Well it’s definitely fall here in Seattle. The leaves are changing on the trees, the weather is cooler and even a bit rainy. I’m really enjoying it! This week I’ll be getting ready for the Northwest Tea Festival. I’m so excited as I missed the World Tea Expo this year due to illness which was very disappointing. This festival almost makes up for it.  In addition to running my booth, I will also be teaching a scone class. If you happen to be in the Seattle area, come by, admission is free! My tea guru and mentor, James Norwood Pratt will also be there. I can’t wait to see him! There will be lots of tea tasting and goodie bags.

Updates:

• Sale ends soon! Free 2 oz tea and free shipping with merchandise orders over $30.00 ends this Thursday, September 30th. This is a great deal! Stock up on your fall teas now!
• Sugar tongs are in!  Finally!
• Fall teas are now restocked at the Antique Trove in Roseville.
• Holiday tea cozies are in, (on-line only) we will be taking them to the festival so order them now before we sell out.
• Try our two new teas! We now offer Pumpkin Masala Chai and Chocolate Mocha Chai.  Both are absolutely wonderful and make a great treat for those soon to be cool fall days.  I like mine with a little bit of milk and sugar as well. They are like desserts, so creamy and delicious but without all of the calories!

Thanks to a dedicated reader who called it to my attention, I forgot to put cinnamon in the Cinnamon Pecan Scones.  So when you’re making these delicious scones add 1 -2 tsp of cinnamon.  I prefer two, but one will do just fine.

Have a great day!

Amy

Updates:

• Get Ready for Fall Season Sale! Order at least $30.00 in merchandise and receive free shipping plus a free bag of 2 oz tea. In the comment section at checkout, put in your free tea flavor. Free offer valid until Sept 30th.
• New 1 oz sample sizes. Because many of you requested it, sample sizes are here! $5.95 each for most teas.  This is a great way to try some new teas.
• Cozies now available.  These fit a 6 cup pot.

I can’t believe that it’s already September!  We had our first real rainy day here in Seattle a few days ago, the first since I’ve been here. It made me think of all of my California customers. Last summer I couldn’t wait for rain in California after the hot summer days. Fall will be here soon!

It’s been a very busy summer with the move of my home and business plus a bit of traveling too. My parents came to visit last week and we went to Victoria, British Columbia. Wow, was it gorgeous!  Butchart Gardens was amazing! We did have tea at the Empress, but not “the tea.”  We didn’t have reservations so we opted for tea and a sweet bite. We had a window seat and a fabulous time!

Now that my company has left and the kids are finally back in school, I’m busy getting ready for the fall and winter tea season and the Northwest Tea Festival in Seattle this October. This week I’ll be also busy packing tea for the Antique Trove. I’ll send out another e-mail when the Trove is all restocked.

Here are some new updates:

• Get Ready for Fall Season Sale! Order at least $30.00 and receive free shipping plus a free bag of 2 oz tea. In the comment section at checkout, put in your free tea flavor. Free offer valid until Sept 30th.
• New 1 oz sample sizes. Because many of you requested it, sample sizes are here! $5.95 each.
• The one pound option is now available again.  Sorry for the delay and thanks for being patient with us.
• Holiday cozies are here for a limited time only.  They will go fast. We will have fall cozies next month but the holiday ones are now in stock. $28.95 each. They are only available on-line.
• Try our three new teas – Southern Belle which is a peach brandy, Butterscotch Caramel Toffee and a new favorite for me, Wuyi Mountain Oolong.
• If you’re looking for fall teas, try one of these:
  • Maple Creme
  • Masala Chai
  • Nutty but Nice (Hazelnut and Vanilla)
  • Orange Cranberry Spice
  • Pumpkin Creme
  • Voodoo
• Steeping Tea at Home vs. Bottled Tea Beverages – I read this interesting article the other day about the benefits of drinking tea you steep yourself vs. the bottled tea beverages.  I thought many of you might be interested.

As many of you know, I absolutely love to cook.  I’m working on a few new recipes, not necessarily afternoon tea recipes, but great ones, nonetheless. I’ll share them with you once I get them perfected. In the meantime, here’s an old favorite for this time of the year. It should help get you in the fall mood, even if the weather isn’t quite there yet.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Amy

Cinnamon Apple Pecan Scones (p. 131 in A Little of This and a Little of That):

• 3 c. self-rising flour
• 3/4 c. granulated sugar
• 1 stick of butter
• 3/4 to 1 c. buttermilk
• 1/4 c. applesauce
• 1/2 c. chopped apples

Topping

• 1/2 c. oatmeal
• 1/4 c. butter
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 c. pecans — chopped and toasted

Mix together flour and sugar.  Use pastry cutter to cut in butter.  Mixture should resemble coarse cornmeal.  Add applesauce and chopped apples.  Add 3/4 c.  buttermilk and stir.  Turn out on a floured board.  Pat into a large circle about 1 inch thick.  In a small bowl combine topping ingredients.  Add enough topping to cover circle.  Press topping into scone dough.  Cut with a small biscuit cutter.  Bake in preheated 400 degree
oven for 12-20 minutes or until nicely browned and done — depending on your oven.  Cool in pan. Glaze with a mixture of powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.  Can be stored in a sealed container and reheated in foil.

