Spicy Ginger Mint, Surfaces & Herbal Table

 Tall glasses of Spicy Ginger Mint Tea over ice with lemon balm and thyme

Hi,

June already, still somewhat cool and wet weather especially when considered against last year's heat and drought.   Flower, herb and food gardens  everywhere seem to be doing very well.  

My last post was about a crowd funding campaign to help establish markets here.   Response from the campaign has allowed us to purchase a small refrigerator.  At this time we will not be opening the Morning Market or the Thursday Evening Farmers Market.  A few people asked why a market.  Our intent was to do something we thought would help meet expenses for the store front and be pleasing to the community.  Alas, some ideas have wings, and some do not.  It is always interesting, to me, to look back after a time and see which ideas worked and which did not. 

I am still feeling happy with my architectural cake being voted "best tasting" at last months 2nd Annual Architectural Cake Contest in Bloomington.  You can read about it and see some of the wonderful cakes by clicking this link to  Local Food Bloomington's blog. 

Thank you Quilter's Comfort Spicy Ginger Mint for giving my cake with the winning taste!

 Herbal Table Every First Friday

                  Elberberry Bush Jelly Scones               Eclairs and Puffs ready for filling 

Every first Friday, Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe & Quilter's Comfort Teas hosts an arts opening.  This Friday, June 7, we open  "SURFACES & TEXTURES", an exhibition of fiber arts.  Gallery reception is 5:00pm to 8:00pm in the Wellness Arts Gallery (inside Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe) at 725 West Kirkwood Avenue. "Surfaces & Textures" address the concept of surface design and structure. This first annual exhibit seeks to promote the appreciation of fiber art and support the creative development and continuance through artistic interpretations. 

"Woven Grace" by B.J. "Kish" Irvine

 

On July 5th, first Friday, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm the Wellness Arts Gallery reception for "Surfaces & Textures" will feature fiber art demonstrations through out the evening.
"Surfaces and Textures" exhibit runs from June 7th to July 31st, 2013.

Cafe/Gallery visitors will be able to sample a delicious variety of herbal treats. Foods for the evening will include Spicy Ginger Mint Cake accompanied by Quilter's Comfort's locally sourced Lavender Tranquility tea, a blend of lavender, red clover and hops, and this months special tea, Elderberry Boost, a delicious blend of certified organic Elderberries, Nettles, Red Raspberry Leaf, Lemon Balm, Red Clover, Calendula, Honeybush, Rose Hips, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, Ginkyo.  This blend got its name because every herb in it supports the body toward aging well.  

In future post, I will write about the properties individual herbs and spices contribute to Quilter's Comfort teas and spices, and to our collective health.  You can find some information on the Quilter's Comfort About page by clicking here.  We are working on an update that will, once completed have some information about every herb, spice and ingredient we use in our products and in foods we make for our "herbal table".

Until then, 

Patricia 

 

Crowd Funding Campaign Launched!

We launched a Crowd Funding Campaign on the Indiegogo platform!  We are raising funds to establish the Comfort Morning Market and a Thursday Evening Farmers Market in front of Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe!

Check out the campaign - http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/quilter-s-comfort-morning-and-thursday-evening-market

Here are some ways you can help us to establish the Morning Market and the Farmers Market.
(1) Donate to our perks.  If you have a product or service you'd like to contribute to help us meet our goal, let us know.
(2)  Share on Facebook and Twitter.  We'd love it if you could share it a few times over the course of the campaign.
(3)  If you have a small wooden picnic table or outdoor wooden table in good condition with bench or 4 chairs, for outdoor seating.
(4) Volunteer for Thursday Evening Market.
(5) Contribute to our sit down tea bar fund.

Thanks for your time here!

Patricia  

Hello!

Spring is almost here according to daffolile, spring beauties, surprise lilies and others!  I am ready for increased warmth.

 In January Yuko and Ai hosted a green tea demonstration.  to see more pictures like this one 

visit our  Cafe Calendar Page.    

Valentines Day is now past, and we still have a few jars left of our February specials, Chocolate Chamomile Mint Strong Coffee, Carob Chamomile Mint Strong Coffee, both with ground cacao nibs and Rose Petal "Rose Petal Wine.  All are certified organic and we have been told, "Very delicious". 

To recap: February is the month of LOVE, and on the Wellness Arts Cafe table the first Friday we had these foods and others.
*Chocolate and Carob Teas and Other Beverages
*Assorted Appetizers and Fruit
*3 Bean Soup - Black Bean, (to help take the chill off)
*Chocolate Cornbread (very yummy!)
*Chocolate Fondu with assorted fruits and cheeses.
*Flan with Cranberry Rose Petal "Rose Petal Wine Jam" and
*Chocolate Chamomile Mint STRONG Coffee Jam
*Carob Chamomile Mint STRONG Coffee Jam

Take 10% off any tea or jelly with rose petals, carob or chocolate for the month of February!

