Treasures from Holland: Windmills, Delft and Wooden Shoes (souvenirs from Amsterdam. . . airport)

 

Windmills and Delft china, symbols of Holland

Have I been to Holland? Well, in a roundabout way, ja.

I grew up in a northern suburb of Detroit, on a street named Holland, I've been to Holland, Michigan and I've even been to Amsterdam, but only the airport. As lovely as the latter's layover destination is, it's still not The Netherlands experience, of course, so, that, too, is on the "wish list". But, there's still plenty to admire from afar, including, windmills, Delft porcelain and wooden shoes (most of which can be purchased at the airport in Amsterdam).

A recent trip to Holland, Michigan, to partake in their annual Tulip Festival, not only underscored The Netherlands on my vacation vision board, but had me take inventory of what Dutch treasures I own and why. 

Windmill adds diversity to miniature Tudor village

Windmills:

According to "About the Netherlands", a fun, fact-filled website, windmills are probably one of the most recognizable symbols of the country and for many reasons. There are over one thousand historic windmills in Holland, the first dating back to the thirteenth century.  They are multi-purpose, having been used for grinding grains, pumping water and even communication. However, one of the more humorous references to windmills come via Dutch proverbs.

Among some of those proverbs listed in About the Netherlands are:  

• Not every miller is a thief
• A windmill does not work without wind
• And, my personal favorite, Een klap van de molen gekregen hebben, which translate to, "to be hit by a windmill".  This is generally used when someone is not too  clever or, in other words, Dutch-speak for "not the sharpest knife in the drawer".

I do not own a working windmill, but I do own a few collectibles. From Lilliput Lane, I have a diminutive "Hollandse Poldermolen" (aka, "Dutch Windmill") that belongs to an eclectic village that resides in my curio cabinet. I'm not sure if I bought this abroad, but it adds diversity to its neighboring- England-inspired Tudor homes and thatched cottages.

My collection of faux Delft china.

Delft and other fine dishes

While I have a lot of faux Delft china that does a satisfactory job of replicating Holland's signature blue and white porcelain, I do not have anything authentic. 

Like windmills, Delft china is strongly associated with the Netherlands, although it arrived on the scene about three centuries after Holland's first molens. In the 1600's, the Dutch first produced Delft in the eponymous town, to copy Chinese porcelain. It was affordable and attractive, but it lacked kaolin, a substance found in clay native to China, but unavailable in Holland.

Delft pottery peaked in the mid-18th century, when kaolin-containing clay was discovered in Cornwall, England. This "find" made pottery production cheaper and more robust than the earthenware from Delft.

Wedgwood captured the Delft market in 1750's

Wedgwood windmill dish from Amsterdam

Lo and behold, it was Josiah Wedgwood who set up his pottery factory in 1759 and took over the Delft market. 

That brings me to my second collectible, which I know for sure, I purchased at the Amsterdam airport:  a Wedgwood blue jasperware dish with - what else, but? - a windmill! (the price tag, in Euro's, is still on the bottom of the dish.)

Wooden shoe magnet, only miniatures in my current collection.

Wooden Shoes:

Other products closely associated with The Netherlands are wooden shoes, and date back at least as far as the windmills. The first completely intact pair of wooden shoes, dated back to 1230, were found in an archeological excavation in Amsterdam.

Although, they may seem uncomfortable, according to the Netherlands Insider, they are custom-fitted to one's feet and provide posture protection, shock absorption and serve as a protective barrier from rain and snow.

But, as far as my personal collection, all wooden shoes are, like my windmill, miniature. I have wooden shoe refrigerator magnets and a wooden shoe keychain-turned-Christmas ornament, both of which were, again, purchased at the Amsterdam airport.

I did, though, at one time, own a pair of true-human-foot-sized wooden clogs. As a young teen, I joined my parents on a weekend excursion to Holland, Michigan, and, caught up in the spirit of the Wooden Shoe factory tour, I asked for my own pair.  My mom and dad must have also experienced a bit of "when in Rome" and were agreeable to buying me the Dutch precursor to the modern day croc. 

