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Dear Tea Lovers,

Don’t forget about the tea classes this Saturday at the Antique Trove in Roseville.  I know the weather has been very yucky, but it’s supposed to be a bit better on Saturday. It’s too wet for yard work and I know everyone is tired of being stuck in the house, why not come learn about tea?

Did you know that herbal teas are not really tea? Did you know that different teas require different steeping times and temperatures? Have you ever had green tea and absolutely hated it and wondered why?

Come learn all about tea at the Antique Trove in Roseville this Saturday, January 23rd starting at 11:00. All classes are free! I’ll also bring a savory scone for you to sample.

In Tea 101 at 11:00, I’ll explain the basic types of tea and the difference between pure teas and herbal teas. I’ll teach you how to properly prepare the different types of tea. It’s easy! In addition, you’ll also learn about tea equipment and more! We’ll be tasting many types of tea including White Ginger Orange Peach,  Sencha Kyoto Cherry, Master’s Choice Ti Kwan Yin, Big Red Robe Oolong, Zhen Qu, Ceylon, 1992 Pu-erh and I’ll bring in a real tea plant for you to see.

At 1:00, I’ll be talking about the health benefits of tea. We’ll be tasting Tai Ping, a new one called Houjicha and one of my favorite green teas, called Genmaicha, known as the “Popcorn Tea.” We’ll also taste flavored green teas such as Plum Green, Peach Green, and Pear Green. After that we’ll move into the Rooibos herbal teas which are very high in antioxidants and do not contain any caffeine. We’ll taste Orange Blossom Rooibos and our new Peach Rooibos. If you’ve been wanting to get healthy, now is your chance! Start your new year out right!

As a bonus, all green and rooibos tea will be 15% off that day, January 23rd at the Antique Trove and on-line.

Also don’t forget for those of you too far away to come, it’s free shipping from now until February 2nd on orders of $20.00 or more.  So if you can’t come to my tasting, have your own tasting at home!

Have a great day!  Hope to see many of you on Saturday!

For those of you who missed the newsletter, here it is again.

Amy

P.S. In the newsletter, I mentioned a class on How to Make Chocolate Raspberry Scones, for some dumb reason, I messed up the date.  It should be Saturday, February 6th not the 2nd. The mistake was fixed in a later revision of the newsletter file that is on-line now.  I’ll be talking more about that class next week.

Dear Tea Lovers,

The latest newsletter is out!  Be sure and read about our new tea classes held this Saturday, January 23rd at the Antique Trove. I’ll be talking about the different types of tea, the health benefits and more. I hope to see you there!

Also because it’s National Hot Tea Month, you’ll receive free shipping on orders of $20.00 or more until February 2nd.

Start your year out right, be healthy by drinking more tea!

Have a great week!

Amy

PS: If you are having trouble reading the newsletter, you need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader or Foxit PDF Reader (either will work fine.)

Dear Tea Lovers,

Happy New Year!  Don’t forget to head over to the Antique Trove on Friday, January 1st for their big sale.  Everything in my booth will be 25% off. I’ll be bringing in more tea than the usual 30 teas I stock there for this event.  If you know of a tea you want to pick up for sure, send me an e-mail by 10:00 pm tonight and I’ll have it with me with your name on it tomorrow. I’ll be there from 10-3.  Hope to see you there!

For those of you who can’t make it, remember on January 1st, everything on-line will also be 25% off (as long as I have it in stock.)  Just be sure to order before midnight.

Have a great new year! I’ll be sending out a newsletter soon with all the new classes and information about the health benefits of tea.

Happy New Year!

Amy

Dear Tea Lovers,

For those of you in the Roseville area, stop by the Antique Trove on January 1st. It’s their annual blowout sale.  I’ve heard rumors that it’s a big one! Everything in my booth will be 25% off on that day only. I’ll be there sampling teas so stop by and see me!

For those of you who can’t venture out to the Trove, any orders received that day will also receive 25% off (January 1st and in stock items only.)

I have quite a bit planned for the month of January. January is National Hot Tea Month so you’ll be hearing more from me about my favorite drink! I’ll be running specials on certain teas as well as educating you on the many health benefits of tea. So stay tuned!  And for those of you starting the New Year’s Diets, I have some good news and helpful tips for you. I’ve lost 19 pounds so far so it can be done! More on that in the next newsletter.

