Lady Caroline is pleased to announce we are now an affiliate with Iveta Gourmet Baking Mixes.

Now you can order all your baking needs through Ladysfortea.com and access Iveta's website.

If you are a business owner and want to also become an affiliate, (no cost to you), just use the link accessed on Ladysfortea.com website and sign up with Iveta and receive 10% of your customer's orders in return.

We have been selling Iveta's baking mixes for 6 years now and have awaited this day for quite some time. Congratulations Iveta for the success in your journey.

Happy Baking!

Lady Caroline

Ladysfortea.com is excited to be joining The Frugal Crow in Rockaway, Oregon on April 3, 2010 for their Grand Opening. Come and have a cup of tea and fresh scone while doing your Easter and Mother's Day shopping. The vintage shop is located right on main street in Rockaway on the Oregon coastline. I know you will be delighted with all of Ann's wears as well as a sampling of our tea and baked goods. We will also have loose leaf tea and accessories available in gift bags just in time for Easter and Mother's Day teas. Lady Caroline

Tea and Toast


What is the connection between women and their families and their friends. Why do we enjoy retreats so much? What is a retreat? What are we "retreating" from?

I recently went to a "women's retreat" with my daughter, my sister, and my niece.
There I found peace, healing, comfort, sadness, forgiveness. We found fun in our imperfections. We learned what our favorite things are and what is important to us. We received and gave grace one with another. We longed for the past and despised it at the same time. We learned to have faith in ourselves and each other. We shared the bitterness of the truth. We learned about what our play was. That it is not the outcome but the process of the road we travel. We learned that tears, regrets, and forgiveness is the road that got us here.

We learned how to be comfortable with ourselves, comfortable with who others are, and how to allow them to be comfortable with who they are.

Are we filled with false expectations of ourselves and others? Are all expectations good or bad? Or are they just expectations?

This season, learn to love, allow, forgive. Begin again with your self and others.

If we hadn't tread the road thus far, we wouldn't be where we are today or who we are.

There is pain, sorrow, joys, regrets, rewards, happiness, sadness, and new goals. But, no failures.

Find someone close and dear to you and begin to share these experiences and begin again.

Here is a menu you might want to use and have them in for a nice fall tea.

Squash Bisgue (recipe taken from New Seasons Market
Wild Rice (fill the empty squash shells)
Pumpkin Muffins (baking Mix available on Ladysfortea Website)
Cranberry Relish
Pot of your favorite tea (Market Spice tea is perfect to go with this menu-also available at Ladysfortea.com
Dessert-a berry cobler would be nice
Chocolates or truffles always a must

Recipe for Squash Bisque
1 lg butternut squash
(cut in half with seeds scooped out)
Water for baking dish
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup apple cider
1 teaspon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. After washing and cutting squash, place it cut-side down in a large glass baking dish. Add a bit of water to the pan (about 1/2 inch). Bake for 60 minutes, depending on the size of the squash. To test it, poke with a fork through the skin. If the fork is easy to remove and the squash is soft, it is done. Scoop the squash out of the skin and blend or puree with broth, cider, nutmeg, and salt.

Serve the wild rice in the empty shells.

I pray you enjoy this Holiday season. But most of all love and forgive yourself first, then others.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Lady Caroline

Tea and Toast
As we lead into the fall, we begin to think of the comfort foods from our past and the ones we have handed down from generation to generation. I would like to share a piece of my past with you.

I grew up during the time that we had recipes with the phrase "Impossible" in the title. This referred to the idea that you could just dump all the ingredients together and throw it in the oven and it became a dish all by itself. These recipes were developed for the new generation of women that were entering the work place for the first time and time budgeting was an issue balancing career and family and home responsibilities.

Since pie is one of my favorite foods during the fall and holiday season, and I confess anytime of year, I have continued using a recipe inherited from my mother for the "Impossible Pie."The spices are traditional for this time of year and the custard filling is comforting as well. I love the fact that is makes it's own crust. This recipe lives up to it's name and is especially good paired with your favorite cup of tea.

I trust you will try this recipe as our weather gets cooler and we start having guests and friends into our homes.

"Impossible Pie"

4 eggs
1/4 cup marg
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 cups milk
1 cup coconut
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Blend together and pour into a buttered 10" pie tin-I prefer glass
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour
Allow to cool before cutting and serving with your favorite pot of tea.

I hope you enjoy this Impossible Pie and share it with a friend.

Tea and Toast
When I was in my early twenties, my mother had a habit of making a pot of tea and a stack of toast for her and Daddy at any given moment. It could be breakfast, mid morning, afternoon, or the evening meal. I remember thinking that he was so deprived and she should be making him full balanced meals, not feeding a full grown man of 6'2" and weighing nearly 200 pounds just toast and tea(never dawned on me something had to contribute to his size other than starvation). Oh my heart ached for him and I thought my mother was just awful for treating him in such a way. After all, that's not how a wife should treat her husband! So of coarse, being the full rounded good daughter and wife that I was(and medler), I would make meals and drop them off, invite them over for dinner, invite myself over so Momma would cook, any excuse to get a "good " meal down the two of them. I have to admit, my father was very thankful and delighted in the treatment and filled his plate again and again. I in the end felt myself justified that they at least had gotten one good meal in them that day. My mother remained unempressed and returned to her toast and tea. I could never figure out what was "wrong" with her. Why did she not love to cook and wait on my loving father?

Now, in my late 50's, while driving home from a full day's work, I dread the thought of going home and facing my other "job" for the evening, knowing full well when I get home, the thought of a home cooked meal will be on my husband and son's mind, wondering what delicious dish I would come up with tonight. Well, last night my son was gone for the evening (lucky me), so my husband got a bowl of soup from a can heated in the microwave along with a ham and cheese sandwich toasted in the toaster oven and I felt like I did pretty good. I myself had a pot of tea and didn't even manage to get a piece of buttered toast made. Hmmm. Maybe my momma's tea and toast wasn't so bad after all. Wonder what my daughter would have thought if she had stopped by last night? Ya, know, I could go for some tea and toast as we speak. There is nothing that will keep me from my tea and a buttered piece of toast when I awake of a morning. Doesn't matter if it's hot. Doesn't matter if it's cold. Doesn't matter if I'm sick or well, just give me my Tea and Toast.

