Taking Tea in the New Year!

A special tea event was offered on the first day of the New Year at "Miss Jade's Tea Room" in Carlisle, PA, and since we had no other obligations, we jumped at the opportunity to enjoy a morning outing.  This 'by appointment' only tea room is tucked in the back room of a gift shop that specializes in dolls, and includes a doll hospital.

A variety of blooming teas were offered in pretty clear pots so you could watch the leaves unfurl. In addition, a bowl of fresh berries, homemade sweet potato pie, and warm muffins and biscuits were offered, accompanied with a large bowl of cream. It was a fun morning, a great way to start the new year!

 

New Year! New Pot!

Happy New Year!  Under the tree this year, was this beautiful hand crafted fully functional tea pot, a gift from brother-in-law David.
The tea pot is from Black Mountain Studio out of North Carolina.  These hand thrown, altered, barkware pottery tea pots are National Award Winners, and I can see why.  Their clever interpretation of combining nature and art into one design is amazing.

 From the lady bugs to the snail, to the striations on the pot representing the bark, it is amazing to study the pot. 

What a real treasure... and now, to decide upon the first tea to be brewed in this little beauty?

In Review ~ December



Holiday Tea, November 25

FestiviTea ~ Sunday, Monday,December 4, 5

Take Tea! December 10

 


In Review ~ January - July



Mother's Day, 2011




Queen's Tea, June, 2011




Sentimentally Yours, May, 2011





Victorian Tea, June, 2011




Tea Party for the Wee Folk, July 2011



Honor Thy Father

Thank you dad, for teaching us the value of community, for giving of your time as Mayor of Mechanicsburg, for sharing history, and for documenting it in your book, Mechanicsburg.

January 2011~Booksigning

We are grateful dad, for teaching us the importance of friendship, and for sharing a good story and enjoying a good laugh with friends near and far.

September 2009~Hawaiian Luau Party

 



September 2009~Welcoming my Japanese penpal

 Thank you for encouraging us to save, but understanding the importance of a special outing!

August 2009~Birthday Tea for Nancy

 Thank you dad for your dedication to your country as a proud and courageous Marine, and for teaching us about honor, loyalty, and dedication to God, Country, Corps, Family, and Self.  Once a Marine, Always a Marine. We are grateful for your honorable service during WWII.

February 2009~Marine Museum with the Grandkids

Thank you for loving your family, protecting your family, guiding your family, and teaching us about our family roots, our past, present, and future.  Simply, Thank you!  We love you and miss you!

January 2007~With Granddaughter and GreatGranddaughter

 



 

September 2006~Go Penn State!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! 

Forever in our hearts!

Merry Christmas!

The Reppert and Brill Families

of Sweet Remembrances and The Rosemary House

wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

In Anticipation

the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Tea cup Thursday

As we march quickly towards Christmas day, we'd like to share A Cup of Christmas Tea as we join Miss Spenser and others today on Tea Cup Thursday.  This beautiful Bone China tea cup was introduced in 1992 to accompany the book by the same title, authored by Tom Hegg and illustrated by Warren Hanson.  Written in rhyming verse, it tells the story of a young man who reluctantly visits an elderly aunt at Christmastime, and shares the unexpected joy it brings as they both enjoy the memories of Christmas past over a cup of Christmas Tea.

The other book shown here, A Cozy Christmas Tea is a little treasure of recipes, quotes, and beautiful paintings by Sandy Lynam Clough.  The author encourages you to celebrate the joy and peace of the season with a cozy Christmas Tea, and what better way to do so than with this delightful tea cup specifically for a cup of Christmas tea. 

Der Belsnickel

We welcomed Timothy Essig to the tea room recently.  A Landis Valley Museum educator, he presented a first person interpretation of the rascally Pennsylvania Dutch holiday character, Der Belsnickel, or loosely translated, Nicholas in Furs. The tradition of Der Belsnickel was brought to America by German immigrants and is very regional to Pennsylvania and Maryland, perhaps into New York.  Dressed in furs and bells, often wearing a mask, he carried a bag of goodies in one hand for the good kids and a switch in the other for the naughty children.

All Belsnickels dress slightly differently, but furs and bells were common.  They were scary with unruly hair and raggedy pants.  Typically, the Belsnickels were neighbors or relatives, and visited on Christmas Eve.  The tradition of Der Belsnickel eventually fell out of favor as the kinder gentler Santa evolved.  It was fun to welcome this rascally fellow to the tea room as he announced that there was no such thing as a good kid.  He proceeded to tell stories about the naughty activities of the guests in attendance, all in good fun, of course.

Edible Snowflakes

It was by chance we happened upon this little package of Edible Snowflakes, imported from Germany.  The package states that they are 'great for decorating your holiday treats', and indeed, that is how we have enjoyed using them.

These sturdy little snowflakes, made from potato starch and corn starch, have been placed on assorted dessert offerings.Here they have been tucked into a chocolate topping before it dried, and are now securely held in place as the chocolate became firm.  Quite festive and fun!

A delicate statement is made by placing a few of the blue and white snowflakes alongside some sugar dusted desserts.

Let it snow!

Boxwood Table-top Tree

A Boxwood Table top Christmas Tree is an easy decoration to create.  It does require a fair amount of boxwood, a full size block of oasis and a bowl that will hold water.    We began by taping the soaked oasis to the bowl for some added security.   Next we placed 5 boxwood pieces to create the triangular shape of a tree.  On piece at the top and then one on each side of the oasis on the bottom.   Those pieces were our largest and after that we continued poking in boxwood pieces, each one progressively smaller, thus forming  a lovely tree.
Final touches were put on the wreath with ribbons, red ornaments, red birds, peppermint candies and gold bells.   Everyone could choose their own  decorations and many left the tree all green.

In the oasis, these charming tabletop trees will easily last throughout the holiday season. 

Tea cup Thursday

Running behind schedule, but better late than never, I thought I better share this teacup before it's January.  We're happy to join Miss Spenser and others for Tea cup Thursday.

The newest addition to the holiday tea cup collection is this beautiful Royal Albert, bone China, made in England, Flower of the Month series which features the Christmas Rose.
With its cheerful white blossoms and delicate shades of red, pink, and green with red berries and holly leaves, it has been a joy to place this on the holiday table.  A special thank you to sister Marj for finding this treasure, and presenting it to me early so that I could enjoy it throughout the season.