- My Mermaid Moments -
2/8/10
What a few months it has been. I suddenly found myself facing so many endings in my life and amazingly all at once. It certainly feels like an end of an era, having had to say goodbye to my business and my work as I knew it, having to say goodbye to my home and to people who I have loved very dearly who will no longer share my journey. It has been exhaustive and sad time to come to terms with so many endings. What I am learning and most probably will have to continue to learn is not to fight the flow. Sometimes you want an outcome so badly but the Universe has other ideas. You continue to push and push upstream and you think you’ve got to keep battling to the finish line, which is always not quite within reach. What we sometimes don’t realise is the finish line is actually in the opposite direction and we could have easily found our way downstream by surrendering to the flow. I don’t mean in a bad way, but in a way of recognising that this “was not the plan” we had in mind, but at the same time being open to the other eventualities that will come our way.
Last time I spoke to you about filling your cup by doing things that feel good, that make you happy and make you hum along at a pace which is rewarding and nurturing. Sometimes we forget that and I certainly am one to talk. On the upside of being aligned, you get to “see” things you otherwise might not have seen because you were too busy struggling upstream. I am so very grateful that my eyes are now “seeing” new things, and who would have thought that this would literally be seeing things in the cup! I am now working with a very wonderful, wise woman of the tea called Lindel who has already opened my eyes to many new things in a relatively short period of time. My tea leaf reading teacher, my mentor and now a wonderful new friend! Without the closure of Tea by the Sea (as we know it), I would not have been freed up to work so closely with her and discover and develop skills that will take me on the next part of my journey. And to think my background in marketing and in tea has allowed me to help her too. We were just waiting for the perfect timing to be able to work together.
She has recently just launched a “tea reading” iPhone app which allows you to have your leaves read anywhere, anytime (for more info or to download the app, click here...
I am not condoning tea bags by any means ;-) but this is certainly a unique and special way to gain a new perspective on what’s going on in your world today instantly. I feel privileged for the opportunity to be so involved in launching “this creation” and being able to utilise all my skills from my past to help make it a success. Perhaps you yourself don’t realise how many great things you have to offer others? That everything that has happened up until this point, and the skills that you have learnt on your journey (however humble), have provided you the exact “tool kit” necessary to take on new opportunities. One door closes and another opens, you just need to knock and be brave enough to open it.
Mermy
25/4/10
Last Sunday I decided to take up a last minute offer and head up to Terrigal. I love Terrigal, there is something about the place which just makes me feel like I am on holiday – albeit even for just one day. The weather was spectacular – we are truly lucky to live in this country. The water sparkled like the surface of a thousand shimmering sequins and there were only just a few people peppering the beach to the North. I felt exhilarated even before I hit the sand. Walking for what seemed like hours, passing only a few others wanting to free themselves of any cobwebs which may have built up in their minds. We talked about everything and nothing and were comfortable with silence while the waves gently lapped at the shore across our feet. Still quite warm for this time of year I thought. Warm enough to even go swimming! What a treat I thought! I swam in silence and watched the fish swim through the crest of the wave just metres from where I was standing.
Why don’t I do this more often? It felt so good and I could feel it feeding my soul. I enjoyed a deeply relaxing massage and finished up with a cup of tea! Awesome! Why is it that we always think twice about spoiling ourselves? I made a pact with myself at that moment that I deserve this,
we all do!
I’m going to make more time doing things that make me feel good.
I encourage you to do the same.
Mermy
6/4/10
I hope you all had a really relaxing Easter break with family and friends and that you were able to savour some magical moments. I was able to savour some quiet time with my family at Tea by the Sea which will probably be the last time in which we have the tea gardens to ourselves.
As you know, the business and freehold is currently on the market. During this period I have already “accidentally” met some wonderful like-minded people who share the same passion for tea as me. It’s such a special place that I know will attract a special owner who will respect it and gain much from it.
Was the Easter bunny good to you? I put my request in for a gluten-free egg and the Easter Bunny delivered three! How lucky am I?