The problem is, unlike crocs, there are not a lot of opportunities to wear them.  Maybe gardening? Maybe a Halloween costume? Maybe not. They spent years in my closet. Eventually, I gave them away. And, that is why any wooden shoe purchases since have been limited to the teeny tiny ones.

Visit to Amsterdam airport, 2021, gift shops and Cafe Coco

Vacation Vision Board:  Beyond Cafe Coco:

While I've been to the Amsterdam airport many times, the last was 2021, a layover from Budapest to Detroit, where we lunched at Cafe Coco, we've put "exploring beyond the Delta terminal" on our Vacation Vision Board. We're looking forward to seeing more windmills, Delft china and wooden shoes (and gift shops!) beyond the gates of Holland's premier connection hub. 

Pickwick Teas: A Dutch brand, with ties to Dickens and Austen, that promotes conversation

Pickwick tea, its roots dating back to the18th century, has ties to Dickens and Austen

 

Last week, as part of my Holland, Michigan tulip extravaganza which included a tour of a tulip farm and a stop at their gift shop, I purchased the "Dutch" tea blend from Pickwick, the largest tea brand in the Netherlands with roots dating back to the mid-18th century. 

Founded by Egbert Douwe and his wife, Akken in 1753, the couple sold coffee, tea and tobacco in Joure, Friesland. Almost two centuries later, the company was run by Johannes Hessel and it was his wife, a Charles Dickens enthusiast, who influenced the tea company's new name from Douwe Egbart to Pickwick.

Is there always a Jane Austen connection?

Rhetorical, but, mostly, yes! Charles Dickens was a frequent guest of the White Hart Inn, owned by Eleazer Pickwick, hence the inspiration for the title, "The Pickwick Papers". The same White Hart Inn is mentioned in Jane Austen's persuasion.

Unless you speak Dutch, you'll need a translator to spark conversation.

As we noted in a previous Holland-themed blog, there's a lot of "good feelz" with this company (Rainforest Alliance certification, member of Ethical Tea Partnership) and its mission to also promotes good conversation with a kick-off question on every tea label.  Per Pickwick's website, the provoking inquiries are a way to "encourage everyone to take more time for each other". 

But, take note, you will need Google translate. The petite probes are in Dutch. Our first question was:  "What surprising insight have you gained recently?".   (Perhaps, I would respond, all the great English literature connections to Pickwick teas.)

According to Jane Pettigrew's, "A Social History of Tea", the Dutch, along with the Portuguese, were the first to import tea from China to Europe. It was the Dutch who won the monopoly on the spice trade while England was struggling to get a foothold on tea imports from Asia. In fact, when the Brits wanted to gift a box of tea to King Charles II and, his queen from Portugal, Catherine, in 1664, they had to buy it from Dutch merchants.

Happily, England's East India Trading Company did gain traction in the tea trade shortly after and, no surprise, they caught up fast. Soon, tea would be the most popular drink in the country.

Now, back to the Netherlands. . . 

Pickwick Dutch Blend review

This was our first introduction to this tea brand, and specifically the "Dutch" blend. We thought it was "heel goed" (very good).  Ingredients are black tea and orange peel and, per the label, it scores two leaves out of four on the intensity scale (with four leaves being the most intense). It's an inoffensive blend that should appeal to many - a bit of an "Earl Grey lite". 

And, with the brand's English lit connections, we say, Pickwick Dutch tea, has much to recommend.

Tulip Festival in Holland: Tea, tulips and tremendous western Michigan sunsets!

Visiting a tulip farm in Holland, beautiful and "festival-adjacent".

Tulips are blooming in Holland, Michigan

Tulips bright colored and gay.

Dance on the scrubbed streets of Holland, Michigan

When tulips bloom in May.

The lyrics above are taken from the first verse of a song I was taught in elementary school, and, although, that was a very long time ago, and I've lived in Michigan all my life, I had never been to my home state's much celebrated tulip festival - that is until last week. And, true to the tune, it was in Holland, in May, when tulips bloom!