Tea Helps Toughen Older Women's Hips

Published: 10/10/07WEDNESDAY, Oct. 10 (HealthDay News)

-- New Australian research suggests that having a cuppa (tea, that is) may help strengthen older women's hips."This study suggests that drinking tea in moderation can actually benefit your bones," said lead researcher Amanda Devine, a senior lecturer in the nutrition program at the School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, and adjunct senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia's School of Medicine and Pharmacology, in Perth."Those who drank tea in the study had a higher bone density over the four years that they were studied," she said. "These women lost less bone than those who did not drink tea. More than three-quarters of the women drank tea daily, and they consumed on average about three cups per day."Outside experts called the findings intriguing but still preliminary."Some tea may be potentially helpful," said Paul Brandt, an associate professor of neuroscience and experimental therapeutics at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. "One or two cups of tea a day probably couldn't hurt, but I wouldn't say that it absolutely will help. It's possible that it could prevent some loss."

Prior research has suggested that drinking tea may improve bone mineral density in people at risk for osteoporosis, but the findings are not conclusive. One study found that drinking green tea might help ease the inflammation and pain of rheumatoid arthritis.Fractures, especially hip fractures associated with osteoporosis, are a major source of disability in postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis causes the bones to become fragile and more likely to break. Although it primarily affects older women, osteoporosis can affect others as well.

The new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, involved 1,500 elderly (70 to 85 years old) Australian women who participated in a five-year trial of the effect of calcium supplementation on osteoporotic hip fracture. Information on tea consumption was collected at the beginning of the study for 275 participants, and all participants filled out a beverage consumption questionnaire at the end of the trial. Bone mineral density at the hip was measured at years 1 and 5. By the end of the study, bone mineral density at the hip was 2.8 percent greater in tea drinkers than in non-tea drinkers, the researchers found. Over four years, tea drinkers lost an average of only 1.6 percent of their total hip bone mineral density, while non-tea drinkers lost 4 percent -- consistent with previous studies. There was, however, no relationship between the amount of tea consumed and bone gains, which raises some questions about the mechanisms which might be responsible for the effect. "We didn't see a dose-response to tea drinking -- that is, if you drank more tea, then your bones were even better," Devine said. "The lack of relationship may be due to the small numbers of tea drinkers in each group, once we started examining these data. When we just look at the whole group, we have more power to see a difference."

The authors speculated that certain components of tea, such as antioxidant flavonoids, might account for the benefit seen.Flavonoids "have been shown to have a stimulatory effect on new cells that build bone in cell line studies," Devine explained. "Also, the weak estrogenic [effect] of phytoestrogens found in tea may be beneficial especially to older women whose levels of endogenous estrogen is low. Also, the addition of milk to tea will add calcium to the diet, which is also needed for healthy bones."

More information: There's more on bone loss at the National Osteoporosis Foundation.Last reviewed: 10/10/2007 Last updated: 10/10/2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FEELING ANXIOUS OR DISTRACTED?
NEW RESEARCH SHOWS A CUP OF TEA COULD HELP

New Findings Show How Tea Impacts Brain Waves

Other Research Links Drinking Tea to Weight Management and Reduced Risk of Heart Disease, Certain Cancers & Diabetes

WASHINGTON, DC, September 18, 2007 – Leading scientists from around the world convened today in Washington, DC for the Fourth International Scientific Symposium on Tea & Human Health to review the latest findings on the potential health benefits of tea, including studies on how it may help maintain a healthy body weight, control blood sugar and even help us think more clearly. New studies adding to the body of knowledge regarding the comfort beverage’s potential ability to reduce risk for several chronic diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers were also presented.

Tea Theanine Link to Attention and Focus
The results of several ongoing human trials presented by John Foxe, Ph.D., Professor of Neuroscience, Biology and Psychology at City College of the City University of New York, have found that theanine from tea actively alters the attention networks of the brain. Theanine is an amino acid present almost exclusively in the tea plant. After drinking tea, the amino acid theanine, which is present in Green, Black and Oolong varieties, is known to be absorbed by the small intestine and cross the blood-brain barrier where it affects the brain’s neurotransmitters, and increases alpha brain-wave activity. This alpha brain rhythm is known to induce a calmer, yet more alert, state of mind.

Dr. Foxe and his team used electrophysiological measures to monitor brain activity after individuals drank solutions containing either 250 mg theanine or placebo. The subjects were asked to complete a variety of attention-related computerized tasks. “Our results showed that after having theanine, individuals showed significant improvements in tests for attention and that activity in cortical regions responsible for attention functions was enhanced,” said Dr. Foxe.

New research in Dr. Foxe’s laboratory, the Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory at the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research in Orangeburg, New York, suggests that the effects of theanine in combination with caffeine are even greater than with either one alone in improving attention. Theanine may work synergistically with caffeine to help induce a more calming, relaxed state, but one that allows the mind to focus and concentrate better at tasks. A cup of tea contains an average of 20-25 mg of theanine.

“What’s more, we have seen that just 20 minutes after consuming theanine, the blood concentrations increase and the brain’s alpha waves are impacted. It lasts about three to four hours, which we have speculated may be why people tend to drink a cup of tea every three-to-four hours during the day,” added Dr. Foxe.

Tea May Help Maintain Brain Health
Numerous studies have concluded that diets rich in fruits and vegetables support the body in fighting neurological decline through antioxidant mechanisms associated with their high flavonoid content. However, the importance of polyphenolic flavonoids in supporting healthy brain cells appears to go beyond the simple oxygen species scavenging, involving pleiotropic effects on numerous biological pathways to help keep human brain cells from dying and even help repair them when they are subjected to insults that damage the cells’ DNA.

Human epidemiological and new animal data from around the world suggest that drinking tea, especially rich in catechins, may help support the brain as we age. Indeed, tea consumption is inversely correlated with the incidence of dementia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, which may help to explain why there are significantly lower incidence rates of age-related neurological disorders among Asians than in Europeans or Americans.

