kittyphotowelcome Welcome!

I am purposefully seeking ways to add a little more peace, joy and fun in my life; that's why I started this tea story.

Currently I am searching for a new supplier for my tea. So I’m visiting websites and ordering different blends every month. I’ll be posting about my finds along with my visits to tea rooms.

It’s always the perfect time for a cup of tea. Won’t you join me?

Category Archives: Tea Party

Tea in a Japanese Tea Garden

Alabama has a Tea Garden? By golly, it does. Tucked away in Monte Sano State Park, the Tea Garden was built by and cared for by volunteers. Robert Black brought it to life in 1988 and it was renovated in 2017.

Located in Huntsville, Alabama Monte Sano means “Mountain of Health” and this serene little Tea Garden fits right in.

The garden entrance

Follow the path around and cross over the red bridge into a hidden wonder: The Japanese Tea Garden.

I brought a picnic lunch along with some Harney & Sons Jasmine green tea (click here for my review of this lovely tea) on the trail and my Japanese tea set. Why not have tea in the great outdoors?

The teapot is decorated with a bamboo garden design and has a rattan handle for easy pouring. The set has matching handle-less cups called Yunomi. Typically they are straight edged, informal cups for every day use.

I enjoyed the warmth of the tea and the sun.

What a treat to have tea outdoors on a winter’s day hike in a Japanese Tea House in North Alabama!

We had a simple lunch on a nearby bench and enjoyed our view of the Japanese Garden and Tea House. I made the tea at home and brought it in my thermos so it was nice and hot on a cold winter’s day. Not your everyday afternoon tea but quite exceptional!

Where will you get out and go with your tea?

Beachin’ Tea Party

My Mom loves the beach. It must be an inherited trait because so do her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For the most part we’re a family of water lovers. We’re also very lucky because we have some of the best beaches in the world at the Florida Panhandle within a six hour drive. Soft white… Continue Reading

To The Moon!

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, here’s my man on the moon tea towel.

 This is a special event and one wants to pause and recognize what a great achievement this was; especially when you consider they did it with slide rules not computers.
 I live in Huntsville Alabama,… Continue Reading

Happy Birthday to the Queen!

Queen Elizabeth turns 93 this year officially today, on the second Saturday of June. Well, isn’t that an odd way of putting it, you ask. Yes. Yes, it is. But that’s the life of a royal for you. She was born on April 21, 1926 which makes her 93 years old. (Here at Civili-tea we… Continue Reading

The Complete Guide to Throwing The Perfect Tea Party

  Here’s the complete guide to throwing your perfect tea party.  How to make it easy?  Two words:  Plan and organize! Six weeks before: Create theme. (What) Set date & place. (When & where.) Make guest list. Names or at least the number of people. (Who.) Book caterer, if needed. Five weeks before: Buy invitations… Continue Reading

Mother’s Day Tea with a Southern Twist

We had a lovely Mother’s Day Tea with a Southern Twist. Menu Savories Pimiento Cheese – every good southern party must have pimiento cheese. Cucumbers with fresh, local strawberries, Belle Chevre goat cheese, and watercress. Watercress is an herb that grows in the wild throughout the South. Shrimp and Grits – This was an experiment… Continue Reading

Tea with The Bride to Be

Wedding season is heading our way which means wedding showers are too.  An afternoon tea with friends is the perfect way to shower your bride-to-be with best wishes and happiness. Party Theme Once you have a theme everything starts to fall into place.  Our party theme was “A Day in the Park” since the wedding… Continue Reading

Huntsville Coffee & Tea Festival

The first ever Huntsville Coffee & Tea Festival was held on March 24, 2019 at the Roundhouse. The place was jam-packed with scads of coffee and tea lovers flocking in to taste new brews. TEA (AND COFFEE) EXHIBITORS The booths were filled with some new and enterprising businesses on the leading edge of the growing… Continue Reading

BYOTC Party

Sometimes you just luck into something special. I attend an annual women’s retreat with some amazing, accomplished women.  It’s always a great treat to carve out some time to spend together. We’ve done this for many years so they know by now that I’ll make tea for them. I enjoy sharing my tea and getting… Continue Reading

Sip for Peace

The International Tea Sippers Society presents a righteous idea that I am happy to share with you. Sip for Peace! Now that’s an idea worth passing on! O.K. They have our attention but what do they mean? Here’s what it means – All during January the organizers of the “Sip for Peace” campaign ask tea lovers… Continue Reading