Brewing

Try to imagine a world without tea; no kettle on, no homely, or delicately shaped tea pots around the house, no delicate tea cups handed down from one generation to the next, no steaming cup of tea offered to a friend or a sick family member to calm the tummy, or nerves, or to linger over with a friend or new acquaintance. I can’t imagine it. So, this month we celebrate that cup which soothes, lubricates, and alerts us all at the same time. After more than 5,000 years the leaf is gaining a widespread appreciation around the world. Always revered in Asian countries where it was native, tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water. Having been the subject of espionage, wars, trade, and numerous legends and myths for millenia, the western world is becoming increasingly appreciative of all this good plant has to offer. The coldest month of the winter is the perfect time for us to celebrate it. Have a tea party and invite friends in; break out the prettiest tea pot and the delicate tea cups that are never used. Make tiny fingerfoods, or hearty comfort food to have with it. And most of all, be sure to inhale the aroma when you drink it and mentally observe its effect on your body as you sip.

 In honor of National Hot Tea Month, we are offering free tastings ever Saturday this month, with a focus on a different type of tea each week. Here is the lineup:

Saturday January 7th: Focus on Flavored Teas

Saturday January 14th: Focus on Black Teas

Saturday January 21st: Focus on Oolong Teas, and our Lunar New Year        Celebration

Saturday January 18th: Focus on Green and White Teas

Be sure to stop in and celebrate with us; you might just find a new tea you’ll enjoy!

 In our family, we celebrate Christmas. So if you do not,   please know that in wishing everyone here a Merry Christmas, I send you not only a religious greeting, but a broader wish for Peace in your lives and on earth, for belief in something greater than yourselves, and the hope that accompanies that. I have often thought that if world leaders met over tea rather than any other beverage, it would be much more difficult to wage war on one another. May you be surrounded by those you love during this joyous season, and may you always have a full cup of tea!

Despite warmer than usual temperatures, the first day of winter is fast approaching and the holiday season is upon us. But I’ve recently noticed that inside, things are budding and blooming. At the shop, my Camellia Sinensis (tea plant) has finally opened it’s delicately fragrant, single blossom. And at home, both the Peace Plant and the Christmas Cactus are blooming. My amaryllis is not flowering yet, but I expect that it soon will push up its bud. This will be very exciting when the snow hits the ground. There may be nothing more homey than being surrounded by fragrant blossoms, drinking a cup of my favorite tea, with the cold wind and snow blowing outside. We hope you’ll join us often in the coming weeks and months of winter to warm your hands and your hearts with tea.
In the coming week

I’m still so full from our Thanksgiving Feast. I hope you had a wonderful day as I did surrounded by my family who I love more than they can ever realize.

Tomorrow begins the craziness of the whirlwind shopping season that will lead up to Christmas; actually, I should say tonight, as some stores were opening before midnight to begin their Black Friday bargains. I have to say, Black Friday has always been a turn-off for me. So it’s no surprise that at Nellie’s, we’ll be moving through the holidays at a slower and more relaxed pace. Although we will not have the super slashed bargain prices that you might encounter in the wee hours and mobs of people at the mall, we do endeavor to always offer the highest quality teas and other products at a good value with very personalized service. And you will always be able to earn rewards as you buy tea; for every 16 ounces of tea purchases accumulated, you will receive a free ounce of any tea of your choice. And, by bringing in your clean tin for a refill, we will deduct the cost by $.50 for 4 ounces or more, and $.25 for under 4 ounces. We also will be offering some great prices on a variety of items. Be sure to check out our 50% off table every time you come in; new items are placed there all the time.

 Here at Nellie’s, we offer a respite from the craziness of the malls or Super Stores. Stop in to enjoy a quiet moment over a cup of tea, maybe a scone to go with it, and find gifts for the tea drinkers on your list. At a small additional cost, we will gift package your selections in our signature glossy black box with printed tissue and beribboned in our beautiful green with gold ribbon…ready to put under the tree! We have gift certificates as well. 