Dr. Silvia Mandel, of the Eve Topf Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Israel, has been studying the effects of tea on brain functions in laboratory and animal models for over a decade. Her most recent studies, presented at the symposium, looked at animal models of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Her group provided an amount of purified EGCG equal to about two to four cups of Green Tea per day to animals with induced Parkinsonism as part of their diet to evaluate how their symptoms improved or progressed. They found that when the animals are fed Green Tea EGCG, the polyphenol appeared to prevent brain cells from dying, and showed improvements in reducing compounds that lead to lesions in the brains of animals with Alzheimer’s disease.

According to Dr. Mandel, "not only may the EGCG help prevent brain cells from dying, it appears that the polyphenol may even rescue the neurons once they have been damaged, to help them repair. In the past, it was thought that once brain cells were damaged, there was no way to repair them. The major question is whether these promising results are reproducible in humans."

Further Evidence that Tea Promotes Good Health
The latest data provide further evidence of tea’s role in helping individuals maintain good health and vitality. Research scientists from top medical institutions in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America gathered to share their new data.

Some of the other exciting findings presented at the Fourth International Scientific Symposium on Tea & Human Health relevant to public health were:
· Tea flavonoids may improve cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation and improving blood vessel function;
· Tea drinking may play a role in gene expression that is involved in cancer cells;
· Tea may play a role in shifting metabolism to favor weight loss and better manage blood sugar levels;
· Tea is a major contributor of flavonoids in the US diet.

The symposium, which was sponsored by the American Cancer Society, American College of Nutrition, American Medical Women’s Association, American Society for Nutrition, The Linus Pauling Institute and the Tea Council of the U.S.A., was held at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Leading researchers from around the world joined American scientists in presenting the latest clinical, laboratory and epidemiological data on the role of tea in promoting healthfulness and reducing the risk of disease.

“The list of health benefits associated with tea consumption continues to grow. And, unlike medications, there are no known medical reasons not to enjoy tea as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, ” said meeting co-chair, Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and Director, Antioxidants Research Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston.

“The scientific community around the world is making tremendous advancements in better understanding the mechanisms by which tea may reduce risk for heart disease, certain cancers, type II diabetes, and help maintain neurological function. Researchers are finding out exactly how bioactive compounds in tea exert their positive effects on human health,” commented co-chair Lenore Arab, Ph.D., Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

New Findings About Tea and Weight Management
With over two-thirds of the U.S. adult population overweight or obese, scientists are looking for medically sound ways to help consumers manage their weight. One area of intense research is Green Tea and tea catechin polyphenols specifically. To clarify the status of the research to date, Eva Kovacs, Ph.D., Clinical Research Manager at Unilever North America, reviewed the existing scientific literature on Green Tea, weight loss and metabolism. Dr. Kovacs reviewed several research studies conducted in recent years that suggest that Green Teas rich in catechins may aid in weight management by reducing body fat and in particular visceral fat, possibly through increased resting energy expenditure and fat oxidation. “A few studies have found modest benefits on metabolism from Green Tea extract, but more research is needed before recommending drinking Green Tea as a ‘fat burner,’” said Dr. Kovacs.

Since Green and Black Tea can be enjoyed without added calories, tea drinkers may find that they can eliminate liquid calories in their diet by drinking tea in lieu of sugar-laden beverages that are nutrient-poor but calorie-rich. Dr. Kovacs warned consumers that Green Tea products are no magic bullet for weight loss and Green Tea should be included as part of an overall diet and exercise strategy to achieve a healthy body weight.

Studies Suggest Tea Consumption Tames Inflammation, Improves Blood Vessel Function
New research presented by Claudio Ferri, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of L'Aquila in Italy provided additional insights into how tea flavonoids provide support for cardiovascular health by promoting healthy endothelial function. In his studies, subjects were given either low, intermediate or high doses of tea flavonoids and then the researchers measure endothelial dysfunction via flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery and arterial stiffness. "Our studies have found that tea flavonoids improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and decrease arterial stiffness in study participants, thereby suggesting that tea consumption may have favorable effects on cardiovascular disease."

These new developments in artery endothelium research add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that drinking as little as two to four cups of tea daily can promote cardiovascular health in several different ways. Tea flavonoids are thought to support cardiovascular health through several mechanisms, including: providing antioxidants to help temper inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein; reducing blood cholesterol levels; and providing dilation of blood vessels to help manage blood pressure.

Tea May Impact Genes Involved in Cancer Initiation and Development
Results from tea intervention trials on the role of Green Tea on the prevention of cancer provided insights into the cutting edge field of nutri-genomics, or how gene susceptibility toward chronic diseases can be altered through dietary interventions. Iman Hakim, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., Professor and Interim Dean of the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and Professor at the Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, has conducted several human clinical trials over the past decade on the role both Green and Black Tea may play in certain cancers. Her latest human clinical trial suggests that bioactive compounds in tea have a significant effect on genes that impact cancer susceptibility and repair from environmental insults.

"The good news is that we are seeing that Green Tea is impacting genes that play a role in cancer, but we cannot at this point pinpoint who will be responders versus non-responders," noted Dr. Hakim. “In addition, our recent preliminary data show a beneficial effect of Green Tea on lipid profile among smokers and former smokers. Therefore, since there is no known downside of consuming tea, and it may be beneficial, there's no reason not to recommend drinking it.” Dr. Hakim's lab is currently analyzing the study data to determine if Black Tea has similar effects to Green. The amount of tea that Dr. Hakim recommends is at least four cups per day.

Tea Drinkers Consume Over 20 Times More Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant that are known to be biologically active and are found primarily in plant-based foods and beverages, including fruits and vegetables, chocolate, wine and tea. Intake of flavonoids has been inversely associated with the incidence of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. While research is ongoing to fully understand the roles of flavonoids in human health, they are thought to exert their health benefits, in part, due to their antioxidant capacity.

