Hello Hello!

I’m excited to tell you about this year’s Willowbrook Winter Workshop. But for first-time readers, let me introduce myself. I’m Terry, owner and caretaker of Willowbrook Manor English Teahouse and Farm Stay.

This email comes to you because you either signed up for this newsletter, made a reservation at Willowbrook Manor, are a friend of mine, or are a follower of my mother, author Liz Adair, who has her own corner here in The Willowbrook Word. There is a giveaway at the end of each newsletter, so make sure to read to the end. (If any pictures come to you sideways, click on the link at the top of the page to view this in your browser.)

Winter Workshop 2024 ~

The second-annual Willowbrook Winter Workshop was a wonderful event. We forged friendships and created gifts for holiday giving. Our Friday night gingerbread gift-making was a hit!

Meet Oley ~

Oley is a pinstriped bear and the protagonist of my latest children’s book. Everyone at the Winter Workshop made an Oley doll from kits I sewed for them. The fabric came from my grandmother’s cupboard. She was going to make it into a suit, but it became a host of darling stuffed bears instead (more on the book later).

We spent Saturday morning at the Winter Workshop sewing Oley dolls, visiting, and sipping tea.

Pie Class ~

The Winter Workshop included a class on pie making. Each person made an apple pie to take home, enjoying hands-on learning and taste-testing. My mom (Liz) did a fabulous job preparing the class to be simple and effective. She sent everyone home with a six-page instruction booklet. Next year she will do a class on custard and pecan pies.

Tea Blending ~

The tea blending class at the Winter Workshop was my favorite. Together we learned the health benefits of these herbs and teas. We tasted each one.

Then each participant created her own signature blend of tea, packaging them in individual tins that included her picture. Who wouldn’t love to get such a personalized tea present at Christmas?

Winter Workshop 2025 ~

At next year’s Winter Workshop you can make an Oley doll or a Nin doll (Nin was the craft project last year). The children’s book for next year will feature Oley and Nin and how they learn to deal with grief. Click HERE if you would like to get on the list for first-chance-to-sign-up for the Willowbrook Winter Workshops (dates are November 7-8 and 14-15).

The Book Oley ~

Oley is the second book in my Willowbrook Woollies book series. The story is about a pinstriped bear who wishes for a friend, then adventure ensues. Children are drawn to Oley, but it was written especially for people who love tea.

The Book Nin ~

Last year’s book, Nin, is about a pink plaid mouse who learns that chamomile tea can help calm her when she feels anxious. This book is ‘grandkid approved.’

For the Tea Lovers on your List ~

Oley and Nin together make an especially thoughtful gift. You can order this set wrapped for the holidays. If you are coming to Holiday Tea, when you order this book set online, click “pick up” and I will have it here, packaged up and waiting for you. If you want me to ship it to the gift recipient, make a note at checkout, and I will include a ‘to and from’ label on the present. The two-book set wrapped for Christmas is $40 plus shipping. Click HERE to order.

Wishes Coming True ~

When I was in my 20’s I dreamed of having a ’63 Ford Falcon. It’s a frumpy-cool kind of car, and I envisioned myself tootling around with kids in tow, lovin’ life. I was 35 and had just had my fifth baby when we purchased ‘Lubly’ (The license plate had the letters LUB). Driving a classic car is like stepping back in time. When I’d load the kids up to get groceries and a hot dog at Costco, the Falcon made the errand a sweet adventure.

Saved from Selling ~

Early 2023 I listed Lubly for sale to raise capital for upgrades to Willowbrook Manor. But then I learned of RAINcap Bootcamp and signed up. Through it, I received a grant that covered the needed projects. The grant facilitated growth to my small business. Best of all it meant I didn’t have to sell Lubly!

Another important thing that came out of RAINcap Bootcamp was the invitation to dream big. The second class I attended they asked the question, “What would you do if you had no limitations?” At that time I was the board president of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, and as such, I did social media posts highlighting the tulip farms and sponsors of the festival. I LOVED it.

So when I was given the invitation to dream big with no limitations, I realized my ‘want’ was to continue shining a light on fellow small businesses. My falcon could be the vehicle (pardon the pun) to accomplish it. Red Falcon Road was born!

Two ladies
Two cups of tea
The backroads and backstories
of Skagit Valley and beyond.

It will be a YouTube channel that promotes the unique people and destinations that make Skagit Valley such a wonderful place to visit.

I’m thrilled to announce that Red Falcon Road will debut in March 2025!

My Wish for Funding Came Through ~

With a grant from the Skagit County Lodging Tax Funds, my vision of Red Falcon Road will become a reality! Look who’s riding shotgun!

