Summer Porch and Garden

Please join us each Friday for a themed shopping experience. As a proud member of Make Mine Pink, I will be following the theme of the week along with other member boutiques. I will add newly listed items or specials to this category early Friday morning. Quantities will be limited to stock on hand. Shop early--you never know what you will miss if you don't!

The theme for Friday, July 10th is "Summer Porch and Garden."

There’s nothing more inviting than a summer porch and garden. It can be a source of shade when the temperature gets too warm, a place of shelter during a gentle summer rain, or just a place to sit with someone special on a lazy summer day. It can be a welcoming start your day with your favorite antique tea cup in hand or a front row seat to watch the sunset from the porch swing.

No matter what your summer days hold, a porch and garden can provide the ideal setting for friends, family and even a private retreat. Won’t you join me for a cup of tea while you browse for a few necessi-teas for your summer porch and garden?

A Rose By Any Other Name..."--Pink Friday, June 26

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday June 26, 2009 as we present "A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME."

As a proud member of Make Mine Pink, I will be following the theme of the week along with other member boutiques. I will add newly listed items or specials to this category early Friday morning. Quantities will be limited to stock on hand. Shop early--you never know what you will miss if you don't!

Getting it Right

I received a website comment via my guestbook this morning that made my day. She was a first time visitor and just wanted to let me know that she loved my site and was going to share it with someone else. What a great compliment! It made me feel so good to know that I put a smile on someone's face and that I am "getting it right" at least some of the time.

When I was at the World Tea Expo recently, I had the good fortune to have a booth next to Susan Rios. Traffic was slower than expected due to a number of things (the economy, swine flu over-reaction, and it being the week before Mother's Day), but that gave me time to observe how a successful person conducted business. The one thing that stood out--she talked to people. She asked questions. At one point, she was working on a product design and asked for input on the shape of a coaster. Someone asked her, "Well, which shape do you like best?" Her answer--"I'd rather get it right than be right."

What a profound statement! Here is a woman, so creative and talented, asking for opinions and making decisions based on that input. I knew right then that I had been gifted with a piece of advice that I should take to heart. And so I am...

What am I doing right? What needs improvement? What products would you like to see in my shop that I don't currently offer? I am interested in comments about my website as well as my products. I may not post them, but I promise to read your comments and take each one into consideration.

Favorite Finds--Pink Friday

You know that sudden flutter you feel when you discover a long sought after treasure?

...Vintage china pieces with hand painted roses that bring back forgotten memories. ...Crisp table linens, reminiscent of special teas shared with Grandmother so many years ago. ...Tea cozies trimmed in Venice lace and satin ribbons and bows. ...A stunning china teapot--just right for an afternoon tea party with friends.

Favorite finds of all shapes and sizes, to fill each corner and to suit every whim, wait for you to discover at Sweet Necessi-Teas and Make Mine Pink. Please join us this Friday, June 19 to see if you will find something to make your heart flutter!

Iced Tea--A Cool Respite

Did you know that June is National Iced Tea Month? I don't know who decides these things, but they must have been to Dallas in June when the temperatures go from cool to hot overnight! Summer has arrived in North Texas! The temps are in the high 90's and I am looking for ways to keep cool. That got me to thinking about cool drinks and, in particular, iced tea.

One of my favorite respites on hot summer afternoons is to pour myself a tall glass of iced tea and head for the front porch swing. There is generally a breeze blowing and I love to relax there with a good book. Often, a friend or 2 will stop by, so I always try to have a pitcher of tea made and a few goodies on hand for an impropmtu gathering.

Below, you will find directions for making iced tea. My hope is that you will find time in your busy day to head to your own porch or gazebo and enjoy a glass with a friend!

Iced Tea

There are a number of ways to make the perfect iced tea. When making iced tea, you may use your favorite black, green or flavored teas or tisanes (herbal teas). However, Ceylon and Keemun do not go cloudy when left to stand. Iced tea can be made using both loose leaf tea and teabags.

How to make Iced Tea using loose leaf tea

Make a pot of tea using loose leaf tea, adding 1-2 teaspoons more than usual. Infuse to the desired strength, strain into a pitcher and add sugar or sweetener to taste. Set aside to cool or refrigerate.

Overnight version. . .

In a tall pitcher, add 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per cup. Fill the pitcher with cold water and place in the refrigerator overnight. Sweeten as desired.

How to make Iced Tea using tea bags

When making iced tea using tea bags, the tea doesn't go cloudy and it can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. Make a pot of tea using tea bags, adding an extra tea bag. Leave to infuse to the desired strength and then pour into a tall pitcher and set aside to cool. Add sugar or sweetener to taste.

Overnight version . . .

In a tall pitcher, add 1 tea bag per cup. Fill the pitcher with cold water and place in the refrigerator overnight. Sweeten as desired.

To serve your Iced Tea

Fill tall glasses with ice cubes or crushed ice then add the strained, chilled tea. Garnish with lemon or orange slices, kiwi fruit, fresh strawberries, or sprigs of mint leaves.

Tea Ice Cubes
Tea Ice Cubes are great to accompany your iced teas. They keep your tea from getting diluted. Simply add your favorite freshly brewed and cooled tea to ice cube trays and freeze until ready to serve. For extra flavor and a festive look you can add one or more of the following add-ins before freezing.

Ice Cube Add-ins: extra sugar, lemon twists, lemon juice, fresh mint leaves, sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or even rose petals.

I'm headed to the kitchen to make a pitcher of Passion Peach Iced Tea. See you on the porch later!

In the Garden--Pink Friday at Sweet Necessi-Teas

Please join us each Friday for a themed shopping experience. As a proud member of Make Mine Pink, I will be following the theme of the week along with other member boutiques. I will add newly listed items or specials to this category early Friday morning. Quantities will be limited to stock on hand. Shop early--you never know what you will miss if you don't!

The theme for Friday, June 12th is "In the Garden."

"A garden tea party...a hand painted table brought outdoors just for the occasion. A Victorian cake stand filled with roses and sweets takes center stage, the vintage china tea cups and plates are set. In the shade, you can remove the sun hat that was created just for you, in a design that makes you smile whenever you catch a glimpse of it.

The garden scenery is reflected in a beautiful handmade cushion, stitched from fabric alive with pink blossoms, then placed on a nearby garden chair. A decorative vintage birdcage hangs from a weather hook. On the table lies a gardening book filled with inspiration and ideas to share. Later, you'll remember absent friends and lovingly write to them on note cards reminiscent of a favorite rose garden. But for right now, you'll celebrate with those who are here, and share the treasures you've found along the garden path."

~~Joyce Lucas, founder of MakeMinePink

Pink Friday server error--Yikes!

Due to a server error on Friday, my Pink Friday files were deleted. I apologize for the inconvenience. I will be re-running my Pink Friday specials on Sunday, June 7. Please stop in to see what great deals you missed!