Using the latest national food consumption databases and the USDA flavonoid Database, Michigan State University researchers were able to differentiate tea drinkers from non-tea drinkers and analyze their diets, based on diet recalls, for flavonoid intake. “We found that just over 21 percent of U.S. adults drank tea and that the total flavonoid intake of tea consumers was more than 20 times higher than flavonoid consumption of non-tea drinkers,” explained lead researcher Won Song, Ph.D., R.D. Professor of Human Nutrition at Michigan State University.

Tea drinkers averaged nearly 700 mg flavonoids while non-tea drinkers averaged about 33 mg per day. A cup of tea contains approximately 125 mg flavonoids, which is more than most non-tea drinkers consume in an entire day.

A Glimpse at the Future of Tea and Health
It’s not surprising to many researchers who study plant-based foods that ongoing scientific studies into the health benefits of drinking tea has led to a robust body of literature that is very promising. Plants are known to have potent bioactive compounds, which is why diets rich in plant-based foods are known to support the body’s fight against many chronic conditions associated with aging. Research continues to show that tea contains bioactive compounds that have biological roles within human cells.

“The data presented at this year’s symposium extends the apparent benefits of tea beyond reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer to new facets of health. Preliminary studies suggesting an effect of tea on neurological function, inflammation, and weight maintenance add to the robust science already demonstrating that tea is healthful beverage,” said Dr. Blumberg. New results from nutrigenomic research should help identify those individuals who will benefit the most from drinking tea. Experimental and clinical studies like these are continuing to expand our knowledge about tea and human health.

This exciting information on health benefits from tea was shared from Tea House Times
Publications.

To your ever increasing health, tea drinkers.

Lady Caroline

The following is an interview of Lady Caroline and Dawnya Sasse from Tea Events. This interview will also be on Tea Radio in October. I hope you enjoy hearing more about my story.
Lady Caroline

Dawnya:What is your personal tea story?
Lady Caroline:I have always been passionate about tea and everything to do with the tea world. I am a girly girl. I love going to teas, I love dressing up for teas. I love the whole Victorian era and the presentation of afternoon tea. Tea is my passion.

Prior to owning my online store, I was in sales for 11 years and managed Dr offices for 14 years. These two worlds combined has given me the gifts and knowledge I needed to own my own business and it had to be about tea. I also learnt much about customer service and my goal is to
please my customers with number 1, great service, and 2 , well known and established products. I decided to reach the customers that know what they want and I strive to give them just that.

In striving to own a tea business, I have had to jump many hurdles and hit many brick walls. Because I am so passionate about tea, I did not give up. I encourage all of you to find your passion, and go with it. Don't give up. Yes, you will have failures and disappointments. I have been disappointed many times and have disappointed other people who had hopes in me. It is all part of the process. There is no true success without failures. I am still striving for that success.

Dawnya: What excites you most about tea?
Lady Caroline: To me tea creates an ambiance you cannot get from anything else. It's soothing, it's relaxing, it's romantic, it's and escape from our crazy world. It is peace.

Dawnya: Tell us about Market Spice tea? What is the history of this blend?
Lady Caroline: Market Spice is celebrating 96 years of making their tea . They opened a tea shop in Seattle at the Pike Place Market around 30 years ago and are still going strong. They make their tea with special spices everyday so you always get fresh tea. This tea has a very distinct flavor and aroma, much like the Chai tea that is selling now. Their plant is located in Redmond, Washington on the west coast just out of Seattle. They also make other
blends such as Rooibos African Red Bush Tea. This is an herbal tea that has many health benefits. Antioxidants are a great concern these days in the fight of cancer and disease. People have been turning to green tea for this. Rooibos tea actually has 50 times the antioxidants as green tea. It is a very mild and soothing tea. Market spice has also used their secret spice in many other products such as candles and cookies. We will actually be carrying a gift set this year for the holidays that includes these items. They are always expanding and adding new products. I will say, once you try the cup of Market spice tea, you will not forget the aroma or flavor. I have personally been drinking it for 30 plus years.

Dawnya: How did you determine to sell online versus a traditional store?
Lady Caroline: Many of the brick walls I hit was in financing. Small business loans are very hard to get and especially for women with no collateral. With starting and online store I had control of the inventory and how many products I wanted to carrying and could pace myself.

Also, we have to look at our world today. More people are shopping online these days and I wanted to reach the whole nation, not just my immediate community. This also gives me a chance to build relationships with other tea lovers that are passionate as I am. It's nice to be among like minded people.

Dawnya: What is the hardest thing about running an online company?
Lady Caroline: This is easy to answer. I love people and I wish I could meet every customer and see their faces when they receive their shipments. I send hand written thank you notes to each customer so I can add a little personal touch to cyber space.

Dawnya: How do you compete in the vast world of online tea?
Lady Caroline:I believe I carry good products and give excellent service. I strive to make every customer happy. Sometimes I even lose money because of it. But you know, I sleep at night. My website looks professional and my products are well known. I am not creating a new market. I am embarking on the established tried and true products people love. And, I want to carry what
they need to have the best tea experience at any level.

Dawnya: What types of products does your company carry and why?
Lady Caroline:We carry Market Spice tea and Rooibos Tea as we have discussed, Scone and Muffin Mixes from Iveta which only require 1 ingredient to be added to the mix. I believe this is important with women's busy lives, this Mix was chosen as one of Opera's favorite Products. I carry only one kind of teapot, Brown Betty because it is the best teapot. It is not the prettiest, but makes the best cup of tea. We have gift ideas and samplers such as Hatbox gift baskets and even some tea party games for adults as well as children. I think we have a well rounded selection. A new product we just added is a new cookbook featuring tea business owners private recipes. It is published by Teahouse Times and I believe, Dawnya that you and I have also
advertisements in this cookbook. The book is just beautiful and I think Tea House times did a beautiful job. We are looking forward to additional volumes.

Dawnya: If there were one thing you could have taught yourself BEFORE you started what would it be?
Lady Caroline: Be true to yourself and what you believe. Don't let well meaning people sway you from your dreams. Do what you are passionate about. Keep your eye on the sparrow for he watches over you.