Last weekend, my cousin, Dianne, organized a "Sistahs' " (Dianne, my cousin, Kathy and myself) spring outing at her home, conveniently and enviably located a stone's throw from Lake Michigan. The focus of our get-together was nearby Holland's Tulip Festival where one can soak in the spectacular display of hundreds of different varieties of the honored flower.

With our respective conflicting schedules and mounting crowds leading up to the weekend, we opted for "Plan B":   a detour from downtown Holland to tour Veldheer Tulip Garden, a fully operational flower farm with adjoining gift shops featuring Dutch cookies, tea and Delft china as well as a wooden shoe factory.

Entry to the Veldheer Tulip Garden.

Tulips, bright colored and gay!

Veldheer does have an entry charge of $17.00 per adult, but not a bad price to view 850 different types of tulips with a collective count of over five million. Rows and rows of colorful blooms greet you during what can easily be a two to three mile walk.  It's a picture-postcard immersion of gorgeous hues - an idyllic spot to get your steps in.

Walking the rows and rows of tulips, one can easily take in a two to three mile walk.

At the gift shop, I purchased the "Dutch" tea blend from Pickwick, the largest tea brand in the Netherlands with roots dating back to the mid-18th century. (watch for our upcoming story/review of Pickwick tea).  

Along with all the good feelz that come with Pickwick teas (Rainforest Alliance certification, member of Ethical Tea Partnership), it also promotes good conversation with a kick-off question on every tea label. (Although, this is not something the Sistahs ever need assistance with.)

Sistahs, no conversation starters needed.

Prime sunsets on Lake Michigan 

Our weekend in Holland was filled with flowers, marathon chit-chats (see directly above) and, the best, bar none, sunsets over Lake Michigan.  If there's anything better than indulging in scenic Michigan destinations, it's doing so with the best of company. 

I think it's time to revise Verse 2 of our tulips tune:

Tulips were blooming in Holland, Michigan

They gave quite a show in May,

We avoided the crowded streets of Holland, Michigan

But still had tulips, sunsets and (lots to) say!

Gilded Age at Sterling Heights Library: BTS strikes gold with great friends, impressive venue and delightful guests

An evening filled with great friends and awesome guests. Theresa K., Barb G., Laura Q. and Pam B.

With great friends, impressive venue and a room full of delightful guests, one could say Barb's Tea Service struck gold last week at the Sterling Heights Public Library as we presented our Gilded Age Tea Talk.

Gilded Age Tea Talk in Sterling Height's beautiful presentation room.

At the referral of cher amie, Theresa K., who is an active volunteer at both the library and the neighboring Upton House, we were connected to Mitchell M., librarian and the host of last Wednesday's event. Joined by BTS best-tea, Pam B., who helped with beverage set up and check-in, and longtime comrade, Laura Q., the room was quickly filled with fantastic folks ready to take a trip back to the 19th-century with the likes of the Vanderbilts and Astors and hear about the conflicts between the old and new money.

April-birthday wins BTS Double ginger tea

Fantastic folks joining us on Gilded Age journey

While sharing some of our Gilded Age home visits of our past, we also added our most recent trip to Troy, New York, where last August, we took in a tour of HBO's Gilded Age on-location film sites.

We also included hometown Gilded Age connections that tied to the "Commodore" and Thomas Edison as well as notable wealthy Detroiters of the era and their homes - some of which still stand today.

While we presented an April-birthday guest with a package of our soon-to-be launched BTS tea, we were also gifted a few Gilded Age locations recommendations for future sojourns to this intriguing era in U.S. history.

Thanks to all who joined us at the Sterling Heights Library!

HBO's Gilded Age, Season 3, premiers June 22!

Happy Mother's Day: Make it one for the books (Reposting Mother's Day blog, May, 2016)

Me and my Mom always ready for a day out, if it's scheduled

This post is from BTS blog, May, 2016. In nine years since, incredible folks have joined our family and I'm thrilled to be not only a mom, but "mother-in-law", too! Whoever in your life you wish to honor today, Happy Mom's Day to all. 💗

Mother's Day is time to honor all moms for all they do and all they mean to us. I'm no exception to paying tribute on this holiday, but seriously consider my good fortune all year round.  I was lucky to have an incredible mom. I'm also equally fortunate to be a mom to three amazing children.

