Thanks to Tea and Cookies blog for this image.

Here come the lilacs… I wait for this time all year. We have a row of lilac trees that line our building. About two weeks ago, I started to notice tiny little buds appearing on the tree branches. As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, a huge smile came across my face as I saw the beginning of the new lilac season. Today I was completely delighted when a few of the buds actually opened up.

In case you do not know, lilac buds do not have an odor but once they open up… it is like nothing on this earth. My spring ritual began… as soon as one bud turns into a flower I always walk over to the trees and take a second to admire them. Pulling down the branch with the most flowers, I inhale the beautiful bouquet with both hands cupping the lilac.  It is only after I perform my lilac ritual, do I walk into the office. Oh yes, I never miss a day (rain or shine) to smell the magnificent fragrance.

To me the lilacs represent an opportunity to stop and appreciate all that we do have. I cannot say exactly why lilac season means so much to me, all I know is it does! Hot tea season winds down around now, hopefully giving me a chance to take a small breather. Maybe that is it, the symbolism of me needing a breather, coupled with the lilacs delicate scent starting my work day. Yes it is lilac season… another beautiful lilac season.

Cindi Bigelow

“People ask me what I do in the winter when there’s no baseball… I stare out the window and wait for spring.”
—Rogers Hornsby, St. Louis Cardinals

Life-long Pittsburgh Pirates fans and baseball enthusiasts greet spring training with conflicting emotions: sweet and sour. The Pirates, whose record has been negligible since the early 90’s, have actually had a good start to their Grapefruit League season. There’s always a sense of optimism that accompanies teams in the spring with the return of Major League Baseball.

As mentioned in this post, this will be the first season the Dodgers will not hold spring training in Vero Beach Florida.

Vero Beach Dodgers logo compliments of Wikipedia

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre played for the St. Louis Cardinals during the prime of his major league career. While his numbers do not quite match those of two-time Triple Crown winner, Hall of Fame Cardinals outfielder Rogers Hornsby, Torre was no slouch; he was a nine-time All-Star, and won the National League MVP in 1971, the year the Cardinals finished second in the NL East to the eventual World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. And of course, Joe is a great fan, and friend of Bigelow Tea!

Now Torre manages the Dodgers, who have recently re-signed run-producing outfielder, Many Ramirez. Ramirez’s former team, the Boston Red Sox, are led by another great Bigelow Tea drinker, Manager Terry Francona. Come October it would come as no surprise to see a Red Sox-Dodgers World Series. It’s doubtful that the opposing players would get together for a cup of Bigelow Green Tea during this hypothetical match up, but their managers might.

Phil Simms (former quarterback for the NY Giants and TV sportscaster for CBS), Cindi Bigelow (President Bigelow Tea), Terry Francona (manager Boston Red Sox), Bob Kelly (SVP Bigelow Tea) and Joe Torre (manager LA Dodgers)

Thanks to About This Particular Macintosh for the Image

Little signs of spring are popping up everywhere. You can see it in the tiny buds on the trees, hear it in the birds chirping and smell it in the fresh cut grass. As the ground thaws, our longing to be outdoors reemerges. Like a New Year’s full of resolutions, the first day of spring brings with it a sense of possibility.

One great way to step into spring is with an old-fashioned tea party! Need a tea set?  Bring in the bright colors of spring with our Pinwheel Pink Teapot and mugs! For a menu idea, try one of our light and delicious recipes like turkey, watercress and cranberry sandwiches:

Turkey, Watercress and Cranberry Sandwiches

Ingredients:
Butter (optional)
12 slices pumpernickel or other favorite bread
1 bunch watercress
¾ pound sliced cooked turkey
Cranberry sauce, prepared or homemade

Yield: Makes 24 sandwiches.

Instructions:

Turkey, Watercress and Cranberry Sandwiches Butter bread, if desired. On each of the 6 slices of bread, arrange watercress and turkey. Spread with cranberry sauce. Close sandwiches with remaining bread. Cut into quarters.

However you choose to embrace the season, be sure to go outside, take a deep breath and appreciate the budding green surroundings. Happy spring!

Image provided by the City of South Gate, California

Bigelow Tea helps celebrate both spring and the flowery arts with a special participating booth and activities at the 45th Annual Azalea Flowers Festival, held in the city of South Gate, California on March 20th and 21st. The delight that comes from a great cup of Bigelow tea fits right in with the City of South Gate, who has sponsored this dazzling Azalea Flowers Festival since 1966. It has become the City’s annual celebration of the springtime blooming of its official flower, the Azalea. Bigelow Tea is proud to participate in this 45th Annual Azalea Festival, which expects up to 20,000 participants for both days.

Image compliments the 45th Annual Azalea Flowers Festival

Azaleas are called “the royalty of the garden” by flower lovers; and the many thousands of named varieties can thrive in several growing conditions across the United States. Bigelow Tea (also know as Royalty to tea lovers everywhere!) knows something about growing too — and so it’s a natural fit for Bigelow Tea at the Azalea Flowers Festival. And lucky visitors who stop by our Bigelow Tea hospitality booth will enjoy selected samples.

Image compliments the 45th Annual Azalea Flowers Festival

Festival participants will also have a flurry of activities to choose from, including a golf tournament, car show and talent search. But perhaps best of all will be our Bigelow Tea product samples…hot samples of Bigelow Green Tea or Cozy Chamomile, and the warm-weather-is-here Chamomile Mango will be served up for visitors at the famous two day Azalea festival. We will also hand out 2-teabag samplers, and coupon for more great tea products. Beautiful Azaleas, exceptional Bigelow Tea samples, and that warm Southern California sun team up for a great “first week-end of spring” event!

Spring is here! Can’t you just feel it? The days are longer, the sun is warmer and the smells are different. From a more esoteric perspective, this all happens because spring is considered the period of time from the vernal equinox, when day and night are equal (March 20) to the June solstice, the longest day of the year (June 21.) Yet, most of us just think of spring as the end of winter, when plants and flowers start to grow and bloom and new life is all around. Colors are brighter and the weather is warmer. As everything around you is changing and awakening with winter’s thaw, perhaps you are thinking about drinking a different type or flavor of tea? If so, we’d love to hear what your spring time tea is…