Dawnya Sasse is the owner of Tea Events. I took my tea classes and certification through her
business. She is very well versed in the tea world and I have great respect for her.

Thank you Dawnya for this opportunity to share my story.

Lady Caroline

Southern Oregon Trip

Recently I made my annual trip to southern Oregon and had a great time.

I did have a new experience I wanted to share with you. In Grants Pass, Oregon is a tour company called" Hellgate" Jetboat Excursions. You can visit their site at :www.hellgate.com or call 800-648-4874 for reservations and rates.

This jetboat ride up the Rogue River was a blast! Going a high speed of 40 miles per hour we saw beautiful scenes of country and wild life. One of the many movies that have been filmed on the Rogue River is "River Wild." My husband and I immediately recognized parts of the river we had seen on this movie.

The tour guide and driver was very entertaining and was quite good at maneuvering the boat in order to soak the 60 passengers abroad. He also gave time to dry out before attending a brunch at a log lodge located on the river. All Food had to be brought in my caterers and was served family style which promoted conversation amongst the tourists. I must say this trip is well worth the price and lasts for four hours. This is a must if you are visiting southern Oregon.

We also visited the historic town of Jacksonville again and took their trolley tour of the old mining town. Our tour guide was very informative as he was a retired teacher of 30 years and had dedicated his life to the history of this town. Jacksonville was an old mining town that had literally been mined so much that the soil is now dead of minerals. This tour was also worth the time and money.

As always, we visited the well known Crater Lake. The new lodge has been finished and offers lodging as well as dining. The food here is always good. The beauty is breath taking and so peaceful.

I believe southern Oregon is worth your time. Visit soon.

Lady Caroline

Ladysfortea.com is launching out in advertising.

Recently just released is the new cookbook published by Tea House Times featuring fabulous recipes from tea experts and tearoom owners. The name of this cookbook is "The Tea House Times Best Afternoon Tea Recipes-Volume 1." You can find this cookbook for sale at Ladysfortea.com. Also very exciting for us is our half page ad featured on page iv. Don't miss your chance to pick up a copy. The cookbook is selling for just $8.99. What a great gift idea!!

Back into publish is the fabulous magazine "Victoria". This magazine is everything about Victorian Times. This magazine will be released in October with their Nov/Dec issue. In the magazine will be an advertisement by Tea House Times. Title will be "Tea House Times and their friends". You will see Ladysfortea.com listed with link in this ad. We are very excited about his opportunity and hope you will share with our success. Thanks to all of our customers our business is growing.

We are also advertising in the Nov/Dec issue (which will be released in Oct.)of Tea House Times. Again, thank you for making this possible. This magazine reaches over 10,000 viewers and we are excited about our exposure.

Be sure and pick up a copy of these magazines and a cookbook from our site. I know you will enjoy them all.

Lady Caroline

Garden Party Ideas

Have you been wanting to have a few girlfriends over for lunch and show off your garden while it's in it's best form? I know this has been on my mind so I thought I would give you a few ideas I have run across or thought of while planning this event.

Let's start with the setting: A table set with your prettiest dishes and linens located in full view of your garden or perhaps set right in the garden itself. Center pieces of fresh herbs and cut flowers lined down the middle of the table alternated with tea lights in order to keep the view of the surroundings clear. These herbs and flowers can be arranged in miniature clear vases and the tea lights placed in clear glass tea cups. This allows them all to be appreciated simply.

I found a candilier in black wrought iron and used epoxy to glue clear glass tea cups to the candle holders and used tea lights in the cups for the lighting. I also added some crystals to the candilier to add a little bit more bling so the outside sunlight would shine through the crystals.

Use either seed packets or photos of flowers and cut them to about the size of a seed packet and have them laminated, punching holes to the right and left top corners adding a ribbon to hang around each guests' neck.

Use miniature clay flower pots and write each quests' name on it, add a ribbon and use them for name cards. I would actually turn the pots upside down and write their names on the wide rim placing the ribbon on the top.

Make up recipe cards for each item you are serving and wrap a ribbon around all of them and place on each plate for your quests to take home. You can also send them home with the vases of herbs and flowers as well as the name cards, and seed packet necklaces. This will really make a "garden" setting for your quests and a table to blend in with your outdoor event. Classical music playing softly in the background will add an element of peace and sereneness. Don't forget to offer a tour of your garden and also fresh cutings of flowers and herbs.

Now for the menu. I suggest that you keep your menu cool and light. With the heat of the summer, no one wants hot and heavy food at a luncheon. Serve at least two different kinds of iced tea, one regular and one decaf. I have a number of great recipes for iced tea on my blog that you can choose from.

I plan on starting with a cold soup. Perhaps a tomato bisque would be fitting for the garden or tomato aspic salad.

For the main course I have put together a crispy cold salad that will delight everyone. For this dish, I will give you my recipe.

Tuna and Red Bell Pepper Salad:

  - 2 cans drained albacore tuna
  - 1/2 cup mayo or miracle whip (I use reduced fat or fat free)
  - 1/4 cup grated carrots
  - 1/4 cup diced apple
  - 1/4 cup raisins

Mix above ingredients and refrigerate.

  - 1 red pepper per person (top cut off and seeds removed)
  - 3 pieces of Melba Toast per person

Cut peppers into thirds leaving just the bottoms slightly attached.

Place on plate in a fanned arrangement with the Melba Toast between each section. Using an ice cream scoop make heaping scoops of salad and place in the center of the peppers. A few sprigs of parsley from your garden can be added as garnish. This makes a wonderful and pretty dish that your quests will love.

Of course we have to have dessert. Perhaps lemon delight or a frozen lemonade pie. Burnt cream would also be delightful and how your quests will be impressed! Of course, keep them chilled until the last minute. You might consider petifores if you are handy with cake decorating. You can also pick these up from your local bakery to keep it simple or there is a recipe on my blog.

I think the most important thing is to keep it light and as elegant as possible yet relaxed. Enjoy your friends, enjoy the food, and enjoy Gods gift of beauty in your garden.

