The countdown to the holidays begins and Adagios Tea Advent Calendar is here to deliciously assist!

Adagio Teas 2022 Tea Advent Calendar. It's evergreen and gold package if filled with tasty treats

Three months from today, Christmas will be here and Adagio Teas, once again, brings an exciting and delicious Tea Advent Calendar, to assist in both gifting and the countdown.

This year, the tea advent calendar comes wrapped in an evergreen and gold trimmed box which opens like a book to reveal 24 little spaces, each housing a different tea. 

Adagio Teas Advent Calendar has 24 teas: a fun and delicious way to countdown the days

Although the December countdown is still a few months away,  for "sharing purposes",  we opened "Day 1" to sample. 

*spoiler alert*   Tea to be revealed directly below.

The first tea is "honeybush pumpkin chai". It was delightful -  a blend made up of honeybush tea (herbal), cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cocoa nibs, natural pumpkin spice flavor and safflower.  The aroma alone is captivating, evoking a burst of fresh holiday baking fragrances. And, the taste follows through - hearty and satisfying.

Every day brings a new tea is revealed.

The teas are all loose, which typically translates into more flavor and improved steep. Another bonus, per Adagio's website, the teas contain no added sugar, are gluten-free, dairy-free, nut free and vegan-friendly. There's a lot to like in these bountiful tea packets (which are also available in tea bags, if you prefer).

We sampled Day 1 and it was delightful. Looking forward to Days 2 - 24!

The Adagio tea advent calendar is $34.00 - a true deal, especially when you consider that's 24 cups of tea for under $1.50 per serving. The calendar and other seasonal gifts are available on the Adagio Teas website.  

We recommend purchasing in advance for the tea enthusiast(s) on your holiday gift list as well as treating yourself. In just a few months, we'll all be in high gear.  Kick off your December countdown with a designated time-out-for tea to include the Adagio Tea Advent Calendar, which will bring a new, surprise tea every day.

Product review disclaimer:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Embrace your tea self, Autumn is coming! Tea Time Magazine celebrates the season with sunflower tablescapes (and more!)

The September/October issue of TeaTime Magazine celebrates Autumn and we embrace that

This week, Autumn arrived and here in my home state, in true Michigan fashion, the first day of fall arrived with high temps twenty degrees lower than the day before. But, no complaints from our tea table - we love this time of year when the leaves change to a fiery blend of reds, yellows and oranges and the onset of brisk, crisp air that has us seeking out hot, spiced tea, fresh harvest fare and tablescapes that reflect "all of the above".  Enter TeaTime Magazine to provide inspiration on Autumn menus, tea pairings and a bounty of pretty table settings. 

Sunflower tea table with some elements taken from last year's similar themed events

In the latter category, we were delighted to see "Sunflower Galore" and it motivated us to set a tea table, borrowing from that theme. We're partial to sunflowers - it's one of my daughter's favorite blooms and it featured prominently in her bridal shower and wedding reception last fall. 

Sunflower Gala in Tea Time inspired our fall tablescape

For my special tea table, I brought out the napkins, favors and seat covers created for our sunflower couple. I am fortunate to have two very creative sisters-in-law who added their personal touch.  Cara embroidered napkins with individual sunflowers on each and Sandy carried out her vision for the burgundy chair covers with silk sunflowers ties. I was already three-quarters complete for my seasonal tablescape.

Napkins, favors and harvest bouquet come together with our whimsical teapot

I added a bouquet of fall flowers which, along with a whimsical beehive teapot and matching sugar and creamer  (inherited from my grandmother), set center stage of our harvest table. China plates, in the rose gold pattern (Royal Pottery, Ohio - also from grandmother) rested atop faux woodgrain gold tone chargers.  And, finally, Limoge teacups and saucers with yellow and rose-colored buds  (sourced by Antiques Depot in Lewiston, MI) completed the tablescape accompanied by gold and silver demitasse spoons from Sweden (thank you again, Grandma E.!) that carry out the theme with their flowered handles

Even our tiny teaspoons carry the sunflower theme

The only thing missing here, of course, is the scrumptious harvest-themed sweets and savories and a choice tea blend. Here, I leave you to the experts at TeaTime. Their "Harvest Tea" offers up some enticing recipes for maple-cinnamon scones and pumpkin cream puffs and other goodies, some of which are served up on another favorite of ours, Herend china. 

Autumn is here and we're ready.  We've got the sunflowers and the settings and lots of incredible inspiration from another great issue of TeaTime Magazine.

