Anna Riding Bike

In support of her efforts, this Saturday, Sept 4 2010, Traveling Tea will donate 10% of sales to her fund raising campaign.  We will also have a donation jar out for your contributions. 

For more information, or if you are unable to come to the market this week and want to make a donation directly, follow the link at the right to “Donate to MS Gateway Ride”, or click on this photo.

If you want a record of your tax deductible donation, you can drop off a check made payable to: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Anna will see that you get credit (please make sure your address is on the check).

I learned and saw a lot at the World Tea Expo earlier in June. This is an opportunity to share it all with You.

New teas from Japan, India, and Hawaii
New tea brewing accessories

We need YOUR Help as well – Sample new teas (new flavors, and teas from the Amazon!). Help decide what new teas will be brought in over the next few months.

This was a decision arrived at somewhat spontaneously. I enjoyed the shop environment for the more leisurely pace of interacting and sometimes chatting with some of you for quite some time over a cup of tea.

Yet, economic realities had to be faced; and then, as I contemplated working at the Summer Farmers’ Markets again, I realized how much joy and vitality I experience interacting with you in that medium.

I remembered how inspired the name “Traveling Tea” and the teapot logo with its hobo bag, just “came to me”, almost unbidden…..and even the slogan “Sharing Good Times – Sharing Good Tea”. (”Traveling Tea”, not “Sitting in a Shop” Tea)

Though it was originally a teashop in Kansas City that generated the idea of a tea business in St. Louis for me, what I was “given” to create is something different.

Bringing tea to you, where you are in your lives and activities; to get quality tea on the menus at venues and events in the area where tea-lovers currently have limited choice. This is my mission. So tea lovers throughout the St. Louis area can truly enjoy healthy, tasty, properly brewed tea while they are sharing good times with friends and family.

Help me spread the word. Tell me where you want to see Traveling Tea. Tell the owners and managers of those places you want to be able to buy/drink Traveling Tea product there.

Together, we can take St. Louis beverage enjoyment to the next level!

Happy Summer 2010
I look forward to seeing you at the Markets

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“Traveling Tea”, “Sharing Good Times – Sharing Good Tea”, and the hobo bag red teapot logo are copyrighted by Nature’s Notions, LLC and Traveling Tea.

 I made out the entire posting last Sunday and then it disappeared in cyberspace when I lost my internet connection.  For some reason, this sort of thing has a tendency to dishearten me and I have to rebuild momentum to try again.

 So, the first somewhat significant snow we had was on Sunday 12/27, though I don’t think it was quite an inch when it finished.  Then we had slightly more snow on the following Wednesday 12/30.  Since it was a Wednesday, I could not get by the shop to actually measure it, as I said I was going to do.  Someone had guessed that day as the “snow day”.

 Since no one guessed any days in the week of Jan 4, when we got really measurable snow – I am awarding the prize of ½ oz of white tea of choice to April D., and the sampler of whites goes to Tom K.

 Come by the shop during our regular hours and pick up your tea!  (I will be emailing notices to you)

• Starting this weekend – Come in to the shop and tell us the day you think our shop in Maplewood will receive the first snowfall of at least 1”.  We will record your name and phone #/email address on a calendar in the shop.
• The person (or persons, in case of a tie) with the correct guess will win 1/2 oz of a White Tea of their choice (limited to varieties on hand – as of this posting we have 5 luscious choices – and will probably have more by the 1st snowfall!)
• All entrants will have their names entered into a drawing for a White Tea Sampler (Value of $15-20)

Clarifications:

In lieu of official measurement by a local meteorologist, snowfall measurement will be made in our front yard, using a standard ruler.

The cut-off for opportunities to record your prediction and win will be retroactive to the actual snowfall by 7 days.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.