Until next time,

Lady Caroline

Iveta Gourmet Wins Best Visual Presentation

I am very pleased with the products we offer you at Ladysfortea.com. We are especially proud of the maker of our gourmet scone mix, Iveta Gourmet Inc,
located in California.

Iveta Gourmet Inc. announced that it received the Best Visual Presentation Award for its booth at the San Francisco International Gift Fair held at the Moscone Center from Feb.17-20.

This company produces twenty six gourmet scone, muffin, and biscuit mixes, one of the largest offerings in the industry. All of the company's products are available in distinctive five-color retail boxes. The company also distributes a line of fine English jams, curds, and clotted cream.

We at Ladysfortea are pleased to carry some of their scone and muffin mixes along with lemon curd and clotted cream. A very delightful combination with our tea.

The Chicago Tribune described Iveta Gourmet scones as "...proper scones that you could serve with pride to company ". The company has been honored twice as a finalist in the Outstanding Baked Goods competition held by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, something no other baking mix has achieved and was awarded the $10,000 grand prize at the 2006 America's Best Professional Food Competition in Anaheim, CA. Even Oprah liked them enough to put them on her "O list", a few things she thinks are "just great".

Occasionally, Iveta will send us a recipe using one of their products. Today I would like to share a recipe using their Vanilla Scone Mix. We carry it in "sugar free".


Apple Cobbler Recipe
(serves 8-10)

Ingredients:

1 box of Iveta Gourmet Vanilla Scone Mix
6-8 peeled apples cut in wedges
½ cup of butter
1 cup of sugar
1 ½ tablespoons tapioca (optional)


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350-375 degrees
2. Melt butter and sugar in an oven-proof skillet
3. Add apples and sauté for 10 minutes
4. Add tapioca and sauté for 5 minutes longer
5. Remove from heat
6. Mix Iveta Gourmet Vanilla Scone Mix as directed on box
7. Dollop scone mix over the top of the apples and sprinkle with sugar
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes



To accompany this wonderful desert, pick up some tea from Ladysfortea.com.
Starting today, all boxes of teabags are on sale. Buy two boxes and get one free.
This special will run through Memorial Day.

Have a great Holiday!

Lady Caroline

Do you know where to go?

Do you have some pieces missing to your china set? Did you inherit a special set from your mother or grandmother but don't know where to go to find more matching pieces?
Visit Replacements, LTD. You can call 1-800-737-5223 or visit www.replacement.com. They carry more than 200,00 patterns. I actually added on to my china set that was purchased in 1984 and they had all the pieces I was looking for.

Need to polish the silver but hate all the hours of hand polishing and laugh when they say
you can "dip the tarnish away"? Try MAAS, an easy wipe on wipe off, no-wait polish. Just
$12.95 plus shipping. Order online at wwwmaasinc.com with a money back guarantee. This
product can be used on all metals.

For missing silver ware visit wwwsilverqueen.com. They also carry flatware. You can also call 1-800-262-3134.

Do you have any products you like or home remedies you would like to share? Please send in your comments and share your discoveries.

Just a quick little treat!

Market-Style Dried Fruit Sweetmeats!
1 cp dried fruit, chopped
(raisins, dates, apricots, figs, dried plums)
4 to 6 TB fine dry bread crumbs
2 to 3 TB honey
-Bread crumbs and sugar

Chop and combine fruit. Alternate adding bread crumbs and honey, a small amount at a time until the mixture holds together. Roll into balls. Roll in sugar or bread crumbs to remove stickiness.
Makes 24 sweetmeats to serve with tea.

Mint Tea
3 1/2 cups water
3 Chinese green tea bags
1/4 cup fresh mint
-Sugar

Bring water to boil. Pour boiling water over tea and mint. Steep for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove tea
bags before serving. Sweeten tea to taste.

Recipes are compliments of traditionalhome.com.

Let us hear from you. Your ideas, special finds, and recipes!

Happy Spring!!

Lady Caroline

Have you been wanting to have your girl friends over and have a special old fashioned tea? Please enjoy the following posting compliments of Dawnya Sasse at Tea Events for a great afternoon tea.

Lady Caroline



An Old Fashioned Tea
Experience the Charm of An Old Fashioned Tea

As a little girl, one of my favorite past times was playing dress-up. I had a chest full of dresses, high heels and hats, as well as jewelry, purses and stoles. Luckily, I had two friends that lived a couple houses down who also loved to play dress-up. We would spend hours and hours pretending we were elegant ladies. Our “tea” back then consisted of lemonade and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Let's go back to that age of innocence once again for an "Old-Fashioned Tea."

Dress for the Day!
Many thrift shops have a section devoted to "vintage clothing." Ask each guest to come dressed in an old-fashioned dress, hat and jewelry.

Set your Table
Use your grandma’s lace tablecloth, cloth napkins, china, and best serving pieces. Don’t forget fresh flowers from your garden or the florist. Wash up your beautiful collection of teacups and saucers to serve tea (or lemonade). Then when your guests arrive, sit back and reminisce about the good old days.

Old-Fashioned Tea Menu
Crab Appetizers,Parmesan Puffs,Asparagus Soup, Shrimp and Avocado Salad, Old-Fashioned Tea Cookies, Easy Butter Cookies, Peanut Butter Pie, Mint Lemonade, Tea

Fan Napkins
Remember how we used to make fans by folding a piece of paper back and forth in an accordion style? You can do the same with your cloth napkins. Beginning at the bottom, fold pleats back and forth; then fold in half. Tie a colorful ribbon around the middle, then “fan” out the pleats.

Crab Appetizers
6 T. margarine or butter1 (5-Oz) jar Old English cheese spread1 T. mayonnaise1/2 t. seasoned salt1/2 t. garlic powderDash cayenne pepper1 (7-Oz) can crabmeat, drained6 English muffins, halved

Combine ingredients, mixing until spreading consistency. Spread on each muffin half. Place on tray in freezer until topping is set. Cut each muffin into quarters. Refreeze. When ready to use, place on cookie sheet and broil for 5 minutes.

