleeping.  😀