Promotion: Come See "Drinking Habits" by Tom Smith!

TEA Presents: "An Evening of Culture"

I recently had the honor to be stage manager for a local theatre production of An Evening of Culture.  Up until now my only interaction with the theatre world was as an audience member.  I know that I am not an actress.  I am not at all upset by this.  However, I have had multiple people try to convince me that I have acting ability.  Trust me, I do not.  But this role was awesome!   I am very thankful to Theatre Ensemble Arts and our wonderful director, Thomas LaRue, to give me this opportunity.  I know that it will be awhile before I'll want to be involved in another production (it's A LOT of work), but I am fairly certain I will work with another show or two in the future.

This play is absolutely hilarious!  Even though I was at every rehearsal, I still found myself laughing at it during the actual performance.  I was a great show with wonderful actors.  If you ever get the opportunity to see it- GO!

All Photos by Melanie Leeson ©2012

"The Teashop Girls" by Laura Schaefer

I found The Teashop Girls (Laura Schaefer) soon after finishing The Mother-Daughter Book Club and feel that readers who’ve enjoyed one will like the other. Annie applies for a job as a barista at her grandmother’s tea shop, a favorite hangout for Annie and her friends while growing up. Naturally, Annie gets the job, but quickly finds out the tea shop is in trouble. Her grandmother is struggling financially and the Steeping Leaf is near closing. Annie makes it her mission to save the shop. Together with her friends Genna and Zoe and the new employee (who Annie has a secret crush on), Annie sets out to save the shop (while doing her best to avoid her annoying classmate, Zach).

Annie and her friends have a tea handbook in which they’ve saved recipes, history of tea and old tea ads. These and quotes about tea are sprinkled throughout the book. These little extras brought much to the story and helped me enjoy the book even more. Young girls interested in baking may take a liking in the book. And if you enjoy this one, check out The Secret Ingredient!








Check out Laura Schaefer on Twitter and her Blog!






Happy Reading!
-Melly