Makes about 16 scones.

This is the 3rd week special in our April Surprises month. This week’s special is: 15% off of tea accessories including: tea socks, tea pockets, the perfect one cup measuring spoon, the perfect one pot measuring spoon, the perfect cup and pot of tea spoon, one cup filters, t-sacs and tea strainers. This sale is valid through April 24th, on-line only and limited to stock on hand. Check out our information at the bottom of this page to learn about essential equipment for tea.

Updates:

• The new cookbooks arrive tomorrow, so if you pre-ordered your cookbook, it should be shipped sometime this week.
• Free Shipping until April 30th on orders of $20.00 or more.
• Selected Tea Accessories 15% off through April 24th.
• Master Tea Room Recipes on sale $49.95, regular price $65.00
• May 1st Hosting brunches, Tea Buffets and Large Tea Parties 11:00AM at The Antique Trove
• If someone you know isn’t getting this email and should be, please ask  them to check their spam folder.  ATT, Yahoo and SBC Global seem to be sporadically blocking my e-mails as spam. Thanks!

Have a great week!

Amy

Essential Equipment/Tea Accoutrements

When you’re having a tea party the right equipment can make all the difference.  Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.

1. A tea kettle or glass container – When making tea you really only need a few essential pieces of equipment. You need something to boil the water in.  This can be the traditional tea kettle or electric kettle or you can even use a glass container and heat the water in the microwave.  The tea kettle is best, but if you are in an office setting, the microwave will do.

2. Infusers – Next you will need a tea infuser of some kind.  The tea sock is a great one when you are having large parties.  It allows ample room for the loose tea to expand and release its entire flavor.  The sock works well for both a cup of tea and a pot of tea.  You can even hang several of them in a large pot on the stove to make a huge batch of tea.  Tea balls, pincher type mesh strainers, paper filters, stainless steel infuser baskets will all work for a cup of tea and depending on the size may work for a pot of tea. There are also individual strainers for you to pour your tea through to your cup as you drink.  Personally those are not my favorite as the rest of the tea steeps while you drink your cup and by the time you finish your pot, the tea tastes bitter.

Tea Pockets are one of my favorite ways to infuse tea.  I personally love to take these when I travel.  I make up a few bags ahead of time and just pop them in my purse and ask for hot water at a restaurant.

T-Sacs are very easy to use too.  You can hang them over the side of a cup.  The ones for iced tea are great!

3. Tea Cup – You need something in which to brew the tea. This may be a cup, mug, or tea pot.

4. Timer – It’s important to time the tea.  If tea is oversteeped it will become bitter.

Additional helpful equipment:

Measuring Spoon – For measuring the loose tea, use a teaspoon or tablespoon. You can buy tea measuring spoons for this specific purpose.  Some of us however, do not need a spoon and when you feel experienced you can even “pinch” out the right amount of tea with your fingers.

Tea cozy or tea warmer – For me, a tea cozy is essential as I do not like to drink cold tea. It’s amazing how fast the tea cools without something around the pot or a tea light underneath.

Electric coffee urn – For large parties, an electric stainless steel coffee urn works well. Make sure it has not been previously used for coffee as it will affect the taste of the tea. Take out the percolator filter. Place water in the urn, turn it on and wait until it’s finished. Then place your cup or pot under the urn and dispense hot water into your infuser into the cup/pot.  The water is not quite hot enough, but it will definitely do for large parties.

Sugar Tongs
Sugar Bowl
Small Milk Pitcher
Teaspoons – for stirring tea

Not Needed But Fun Accoutrements and Added Touches:

There are so many unique accessories you can use.  The list is endless and full of possibilities. Use your imagination and have fun! These are a few of my favorites.

Lemon squeezer – This is for adding lemon to your tea. Place a wedge of lemon inside and squeeze. They come in a variety of forms. My favorite is the lemon bird.

Decorated sugar – This adds a special touch to your party.  They come in all colors and shapes. I love to coordinate them with the season – roses and hearts for Valentine’s Day, shamrocks for a St. Patrick’s Day holly and berries for the holiday season. I love to put a few special ones on top of the regular white sugar cubes in the sugar bowl.  This way you don’t use too many and they really stand out against the white sugar cubes.

Lace doilies – To cover the milk pitcher. You can even decorate them with beads to help weigh down the cover.

As promised, this month is dedicated to my on-liners. This week’s April surprise special is: decorative sugars are on sale 10% until April 17th. Plus remember you get free shipping for orders over $20.00 during the month of April.  Sugar sale applies to items in-stock, on-line only. Shop early for the best selection.  Stay tuned for next week’s April surprise!

