Barb's Tea Service presents: What's in and What's out for 2023

Welcome 2023!

It's that time of year where we once again submit BTS' annual "What's in/What's Out" list for the new year.

Although we've been publishing our own list for over a decade, in that time, we've seen many of our favored inspirational sources reporting less on updated fashions and outdated fads. But, with the help of a few respected newspapers (primarily The Washington Post), some dubious experts and, BTS' well-respected (well, respected by BTS) opinions, we offer your guide to:

What's In and What's out for 2023.

Food and Drink

We've got a fever for charcuterie and the only (take-out) cure is Kured.

In:  Charcuterie to create at home.  We've been fans of the cheese/meat/fruit plated ensembles for quite some time, but we have been recently schooled by professionals on true artistic placement as well as curating an excellent blend of flavors. 

Fellow charcuterie students and future meat/cheese platter experts

Take-Out:  Charcuterie to go: We have a charcuterie fever and the only cure is "Kured".  As noted in Eater New York, Boston-based Kured is looking to be the "Chipotle of Charcuterie" with take-out meat/cheese boards. Although not yet in Michigan, they did open their first store in Manhattan in December. (We'll be there soon!😃)

 In: Thé:  Say "bonjour" to French teas in 2023.  My tea friend, Barb T. and my neighbor (also tea friend), Clay D. have been singing the praises of Palais des Thes . BTS was gifted an assortment pack of Palais de Thes last month and we now understand. Although our thes came directly from Paris via our favorite NYC connection, one can purchase the French tea on-line at palaisdesthes.com.  

French teas are in, including Palais des Thes. Throw out almost all old teas.

Out:  Old tea. No matter where they are from (unless it's puerh).  This week, I took a hard look at my tea pantry and did some early "spring cleaning".  Say "au revoir" to the vieux and make room for the noveau.

In-home Streaming and Movies:

In:  Wednesday:  Although TWP says Jenna Ortega is "out", we respectfully disagree.  The new spin of The Addams Family, is quirky, but loveable. And, Jenna O. is adorable. The dance alone - that has inspired a wide range of fans from professional ice skaters to toddlers in tiny black dresses - should grant it some staying power in 2023.  In addition, we've enjoyed the Pinterest submissions of Enid/Wednesday cakes (half rainbow/half black).  These are a few of our favorite "things". We're excited this series has been renewed for a second season.

Out:  Sunday Football: This applies after the Super Bowl and until August. For those who didn't see their teams make the playoffs (and, yes, being from Detroit, we know the pain), there's a new year of hope. We believe! Make my Earl Grey a double until the draft starts.

Gilded Age "cottage" in Newport

BTS visit Newport ocean-view home

In:  Gilded Age:  We're waiting for the air date of Season 2. In the meantime, watch for BTS' Gilded Age tea talks AND Gilded Age-related  articles in TeaTime Magazine. In the latter, our first one appears is in the March/April issue. Sneak peek:  it involves an ocean-view tearoom in Rhode Island!

BTS will be back to Meadow Brook in February presenting at Downton Day tea

In:  Downton Abbey:  Yes, yes, we know the movie was last year, but DA will always be "in" at BTS. And, there's a hint of a new movie. . . Again, we believe! In the meantime, we hope to see you at Meadow Brook in February as we present at the annual DA tea!

Home Decor

In:  Plate Walls.   Dishing the Dish! As noted in The Washington Post, supported by an article in Apartment Therapy, the custom of displaying a wall of decorative plates, popular in the 1950's and 1960's is back. With folks like Gweneth Paltrow and Kate Middleton bringing plates from the table to the wall, it's gaining traction.  Quarantine times are also credited with the resurgence of vintage dishes.  "Collecting requires a sense of solace and structure";  we can control what we collect, but not pandemics. 

Destined to move from the cabinet to the wall?

Out:  Plate Walls.  Controversy:  Dissing the Dish! According to an article in Alot Health ("Home Decor that Screams Granny Chic"), plate walls "have no place in society" and just dates your decor.  

Final Ruling:  BTS will always side with any justification for collecting, especially if it requires a sense of solace and structure. We say hello to Granny Chic plate walls for 2023.

For the table

Will granny chic be replaced by coast-er grandma? We give much approbation to JA coaters

In:  Coasters.  Last year, we predicted chargers were making a comeback with the proclamation, "take charger of your tablescape".  For 2023,  we see your "granny chic" and raise you a "coast-er grandma".  Coasters often are chosen for their practicality, when, in fact, they can also  provide color and personality to a coffee (or tea) table. No persuasion necessary for our Jane Austen Coasters.  

