The New Boardroom: Designated home space for puzzles, games and more!

Elevate your game night experience with upscale furnishings and games that are both fun and pretty.

 

A folding card table, mismatched chairs and a Monopoly board with a torn cover are no longer satisfactory for the trending game room. While a designated place in the home to congregate with friends and family over cards or Clue is nothing new, the attention to style in such space is growing in popularity with furnishings such as coffee tables with built in chess boards, thoughtfully curated games on bookshelves and puzzles that double as decorative items. 

Get ready to up the game for your game room.

This month, a New York Times article featured homeowners who are not only carving out space for fun and games, but with an emphasis on sophistication and comfort. These rooms provide a sanctuary from the fast-paced digital world.  As Roxy Owens, owner of home decor company Society Social, explains, "When things feel uncertain, there's a tendency to revisit the things that brought us happiness. For so many people, that's games."

In:  Games and books in attractive display

Out:  Torn covers and cluttered collection of board games.

Society Social recently launched a limited-edition furniture collection for the modern game room which includes gaming chairs, retro rockers and a checkmate game table. The latter is made of solid Mahogony in an updated Queen Anne style featuring cabriole legs and a removable top which reveals storage space for favorite games. At the price of $3, 695, it's already sold out. 

Vintage game space: Family room with card tables.

Mahjong, which is also on the rise, pairs perfectly with a well-appointed game room. Meghan Jett Trottier, founder of "Oh My Mahjong" which sells pretty mahjong tile collections starting at $400, worked with an interior designer on her home game space. She notes the game can be an outlet for creative visual expression, knowing women who use their collection of mahjong sets to display "tilescapes" - the mahjong version of tablescapes.

Trending: Classic games in attractive packaging.

Millennials I know well, my children and my niece, are great game enthusiasts and regularly host game nights at their respective homes. In fact, my niece registered for WS Game Company's attractive book-style collection of classic games for her upcoming wedding, including a family favorite, Risk. These look great on the bookshelf, of course, but can also add a touch of refinement to a neglected end table, curio cabinet or, for all you Risk fans, any European country you plan to overtake.

Another game night enthusiast is Meghan Markle, who hosted a Mahjong party with close friend (the "Maj Squad") on her Netflix series, "With Love Meghan". Having the show filmed in a rental house, however, makes it hard to discern if the Duchess of Sussex has her own well-appointed game room at her nearby Montecito mansion.

Gaming on a budget: Pinochle tablescape in kitchen.

I am behind this game room trend, but with a slightly more limited budget. I am in favor of a well-set pinochle table (see BTS blog from Apri, 2020: April Tablescape is in the cards) and a refresh on well-worn game boxes. 

Tea shops and world domination, keep Australia. . 

. . . but let me savor Earl Grey

And, less you think this trend has nothing to do with tea, I offer up a game in my own collection "Prosperitea". It, too, is not only a fun game to play, but adds a bit of elegance to my living room hutch. And, while the goal of the game is to be the "most prestigious tea shop", it has all the components of a Risk-infused competition (take Australia, but leave me the Earl Grey).

Wherever you gather for friends or family gaming, we know, the best addition is a fun time - that and having a successful Australia strategy with a cup of your favorite tea.

Let the games, and steeping, begin!

Bridgerton Basket-Ball or the March Madness of King George

Bridgerton Basket-Ball Afternoon Tea essentials.

 

Regency-era drama Bridgerton, Season 4, just wrapped up and March Madness followed quickly behind. For fans of both, we have the ideal mash-up: a Bridgerton Basket-Ball Afternoon Tea. Celebrate your bracket wins with scrumptious Bridgerton-themed treats from William Sonoma and hide behind your masquerade mask with those disappointing loses (I'm looking at you, Wisconsin).

A bit of bracket history. . . 

The bracket competition has been a family tradition, organized by my brother Glenn, for years - and before retirement, he did double duty at the office, dedicating many off-the-clock hours to customized recognition awards for all participants. (I can attest to that because, a week before the awards lunch, my contribution was my home computer, photo paper and a printer as sluggish as a phaeton in a mud - but all generously rewarded with a pizza dinner and a lot of laughs).