In each episode, whenever I get into the falcon, a transformation occurs. As soon as the door shuts, a beehive hairdo, pearls and cat-glasses appear. It’s magic! (Since mom lived through that era, nothing happens when she gets in the car.)

Watch for more updates on Red Falcon Road!

Come for Tea!

This picture was from the very first day we opened for tea April 6th, 2018. Since then I have welcomed over ten thousand guests to my farm to: enjoy high tea, pick chamomile, ride bikes, and rejuvenate with overnight stays. Thank you for your support of my business.

Here are links to upcoming tea events:

• Holiday Tea 
• Valentine Tea
• Tea and Tulips

Time for Liz ~

This is where I turn the pen over to my mom, author Liz Adair. Here she is:

Liz Sez ~

Eight years ago—before I began riding Terry’s tornado-ish coattails—I had my own newsletter as a writer. I named it “Liz and Friends” because people all around the world read my books and responded to my invitation to connect.

One of those people was Nancy. A resident of Chicago, she was always in the mix when we shared limericks amongst ourselves. Funny, slyly witty, surprising, her poems always stood out.

Nancy was commercial artist for twenty-five years. She retired from that and with her sister began creating skating costumes for professional skaters. Next, they branched out into creating dolls for collectors, and Nancy traveled around the country teaching doll clubs how to make the patterns she had created.

Nancy was such a steadfast fan-friend that when my health began to fail five years ago, and I had to let go of all but essential activities—the newsletter was deemed nonessential—she reached out to me. In four clever stanzas, she let me know she missed both the newsletter and Spider Latham and that I’d better get busy.

When Terry offered me a corner in the Willowbrook Word, I jumped at the chance to reach out again to my readers. Who responded to the first issue that included Liz Sez? Nancy, of course. She wrote a warm note and ended with this limerick:

There is a Sweet Lady named Liz
No finer a person there is
With a daughter like Terry
Life’s not quite so scary
‘Cause loving is just their life’s Biz

I didn’t know it, but while I was slogging through, dealing with our health problems, she was dealing with issues even more challenging. Her husband, George, had been battling cancer for thirty-eight years. For the last four years he had been on a feeding tube, and she had needed to stay close by to care for him.

Even though she had these pulls on her time and attention, she reached out to me when I lost Derrill in July. And then, last month, she sent me word that George had passed away.

I felt so honored and so blessed that she took the time to personally let me know she was bereft. That’s what friends do.

I find it amazing that I could become so close to someone simply through words cast across the internet. We have never met, and until I asked if I could share her story and requested a picture, I didn’t know what she looked like. Here is my limerick for Nancy:

There is a sweet lady named Nan.
Modeling friendship? She can!
This great institution
Has seen evolution
She grew to my friend from my fan.

Back to Terry ~

Isn’t that a lovely story? Thanks Mom and thank you Nancy.

Here is where we have our monthly giveaway!

This Month’s Winners ~

The three winners of my decadent Apple Cinnamon Tisane are:

• Judy P from Ferndale, WA
• Ruth D
• Linda F from Cedar Park, TX

If you didn’t win but would like to try this soothing winter tea, click HERE to purchase ($20 plus shipping).

Nin and Oley Giveaway ~

Two lucky people will win the book set of Nin and Oley! Click HERE if you would like to enter for the drawing. Please include a little note to let me know how you are doing. Mom and I enjoy hearing from you.

A Story to Close With~

Last month one of the notes that came to me from the newsletter was from Michelle. She attended the very first Willowbrook Winter Workshop last year with her dear friend Pam. I had a wonderful time getting to know the two of them as we sewed Nin dolls, made gingerbread men and did herb crafts together.

In her recent email she told me that Pam had passed away. I was stunned and immediately felt that a light had gone out.

Pam, (on the left) and Michelle (right) loved tea at Willowbrook. They attended just the two of them and also with the group they called ‘Pam’s Party Girls.’ Pam was the life of the (tea) party!

These are tea friends of over 20 years. (Pam, Barb, Anita and Charlotte- Michelle is taking the picture.) Last year they celebrated Pam’s birthday with a custom-made tea party. Michelle told me she had never made scones, lemon curd or clotted cream before, but she put in the time. They were splendid!

It is hard to lose a dear friend. Pam’s Party Girls have honored her passing by spreading some of her ashes at places where they shared beautiful memories together.

Nin Twins ~

The Nin that Pam made now sits with Michelle’s among her keepsakes. She calls them her ‘Nin twins.’

Sending lots of love ~

Thank you for reading all the way to the end! Mom told me the newsletter was too long (but I told her my readers would still love it).

I’m signing off with a picture of me fetching branches left by my beaver friends (story for another newsletter).
-t