Regency, Jane Austen and Bridgerton - all still in

        Which reminds us, the Regency period, Jane Austen, and Brigderston - all still "in".

Knife rests and salt cellars. Great, great granmother chic?

In:  Knife rests.  We're still on the hunt for more knife rests.  Although we could find only one book on these charming items, which can be repurposed as teaspoon rests for afternoon tea tablescapes, their story isn't over. Like the equally captivating multi-purpose salt cellars, they may fall under "great, great-granny chic", and we're "all in" for more.

Color commentary and Royals 

In: Sad Beige Clothes for Sad Beige Children:   These short reels parody pretentious, pricy, monochromatic clothes and toys for infants and toddlers, narrated in the style of German film maker, Werner Herzog. Although the punchline is always the same, despair and bleakness have never been more cheerful.

Veri Peri is out, sad beige is in

Out:   Veri Peri, Pantone's Color of the Year for 2022.  A hue described by Pantone as a color "whose courageous presence encourages personal inventiveness and creativity".  It was replaced this year by Viva Magenta. Like its predecessor, it too, brings a lot to the table.  Per Pantone's website, "it is brave and fearless. . . a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration,"   I think this is way too much to expect of one color for 365 days. To Viva Magenta, I say, it's okay to occasionally be sad. . .and beige.

Out:  Spare.  Although we predict an early expiration date on this tome,  I'm on the waiting list at the library for this true-life reverse Cinderella tale of a handsome prince who marries a pretty actress and together they are taunted by an evil stepmother, her husband and the presumptive heir. They are finally rescued by Madea and a great, almost 6-hour, Netflix documentary deal.

Family portraits: Gulleys on the left, Luxembourg Royals on the left

In:  Luxembuorg Royal Family.  Haven't heard of them? Well, neither had we until December when we were given beautiful postcards of this somewhat humble royal family from one of the smallest  countries in Europe.  Still holding on to a constitutional monarchy, these folks not only look good, they proudly promote their images in a variety of mailable cards available at gift shops throughout their country. This Royal family, however, is not without its own controversy. As recently as last month, it was reported that the Grand Duchess, Maria Theresa, had a verbal altercation with a member of her staff. The staff member asked to be transferred.  We are waiting for the almost 6-minute Netflix documentary.

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Mys-tea-ry dinner or tea attire

Well, that's a wrap for "Ins and Outs of 2023", with  just one last footnote - or. perhaps more aptly stated, "headnote". We leave you with a few more trends we see on the horizon:  tiaras and monocles! Best used for murder mys-tea-ry dinners or afternoon tea.  You may be suspect, but you will be a most distinguished guest!

And, dear tea friends, you are always in and in-vited to share tea time with us. Stay tuned for more blog tales and check our website, barbsteaservice.com, for upcoming new and events. 

National Hot Tea Month is here and we're sharing ways to celebrate!

Celebrating National Hot Tea Month with a delicious cup of tea and TeaTime Magazine

This year, Barb's Tea Service's celebration (or lack thereof) of National Hot Tea Month is a tale of two cities:  Detroit and Orlando, where we quite literally ran a bit "hot and cold" respectively.

Homebase for us is Michigan, but, after the holidays, we enjoyed a reprieve from the cold temperatures in Florida with good friends, Pam and Quint. In a resort community just north of Orlando, most of our "afternoon tees" were spent with a set of clubs and a half a dozen dimpled white balls. However, at a weekend market near our home-away-from-home, I did purchase some "Swamp Water" (aka Lemongrass) tea. When in Rome. . . 

Swamp Water tea from Florida 

While we spent most of National Hot Tea Day (January 12th) at the airport (where there is a great dearth of fine tea) waiting for our flight back to Michigan, we were comforted in knowing we still have the rest of January to celebrate hot tea. And, with welcoming temps peaking at 30 degrees, it's a given that hot tea will be on the daily menu.

                            Afternoon "tee times" in Florida

But how best to indulge this special month devoted to hot tea? Throughout the years (and cited in our January blogs of the past), we've partaken in different ways to honor a warm cuppa. This year, we're updating a bit with National Today's top suggestions along with three of our favorites from previous years: 

1. Drink hot tea with those you love
2. Buy a new tea you've never tried
3. Give yourself a mental moment
4. Visit a favorite tearoom 
5. Text an old friend and set up a tea date
6. Make a fresh pot of loose-leaf tea and start a new book or magazine!

1. For number one, I'm drinking tea that I love and sharing, via BTS video, with all tea friends I adore! I'm drinking Angelina's Earl Grey and a variety of teas from Palais des Thes, both purchased in Paris and gifted to me by our favorite NY couple, Matt and Jenna. (Catch our latest video - and more! -on YouTube, under Barb's Tea Service.)