When my daughter, Rachel, went to Michigan State, almost two decades ago, I began my go-green strategy, which for a number of years, was pretty successful, also at home and at the office. Other factors I employ to pick my teams - places I like to visit (e.g. Connecticut), names that ring a bell (Vanderbilt) and some Midwest neighbors (Fighting Illini). Sometimes it works, often it doesn't, but it turns a spectator sport into competitive challenge.

The Bridgerton Basket-Ball Afternoon Tea

This year, I've decided to up my game in both brackets and afternoon tea, combining a few favorites for what I am now calling an Bridgerton Basket-Ball Afternoon Tea. And, there's more that Bridgerton and March Madness have in common than one might think - there's a court, a lot of balls and an elite society. Even more fitting, Bridgerton Season 4 was a Cinderella story - not unlike a few of those low seeded teams that topple higher ranking opponents. 

Williams Sonoma Bridgerton calendar on sale.

Basketball court 3-tiered tray from Amazon

My three-tiered tray is a layered basketball court, worthy of Georgian royalty and sugary sweets. The layered hoop haven, from Amazon, is both inexpensive and easy to assemble. We filled each floor with edibles from Williams Sonoma Bridgerton Countdown calendar, now on sale. Like an abbreviated advent calendar, there's a treat behind all eight windows, including, chocolate teacups and spoons, a blue and white toile frosted cookie, a flowery white chocolate bar and a few truffles. (We added some lemony Madeline's from Trader Joe's for the bottom tier). 

Bridgerton Green Tea Mocktails

As for tea, we'll be serving up a Green Tea Mocktail, using Republic of Tea's Sophie and Benedict Love in Bloom blend, see the full recipe in our January, 2026 blog:  Unmasking Delight: A Green Tea Mocktail for Bridgerton Season 4.

From Cinderella stories to Elite Society, Bridgerton and March Madness have much in common.

We'll see if this catches on. In my current brackets standing, I've dropped a few pegs. If my picks don't make me the diamond of the season, pass the masquerade mask . . . and a few of those Bridgerton truffles to soften the blow.

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Our favorite sales rep at Williams Sonoma informed me this week, that W-S also sells scones on-line. I put in an order at the store and delivery date is - coincidentally - April 6th. Scone eating and NCAA championship game.  As we are fond of saying at BTS, please stay tuned! 

Project Hail Mary Maxim: Latest Ryan Gosling movie brings back the vintage wool cardigan.

 

The Wolf-pattern Cardigan is back!

A trip to outer space to save Earth, befriending a faceless, spider‑shaped pile of rocks, and looking fabulous in nerdy T‑shirts and a vintage style wool cardigan.

In Project Hail Mary, Ryan Gosling tackles all of these challenges—and perhaps his most unexpected triumph is making old‑school knit sweaters suddenly feel very in.

Ryan Gosling makes cardigans cool.

Last weekend, we caught Hail Mary at Emagine Theater with our “locals.” The super‑wide screen delivered spectacular views of the universe and equally spectacular views of Gosling’s wardrobe. We were smitten with both, and—at least when it comes to the knitwear—we’re clearly not alone.

Along with the punny science-themed T-shirts (e.g. "AH: The Element of Surprise" and "I periodically wear this shirt" with an accompanying graph of the elements), Gosling dons a chunky cardigan with a wolf motif. The design is based on a vintage pattern from yarns and crafts retailer, Mary Maxim, and currently, the sweater kit, for the purchase price of $89.99, is sold out. 

With local family to see Project Hail Mary.

But wait! Citizens of Earth and Erid, do not give up hope. Mary Maxim does have a waiting list one can sign up for to be notfied when the Wolf Cardigan Knit Kit once again becomes available.

While waiting for one’s “Project Mary Maxim” to commence, a little bit of history.

Like Ryan Gosling, Mary Maxim has its roots in Canada. 

Per Mary Maxim's website, Willard and Olive McPhedrain started a spinning wheel and yarn company in Sifton, Manitoba in the 1930's. Originally named after their hometown, the company changed its name to Mary Maxim to follow the success of the personal marketing idea behind Betty Crocker. The pairing of graft style sweater patterns with yarn put them in a whole new stratosphere of popularity and success. 

BTS Podcast co-host - always "in" - dons vintage crafty cardigan.

