New TEA Video from Barb's TEA Shop!

Hello TEA Friends,

Happy New Year from Barb's TEA Shop! We are looking forward to another exciting year of tea events with you. To kick off 2009, we created a new BTS video with the talented folks at M-1 Studios of Royal Oak.

So, please put the kettle on, take a tea break with us and enjoy our new video.

We'll look forward to sharing another cup of tea with you real soon!

Barb

Holiday Boun-tea Anything But Routine

Hello TEA Friends!



I am trying to prolong this unusually sunny winter Saturday afternoon by having a second cup of Marriage Freres Darjeeling Princeton which notes on the label, "finest daytime Darjeeling". Even though the sun is starting to set, I'm going to use all resources available to extend the last weekend of my holiday vacation before the alarm gets reset Sunday night for the routine 5:30 Monday morning wake-up call.


This year, I saved up enough vacation time to take over a week and half off between Christmas and New Year's Day and it was the best mix of holiday hustle and extreme relaxation that I could have ever anticipated. We saw more family, engaged in more sporting activities, watched more movies, ate more home baked goodies and took more naps than should be legally allowed for anyone over four weeks old.

We launched our holiday extravaganza with the now traditional Christmas Tree Tour, where we make a few stops to my aunt's and a few of my brothers' homes (the latter of who join us at our final destination) to enjoy their decorations, some season's goodies and a cup or two of Christmas cheer. Last stop is our home, where we dine on pizza and eggnog before the yuletide treasure bath. Gift exchange culminates in a family board game my son Rob and his fiance, Karyn, created last year. It's a hilarious hybrid of Candy Land and Festivus, where the airing of family goofiness can earn you points. The winner gets first choice from the gift trove of dollar store collectibles, bookstore gift cards and lottery tickets.

The vacation fun continued Christmas Day at Rob and Karyn's. They hosted their first holiday brunch for both families and we had as much fun as we did on Thanksgiving - even without the tournament card playing!

Then we enforced mental shut-down for a few days at Pemberly Pines, with the exception of one side trip to the wineries in Traverse City. Here we met up with Karyn's family and friends to conduct some "research" for the upcoming wedding. After that, we did nothing more than read books, watch DVD's (including the original A & E's Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth!) and nap. Although, we did venture out into cross country skiing with "new" skis Chris obtained through Craig's list. We all took shifts in sharing the two sets of skis and boots and burned off some of the Paula Dean's chocolate mint brownies and walnut chocolate chip cookies we brought up for noshing.

It wasn't lost on me that the history channel was running the story of the seven deadly sins throughout my holiday break. Seems like every time I flipped channels, I'd hit "gluttony" and "sloth" - usually while I was sitting in one of our recliners, feet up, eating one of Paul Deen's brownies. But, I knew my days of indulgences were temporary, and so enjoyed it all knowing the discipline of the usual routine was just around the corner.

So, like Bing, I'm Counting My Blessings: family, togetherness, good friends, tea and non-tea related gifts and the good fortune to return to a schedule that makes an almost two week vacation possible.

Yours in tea and friendship,


Barb

Every (Snow) Cloud has a Silver Lining

Just in time for the busiest time of the year, a snow storm hit southeastern Michigan hard this weekend. Like many in my area, this was not on "the list" of things to do before December 24th. I still had shopping, wrapping, card writing and decorating on my to-do's and this 10 inch snowfall was an imposing fluffy-white barricade to getting these things completed.

So, Friday morning, in total denial, I pulled on my Cabela snow boots, threw my ski coat over business casual attire and headed into the office. Braving unplowed streets and what appeared to be an abandoned parking lot, I made my way up to our department floor and was met with the silence of the majority, who wisely stayed home. I made myself a cup of tea and shared stories of the treacherous drive in with a few co-workers who were slowly making snowy trails to their cubicles. In a relatively short time, we received word from executive management to go home, as all indications were the storm would not be letting up any time soon.

That's when the "snow day" alarm set off - that joyous memory of no school, no homework and an unapologetic reason to do absolutely nothing. I immediately called my daughter, Rachel (who's home on college break), to put the kettle on to boil and warm up the DVD. It was a cosmic gift being sent our way - a day off, with no guilt!

By the time I got home, the tea was ready and the first episode of Gilmore Girls, Season 7, was ready to run. We were armed and ready - I brought out the full artillary of honey sticks: cinnamon, lemon and cloverleaf. Then Rachel went full throttle and brought out the kitchen aide. The day before, she had found a recipe in one of my tea magazines, for white chocolate chai tea mousse in dark chocolate cups. So, while Lorelai and Christopher were trying to salvage their marriage, we were wrapped up in afghans, sipping tea and eating chocolate. "The list" stayed forgotten, tucked away in the zippered pocket of my mock-designer purse.

Now, mind you, the list was still there the next day, but with the forced recharging of internal batteries, it seemed like a snap to get the remainder of the holiday tasks completed. Well, my husband might argue the mid-afternoon drive to the mall was more like a taxi ride in rush-hour Manhattan than a "snap," but we softened the stress by switching on the 24-hour Christmas music station and, as if on cue, the familiar and soothing sounds of Bing Crosby bellowing"White Christmas" came on.

Certainly, there's no doubt, in Detroit, we don't have to dream it, we're living White Christmas this week. But, to borrow from Irving Berlin, no matter where you are: "May your Holidays be merry and bright and - with the assistance of a full force of salt trucks - may all your Christmases be white."