Our four wonderful judges tasted and responded with choosing the Winning Name in the 2nd Annual Quilter's Comfort  "Name the Tea Contest 2013".  And the winning name is "Mama's Feel Good Tea"! 

Congratulations Gini Patrick! Gini can stop in each month for the rest of the year and pick up a bag of tea!  

Thank you Steve, Glenda, Peggy and Ruth!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday, I made a brief presentation at a 90th birthday tea party!  It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many amazing older women!  I had a little trouble believing the ages of most of the women present.  They drank All Ears 2, Lemon Ginger Green, Owl & Pussy Cat's Berry Green and Elderbush Honey.  There was also lots of fresh fruits, little sandwiches, scones, cookies and Rose Petal "Rose Petal Wine Jam and Chocolate Chamomile Mint Strong Coffee Jam.

Have a great weekend, and remember to take it sip by sip!

Patricia

 

Tea Contest, What "I" Wish Community Project and Call for Doll and Small Quilts

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It is off to a great beginning with the 2nd Annual "Name the Tea Contest" in celebration of Hot Tea Month.  

 ~~January is Hot Tea Month.  This month visitors to Patricia’s Wellness Arts Café  can taste the unnamed tea and enjoy the usual self-serve sampling of herbal jellies, beer jelly, coffee jelly and wine jelly.  All purchasing customers can enter the contest.  The  winner will receive one bag of tea each month for the year of 2013!  The suggested names will be announced Friday, February 1st at 7:00pm with the names going to the judges (Glenda, Peggy, Ruth and Steve) for decision.  The name chosen as the winning name will be announced on Friday, February 8th, 2013.  

You are also invited to participate in:

 ~~What “I” Wish 2013 – Interactive Community Art Exhibit.  Visitors of all ages are invited to draw and/or write a positive expression to support interest in collective goodwill and sustainability amongst all peoples and beings.  Drawn and written wishes will be collected throughout the month of January and gathered into a book form to be titled “What We Wish 2013” Possibility/Intention Goodwill Consciousness for Community.   Volunteers interested in helping with this project can stop in the café for more information.

     ~~Call for Submissions~~

                   “Dolls and Small Quilts” Exhibit

           

                     February 1^st – March 29^th, 2013

“Dolls and Small Quilts” wanted for small doll and quilts show.   Dolls must be original (no kits) and made by the artist and can be created in any medium.  Quilts 12” X 12” and smaller when finished must be ready to hang/display.

Dolls may not be taller than 24” tall and 12” wide and must be ready to hang.  Space is limited.  Accepted works will be due in the gallery by January 22^nd.   Stop in the Patricia’s Café for submission information or email quilterscomfort@gmail.com with “Dolls and Quilts” as subject.    

TY-ILY 

Thank you for finding your way here and into the Cafe.  Each time I sit down to write, I think and often say, "I will do this more often".  Then I get into the day to day of all that is necessary with the store and it is many many months later.

There have been many wonderful connections made and some challenges due to the age of some of my technology.  Three months after a major crash, I am still recovering data and recreating dozens upon dozens of files.  Yet, the self-serve tea tasting and jelly sampling continue and people continue to enjoy buying our teas and other items.  Thank You, all of you who shop here, you are what keeps us in business!

People continue to ask, how did you come up with coffee jelly or the beer and wine jellies?  It tell them it was one of those "ding" moments.  While watching a movie, whose name I don't recall,  one of the characters said something about jelly and that was enough to get me started thinking and now many locals and visitors from out of town are enjoying Coffee Jelly (made using certified organic and fairtrade coffee from the Runcible Spoon; Wine Jellies (we use wine from Butler Vineyard) and Beer Jellies using craft beer from Bloomington Brewing Company and other Indiana Craft brewers.

 Earlier this month we had a visit from a lovely young woman interning with the Bloomington Area Arts District (BEAD.  Read what she says about the Cafe.

Get the skinny on what's new and happening in BEAD.

Whether it's the hottest new show downtown, insider dining tips, or an up and coming artist, read about it here!

Nurture your Body and Soul at Patricia’s Wellness Arts Café!

November 6, 2012

The women that work to sustain Patricia’s Café really do put your wellbeing first.  Their warm natures and welcoming mannerisms work wonders in giving the newly established shop its homey feel.  So even though it’s tucked away a little bit off the beaten path on the west side of BEAD, Patricia’s is well worth a visit for those interested in art and health. 

Click to read article  by Anna Fiore 

http://visitbead.com/nurture-your-body-and-soul-at-patricias-wellness-arts-cafe/

If we haven't met yet, stop in and introduce your self and sample a little tea or jelly.

We are open Tuesday - Saturday 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM and First Fridays 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

 May all your celebrations be filled with joy and good friends and family!