Eventually, the McPhedrain's moved, along with their family and business, to Paris, Ontario. Son, Larry, seeing more opportunity across the border, moved his family to Port Huron, Michigan, bringing Mary Maxim to the U.S. in 1956. Now in its fourth generation of the family-run business, Mary Maxim continues to sell its products on-line, including, the now wildly popular wolf-pattern sweater.

The Hail Mary comeback cardigan taps into current trends (noted in BTS' In/Out List, 2026), such as vintage finds and granny hobbies. It even inspired half of the BTS Podcast team to search their own closet for retro chunky knits (hand-crafted by "Grandma G.") and don them in style and comfort.

We heartily recommend the movie "Project Hail Mary" and the Project Mary Maxim sweater!

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For more information on the wolf pattern cardigan from Mary Maxim, check out their website page: Wolf Cardigan Knit Kit (Project Hail Mary Version) – Mary Maxim.

Tuesday Tea and Tomes: The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru (Russian Tearoom in Paris holds Secrets and Spirts)

The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru by Oleysa Salnikova Gilmore: A Russian tearoom in Paris mystery.

Historical fiction, with ties to pre-revolutionary Russia, set in 1920's Paris with the hub of activity taking place in a tearoom -  I knew The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru would capture my attention. What was out of the norm for me, was the paranormal. Along with sweet pastries and tea brewed from a Samovar, which is also the tearoom's name, supernatural forces are also served up. And, like the Samovar's guests, some are more welcome than others. 

I was captivated by it all!

The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru, written by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, weaves mystical characters seamlessly into the flesh and blood inhabitants of the Samovar. The tearoom, located in a Russian enclave of Paris, is home to Valentino Lenormand, "Baba Valya", and her granddaughter of Zina. Valya fled Russia before the revolution and carved out a living through real and staged otherworldly powers. At Samovar, she plays hostess to fellow emigrees, many of whom are the fallen royals and aristocrats of her homeland. Zina, born in France, is a young woman in her twenties caught between old-world expectations, jazz-age freedoms, and spirits both haunting and haunted.

Tea leaves and coffee beans see into the future.

Although not heavily laden with references to real persons - a brief interaction with F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda and a mention of Hemingway -  we're given a peek into modern Paris night life. It coexists with the fading rituals of Russian high society, all threaded together with fortune telling, conjuring, and unsolved mysteries.

A tragic past looms over Samovar with a darkness to match the decor of the tearoom's meeting place, where fortunes are told and seances conducted. Zina taps into her affinity, dormant for years by orders of Valya, to summon old ghosts to face off living suspects. 

The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru is a page-turner, pushing the reader from mid-19th century Russia to "modern day" Paris in a back-and-forth race to bring the guilty—living or dead—to justice.

The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru pair well with Russian tea and teacups.

I'm glad to have gone beyond my usual reading genre to the beyond - a fascinating blend of history, romance, mysticism, with the irresistible allure of cream-filled trubochki paired with strong Russian tea infused with oranges and spices.

Treat yourself to the good fortune of reading about the fortune tellers of Rue Daru.

We give the The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru two white gloved thumb's up. 

*We paired the page-turner novel with Russian Earl Grey from Verdigris Teas, Hudson, NY (orders now filled by West Bridge Tea and Art Catskill, NY). Ingredients include black tea and orange pieces 😊

St. Patrick's Day Etiquette: Say "hello" to celebrating, but what about the Irish good-bye?

 

Trip to Ireland: hello Blarney Castle . What about the Irish good-bye?

This week, we all are invited to party like we're Irish. On St. Patrick's Day, no matter our ancestry, we clink glasses filled with green-tinted beverages, don emerald-hued attire and place an "O" followed by an apostrophe in front of our names. But, after all the celebrating, can we exit the social gathering without formally bidding adieu?  In other words, employ the much derided "Irish Good-bye"?  

According to one etiquette expert, the silent departure can be a good thing.

Last week, in a Wall Street Journal lifestyle essay written by etiquette coach, Alison Cherperdak, she defends the practice of leaving a party without explanation, though she's quick to point out, this isn't exclusive to the Irish.  In fact, it's noted, many in Ireland are unfamiliar with the term. And, though the concept may be universal, it's bestowed to different nationalities depending on the country. For example, in England, it's referred to as the French leave, the French label it as the "filer l'anglaise" and Germans attribute it to the Polish. 

