Children's Books With a Reference to Tea

Yesterday the teapot and I enjoyed spending the day with my grandson.  Several favorite books in my grandma book bag feature tea in some way.

These six books, with a reference to tea, travel in my book bag when I visit.  

(Along with several others that do not feature tea.)

One Gray Mouse ranks in sixth place according to the oldest grandson.

(These rankings are in the order most often requested.)

Froggy went a-Courtin' comes in at five.  It is written in rhyme, which makes for easy reading.  The button no longer works on this book, but it used to play the Froggy went a-Courtin' song in a "modern" version.  

Do you remember it as"Froggy went a courtin' and he did ride with some flowers by his side."?

He always points out the teacup on this page.

Colors is number 4.  The holes in this book have been an attraction since he was about 6 months old.

The first thing he points out on the pink page is the teapot.

Bear Snores On is three.  I think it is only because of the way grandma snores.

Over the holidays, we were happy to add Bear Stays Up to the bag.  It was also a popular request during the many nights spent at grandma's house.

This is another easy rhyming/sing song book.  Sometimes we have white corn and black tea after reading this book.  

Bunnies for Tea was added to the bag about a year ago and it is read every visit.  At first I thought it was the shape of the book that was the attraction.  The bunnies end up falling in the teacup and it always elicits a giggle.  To a little boy, that is pretty funny.  He also loves scones and the book makes mention of them.

It opens to a double handled teacup.

And the all time favorite is Row, Row, Row Your Boat.  This is another version of a song I knew as a child that has been expanded upon.  It also has the openings in the pages.  Both grandsons love to stick their little hands through the hole and try to get grandma's hiding fingers.

The last verse is Row, Row, Row your boat far out to the sea.

Don't forget to come back home - just in time for TEA!

This group of tea books is saved for visits to Grandma's house.

These are also Grandma's house books that feature tea.

While writing about children's literature, I want to mention the Mazza Museum in Findlay, Ohio.  It holds the most diverse collection of original artwork by children's book illustrators in the world.  The exhibits are changed frequently.  Various mediums are used in illustrations and the exhibits are very interesting.  The teapot and I visited recently.

Mazza Museum on the University of Findlay Campus

The teapot joined the children in this outdoor sculpture.

The teapot is waiting patiently, by the door, for the Swan House in Findlay to reopen.  I was happy to hear the new ownership hopes it will be this month.  They held teas on two Saturdays in December, but unfortunately, I was busy both days.  I heard from friends, who did attend, that the tea was as wonderful as it used to be.

Come back tomorrow for . . . Downton Abbey Tea at Sweet Shalom!

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa

Governor Croswell Tea Room in Adrian Michigan

The teapot and I took another jaunt yesterday across the border into Michigan.  I don't often go to Governor Croswell Tea Room.  Some area tea rooms have closed and other monthly benefit teas are on winter hiatus.  I decided to join some friends for their monthly tea visit to the Governor.

Governor Croswell Tea Room in Downtown Adrian

Interior of the tea room

Two tables occupy the front window

I love sitting here and watching the traffic go by.

The other table was occupied on the day we visited.

I selected the "High" tea

There were several gentlemen having lunch when we visited.

The menu offers a variety of substantial lunches.

Tea options

Choices for Afternoon Tea

Teacups were nestled among the Christmas decor

Mix and Match China

Our tiered server - Quiche Lorianne and Spinach & Feta Squares on the top two tiers

Tea sandwiches on the bottom tier.  I selected beef and egg salad.

Chocolate Cherry Scone with Lemon Curd and Devonshire Cream

Mini Pecan Tart and Chocolate Mousse

Happy Birthday from the Governor was sang by "Kyle from the Kitchen" and his helper.

Kyle had a wonderful voice.  Three ladies were celebrating birthdays, so we enjoyed his version of Happy Birthday several times.

Does anyone read tea leaves?

I have never done a tea leaf reading, but I think it would be fun.

One tea friend always says to scoop up the bubbles on our tea.  According to her, it means we will come into money.

Our tea group

The English Tea Garden is another ten miles north, in Tecumseh, Michigan.  I ventured on for a bit of tea themed shopping.

The Tardis loved seeing himself in red.  I still wouldn't fit inside either one, but there were many English items in this phone booth.