Parmesan Puffs1 1/2 c. flour
1 t. salt
1 c. margarine
1/2 c. sour cream
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese
2 T. chopped green onions
2 T. chopped mushrooms
2 T. chopped ripe olives

Mix flour and salt; cut margarine in until mixture begins to form a ball. Blend in sour cream. Divide dough into 4 parts. Wrap each part and chill several hours. Heat oven to 350°. On floured board, roll each section into a 12x6-inch rectangle. Sprinkle one-half each rectangle with either cheese, onion, mushrooms or olives. Fold dough over to make a 6-inch square. Cut the 6-inch square into 2-inch squares, pressing edges. Continue until all dough is prepared. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes. May be prepared in advance and refrigerated, then baked for 30 minutes. Makes 36 appetizers.

Asparagus Soup
1 T. butter1 small onion, chopped1 T. flour2 cans (14-1/2-ounce) chicken broth1 pound asparagus, tough ends discarded, cut into 1-inch pieces1 t. dried summer savory
Sour cream or plain yogurt (optional)

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually mix in canned chicken broth. Bring mixture to boil. Add asparagus pieces and summer savory and simmer until asparagus is very tender, about 25 minutes. Cool slightly. Drain asparagus, reserving cooking liquid. Puree asparagus in food processor. With machine running, Gradually add 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return mixture to saucepan. Season with salt and pepper. (Soup can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Bring soup to simmer. Ladle into bowls. Top with dollops of sour cream or yogurt, if desired. Serves 6.

Shrimp and Avocado SaladSalad:
1 pink or red grapefruit1 white grapefruit1/4 c. hazelnuts, lightly toasted and any loose skins rubbed off1 T. unsalted butter2 firm, ripe California avocados1 t. fresh lime juice1/2 lb. large shrimp (8 to 10), shelled and deveined1 T. vegetable oil2 c. baby spinach 1/4 c. trimmed sprouts

Vinaigrette:1/4 c. fresh grapefruit juice2 t. fresh lime juice1/4 t. finely grated peeled fresh ginger1 T. vegetable oil

Make vinaigrette: Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble salad: Cut peel, including all white pith, from fruit with a sharp paring knife and cut segments free from membranes. Halve enough grapefruit segments to measure 1-1/2 cups (reserve any remaining segments for another use). Coarsely chop hazelnuts. Melt butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook hazelnuts with salt and pepper to taste, stirring, until a shade darker, about 5 minutes. Transfer nuts to paper towels to cool, reserving skillet. Quarter avocados lengthwise, then pit and peel. Cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Drizzle with lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté shrimp, turning them, until golden and just cooked through, about 3 minutes.
Toss together spinach, half of grapefruit segments, and half of vinaigrette with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange avocados and remaining grapefruit on 4 plates and top with shrimp, salad, and sprouts. Spoon remaining vinaigrette over salad and sprinkle with nuts. Makes 4 servings.

Old Fashioned Tea Cookies
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. shortening
2 eggs
4 T. buttermilk
3 c. flour
3/4 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
2 t. vanilla flavoring

Blend sugar and shortening. Add eggs and beat. Combine flour, soda and baking powder. Then add into mixture, alternating flour mixture, then buttermilk and mix. Add flavoring and mix. Roll out and cut. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes at 400°.

Easy Tea Cookies1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. butter, room temperature
2 eggs
2 3/4 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
2 t. cream of tartar
1/2 t. salt

Combine the sugar and butter in a mixer bowl, beating until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Shape cookie dough into small balls. Arrange on a cookie sheet. Press flat with the flat bottom of a glass. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.

Peanut Butter Pie1 12-ounce box vanilla wafers, finely ground (3 c. crumbs)1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted8-ounce package cream cheese, softened1/2 c. peanut butter1/2 c. condensed milk 1 c. confectioner’s sugar, sifted8 to 10 ounces Cool Whip (3 c.), more for garnish Semisweet chocolate shavings, for garnishUnsalted peanuts, for garnish

Heat oven to 350 °. Place vanilla wafer crumbs in a medium bowl. Pour over the melted butter and stir to combine. Divide equally into two 9-inch pie tins. Press mixture onto bottom and up sides of pie dish. Transfer to oven and bake until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool completely. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment combine the cream cheese, peanut butter, and condensed milk. Mix until smooth. Add confectioner’s sugar. Using a large rubber spatula fold in 3 cups Cool Whip. Pour mixture into cooled pie shells. Decorate cake as desired with more cool whip. Garnish with chocolate shavings and peanuts. Refrigerate or freeze until firm.Makes two 9-inch pies.

Mint Lemonade1/2 c. fresh lemon juice1/2 c. sugar1/3 c. packed fresh mint leaves2 c. water3 c. ice cubes, cracked if large

Blend lemon juice, sugar, and mint leaves in a blender until leaves are finely chopped and sugar is dissolved. Add water and enough ice cubes to fill blender, then blend until smooth. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs. Serve immediately. Serves 4.
Serve with a Golden Yunnan Tea served hot or iced.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dawnya Sasse is the creator of the ultimate tea business training school allowing students to discover the secrets of the tea industy,"quickly and easily" without ever leaving home.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Why do some people succeed in the tea business? Discover how to "Unlock the Secrets of the Billion Dollar Tea Industry from the Comfort of Your Own Computer" and make your tea dream a reality. Free audio mini course http://www.StartATeaBusiness.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This article may be distributed freely on your website, as long as this entire article, including links and this resource box are unchanged.Copyright 2006 Dawnya Sasse All Rights Reserved. Tea Events http://www.TeaEvents.com
'

Just in time for spring, Iveta has come out with some new flavors that we will be carrying soon @ Ladysfortea.com. Lemon Poppy muffin mix, cherry scone mix, sugar free
vanilla scone mix and carrot cake scone mix. Yum!

I am including a recipe using some of the items that we carry that are from Iveta.
Make sure and try this one. It's great to use for Easter and Mother's Day that is
coming soon.

Also, watch our site for new tea cozies for your Brown Betty Tea Pots and tea
strainers. We do listen to our customers and many of you have been asking.

Enjoy the recipe.

