The Wild Plum Tea Room, Gatlinburg TN

 

http://www.wildplumtearoom.com/

My entire family (all 11 of us) went to Gatlinburg to celebrate my parents 50th. My parents had been to this tea house before, my sister said we had eaten here in 1994, but I don't remember it.   Glad we made reservations well in advance, but it was busy and people were getting turned away.  It was girls day- so my mom, my two sisters, my niece and I had a very nice meal.

 

The tea house sits a bit off the road nestled in among some trees. 

 

Wild Plum Tea (served hot or cold) 3.00- since it was over 90 degrees I got the cold tea. It was really refreshing!!!!  I think I had 3 glasses of it. 

 

 The Wild Plum muffins are served with all entrees.  These were nice little bites.

I was so hungry and I just needed to eat something before I got a headache.  I ordered the humus. It was really good- it had a kick to it.  I enjoyed snacking on it while we waited for our food.

I ordered the chicken salad it came with the peanut soup and quinoa salad.  I loved it all.  So very tasty!!

My mom got a great salad plate, I think it had 5 salads on it with humus.

My older sister got the Strata.

 

My niece got the chicken salad with fruit and sconce

 

    My younger sister got the same thing I did, but I think she got a kale salad instead of quinoa.

 

The table looked beautiful with all of our food on it.  We joked about getting all the photos taken so we would finally eat.

 

 

 

Why it that even with such small servings I am satisfied?  I think it is that we eat with our eyes and my eyes are happy with what they see :)

 

 

The dessert sampler or was it the dessert trio- there was some debate.

 

trying the goodies.

 

What a nice afternoon with my family.

The Teacup Ride at Dollywood

Great night for an amusement park!!!!

In Gatlinburg celebrating my parents 50th.  All the adult kids and grandkids went to Dollywood (in Pigeon Forge) one evening.  Did you know that if you go after 3pm, the next day you can get in for free?  Well, it's true.  We had a nice few hours there Wednesday evening and then spent most of Thursday there too.

I of course, wanted to ride the tea cups!!!!!!

Last time I was in a tea cup ride was 1994 with my friend Kate at Disney in Florida!!!  Now, here I am with my niece Kate!  Must be a Kate thing!

My niece and I giggled and laughed as we spun around!!! It was so much fun riding with her!!!!

 

I only get to see my beautiful niece once a year, sometimes twice.  I love spending time with her.  She is so amazing and special.  She has a heart for Jesus and the lost- it doesn't get much better than that!!!

It was in the 90's, so I was soo hot, but it was also soo fun!!!!

 

 

http://www.dollywood.com/

Thumbs up!!!!

 

 

Kombucha with loose leaf tea

Someone asked me the other day if I added loose leaf tea to my F1...the first fermentation process of Kombucha.  I do!!! If I made a gallon I do 4 black tea bags and then an equivalent to 4 bags of loose leaf tea.  I found these great cotton/muslin spice bags.  I bought them at Lehman's Hardware in Kidron Ohio (4 bags are $3.95 on line).  I live close, so I can shop at the store cheaper then the on line prices.  The bags are great for adding loose leaf tea into your F1 blend.

https://www.lehmans.com/product/muslin-spice-bags


They are probably cheaper on line at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=spice+bags

As you can see I added the loose leaf tea into the bag and tied it shut.  Then once the blending/steeping is done, I turn the bag inside out over the trash can.  I throw away the loose leaf tea, but I keep the bag!  I just rinse it out.  I can use it over and over again.

Sipping Sunday

Enjoying my new mug from my cousin!

New Tea pot and Beulah Beach Benifit Auction!

I went to my favorite place - Beulah Beach!!!  They had their annual benefit auction. This was there 9th!!  I have only missed one so far.  I love this place and being able to support them at this fun auction.  http://www.beulahbeach.org/benefitauction

I knew it was going to be a great day when I got my favorite number!!!  Did you guys know I bought my house at auction?  I did!!!  And my bidder number was- you guessed it- 27!  I was born on the 27th, so it is my favorite number.  In 2006 this house went up for auction in my town- my parents helped me buy it and fix it up. 

 

 

before

after

As you can see it was an emotional day!!

 

Beulah Beach sunset!!!!

Nothing like the beach.  I have been coming to Beulah Beach since I was a baby.  And I was a camper here from age 8-17, then from 18-30 I was a camp counselor.  I even lived here for a year and did guest services.  This place is very special to me.  When I was 8 I dedicated my life to full time Christian service- how ever God would use me - I said I was in!!! 

This is what I want!!!!!  It is a Turkish teapot!   This is the goal for the day- buy this teapot!  My limit is $150.  Fingers crossed......

I met the lady who bought the teapot in Turkey.  She shared with me how the tea was made.

I won it!!! I got it for $130.  And the great thing was, I won $100 gift card at last years auction.  So, this year I was able to apply the $100 toward anything.  So, the tea pot was only $30.  Win win.  YEAH!!!!

I got this cart for $5.00.  It will be great to store my kombucha on.

I just need to learn to make my tea.  The seller told me how to make Turkish tea- I just need to try it.  I am so excited.  Stay tuned for my Turkish tea.....

What's in your teacup?

I am out picking fresh raspberries this morning for my breakfast. 

I am enjoying the new Starbucks coffee/tea cup I got as a thank you in Spain.  I went to work with some teens in Spain- it was amazing!!!

Did you know that red raspberries can turn black?  This one bush of mine did!!  It is crazy.  They say black are dominant, but I have no idea where they came from...a bird most have pooped black raspberries near by red raspberry bush!

great morning crop

Making fresh Mint tea with the ICED TEA MAKER

I hope you are playing with your tea!!!!  I love summer when I fresh mint and fresh raspberry leaves to add to my tea.  The raspberry leaves I don't think add flavor that you can taste, but the leaves are good for upset stomachs....so, I add it.  I add mint leaves, raspberry leaves and then a flavor to go with the mint.  Today I did fresh raspberries and fresh lavender!  The tea is sooo wonderful.  It is fresh and summer tasting.  I know - what does summer taste like?  Well, for me it is fresh mint and fresh berries!!!  I also add Plantation Mint and Plantation Raspberry tea, for extra flavor since my mint crop is not overly plentiful.

you can see some of the berries, mint and lavender in the bowl.  I run the water threw twice and make two batches.

Again, play with your tea!!!  Take a mint base and add other teas to it.  I also have lemon balm which is great with the mint and lavender.  Be creative.

This is the first run and now I'll take another pitcher and make more.  I only add a 1/3 sugar to the tea.  I don't like it super sweet.

English Tea Store, White Tea- Peach Apricot

This is a nice white tea.  I would say mild or plain- but don't want it to sound boring.  It is not boring. :)

 

http://www.englishteastore.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand%20%7C%20English%20Tea%20Store%20ETS&utm_term=english%20tea%20store&utm_content=english%20tea%20store

 

I enjoy this tea warm, but I think I like it cold brew even better!!!  There is more flavor, I think, when it is served cold.  Cold brew it great- have you tried it yet?  I put in about 1 teaspoons per 8 oz of cold water, within 10 minutes I have cold brew tea. It doesn't get bitter because the water is cold. I can add water to the cup at least 3 more times throughout the day.  I use a bottle from steepware when I cold brew at work or when I am out and about.  Check out the website.  you can add ANY loose leaf tea.

 

http://theteaspot.com/cold-brew-tea-bottle.html?catid=153