An Article from the New York Times: “The Joy of Quiet”

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 is speaking out! I hope many will listen! If we are to be balanced and complete, and useful in our various spheres, not fractured and frayed, but calm and creative, then this message must take root.

I know this message of Quiet is true by personal experience. Being in business, and living with cell phones and emails and all the myriad intrusions we all must deal with daily, I understand the frenetic pace, the constant interruption, and the pressure, but I also the hush of quiet, and its attending peace. My husband and I have not had television in our home for 25 years. Happily, I never watch the news, unless forced to in some waiting room. (Then I find it totally frustrating and overwhelming, with too many fragments of information coming at me at a pace I can’t absorb. Too many partial pieces!). We do watch videos, choosing carefully. No TV means more quiet.

Perhaps the one thing that brings the greatest peace to me, though, the one place where I find the most healing for all the fractures and frustrations that are a part of a fast-paced life in this day and age, is my practice of beginning my day with Quiet. No news, no noise, no emails. Each days is deliberately opened in quiet. I spend 2 hours this way each morning, first thing. I find this is the only time of the day I can actually control and count on. This is my time for unhurried reading, study, and meditation. This is when I do my praying. It might seem like a big chunk of time, but I couldn’t do without it. There may be some things I must leave out, but there is a placid center, a deep root and foundation to work from, more strength to draw from. It is a necessity in my life.

If life’s pace leaves you feeling frayed around the edges, please read this article and take its message to heart. Find a quiet place with a comfortable chair, take a cup of warm tea, a book of poetry or your journal, and take the time, make the time for quiet. Reflect. Consider. Process. Let all those crazy, jumping thoughts, crashing about in your mind, calm and settle into the places they belong. Enjoy something beautiful, for beauty always brings healing. You will find it worth every minute, and will accomplish much more that is important, by doing so.

I hope you will enjoy this article, and that it will be a reminder of important matters.

Yours for more quiet, peace,
and beauty,
Mary Alice Higbie

December Employee of the Month

Sometimes an individual comes along whose creative talents awe and inspire those around them. This month we honor just such a person. Ondine Scott has become an invaluable member of our Tearoom staff. In a few short years she has done almost everything that one can do at the St. James. Ondine continually amazes all of us with her creativity. She has produced books about our teas, surprised and delighted our guests with special written encouragements, and helped our servers share the menu with guests in new and innovative ways. She is always coming up with new ideas and materials, and works tirelessly to meet deadlines and expectations. She does all of this with grace, patience, and a smile for those she works with and those she serves.

http://www.stjamestearoom.com/staff.html

New Event Listings!

Encores of the Passport Event and Children’s Ettiquette Tea, a Princess Tea, and a celebration of Jane Austen’s 200th year in print:

http://www.stjamestearoom.com/calendar.html

Photos from the Royal Reception

Memories of a wonderful evening!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stjamestearoomabq/

Photos of May Special China now online

We’ve updated the website with photos of the three china options for the May Floral Special.

April Employee of the Month: Hannah Hughes

At the St. James, we take great care to honor each guest who walks through our doors. An essential aspect of honoring our guests is the quiet courtesy and tender confidence of gentility. We celebrate the heart and dedication of Hannah Hughes, one of our beloved servers. The guests that she serves are always delighted by her gracious demeanor and ever-present air of gentility. Hannah’s co-workers also benefit from this quality. Those who are around her feel valued and appreciated.

Special Floral Arrangements for May

We have a surprise to delight and honor mothers, grandmothers and special friends in the month of May. We are offering a choice of 3 beautiful floral arrangements of sweetheart roses, carnations, small flowers and greenery. You may make your selection from the following options:

1) “Iceberg Rose” arrangement features a fine bone china cup and saucer decorated with delicate white roses, soft green leaves on an ivory background.

2) “Butterfly Garden” arrangement features a fine bone china cup and saucer decorated with pink and red roses, green leaves and butterflies on a white background.

3) “Baroque Pitcher” arrangement features a 7″ fine porcelain baroque pitcher in soft ivory, adorned with three dimensional porcelain roses.

Please call 505-242-3752 to make your floral request or include it at the time you make your reservation for tea. Each arrangement will cost $26, not including the price of a tea reservation.

*(We reserve the right to make changes in the makeup of the floral arrangement based upon availability.)

March Employee of the Month: Krystal Cox

The St. James honors server Krystal Cox for her excellence!

http://www.stjamestearoom.com/staff.html

New Events at the Tearoom

Events for March and April are now listed on the website:

http://www.stjamestearoom.com/calendar.html

Special Prices first week in January!

The Extra-special December menu will be offered at Regular Menu Prices for Jan 3-Jan 8 ONLY!

Adult Full Tea, Tues-Fri $27.50, Sat $28.50
Child’s Tea (ages 4-10) Tues-Fri $18.50, Sat $19.50

Come by for tea and check out the great sale prices in the St. James Market while you’re here! 40% off all Christmas, all ornaments and a bunch of other items!