Although it's been twelve years since my mom passed away, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of her. I know she'd be thrilled to hear about how her grand-kids are doing, although she wouldn't be surprised by any of their successes, as she knew them to be the smartest, cutest, and most wonderful grandchildren ever. Part of her legacy lives in their strong will and independent thinking, but for me I've also got a collection of books that keeps me connected to her all the time.

December, 1989 when I became a mom of 3 (Rob, Rachel and Matt)

But a little backstory first. .

The fact that my mom was only eight when she lost her own mother, (and my dad when she was only 52), makes her story of strength, selflessness and devotion to her family even more incredible and, always from my perspective, inspirational.

We were close and enjoyed each other's company, although we differed in so many respects. My mom was a neat freak, with a schedule that was never departed from, even if something fun came along. I keep a clean enough house, but if you want to invite me for tea or shopping, I'll cancel the utensil drawer reorganization in a New York minute.

Along that ordered lifestyle, my mom would fill up her gas tank when it was still  three quarters full. A constant source of anxiety for my mom was my habit of  never pulling into a gas station  until the "E" light was flashing on my dashboard.

But my mom and I agreed on a lot more than we disagreed:  passion for family, politics, fine dining, vacationing, and bar none, that she had the best grandchildren in the world.

There are so many times, I wish I could call my mom and say, "you were right!", or, even at the age of 58, I'd desperately ask, "what should I do now?", because she would always know.

But we're still connected by memories, photos and oh, so many books!!

In recent years, I've found my mom talking to me through her book collection. After she retired,  and the newspaper strike ensued, my mom poured into books of all subjects. She frequented Borders and used-books stores with her list of tomes that she had read and those she wanted to read.

One of my favorite books from my mom's collection, The Mitford Sisters.

My brother, Ed, wisely, collected up all her books and stored them away, not letting them go in the estate sale. With additional wisdom, my sister-in-law, Sandy, organized a book sorting party a few years back with the family. She and Ed brought out all the boxes of books and with  my brother, Glenn, my hubby and some of the  kids, selected those that interested us most.

I gathered my selection with some focus and a lot with "that looks interesting".  I didn't really know what all I had. That is, until recently.

As I was doing research for my "historical teas" I found a wealth of books on a variety of relevant topics in the bookcase filled with my mom's collection. When I was searching for anything connected to the British aristocracy, once Downton Abbey came on the scene, I came across "The Mitford Sisters" by Mary Lovell.  It's a fascinating account of a wildly eccentric family with connections back to the 1500's, traced to Bess Hardwick. Making this even more extraordinary was my manager had given me the Bess Hardwick biography (also authored  by Mary Lovell) to read only a few months before.

I ended up interviewing Mary Lovell when I was writing for the on-line newspaper, The Examiner. Ms. Lovell thanked me for all I was doing to promote the reading of biographies.

In turn, I thank my mom.

And, now that I'm all about the Gilded Age, with a return visit  to my mom's collection,  I found two of Edith Wharton's most popular books, "House of Mirth" and "Age of Innocence", both of which I've read, courtesy of my mom.

A portion of the bookcase housing my mom's collection

Mother's Day tradition with my kids (aka,  three of "the best grandkids ever"), is to go out to an informal tea and just spend the afternoon together. This year, due to grad school schedules and other conflicting events, our tea will be next weekend - which will be perfect. Doesn't matter the date, just that we'll be together.

Mother's Day tradition of casual tea with the greatest kids!

To my mom, if I'd ever get the chance to make that call, I'd like to say, " I love you, you were right about everything, what do I do now?, the books are great we need to discuss and I filled up the tank today and the gas gauge wasn't even on Empty."  I might add in a whisper, ". . .but the utensil drawer is still crazy messy."

Happy Mother's Day to all and continue to make it one  for the books!!!