This tea room has an extensive gift shop in the front.  They carry quite a few English food items.  When my children were younger, Curly Wurlys from here were mandatory when I went for tea.  This trip, they had to settle for a couple Lion bars instead.

This is the cafe area of the tea room

English Exhibit

And I always stop at this resale shop in Tecumseh.  I picked up a Johnson Brothers Christmas teacup trio, which was on sale for half off.

We had an enjoyable day on our second tea trip to Michigan.

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa and the Teapot

Cat Spring Yaupon Tea

As more and more tea alternatives come on the market, I wonder what effect it will have on traditional tea drinkers.  I recently learned about yaupon tea, which is a cousin to yerba matte.  I have never cared for yerba matte, but I thought I would give yaupon a try.

Cat Springs Yaupon Tea was founded by two sisters.  I recently ordered some black and green yaupon tea from their company.  (For traditional tea drinkers, this is not tea that comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant.)  It is more like a yerba matte or herbal than sassafras tea, as it uses the plant leaves to flavor the water.  According to an article written by JennaDee Detro, one of the sisters, she began researching yaupon during the 2011 severe drought in Texas.  The evergreen holly yaupon still appeared vigorous, even while other trees withered.  She found that Native American traders dried, packed and shipped the leaves over a thousand years ago.  Yaupon tea eventually made way for tea, made from Camellia sinensis.  She had to learn how to dry and prepare the leaves on her own, because so many years were lost between Native American use and today.

According to the brochure enclosed with my shipment, yaupon is the only caffeinated plant native to North America.  It boasts both antioxidants and the jitter-free form of caffeine, theobromine.

Cat Spring Tea provides a second chance for forgotten people.  Some people in this group have difficulty finding work due to the effects of poverty or a disability.  When a flexible and steady job at Cat Spring Tea is combined with a supportive community, they can step away from a lifetime of instability and poverty.  The tea is prepared by American citizens for fair wages and in safe working conditions.  Cat Spring Yaupon tea is grown naturally with only sunshine and rainwater touching the trees.

My tasting trays

The black tea is on the left and the green on the right

Spent leaves, dry leaves and the cup after a four minute brew

As I opened the package, the aroma of the black was reminiscent of a fall day - a bit earthy, with hints of a bonfire.  The green package reminded me of a fresh spring day, when the leaves are just breaking out on the trees.

I brewed both teas in boiling water for four minutes.  The black still smelled earthy, more of a forest, a bit of smoke with a touch of mocha.  The green was definite green leaves.

Yaupon tea does not have the usual mouth coating feel of traditional tea.  It was lighter with distinct flavor.  The black was smokey with no astringency or buttery feel.  The green tasted more like hay, not grassy at all.  Both were very pleasant and slightly sweet.  Yaupon tea was refreshing and the caffeine lift was evident.

Something new on the tea market and it will be fun to watch the progress of this company.

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa

TeaHaus in Ann Arbor Michigan

Last week, the teapot and I took a day trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan.  We had afternoon tea at TeaHaus.  Come along and join us for tea.

Lovely artwork done with chalk

Place Setting and binder describing over 170 tea selections

My first pot of tea

Marzipan - seasonal black tea

an almond filled offering sure to satisfy your sweet tooth

Black tea from India, almond pieces and natural flavor

(I enjoyed this tea, the almond really came through.  I didn't think to pair my tea with my courses until the soup arrived.)

Smokey Lapsang Tomato Soup

Soup is always vegan and made with tea

The base was mirepoix with a definite smokey flavor.

Tiered Server

The tea the owner, Lisa, paired with the sandwich course was the Black Current, another black tea.  (After the soup course, I asked her to pair my teas.  She is a certified tea sommelier and lived in Germany and Sweden for 14 years.)  This tea paired well with the Brie sandwich.

Sandwiches

Cucumber - this bread was thin and very soft (normally I find thin bread to be dry)

Brie with fig butter - this was my favorite.  The fig butter really enhanced this sandwich.

Chicken Salad - this was piled high on a lightly toasted round of bread.  This was very light and refreshing.  The base was tarragon and fresh red wine vinaigrette versus the usual mayonnaise.

Peppered Salami with Herb Butter on Baguette - This is served in a larger sandwich on the lunch menu.

She paired a Milky Jade Oolong with my scone course.

She hesitated to pair an oolong when I started with black teas instead of the lighter teas.