A stop at Bewley's in Dublin for a cup of tea and some pastries.

In spite of origin, one professor of Celtic Studies and Folklore at the University of Dublin. Dr. Fitzgerald, affirms that while the Irish Good-bye is an unfamiliar term in Ireland, she understands its roots. Irish social culture values warmth and informality, not long ceremonial farewells. Elaborate good‑byes can feel forced or uncomfortable.

But, is ducking out without a word an acceptable alternative? Cherperdak, sagely advises, it depends.

If you're at, say, a large house party on March 17, or, as the etiquette coach states, a packed wedding reception, slipping out unnoticed may be the most polite thing you can do.  It can be less disruptive and provides the host a break from an endless stream of farewells.

A small dinner party, however, requires some parting words. To ghost the host would be rude.

So, what can help you determine proper farewell protocol? Cherperdak suggests reading the room. If your absence won't be noticed until the next day, full throttle the Irish Good-bye. On the other hand, if your leave will be glaringly obvious, do not go quietly into the night.

The Midwest Good-bye hangs in my hallway: guests are warned!

Planning your exit strategy isn't always easy, as we in the Midwest are most familiar. My family knows intimately, the "welp's", the layers of hugs and the requisite hand on the doorknob conversation - in extreme conditions, even an accompanying walk to the car.  

We're reasonable folks, and admit, there's probably a happy medium somewhere between the good-bye getaway and the overwrought  au revoir. 

How ever you celebrate March 17, we wish you a green-infused par-tay, and a festive farewell of your choosing.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Barbara O'Gulley

Inside Tantalizing Tea: Barb’s Tea Service Interviews Owner - and Divine Jane Blend Creator - Kathy Niles

 

Kathy Niles, owner of Tantalizing Tea, with Barb G. at Jane Austen Festival

Last month, we met Kathy Niles, owner of Tantalizing Tea, at the Jane Austen Festival in Mount Dora, Florida. We purchased the blend created in Jane's honor and loved it. We connected this week for an interview via email. 

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(1) We were introduced to Tantalizing Tea just this year at the Jane Austen Fest in Mount Dora. How long has Tantalizing Tea been in business and what inspired you to start a tea business? 

Tantalizing Tea began in 2001 as a small side business with a dream of becoming a full-time business much sooner than it did. In 2024, I completely retired from a family manufacturing business and was then able to devote myself fully to pursuing my dreams. Tantalizing Tea was born after many serene afternoons at the famous Mariage Freres tea salon in Paris. Growing up with the common teabag, I did not know that there were so many varieties of tea and flavor profiles. inspired by the tranquil environment and calmness that I experienced, I began to dream about bringing the same experience home. 
 
(2) Tantalzing Tea is headquartered in Leesburg, Florida, not far from Mount Dora. Other than on on-line purchasing from your website, are there other retail outlets where your tea is sold? 

Not at this time, but plans are in the works for expanding our wholesale business. For now, Tantalizing Tea can be ordered online at tantalizingtea.com. We ship nationwide. 

Tantalizing Tea's Divine Jane blend

(3) We really enjoyed Divine Jane. It's a Chinese black tea blend with raspberry, vanilla and chocolate flavor (reminds us of a sweet treat from a box of chocolates). How did you select these ingredients for a tea honoring Jane Austen? 

During my research, I discovered the tea Jane mentioned in her letters was Chinese black tea and most likely Bohea. So, I ordered a sample of Bohea and tasted it. I didn't care for the flavor so went with a China black base. Jane was an avid gardener and in the Regency era there was an abundance of fruit and fruit trees growing in their gardens, which is why the idea of adding Raspberry fruit flavor came to be. Also, the Austen family lived across the street from Sydney Gardens (which is still open today). Strolling the gardens and sipping tea, became a popular social event for men and women alike. It was important for me to include something that represented the Regency gardens. Also, chocolate and coffee houses were very popular; therefore, I added chocolate flavor. Who could resist?  

(4) You sell all types of teas: black, green, oolong and white as well as herbals. Do you have plans for any new blends? Do you have a favorite? 

