12 San Jose area holiday events for 2010!

Christmas bells.  Image from AntiqueClipArt.com

Well, now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the turkey leftovers are getting eaten up, it's time to start thinking about Christmas and other winter holiday celebrations.  Here are some interesting things happening in the San Jose area in the next few weeks:

1. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair: November 26 to December 19, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, CA.  General admission: $25 (discounts for advance purchase online).

Take time out this week with a tea party!

Photo: Nikolay Dimitrov. www.e-Cobo.com

Most of us across the United States are gearing up for Thanksgiving in the next week.  A quintessentially American holiday, with a profoundly religious background, the Thanksgiving feast, shared with as many friends and relatives as possible, can be a very stressful project.  It's easy to get hung up on the details and forget the purpose of the holiday: to set aside the difficulties and celebrate the blessings of family, friends, food and good deeds for an entire day.  Celebrate those who have provided for you and helped you to become the person that you are today.  Keep yourself in an attitude of gratefulness and appreciation by delegating some work to those who will share the meal with you, and put your feet up once in a while with a cup of tea! 

You can "taste-test" some of the treats for the big day by making them ahead of time and enjoying them before the frenzy of preparation.  A Thanksgiving High Tea is also the perfect way to use up leftovers after the holiday!  Here are some recipes you might want to add to your tea table; they would also make great additions to a special breakfast on Thanksgiving day.

Cranberry Orange scones
Butterscotch-Ginger scones
Cream scones
Pumpkin butter
Apple butter
Mock clotted cream
Spiced-Tea Cranberry Sauce

Mushroom Croustades
Pumpkin Fritters
Maple Shortbread

Interesting links:
“Thanksgiving tea ideas”
“Thanksgiving meal tea and food pairings”
“Hostess a Thanksgiving Tea Party” by Sheila Kosmicki
“A Thanksgiving Tea Party, Relax and Enjoy!”

Enter the Tea Council of the USA 2010 “Sip of Success” internship contest!

Tea estate.  Image from FreePhotosBank.com

Do you love tea and need a job?  Current U.S. college students and recent college graduates are eligible to apply for a Sip of Success internship in the tea business, with the Tea Council of the USA!  Contest entry regulations are on the Tea Council’s website, but entrants have less than two days to put together and submit a 2-minute YouTube video entry which explains your passion for tea, your knowledge of its health benefits, and your interest in the tea business world. 

The winning entrant will receive a tea education through travel to tea-growing regions of Sri Lanka, Kenya, India and the United States.  You will live on tea plantations and learn about tea growing, processing and tasting, first-hand, from tea experts.  All entrants must be at least 18 years of age, and all entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 19, 2010.  **UPDATE: the deadline for submissions has just been extended to NOVEMBER 30, 2010!** Good luck to all applicants!

Sip of Success entry form
Contest Rules and Regulations

Local tea and history events for November 2010.

AntiqueClipArt.com

Tea at Satori Tea Bar:  Join the South Bay Ladies' Tea Guild in a relaxing visit to San Jose’s newest tea shop, Satori Tea Bar!  A pot of tea, scone, tea sandwiches and a treat are included. E-mail southbayladiesteaguild@yahoo.com to R.S.V.P. or for more information.
   
    Date: Saturday, November 13, 2010, 1 p.m.
    Location: Satori Tea Bar, 37 N. San Pedro, (downtown, behind Peggy Sue’s) San Jose.
    Cost: $30 per person (pay in advance, please!)
    Suggested Costume: modern dress.

Fall Cornucopia: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays 11 am - 5 pm, November 28 - December 26. The Rengstorff House, 3070 N. Shoreline Blvd.,  Mountain View, CA 94043.  Phone: (650) 903-6392. www.r-house.org

Hillsborough Antique Show and Sale: Nov. 5 - 7, 11am to 8pm at San Mateo County Event Center, East Palo Alto, CA.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors 65 and older. 
http://www.hillsboroughantiqueshow.com/index.html

Holiday Craft Show Boutique: Sunday, Nov 21, 9 am to 3 pm at Napredak Hall, 770 Montague Expressway, San Jose, CA.  “100 tables of some of the areas most talented artisans and craft experts. Free admission. Free parking. Snack bar on premises. Raffle and door prizes.” 

San Jose City Tree Lighting Ceremony: Nov. 26, 2010.  5:30 pm.  Plaza De Cesar Chavez (between San Carlos and San Fernando Streets). 

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair: November 26 to December 19, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, CA.  General admission: $25 (discounts for advance purchase online).
http://www.dickensfair.com/.