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones.

Register on-line and receive $5.00 off the entrance fee to Ladies Night of Indulgence!

What: A ladies only evening of fun, pampering,

             sampling, shopping, and prize winning

Where: The Portland Regency Hotel

                20 Milk St.

                 Portland, Me. 04106

When: Friday September 28, 2011

              5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Register Now and receive $5.00 off the preregistration fee. All registration fees are donated to The American Heart Association.

Questions? :Call 207-396-5695

More than 20 door prizes will be given away during the course of the evening, each with a minimum of $25.00 reatail value. Each attendee will receive a bag upon entering, and the first 100 arrivals will receive a bag filled with goodies and samples.

I’m pleased to announce that we are all moved into our new space and we are open our regular business hours. It will take us a while to get settled and work out the functionality kinks, but we love our new space and know you will too. Be sure to stop by soon and check us out.

During our move we discovered we have too much stuff, so we have a sale table with everything on the table at 50% off; we keep adding more items to it all the time, so be sure to check it out.

Stay tuned for updates and news coming soon.

Our moving sale ends today, Saturday September 3rd at 3:00 PM. We will then be closed all of next week, through September 13th while we get moved into our new, more spacious and accessible space on the first floor here at 5 Industry Rd. Hopefully we will pass all of our city inspections and be ready to reopen on Wednesday  September 14th at 1:00 PM. Please call us or check this page before coming, just to make sure there are no glitches. We’ll be very excited to welcome you in our new home. If you need anything before then, you’re welcome to call or e-mail with your questions or requests. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

In preparation for our move into a larger space on the first floor of our current building, we are trying to lighten our load. All merchandise is currently included in our “make-your-own-sale”, including teas, tea ware, and gift items. Here’s how it works:

Buy merchandise worth $10-$19.99 and receive a 10% discount.

“              “                         “        $20-$29.99 and receive a 20% discount.

“              “                          “       $30-$39.99 and receive a 30% discount.

“              “                           “        $40.00 and up and receive a 40% discount.

Sale applies only to merchandise currently in stock, not special orders. Does not apply to tea service.

This is the perfect time to pick up something on your wish list, stock up on a favorite tea, or do some early Christmas shopping. Stop in now while we’re well stocked!

Just an update that I leave tomorrow for Las Vegas and the World Tea Expo. During my absence, the shop will be well tended. There is one change this week; NELLIE’S WILL BE CLOSED ON SATURDAY JUNE 25TH ONLY! OTHERWISE, BUSINESS HOURS AS USUAL!

Can’t wait to share what’s new and exciting in the tea world when I return!

Wow! here we’re in June already. The year is almost half way through. That means iced tea season is here, Farmers Markets Season, wedding and graduation seasons, Father’s Day, and…The World Tea Expo.

This Sunday marks the start of the Scarborough Farmers Market, every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM in front of Scarborough Town Hall right on Route #1. We have quite a line-up of vendors this year, so be sure to come and check us out.                       

            As usual, we’ll have some hot teas on tap and iced teas as the weather warrants. What’s your favorite iced tea? I know one of the most popular has been our Green Tea with Coconut and Ginger…MMmmmm!

The month of May was a busy one with the highly successful Victoria Mansion Doll Tea, the ongoing Biddeford Farmers and Artisans Outdoor Market, tea parties, and other occasions. The Doll Tea was just exquisite! Not only was the tea and food outstanding, the volunteers at the Mansion go all out in making up gifts, gift bags, raffles, and door prizes for the attendees, setting beautiful tables, and ensuring that everyone has a marvelous time.

If you have never attended this event, be sure to keep an eye out for it next year. It is the perfect outing for a special child and adult; this year we even had a father and daughter which was so sweet!

I’m so looking forward to this year’s Tea Expo and will update you on our shop hours as the Expo get s little closer. So stay tuned…