Yes. definitely looking to expand our line of teas. We have several new teas that are waiting to be added to our online store and should be up within the next few weeks. I am working on new wellness blends, as well as many new flavors and blends that inspire me. It is hard for me to choose a favorite tea because there are so many that I enjoy. I tend to gravitate towards estate teas, those with no flavors added. Most often I drink Keemun Mao Feng, 2nd Flush Darjeeling, and a great Assam. I lean towards floral Oolongs in the afternoon. 

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Thanks, to Kathy Niles for taking the time to chat with us this week.

tantalizingtea.com

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To see Barb's Tea Service sample Divine Jane tea on their podcast, see this "sneak peek" from Podcast 66: 

BTS Podcast 66 Sneak Peek: Tasting Tantalizing Tea's Divine Jane tea: a Jane Austen-inspired blend

Buc-ees only three hours away: Grand opening in April and we're ready for a Buc-ees road trip!

New Buc-ees location just three hours away - a within reach road trip is not limited to a Buc-ees candle.

It’s almost here! Buc‑ee’s is opening in Huber Heights, Ohio next month, and we’re officially counting down the days.

As we noted in our blog post Buc‑ees! The dazzling southern travel stop experience two years ago, a new Buc‑ee’s near Dayton was in the works. We’re thrilled to share that opening day is April 6 — and yes, we’re already planning the road trip.

Our first Buc-ee's visit, January 2024.

We first discovered this gold‑standard of highway rest stops in early 2024, thanks to our good friends Tim and Joni, who introduced us to the charms of Buc‑ee’s. It’s a traveler’s paradise with everything you could want in one spot: spotless bathrooms, gas, snacks, sandwiches, and even scones. While not every road warrior is clamoring for scones, it’s oddly comforting to know they’re there — right alongside the “non‑essentials” like pink hoodies, candles, and stuffed Buc‑ees.

Last year, had the honor of meeting Buc-ee!

Since that first visit to the Richmond, Kentucky location, Buc‑ee’s has become a staple of our annual winter trek to Florida. This year we set a personal record: three different Buc‑ee’s in three different states. We stocked up on trail mix, beef jerky, brisket sandwiches, a pink hoodie, and a candle. A plush Buc‑ee sporting rabbit ears nearly made it into the cart, but we showed remarkable restraint — with a promise to return for a more “practical” buck‑toothed mascot suitable for everyday décor.

Dining with fab friends who introduced us to Buc-ees (note pink Buc-ee hoodie).

And now that return trip is closer than we expected. The new Ohio Buc‑ee’s opens April 6, just a three‑hour drive from our home north of Detroit. While the ultimate travel‑stop shopping experience isn’t exactly in our backyard, it’s certainly within reach.

Next month will find us cruising down I‑75 toward the travelers’ oasis that is Buc‑ee’s. Our road trip will no longer rely on fond memories fueled by a Buc‑ee’s‑themed candle. It will be real — and it will be spectacular.

(And maybe this time, a plush Buc‑ee for all occasions.)

Scuff Marks, Signatures, and Serendipity: Visiting Woodrow Wilson’s Augusta Boyhood Home

Serendipity at Woodrow Wilson Home, meeting author and director, Erick Montgomery

 

In February, we stumbled into a bit of historical serendipity. We had planned our tour of Woodrow Wilson’s boyhood home in Georgia weeks in advance, but what we didn’t plan on was a personal museum tour and an unexpected encounter with Erick Montgomery, Executive Director of Historic Augusta and author of Thomas Woodrow Wilson: Family Ties and Southern Perspectives. He happened to be on the grounds tending to administrative tasks. I had just purchased his book in the gift shop when our docent pointed out the gentleman walking along the side of the house. I made a beeline for the exit, stopping just short of an ambush introduction. Montgomery was gracious and good‑humored, signing my books and posing for a photo.

That delightful surprise was the icing on the cake, but the museum tour alone was well worth the visit. We were immersed in the early influences that shaped the young boy who would become the 28th President of the United States.

Exterior of fully restored boyhood home of Woodrow Wilson

Although born in Virginia, Woodrow Wilson spent his formative years in Georgia, living in the Augusta manse provided by the First Presbyterian Church, where his father served as pastor. Wilson lived in the home from 1860 to 1870, and after a full restoration, it opened to the public in 2001. Twenty‑five years later, we arrived—marking our thirteenth presidential home or library on our ever‑growing quest to visit as many POTUS historic sites as possible.