A Most Agreeable Austentacious Afternoon with JASNA of Eastern Michigan

Chris H., president of JASNA Eastern Michigan Region, with Barb of BTS

 

This weekend, I presented BTS' Austentacious Tea Talk to the Eastern Michigan chapter of JASNA, aka the "honors class" - and it was an honor to be there.

JASNA members of the Eastern Michigan Region chapter

At the invitation of Chris H., President of JASNA, Eastern Michigan Region and referral from Kathleen S. (who had attended our BTS Jane Austen talk at Birmingham's NEXT), we were excited to be among fellow Austen-enthusiasts during not only the year of the celebrated author's 250th birthday, but also on the day of Masterpiece's premier of "Miss Austen". (See our recent "re-review" on Substack of the book, "Miss Austen" which the television series is based Barbara’s Substack | Barbara Gulley | Substack).

Kathleen S. (center) who referred our tea talk, shares tea with friends and fellow JASNA members.

After our talk, tea was served (Twinings - oh, so appropriate!) with a delicious variety of scones, sweets and savories. It was delightful to share a lovely repast with some of the guests.

As guests arrived. . . 

BTS display of books, TeaTime and teacups!

In addition, we presented two packages of Barb's Tea Service's Double Ginger tea to the two guests who had May birthdays. We also awarded chocolate tea biscuits to the winners of two of our Jane Austen trivia questions (well done, Emma and her dad!).

Aside from a bit of precipitation on our arrival and departure, it was a most agreeable afternoon with an awesome Austen gathering. Thank you to JASNA of Eastern Michigan for the invitation to join you this past weekend!

Barb's Tea Service, an award-winning podcast!

Barb and Chris of Barb's Tea Service receive ONTV's Spirit Award

Barb's Tea Service podcast not only celebrated its one-year anniversary this month, but it also received an award from ONTV Studios, home and mentor of podcast team Barb and Chris Gulley. 

Last week, at ONTV's annual banquet, which brings together all the support and talent (on the latter, personally, we'll add air quotes), Chris - my studio engineer, co-host and arm candy- and I were incredibly surprised and honored to be the recipients of a "spirit" award which recognized the commitment to our weekly studio recording as well as embracing the newer technology of remote podcasting. And, anyone who knows the Barb's Tea Service podcast team, it's not hard to figure out who spearheaded that effort. 

Ian Locke, Executive Director at ONTV, announces Barb and Chris Gulley as spirt award recipients.

In fact, Ian Locke, ONTV Executive Director, recognized Chris as the first to not only "check out" the studio's remote podcasting equipment, but as one who took it to the next step by purchasing equipment for our own "on-the-road" programs.

Meeting up with old friend, Anita K.

The ONTV banquet - our first - was held at Palazzo di Bocce and it was a fun night meeting up with old (hello, Anita!)  and new friends, indulging in delicious food and taking part in a  tribute to the entire ONTV studio team:  staff, volunteers, interns, producers and, yes, even a podcast team featuring a tea lady and her arm candy. 

ONTV banquet showcased BTS podcast's early adoption of remote podcast equipment.

Although a next-day tea event prevented us from staying late to participate in bocce ball, we will make sure we keep the calendar clear next year in order to compete with our ONTV family on the bocce ball lanes. 

Spirit award to be displayed in a place of honor. 

We had to give a shout out to not only Ian, but Joe Johnson, Joey Tysick and Tracy Marsh who keep us focused and field all our questions and come to our aid whenever we've hit the wrong button or pressed no buttons at all. 

Also, thanks to all our "special guests" over the past year:  Rob (times 3!) and Megan and Rik and Carol. We appreciate your engaging contributions!

Arm Candy and BTS podcast tech guru

A delightful surprise to be honored by ONTV!

We're thrilled to be recognized by ONTV, but, honestly, it's icing on the cake.  Our regular trips to the studio feel more like visiting family than just "renting" space. 

Starting our second year, we're ready to expand our production skills, take on more adventures and more tea and tea-adjacent topics. 

As we like to stay at Barb's Tea Service, "please stay tuned".

Treated like Royalty! Downton Abbey-inspired tea talk at Springfield Library

 

BTS duo of Barb G. and Pam B. 

