Tea with a Twist - Best Tea Book by Gourmand

The day didn't start with a celebration so it just goes to show you, how a day starts isn't necessarily how it ends.  I woke up still tired from my trip to North Carolina where I did a cooking demo and book signing (details to come in next blog).  My husband woke up with a headache and stayed home from work and my daughter decided that she was going to use her mental health day.  For those of you are unfamiliar with a mental health day-let me explain.  I am not sure how far back the tradition dates in my family but I know my mom allowed me to have them and I have passed down the tradition to my children.  Each school year, my children are allowed to take one mental health day-a day where they just don't feel like going to school.


With everyone at home, there went my plans to have a productive work day.  Worst yet, I had errands to run in the afternoon, one of which included a dentist visit.  After finishing up at the dentist, I took my daughter Kate to the orthodontist.  While waiting on her, I decided to check  my emails on my blackberry.  I couldn't believe my eyes. 


MY FIRST BOOK, TEA WITH A TWIST WAS VOTED BEST TEA BOOK IN THE UNITED STATES BY THE GOURMAND WORLD COOKBOOK AWARDS AND WAS GOING ON TO BE ENTERED IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AT THE PARIS COOKBOOK FAIR!


When my daughter got back in the car, I shared the news and we put my French music CD in to play as we giggled.  As I strolled into the Post Office, I was so thrilled that I threatened my daughter with singing Christmas carols while we waited in line!


Now how does a tea specialist celebrate you ask-with a pot of tea and fresh baked batch of scones, of course!  Since my family had all stayed home, we were all able to celebrate the victory together.  How special it was to have those that have helped me make my dreams come true and have sacrificed their time in helping me while I was writing, be able to sit by the fire with a cup of tea, nibbling on scones, and celebrating our success!  My son in college even sent me an email message congratulating us on the award!


I feel so blessed to be recognized by the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.  Many thanks go to Harvest House Publishers for believing in my ideas and also to the creative team of Lauren Rubinstein and Annette Joseph who made my words come alive in fabulous pictures!