Born in 1858, Wilson was the first Southern president elected after the Civil War and the only Democrat to serve during the Progressive Era. He is best remembered for his role in the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles following World War I. Less widely known are the childhood experiences that shaped his worldview—insights the Augusta museum brings vividly to life.

Wilson's bedroom which he later shared with his younger brother.

Wilson’s given name was Thomas Woodrow Wilson, though he was known as “Tommy” as a child. He moved to the Augusta manse before his second birthday and lived there for a decade. His father’s position came with both a residence and a generous salary for the time. The family’s first Augusta abode soon proved too small for the growing household, and a larger, newly constructed home was purchased. Considered modern for its era, it boasted gas lighting and was plumbed for indoor water service, though the latter wasn’t fully installed until later.

Dining room table used by the Wilson family. Wilson recognized his scuff marks.

Because the home belonged to the church, meticulous records were kept of its furnishings, which aided greatly in the restoration. While many pieces in the museum are period-appropriate, several belonged to the Wilson family. When President Wilson visited in 1911, he reportedly recognized the dining room table by the scuff marks he had made on its base as a boy.

"Tommy" can still be seen today on the front parlor window (right).

His youthful mischief wasn’t limited to just the furniture. Legend has it that he used his mother’s ring to etch his name into a front parlor window. Today, visitors can still make out the faint inscription—“Tommy”—on the glass.

He also poured his energy into baseball, then a relatively new sport. The museum displays his careful notes on team members and positions. One of his teammates—and next‑door neighbor—was Joseph Lamar, who would later become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Quite the neighborhood roster.

At BTS, we like to say serendipi-tea took place in Augusta, GA.

Perspectives on Wilson’s legacy continue to evolve, and his achievements are debated and reexamined. However, what's indisputable is that he left a permanent mark not only on American history, but —quite literally—on a parlor window in his boyhood home.

Exploring the early life of a future president was fascinating in its own right. The unexpected brush with a local historian made it all the more memorable.

For more information on this historic presidential site, see The Boyhood Home of Woodrow Wilson.

Jane Austen Fest in Mount Dora: Why we're already planning for next year's visit!

Jane Austen Fest in Mount Dora last weekend - we're already planning for next year!

Regency fashions, afternoon tea, and a deep dive into Jane Austen’s enchanting cousin, Eliza, were all part of a delightful three‑day weekend in Mount Dora celebrating the famed author of six novels, including Pride and Prejudice.

This weekend, the charming central Florida town once again hosted the Jane Austen Fest, now in its sixth year. The Fest is a non‑profit organization that awards scholarships to young women while offering the community and its guests three days of Regency‑themed events. Board President Margaret Anderson, a lifelong Austen devotee, oversees the festivities. Her passion and dedication—supported by a team of tireless volunteers—result in an incredible, and incredibly full, weekend of activities for Austen fans of every level.

The marketplace is Regency shopping in Annie Donnelly Park.

As luck would have it, we were vacationing in Florida for the month and, even better, staying only forty minutes from Mount Dora. During an afternoon of sightseeing with family two weeks ago, we spotted banners for the Jane Austen Fest, and I signed up immediately. Although the afternoon teas at the town’s Victorian jewel, the Donnelly House, had sold out early (note to self: book ahead next year), there were still plenty of activities to enjoy. The marketplace offered a variety of vendors—dresses, crafts, and tea, including a special Jane Austen blend that will be featured in an upcoming blog. There were also fashion shows, a Regency ball, and a central gathering spot—an "Assembly Room" —where guests could chat, browse books, or work on a communal jigsaw puzzle.

Margaret Anderson, JA Fest President

Claire Saim, author, discussed Jane's "almost French cousin".

                       

But one event on the weekend schedule truly captured my attention: a lecture on Jane Austen’s engaging and cosmopolitan cousin, Eliza de Feuillide, presented by French author Claire Saim. Saim wrote Jane Austen: A Visual Encyclopedia (yes, also to be featured in an upcoming BTS Tuesday Tea & Tomes).