One of the themes of the first Downton Abbey movie, which BTS features in its DA-inspired tea talks, is all the excitement and preparation that goes into entertaining royals - the decor, the food and extraordinary hospitality. This past weekend, we, along with guests at the Springfield Library, received the royal treatment which included a selection of teas served in fine china cups, a variety of scones, biscuits and cookies and lovely tablescapes with personalized napkins and fresh flowers. It was perfect for our afternoon immersed in the manners and etiquette of upper-class English society in the early twentieth century.

Fine china tea cups

Scones, sweets and savories served

At the invite of Cheryl Burtrum, Reference Librarian and head of adult services at Springfield Library, we brought our DA talk of tea and travels to this venue, and we were impressed by the set-up, the locale and, most assuredly, the guests.

Barb G. with Cheryl Burtrum, Springfield Library's Reference Librarian

After the program, many attendees, stayed for another cup of tea and conversation with the BTS duo of Barb G. and Pam B. It was wonderful. 

 Several guests stayed for another cup of coffee and bit more conversation. 

Dressed in a gown that represented the emerging fashions of the "Roaring Twenties" - dropped waist, rising hemlines (not quite yet over the knee!), and pearls -  I also donned a tiara temporarily. But, I didn't really need it - we were treated like royalty with or without the crowns. 

Mousse in the Woods: Color of the Year inspires northern Michigan dessert!

Mocha mousse inspired "Mousse in the Woods".

As we noted in Barb's Tea Service's In/Out List for 2025, mocha mousse is the color of the year. This past weekend at Pemberly Pines, our northern Michigan cabin, that delicious hue inspired dessert among the evergreens - a different kind of "mousse in the woods".

Hosting family for the holiday weekend, my husband, Chris, the gourmet chef of our clan, was preparing a twist on a classic Easter dinner that included ham, loaded baked potatoes, seasoned carrots and pan-fried Brussel sprouts with a maple syrup/red-wine vinegar sauce. I felt we needed a dessert worthy of such a feast, but, within my (rather rusty) kitchen skills. 

Bowl and pan work as double boiler

Preparing the mousse, sans KitchenAid

Mousse came to mind with its recent association of the fashion-forward color.  Because of that, memories surfaced of my preparing the rich, chocolatey dessert for formal and/or family gatherings of yore. It was time to bring back the mousse, while in the woods, but, slowly, starting with not only a refresh, but, a reacquaintance of the process. That's when Allrecipe's "Chocolate Mousse for Beginners" caught my eye.

First batch yield, a bit small.

Mousse can be refrigerated a day before serving*

Once up at Pemberly Pines, before the rest of the gang arrived, I set out my ingredients:  eggs, sugar, butter, chocolate, heavy cream, salt and water. Undaunted by KitchenAid deprivation, I utilized an "old school" mixer and bowl-to-pan "double boiler". (The beauty of mousse, is not only its deliciousness, but it can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated one day before serving).

Mousse in the Woods, served in glass teacups, at Pemberly Pines

This recipe is appealing in its ease of preparation and minimal ingredients. The disadvantage is the  not-so-detailed-instructions along with a relatively small yield. After "round one", I was disappointed with the serving amount, so quickly, went back and doubled my efforts. 

I poured the final product (both times) into clear glass teacups (a Christmas gift from Chris) which showcased the appealing mocha color. 

For our festive family dinner, we were ready. Chris' special, seasonal supper was fabulous. Chocolate mousse dessert was yummy, but, a bit dense.  We're thinking next time more cream and, maybe, less mixer and more manual folding. 

Mocha mousse, watch out! While you may be "color of the year", Mousse in the Woods, is holding its own at the dinner table in a cabin, among the pines, in northern Michigan.

*my apologies for a lackluster fridgescape

Exercise class, so much more than planks: Added benefits to fitness groups include afternoon tea and (healthy) cake!

Unexpected benefit of fitness class, teatime, hosted by fellow classmates and attended by our instructor.