When you get caught between the moon and New York City, the best that you can do is fall in "Love on a Rooftop": New York City Week, Grand Finale, Part II

When you get caught between the moon and New York City, I know it's crazy, but it's true. . .

 

"When you get caught between the moon and New York City . . . the best that you cand do is fall in love."

We're borrowing from Christopher Cross' movie soundtrack, but that's exactly what our visit to New York last month was all about, LOVE:  love of family, love of bride and groom and love on a rooftop.

Morning coffee on the roof

Take out dinner on the roof

New York Week at BTS is coming to a close with our Grand Finale, Part II.  As noted in our last post, our trip was planned around meeting extended family and attending a very special couple's wedding. When opportunity arose, we extended our trip to, firstly, cover the Venn Diagram intersection of people and events, and, secondly, fill the unfilled space with things to do in NYC - which is hardly a difficult task in the Big Apple.

Sunset from our rooftop "observatory"

In the second half of our stay in New York, as we were gearing up for the big wedding event in Long Island, Chris and I discovered a few great dining venues close to our hotel. Actually, one was at our hotel via its rooftop and uber eats.

Truly a hidden gem in Brooklyn, at the top of our hotel's twelve floors, there was a rooftop patio with incredible views of its own borough's skyline, Manhattan and even the Statue of Liberty. Chris and I enjoyed our coffee there every morning and took in the sunset and night views with a glass of wine or (decaf) iced tea in the evening. 

There was a short-lived television show in the 1960's called "Love on a Rooftop", and although I don't remember much of the plot, I recall the joy the newly married couple (featuring a young Judy Carne of "Laugh-In" fame) had in the city vista their apartment rooftop provided.  (And, if none of that sounds familiar, it's okay. These references, as far as quality content, lie somewhere between "Hannah Montana" and "Masterpiece Theater").

Anyway, the title of that decades-old TV show just kept coming to mind every time Chris and I were up on the roof and took in the views. And, really, how appropriate in a week filled with love.

Gnocchi from Pizza Magic

Tomatoes and cheese in Bushwick

One evening (before our nightcaps on the roof), we found some fine, but casual, dining within a short walking distance of our hotel:  Pizza Magic.  It served up some of the best gnocchi I've ever tasted.

Matt and Chris at farm-to-table cafe in Bushwick

Then, off to the Bushwick section of Brooklyn the next day for a farm-to-table restaurant with Matt  I had tomatoes with melted ricotta cheese. It sounds a little odd, and, actually, looks a little odd, too, but it was scrumptious

.

Minetta Tavern

Earl Grey ice cream for tea themed blog

For our last full evening in New York, we ventured from our hotel to meet up with Matt and Jenna at The Comedy Club in Manhattan. This was preceded by an excellent dinner at nearby Minetta Tavern, a walk in Washington Park and another stop for ice cream - and earl grey ice-cream, to boot. (Keeping with the tea theme, of course. wherever that went. . .)

Comedy Club, not headliner, but could be

Washington Park

And, wedding weekend, which launched this entire trip, was finally here! The  bride and groom, a beautiful and talented couple, are friends of Matt and Jenna, the groom being one of my son's best buddies since junior high. Matt was one of the groomsmen and looked dashing in his textured silver-grey tux. Jenna looked amazing in a glittery rainbow dress and, my date, was most distinguished in a blue suit and tie (a departure from his "signature" bow-tie look).  

Bride and Groom dance, they are professionals (really)

It was so wonderful - and truly an honor - to be guests at this wedding which feted the best with an outdoor afternoon ceremony and a cocktail hour filled with more hors d'oeuvres stations than I could count (because I was busy filling my plates with all the deliciousness).  Then, on to a gourmet dinner, toasting and dancing in an elegant venue, with skylights and cathedral ceilings, that gracefully spilled out onto a stone terrace balcony overlooking manicured gardens.

It allowed me to not miss my rooftop patio in Brooklyn.  😊

Matt and Jenna 💖

So, yes, I have to agree, and to paraphrase a bit: "When you get caught between the moon and New York City, the best that you can do is be filled with love"  -  be it your amazing children, awesome extended family, a lovely bride and groom, and, last but never least, a distinguished gent on a rooftop in Brooklyn.

