A Teapot and Teacup Shaped Hotel and Museum

A couple of days ago, a picture of the largest teapot in the world came through the feed of a Facebook tea and hospitality group I belong to, and I can't resist sharing it here on my blog.

The 74 meters tall hotel also houses the Meitan Tea Museum with tea houses on all the floors [10 of them] with artifact displays and ceremonial equipage used by several dynasties, as well as tea equipage of other countries.  There's a tasting room where visitors can sample various types of Chinese tea, and tea competitions are also hosted there.  At the top is an open-air balcony that offers stunning views of the city as well as tea plantations and the surrounding countryside.  It's especially beautiful at night when it's lit up, dominating the skyline.

The hotel's unique architectural feat promotes Chinese tea culture while providing luxurious accommodations for visitors.  

Construction lasted 7 years from 1999 to 2006, and in 2013 it was given 4 Stars based on Chinese standards.  It was also listed in the king's book of records as an outstanding architectural phenomenon.

Meitan is located in the Guizhou Province.   The teapot structure pays tribute to the city as the birthplace of green tea.  

There are several You-Tube videos about the teapot hotel/museum.  The 15-minute video that I watched gave a guided tour of each floor.  Several articles are online as well and are very interesting.  Too bad it's in China because that's a destination that's not on my bucket list.

Lunch at the Marina

Yesterday I joined five of my high school girlfriends for lunch at JP McGire's Waterfront restaurant in Gibraltar, MI.   It was a beautiful day so we opted to eat outside.

The restaurant is located in Humbug Marina on the lower part of the Detroit River where it flows into Lake Erie.

Deep-fried mushrooms were ordered to share and I have never seen such huge mushrooms served at a restaurant before.  They were yummy [if you're a mushroom lover - which I am].

Four of us got the Michigan Cherry/Chicken Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing and two got a Reuben Sandwich.

We sat in the fresh air and sunshine getting caught up on each other's news and it was a great day!  What have you been enjoying this summer?

A Tea Luncheon with Friends

Yesterday I hosted a small tea luncheon for two lovely ladies.  Roxanne is the mother of my daughter-in-law and I've known her for over 20 years.   I just met Laure on July 4th.  She attends a Bible study with Roxanne.  She is from England and has a beautiful British accent. The Girl Scout song came to mind: 'Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.'  Laure knew I'm planning a trip to England and offered several tips.  

I used my Sandy Clough Blessings Among the Roses china that hasn't been used in quite awhile.

The menu was simple.  We began with Coconut Scones and chilled Strawberry Soup.  I was reminded to always check the expiration date on baking soda [and baking powder] before using in a recipe, because while the scones tasted good yesterday, they didn't rise as high as they normally do.  When I looked on the box [after-the-fact], sure enough the baking soda had expired.

Next was a Chicken Salad Croissant and Tuna Macaroni Salad.  I needed a longer burning tea light candle in my teapot warmer, because it burned out by the second course.  I served Earl Grey tea with the meal.

Dessert was a Hot Fudge Sundae Cake.   Since I was using Sandy Clough china I decided to use her chocolate cake recipe that she mandated we serve at all our home party demonstrations [without the ice cream and hot fudge sauce].  It's actually a Texas sheetcake recipe that Sandy altered slightly.

I remember several years ago being able to buy pre-cut, individually wrapped vanilla ice cream slices [and neapolitan too] in the supermarket ice cream section.  But they told me at Kroger they haven't carried them in a long time.  It was easy enough to cut my own slices.

We sat around the table talking for almost three hours and spent a delightful afternoon together.  

[Standing L-R:  Laure and Roxanne]

Keeping in Touch

My hubby and I traveled to Wyandotte last Friday night, the city where we grew up [32 miles south of where we currently live].  A good friend's daughter passed away in May from cancer and they held a gathering to celebrate her life in lieu of a traditional funeral service.   It was like a reception with pictures of the deceased [just 46 years old] on all the tables and on several photo boards.  The mood was celebratory and upbeat with lively music, but I'm sure the family has experienced many sad moments privately.

The banquet facility was on the shore of the Detroit River.  We arrived early and parked on the riverfront watching the boats go by until time to go inside.

We spoke with my friend upon our arrival and stayed an hour and a half, then left after it didn't appear there'd be any type of talk about Cherie's life.  Her mom [my good friend] owned a lovely tearoom in Wyandotte for many years, and that's how we first became acquainted.

Since we were in Wyandotte, we couldn't go home without driving by the house I grew up in, followed by a stop at Bob-Jo's frozen custard stand right behind my house.  My son, Steve, thinks the custard stand is sentimental because it was established in 1947, the year I was born. ;-)

Chocolate Frozen Custards - Yum!

 

Saturday was an ordinary work day for me at The Whitney with 84 guests for Mansion Tea.  

Our youngest son, Jeremy, is an Elvis fan and sent a pic of the Elvis statue [below] on Beale Street in Memphis, where he and his wife, Samantha, are spending the weekend. The picture caption was TCB.  Not being an Evis fan myself, I had to look up the meaning which is 'Taking Care of Business', a personal motto Elvis adopted in the early 1970's and the name of his band. Live and Learn!  ;-)

The current sermon series at church is the names of God and today was Jehovah Rhoi - The Lord is My Shepherd.   What a comfort to know that in this world of uncertainty we have a Shepherd who loves and watches over us come what may!

After church we tried a new Polish restaurant that a friend recommended.  I ordered Potato and Cheese Pierogies, a Cabbage Roll and smoked Kielbasa.  I'm not of Polish descent, but I sure like their food!

The outdoor Utica Antiques Market is being held this weekend, but we opted to pass on it this time.  There will be another one in September.  It rained yesterday and today so I thought the ground might be a little soggy.  The weather was probably a disappointment for the vendors but at least the temperatures are pleasant [77 degrees] instead of scorching heat.

I hope you had a nice weekend.  

4th of July Celebration

Hope you had a festive 4th of July.   We went to our daughter-in-law's sister's annual 4th of July picnic.  Our youngest granddaughter, Ellie [Elizabeth], was born on the 4th of July, so we always celebrate her birthday at this family gathering.  She turned 11 this year.

I wasn't a shutter bug so only have pics that our son, Jeremy, took.  Below is a pic of Ellie with her five cousins and a friend.  They are all very close-knit.

~ Opening her presents ~

Since Jeremy and family have moved across the state to Zeeland, three of them [Jeremy, Samantha, and Izzy] came to our house afterwards to spend the night.  Ellie and Landon went to their cousin's house.  They left yesterday.

How did you celebrate the 4th?

No tea to share in this post since drinking it is still temporarily suspended for me.