Happy Holidays!

Barb

Thanksgiving Traditions Start with "Capital Tea"s

Hello Friends!

If it's any indication how prepared I am for Christmas this year, on this afternoon's tea break I'm still reflecting on Thanksgiving. In the midst of snow, twinkling lights and holly berry wreaths, I decided to pour myself a second cup of Earl Grey (from Angelina's) and share with you some of our new Thanksgiving traditions this year.

"In-laws" took on a new meaning for us this November as we had our first blended holiday gathering between ourselves and our future daughter-in-law, Karyn's family. Of course, we had the standards: turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. But with our extended family, we had more tea enthusiasts at the table than ever before! So, for dessert, we brought out the variety pack as well as brewed a pot of Earl Grey from Angelina's.

(Just for the record, we picked this fine tea at Angelina's in Paris, upon our good friend, Carol D's recommendation. After sampling, we understood why she asked us if we could bring her back a tin. With that, we find it is true - good friends don't let good friends drink bad tea!)

So, for the first time at our Thanksgiving dinner, we brewed tea for our guests. It added a touch of grace and civility to our holiday repast - that is, until the cards came out. Then, the white gloves came off as we began the ultimate pinochle tournament only to be followed by Extreme Hearts. The latter of which we renamed, "There Will Be Blood. . . But Not on the First Trick!" (For those who don't follow that card game, "blood" refers to the suit of "hearts" - so no worries!)

After midnight, and long after the tea had turned cold and the leftovers were put away for a week's worth of tasty meals, we concluded our Thanksgiving get together with traditions old and new. It was the perfect "meld"-ing of family, turkey, tea and pinochle. Dare I say, it will be hard to "trump"?

But, now, back to this weekend where, while taking ornaments out the crate and dusting off snow globes, I'm also thumbing through Hoyle's as well as Harney's new tea catalog for inspiration for our next blended gathering.

So, friends, enjoy your holiday preparations - but don't forget to treat yourself to a little holiday tea time in between!

TEA and friendship,

Barb

Afternoon Tea at Brook Lodge - Just What the Doctor Ordered

Last week, at the Brook Lodge, guests found the perfect prescription to clear a chilly, overcast November afternoon in English Tea Time at the Doctor's Cottage. Barb's TEA Shop presented "Tea and Etiquette" in the main dining room of what was the former summer residence of Dr. Upjohn, of Upjohn pharmaceuticals, and now one of the elegant event rooms at the Brook Lodge.


Tea was served using the estate's original Wedgwood china and the table was filled with gourmet treats that continued to be served throughout the event. The curried egg salad and house smoked salmon on peppered rye crisp and the lobster and crab salad on brioche were just two of the many savories included in the afternoon tea. And, although cucumber sandwiches are a mainstay for most English tea times, BTS rates the Brook Lodge's cucumber and boursin cheese finger sandwiches as one the best its ever sampled. With a fresh interpretation - both literally (all offerings were made from scratch on the premises) and figuratively - of the Afternoon tea menu, guests were treated to a meal that was as creative as it was delicious.

Look for more exciting upcoming events, including the Holiday Sunday Supper, December 14th, at The Brook Lodge.

Pat Glass, Jo English & Kay Preston enjoy tea at the Brook Lodge

And, while the temperatures here continue to delight few but the salt trucks and ski resorts, I, too, will write and fill out my own Rx for an unending pot of warm and soothing Elmwood Inn's Apple Spice Black tea - with the apple to keep the doctor away, but certainly not the doctor's cottage!


Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Tea and Friendship,

Barb

Brook Lodge Afternoon Tea, Thursday, November 20

Greetings TEA Friends!

This Thursday afternoon, the Brook Lodge is hosting a delightful tea in the "Doctor's Cottage", the elegant, one-time home of Dr. Upjohn, of famed Upjohn pharmaceuticals. This lovely convention center is now part of Michigan State University and is located between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.

Last Sunday, my daughter, Rachel and I were guests of Head Chef, John Merucci and the Brook Lodge team. The beer-infused buffet-style meal was served in the dining room - a stately building that blends the old architecture with the new - with spectacular views of the estate's rolling hills and the old mill pond.

On this typical Michigan November day, which of course means it's anything but predictable, we experienced sunshine, a bit of sleet and, dare I say, a hint of snow? But, sitting next to the wall of scenic window views, we were warmed by the ambiance and outstanding gourmet dinner . . . and a cup of tea, of course! We dined on steak, pork, duck, crab croquettes, and duchess potatoes (to name just a few of the offerings), all prepared with a variety of ales as a main ingredient. Even the dessert contained beer (!) and the fresh fruit parfait with the creamy custard-like sauce left Rachel and I scraping our glasses to get the very last bite!

This beautiful venue was selected as a 2008 pick for "The Knot Best of Weddings", a national bride's resource magazine. One tour around the grounds and you'll know why - even on a seasonally challenged November day, the Brook Lodge charmed us with its period buildings, winding paths, and tree-filled landscape.

The tea will feature a Barb's TEA Shop presentation and full afternoon tea menu, served on the original home's wedgwood china. The fireplaces will be glowing as you sit down to a spectacular meal inside the cottage. For more details, click on the link below. Hope to see you there!

http://www.brooklodgemsu.com/