Very Berry Lemon Trifle
(serves 8-10)
Ingredients:

1 box of Iveta Gourmet Lemon Scone Mix
4 cups seasonal berries (fresh or frozen)
8 oz. lemon curd
1 cup heavy whipping cream
8 oz. whipped cream (homemade or from a can)
8-10 clear serving glasses

Directions:

1. Add 1 cup heavy whipping cream to lemon scone mix.
2. Use the serving glasses to cookie cutter dough circles.
3. Place dough on greased baking pan and sprinkle sugar on top.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 min.
5. Let cool then cut scones horizontally in half.
6. Begin layering serving glasses…1/2 slice scone, lemon curd, berries, whipped cream….repeat. (total of 8 layers)
7. Shave almonds on top. (optional)
8. Refrigerate or serve and enjoy!

Tip:
Make homemade whipped cream by whipping together heavy whipping cream and a splash of vanilla extract.


You can purchase the lemon scone mix and lemon curd from us at Ladysfortea.com.
Enjoy!

Lady Caroline

Just in time for Valentines Day! Heart Shaped Brownies and Chocolate Truffles.

Brownies
1)Prepare two packages of Ghiribaldi Brownie Mix according to directions (purchase at Costco). Bake in a parchment lined 1" jelly roll pan.

2) Allow to cool and refrigerate until cold.

3) Remove from pan. Peel off parchment paper and cut out cookies with heart shaped cookie
cutter.

4) Wrap individually in Saran wrap and keep refrigerated until given to your favorite Valentine.
You can also frost brownies if desired and add sprinkles or red hearts.

Truffles
1) Using remainder of brownies from cut outs, form into balls to make truffles.

2) Refrigerate again.

3) When cold, dip balls in melted chocolate and coatings. Roll in powdered sugar, cocoa,
coconut, sprinkles. Keep refrigerated until serving. Use your imagination and enjoy!


Did you know that Ladysfortea.com has the chocolate chip scone mix and
chocolate cherry muffin mix on sale just in time for Valentines Day?!*

Happy New Year!

I am excited to share with you my latest adventure! I just returned from a Victorian Tea Cruise to the Caiman Islands and Mexico. During the cruise I took part in continuing ed hours
for the tea business with Tea Events owner Dawnya Sasse. It was a great time with fellow tea
lovers and business owners. I look forward to this coming year and the new ideas I came home with and the opportunity to share some fresh adventures.

Are you making it a habit to take time and share a cup of tea with your friends and family?
Visit Ladysfortea.com for some tea specials we are offering just until the end of the month and
then visit again Feb 1 to see what we are offering just in time for Valentines Day. Like
chocolate? Stay tuned!!!

Make sure to add any comments to our site regarding our products or customer service. We love to hear from you and want to share your comments with our customers. Visit Ladysfortea.com
to see the latest comments that have been posted along with copies of my certificates and picture.

We really appreciate you all as our customers. Since February is the "love" month, we are going to run a special discount for customers only. Keep watching and visiting often.

Lady Caroline

Daily Prayers Dissolve Your Cares
by Helen Steiner Rice

I meet God in the morning
And go with Him through the day,
Then in the stillness of the night
Before sleep comes I pray
That God will just "take over"
All the problems I couldn't solve
And in the peacefulness of sleep
My cares will all dissolve.
So when I open my eyes
To greet another day
I'll find myself renewed in strength
And there'll open up a way
To meet what seemed impossible
For me to solve alone
And once again I'll be assured
I am never "ON MY OWN"

For if we try to stand alone
We are weak and we will fall,
For God is always GREATEST
When we're helpless, lost, and small.
And no day is unmeetable
If on rising our first thought
Is to thank God for the blessings
That His loving care has brought...
So meet Him in the morning
And go with Him through the day
And thank Him for guidance
Each evening when you pray.
And if you follow faithfully
This daily way to pray
You will never in your lifetime
Face another "hopeless day."

Hello, friends.

My heart is heavy as I remember the fatalities of 911. It's hard to believe it has been five
years already. If you know of anyone that was affected by 911, reach out to them this week
with understanding and compassion as it could have been yours or my family lost on that
dreadful day. I hope you can say a special prayer for those families that still are so heavy with the burden of loss.

Ami-Tea

This is my prayer for peace, for a world in divine harmony.
A world that knows no war. To do this, I bring myself to a
peaceful place. I go within and know that God is all there is,
and I am one with this divine tranquility. I pray that everyone
joins me in this sacred space of amity. For this is the place where
peace begins-this powerful, productive and potent place within.
From here we see only our similarities and parity and know only
our good. I accept good, embody good, live for good, and do only
good. As I know peace, I know it begins with me. I give thanks
and abide by the Golden Rule, the code of amity that knows no
enemy. I put aside and I go inside. I release and I relent. I forgive
and I repent. I let go and I let God. I give in and I get God. And
so it is, and so I am, and so we are, in peace. Amen.

Please feel free to add any prayers or thoughts you may have for
our nation and those who have lost so much for our nation.

Lady Caroline

Remembering:

About a month ago I made a trip to visit one of my older sisters. We talked and remembered our younger years and filled in many blanks with the information each other had. It was so fulfilling.
Around her house were many things that belonged to my parents, it brought back our growing up years. There was just something about it that brought warmth and even security in the visit.
She had lived in her new house for nine years and I am ashamed to say had never visited it
before. Our time together was long over due and I didn't want to go another year without
reconnecting. She was going to be 70 the next week.

During our visit, one of the things I had told her was that I wanted to start looking for some
old aprons. I asked her if she had any of our mother's but she did not. They had gone by
the ways side through the years. Later after returning home, I received a package from her
with a Christmas apron she had found that she used to wear when I was a child. I remember
seeing her wear it in her early years of marriage (we are 15 years apart). Oh, what a joy and precious gift that was. Better than new furniture, or a new house.

Do you remember the aprons our mother's or perhaps you wore?

My mother- in- law sent me an article on aprons that I just have to share with you. What are
your fond memories of childhood?


Aprons
I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.

After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes. Send this to those who would know, and love the story about Grandma's aprons.

REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

Lady Caroline