Tea With Friends

After four busy days at the expo I could not leave without
visiting my favorite hotel in Vegas, the Bellagio. 
As I approached the main lobby I was filled with anticipation
and curiosity as I wondered what the theme would be in the
conservatory.  I also began to remember how delicious the fresh
made crepes would taste.  Upon entering I first noticed the
beautiful glass flowers covering the ceiling as I walked across
the tile floors filled with designs of flowers and butterflies. 
Then I caught my first glimpse into the conservatory filled with
people everywhere looking at the beautiful scenery created
from fresh flowers.  Trains were winding around images of
Mount Rushmore, larger than life sized floral covered bald
eagles overlooking from their large nest, hot air filled balloons
hanging from the ceiling, red, white and blue beds of hydrangeas
and azaleas celebrating our national colors. I stepped back
to take in the entire scene and as I watched people from all
countries taking pictures and admiring this breathtaking display,
my eyes gazed up to the ceiling and my attention was drawn to
six huge American Flags.  My thoughts then focused on the number
of men and women who had given their lives so I could have the
freedom to enjoy this moment, thinking not only of the current war
but the previous as well.  People I knew who sacrificed their lives
for my freedom.  My emotions were filled with thankfulness. 
Thank you to all who have served and now serving in our military. 
My crepes were just as delicious as I remembered from before
and I even splurged on a capuccino gelato!  My visit to the Bellagio
ended with listening to Frank Sinatra sing as I watched the dancing
waters in front of the hotel.  Another wonderful memory from the Bellagio!

Greetings Friends,  This is my very first post and I am so very excited  to
share some of my favorite highlights from the World Tea Expo. 
This year the expo was held in Las Vegas.  Of course we all know the cute
little line that states, “what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas”, but not
in my case.  This was my fourth year of attending this grand tea afecionado’s event
and each year I learn and see new things.  The moment I entered the convention hall
 I began to take it all in.  My first stop was a tea tasting with James Norwood Pratt. 
He has authored many books about tea and is well respected for his knowledge
of teas. We tasted and learned about teas from Darjeeling and India. I think it so
awesome that tea brings so many people from around the world for this celebration.
 It is interesting to meet people from Germany, India, China, Japan, England and Kenya. 
Every country has it’s own tea traditions and varieties of tea.  I then went on to visit
 many other importers to taste and discover new teas. My favorite being a strawberry
white tea, which we now have at Camellia Rose.  This white tea has a very delicate
taste with a hint of sweetness from the strawberry.   I discovered some beautiful new
glass tea pots in various shapes such as a pumpkin.  These are a perfect visual to
watch the tea leaves unfurl as they steep.  Beauty is one of the many facets that
I appreciate from  the tea leaf.  This year I met Susan Rios, she is an artist and
her work is featured in many of Emilie Barnes books.  She will be painting an oil
canvas of our tea room.  Once she has completed it, we will be offering smaller
versions to sell to our guests.  I can hardly wait to see what she comes up with! 
I also selected  some beautiful pieces of teapot jewelry to bring home for our customers.
Of course it was good to see aquaintances from previous expos and catch up on the
latest with them.  My dear friend Scottie from Royal Tea Cozies had many new and
beautiful tea cosies displayed.  This busy four day event went by so quickly.  Now  I
look forward to sharing some of the favorite things I experienced with my tea room guests.  
I will never forget the words of wisdom from James Norwood Pratt, when I met him
at the first tea expo I attended, “there are no tea experts, we are all lifelong students
of this ancient beverage.”  How very true, I am a lifelong student of tea! 
Come, join me, as we share a cup of tea!