Trying new teas all throughout Hot Tea Month

2. I believe my purchase of "Swamp Water" qualifies for this one.  

3. Brewing a cup of tea with no agenda. Here's an opportunity to treat ourselves to a hot cup of tea and just relax.  I might schedule an accompanying prolonged look out the window or a long stretch on the living room recliner.

4.  Tonia's Victorian Rose tearoom with Laura Q. on the calendar for this week!

Back to our local tearoom: Tonia's Victorian Rose

5.  My neighbor beat me to the text! Another tearoom visit with Clay, on the calendar for the following week. 

6.  Make a fresh pot of one of my Paris teas and set into the latest issue of TeaTime Magazine. The March/April edition has a Gilded Age-related article penned by your humble BTS blogger!

However - and wherever -  you decide to celebrate Hot Tea (day or month), we raise our cup of Earl Grey (or Swamp Water) and wish you all a happy tea holiday!

Detroit Institute of Arts was the first museum in America to purchase a Van Gogh: One hundred years later, exhibit (and tea) honor the occasion

DIA's Van Gogh in America exhibit pairs nicely with Artisan Blend tea

Celebrating Van Gough in the D

with a cup of tea

and enjoying it all 

tremendously

For those of us who live in Michigan, the Detroit Institute of Arts is a place of Motor City pride.  As noted in their website, this museum's collection is among the top six of the country. 

Established in 1885, the DIA moved to its current Woodward Avenue location in 1927, five years before Diego Rivera began his "Detroit Industry" fresco in what is now known as the Diago Court and only four years after it acquired Van Gogh's "Self-Portrait, 1887".  What makes the latter purchase even more remarkable is that the DIA was the first museum in the United States to buy a Van Gogh painting. 

The Van Gogh in America exhibit includes 74 of the artist's work, including Starry Night

Coinciding with the 100 year anniversary of that purchase, the DIA is hosting a "Van Gogh in America" exhibit. It consists of 74 of Van Gogh's works from around the world and tells the fascinating story of the early promotion of the artist's paintings in the United States.

Barb and Pam of BTS take a tea break at the DIA cafe

Chris and I attended the exhibit last month with friends (and BTS team member), Pam and her husband, Quint and we all gave it a collective "two thumbs up".  Among the well-known Van Gogh paintings, such as "Self-Portrait" and "Starry Night", was one of my favorites, "Vase with Carnations".  Amazingly, that floral still-life dons the Artisan Blend/Van Gogh tea sold in the gift shop and, yes, I bought a tin to take home.

Vase with Carnations serves as inspiration for Artisan Blend tea

"Carnations from the Garden" tea is a tasty blend of black and green tea, rose and cornflower petals as well as jasmine and chrysanthemum blossoms.  I like it, but, I believe I like the packaging even more. The glossy black tea tin wrapped with a miniature "Vase with Carnations" adds a bit of color - and culture! - to my kitchen counter. 

 

Although the "Carnations in the Garden" tea time can be enjoyed anytime, the "Van Gogh in America" exhibit runs only through January 22, 2023. For more information on times and tickets for an exhibit you won't want to miss, see the DIA website. 

Happy National Gingerbread House Day!

Getting a jump start on the holiday at a gingerbread house display and contest this past weekend

Today is National Gingerbread House Day and I celebrated early this past weekend in our "up north hometown" of Lewiston.  As part of a grand Christmas holiday celebration, the town hosted a gingerbread house contest, and the entries were both varied and extremely impressive.

According to National Days Today, the gingerbread house tradition started in Germany in the 1800's.  Historians trace the custom to Grimm's fairytale, "Hansel and Gretel" where an evil witch lures children to her home made of gingerbread. The storybook abode served as inspiration for creative bakers and, as Germans immigrated to the US, the custom continued in America.

Various themes and ages competed in the gingerbread house contest

However, per the History Kitchen, gingerbread houses were known to be made in Germany as early as the 16th century as part of a Christmas tradition. This source does note, though, that the popularity in this confectionary construction is associated with the early 19th century children's story, "Hansel and Gretel".

Some of the gingerbread houses had decorated interiors as well as exteriors

Event.stuff cites the reason for National Gingerbread House Day, which is "universally celebrated" on December 12th, is "to make these delightful desserts and honor the custom of making gingerbread houses". They also provide a list of five ways to celebrate this holiday and BTS shares its take on all of them.