 

SageWell, Honeybush Balm? Carob Chamomile Ginger Mint? Introduction of New Tea Blends

Hot Tea Month is just about over, bringing Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe & Quilter's Comfort Tea's "Name the Tea" Contest to an end.  On the first Friday in February, in conjunction with the Opening Reception in the Wellness Arts Gallery for "Island Sabbatical" Photographs by Bill and Glenda Breeden, the tea name will be announced. Also, many new teas will be on the shelves, some will be tasted during the evening.  As soon as we are in a new kitchen, the jelly tastings will begin.

New teas introduced are  

For more information about Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe & Quilter's Comfort Teas, click here. 

Name a Tea Contest Celebrates HOT TEA MONTH!

Happy New Year! May January 2012, Hot Tea Month find you well and ready to drink teas! Quilter's Comfort is celebrating and invites you to join us in our Celebration of Hot Tea Month

at PATRICIA’S WELLNESS ARTS CAFÉ & Quilter’s Comfort Teas

With our Name a Tea Contest!

~One of the new teas to be released in 2012 does not have a name!

~Everyone making a purchase during the month of January can submit a name suggestion for the unnamed tea.

The person submitting the name selected by our judges, Ash Burgess, Noah Dadds and Betty Irvine will receive one bag of tea each month through 2012!

TEA TASTING, SYRUP AND JELLY SAMPLING DAILY

Hours - 1:00pm - 6:00pm Tuesday - Saturday

First Fridays - 1:00pm - 8:00pm

725 West Kirkwood, Ave, Bloomington,Indiana

Happy Celebrations; May Quilter's Comfort Teas, Tea Syrups and Tea Jellys Sweeten Your Days!

Greetings to All who find their way here!

Stop by the "cafe", home to Quilter's comfort Teas, 725 West Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington; and say hello before the New Year rolls in! If you are not nearby, call the shop and place your tea, jelly and syrup order. Since opening the first Friday in October, energy has been moving forward non-stop. A bundle of blessings to each of you who have contributed to making this a thriving joyous place! I am still getting to preparing the "Wellness Arts Menu", yet hope to get something, though an outline of events and products to come before 2012 roll in.

The "Cafe" Holiday Hours are 1:00 PM to 7:00PM through December 23rd.
Open until 4:00PM Christmas Eve.
Tea Jellies, Tea Syrups and accessories for holiday gift giving! Owl and Pussy Cat and Bluesy Green Cranberry Jelly and Syrups available only through the holiday season. Tea Samplers, Tea Samplers, Tea Samplers!

Gift Certificates are available and a great choice for use for any product, Reconnective Healing, Reiki or other service.

SALE - Tall glass decorated votive holders with candle - buy 2 and get 1 for Free!
- Locally made wooden ornaments - buy 2 and get one Free!
- Some Elastic Brain Cooperative upcycle on sale!

Also available - collage ornaments, local calendar, greeting cards, original art and ten locally blended Quilter's Comfort artisan teas and more!

We look forward to sharing many new blends with you in 2012. New teas, some crafted using herbs and spices grown in Bloomington, Indiana and nearby areas. Most new blends will be certified organic and some blended from plants grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or GMOs.

Thank you for sharing this journey.

Quilter's Comfort Update

Dear All, thank you for liking my teas! Quite a lot has happened since my last posting. Very soon you will receive an announcement for the Grand Opening of "Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe and Quilter's Comfort Teas"! Last Tuesday, I signed a lease for a store front at 725 West Kirkwood Avenue!

Yes, I am excited and busy with first cleaning, now painting and figuring out how to display for the "first phase" as a retail area featuring my teas and others, herbs, arts and crafts, a "local Indiana" area with related products; organizing for consignment or contractual arrangement, preparing the class room space and the Vibrational Energy Wellness office.

The class room space and wellness office will be available for use by other practitioners. The second phase is to build a "tea bar" and remodel the bathroom, purchase tables and seating, then people will be able to come in for teas, coffee and pastries.

I am grateful for all the support and enthusiasm I am receiving from those I know and the community in general. Some of you asked what I may need, so this is the beginning of my list which will be updates as I go along as you know that this all went from a paper dream into reality, and reality has many needs I did not recognize.

I realize most of us don't have these things hanging around, yet if you come across these, I welcome the information about location - contact me at quilterscomfort@gmail.com

-Wood book shelf (shelves) - 6 feet tall and four to five feet tall
-Bathroom sink and cabinet
-Concrete Paint - preferably black and white
-Mid sized refrigerator
-3' to 4' Glass display case
-drywall (to finish the repair of the small bathroom)
-CD player
-6' wide rugs to cover concrete office floor (22' Long).
- lighting - figuring out what is needed

2nd Phase Needs

-coffeemaker/hot water heater
-Pastry display
-4 Air Pots for dispensing hot teas and coffee
- a counter top and bottom
-Beverage Cooler for juices, teas, etc.
-tables and chairs
-silverware
-locally made tea pots, cups and saucers - ask your potter friends to contact me

Thanks and I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Blessings of good things to each of you.