For years, I couldn't understand why anybody would drink green tea.  "Tastes like somebody steeped lawn clippings" I said.  And honestly, to this day, I still think that dry green tea leaves smell like hay.  But to be fair, they smell like perfectly cured, excellent-quality hay.

Sure, the flavored green teas that I sold tasted good, and I offered a selection of unflavored green teas because my customers asked for them, but my heart really wasn't in it.

We spent most of Sunday and Monday this week re-working our gift shop.  We painted some display pieces, replaced some shelving, and rearranged the pastry case and checkout area.  When we finished, we were very pleased with ourselves.  And then we got to wondering...

What's missing?

What are our guests looking for from us, that we don't offer?

How can we better help you find the perfect gift for a loved one?

And so, we're conducting a survey.  We'd love it if you'd take a few minutes to take the survey (link below) and let us know how we can serve you better.

Gift Shop Survey

June has been interesting in the Tea Room garden. 

It's been a challenge to try to keep up with weeding.  We've had so much rain this month, that pulling the weeds isn't difficult.  Finding a non-muddy moment to get out there, while still taking care of our guests and family, is much more of a challenge.  And of course, while all that rain means the plants haven't required much attention beyond a little pruning, dead-heading and a bit of fungal treatment, the weeds have been growing like mad.

Only Camellia sinensis is truly tea, though many other steeped beverages are commonly called teas.