In the barrage of news stories that fill my daily on-line media scroll, a recent headline made me not only pause and smile, but offer an audible affirmation to no one but my laptop. The bold text, above the  article from The Atlantic (November, 2024), read: "A Ridiculous, Perfect Way to Make Friends:  Group fitness classes aren't just about exercise". 

The author of the article, Mikala Jamison, who is both an indoor cyclist instructor and attendee of other exercise classes, asserts that making friends is an unexpected byproduct of attending group workouts. She observed relationships developing in fitness classes from romantic dating to post-Pilates coffees. Jamison also saw personal changes: in class she was a "better version of [her]self, warm, welcoming and encouraging." In her mid-thirties, she's made many good friends in these group active-focused activities and, found that "research . . . suggests that the glow of exercise's feel-good chemicals has interpersonal benefits."

Rosemary, classmate, afternoon tea host

Rosemary, Pam among the tea fare creators

Like Jamison, I, too, have found that exercise class is more than just yoga poses and planks (although, with regards to the latter, on the balance sheet of activity, I'm running a bit in the "red" on those), but I had a head start in the buddy connection. My "best-tea", Pam, invited me to join her exercise class a year and a half ago. My main motivation was nothing more than to keep active. I wasn't focused on weight loss (though that's debatable as to whether that should be) or training for a marathon. I just wanted to flex and stretch within my limits in order to maintain a somewhat mobile lifestyle. Aside from succumbing to the always looming allure of our cushy recliners, my husband and I walk regularly and, depending on the season and locale, we also golf, ski and snowshoe. And, no matter how mediocre I fare in each, I enjoy participating, and want to keep doing, as many as I can.

Exercise classmates and fellow snowbirds.

So, that was my state of mind when I joined Tend, an exercise class with the motto: "strengthen, sculpt, connect." Lead by owner, Patti McGowan, a tour de force of energy, charm and encouragement in a  petite frame, the sessions emphasize stretching, mobility and setting challenges, but all within ability. The heart of the class is encouragement and community. It makes one want to come back.

In the past, I've done self-directed gym workouts, adding a year with a personal trainer, as well as home sessions with vintage Jane Fonda videos and, more recently, YouTube sessions. But, I never looked forward to any of them, and, perhaps, that's why they fizzled out.

BTS Tea at Troy Historic Village, our instructor, standing, far right

With Tend, I have not only accountability, but now, as a regular, I have a cohort. Some of the same folks who I "cow and cat" pose with in the studio, I also join for dinner, golf and, yes, afternoon tea.

In one class, I met Cheryl, who, although we'd lived in the same neighborhood for years, had never crossed paths. Our introduction at Tend, lead to not only golf, but a visit in Florida while our snow birding travels overlapped in January.

Another great connection through class is with Rosemary. We found we had a shared passion for afternoon tea that put us on the path of a "Southern-themed" tea time last summer, hosted and catered by Rosemary with the incredible assistance of, and inspiration from, her sister and Pam.  And, Patti was there, too.

Patti's support goes beyond the gym and studio, having invited us to her home as well as attending our outside interests. At one of Barb's Tea Service's tea talks at the Troy Historic Village, she was there to greet Pam and I before, during and after.

Tend's mission is real and, without a doubt, there's a lot of emphasis on "connect". 

In addition to Jamison's article, I looked for other resources on the topic of unexpected benefits to be found in community fitness groups. I came upon a succinct synopsis from Planet Fitness. And, while it may be self-serving to its business, I found it hit many of my "truths". Here's their top five:

5 Social benefits of exercise that might surprise you

1. It makes you more reliable
2. It helps you find people you like
3. It improves your memory
4. It makes you a happier friend
5. It can help you adjust to new surroundings

    Important add to the above, Planet Fitness states: please always consult with a physician prior to beginning any exercise program. 

Another Venn diagram of people and activities (and, you know, tea time is always one of my circles!), there's an overlap of tea, golf, neighbors and exercise friends.  

Healthy cake, unexpected and more fun than planks.

With all the stated unexpected benefits of exercise class, I must also add, the individual, deliciously healthy, cake that Patti gifts us on our birthday. 

So, yes, fitness sessions can be so much more than planks . . . thank goodness!