Change is inevitable in life, and this autumn season of 2008 has seen an evolution in our politics, our economy, and here at Nellie’s. If you’ve been to Biddeford, you’ve noticed that the shop at 265 Main Street has closed. It has been a sad time, but also a heartwarming time as customers, fellow business owners, and others in the community have commented on how much they have enjoyed having our shop in the Downtown. All have commented on how its ambiance and character have added to the development of the area.

With change comes new opportunities, and I am so excited about the Holiday Event which will be held at The Breakers Inn at Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Maine. Check out the events page of the website for details.

In the near future I am happy to receive questions or orders by phone or e-mail while I build the e-commerce features of the website. Hopefully I will find another suitable space to locate Nellie’s physical presence, as I will greatly miss the face to face contact with customers. As always, I am available for tea tasting events and educational presentations with your group.

Wishing everyone a warm and cozy Thanksgiving Holiday with family and friends and a joyous holiday season.

 As ever,

 Marianne

This time last year, I was returning from my three week Tea Tour of China, exhausted and exhilerated, reeling from the thousands of colorful images seen during that awe inspiring journey into history. A year later, I am closer to being able to put all that I saw, learned and experienced, into perspective. If you asked me a year ago if I would consider returning to China, I would have said I was unsure; it is such an exhausting trip both physically and mentally. But, at this time, in this year, I find my thoughts frequently turning to China, thinking of the places I would like to see and experiences I would like to have on my next trip there. I’m remembering the myriads of tea tasted at the tea markets, the friendliness of the tea merchants and other shop keepers, the amazing tastes and sights seen in our travels. So…time will tell, but in the meantime, I frequently think of the ancient temple at the top of Green City Mountain which was destroyed in last Spring’s earthquakes in Sichuan Province. We’re told it will be rebuilt, that the monks and other workers who reside there were all safe, and the serenity of that quiet mountain top is changed, but not gone. Hopefully the ancient tea plants tended there are still growing, Tai Chi Chuan with its graceful, fluid movements is still practiced daily in the clear mountain air, and the old man sitting at the base of the steps leading to the temple continues to monitor the comings and goings of the place. I don’t know if I’ll go back in person, but I definitely frequently go there in my mind…and it’s a wonderful journey.

Research has proven that tea is the cup which is both invigorating and calming at the same time. The caffeine, less per cup by 2/3 than found in a cup of coffee, is tempered by a substance called theanine which provides the calming effects of tea. Rich in antioxidants, and available in such a wide variety of aromas, tastes,and colors, tea is versatile and economical. After enjoying your cups of tea, use the damp tea leaves wrapped in a cloth or paper towel as an eye compress to sooth tired or swollen eyes (plain tea only please; no flavored or spiced blends), save leftover tea in the refrigerator to enjoy iced, and add you spent leaves to the garden or compost to enrich your soil. Tea is also good for dyeing linens which you want to change to an ecru or darker shade. All of this, and even the most expensive fine teas break down to 35 cents to 50 cents a cup.

A gathering of friends can be turned into a party with just a package of biscuits or shortbread, simple tuna or chicken salad sandwiches cut into triangles, some toast and jam, or a simple cake served on colorful mix and match dishes with real napkins. The key to making it a party is a great tea, served hot or iced.

So, turn these challenging times into an opportunity to nurture and enjoy the closeness and comradery that having tea together establishes. And, before we know it, we’ll be on to the next challenge… and the next tea gathering! Enjoy.

Reluctantly we left the mountain the next day, traveling back through the agricultural towns, where the road took us past straw mats spread on the ground on which so many local products were drying in the sun: spicey red peppers, rice, corn. It is unthinkable that this province of abundance has been subjected to such a devastating event. I think of the warm and friendly people we met there: Echo, our local guide who is a bright, intelligent college student, a wisp of a girl with dreams of visiting the western world one day; The daoist monks with whom we met, bright, centered, and spiritual beings yet very knowledgeable of current affairs and the world; The friendly local people who waved and smiled, thrilled at glimpsing us western visitors. I wonder how all of them are, hoping they have survived this devastation. As I read the media coverage of the searching, grieving, and sometimes angry survivors, I wish there were something more I could do than pray for their peace, as I can only imagine this will be very hard to accomplish. I hope to eventually hear from Echo that she and her loved ones are safe and well. I hope this is so.

I was curious about a new book which has been receiving quite a bit of press, The Ultimate Tea Diet, by Mark “Dr. Tea” Ukra. Although recent research clearly supports many health benefits of tea, including slight boost in metabolism, I was curious to see what an entire book on the subject of tea and weight loss would have to say. I am relieved to report that Mr. Ukra’s book also includes sound advice about the importance of healthy food choices and regular exercise. He clearly is enthusiastic about his subject and shares numerous testimonials from happy “Tea Diet” followers. The book includes basic information about tea and its preparation as well as two weeks’ worth of menus and many recipes, all of which include tea as an ingredient.

Although I am reserving judgement until I have a chance to ask the author some questions in person at this year’s Tea Expo, my first thought is following the diet can’t hurt, and it might help. It provides a sensible food plan and might introduce you to some teas you will love.

The book I am currently reading is THE TEA HOUSE FIRE by Ellis Avery. Set in late nineteenth-century Japan, the story chronicles the life of a young American orphan taken in by the family of the premier Japanese Tea Master of the time. Woven among the trials and tragedies of the characters is a priceless description of life with Tea Ceremony during a period of time when the West began to have more access to this exotic and alluring culture. Both the writing and the details of Tea Ceremony are exceptional in the hands of the author who studied Japanese tea ceremony for five years in New York and Kyoto. This book is one to curl up with on a wintry day, as you don’t want to put it down.

Neither of these books is available at Nellie’s, but can be easily found at your local book sellers. I hope you will enjoy some cozy reading. Please feel free to write with some books you have been enjoying.

Best Regards,

Marianne

The ground is white, the wind is blowing, and whether you’ve been out trekking in the cold all day or snuggled inside where it’s warm, there is nothing more welcome than a fragrant cuppa at a certain time of day. I suspect this is the reason January has been officially designated as “Hot Tea Month”.

If your Valentine is a tea drinker, try giving a different type of flower this Valentine’s Day: a Blooming Flower Tea. There is nothing more beautiful than these globes of hand tied tea leaves as they open in a clear glass of boiled water to reveal the inticate floral design hidden in the center. Scented with Jasmine, these flowers create a mini-vacation in the midst of a busy day as they can be re-infused up to three times. What better way to say ” I love you ” to your special person?

Be sure to join us this Thursday December 27th from 5 to 8 PM for this month’s Downtown Biddeford Art Walk.

For a complete listing of Art Walk participants, visit the website at www.biddefordartwalk.com

AND, for your holiday shopping convenience , we will be open Sundays from 12 noon to 5:00 PM for the month of December! Be sure to stop in soon and enjoy the holiday spirit with us. We’ll look forward to seeing you.

Registration is ending soon. I hope to see you there!