1.  Join in gingerbread house amusements

2.  Coordinate a gingerbread house challenge

3.  Get imaginative with design

4.  Drink a gingerbread latte

5.  Assemble a gingerbread house

I'm creatively lumping categories 1 - 3 with my visit to Lewiston's gingerbread house contest. My friend, Vicky (of Antiques Depot and Harry's Cabin), alerted me to the sweet competition. Although I did not have anything to do with the coordination, I did participate in an engaging tour of the display and exercised my right to vote judiciously and deliciously.

Again, as a passive participant, I did take in the incredible designs from a keen 7-year old artist's cabin with an open roof for viewing the interior kitchen (complete with tiny mugs of cocoa) to a savvy retail merchant's Halloween town. Also in the mix was a slightly leaning old barn, whose real-life inspiration can be seen just a few miles out of town. Gingerbread houses took on a wide range of  amazing shapes and sizes.

Crooked barn gingerbread house 

As of this afternoon, I haven't even looked up who won. I think I may speak for most who attended and that is, they were all winners and certainly lived up to the spirit of National Gingerbread House Day, creating delightful desserts and honoring the custom of gingerbread houses.

Inspiration for barn gingerbread house close to town

Now then, getting back to Event.stuff's five ways to celebrate, running down to number 4, which is to drink a gingerbread latte. Of course, I'm drinking tea, but still, sort of, on topic. This year's Advent Calendar from Adagio nailed the occasion. Tea for December 12th is "double ginger" and it's as warm and tasty as the holiday.

Celebrating gingerbread house day with double ginger tea from Adagio's

As for the final item in things to do for National Gingerbread House Day, I have yet to create my own gingerbread house. But, I'm thinking of what I might devise for 2023. If you've suspected I may build a gingerbread tea house, I will say, you may be quite right. . . 

Double ginger tea was tasty and paired nicely with the holiday

And for those of you who will find it hard to wait another whole year to celebrate this delectable ginger treat, you don't have to. National Gingerbread Day is June 5th.  Almost all the fun of gingerbread - just minus the house.

In the meantime, Happy National Gingerbread House Day from BTS!

Wednesday, What is It? Broaching "the mystery brooch"

My Fair Lady pin, a special gift waiting for its debut

This week we're broaching the brooch mystery and hoping to uncover more about a lovely vintage pin.

Although, I have had this fancy pin, in the shape of a well-heeled Victorian lady, for at least two decades, I've only recently started wearing it.  It seemed the perfect accessory for my recent Gilded Age presentation, and it inspired me to learn more about it.

I was gifted this pin by my Mom - I'm guessing sometime in the late 1990's - after she returned home from a trip to Stratford, Ontario with her retiree group.  While there, she and her friends were doing some shopping and she came upon this brooch and thought of me. Even back then, I was crazy about past times, especially the Victorian period. Although my Mom's taste usually ran a bit more conservative in accessorizing, she knew this pin had my name on it - all dazzling gold and diamonds and in the shape of a Victorian woman holding a parasol. 

The front of the pin box gives some clues as to is origns.

I absolutely loved it. And, even though I rarely wore it, I kept it in its box on my dresser for years. It was on display, but not exactly in full view.  When my Mom passed away in 2004, it became even more of a guarded treasure and reminder of her thoughtfulness and generosity. But, the pin remained mostly in the box with an occasional determination to frame it or -what it was intended for - to wear it.

Then came this year's Gilded Age presentations. The perfect storm of reviewing accessory inventory and a new velvet dress came together this past Fall and the little black box on my dresser seemed to shout, "wear me now"!

Wearing vintage pin for Gilded Age tea talk sparked compliments and shares

I did, and with rewarding results, may I add. Not only a perfect fit for the tea talk topic, but also a conversation piece. While guests at the talk were admiring my vintage pin, they shared stories of some of their favorite brooches - some bought while traveling someplace special and some handed down from mothers and grandmothers. 

My pin's backstory was limited to what I could recall from my Mom's retelling of her trip to Stratford. So, to start my research, I got on line, backed with only the information that was on the pin's box to see if I could learn more.

Pin alongside the back of the box it came in, displaying name and price tag

Sleuth Time:

• The top of the box states:  "Fifth Avenue Collection, Hand made, www.fifthavenuecollection.com". 
• The back of the box has the following:  "Pin-My Fair Lady - Gold/Diamond" along with the price tag of $69.99.

My search came up with a few hits and misses. I found an image of the same pin was sold on Etsy seven years ago, but no price information. I also found a link to FifthAvenueCollection.com, which states its humble beginnings, starting in a family garage, to now a current, somewhat international operation.  In the jewelry company's present state, it appears to be a home-party type of retail outlet.

