Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Northern California Tea Shop Hop

On October 17th, 18th and 19th I had the pleasure of speaking on Social Tea Graces and Etiquette, and doing book signings at three lovely tearooms. There were 33 guests at Lisa's Tea Treasures in Campbell which is a 5 star tearoom, and Dale Ann the owner is most gracious. The food was delightful, and the decor is Victorian Laura Ashley.

Saturday, I was at The English Rose in Pleasanton with Lisa who is also a sweet gracious hostess. The thing I enjoyed the most about this celebration was the warm rose scented warm cloths presented before the finger food. The decor is sweet and inviting with intimate seating areas for two or tables can be arranged to seat more. The food was wonderful and the servers courteous and friendly.

Sunday, my friends and I visited The August Tearoom in Livermore for a repeat of the two previous days. It is such fun doing the things you love and I am blessed to be able to share what I have learned with other ladies and gentlemen that have the same passion. We started our meal with a fabulous asparagus soup, the sandwich course, ending with sweets. The guests enjoyed trying on several hats and wearing the one that suited them the best and wore them through-out their tea experience.

Tearooms in No. California

Lisa's Tea Treasures in Campbell
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August Tearoom in Livermore







The English Rose in Pleasanton

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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Hats off for a Tea Celebration

A pile of hats to choose from for the tea party given in the club house at Scenic Hills.
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30 Water Arobic Ladies

From May 1st there about 30 ladies that meet on M-W-F for water arobics. To finish our season this year we had a delightful tea party that everyone took part in. This is how we look when we aren't in swim suits. Sally is hiding under her white hat. The pool officially closes Nov 1st, then we start chair exercises. We seniors need to keep fit.





Cucumber Sandwiches on white bread, garnished with black sesame seeds, cream cheese and goat cheese piped on top with a radish curl. Parsley to top it off. Delicious.





Sweet Kitty alway greeting with a smile.








English Trifle was a hit and there wasn't any left.



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We are celebrating Cleo's 13th B'day at church
Grandma Chris, Nan, Miss Susan, Liandara 5,
Cleo 13.






Christina & Cleo






Ooh, pretty hangers
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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Food Prep DVD Shoot

Today we shot a new DVD on Preparing Tea Sandwiches, scones, and other handy hints. Hopefully the DVD will be ready for purchace by mid November.

One man crew




Feeding Kara a sandwich






Finished sandwich plate

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Monday, October 6, 2008

Interview for The Signal Newspaper

While having tea at The Tea Gardens in Newhall on October 1st, I was being interviewed by a local newspaper for a feature article about Tea Graces, and my book The Graceful Art of Tea. The article turned out to be a five column spread. The writer Alex did a great job of complimenting my tea business that I so love. It's all about serving others.
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My Fair Lady Tea

My granddaughters Alec and Jordyn, and I enjoyed the musical My Fair Lady @ Truffles and Lace in Temecula on September 20th. It was fabulous. We had a full afternoon tea while being entertained by professional artists acting and singing all of the popular songs of the musical.





Jordyn had the opportunity to wear her formal dress again. It was such a lovely day.



Look at these whimsical chandliers adorning the newly added garden
room. One with a teapot, cups and saucers.



This chandlier has old fashioned shoes.Posted by Picasa
Mexican Riviera Cruise



This is Alec and Jordyn dressed up for formal night on the cruise. So much fun being a lady at such a young tender age.



Alec wearing her cow girl hat that she bargained for in Ensenada. It's a whole new world bargaining about prices in a different culture.



Jordyn holding a piggy towel that was left in our room while we were at dinner. The staff are so creative, making different animals each night.



The gala buffet was a sight to behold. We didn't stay to partake, but did enjoy all of the carvings. Such talent.



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Thursday, September 25, 2008

On July 5th, I taught tea etiquette & manners to a group of 5 year olds at an elaborate tea party.

July 19th was such a wonderful day. I was the guest speaker at Paris in a Cup in Orange, CA. There were 40 guests for the morning talk and book signing and 40 more guests in the afternoon seating. Everyone was so kind and gracious to me and the tearoom itself is all about Paris. Cheryl, the owner isn't able to fly due to an inner ear problem, so she brought Paris to southern california. Both her tea room and Tea Graces was featured in the August edition of Victorian Homes. That was quite an honor as well as humbling. The Graceful Art of Tea book is among other books available in the gift section of the tearoom.

July 23rd was a meeting of the Royal Ladies Tea Society at the Tea Gardens in Santa Clarita, CA. This tearoom has been open just over a year and is doing very well. Not your typical phoo-phoo decor, but more european. The menu has a nice variety of food choices as well as a huge selection of teas. Elda, the owner does a nice job of displaying the gift area and The Graceful Art of Tea book adorns some of the shelves.

I have the privilege of teaching at some of the local community colleges in the Los Angeles area and on July 26th there was a 3 hour class presented at Glendale Comm. College. I meet some of the neatest women at these events and they are usually very enthuastic about the world of tea.

Tea is a huge industry, world wide. Each year there is a World Tea Expo displaying everything related to tea in Las Vegas, NV. Because of its growth, many sections of the country have their own tea associations. The first meeting of Western Tea Business Association was held at The Gilded Rose Manor in Northridge, CA on July 28th. This will be a group of tea business's coming together for encouraging one another, serving one another, and networking. It is quite a long and arduous project to get a non-profit association going.

On August 23rd, I left with my friend, my two granddaughters ages 12 and 15 for a five day cruise to the Mexican Riviera. It was a wonderful relaxing time and the girls really enjoyed their time. In Ensenada we shopped and bargained for a lower price on several items. Sometimes it worked and other times the vendor was firm on his price. When we arrived in Cabo San Lucas the girls and Susan went snorkling and took underwater pictures. While they were gone I went on the hunt for a particular semiprecious white stone. After much searching, I finally came upon what I went after, it is absoultly beautiful, mounted in sterling silver with an unusual shape . The shop owner called it a White Onyx and it makes a lovely necklace. Yes, I did bargain and was pleased with the price I wound up with, and have special memories of the trip.

September 21st I taught a 3 hour private tea class in Redlands, CA. It was held in a corner of Aladdin's Tearoom with 11 guests present. The ladies were so interested in the ceremony of tea and all that it entails.

A local newspaper, The Signal, called me Tuesday and wants to do a special feature on Tea Graces next Wednesday, October 1st. We will be meeting at The Tea Gardens for the interview and there will be a photographer from the paper as well. I am very excited about all of the publicity my little tea business is stirring up.

The second video will soon be available. We are shooting on October 7th on how to prepare tea sandwiches and ending with a real live tea party. It is something to look forward to in the near future. You can be sure you will be notified when it is available for purchase.

October 17th, 18th, and 19th I will be doing talks and book signings at three tearooms in central California. Lisa's Tea Treasures in Campbell, The English Rose in Pleasanton, and The August Tearoom in Livermoore. Visit my website http://www.teagraces.com/ for location and times.
Hello Friends:

I am new at this blogging thing and hope to become an expert before too long.

Starting in the middle of the year, I'll begin with a calendar of events starting June 5, 2008. At noon the Royal Ladies Tea Society had a tea luncheon at the Masters College. This is such a lovely grouyp of ladies. In the evening after dinner a Red Hat group had me speak on Social Tea Graces and Etiquette.

On June 19th, my granddaughters and I had tea at my favorite tea room, in Temecula, CA called Truffles and Lace. Everything about this tearoom is above and beyond ones imagination. First, the ambiance is lovely with cut glass windows covered with lace valances and tin ceilings. The wait staff is gracious beyond measure and the food portions are generous as well as tasteful to the palate. This tearoom is a two hour drive from my home, but I visit it as often as possible

Sugar Cubes

Here is a short blub on how to easily decorate your sugar cubes for a nice presentation.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Children's Tea Party

On August 7th I did a tea party for a six year old girl and four of her little friends. Below are some photos that I took of the event.

For this centerpiece we used a scrunched up tablecloth over a white underlay plus a 14" mirror ardorned with miniature shoes, purses, pearls, artificial rose petals and doll figurines.


The party girls decorated their own hats with silk flowers, and ribbons.

Posted by PicasaThe pink liquid in the teacup is called fairy tea. The ingredients of this tea is kept a mystery to the little girls. For the adults it is nothing but Nestles Strawberry Quick mixed with milk.