Blogger with distinguished date 💙

The reasons for our NYC visit: Family, friends, festivities and food! BTS grand finale to New York Week, Part I

View of the Statue of Liberty from the Stanton Island Ferry

As we wrap up New York Week at BTS where we highlighted visits to tea venues, the Brooklyn Museum (and the rare knife rests!), the Tenement Museum and a special Tuesday Tea and Tomes featuring a novel set in 1960's Brooklyn, we're going back to the beginning and the original reason for the trip:  family, friends, festivities and, well, yes, the food.

Clinton Street Bakery for brunch

CSB famous for its pancakes

Our son, Matt, along with his girlfriend, Jenna, reside in Brooklyn, so it's a given we'll be visiting them there from time to time. However, this August, we scored a big bundle of intersecting events which included a wedding and extended family in from out-of-town. My husband, Chris, and I saw this as an opportunity to extend our typical long-weekend stay to almost two weeks. It was wonderful!

Dining in Williamsburg with J's family

Dessert afterwards

Our first weekend in, we met up with Jenna's family visiting from the west coast.  We found we had many shared interests including Harney teas, baseball, and brunch.  So, we shopped tea in So-ho, took in a Mets game and indulged in pancakes (and more) at Clinton Street Bakery.

Mets game at Citi Field. 

Then, while their respective jobs called our Brooklyn couple back for a few days, Chris and I, enjoyed some very touristy pursuits. We took the Stanton Island Ferry roundtrip (still free) which gives the most amazing views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.

Stanton Island Ferry:  best free deal in the City

We also became somewhat savvy with the subway system and journeyed from Brooklyn to Manhattan's Upper West Side. Our destination was the "Arconia" (aka "The Belnord"), the building used in Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building", where there exists another kind of "knife rest".  

The "Arconia" in Manhattan where another kind of "kinfe rest" resides

Matt took an afternoon off and treated us to tour of The Whitney Musuem after afternoon tea at Tea and Sympathy. The Whitney Museum has strong ties to the Gilded Age even though most of its exhibits are relatively "modern". It was founded by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, great-granddaughter of Cornelious Vanderbilt, and aunt of Gloria Vanderbilt. Gertrude was an artist in her own right and a generous patron of others. We were big fans of the museum's contents - some were inspiring while others put a smile on our face. 

Chris and Matt at the Whitney 

Drinking bird, great art

(The enormous "drinking bird", a rather kitschy item from the 1970's, brought back a fond memory of my childhood. My dad purchased one of these in its original era and set it to rest on one of our kitchen windows where it could dip continually throughout the day. Although my mom was not a fan, she let it stay until it met an untimely demise. Could my dad's art appreciation now be vindicated?)

Portrait of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whtiney, founder of the Whitney Museum and aunt of Gloria

And, after all this, we're only mid-way through our NY stay.

Like New York City, our blog can go on and on - and New York Week is no exception. We continue the Grand Finale, Part II in our next post (only bloggers in the building. 😀)

Harney & Sons in New York : Been there, done that, got the tea . . . and we're Garden Partying all day long

This year's take-home tea from Harney & Sons, Garden Party

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a tea lady in possession of her right mind, when in New York, must be in want of a trip to Harney & Sons. 

Taking liberty with Jane Austen's opening line from "Pride and Prejudice", I feel she would understand my delight in shopping for tea in the big city, for she wrote enthusiastically about such excursions to London back in her day. She would surely give her approbation to our latest tea trip, where, last month, we enjoyed much felicity and good fortune when making a return to Harney & Sons with my son, Matt and girlfriend, Jenna, just as we did almost a year ago (see blog: "So-ho much tea fun:  A visit to Harney & Sons in Soho, NYC").

Shopping and sampling at Harney & Sons in Soho in 2022

Here at BTS, we are longtime fans of Harney & Sons. As noted in our blog last year, we met up with Michael Harney, VP of Harney & Sons, and son of founder, John Harney, twice when he came to visit The Townsend Hotel in my hometown of Birmingham (MI).  So, it was a thrill in 2021 to finally enter through the doors of Harney's tea shop and cafe in the Soho section of Manhattan.

Barb and Rachel of BTS with Michael Harney in Michigan, 2018

Our second trip was much like the first - we sampled, we shopped and we purchased.  This year, I bought Harney's Wedding Tea as part of a gift package for a lovely couple whose wedding we were attending the following weekend in Long Island. For me, I selected "Garden Party" to enjoy when I returned home to the Mitten State.

Garden Party tea inspired by lush English gardens, but can be served on humble patios, too.

This week, with Michigan temperatures cooperating, I've enjoyed tea time in our small patio garden with Harney's Garden Party. It is a green tea blend which includes the following flavors: rhubarb, raspberry, elderflower, cornflowers and lemon. The aroma is delightful, sweet and fruity, and the taste echoes those notes, but are a bit more subtle. Both work their magic in evoking warm summer afternoons embraced by flora and fauna. Not surprisingly, per the label, this blend was inspired by summer parties in lush English gardens. 

Our visit to Harney & Sons, 2021

While we do not have a lush English garden ourselves, we can understand how Garden Party may bring to mind a seasonal gala on the grounds of Pemberley or similar elegant country estate.

And, most certainly, upon our next visit to New York City, this tea lady will be in want of a visit to Harney & Sons once again.

Shopping at Harney's in Soho, a new tradition

Return of the knife rests! Visit to Brooklyn Museum to view rare ceramic knife rests

Locating the rare ceramic knife rests the Brooklyn Museum

 

It seems 2022 has been the year of knife rests for BTS and we hit the jackpot last week at the Brooklyn Museum, viewing a rare pair of our recent obsession dating back to the mid -19th century. Keep your smelling salts handy - this is pretty exciting stuff!

We became reacquainted with knife rests back in April when we stayed at a charming Bed and Breakfast in Virginia. At the Trinkle Mansion, our hosts set knife rests on the dining room table for teaspoons. That set us down memory lane to the home of one of my junior high friends whose parents collected knife rests. That resulted in my purchasing a twenty-year old book last month on the subject (Antique Knife Rests, a book with a surprising beginning). 

The Brooklyn Museum

The museum includes vintage furniture (and more!)

As mentioned in that previous blog post, I was shocked when I saw the name of my junior high friend's father mentioned as a reference.

But, that book held more treasures - the chapter on ceramic knife rests noted that there is only one ceramic knife rest made in the U.S. that can be "reasonably identified with a specific company", that of Charles Cartlidge Co. of Greenpoint, Long Island. 

Page 13 of Antique Knife Rests tells us where to find these rare treasures

Which brings us to the Brooklyn Museum. On page 13 of "Antique Kinfe Rests" it states the following:

"The Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New York, contains a pair of fine molded white porcelain knife rests identified as being produced by the Charles Cartlidge Co.".

Oh, my!

In a bit of serendipity, earlier this year we had booked an August trip to Brooklyn.  Initially, for a wedding and to visit our son and his girlfriend, but now, we added "knife rests" to the list.

More good fortune was in store. Turns out, the Brooklyn Museum was a short walk from our hotel, and while I was pumped up to view these knife rests, I was a little concerned it might be like looking for a rare ceramic needle in the proverbial haystack. But that anxiety was quickly quelled when the young woman at the front desk looked neither puzzled nor amused by my request of the location of the ceramic knife rests. She searched her computer database and within seconds of my question, she looked up and said, "they're a pair, correct?"

Oh, my, again!

The Brooklyn Museum's Visible Storage includes pressed glass and silver items

She directed us to the fifth floor 's "Visible Storage". When passing through the glass doors to this elegant "grandma's attic", I found the prize in Case no. 36.  The catalogue listing describes the ceramic knife rests as:   "general barbell shape with cylindrical, fluted shafts that terminate at each end in a knob with Victorian design of a daisy-like flower in the center and five irregular, molded, trefoil shaped (or fleur-de-lis shaped) surrounding flower.  Condition: Edges of knobs chipped".

But to me, they were perfect. 

While the edges of the knife rests may be chipped, we thought they were perfect.

The Brooklyn Museum, I must hastily add, has much more than just these ceramic knife rests to take in.  The Visible Storage also showcases vintage furniture, pressed glass and silver. On the third floor, there's an impressive Ancient Egyptian Art exhibit and another floor had a mid-nineteenth century parlor and library from a home in Saratoga Springs. (I'm betting that if they had the dining room from that home, it would include knife rests on the table).

The museum has rooms from a Saratoga Springs mid-nineteenth century home (parlor above)

In my knife rest research quest, the Brooklyn Museum was a major score. But, my husband, Chris, and I really enjoyed exploring all the exhibits here. Even so, I will give a shout out to Chris for accompanying me on this unusual journey. Seems only appropriate that he morphed into the Brooklyn Museum's enormous wooden sculpture, "All the Way" that both greets and sends off visitors in the large lobby. 

At the Brooklyn Museum we're in all the way.

BTS will also continue on the knife rest trail "all the way", so stock up on those smelling salts!