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

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!

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

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!)

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

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!!!

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