Have a great week!

Amy

Recipe of the week:

Devonshire Cream

This is not the “real” English Devonshire cream, but our version.  It’s very tasty and keeps for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Serve Devonshire Cream and Lemon Curd in cute dishes such as these with little spoons.

• 1 8 oz. pkg. softened cream cheese
• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/2 freshly squeezed lemon
• 2 t. vanilla
• 1 c. sour cream

In a  small  bowl with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, lemon juice, and vanilla.  Gradually beat in powdered sugar.  Fold in sour cream.

Makes 1 1/2 cups.

Updates:

• Free Shipping until April 30th on orders of $20.00 or more.
• Master Tea Room Recipes on sale $49.95, regular price $65.00
• May 1st class — Hosting brunches, Tea Buffets and Large Tea Parties — 11AM at the Antique Trove

Apparently there is some confusion about the next class date.  It was on April 10th, but I had to change it to May 1st.  So the next class at the Antique Trove is on May 1st at 11:00 AM.  This class will be, “Hosting Brunches, Tea Buffets and Large Tea Parties.”

On another note, I have had some trouble with people not receiving my response e-mails.  They receive the notices about classes, newsletters and such, but when they e-mail me a question and I reply directly back to them, it ends up in their spam folder.

To correct this problem, please make sure amy@afternoontoremember.com and info@afternoontoremember.com is “white listed.”  Also, if you send me a message and don’t hear back from me, let me know. I respond to e-mail immediately so chances are it’s in your spam folder. But let me know and I will send it through another e-mail account.  The people mostly affected are Yahoo and AT&T customers.  I’m not sure why this is happening, but it is becoming more frequent.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Amy

Updates:

• Free Shipping until April 30th on orders of $20.00 or more.
• Master Tea Room Recipes on sale $49.95, regular price $65.00
• May 1st Hosting brunches, Tea Buffets and Large Tea Parties 11:00 AM Antique Trove

Apparently it looked like our Master Tea Room Recipes cookbooks were sold out. They are indeed not. I’m so sorry!  Thanks to our loyal customers who let us know (about five of you at current count), I have fixed the problem. Sorry for the inconvenience if you were trying to order them.  They are still on sale and will be until the end of the month.

Amy

The latest newsletter is out!  Included inside are tips for a great tea party, a scone recipe and more! Our tea of the month is:  Rhapsody in Raspberry which is raspberry mango and it’s 25% off this month. Also be sure and check out our April special of free shipping for orders of $20.00 or more.   Have a great Easter holiday!

Amy

Thanks to all who came to the class this Saturday.  We had over 50 people there again!  Wow! You all really amaze me!  I am so grateful that so many people want to come to my classes. You’re amazing!

Unfortunately I printed out handouts for everyone but left them in the car!  So, here’s the link to a pdf of the handout.  I’m so sorry I forgot to give them to you!

Many people have asked if the information is in one of the cookbooks. The sandwich information is in the Master Tea Room Recipes cookbook. This book was originally intended for other tea rooms, caterers and people doing large parties but I’m finding that a lot of my customers are interested in this book as well.  I’m sorry I didn’t have more copies at my booth.  The cookbook is on special for $49.95 from now until April 30th.

The next class will be May 1st at 11:00 AM and will focus on Large Tea Parties, Brunches and Tea Buffets. Just in time for Mother’s Day!

Have a wonderful week!  For all of you loyal on-liners, I have a few specials coming up for you. I didn’t want you to feel cheated because you couldn’t come to my classes. Look for them in April!

Amy

P.S. This is a note from Amy’s husband Pat.  It’s time for KCRA’s A-List again.  Somebody nominated An Afternoon to Remember.  For that, we thank you.  The fact that we are getting any votes after the tea room closed is an amazing testament to you, our customers.  I am not asking that you vote for us since the tea room is no longer open.  However, if you are willing to support a passion of mine beyond my family I would be greatful.  If you could vote for Bedwell’s Karate that would be fantastic (or if you know anybody who could benefit from the martial arts, send them our way.)

This is just a reminder that the “How to Make and Garnish Tea Sandwiches,” class will be this Saturday, March 27th at 11:00 AM at the Antique Trove in Roseville.

This class will focus on:

• How to adapt recipes for tea sandwiches
• Tips for how to cut tea sandwiches
• How far ahead you can make and garnish tea sandwiches
• How to store tea sandwiches

All classes are free and you don’t need to sign up.  However, if you think you might attend, please send me an e-mail so that I’ll know about how many to prepare for — we’ll taste teas and a few goodies.  Hope to see you there!

Update on cookbook:

Our new cookbook will be out soon!  The proof came back but there were a few corrections so we’re waiting on the second proof. I’ll let you know when the final copies arrive. I can’t wait to share it with you!

Next class:

Brunch Ideas for tea buffets for Spring and Mother’s Day! April 10th at 11:00 AM.

Have a wonderful Day!

Amy