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My Grandmother’s China, Everyday Reflections and Bigelow Tea Moment Memories

written by Rebecca E. Parsons

Reflections. Connections. Millions of tiny threads that run throughout the everyday moments which become the tapestry called your life. Most are not extraordinary by any means…however; they create a lifetime…and that is extraordinary!

Bigelow breakfast tea and toast with silver #AmericasTea

Capturing Tea Moment Memories

I find that so many of these everyday moments revolve around a cup of tea. By now you know how much I love my Bigelow Tea. I call it ‘MY’ Bigelow Tea because I think of it as a member of my family. I drink it every day…hot in the morning and evening and cold during the rest of the day. My favorite is Plantation Mint…although I love, and serve, all the many delicious varieties. A box permanently resides on the top of my electric brewer (see photo below). I often capture them with my lens as I grow as a photographer. Grab a cup of your favorite tea and enjoy a few of my images as you read!!!

Bigelow Tea with Strawberry Shortcake #AmericasTea

Everyday Moments and Daydreams

I recently discovered that Bigelow Tea Corporation has a tea plantation in Charleston, South Carolina. I once lived in Charleston. I love that city and I always thought that I would return when I retired. Many special moments happened there. I am just imagining another…sipping a cup of ‘my’ Plantation Mint at the Bigelow Tea Plantation…aaahhhhh, a girl can dream can’t she? Oh yes, that would be a good dream.

Bigelow Plantation Mint Tea at My Desk #AmericasTea

As Spring arrived, I found myself reminiscing about family and lifelong connections. April is a bittersweet month for me as many of the people I love were born in April and many family events of note have occurred. The 3rd is my Father’s birthday. The 4th is the day my Mother passed. The 5th is my parents wedding anniversary. The 8th is my Mother’s birthday. The 12th is my twin son’s birthday. The 15th is my son-in-laws birthday. The 18th is the day I walked for the first time after I broke my neck. The 24th is my little sister’s birthday. The 30th is the day I first held my first grandchild!!! A memorable month filled with sweet memories. As I write I understand just how blessed I am.

Bigelow Earl Grey inmy pink cup #AmericasTea

Part of these memories is sharing a pot of tea. My family is a family of tea drinkers. I had my first cup (that I remember) with my beloved Grandparents. It was Constant Comment®, the legendary black tea flavored with golden orange rind and sweet spice invented by Ruth Campbell Bigelow in her kitchen in 1945. I loved the flavor and it remains one of my ‘constants’ to this day!!! I believe that my first cup of tea was on an April day because we were coloring Easter eggs at the time. I smile when the unmistakable aroma of CC fills the air. It gives me a moment to think about my sweet Grandmother for whom I was named. Yes, Anna Rebecca Casey was unforgettable.

My grandmother's Tea Set #AmericasTea

I am the proud owner of her tea set…well, all her fine china. The handpainted Noritake Pink Azalea pattern was the one thing of hers I asked for. My Grandmother’s Mother had lovingly collected two sets for her two daughters. Above you see her tea set laid for my breakfast among the pink azaleas in my back yard this morning. The sun is rising through the tall oak trees and and the pot is filled with Constant Comment. A relaxing everyday moment before I begin my week. I can’t wait to share this special tradition with my Granddaughter!!!

My grandmother's Tea Set in the early morning sun #AmericasTea

What About Bigelow Tea Speaks To Me

What I love most about Bigelow is they are a family owned and operated company. I feel a connection to them as so many of my memories involve sharing a pot of tea…. I imagine that many of the Bigelow’s ‘tea moment memories’ were enjoyed together, just as in my family. I think a series called Tea Moment Memories would be perfect for my blog and others. I may have stumbled upon a Bigelow blog hop!!! (Sorry…my imagination wandered for a second!)

Easter Plantation Mint iced tea with lemon pie

The Bigelow family also strives to do the right thing for the planet, the community, and their employees. They have sustainability initiatives to benefit the environment and they encourage employees to contribute. I relate to their “all of us can and all of us should” mission.

From the annual Bigelow Community Challenge Road Race to building homes for families in need, helping out with school mentoring programs, conducting book drives, and participating in business lecture programs for inner city school districts, employees love to get involved and give back over and over again. As part of the Bigelow Mission statement per Cindi Bigelow: “As good corporate citizens, we feel an obligation to support the local communities where we reside so as to build a good working relationship as well as to contribute to worthy local and national causes.” –from the Bigelow website

Plantation Mint always on my brewer #AmericasTea

Bigelow Tea has always been a part of my life and a part of my everyday special moments. The connection to the brand is a beautiful part of my lifestyle. Share your Tea Moment memories with me below…

Plus…I hope to share images of me, with my cup of Plantation Mint, at the Charleston Tea Garden soon!!!

Plantation Mint on glovees #AmericasTea

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Comments

  1. Denise Seegobin says

    April 1, 2013 at 11:43 am

    I love it

  2. Heidi says

    April 1, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    The tea sets are so amazing! It is amazing how food or drink can really be related to memories.