Have a wonderful week! I hope to see many of you at the Trove on Friday, January 1st.

Amy

Dear Tea Lovers,

I just wanted to remind you that free shipping (orders over $20.00) ends on Monday, December 21st.  Get your last minute orders in for tea to serve during your holiday festivities. Chocolate Caramel Turtle was so popular that I ran out last week!  But don’t worry, I have it back in again!

Here’s the holiday list of teas one more time:

• Caribbean Christmas (Cranberry/Papaya)
• Chocolate Mocha Spice
• Chocolate Peppermint
• Diablo (Cherry Cinnamon)
• Hawaiian Orchid (Mango/Passionfruit)
• Holiday Berry (Cranberry/Raspberry)
• Holiday Orange Fantasy (Orange/Tangerine)
• Nutty but Nice (Hazelnut/Vanilla)
• Pumpkin Creme
• Spiced Ginger Peach
• White Ginger Orange Peach
• Orange Cranberry Spice
• Chocolate Caramel Turtle (our newest addition!)

If you need it even sooner you can purchase our tea from our booth at the Antique Trove in Roseville.

Now that the holiday season is really upon us, I thought I would give you all a very delicious holiday recipe that you can make in a jiffy with few ingredients. I always have a few boxes of the cake mix on hand just in case I need to take something to the neighbors.  Enjoy!

Rum Cake (from Creating an Afternoon to Remember)

Cake:

• 1 Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Butter Recipe
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 c. water
• 1/2 c. oil
• 1/2 c. rum

Glaze:

• 1/4 c. rum
• 1/4 c. butter
• Dash of water
• 1 c. sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare cake according to cake mix directions using the ingredients above.  Bake at 350 degrees in a bundt pan for 45-50 minutes or until done.

Glaze:

Combine 1/4 c. rum, 1/4 c. butter, dash of water and sugar in a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Pour 1/2 mixture over cake while still hot.  Let sit for 10 minutes.  Invert cake on a serving plate.  Brush on remaining glaze and let cool.

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Amy

Dear Tea Lovers,

I’ve had a few questions about where to put in the free shipping code: MERRYCHRISTMAS.  The redemption code is entered in Step 2 of the payment process. It’s under the billing address information in the “Discount Coupon” section. It’s in the middle of the page. Hope this helps!

I can manually do it if you can’t find it for some reason.

Have a great Sunday!

Amy

Dear Tea Lovers,

Many of you have requested a list of teas that would be good to serve over the holiday season.

Holiday Teas:

• Caribbean Christmas (Cranberry/Papaya)
• Chocolate Mocha Spice
• Chocolate Peppermint
• Diablo (Cherry Cinnamon)
• Hawaiian Orchid (Mango/Passionfruit)
• Holiday Berry (Cranberry/Raspberry)
• Holiday Orange Fantasy (Orange/Tangerine)
• Nutty but Nice (Hazelnut/Vanilla)
• Pumpkin Creme
• Spiced Ginger Peach
• White Ginger Orange Peach
• Orange Cranberry Spice
• Chocolate Caramel Turtle (our newest addition!)

Holiday Decaf/Herbals:

• Golden Apricot Cinnamon (This is a flavored rooibos so it does not have any caffeine)
• Sugar Plum Fairy (decaf)

Shop Now and Receive Free Shipping:

Free shipping on orders over $20 through December 21st.  Just enter the coupon code MERRYCHRISTMAS at checkout.

Forever Ambers (from Creating an Afternoon to Remember)

This is something my grandmother made every year.  I always think of her when I make it for the holiday season.

• 1 large package of orange sliced candy
• 1 16 oz. package of coconut
• 2 cans sweetened condensed milk
• 1 c. chopped nuts
• 1 t. orange flavoring
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 16 oz. package of powdered sugar

Cut orange slices in small pieces.  Mix candy, coconut, milk, nuts, orange flavoring and vanilla and spread into a greased 9″ x 13″ pan.  Bake at 275 degrees for 15 minutes.  Stir and bake an additional 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and sift the entire 16 oz. package of powdered sugar over mixture.  Stir and drop by tablespoons onto waxed paper.  Allow candy to dry and set.