And, that's all I got.

If any dear readers recognize this pin and/or the Canadian jewelry company of its origins, please let us know. We'd be delighted to learn more.

Until more is revealed, I will continue to wear my Victorian lady pin, dressed in gold and diamonds, as often as I can. It has also inspired me to orchestrate a vintage pin/brooch afternoon tea for 2023! So, stay tuned. The excitement at BTS never ends! 😀

Mulling things over: Making mulled spices for cider, tea and more!

Retail mulling spices inspire some homemade blends

A recent trip to WIlliams-Sonoma, where the store was filled with the intoxicating aroma of mulled spices that seemed to exclaim, "hello, holidays, we are here!", inspired us to both purchase a tin of premade spices as well as make our own.  While the "ready made" spices were pretty good, we must humbly make an exclamation of our own:  homemade mulling spices are the best!

Mulling spices at BTS kitchen: five spices and citrus peel/zest

For our from-scratch mulling spices, we used Allrecipes "mulling spices" recipe. It's quick and simple and only requires seven ingredients:

    

1. one orange
2. one lemon
3. two cinnamon sticks
4. Allspice berries
5. cardamom pods
6. cloves
7. black peppercorns

The only change-up we made was to swap the two cinnamon sticks for 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon (using reference.com as our conversion guide authority).  The citrus fruit skins are zested and thinly peeled, then placed in an oven (on parchment paper) set to 200 degrees for 60 - 75 minutes. After they bake, just blend them with the spice mix.

After citrus peels bake in the oven, mix with special spices

For Thanksgiving, we put these mulling spices to work in an apple cider slow cooker recipe from Taste of Home (Slow Cooker Apple Cider). We substituted their spices for our own blend, but everything else was the same. And, in BTS' preference for easy creations in the kitchen, this one certainly met the criteria. 

Place spice blend in a cheesecloth and tie with string

Bake citrus peel on parchment paper

We simply put two quarts of apple cider in our Instant Pot, set to "low", and stirred in a half a cup of packed brown sugar. Once the sugar is dissolved, we added our mulled spices (tied in a cheesecloth bundle) and topped with orange slices.  All that was left to do was put the lid on and let the spicy brew simmer for three hours.

Mulled apple cider in Instant Pot

I have to say, it was one of the best apple cider drinks I've sampled, and our Thanksgiving guests seemed to agree, asking for two or three more cups.  An added benefit to steeping mulled spice concoctions is the delightful smell that fills the house, a sweet, savory and citrusy aroma that evokes the holiday season as much as peppermint and hot cocoa.  

Some of our Thanksgiving guests who asked for more than one cup 😀

WIlliams-Sonoma knows what they're doing by filling their space with mulled spices - and now, so do we!

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The mulling spice tin we purchased at WIlliams-Sonoma contains 36 tea sachets which, per the label can be used to infuse apple cider or apple juice or steeped up all on its own for a cup of spicy herbal tea. Mulling spices can be used not only in traditional ways such as cider, wine, or tea, but, per Bon Appetit, in other capacities as well such as: *gasp* coffee, baking, meat rubs or pancakes.

A Gilded Good Time at Troy Historic Village: Barb's Tea Service presents "Gilded Age" tea talk for Thursday Teas at Two

Enjoying tea time with Marcia and Kathy, volunteers at Troy Historic Village

This week, Barb's Tea Service, presented a "Gilded Age" tea talk at Troy Historic Village as part of the museum's monthly Thursday Teas at Two series. We were thrilled to see over sixty wonderful guests in attendance, even with a bit of snow thrown in the mix.

It was exciting to meet new folks and connect with old friends, including Kathy and Marcia, who volunteer at the Troy Historic Village and have attended some of BTS' programs here over the years. (In fact, we had the great pleasure of presenting an afternoon tea and etiquette program at Kathy's church back in 2010).

Stephanie, Adult Programs Director, welcomes guests with opening remarks.

The Thursday Teas at Two events serve up hot tea and a variety of tasty goodies (even gluten free and sugar free offerings). Truly a welcome treat on a cold and blustery November afternoon.

BTS Gilded Age Afternoon Tea Talk.

After Stephanie S., Adult Programs Director, began with opening remarks, we started our Gilded Age talk which included ties to both the Gilded Age series and Downton Abbey and a few highlights from June trip to Newport, Rhode Island.

Selection of tea and treats are included in the program.

And, it wasn't just the tea that warmed us up. We mingled with guests before and after and enjoyed hearing about their favorite teas, tea rooms and even some of the Newport "cottages" they liked the best.  

Truly a delightful afternoon. We're looking to be back soon!