Shiver Me Timbers!

Blow me down!It be Talk Like a Pirate Day! Ahoy ye hearties & scallywags. Hoist yer Jolly Roger up th’mast & talk like a pirate. Arrrghh!

For those of you who are new readers, I’m Terry, owner and caretaker of Willowbrook Manor English Teahouse and Farm Stay wishing you a happy Talk Like a Pirate Day.   

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.  (If any pictures come to you sideways, click on the link at the top of the page to view this in your browser.) There is a giveaway at the end of this newsletter so make sure to read to the end.

A Special Thank You  ~

My last newsletter shared the passing of my dear father. I was touched by all of the well-wishes from you, my newsletter family. I shared each email of condolence with my mother. It was an unexpected and much-appreciated comfort. I want to say thank you. Liz (mom) is doing well. We are roommates now. It is a sweet thing to share tender time together as we both move forward in life without dad.

Willowbrook Manor’s First Wedding ~

Sarah and Nicholas made history at Willowbrook Manor. On August 3rd they were married here, and the celebration was fabulous!. It was the first wedding to be hosted at my teahouse.

I told them from the beginning that I would be like ‘Auntie Terry’ to them, and it truly felt like I was hosting family. I must admit I cried a couple times that day.

The joy was palpable as I watched these two young people begin their love-journey together as husband and wife.

Their photographer, Mike Rauwolf, did a wonderful job capturing the essence of the day. The above pictures are his.

Sedro Woolley Chamber Luncheon ~

Every September I host the Sedro Woolley Chamber of Commerce luncheon. This year the weather was gorgeous and every seat under the tea tent was filled.

The Indian food I serve for corporate events is always a crowd pleaser. To serve the salad and garlic naan I use my large brass tray and wood bowl. They came from Afghanistan. My Grandparents brought them home after a five-year tenure with USAID in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan in the ’60s. I feel a connection with my grandmother every time I use them.

Sunchea ~

Sunchea Phou is a member of our chamber, and I truly enjoy visiting with her. She is the founder of YAY Novelty and an incredible lady. I first met her when she spoke at a chamber luncheon years ago, sharing her journey from refugee to eventually custom-fitting the uniforms for Seattle Seahawks players. She even shared a picture of her holding the superbowl trophy!

Sunchea brought her delightful mother to tea and told me their story. It involved a harrowing escape from the Cambodian genocide when Sunchea was a little girl. Theirs was an experience of tremendous loss and trauma. Yet Sunchea and her mother are positive and gracious people who try to make the world a better place. Sunchea built a school in rural Cambodia and her line of Cambodian products serves farmers, increasing their earnings and preserving ancient traditions.

YAY Novelty ~

I personally use many YAY Novelty products. The palm sugar has a subtle caramel taste, perfect for tea. I serve it at my teahouse. The best reusable bag I have ever owned is a YAY Novelty bag. I keep one in my purse and one in my suitcase. I can hardly wait to begin serving the Turmeric Ginger Tea that is coming out next year. It is the best I’ve ever tried.

When you purchase from YAY Novelty, you are supporting a business with outreach and stewardship as their main focus. Click HERE to view more quality products.

Upcoming Events ~

Harvest Tea is the first two Fridays and Saturdays in October and the reservation portal is open! Flavors of pumpkin spice and apple cinnamon are among the sweets, and my famous rosemary turkey croissant is one of the savories you will enjoy. $57/person. Click HERE to make your reservation.

Holiday Tea ~

For a festive, warm and memorable holiday experience, come to my home for tea! Holiday Tea runs the first two Fridays and Saturdays in December. I welcome large groups but you must reserve early as we typically get sold out. $62.50/person. Click HERE to book your table.

Winter Workshop ~

Meet Oley, the pinstriped bear that will be one of the gifts you can make at the Willowbrook Workshop, November 1st – 2nd. I’m finishing up the children’s book that Oley is featured in, and it is darling (if I do say so myself). Click HERE if you would like more information on the workshop. I will let those who ask for more information know when the reservation portal is available. The workshop is limited to 20 guests. If there is enough interest I will host a second weekend workshop the following week.

Time for Liz ~

This is where I feature my mother, author Liz Adair, for her own portion of the newsletter:

Liz Sez:

Dave Berry became national spokesman for National Talk Like a Pirate Day in 2002, just months before I went to work for Ted Ritter in February of 2003. Like me, Ted was a reader of Dave Berry’s humor column, and as a fellow whimsey lover, Ted also became a celebrator of this holiday.

As administrative assistant I was always trying to haze Ted into conventional business practices. Business cards? Don’t think so. Christmas cards to all the colleagues who sent to us? Nope. Wear a tie? Don’t own one.

A few years passed, and when I again suggested Christmas cards, Ted said he’d rather send cards on a lesser-known holiday, so we settled on Talk Like a Pirate Day.

I asked Terry to contract with Ted to take care sending out Talk Like a Pirate Day greetings.

More time passed. Ted has retired, but Terry has carried on the tradition with Talk Like a Pirate Day greetings from Willowbrook Manor. In honor of the day, I wrote a couple of limericks and asked my friend Nancy to write a poem or two. It was a tight turnaround of one day, but she came through. Thank you Nancy!
And thank you, Ted, for the tradition.

And now for the limericks:

Blackbeard had a son he named Knute
And crocheted him a wee baby boot
When the boy came of age
Blackbeard offered a wage,
But the son said “No, just give me your loot.”

A pirate’s occupation is rife,
With hand-to-hand combat and strife.
Plus the rain and the breezes
Causing colds and the sneezes.
Methinks it’s an arrrrr-duous life.

~ Liz

And a couple from Nancy:

It’s Pirate Day, and we’re so excited
To Talk like a Pirate, You all are invited
To have the right look
Put on your Hook
Say “Aarrgg”, and we’ll all be delighted!

With a treasure chest at his feet
A Pirate’s life seems oh, so sweet
a Parrot on his shoulder
Makes him look so much Bolder
Saying “Aarrgg”, makes it all complete

Back to Terry:

Now you know why I look forward to Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Winner of the Case of Scone Mix ~

Congratulations to Leona N. of Stanwood, WA for winning the drawing of a case of Willowbrook Scone Mix! For those of you didn’t win and had your mouth set for a delicious batch of scones right out of your own oven, you can order a case online by clicking HERE.

Giveaway ~

This month’s giveaway is YAY Novelty’s palm sugar. Three people will win one bag each. (It is so good I almost don’t want to share.) Click HERE to enter to win! And make sure to write a little note to let me know how you are doing.

That is it for this issue of The Willowbrook Word! And this is me bidding you farewell with a selfie I snapped at the wedding, just as the bride and groom were heading to their car to drive away.

Sending lots-n-lots-a-luv from Willowbrook!
-t