Have a happy holiday!

Amy

Dear Tea Lovers,

This is just a reminder about the Holiday Open House at the Antique Trove in Roseville this weekend.  On Saturday I’ll be there from 10-3 and on Sunday from 1-4.  Stop by, visit, try some wonderful goodies made from our cookbooks and enjoy delicious tea. Plus pick up some holiday gifts as you sip your tea.

Here’s just a sampling of the treats I’ve been making this week.

• Peppermint Brittle – my absolute holiday favorite!
• Chocolate Oatmeal Delights
• Forever Ambers
• Espresso Tea Cookies
• Chocolate Snaps
• Hello Dollies
• and a few more!

Plus we’ll be sampling two very special balsamic vinegars that we order every year during the holiday season.  These also make unique hostess gifts to take to holiday parties.

Hope to see you there!

Amy

Dear Tea Lovers,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I definitely did!  This was the first year in a long time that I had time for my family. It was absolutely wonderful!

Now that the holiday season is upon us, I wanted to invite you to my open house at the Antique Trove this Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6th. On Saturday I’ll be there from 10-3 and Sunday from 1-4.  I’ll be bringing a sampling of goodies from all 5 of the cookbooks. I’ll also be sampling tea and our new spiced tea made with Aspen Mulling Spices.

Check out our holiday infuser packs. Each bag comes with two teas, tied with holiday ribbon and embellished with a tea infuser ball. Only $15.95!  We also have packaged two 1 oz. bags of tea in a cute holiday cellophane bag.  These are only $6.95. (Unfortunately these are only available at the Antique Trove not on-line).

In addition, Babette Donaldson, author of the Emma Lea books will be there on Sunday from 1-3 to autograph her latest books.  Her children’s books make a great gift for that special little one in your life.  She’ll also be giving away a free copy of her new Emma Lea Holiday short story.

Stop by and see me!  I’ve enjoyed the little notes many of you have left on the mailing list sheet at the Antique Trove. Thanks so much!

As a special bonus on December 6th, just print out this e-mail and you’ll receive $5.00 off one item when your purchases total $50.00 (before tax) or more.  If you can’t make it but still want the offer, just send me an order on-line on December 5th or 6th and mention this e-mail in the comment section and I’ll give you the discount as well.

Have a wonderful holiday season!  I hope to see many of you on December 6th at the Antique Trove!

Amy

Recipe:

Chocolate Oatmeal Delights

I have to make this recipe every Thanksgiving for my husband’s family. They just can’t get enough of them.  It’s a great holiday treat, is easy to make and makes a lot!  Enjoy!

• 1 c. butter
• 2 c. brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. baking soda
• 3 c. oatmeal
• 12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 T. butter

Cream together 1 c. butter, brown sugar and eggs.  Sift together flour, salt and baking soda.  Add to creamed mixture.  Stir in oatmeal.  Press 3/4 of mixture into a 9″ x 13″ pan.  (Reserve the remaining 1/4 mixture.)  Melt together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and 2 T. butter.  Pour over oatmeal mixture.  Crumble/chunk the reserved oatmeal mixture on the top of the chocolate mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Do not over bake. Let set for a few hours before cutting.

Dear Tea Lovers,

This is just a reminder about the classes at the Antique Trove this Saturday, November 14th.  A few people were upset last time because they forgot to come.  So here’s your reminder. :-)

A few updates and reminders:

• Tart Servers and Sugar Tongs are in!
• Aspen Mulling Spices should be here today so I’ll have them for sampling and purchasing on Saturday.
• Free shipping on orders over $50.00
• A few more days left on the cookbook offer-Buy 3 cookbooks, get one free, just put down the name of the 4th cookbook you want in the comments section and I’ll send you a free one! (offer does not apply to Master Tea Room Recipes Cookbook)
• This Saturday, November 14th at the Antique Trove in Roseville:
  11:00 – How to Make Our Famous Black Forest Ham Quiche
  1:00 – How to Make Cranberry Orange Scones with Lemon Curd.

Have a great day! Hope to see you on Saturday!

Amy