Tea in the Valley: March 2016

Monday, March 28, 2016

Going Country

Back in 2012, a friend and I visited the Naturally Country Gift Shoppe & Tea Room in Mount Hope, Ontario.

This was the first time that I've ever been to a tea room located inside an old country barn!

I didn't photograph the charming rustic decor but you can view other visitors' pictures here.

I was smitten with this Sadler basket weave floral pattern teapot!
The brightly coloured flowers screamed SPRING!

I can't remember the official name of the hot croissant sandwich that I ordered for lunch but it sure was good!

For dessert, we enjoyed heavenly buttermilk scones with strawberry preserves and whipped cream. YUM!

A few months after our visit, I scored a set of 6 Sadler mugs in the same basket weave floral pattern at a thrift store. The matching teapot was found the following year at a different thrift store.

Earlier this month, I spotted the cream and sugar set at a local antique shop but left them behind. Of course, now I'm kicking myself! I'll try to go back to the shop this week and see if they're still there...

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Bernideen's Tea Time, Collage, and Garden Blog Party

No Place Like Home

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Monday, March 21, 2016

Bunnies! Bunnies! It must be BUNNIES!!!

Hello, Spring!

I received this pretty Chinese character for "spring" from a friend last year.

The Keeping Room

I've been enjoying the cheery Easter displays at the stores this month
How cute are these white teapot infusers and yellow/green/pink teacup teabag holders?

The Keeping Room

These vintage-style Easter eggs reminded me of Bunnykins.

Resistance was futile against these adorable bunnies from The Discount Emporium.

I loved the pretty pastel colours and intricate wooden design! They look perfect at my front window.

Porcelain Treasures by Betty Platner

This violet chintz tea set originally belonged to my mom.

Because I'm such a good daughter, I helped my mom declutter by taking this tea set off her hands. HA!

This delightful bunny was gifted to me by one of my talented blogging friends.

Another blogging friend with serious sewing skills sent me this charming Easter egg ornament featuring an embroidered teacup on the back!

Have a Wonderful Easter!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Bernideen's Tea Time, Collage, and Garden Blog Party

Mosaic Monday

No Place Like Home

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Monday, March 14, 2016

How Green was My Valley

If you reside in a region that observes Daylight Savings Time, I hope that you've adjusted to the time change that occurred this past weekend.

You may have coped with the lost hour of sleep time by drinking a strong tea such as the Irish Breakfast Tea.

My green teacups are limited so I was delighted when a friend gifted me this lovely green teacup from her late mother's collection. Love the pretty white rose gracing the cup's interior!

The Sutherland China backstamp, circa 1947+

Sutherland China was one of the trade names of Hudson & Middleton Ltd which manufactured bone china and earthenware at Longton, Stroke-on-Tent, Staffordshire from the 1940s to the mid 1970s.

This "Green and White Toile" teapot was a post-Easter sale find at HomeSense last year.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Bernideen's Tea Time, Collage, and Garden Blog Party

Mosaic Monday

No Place Like Home

Tea Cup Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Monday, March 7, 2016

Twinings Tea Tasting with Stephen Twining

When I heard that Stephen Twining--a 10th generation Twining who has worked in the family business for over 30 years--was coming to town to introduce their new line of premium teas, I HAD TO BE THERE!

The pretty Easter-themed tea display.

Twinings' classic and new tea products appeal to both the British royalty and modern tea drinkers across the globe. You can read about the London-based tea company's 300-year-old history here.

According to Stephen, their new Discovery Collection gives tea drinkers the "best of both worlds"--large tea leaves in silky pyramid-shaped bags.

The new teas that are available in Canada are (left to right): Exotic Mango and Ginger Green Tea; Golden Tipped English Breakfast; Berry Blush Infusion; Budding Meadow Camomile; Medley of Mint; London Strand Earl Grey. Of course, I tried all three of the available tea samples!

Sample #1: Exotic Mango & Ginger Green Tea

This was a very nice light tea with a "full, plump flavour of mango" and a subtle hint of ginger.

Sample #2: Berry Blush Infusion

This fruit infusion was a mix of "jammy berry flavours": blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry. It would also make a great iced tea in warmer weather.

Sample #3: Golden Tipped English Breakfast

This strong black tea from the Assam region in northeast India will definitely get you moving in the morning!

As the Director of Public Relations for Twinings Tea, Stephen still gets "a great buzz" introducing new teas that bring pleasure to people's lives. Even though the Twining family is regarded as royalty in the tea world, Stephen was humble and affable, chatting with attendees and and graciously granting requests for photos and autographs.

In addition to meeting Stephen, I also had the fun opportunity to watch his interview with local cable TV personality, Steve Ruddick. Click on the above video to view the 7-minute interview which covered topics such as: quality control of Twinings tea in over 100 countries; differences in countries' tea preferences; how to brew the perfect cup of tea; when to add milk and/or sugar; loose leaf vs. bagged teas.

I have a penchant for unique tea flavours so a box of Exotic Mango and Ginger Green Tea signed by Stephen came home with me. I love the new packaging's pretty design and drawer-style box!