Sunday, September 30, 2012

No Tea Cozy? Herbal Gift class and a Critter with Good Taste!

Beautiful Tea Cozy!
Photo by
tea-cozy-irisheyes-jpg
www.kitchenclarity.com
Good afternoon, All!    My theme for the day is tea cozies.  Why?  I was just curious about the whole concept of tea cozies.  They are so English to me.  (Well, and with a last name like Thames, you might understand the fascination with anything British!)

Tea cozies rate right up there with scones, shortbread cookies, and Agatha Christie.  And believe it or not, I do not have a single tea cozy in my kitchen!  I had read the entire Agatha Christie series by the time I was 13.  When I was a kid, I insisted on English riding lessons.  (Yikes, there is nothing to hold onto on that saddle! For me riding a horse with a western saddle is a much safer option!)

Cousin Sandra and I have at least 10 teapots and dozens of mismatched tea cups  and saucers.  I have consumed my share (and more probably) of scones and shortbread cookies.  I have a pair of Wellies, (though in Texas they are just considered "those
Love this Pumpkin Tea Cozy!
Photo by
teacozy.jpg
www.knitting.craftgossip.com
old green dairy boots"), and I have watched most of the British mysteries on Netflix at least twice.

My herb shop is filled with English antiques, I drink a cup of tea at 4 o'clock daily (with a shortbread cookie or a scone and I wonder why I had  to give my apron maker all my old jeans!), I faithfully read Victoria magazine, but I do not own a tea cozy!  I even have Tea Cozies in my herb shop!  I use one daily when I make herbal tea for customers.....but I don't have one at home.  I wonder why?

Okay, enough of that!  Let's learn something about tea cozies!

You would think that the history of the tea cozy would have started in the 1660's when tea was introduced to Britain, but no, it didn't start then.  And how come the Chinese or Indian tea drinker didn't mention using a tea cozy to keep their tea warm?  Or did they?  And I am just missing this fact.  The lovely Duchess of Bedford was probably the one that got tea cozy use
Anna Marie Russell
Duchess of Bedford
Sept. 3, 1783-July 3, 1857
Photo from
www.gogmsite.net
started in England.  (Okay, let's give credit where credit is due!)  The cook or ladies maid that snuck the tea and goodies up to the Duchess's room probably invented some sort of cover for the tea pot because the Duchess and her gal pals got to gabbing and their tea would get cold.  And tea was very expensive at that time.  And the Duke probably got terrible upset if said gabby ladies didn't drink their tea while it was still hot! Red faced, he stomped up and down the lady's chamber, muttering, "After all, Anna, do you think I am made out of money!"  Oops, sorry!

Okay, the tea cozy became popular during the late 19th century because the Victorians  had an obsession of decorating and covering objects? This info is from Wikipedia.

Well, I had some lovely photos of The Cozy Kitchen's Tea Cozies that are for sale at StarDragonfly Herb Shop.  But, wouldn't you know, the camera is sitting on my desk, in the store, 20 miles away.  So, for those of you who follow me on FACEBOOK, well, watch for tea cozy photos this week!

https://www.facebook.com/StarDragonflyHerbCompany


I love this one!

Photo from

www.belladia.typepad.com

Introduction to Basic Herbalism series
Class 1 Creating Herbal Gifts!

Thursday evening, October 11, 2012, 7-8:30 pm
Tuesday, morning, October 18, 2012 10 - Noon

$35.00 per person

This will be the first class of the Introduction to Basic Herbalism series!  And what a great way to get started!
I want this one!
photo from
www.weburbanist.com


  • Learn fun ways to incorporate herbs into gifts for family and friends!
  • Learn the medicinal value of herbs that are in the products you will be creating.
  • Receive handouts and recipes!
  • Share your experiences with other class members!
  • Start building your vocabulary of Herbal Medicinal Properties.
  • Students will receive 10% discount on "StarDragonfly" products on day of class.
Class size will be limited, so please call or email to reserve your spot at the herbal work table!

StarDragonfly Herb Company
"The Little Herb Shop on Elm Street"
Winnsboro, Texas
903-588-4313

Time to close and do something besides sit in front of the computer!  I think I will make myself a pot of tea (and use a tea towel as my cozy, drat!), grab a cookie, dust off a copy of Agatha Christie and snuggle in for the rest of the afternoon.  That is to say until I have to put on my Wellies and do chores!  Sure wish you were here!  Herbally, Susan


"Under certain circumstances there are few hours more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."

-  Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady



Photo from
www.haveacupofteawilltravel.com

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