Sunshine and Tea and CATS
First – I want to send out a BIG Thank you to all who braved the sunshine last weekend to stop by, say “Hello”, purchase tea – and especially those who explored the unknown realm of Tea Leaf Readings. You raised more than $140 for Tenth Life Cats (including what went into the donation jar as well).
Thanks to Kristin for bringing the trio of 8 week old kittens looking for a home. Wish I had a photo, but I think Elizabeth was going to post one on the Tenth Life site.
I wish I’d even thought to bring a camera so I could document all the comings and goings. It was so much fun – meeting new people, catching up with old friends.
I will take some photos of the shop this weekend, to show you how it’s filled in. We took a count at one point and found we have more than 68 different varieties and blends of teas and tisanes (and I’ve got more coming in next week).
The selection changes based on your requests, so keep your ideas and suggestions coming. It makes the shop more interesting for everyone. Look for another upcoming post for a new service – (thanks to Doug).
signs & shelving & tea – Oh My!
I’ve never been a long-range planner – which is why I’m not good at chess. Probably a good thing right now. If I’d realized all the big and little things I have to make decisions on, I don’t know if this tea shop would ever have gotten off the ground!
I had to get a temporary permit (30 days only) so I could put up a banner at least – so you can find us this weekend. Then, if I’m understanding correctly, I have to have a sign idea ready for city council meeting in less than 2 wks. All while I have to figure out shelving and best use of space, AND keep on top of my tea orders.
Of course, other seasoned business owners realize all of this. I’m VERY green – like my sencha!
So, we’re not doing fancy. It will be a lot like my booth at the market – but we’ll be dry and warm; and the best part is – I don’t have to wait till next Summer to see my regular customers.
Opening Kick-Off Celebration
3134 Sutton Blvd in Maplewood
The Kettle is on in Maplewood!!!
Come help us celebrate the Opening of Traveling Tea at the Wellness Center of Maplewood, 3134 Sutton Blvd. on October 31 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and November 1st from Noon to 4:00 pm.
Come Celebrate All Hallows Eve with us!
Join us to sample the wonderful teas and treats available from Traveling Tea. And for a special treat, satisfy that brewing curiosity with a tea leaf reading by local psychic, Loving Rose.
The Schedule:
From Noon-4 on both Saturday and Sunday we will have local psychic Loving Rose in to do Tea Leaf Readings. The charge is $20 for a 15 minute reading. Purchase of a cup of tea is not required to get a reading. If you’d like a cup of one of our tasty offerings for your Reading, you will get it for half the usual price.
We will be limited to 12 readings per day, so please call Kateri at 314-477-8516 for a pre-paid reservations to ensure your chance at a Reading. Complimentary package of tea with your advance reservation!
A portion of the $20 fee for the tea reading will be donated to tenthlifecats.org, a local cat rescue organization that provides for special needs feline recovery and adoption. Hopefully, a representative of Tenth Life will be on hand to share about the wonderful work they are doing. We will at least have information available of some sort.
How did we choose Tenth Life? Anita, who works with me in the Tower Grove Farmers Market booth on Saturdays, has been fostering one of their kitties until he finds a permanent home; and I love cats too.
Hope to see you there!
Do You Have a Shop? – UPDATE
Well, you’ve done it! Your persistence in asking me “Where will I get my tea this winter?” has bolstered me to say “YES!” to a lovely space in the Wellness Center of Maplewood at 3134 Sutton. Click here for map.
Wellness Center of Maplewood
Mere words cannot convey all I am feeling at taking this baby step (that feels like a giant leap) into creating a retail tea haven for you. I will be able to offer on-the-spot tea samplings and group “Tea Tours” in a homey, nurturing atmosphere.
After I acquire appropriate furniture, individuals and small groups can have a cup of tea while they knit or read a book, or work on their thesis papers (or whatever!).
There is even a small deck and a patio area in back! I am SO excited!!