I bought some of this for home and have loved it.  My daughter is an oolong drinker and she has my supply almost gone.  She was infusing it multiple times and loved the additional infusions.  These leaves are huge and unfurl beautifully.  The leaves held up very well to multiple infusions.

Scones

The owner's grandmother is Welsh and the recipe has been handed down.

One scone was a traditional scone and the other a lemon poppyseed.

The spreads were made in house and included lemon curd, devonshire cream, orange marmalade and a berry compote.  I tried the toppings in various combinations and enjoyed the berry compote with the devonshire cream the most.

My final tea was Blueberry Buckle

This white tea is blended in house.

The little pots hold about two cups of tea.  Tea is unlimited and this is a great way to sample several different teas.

Sweets

Grapefruit Macaron - delicious

Lavender Shortbread - the lavender really came through in this shortbread

Chocolate Petit Four - very dense chocolate cake

Menu Board on the Wall

Afternoon Tea is by Reservation

Wall of Tea

Cafe

The tearoom is located downtown and metered parking is available along the street.  Be sure to have quarters available if you plan to visit.  Ann Arbor is a college town and the tea room is a popular lunch spot.

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa

Downton Abbey

"The cheek of her!  It was all I could do not to give her a slap."

It isn't often another character has a line that rivals those of the Countess.  But last night, Anna delivered this line with such sincerity, it was one of my favorites.

This is my Downton tea tray from last night.  I would love to be able to ring my little bell and have my servants come running.  The only servant at our house is myself.  The teacup is a replica of the china pattern used in first class on the Titanic.  The dish holding my scone was a Christmas gift.  It has no markings on the bottom.  It is an older dish.  The pitcher fits in one of the wells and a lid fits the other.  I have no idea what it's intended use is.

I had anxiously been awaiting the sixth and final season of the program.  I had not read anything online, as I wanted to enjoy this season week by week.  My family starts groaning when Sunday night arrives and I have dibs on the television.

I usually watch the prior season when they rebroadcast it.  This holiday season was a bit hectic so I didn't take time to watch.  I did watch the Kelli O'Hara hosted countdown prior to Downton last night and that helped to refresh my memory.  (I also noticed how much some of the characters had aged/changed since season one.)  I wonder how different Downton would be if Dan Stevens had not decided to leave the show?  I found it interesting that 251 costumes will be used this season.  (I can hardly wait to see what the ladies are wearing.)  Over a thousand wigs have been used during the series.  How uncomfortable that had to be.  

I don't want to spoil the show for anyone, so I won't give any details about the plot, but I will share some of my awards from the first episode.

Tip of the Hat

Cora's when they were attending the Mallerton Auction.  I loved the color on her.

(I noticed time is progressing and hats are going by the wayside on last night's episode.)

Favorite Costume 

Dowager Countess of Grantham's green dinner dress (I loved the detail in the back of this dress)

Mean and Evil Award

Miss Bevin  (I think she could be great friends with Sarah Bunting.)

Wooden Spoon (Stirrer of the Pot)

Denker  

She just couldn't wait to head up to the big house and let them know staff was going to be cut.

(Really, two housemaids were cleaning that entire home?)

I'm Blushing Award

Mrs. Patmore in the middle of the "true marriage" discussion.  

(It was so refreshing to see a character on television who was embarrassed when talking about this subject.) 

My Scene of the Night

The downstairs staff dancing to the gramophone, while Robert and Cora snacked on cold chicken in the scullery. "Is this the refrigerator?"

Countess Zingers

"Does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?"

"Sometimes its good to rule by fear"

"There's never a dull moment in this house."

Happily Ever After - (If I wrote the show)

Mrs. Patmore and Mr. Mason

("A man could speak of me that way at my age.")

I hope all of you enjoyed the first episode as well.  I watched it a second time when it was rebroadcast at midnight.  I am so engrossed in the plot the first time, I don't notice all the details.

The January hostess has some medical issues, so Rainy emailed to let me know the teapot will need to stay a bit longer at my home.  The end of the year got very hectic and I didn't take time to post to the blog.  (We visited a tea room in Ann Arbor Michigan and I returned home to house guests.)  It was so nice to see that the teapot from team Darjeeling had arrived at Ingid's and she posted about her wonderful tea parties.  Hope all of you are having a wonderful new year and the January hostess is back on her feet soon.

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa