The Crafted Cozy

These assorted cozies demonstrate various hand-crafted cozies. Beautiful oriental material was used in this handmade cozy, presented to me as a gift from a visiting friend.

These two cozies are slightly different. The one in the background has a lace overlay which slips over the thick blue padding, easily removed for washing between use. In the foreground, an assortment of mismatched material was crafted into a version of a 'crazy' quilt (sort of).

And this beautiful hand-embroidered tea cozy, purchased in England (a gift from my sister), is too beautiful to use. It is on display in the tea room, the label 'hand made cosy' tucked underneath. Cozy or cosy? The English spelling is with an 's', and American English uses a 'z'. Either one works.

Looking for a knitting project? The September/October 2009 issue of The Tea House Times (a Bi-Monthly publication out of NJ) includes easy knitting directions to make a Multi-Stripe Tea Cozy (used by permission) from Knitting and Tea by Jane Gottelier.

The Cozy

In June of 2008, we visited The Cozy in Thurmont, MD on a bus trip with The Rosemary House. Seems appropriate to mention this tea room again in a series on tea cozies. If you would like to read about that tea room visit, here is a link to the blog post.Beautiful table settings... and notice the tea box on the table. Here's to tea!

Tea Cozy Corner!

Here's a peek at our tea cozy corner in The Rosemary House... a shelf full of tent style tea cozies. We carry a medium size cozy for 2 or 3 cup size tea pot and also a larger size for the 4 or 6 cup tea pot. The material patterns vary from subtle shades of blues and pinks to florals to tea cup designs. We always try to carry a good selection of cozies in the shop!

Travelling Tea Cozy

Another tea cozy, on display in the tea room, is this travelling cozy. This very well padded, thick tea cozy, is typical of The Netherlands. It is called theemuts, or "carrying cozy". A teapot would nestle into this cozy and not only stay warm for hours but be protected during travel. The large metal clasp will hold the cozy securely shut until the need for a good hot cup of tea. It was my understanding that this would even be carried onto the train so they could enjoy tea while traveling.
This pretty pastel cozy from Holland, was a gift to our mother from a very special friend.

Cozy - Tea Cozy - Cozy - Tea Cozy

This sweet little tea pot covered with a wool lined metal tea cozy is tucked in a corner on display in the tea room. The markings on the bottom of the tea pot, although slightly smudged, read 'design registered... Made in England'.

The metal cozy fits only one way, the opening for the spout is wider than the opening for the handle. Once your tea is prepared, the cozy will nestle this pot, keeping it warm between each cupful.

Vintage English Tea Cozy

This little hand-crafted piece of history is a vintage English Tea Cozy. Purchased years ago at a 'Boot Sale', the English version of a yard sale, it has traveled across the pond and is now put to good use. By definition, a tea cozy is a padded cover placed over a teapot to keep the tea piping hot. English tea cozies have been used since 1867. It is noted that most tea cozies were made at home by women. Their leisure time would be spent working on cozies, with embroidery such as this one, or applique, crochet, knit, lace, or patchwork. Directions for making cozies were often published in Victorian magazines, and still are today.

Bachelor Cozy

This cozy is referred to as the Bachelor Cozy. Unlike the tent cozy, this one wraps around the cozy, is secured at the top with a ribbon and snuggles the pot leaving both the handle and spout exposed. No need to keep removing the cozy to pour your next cup. And, the handle does not heat up as it does with the tent style cozy. I'm not exactly sure what the reference to Bachelor is about... the laziness of not needing to remove the cozy or perhaps that this type of cozy will snuggle most any size or shape pot? You decide!

Tea Cozy Happy

We're celebrating the tea cozy this week!.... by definition.... according to Webster's New World Dictionary, cozy, used as an adjective means warm and comfortable or snug, but when used as a noun means a padded cover for a teapot which is further clarified to mean to keep the tea hot. There are different types of tea cozies. The cozies shown here (and available for purchase in The Rosemary House) are referred to as the 'tent cozy' since it is simply placed over the teapot, and lifted off again when you are ready to pour your tea. A well padded cozy will keep your tea hot the entire time you are enjoying it.

Sweet Simplici-Tea

Our traveling tea room adventures took us to Sweet Simplici-Tea in Sykesville, MD this past week. We journeyed to this delightful two year old tea room for their Aloha Tea! We knew we were at the correct location when we spotted the palm trees, beach chairs, seashells and flip flops adorning the tea room entrance. The menu featured many tropical teas and a delectable assortment of yummy foods which included Sweet Tropical Scones, a beautiful Salad with poppy seed dressing, Tropical Chicken Salad, Pineapple Kiwi Sandwiches, Baja Bites and Ham and Asparagus Rolls. The tea concluded with broiled pineapple with ice cream and berries. In addition a sweet little birthday cake was presented as a special surprise. The afternoon event was quite a delight, as leis and hibiscus blossoms scattered on the tables awaited our arrival. The attire worn by the staff appropriately complemented the theme. It was an afternoon to remember! Mahalo!

The Lady Bug Tea Room, East Berlin, PA

This past Sunday included a visit to The Lady Bug Tea Room with the family. It was a very pleasant afternoon tea, an abundance of delicious homemade food, a wide variety of tasty teas, and a gathering to remember. Tasty scones, an assortment of savories, a choice of soup, pasta in a heart shaped bowl, and lady bug cookies rounded out the unique menu. The Lady Bug Tea Room recently celebrated their second anniversary, may they continue to enjoy many more!

Thank You Yuki!

