Tea Time Returns to Willowbrook ~
Hello, Hello!
How are you?
This email finds its way to your inbox because you are either a friend of mine, signed up for my newsletter, made a reservation to one of my tea events, or are follower of my mother, author Liz Adair. Thank you for reading today! If you are short on time, scroll to the bottom to enter your name into this month’s giveaway, Terry’s Apothecary from Willowbrook.
It was a long year of pandemic-paralysis where I could not host tea events, but Willowbrook’s doors are opened and I have loved welcoming guests back into my home to enjoy English tea! It has been a celebration of connection, tasty food and delicious tea. I have especially loved those who took the opportunity to dress up for tea, like my guests in the picture above. ( I asked them if I could share it since it is such a great pic.)
Tea and Tulips ~
The tulips bloomed to welcome tea guests from all around our state and beyond as they participated in the the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Willowbrook Manor’s English Tea was a featured event during the festival and every tea session was fully booked. If you weren’t able to get a reservation, don’t worry, Harvest Tea is coming this fall and you can reserve your table now. Click HERE to make your reservation)
We set up the tea tent for outdoor dining and hosted guests in the manor at 50% capacity to adhere to COVID requirements. It made me realize what a treat the tea tent is even in springtime. The fireplaces created ambiance and warmth and made the tent a delightful place to enjoy teatime with friends. Glenda, a returning guest, said I could use this picture of her and her daughter. They first came to Willowbrook for our Holiday Tour of Lights in 2018.
When the weather was good we took the walls of the tea tent down and enjoyed the sunshine! Theresa brought her husband to Willowbrook for his first tea and I think we made a new tea-convert.
Made with Love ~
I’m famous for my sweet potato, carrot, and apple soup. It has a touch of curry and honey and is comfort-food for sure. My daughter Kjaisa garnishes it with love. All of our scones and sweets are baked fresh daily, and I have the best tea-sandwich-making team you could ask for. People say the food at Willowbrook is wonderful. It’s filled with positive Ju-Ju you know.
My crew does an amazing job of caring for the tea guests who come to Willowbrook. We really had a great time working together to put on Tea and Tulips and Mothers Tea.
SWAN Report ~
In my last newsletter I shared with you my non-profit SWAN Foundation (Serving Women Across Nations) which is the giving arm of Willowbrook. (Click HERE to read). In March we hosted Seeding and Tea as a fundraiser for Skagit Friendship House that serves the homeless in our county, and I felt, for a first-time fundraiser, it was a huge success, raising $1100! Thank you to all who donated! Guests enjoyed tea and scones, then planted chamomile seeds into propagating trays that will be used for our Chamomile Planting and Tea (CPTea) fundraising event in June. (click HERE to sign up.) Proceeds benefit the Lighthouse Mission.
CPTea will be an evening event of planting chamomile starts then enjoying tea and warm sweet cream scones under the tea tent as the sun goes down. Summer evenings are magical at Willowbrook. Make your reservation for Chamomile Planting and Tea HERE.
Family Promise ~
SWAN and Willowbrook also helped Family Promise with their Spring Fundraiser focussed on ‘CommuniTea’. They are a wonderful organization that partner with local churches to provide shelter, meals, and programs to help homeless families get on their feet and into homes of their own. I was grateful to be a part of their event. It was an inspiring day full of heartwarming stories that spoke of despair and crisis turned to hope and opportunity. Through this fundraising campaign, Family Promise raised $50,000. What an outpouring of generosi-tea! Click HERE to learn about the lives being bettered through Family Promise.
Mothers Tea ~
I think Mother’s Tea is my favorite. It is such a yummy feeling to see all of the moms and daughters, husbands and wives, and all the love ties that bring people to Willowbrook for tea. Its a special treat to see the family resemblances, like this picture of Hailey and her mom.
My daughter Kjaisa and her boyfriend Brandon helped in the tea tent every Saturday in April, and for Mothers Tea they made a special table for Brandon’s mom in the garden. Mary Lou and Mike recently moved here from Pennsylvania and live just 16 miles from Willowbrook and we can bike door-to-door using the Cascade Trail! They are a wonderful addition to our family.
Upcoming Events at Willowbrook~
Summer is just around the corner and there is so much to do at Willowbrook! Here is a list of upcoming activities and events:
Beginning June 4th:
Northern State Hospital Guided Bicycle Tour (Info)
Self-guided Bicycle Tours (Info)
Glamping at High Camp Info (Info)
June 18th Chamomile Planting and Tea (CPTea) (Info)
June 12th Saturday Morning Tea and Scones (Info)
October 1,2,8 & 9 Harvest Tea (Info)
Make your reservations sooner than later, especially for Harvest Tea.
Giveaway Winners ~
It is so fun to get all of the emails with requests to enter into the giveaways. I enjoy seeing where you are from and appreciate the short notes that are included. This most recent giveaway was ten sets of note cards featuring art from Addy, my daughter. The winners are:
Lillian C
Sandy B
Patricia K
Sue H
Mary K
Brooke S
Ruby N
Peggy A
Judy G
Susan R
I’ve emailed all of the winners, so if you see your name, but didn’t get an email, message me to make sure. Sometimes the emails go to spam.
Today’s Giveaway ~
I’m calling todays giveaway “Terry’s Apothecary from Willowbrook”. Three teas you should have in your medicine cabinet. Chamomile for calm and sleep, peppermint for upset stomach, and cold and flu brew for… well just what it says. The cold and flu tea doesn’t taste yummy like the chamomile and peppermint, but Mary Poppins says, “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”. Though, a heaping tablespoon of honey is best for sore throats. I’m giving away five sets of Terry’s Apothecary Tea set. Click HERE to enter to win. (And let me know how you are doing if you have a minute).
Teacup Time ~
In Santa Barbara, CA there is an adorable vintage shop that I love to shop at when I visit my girlfriend, Cynthia.
It is called the Vintage Fox and last time I was there we were mid-pandemic and I visited with the owner, Ashley about the challenges of keeping a small business alive during the COVID shutdown. I purchased some breathtaking teacups that came from the same home / estate. I asked her to let the owner of the teacups know that her delightful cups were going to a new home where they would be loved and used by tea-guest.
You can imagine my delight, when on my first newsletter giveaway, I drew Ashley’s name! I emailed her about her winning a Willowbrook tea sampler, and her response was so compassionate. She said she knew how hard the pandemic was on small businesses and to save the postage, that the thought was was winnings enough. It gave me a lump in my throat. I didn’t mail it then, But. . .
I made sure to send the tea with my daughter Aliece when she went to work in Santa Barbara. Aliece hand-delivered it to Ashley in her charming store. If you know anyone who lives close to Santa Barbara, make sure to tell them about The Vintage Fox. (Click HERE for info.). It is a feel-good place. |
Willowbrook Manor English Tea House & Chamomile Farm