We will open up on Halloween, special announcement to follow. Though we are starting out bare bones (appropriate for Halloween), we will have some new tea flavors you haven’t seen in our booth yet, and lots of event ideas brewing!
Main space with nothing in it
Inside the shop, looking out
English Tea at the TGFM
Eccles cakes and lemon tea bread are priced the same way as the scones, and you can also mix and match a dozen for $15.00.
Please contact me right away if you want to place an advance order for pickup this Saturday. I believe she tries to do her baking on Tues and Wednesday.
This may be short notice but we’ll do the best we can for this week.
(by the way – the scones freeze beautifully, if you want to plan ahead and stock up)
Do you have a shop?
I get asked this every week on Saturday mornings at the farmers market. I go back and forth on the best way to respond to this query.
Ideally, I would love to have a brick and mortar location with comfy chairs and couches and tables, where you can stop by to sample tea, gather with friends, or seek respite from the work-aday world and rest your weary self with a good book or some knitting (or whatever relaxes You), along with a cup of tea (or a pot), and perhaps a small bit of sweetness (scone, chocolate, cookie) or maybe even a small quiche …. but that’s all up in the air still. WHERE would/should I put it? How and Where would You like our teapot to rest when it’s not Traveling?
For now, my “shop” is wherever I am serving you at the time….most regularly at the Tower Grove Farmers Market, and we are “open” on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. until October 24th (I think we may have extended hours that day, and on 10/3 as well).
The “tea shop” can be brought to YOU as well. I will be posting soon with rates for on-site tea tastings or “Tea Tours”. These gatherings are customized for your party or group and make a fun, interesting, educational afternoon or evening.
Which Earl?
or Sencha? or Jasmine? With multiple offerings for some of our teas you may be puzzling over which one you may like best. If you would like to try a sampler (1/2 oz of each) please email for pricing.
As a point of reference though….
For the Earls – Earl with White Tips has the strongest floral/bergamot flavor and the Teatulia Earl of Bengal has the lightest hint of floral, with the Organic Earl Grey somewhere in between.
Shopping on-line
Hello and thank you for stopping by to see what is new. I do apologize for how slowly this site is developing.
For those of you who don’t know, I’m still working a full-time job and having tea at the Farmers’ Market has been my primary focus. We do now have many of our available teas listed here on the site though, with the appropriate pricing.
The shopping cart should also be working. We tested it earlier this evening. Please give us feedback on what will make your shopping experience smooth and enjoyable. This is a learning adventure for both myself and my webmaster. We appreciate your patience, your input, and your support.
In addition to shopping via the shopping cart here, you can also email me with your request and I can bring it to market, or drop it off at Local Harvest Grocery at 3148 Morganford Road St. Louis 63116
Kateri
Hibiscus Cooler
Organic Hibiscus, Organic Rose Hips, Organic Lemon Verbena
More hibiscus – because a customer asked for it. She read in Prevention Magazine that 3-4 cups of hibiscus tisane per day helps to control high blood pressure. Please try it out and share your results.
1 oz – $4.00 2 oz – $5.50 4 oz – $10.00
Other hibiscus opportunities – Peach Paradise and Red Berries
Red Berries
Hibiscus flowers, elderberries, bilberries, grapes, and citrus peel.
Caffeine Free. Excellent iced or hot!
This was my go-to tea on our first really hot day of summer!
As child of the 60′s, raised on Hi-C Fruit Punch and Kool-aid – one of the first things I did when I got home today was to make a pitcher of Red Berries tea to share with a friend who came to visit. She commented on it tasting like Kool-Aid, but with no sugar or additives to have concerns about. PURE Enjoyment! …..I did add a little sugar to my glass 
YUM!
Then, it occured to me to put a little rice milk in my next glassful. Mmmmm – berry cream-sicle.
Moms? Looking for a healthy alternative to those “juice” drinks?
p.s. – It’s also GREAT hot.
With its berry red color, it makes a lovely presentation in a pitcher, or if you are looking for red color themed beverages for Christmas or Valentine’s Day.