We received a very sweet comment today from Yuki, in which she stated "I like to read your wonderful blog and I have an award for you :) After following the link she provided, I discovered that Yuki, posting from Russia, has a blog entitled Moon is where the cat is....

And, on her blog, she graciously bestowed upon us this award with this explanation:Rosemary's Sampler: Как бы я хотела когда-нибудь посетить магазинчик Сюзанны и чайную Нэнси

Thank goodness for Babel Fish and computer generated translations! Loosely translated, Yuki said: Rosemary's Sampler: As someday I would like to visit Susanna's small shop and enjoy Nancy's tea.

Thank you Yuki! for visiting our herb shop and our tea room, even if for the moment it is only via the Internet. Perhaps someday you will be able to travel to Pennsylvania! In the meantime, we will continue to share our journey and our love of herbs and tea...our specialty on this blog.

A Fairy's Tea ~ the menu

Fairy Berries with Mascarpone cheese

Baby Carrots & Dipping Sauce in a Teapot

Bologna & Cheese Tulips

Ham Teapots with Cantaloupe Hearts & Stars

Toasted Parmesan Butterflies

Peanut Butter Bites

Fairy Dusted Heart Shaped Scones

Fairies are Free Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies, Miniature ones for the Fairies too

Fairy Whispers (cream topped with raspberry)

Pink Lemonade

Fairy Blessings with a special toast

Blame it on a Fairy!

The Knot Fairy and The Sock Fairy that is! We were pleased to welcome Author Bobbie Hinman of Best Fairy Books to Sweet Remembrances this week for a special event. Our Fairy Tea was preceded with a reading of each of these entertaining books about mischievous little fairies who are responsible for mismatched socks or putting knots in your hair while you're sleeping. These two clever books include an audio CD with words and music that feature a tinkling sound of the bell that lets children know when it is time to turn the page.

The children gathered round Ms. Hinman as she read each story, producing special surprises from her fairy boxes. With a wave of her magic wand, she was able to bring smiles to the kids faces! The whimsical stories were both entertaining and enjoyable. These books are available for purchase at The Rosemary House. In a few weeks, The Bellybutton Fairy will be added to this collection of enchanting children's books.

Cookie Cutter Fun

Bologna and Cheese Tulips

created for a children's Afternoon Tea party. Festive!
But, I wouldn't want to have to make too many of these!

Living Wreath Workshop

It is easy to make your own living wreath. We used a wire box wreath form available at most craft supply stores. First spread out a layer of sheet moss place the box wreath form onto the moss and fill the form with organic garden soil. Gently wrap the moss around the soil to hold it in place and tie with some thread or pieces of wire. We prefer to use fresh sheet moss that you should be able to purchase from a florist. You can also use dry sheet moss from the craft supply stores as well. Next take a barbecue skewer or a chop stick or a fondue fork and poke a hole in the sheet moss and work in the small roots of a variety of echevaria (hens and chicks). We also poked in a piece or two of sedums. Place your wreath on a plastic tray and use it for decoration in a sunny spot in the garden. Perfect for on the picnic table. It will overwinter well outside.

Happy Birthday!

Yep, that's right, Smokey The Bear turns 65 years old today! Let's celebrate with him, and promise not to start any reckless fires. Remember, only You can prevent forest fires! You can visit his site, and sign the official promise too. There's a fun time-line that shows how Smokey has developed and changed over the past 65 years.Alas, I can't remember when Smokey the Bear joined our family (the 50's to be sure), but I do know that he was (is) well loved. He used to have a hat, badge, and boots, but they didn't survive the childhood years. He now proudly sits on an old trunk, joined by other retired stuffed animals. Instead of his hat and boots, he sports a collection of chocolate related buttons.... like no body knows the truffles I've seen and promise me anything but give me chocolate... okay... I love chocolate, and I think Smokey the Bear does too. We have a connection that way. Might just have some chocolate to celebrate our day Smokey!

Happy Birthday!

The Rosemary House

Just come in and take a sniff
You will be convinced in a whiff
That into the little garden you'll go
To see the herbs grow just so.

Take the scissors by the gate
Snip some before it is too late
There is always some use
So there's no need for abuse.

Herbs are used in PA Dutch cooking
So if you are looking
For somethings really good
Eat plenty as you should.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
To drink we'll have some tea
A pinch of sassafras, plenty of mint you see
Must be brewed with 2 tbsp. black tea in a pot
To know our hospitality you "have got".

This hand written page of poetry, signed by Annie Unamous, was discovered tucked inside a 1970's PA Dutch Days program (a local festival held in Hershey, PA featuring PA Dutch arts and crafts. The Rosemary House vended there for several years). Someone received inspiration from the shop and gardens, open only 2 years at the time this was written.

Beach Pots

Decisions, decisions.
Which tea pot to prepare the morning brew while enjoying a stay at the beach house? Do either of these two pots represent you? Without uttering a word, they speak volumes about the beach house owners!

Rhode Island Dreams

Summer vacation has come and gone... memories coupled with anticipation for next years annual trek remain. Fun in the sun with occasional haze greeted us for our week away from home as we enjoyed Pirate's Day, Wild West Day and Fairies Day. Special thanks to Carrie and Phil for inviting us each year to share this adventure with them. When we were little, our parents rented a beach house in Avalon, NJ every summer with family friends. This annual RI summer adventure is reminiscent of our own youthful years. We are grateful to be able to continue this tradition.

Taking Tea on Vacation - The Enchanted Teapot