Lauren Stenzel first visited The St. James Tearoom in 2003 after relocating from Santa Fe, New Mexico. At the time she didn’t know anything about the Tearoom. “It was at this time that an acquaintance took me to the St. James. It changed my life. I was immediately enchanted with the environment and grace that […]
With September we embark on our beautiful, New Mexico Autumn. A new school year has begun and things are beginning to chug along. But I know this is the calm before the storm. Soon the holidays will be upon me and time will be moving all too quickly. Now is my time for sanctuary, and […]
Daddies are their little girls’ Knight in Shining Armor. Every Daddy is a hero in his daughter’s eyes, and the good ones never lose that place in her heart, even after she grows up and finds her own Prince Charming. There are heroes abroad, and there are heroes at home. Here is a story […]
Fifteen years ago, a little girl stood peering into the windows of tiny, newly-minted St. James Tearoom while her grandmother finished her business in the dress shop next door. She asked if they could go in, and see what was happening within. Victoria, the grandmother, and little Nicole came in to see what it was […]
Our Irish theme for this month is dear to our heart, for Arthur Guinness is one of our own British Greats. If you have ever been seated in our St. James Gate, or if you have ever enjoyed a Guinness stout, you have had a brush with Arthur Guinness. His life exemplifies that which we […]
In our age of cynicism, should we consider stories of sacrificial love to inspire, motivate, guide and encourage us? We must admit, human hearts are continually captivated by stories of love and devotion; they are susceptible and tender when it comes to real loving relationship. We cheer for love to succeed; we are disappointed and […]
Sometimes it is the simple things that make the richest gifts. How blessed are those simple gifts – an unhurried conversation, an intimate look, a homemade meal eaten at leisurely pace, an unexpected touch. The ordinary arts we may practice every day at home are those that truly enrich. James, my husband of 42 years […]
In Jane Austen’s day, there was no email, and no texting, of course. People communicated in a slower, but much more genteel fashion – the letter. I believe that we are missing that gentility in our own day. In the beginnings of our ’email age’, we thought it was exciting – “You’ve got mail!” Oh boy!
WHO ME??? I must keep telling myself: “It is the RISE of the Roamin’ empire!” An empire is not conquered and contained in a day – or a month. Time is necessary! Patience is needed! Constancy, consistency, discipline, and love! The Lone Re-Arranger Has Struck Again! This time she struck as I slept…. the little […]
“A garden is a grand teacher.” Gertrude Jekyll For our April theme of Victory Garden, I would like to again share some of Gertrude Jekyll’s wisdom, and also give you a little peek at some behind-the-scenes workings at The St. James Tearoom meant as soil for growing in wisdom. Gertrude Jekyll, as most of you […]
“The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives.” Gertrude Jekyll Gertrude Jekyll is one of our prized British Greats. If you have ever been seated in Munstead Wood, this is Gertrude’s area. And since our theme for […]
Victory Gardens After the Fact: Using Used Tea Leaves Tea is good for your health! But you knew that…. Did you realize tea is good for the health of your plants, as well? Our theme for April is Victory Garden, and we want you to have victory in your garden! Did you know that used […]
The St. James Tearoom’s theme for the month of April is “Victory Garden” – a look back at an effort that brought families, and communities together in the past, but also an effort that is actively being pursued even today to push our society forward. Most people think of World War II when they hear […]
We speak. We speak always and in many ways. Words are only one of the many methods we use to communicate. Mary Eliza Haweis, who wrote The Art of Beauty in 1878, concluded that “Dress bears the same relation to the body as speech does to the brain; and therefore dress may be called the […]
Let me tell you a true story. It was reported on Good Morning, America. It seems a young woman had been invited to have tea with Queen Elizabeth II in the Buckingham Palace gardens. She was actually sitting with the Queen enjoying her tea and their conversation when her cell phone started ringing. She looked […]
I feel just the slightest bit of cool as I sit in my swing, enjoying the early mornings in my little courtyard. Soon the temperature will drop to our friendly and pleasant New Mexico autumn weather, and we will hear leaves rustling and hot air balloons overhead. We are on the cusp of my favorite […]
Pursuing Beauty – Japanese Style #1 – Ikebana Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. I once hosted an ikebana class in my home with other artists, to my great delight. The principles of design in this art form are well established, and, just like the Japanese have their Tea Masters, they also […]
Last week I asked myself the question, “Why would you want to add to all the pain that is already in the world?” I decided to subtract my critical attitude and desire to lash out at the owners of the B & B who didn’t perform up to my exacting standards. In doing so, I […]
Not long ago I was tossing and turning on a very hard bed in the middle of the night, trying to make myself comfortable on a wafer-thin pillow, struggling to get some sleep before a a big day. Growls and Grumbles were going through my mind: “They call this a Bed & Breakfast? I thought […]
In the oh, so proper world of tea etiquette, there are six (yes, SIX) ways to properly eat your scone. The main thing to remember, however, is that the scone must be halved horizontally. Please don’t hurt my heart by cutting the scone in half with a knife! Scones are tender, delicate little treasures, and […]
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/opinion/sunday/the-joy-of-quiet.html This is an important article, and one I think our St. James customers will relate to and agree with. The importance of Quiet in this day and age is an idea we have been urging since the beginning, and now, here is a NY Times article that articulates the same concept well. Someone else […]