  3. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 1, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    Oh yes Heidi…as I was writing, I was amazed at how the memories flooded through me.

  4. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 1, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    I love it too Denise.

  5. Ellen says

    April 1, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    What gorgeous photos & the tea set is so beautiful! Chamomile is my favorite Bigelow tea. I have one every night before bed to relax.

  6. JenF says

    April 1, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    What a wonderful post! Your pictures look amazing.

  7. tara says

    April 1, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    I love tea sets.

  8. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 1, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    I love to relax in the evening with tea Ellen. It is a warm hug for me!!!

  9. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 1, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    Thank you Jen…I am learning to use my camera better every day. It took me over a year to take it off automatic mode…once I did, the photos improved dramatically.

  10. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 1, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    I love tea set also Tara. I have some miniature ones also that I love. I love having tea parties with my Granddaughter.

  11. Maria says

    April 2, 2013 at 7:28 am

    I love that you used your grandmothers china. It makes you stop and savor every sip of tea and not rush through it. Sometimes we need to take a moment and enjoy small moments even if it to enjoy a small cup of tea.

  12. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 2, 2013 at 9:28 am

    Yes Maria…it is those small moments that make up your life!!! It is always fun to use heirlooms!!!

  13. Gina B says

    April 2, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    Oh how beautiful! I’ve always wanted a lovely tea set, but I’m not much one for tea. Gorgeous, and what a lovely gift.

  14. Victoria says

    April 2, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    I use several flavors of Bigelow Tea one of my favorites is Constant Comment. I love your china set it is lovely and what memories it holds for you.

  15. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 3, 2013 at 9:12 am

    Thank you Gina…try some Plantation Mint iced tea this summer…you will love how refreshing it is!!

  16. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 3, 2013 at 9:12 am

    Oh Victoria I agree about Constant Comment!!!

  17. Whitney @RambleSAHM says

    April 3, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    I love this post!!! There really is something about Charleston that just pulls you in and you never want to leave. I haven’t been back since 2008! If money were no issue I would already live there. Now your memories of your grandmother are so sweet. I just made a cup of Plantation Mint to enjoy very refreshing! I hope to meet you there too 🙂

  18. Courtney Velasquez says

    April 3, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    Beautiful post! I have collected and cherish my grandmother’s china that she passed on to me.

  19. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 3, 2013 at 1:28 pm

    I am drinking some mint tea right now also…I hope we meet there too!!!

  20. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 3, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    We have something beautiful to celebrate together!!!

  21. Shannon (The Mommy-Files) says

    April 4, 2013 at 4:27 am

    Oh girl – I loved your post! I love Bigelow Tea as well and you did a beautiful job of expressing it! 🙂

  22. Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 4, 2013 at 7:19 am

    Thank you Shannon!!!

  23. Kim ~ Craftymamaof4 says

    April 4, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Beautiful post Rebecca! Reading it brought back many fond memories I have of my grandmother.

  24. Chrissy says

    April 5, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    Such a beautiful post and a beautiful tea pot! I love it!

Trackbacks

  1. Touring the Bigelow Charleston Tea Plantation with the Bigelows…Oh My #AmericasTea says:
    May 18, 2013 at 8:32 am

    […] have my cup of Plantation Mint tea at the actual plantation…the Charleston tea Plantation. I wrote about this […]

  2. Bloggers Share Their Family Stories About Bigelow Tea! | Bigelow Tea Blog says:
    June 17, 2013 at 9:00 am

    […] Cre8tive Compass – At first glance, Rebecca Parsons’ photos (like the one above) featuring Bigelow Tea and her grandmother’s china look like still-life paintings. Simply stunning. We also appreciate Rebecca’s take on our teas: “I call it ‘MY’ Bigelow Tea because I think of it as a member of my family. I drink it every day … My favorite is Plantation Mint.” […]

  3. Bigelow Tea Loves Bloggers and It Shows #AmericasTea says:
    June 17, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    […] Cre8tive Compass – At first glance, Rebecca Parsons’ photos (like the one above) featuring Bigelow Tea and her grandmother’s china look like still-life paintings. Simply stunning. We also appreciate Rebecca’s take on our teas: “I call it ‘MY’ Bigelow Tea because I think of it as a member of my family. I drink it every day … My favorite is Plantation Mint.” – See more at: Bigelow Tea Blog. […]

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Chief Creative Force

DIYer. Graphic Designer. Creative. Foodie. Rebecca E. Parsons is a Renaissance gal with designers eye living happily where design meets new media. Rebecca is an award-winning graphic designer, writer, storyteller, digital and Photographic Artist, Dreamer, Lifelong Communicator and Blissful Wordsmith. Unconventional and delightfully curious, she is passionate about helping others find their visual voice through great blog design. She believes that every dream is possible and possible is everywhere!

to read a more in-depth story of Rebecca's life journey click here...

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