Technically Tea

It was decided when Dad and Alma visited recently, that we would do a "town day". I determined to take them to tea and to a local museum. Dad is a retired university professor. He has been responsible for the education of many electronics technicians and engineers over the years. I really wanted to take him somewhere that would interest him and remembered that one of the tea shops in town was co-owned by an IT computer scientist and electrical engineer. Perfect!

It was decided that we would participate in a tea tasting. Olga was a wonderful host and spent much time discussing tea and its history, sources, and usage.

She spent several hours with us, explaining things and answering all our questions.

We tried four different teas. They were:

 Mocha Roca Rooibos: a naturally sweet, earthy tisane with subtle hints of chocolate; the best rooibos I have ever tried; excellent (I don't usually enjoy rooibos tisanes).

White Bergmot Honeymoon: a super floral black tea; a blend that is all about the aroma; smelled like roses; rich in the oil of bergamot, also called beebalm (I have lots of it growing in my herb garden right now); dad's favorite of the day and my least favorite.

Ceylon Nuwara Eliya: plain black tea; dark mature; flowery broken orange pekoe; full-bodied and delicious!

Yunnan Royal Gold: a red tea from Yunnan, China; made from young leaves, buds, and tips; very flavorful and my favorite! Most delicious of all!

Chocolates, fortune cookies, and artisan candy was served with tea so that we could cleanse our palates between kinds of tea. Olga was generous with the tea portions and attentive to the pace we set in enjoying our teas.

We spent time looking through the gift shop where tea containers and accoutrement's from all around the world were displayed and available for sale.

It was an enjoyable time and I loved going to tea with Dad and Alma. They were great conversationalists and were interested in the tea experience.

Generally, after tea with a friend we'd go to some of the nearby gift shops. But, I decided to treat Dad to a visit to our local museum instead. It was the highlight of his day! He walked inside the front door and was met by a docent. That is where he stayed for the next two hours and the two of them discussed ideas of mutual interest. The docent was exactly Dad's age and was a physicist who spent his entire career in our community where he worked in the nuclear industry. He shared history, perspectives, and answered questions galore! Dad never did see the displays.

Alma and I browsed through museum displays, learning about nuclear power along the way. It didn't take us two hours, so we each found a comfortable chair and relaxed while Dad enjoyed his visit with the docent. 

Afterwards, I thought I really should take Alma to a gift shop or two, just to be fair. We ended with a trip to Frosted Cupcake Sweet where we each had a decadent cupcake! It was a very pleasant day.

Visiting the Community Textile Museum

Spinning wheels, an old-fashioned quilt, vintage sewing machines, and pincushions make up an interesting display at our local textile museum. What? A local quilt museum? That's right!

Every community has little gems that are sometimes hidden from general view. They don't mean to be. In fact, they want everyone to know about them, but sometimes they get lost in the crowd. Recently I discovered that our community has a quilt museum that is a regional textile center for quilting and textile arts. It serves as both a museum and an organization that supports guilds for those who quilt, weave, spin, and make baskets. Although these craftspeople have been part of our community for many years, it is only recently that a home has been created for them. And what a beautiful home it is!

My friend, Karleen, and I have been working hard at finding interesting things to do during the gray days of wnter. So, we decided to take a trip to the textile museum and see what was there. It did not disappoint!

The museums mission is to promote both the art and the craft of quilting and textile arts by providing educational opportunities to adults and children. They also strive to preserve the history of the textile arts as unique American art forms. But the goal that pleases me most is their desire to enhance the community by providing a welcoming place for people to share their knowledge and heritage through their love of quilting, weaving, spinning, basketry, and other textile arts.

Community members teach classes in spinning, weaving, sewing, quilting, and basket making. A side room is filled with a dozen new sewing machines. They are available for classes and are often used to teach sewing to groups of children.

Interesting objects are on display; old quilts, wood roving, baskets, button crafts, and a display of dolls from around the world. We enjoyed admiring the dolls.

Looms large and small sit near a window that provides lots of natural light. For a fee, volunteers will give private lessons to community members who wish to learn how to weave by making woven wool rugs.

Across from skeins of wool roving is a small library filled with books about textiles. Patterns, resource books, reference books, and reading books that are related in some way to the textile arts are available for hours of diligent study or casual reading.

Museum membership fees are minimal,yet offer a wide variety of benefits. Classes in subjects like quilt restoration, dating, care, and storage are available. 

And for those who love to shop, or simply love quality handmade items, a small gift shop near the entrance of the store offers handmade quilts, scarves, baby items, hot pads, and various knitted or crocheted goods. It's a great resource for those who want to give someone a "gift of the heart".

An afternoon at the textile museum equals a pleasant way to spend a wintry afternoon.