I was recently diagnosed with Coeliac disease – this was a big shock for me given my love for High Tea! How could this be? No more cucumber sandwiches or delectable sweet treats?? This definitely turned my world upside down. What a bizarre twist in my life – to think that I have dedicated more than three years of my life to the very civilised act of partaking in High Tea. I am actually grateful though for finding out, as so many pieces of the puzzle now fit. I was struggling with my health for quite some time and it’s great to be able to report that I feel so much better for completely removing gluten from my diet. It is definitely a learning curve but it’s an interesting albeit sometimes frustrating one, often tasting like cardboard ;-)
I am happy to confirm that I have ventured back into the kitchen! I am enjoying the “no pressure” process of eating my way through other gluten-free recipes other than the hummingbird cake, rich choccy cake or the almond mocha cake with berry compote I often made for the tearooms. So far I have three eager participants of my “cooking classes” and to date we can collectively put a tick behind my gluten-free blueberry & banana bread as well as sticky date puds with caramel orange sauce. Woo hoo! Both of which provide the perfect combo with my “Crème Caramel” tea or with my exquisite Earl Grey or “Early Pearly” as I like to call it. Or perhaps my lemony green tea we aptly named “Lemon Delicious” would make the perfect light refreshment? Hey, that’s definitely another idea for another lush GF dessert. Who says gluten-free has to be boring… (Can you tell I am missing my friend Mr Sweet Tooth and my other friend Sally Sugarplum?)
All this talk is making me hungry! Wishing you all lots of food for thought everyone.
Signing off now as Gluten-Free and Gorgeous!
Mermy
9/2/10
Happy Chinese New Year! I wish you all an interesting and safe journey this year. The year of the Tiger is said to symbolise big changes and so may you flow with these changes with grace and gratitude. No matter how tough the lessons we need to learn, hopefully you can always “find” the sweet spot or discover the “hunny jar” when you least expect it.
You may already know that I am selling up – that I am ready to take on a new project and hand over the reigns to another passionate like-minded soul. I feel that I have come full circle and the timing is right for Tea by the Sea to set sail towards Phase 2! If you’ve ever dreamed of your own sea change – or tea change! – perhaps this is your year to follow your dream? Wake up to the birds and the sound of the ocean in the background. Replenish your cup in every possible sense. I have loved doing just that and enjoying brekky or dinner in the tea gardens and really listening. It’s a funny thing hearing yourself think after a busy day.
It’s been a treat to enjoy the same peaceful ambience that you experience when you visit Tea by the Sea, as it’s been my home too for more than three years. Thank you for the journey – it has revealed so much to me about myself and what I am capable of. And yes I have surprised myself! Change is in the air. If this is for you (we will both know if it is) then please contact me as the world is your oyster.
In sweetness and light,
Mermy
26/5/09
Wow! What a busy few weeks it has been!
I certainly feel I’m donning my marketing hat again which is great. These last few months have been full of personal and professional challenges.
Finally I am seeing my new retail tea range come to fruition – the real “Mermaid Moments” has been born! Now my guests can take a little “Tea by the Sea” with them and enjoy it at home (or in the office, or on a boat, or in a park or on the beach - make mine iced!).
And that’s what I wanted to achieve for both my customers who visit me regularly, and for those wanting to experience their own tea ritual – brewing a fabulous cup of tea any time they choose and then enjoying a sense of calm (even if just for one magical moment!).
I think particularly in this day and age, we’re all running against the clock and have so much to do that sometimes we loose sight of the simple things in life. And how can you look past a good cuppa? Share it with a friend along with some afternoon tea delights, take a sip while you help the kids get ready in the morning, run through your check list for the day and just gather your thoughts before heading out and about, or relish some “me-time” – any time!
The launch of Mermaid Moments - Tea by the Sea coincides with Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. I’m proud to be sponsoring this event and donating my tea to raise funds for the Cancer Council. Last month we lost a very special person to cancer and so this event is my tribute to you Georgie – have a cup of tea on me! Cheers!
With love
Mermy
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