In the City Hall Auditorium, conveniently just steps from Mount Dora’s Annie Donnelly Park, the home base for the Fest, Saim shared slides chronicling her Austen research throughout France. Granted rare access to the former home of Eliza and her husband—now a very private residence—Saim even visited what is believed to be the actual bedroom of Jane’s cousin.

Divine Jane tea

More Regency shopping.

BTS’ Austentacious Tea Talk has often mentioned Eliza and her jet‑setting life (before jets existed), including her time at Versailles, where she met Marie Antoinette. We like to imagine the two sharing a cup of tea, perhaps using the fine china the French queen helped design. (We have a reproduction from Bernardaud which we share at our tea talks.)

Mount Dora, a charming town, offers a variety of shops & dining during the Fest and all year.

There was so much to enjoy at the Jane Austen Fest and having it set in Mount Dora only enhanced the experience. After the presentation and a stroll through the marketplace, my husband and I explored the town on foot and ended our visit with a tapas lunch on a sunny outdoor patio.

Next year, we’ll be back—and afternoon tea will definitely be on our itinerary.

Goodwill Hunting: Treasures - and treasured memories - of thrift shopping!

Thrift shopping at Goodwill brings treasures and treasured memories.

 

Like a rags-to-riches movie drama, thrift shopping offers hope, promise, and, on occasion, a hodgepodge of memories.  In the thrill of the hunt, we've also learned, a few bad apples don't spoil the whole bargain barrel.

Last year I was introduced to thrifting—the art of scouring second-hand merchandise at mostly charitable retailers, where big-ticket treasures hide among piles of oddities and miscellaneous clutter. It’s a trend fueled by sustainability, quirky fashion finds, and the thrill of deep discounts.

Limoges tray among Goodwill finds.

Other Thrifts have books from the past.

I’ll admit it took a few outings before I embraced the experience. On my first visits, staring at counters of cast-offs and rifling through racks of items I would have readily placed at the curb, I found myself plotting an early exit. But after scoring a few major deals, I discovered an unexpected perk of bargain hunting: the memories tucked between the shelves.

My most recent thrifting adventure unfolded over two days in central Florida, where our family gathered for a mid-winter break. The temperatures were unseasonably cool, but the deals at Goodwill were undeniably hot. With my son and daughter-in-law in tow, we explored not only the charity shop but also thrift-adjacent haunts—flea markets and lower-end antique stores (think decidedly non-Sotheby’s).

String owl - I made one in the '70's.

My Grandma's Autunm Leaf dishes

                       

My haul was impressive: a mint-condition Limoges ceramic tray, a lusterware teacup and saucer, and two Wedgwood jasperware dishes—all for just over $20. For the cost of two and a half Starbucks Frappuccinos (and zero calories), I walked away with more than beautiful bargains. I found myself surrounded by echoes of my childhood and early adulthood. Though I lingered down those aisles of nostalgia longer than I realized, I’m fortunate to have a daughter-in-law who also leaves no gem-stone unturned, and our timing at checkout was perfectly in sync.

Wood Burning kit for children: The 1960's - early 70's were a different time for kids' toys. Watch out!

Among the cherished items I spotted: a stringed-owl craft kit I completed as a young teen; teacups from my grandmother’s pantry in the Superior Hall Autumn Leaf pattern; a series of famous-battles books my dad once owned; and a children’s woodburning set my brothers received one Christmas. The latter included a heated pen tool meant for decorating wood—though one brother used it to create an unwanted design on my parents’ mattress. (It was a different time. We grew up with ovens that melted plastic goop, klackers, and jarts.)

Wedgwood Jasperware mini dish set.

First everyday dishes, Corelle

                                      



                 

I even came across the first two sets of “everyday” dishes my husband and I owned: the blue-and-white Corelle, followed by our upgrade to Pfaltzgraff’s Village pattern. When I lifted a Pfaltzgraff piece to show my son, he smiled and said, “I remember those.”

How do we like those apples? We like them and we got their number! Pfaltzgraff memories complete with apple.

                                                                                                                                                 

By the end of my thrifting tour, I had gathered treasures that would brighten my dining room and, according to my antiques identifier app and a quick eBay search, if I chose to resell, I'd gain a net a profit of roughly $50. But the strolls down memory lane? Those were, as you might guess, absolutely priceless.

How do I like those apples? Like Good Will Hunting, I like them a lot and I got their (discounted) number!